Pegasus Couple Set To Row Across The Atlantic
Nicky and Bob Parr are planning to row across the Atlantic.
When Nicky and Bob Parr told their loved ones that they planned to row across the Atlantic, their reactions ranged from delight and pride to disbelief and horror.
words: Michelle McCullough images: Supplied by Nicky and Bob Parr
The Pegasus duo, who are on the cusp of retirement, are set to take part in The Atlantic Challenge - an adventure that will see them row almost 5000km in a tiny boat, spend up to 70 days at sea, face 20ft waves, and possibly experience hallucinations.
“We decided to take on this challenge a year ago, a decision we made pretty much on the spur of the moment. It was a grey day, life seemed to have slowed to a walking pace, and people we knew seemed to be turning up their toes on an alarmingly regular basis. We felt the need to reclaim old space, invigorate ourselves by embracing something out of the ordinary,” Bob said.
The challenge will start at La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December 2024 and will finish in St. John’s Harbour in Antigua, with Nicky estimating the voyage will take them between 60 and 70 days.
“There is nothing but ocean between these two points, though we may occasionally see a ship. It is equally possible we will see nothing at all, except the sky and the sea and wildlife. Whales, dolphins, sharks and various species of fish are very likely to come close to the boat, sometimes to within an oar’s length. And we do have to go over the side every ten days or so, to scrape off barnacles and weed that will otherwise slow our progress. One in the water, one on shark watch,” Nicky said.
Life at sea is not a new endeavour for the Parrs, who spent four years living on a yacht in the Caribbean, and several months exploring the Norwegian fjords and islands. “However, this challenge requires a new level of preparation”, Bob said.
“Being in our 60’s, physical preparation has to be careful and gradual. We still have more than 18 months to go before we set out, but even now we’re strength and flexibility training and spending time on a rowing machine. Our plan is to gradually increase the intensity and duration of this and to condition ourselves to the interrupted sleep patterns.
“Sleep deprivation and burning several thousand calories of food every day can result in many problems, problems that include hallucinations. This event is nothing at all like rowing on a river, or even along a coastline. The open ocean can be serene and beautiful, but it can also be dangerous and overwhelming. Trying to prepare for the myriad of sensations, feelings, sights, sounds and fears of such an experience is almost impossible. So, we plan on ‘wait training’. That is, wait until we get out there, then embrace the experience for all it is.”
The couple will undertake the challenge in a Rannoch R25, a purposely designed two-person boat that can self-right if it was to capsize, Bob said.
“Our rowing shift pattern is likely to be two hours on and then two hours off, 24 hours a day throughout the entire passage. Downtime will be spent sleeping in the one coffinsized cabin.” By taking on this mammoth challenge, the couple hope to raise more than $50,000 for the charity Pilgrim Bandits (NZ) of which 25-year military veteran Bob is the patron. The charity supports frontline heroes such as police officers, soldiers, firefighters, and nurses who have physical injuries or suffer from mental health issues as a consequence of their service
“Moment by moment we intend to embrace the experience for all it is - the lows, the highs, the fear, the delight and of course the seasickness. There will be no escaping that,” Nicky said.
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To follow Nicky and Bob’s journey or donate to Pilgrim Bandits (NZ) visit www.glimmeringsea.org
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