Land Ahoy!

Peter Gadiot is Going to Barbados!

With less than 500 miles to row, everyone is getting excited.

The rowers have the incentive of reaching land as fast as possible and so are filled with the energy one can get on the home stretch.

Recently, they had some scary times when their water maker broke. A few hours later though and they got it working again. One bit of drama over. Water is still rationed, however, as the water maker works with solar power (by desalinating sea water) and there have been plenty of clouds of late.

The ideal sea conditions for ocean rowing are to have a certain amount of surf to help push the boat in the right direction. Sometimes the waves are quite high and other times, the sea is so "flat" that is like rowing in soup.

Here is some info from the experts:

“While an imposing 5 or 6-metre high wall of water sounds terrifying, due to the small size and light weight of the boat, they simply ride up over the waves with their immense buoyancy. Sometimes it can be a harrowing position, with a wall of water racing towards the boat, but with each wave that progresses towards the boat, she will happily sit on top of the ocean. The ‘bad’ waves are the ones that break just before the boat. These waves will cover the deck in sea water, and promptly throw the boat and her crew around the cabins briefly.

There have been cases in the past where a wave may roll the boat and capsize her (these are generally waves hitting the beam), but then the aggressive self righting capabilities come into their own to ensure a crew's safety.” Woodvale

Peter's highlights in the past few days have been the best sunsets ever, beautiful dolphins and the news that he has become an uncle as his brother, Omar, and his wife, Siobhan, have become proud parents of a lovely baby boy.

So while all of that is happening at sea, here on dry land we are making preparations for the welcoming drinks, party and flying to Barbados. (I know, hard work but someone has to do it!)

Peter and the Ragainst Slavery team (each of the other crew members have their own chosen charities) will be setting up some visits at schools and other public places in Barbados. We are already coordinating with other Human Rights groups to increase public awareness of the problems of modern-day slavery.

As they say ... no rest for the wicked!

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See where Britannia III is right now!

http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/byteam/31

Here we are in La Gomera

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Peter Gadiot in La Gomera.

The 12-seater rowing boat "Brittania III" is being prepared shortly before the planned departure in early December 2009 from the Spanish Canary Isles. Destination: Antigua, 3000 miles away! If they get there in under 33 days, they will have broken the world record!

Here are the members of the Brittania III team:

Peter Gadiot
Linda Brewer
James Scott
James Nettleton
Lise Kronborg
Neil Ward

David Hoskins

Ian Couch
Lee Fudge
Anne Miltenberger
Allan Lyngholm
Robert Prentice

Follow their progress as they row across the Atlantic Ocean here:
http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/byteam/31/
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Peter Gadiot explains what's going to happen

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This is about our campaign to make the world more aware of modern-day slavery.

More info at our website http://www.rowingagainstslavery.org - please check it out and also follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/ragainstslavery and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=291911600110.

Thanks for viewing - Peter Gadiot

Rowing Against Slavery MercuryFM interview

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http://www.rowingagainstslavery.org

Cheryl Dennis of Mercury FM interviews Peter Gadiot about his campaign against slavery: on 6 Dec 09, he will row (probably naked!!) 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from the Canary Isles to Antigua to make us more aware of the problem of modern-day slavery, child labour and human trafficking.

This interview will be broadcast soon on http://www.mercuryfm.co.uk 97.5 - 102.7 FM

Anti-Slavery International Director Sends Letter of Support

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It is all happening!

This week has seen several newspaper articles printed as well as our first radio interview (audio to come soon).




One of the charities we are supporting is Anti-Slavery International which was founded in 1839 by Thomas Clarkson and other abolitionists, making it the first ever International Human rights Organization.

Their director, Aiden McQuade, was on a long train journey and thought of writing a message for us and here it is...

“While everyone must be in awe of the sheer physical challenge of the task that Peter and his team mates have set themselves, even more impressive is that Peter is deploying his courage in solidarity with the millions of people in slavery across the world.

Peter will be raising awareness of the struggle for freedom by bonded labourers in South Asia, the efforts of domestic workers to obtain legal protection around the world, and the demands for education by the millions of children forced to work against their will. What he is doing should echo across all the oceans and shame the leaders whose inactions maintain such injustices.”

Aiden McQuade

Wow, I'll certainly find motivation from those words when the going gets tough.

Please, remember... This project benefits from monetary or time/talent contributions. We are actively looking for sponsorship and donations from companies and individuals to help fund the project and raise money for our charities. Every £5.00 means 1 mile further across the ocean. Donations of goods and services are also very welcome.

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Join our Facebook group, follow us on Twitter, and please help us spread the word! Any contribution of any size in whatever form would be very appreciated!
+44 (0)777 606 3653 rowingagainstslavery@gmail.com
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