BRIDLINGTON, England—Three years ago, ABG’s Managing Director Mike Burton rowed in the Talisker Atlantic Ocean Race (and won it by seven days) in a pairs challenge.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, he set off from Gran Canaria on a projected three month solo journey to his destination in Antigua, all with the aim of raising a huge sum of money for charity.
“Having rowed a pairs boat with my good friend Tom Salt in the Talisker Atlantic Ocean Race in 2013/14, I decided, in a moment of madness, to attempt an unsupported solo row of the Atlantic.
“At the time the challenge didn’t appear too daunting, but as the departure date draws closer, the realization of rowing solo and not part of the Atlantic Challenge race is slowly but surely sinking in,” said Mike last month at ABG’s headquarters in Bridlington.
Mike set off from Puerto Rico Marina, Gran Canaria, early morning on Jan. 10, with the aim of reaching English Harbour, Antigua anything up to three months later having rowed 3000 miles—all subject to weather/ocean conditions.
He intends to row two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours per day, seven days a week until arriving into English Harbour. This will vary depending on sea state and the prevailing wind and weather, and due to this he spent his first 30 hours rowing no-stop.
His home for the next three months is a 6-m. long, 1.8-m. wide boat called Storm Petrel, named after a small ocean bird who lives on the ocean for months on end. The boat is constructed of glass fibre and Kevlar, self righting in the event of a capsize, with a sea anchor to stop her being blown backwards in adverse conditions.
Because cancer touches every one of us, Mike is hoping to raise well in excess of £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Follow his journey, donate, view a live tracker and read his daily blogs.
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