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

On your boat...get set... row!

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Peter Gadiot and crew of Britannia III on a practice row just before Christmas

After frustrating delays of almost a month, Peter and the crew left the Canary Isles at 5:30 A.M. on January 4th, 2010 on board Britannia III, heading for Antigua.

The first 46 hours or so, it looked as if they were going “the wrong way” and very slowly. But their priority was to clear the islands and get the boat into a position to make best use of trade winds and currents. So the best way to go was south. Within 11 hours they had cleared La Gomera.

During the trials, Peter was getting very seasick and I dread to think how he is feeling now. He was taking seasick tablets, but I doubt if he can keep them down. I have been told that even the most experienced rowers get very sick due to the motion and nerves in the first few days. Fingers crossed he will be fine soon!

Just before leaving, Peter asked me to thank every one who has helped on this project, so far, with donations, nutrition, services, encouragement etc.

Some of you might know that while they were waiting to have a window of good weather in order to depart, instead of spending time at home during the Christmas holidays putting on more weight (needed for the row) with lovely minced pies and cream, Peter flew to Mexico to help the volunteers of an anti-slavery, anti-human trafficking project there.

So, please, do remember why he is doing this “mad journey” and help us to do more. Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep yourself and others informed on this issue; it is the fastest growing illegal industry affecting a great number of people (and not only in the underdeveloped countries). A simple.. 'Did you know that slavery still exists?' is a good start.
2. Invite others to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, our blog, YouTube or e-mail. We will keep you informed on this issue. At the moment, the fastest way has been sending links and news on Twitter, but I will try to send a newsletter and keep Facebook updated.
3. If you can give a donation or hold a fund-raising event, it would be great! The funds go directly to help the campaign. Anything counts!
4. If you would like to help by writing blog posts, the newsletter, proof reading, doing research, updating the website, etc. - i.e. anything that helps to get the message against slavery out there would be much appreciated.
5. Continue to support us by checking the blog regularly, reading our tweets, and leaving comments, tweets and retweets of support and encouragement to Peter (it really does help!)
   

Many thanks...!

Until the next blog post!

Q

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See Peter Gadiot's current position in real time:
http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/byteam/31

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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.
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