THUNDER BAY – The record to cross the Atlantic Ocean by rowing is thirty-three days. Right now a crew, with connections to Thunder Bay is attempting to beat that record. Local author Charlie Wilkins is one of the sixteen crew members, in a team that includes seven other Canadians, one Australian, one Brit, five Americans.
Big Blue and her crew of 16 will depart Morocco in early January 2011, and seek to arrive in Barbados less than 33 days later to claim the fastest Atlantic crossing by oar.
The crew, in order to compete for the World Record must row for a total of twenty-four hours per day, in two hour shifts. Eight rowers are on each shift. The rowers are rowing for a total of 12 hours per day.
Videographers Kelly Saxberg and Damien Gilbert from Thunder Bay are travelling along to document the journey. “It has been amazing what the locals have done for the crew with accomodations, and providing services to the crew. They helped re-assemble the boat which arrive in containers by boat from Shelter Island, New York.