It’s a feat achieved less than successful trips to space and Mount Everest, but a group of brothers from Edinburgh have made it their mission to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
Ewan MacLean, Jamie MacLean and Lachlan MacLean, also known as ‘Broar,’ embark on the trip today, and will spend Christmas and New Year on the boat.
Spending the next 40-60 gruelling days rowing two hours on, one hour off, the MacLeans aim to become the fastest trio ever to row the Atlantic.
Traversing shark-infested waters and shipping lanes the trio say they expect to face blisters, exhaustion, severe dehydration, 40-degree heat, salt sores, storms and hallucinations caused by a combination of sleep deprivation and low sugar levels.
Known as the ‘world’s toughest row’, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is one of the most demanding endurance events on the planet.
Ewan, a 27-year-old design engineer based in Bristol has taken a three-month sabbatical from Dyson to take part in the row, while Glasgow School of Art architecture student Jamie, 26, and University of Glasgow student Lachlan, 21, will complete their studies upon their return.
The brothers have decided to take on this challenge to raise money for two children’s charities, Children 1st and Feedback Madagascar.
Youngest brother Lachlan said: “We realised if we didn’t do this now, we would never do it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t be able to do it without my two big brothers alongside me.
“We’ll go to some dark places, but we’ll learn so much about ourselves and each other.
“We know it will be a challenge – most other crews have military or navy experience.
“We’re two students and an engineer whose rowing experience prior to signing up for this was in the gym.
“But I’ve always believed everyone is capable of amazing things and no matter how painful it is, it will be amazing to look back on when we’re old and grey.
“The main reason we’re doing this is to raise money for two charities which mean a lot to us, so hopefully everyone will dig deep.”
Just 35 crews from across the globe will compete in the premier event in ocean rowing, which will see competitors race more than 3,000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, in Antigua and Barbuda.
You can keep up to date with the challenge on Broar’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Donations can be made via www.broar.co.uk.
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