From Ocean to Desert

In the past weeks, Peter Gadiot has been a regular at the doctor's surgery, receiving treatment from the osteopath and having ice packs on his knees after suffering the heavy strain from rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic ocean.

Now Peter is running The Marathon Des Sables (MDS - Marathon of the Sands) which is held for six consecutive days in the Saharan desert. It is considered the "toughest foot race on Earth".

The 250 km ultra marathon, which is the equivalent of 5½ regular marathons, includes running across ground with towering sand dunes, uneven rocky terrain and dangerous valleys.

The heat is one of the main challenges as mid-day temperatures can reach a suffocating 49°C (120°F) even in early April, made worse by the fact that the runners have to carry everything needed for the duration of the race in a rucksack. This includes food (which they must prepare from the stocks they carry), clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag, compass, torch, whistle, cooking equipment, anti-venom pump, signaling mirror, etc.

Water is strictly rationed throughout the race and handed out at each checkpoint in 1.5-litre bottles .

The longest single stage is 84 km (52 miles) long.

This is the third grueling event Peter has done in the last 6 months (a triathlon, rowing the Atlantic Ocean and this Ultra-marathon, for which Peter had no time to train because his Atlantic crossing was seriously delayed due to adverse weather conditions). Why would someone put his body through this much pain? Peter is bringing awareness to modern-day slavery in all its forms.

Although there has been a lot attention drawn to the issue of human trafficking and slavery in the recent months (the US president declared the whole month of January an anti-human trafficking month; in the UK, the house of commons had an exhibition; and an increasing number of celebrities are running campaigns about it), more needs to be done to fully eradicate this heinous crime.

Human trafficking is considered the second largest and fastest growing illegal industry in the world according to the United Nations, with 80% of victims being women and 50%, children (from a Trafficking in Persons report by the US Department of State).

Any donations of any amount towards our No Slavery project would be greatly appreciated. Please click HERE to donate.
.

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!

---

See where Britannia III is right now!

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

ROWING AGAINST SLAVERY - Latest News!

Peter Gadiot is rowing the Atlantic Ocean right now. The journey is 3000 miles, from the Canary Isles to Antigua.

Peter and crew will be attempting to break the world record for the fastest crossing.

To follow their progress, you can actually see the real time tracking of the boat's exact location in the ocean!

To find out what motivated Peter to do it, to watch videos of the boat that shows where they eat, sleep and their “en suite facilities” (a bucket!) etc, scroll down the blog to find all the news!

Website: http://www.rowingagainstslavery.org

Blog: http://rowingagainstslavery.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=291911600110

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RAgainstSlavery

We Can End Slavery

 image: vietnameseworkersabroad.wordpress.com

Article No. 4 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:

“No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”

Yet, slavery still exists and it is growing at an alarming rate.

The problem of contemporary slavery:

• Major forms of slavery are human trafficking, forced labour, exploitation of domestic workers, especially children, debt labour and sexual slavery.

• Human trafficking is a modern tragedy and it is the fastest growing criminal industry world wide.

• Slavery is not something that “happens elsewhere” or only in the “underdeveloped countries”; it is a global problem. Any country might be used for sourcing, transit or as a destination by traffickers; or it all happens within one area.

• Women, children, ethnic minorities, indigenous people, hill tribes, refugees, and illegal migrants are amongst the key target groups. (UNIFEM)
  

Suggestions to help end slavery:

• Keep yourself and others informed on this issue. A simple 'Did you know that slavery still exists?' is a good way to start.

• Contact your local police if you see anything that looks suspicious.

• You have power as a consumer. Support fair and ethical trade initiatives by buying products from them. Write letters to your favourite retailers and big chains asking what measures the company is taking to identify, prevent and end the use of forced labour and slavery from within their supply chain.

• Encourage and support groups, organisations and individuals who are actively doing something about the problem.

• Participate in efforts to end this crime - such as organising or participating in activities that increase awareness of the problem and/or raise funds.

Whatever you choose to do, please do something. Do not close your eyes to slavery.

"Action is the Antidote to Despair" - Joan Baez

---

See where Peter Gadiot is right now!
http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/byteam/31

Rowing Against Slavery media coverage report

.

East Grinstead Courier & Observer, 7 Jan 2010

Rowing across the Atlantic to end slavery

by Sean McLachlan, Gadling.com, 5 Jan 2010

Rowing Against Slavery: An Attempt to Break a World Record and Slavery
by T-roy, Gobackpacking.com, 14 Dec 2009

REMANDO CONTRA LA ESCLAVITUD
Cobach 04 Seybaplaya Journal, 2 Dec 2009

Rowing Against Slavery Update

.

By now they should be settling into a routine; dealing with sores and seasickness, a daily chore.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday (5 & 6 Jan) were cold, dark, rainy and very windy - just like home really! (U.K.) But inside the tiny cabin where the rowers sleep, it's going to be hot and sticky.

They are still rowing south which must seem a bit disheartening for them, but it is all part of the “cunning plan”. Very soon, the winds will become northerly and then north-easterly, helping them move faster.

They are covering just over 70 nautical miles a day but they need to speed up to an average of 84 nm/day to break the current Atlantic crossing world record (33 days).

If a boat has to be recovered (i.e. rescued), it usually happens within the first 48 hours. So far, so good!

So there you are, the pain (I mean plain!) facts!

Please, feel free to write a comment (below). Would love to hear from you. Thanks also to the many tweets and e-mails!

Q

---

See where Peter Gadiot is right now!
http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/byteam/31

Physically weak, mentally strong.

5.30AM, Monday, 4th January.

At last we leave. The month of delays is now but a faded memory.

Final preparations have been done and one last night on land is upon me. I worked hard in October and November to bulk up and managed 8kg on my last triathlon race weight. But I found it hard to maintain with the meager variety of food in La Gomera and what with a bit of illness over Christmas, I have lost about 3kg. So I am not in as good a shape as I was, as well as having to depart with a cold, just for the added challenge. But the benefit is having more time to psychologically prepare. I have used it to find things to motivate me and to keep things in perspective; not least those souls throughout the ages, and to this very day, who have had to suffer unimaginable horrors - like those who have been deprived of their freedom, tortured, dehumanised, enslaved.

In comparison to that, anything I suffer is just folly.

I have been thinking about the crossing and how to respond best to challenges and the extremes I will face. I know it will be harsh and relentless, but I hope to be able to learn from it and use that learning to aid me in future challenges in life. I hope to be rich in experiences from the crossing.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from an indomitable will."

Gandhi

I imagined being asked, 'How are you doing? and I responded, 'Physically weak, mentally strong' and the more I thought about it, I felt that this pithy phrase will sum up my inevitable condition and my resolute intention. I have adopted it as my motto. Through will, one can withstand anything. Throughout human history, many great men have discovered this to be the truth, and I feel no different.

"The mind is everything."

Buddha

The test is upon me.

I will endeavour to send out short blogs while at sea every 4 days or so, dependent on power, nausea etc, so please check back to keep updated. Also remember you can see a satellite tracker of our boat (Brittania III) here.

Happy New Year Everyone! I'm off to row the Atlantic.

Peter G.
.

Here we are in La Gomera

.

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/
.

An evening of inspirational talk, live music & fundraising

Come along to my talk at Grub on Wednesday 18th of November! Please click on the poster to enlarge it.

Akon supports Rowing Against Slavery

.

On The Mike With Mike Sherman: Since Akon is already an active anti-slavery campaigner (it's the subject of the video 'Blood Into Gold' that he made with Peter Buffett), Mike Sherman asked him recently at the 2009 Think Pink Benefit Concert for Breast Cancer Awareness, Mizner Park, Boca Raton what he thought about Peter Gadiot's project called 'Rowing Against Slavery'. Peter is rowing the Atlantic Ocean to increase public awareness of modern-day slavery, child labour and human trafficking, in support of Anti-Slavery.org, Save The Children and Fairtrade.

o O o

MIKE: "Hi, I'm Mike Sherman from the hit TV show 'On The Mike With Mike Sherman'. There's a brave young man out of England named Peter Gadiot who'll be rowing from South Africa to the Caribbean islands against slavery... and recently, I had a chance to go one on one with world superstar entertainer Akon about this serious, serious issue... and here's what he had to say."

AKON: "Now I think it just, it opens the doors for conversation, so you know, there's a lot of things and issues that we all forget as people, things that can actually help bring us closer together, that's actually built in from the history of it. You know, so things like that only opens up conversations for us to actually be able to communicate. So I like that action."

o O o

http://www.rowingagainstslavery.org

.