01.16.17
Three years ago, ABG’s managing director Mike Burton rowed in the Talisker Atlantic Ocean Race (and won it by seven days) in a pairs challenge. On Tuesday, January 10, 2017, he set off from Gran Canaria on a projected three-month solo journey to his destination in Antigua, all with the aim of raising a huge sum of money for charity.
“Having rowed a pairs boat with my good friend Tom Salt in the Talisker Atlantic Ocean Race in 2013-14, I decided, in a moment of madness, to attempt an unsupported solo row of the Atlantic.
“At the time, the challenge didn’t appear too daunting, but as the departure date draws closer, the realization of rowing solo and not part of the Atlantic Challenge race is slowly but surely sinking in,” said Mike last month at ABG’s headquarters in Bridlington.
Burton set off from Puerto Rico Marina, Gran Canaria, early on the morning of January 10, with the aim of reaching English Harbour, Antigua, anything up to three months later having rowed 3,000 miles – all subject to weather/ocean conditions.
His plans include rowing for two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours per day and seven days a week until arriving into English Harbour. This will vary depending on sea state and the prevailing wind and weather, and due to this he spent his first 30 hours rowing non-stop.
His home for the next three months is a six-meter-long, 1.8-meter-wide boat called Storm Petrel, named after a small ocean bird that lives on the ocean for months on end. The boat is constructed of glass fiber and Kevlar, self-righting in the event of a capsize, with a sea anchor to stop it from being blown backwards in adverse conditions.
Because cancer touches every one of us, Burton is hoping to raise well in excess of £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. For those who are interested in following his journey and donating, visit here, where you can view a live tracker and read his daily blogs.
“Having rowed a pairs boat with my good friend Tom Salt in the Talisker Atlantic Ocean Race in 2013-14, I decided, in a moment of madness, to attempt an unsupported solo row of the Atlantic.
“At the time, the challenge didn’t appear too daunting, but as the departure date draws closer, the realization of rowing solo and not part of the Atlantic Challenge race is slowly but surely sinking in,” said Mike last month at ABG’s headquarters in Bridlington.
Burton set off from Puerto Rico Marina, Gran Canaria, early on the morning of January 10, with the aim of reaching English Harbour, Antigua, anything up to three months later having rowed 3,000 miles – all subject to weather/ocean conditions.
His plans include rowing for two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours per day and seven days a week until arriving into English Harbour. This will vary depending on sea state and the prevailing wind and weather, and due to this he spent his first 30 hours rowing non-stop.
His home for the next three months is a six-meter-long, 1.8-meter-wide boat called Storm Petrel, named after a small ocean bird that lives on the ocean for months on end. The boat is constructed of glass fiber and Kevlar, self-righting in the event of a capsize, with a sea anchor to stop it from being blown backwards in adverse conditions.
Because cancer touches every one of us, Burton is hoping to raise well in excess of £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. For those who are interested in following his journey and donating, visit here, where you can view a live tracker and read his daily blogs.