Dubai - Dubai-based teacher Lee Felton completes Atlantic Challenge, the world's toughest rowing race
Published: Fri 26 Feb 2016, 11:00 PM
Updated: Sun 28 Feb 2016, 7:40 AM
"Being told by text message that a hurricane was coming and to get into the cubby-hole, button down the hatches, and ride the storm out."
This was the moment things got "really scary" for Dubai-based teacher, Lee Felton, as he took part in the Talisker Atlantic Challenge - also known as the 'toughest rowing race' in the world.
Stuck on a 29x6-feet boat in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, Felton vividly recalls the moment he put "all his faith in Mother Nature", during the 65-day journey across the second largest ocean in the world.
Race statistics:> 26 teams and 62 rowers
> 8,000 calories burnt daily by one rower
> 21,600 average oar strokes per rower each day
> 837 bottles of sun tan lotion used in the challenge
> 15,502 wet wipes used by rowers
Why row?
SquareOneAtlantic participated in the Talisker Atlantic Challenge to raise money for the 'Sport for Freedom' cause which raises awareness on human trafficking. Go to www.squareoneatlantic.com to find out more.
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"We were battered by 50-60 feet waves on a regular basis, it was like being on a roller coaster," he tells Khaleej Times.
After setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 20 with his teammate Sean Lannon, the duo - dubbed SquareOneAtlantic - finally touched down at the English Harbour in Antigua 65 days later, in the early hours of February 24.
Coming 19th out of 26 teams, the duo battled ferocious waves, chronic fatigue and seasickness to get there.
Speaking from his base in Antigua, Felton says although he wouldn't wish such a trip on his "worst enemy", it's a feat he is proud to have completed.
"It was the worst two months of my life. I missed family and friends, I had constant pain in my bottom, I was wet all the time, and had a severe lack of sleep, however, I'm so glad that I've done it now. The support from people around the world has been incredible."
The journey
During the two month stint, Felton and Lannon covered 2,812 nautical miles, burnt about 320,000 calories each, and rowed, on average, about 21,600 oar strokes per day.
Regularly enduring 14 hours of sun each day with "nowhere to hide from it", an exhausted Felton - who lost 14kg during the race - says there was one moment where he very nearly threw the towel in.
"I had a bad feeling about things on day four and I decided I didn't want to be on the boat any longer, so I called the support vessel to take me off. However, I got talked out of it by my family and the support crew and I'm glad they did."
Asked if it was everything he expected it be, his response is "yes and no."
"Some things were harder than I thought and other things were easier. It was a lot more mentally challenging than I thought ... one day we even played the 'name a celebrity A-Z' game for nine hours straight."
Highs and lows
Sporting a newly-grown bushy beard, the most challenging part of Felton's journey was missing his girlfriend Anne Marie, and his family and friends.
But he recalls one moment when all his worries just faded away.
"I was having a quick nap on the deck and this pod of dolphins just popped up next to me. That was epic."
And the trip wasn't short on humuorous moments, either.
Felton reminisces on one particular evening when he thought his teammate, Lannon, was letting his frustrations out on him. What actually happened was quite the contrary.
"It was dark and I got hit in the back of the head. I thought Sean had punched me but it was actually a flying fish." And the next night, while Lannon slept, another flying fish landed in between his legs.
Surviving on a basic diet of frozen dried meals and expedition food, the pair had visions of tucking into a juicy steak and chips after docking on day 65, but with the kitchen at the camp closed, they settled for burger and chips instead.
"All I had actually dreamt about for a month was a pint of orange juice and ice to chew on."
After finally crossing the finish line about two weeks after initially planned, Felton says the feeling was euphoric.
"My first thought was, we've done it. We have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat with only 48 hours of real rowing experience."
But asked if he'd ever do it again, he gave a resounding "no".
Interestingly, more people have been into space or climbed Mount Everest than have ever rowed the Atlantic. So with Felton now part of this exclusive club, what's next?
Funnily enough, his first thoughts are indeed, Everest.
"I was going to do Everest, however, I watched the new film and I realised that perhaps it's not such a good idea. Plus, I would probably end up single as I have put my girlfriend through two months of worry which I said I would never do again." - kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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