Dragon Boaters Take on the Atlantic Ocean
22 March 2007 - Two Members of the Great Britain Womens Dragon Boat Squad are taking time off from ´Racing the Dragon´ to row across the Atlantic Ocean and raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Here is their story - so far.
Going backwards is a new thing for me. For most of my watery past, first in kayak´s, then from the age of 16 in dragon boats, I´ve faced forwards and paddled on one side at a time. Dragon boats are not a comfortable way to travel, but the racing is thrilling and I love it.
Dragon boat racing has given me the chance to travel to places I´ve never dreamed of going to and to meet people from far flung places who I keep in touch, linked by this one thing.
But on a dismal November day in 2004, life took a different direction as the decision was made, with no alcohol involved, to sign up for the 2007 Atlantic Rowing Race. Not satisfied with the £50k it costs to take part, my rowing partner Lin Greisel (another dragon boat junkie) and I upped the challenge to raise this, plus £100k for Breast Cancer Care.
The race runs from the Canary Islands to Antigua, some 3,000 miles that will take 70-100 days to complete. That’s an awful lot of time to spend in a 24 foot boat, facing tropical storms, thirty foot waves, large tankers, unfriendly wildlife, extreme heat- and no toilet or bathroom!
Following in the footsteps of our dragon boat team-mate Debra Searle (nee Veal), we launched our campaign on a fabulous spring evening in April 2005 with our first rowing lesson. Debra successfully rowed solo across the Atlantic in 2001 and has been a strong influence on this project.
And we loved it. Since then we’ve both rowed and sculled, in eights, fours, doubles and singles. As we understand it, this isn’t common practice, but our paddling history has instilled a deep knowledge of how boats and blades move through the water and we took to this discipline like ducks to water.
The big race starts in December and preparations are well underway. As well as becoming competent oarswomen, there is a host of other training to complete and the physical side is just one part of it.
But the dragon boat background is never far away. Much of our mental preparation is based on things we’ve learnt as paddlers, helms and coaches (and some occasional drumming!). Although it’s daunting, we believe that we have the best possible background to help us get to the start line, and then to the finish line.
Dragon Boat Racing has been a key factor in the 12 years that Lin and I have been friends. Travelling thousands of miles to training in a small car and being roomies on the big trips, we know each other inside out. We know when to support, when to shut up and when the thing that’s really needed is a hug.
With our vast experience of racing at the highest level to draw on we know that we have the mental capacity to deal with the array of emotions that this challenge will bring. From fear to elation, we’ll go through it all. We’ve also got a hundred and one ways to help each other make it all the way, little things that we used in our races. Techniques to calm us, and motivators to drive us on when it really counts.
Without the dragon boat racing experience, you’d have to question whether we would even attempt this challenge. But with this behind us, we know that if we dream it, we can do it.
To find out more about the challenge and make a donation at www.atlanticrowingchallenge.co.uk.
Rachel Smith
Atlantic Rowing Challenge for Breast Cancer Care.
Details of the challenge are
Race starts in the Canaries in December 07
3,000 miles to the finish in Antigua
Boats are 24 feet long and 6 feet wide
Expected to take 70-100 days to complete
Rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off
Outside assistance (eg. resupplying) is not permitted. Rowers must be self sufficient.
We´re competing to raise £100,000 for Breast Cancer Care. Breast cancer affects 1
in 9 women and we´ve both lost relatives. It is extremely common and devastating
to those affected, their families and friends. Cherie Blair is the patron of Breast Cancer Care.
It also costs over £50,000 to compete in the event. The boat alone costs £25k and the entry
fees are £15,000. Shipping is £6,500 and we also have to cover replacements on the boat,
expedition food, plus accommodation and flights at each end.