Ties orders now required following success of badges

Following the success of blazer badges we’ve been asked to sort out a tie for the AOR. And so we are happy to be able to release the design of the brand spanking new AOR tie.

Let me know if you’d like one. I’ll get the prices up here very soon (like tonight) cheers

Chris

Ocean Rowing on TV

Ocean rowers hit the big time on mainstream TV.

Get you’re watching goggles round ITV 4 this friday at 9pm – Go Commando will be sharing their witty banter and Royal Marines’ insight into their story of their recent Atlantic row. Well worth watching.

Blazer Badges

Right then, Behold the final design for the AOR Blazer badge. This high quality badge is being made by C.H. Munday

The cost per badge including postage and packaging is £7.50. I need all orders paid for before I place the order and I will place the order no earlier than the 15th March giving you about 3 weeks to get yourselves sorted. This badge is at cost. We don’t make any profit from this.

Your next question will of course be how can I place an order?
CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR AN AOR BLAZER BADGE.
Don’t forget to fill in your name and address. Alternately you can post a cheque to Chris Martin, 12 Westmoreland Court, Lovelace Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6PE. Make the cheque payable to Chris Martin. (We have to do this as the AOR doesn’t have a bank account). You have 3 weeks. Any questions please send me an email secretary@oceanrowers.com

Race website goes live.

The start of any ocean rowing race is a great time for the sport and the Atlantic Rowing Race 2007 is about to begin. Several of the crews are out in La Gomera already and crawling over their boats getting ready for the race start on the 2nd. Exciting times.

The race website http://www.atlanticrowingrace2007.co.uk went live a short while ago. Nice photo of Roz on the front cover too. I hope to see all of you shortly in the Blue Marlin. Bring on the fun!

Dave and Neil

Some of you will know by now that David Martin and Neil Wightwick (Ocean Rowers – Atlantic4 2005) and their girlfriends were in a serious car accident in Africa shortly after competing in an ultra-marathon last month.

Everyone is now back in the UK and with the exception of David, they are expected to make a full recovery. David dislocated a vertebra in his neck during the accident and has suffered permanent nerve damage. David has shown remarkable determination throughout and is now focused on the steps he must take to regain his independence.

We expect him to spend around six months in rehabilitation in a specialist unit. During this time I’m sure he would welcome visitors, telephone calls and cards etc. If you would like information about how to contact David, or updates on his condition, please contact Glynn Coupland or myself (0781 6668388) and we’d be only too happy to put you in touch.

Yours,
Glynn & George
Atlantic4

Plans for Ocean Rowing Boat

We’re very pleased to announce that today Phil Morison has given a set of drawings for the “2003 R&A Hull” to the Ocean Rowing Community.

This design has had various incarnations, most people will know it from boats such as:

FOURS: Queensgate, GB Row Challenge, All Relative;
PAIRS; Ghurkha Spirit
SOLOS: Senda Solo (now Brocade).

This is the basis of the composite boats being produced by Woodvale Challenge and Charlie Rossiter / ORS – although obviously it won’t be the same because individual builders will always change things.

Phil has said, “My intention is that this information is freely available to the Ocean Rowing community and helpful to anyone when considering an ocean rowing boat.”

So, if you’re considering designing your own boat, building a copy of this excellent design, or simply having a look at what goes in to a row boat – just drop me an email and you will have the CAD files by return. There will be no charge obviously.

A huge thank you to Phil. With this information in the public domain we should all be excited to see what innovations will follow.

Watermaker

Ocean rows are fraught with problems at the best of times and the one thing that has put more rowers out of action more than any other is the water maker. Dr George Simpson has put together the following servicing document for the Katadyn 40E to be read in conjunction with  the katadyn servicing manual. My favourite part is constructing a makeshift telescope! Enjoy. PUR 40E Servicing

Shipping Day

PA Freight (Andrew Morris) and Woodvale are doing a joint Shipping Weekend
Seminar on 15th Sept 2007 in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

This weekend will include a free launch into the river along with a seminar
and refreshments

Can anyone interested in the weekend please contact Kellie Allen at kellie.allen@hotmail.co.uk

Black Tie Dinner

The ORSI organised a fantastic Black Tie dinner at the Cavalry and Guards club in London a few weeks back and the photos are online. There were several presentations of certificates to Ocean Rowers who have crossed various oceans in recent years as well as Guinness World Record certificates presented to those achieveing World Records.

Also John Fairfax – First solo Atlantic E-W (and a personal idol of mine) was there as was Silvia Cook and Ocean Rowers from the last 40 years! Ocean rowers were calling in on Satelitte phones from around the world and all in all it was a great evening. Photos are on the ORSI website

Graham lands Puffin

Salty sea dog, Graham Walters landed one of the oldest ocean rowing boats in St Barts having rowed across the Atlantic from La Gomera. After 99 days at sea Graham had battled against the weather as he attempted to get into Antigua but got swept further north by currents and wind.

Congratulations to Graham for a brilliant row. (His 4th) Full details are on the ORSI website