Hello and welcome!
We successfully rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in a total of 43 days, 12 hours and 55 minutes!
It was a tough voyage with nearly a fortnight of no wind and counter-currents and the crew experienced an attack from a Great White Shark.
Below is a picture of James at Port St Charles in Barbados and also the route taken. He would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved: Leven Brown and everyone at Ocean Row Events, his sponsors Mr A Kocheta and Mr S Giles at South Yorkshire Orthopaedic Services Limited (www.syosltd.com), Sarah Gooding, Ciaran Jones, Alex Gibbins, Dominic O'Dowd, Jenny, Malcolm and Margaret.
Atlantic Film Now on YouTube:
Now the film of this epic voyage is on YouTube thanks to the great work of the team at Cosmic Joke.
Click on the video to experience the adventure!
News Update: Atlantic Film Premiere
It has been a year since the expedition but the video of my Atlantic Row is ready to go!
Screening on Tuesday 19th April 2016 at 8pm at Picture House Social, Sheffield. Free admission so please come if interested!
Donations to Neurocare very much appreciated.
More about the relaxed venue here:
http://www.picture-house-social.com
Film edited by Matt and the team at Cosmic Joke.
More information about Neurocare can be found here.
News Update: Neurocare Charity Presentation
This week Neurocare held a brief event for James to formally hand over the room for relatives at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. Pictured here with Matron Jane Coates.
Due to the generosity of donors in supporting the row across the Atlantic Ocean the room was funded (almost) outright.
This relatives room is a place where friends and family are informed of the progress/diagnosis of their loved one whilst in hospital.
It is a quiet and comfortable place where relatives sit and rest whilst at their most vulnerable. Without your kind support, funding this room would not have been possible.
James would like to thank you all very much for your generosity, it really is thoroughly appreciated and there is no doubt of the positive impact this room will have on patients and their relatives.
Latest news on the Ocean Row Events blog.
Avalon slipped her moorings during the night of Tuesday January 20th and is now well on her way to Barbados.
Watch the tracker to see her progress! See her daily progress on the Ocean Rowing site.
Watch the weather forecast for the Atlantic too!
Newsflash! New expedition sponsor confirmed for Trans Atlantic Row Speed Attempt!
It is with great pleasure to welcome South Yorkshire Orthopaedic Services Limited to sponsor the expedition!
South Yorkshire Orthopaedic Services Ltd (SYOS) is a company formed to serve the people of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas. We strongly believe that medical care should be delivered to the highest quality, with the shortest waiting times and by Consultants fully trained to the highest UK medical standards. All of our surgeons are also in full time NHS substantive posts as well as being members of the British Orthopaedic Association and the relevant specialist surgical societies.
The company specialises in orthopaedic surgery including for arthritis, the after effects of injuries, degenerative conditions of the joints, peripheral nerve surgery, sports injuries and surgery of the tendons, muscles and ligaments in the arms and legs.
We offer consultations and treatments in the specialties of hand and wrist surgery, shoulder and elbow surgery, hip and knee surgery and foot and ankle surgery. We are able to offer minimally invasive (arthroscopic) surgery for many conditions.
More information can be found on their website: www.syosltd.com
Introducing the Atlantic Row Crew!
Leven Brown, Skipper
An experienced rower & skipper, Leven has faced many tough challenges on the oceans. He leads with a quiet but strong competent manner and is looking forward to this next challenge with eager anticipation of a chance to cross this ‘Trade winds’ route in a record time.
Nikki Brown
Nikki comes from an ex-military background and has shown great determination in the pursuit of his goal ‘to row an ocean’ or several! Recently he has become a key member of ORE, where his doggedness and sharp wit make him a man who will get things done.
Caetano Altafin
Cae is from Brazil & combines his love of sports with honourable causes. He holds a Master’s Degree from the Brazilian Harbour Master’s Office & Harvard. He hopes to fulfil his dream of rowing an ocean & helping Osteosarcoma research. Cae believes leaders are not driven to lead people but to serve them. He hopes to put his best on every stroke and be a true team player.
Julie Dunne
Julie Dunne is from Portarlington in Ireland but has been living in London for the past nine years. Julie has rowed competitively for five years and is currently a member at Twickenham Rowing Club. The most recent endurance race Julie took part in was the 24 hours Three Peaks Challenge and will be fit for this forthcoming challenge!
Stuart Connacher
Stuart has real knowledge of the sea, navigation, rowing and all the challenges that lie ahead. He is looking forward to this journey of discovery and learning. This expedition will allow him to discover, not only a new world out there, but about himself, fears, the beauty of the oceans that the humans are busy destroying and hopefully the thing that means the most to us all, Living Life! This is a huge privilege.
Don Lennox
ORE core crew Don has rowed many ocean miles with Leven, La Mondiale ‘Blue Riband’ 2007/08, 2009 & the North Atlantic Challenge 2010. Between rows he has been running in the USA raising money for charity. His enthusiasm and dedication to getting the ‘job’ done is second to none and he looks forward to this next challenge.
Thato Mabelane
Thato is an accomplished sportswoman with successful rowing experience. She represented South Africa at the FISA Team Cup international regatta and competed at the World University Championships in Brive La Galiarde, France in the coxless 4 event. Thato competes in cycling and running events and her athletic ability and disciplined yet laid back attitude makes her an incredible asset for this expedition.
James Robins
James currently works as a doctor in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and he is also a Captain in the British Army Reserve. He rowed for Sheffield University and has travelled extensively through Eastern and Southern Africa. He enjoys a good joke and is looking forward to this fantastic expedition!