Leg 2, Day 37 – Introducing Uncle Tone

Laura Penhaul By

Day 37 – Introducing Uncle Tone

As in previous blogs, we have introduced to you the team behind the team, the people that are the pillars to this row, the cogs that make it work. On numerous occasions we have talked of the infamous Tony Humphreys who has aptly become ‘Uncle Tone’ to us and we have become his ‘Tony’s Angels’. So seeing as we are nearing our half way point, I felt it pertinent to give some well deserved air time to the man we rely on the most, the man that has become our Uncle, our ‘Charlie’, our saviour when we reach land.

Tony is our onshore support and throughout the row he is on-call 24/7. Tony monitors our progress, plots our route, monitors the weather and provides us with daily meteorological reports. He is our emergency contact and when things go array, he is the first person we call. Tony liaises with our families, our Sport Psych, our sponsors when needed and our PR team, he co-ordinates the logistics whilst we’re away and is there pre-arrival into land. If Keith our Sport Psych is the ‘rock’ for this team then Tony is our glue.

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Tony has supported over 240 ocean rowers involved mainly in the Atlantic race, but also boats that have covered the Indian Ocean and North Pacific routes. He worked with Sir Chay Blythe back in the day and has supported a number of other sailing ventures. So what Tony doesn’t know about ocean rowing or sailing, isn’t worth knowing about. Suffice to say, Tony tends to be right about (nearly) everything! Much to my dismay, I have learnt the hard way never to bet I’d be right over Tony, if he takes the bet, then you can guarantee he knows he’s right and you’ll lose, regardless of how adamant you may believe you’re right. He seems to be able to fix anything and problem solve better than anyone we know. So when looking for someone to invest in supporting us, there was no question that Tony would be the only man we’d want.

Tony’s relaxed yet softly confident nature, immediately puts you at ease when you meet him. He is assertive, professional and gets on with the job in hand but does it with a smile, a laugh and a dry sense of humour (important traits when putting up with us!). He is the most integral person I know, so honest and open which again immediately puts our parents and families minds at rest. Without a doubt, there is no one else I would trust more to have provided us with the onshore support than Tony. We love him like family and although we are an all female team, he is an exception to the rule and wears our pink t shirt with pride.

Update: Today has been another scorcher on the oars and as ever tediously slow moving. However it is South and slowly but surely the miles are getting less to the equator and as Lizanne mentioned yesterday, there are plenty of happy moments we can draw from. Today’s happy moments was a fleeting visit by a 5ft shark, listening to some pick me up tunes on our Fusion radio and taking the photo of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ you see attached to here – small things amuse!

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4 Comments

  1. Three cheers for Uncle Tone! And a million cheers for the Coxless Crew who are putting up such a great show of strength in getting their little pink bubble that much closer to the equator. Laura, you will soon be in my half of the world, you may have to alter your accent! Take care and stay safe. xx

  2. Andy Whittle says:

    Undisputed
    Nautical
    Champion
    Loves
    Explorers

    Tony
    Organises
    Nearly
    Everything

    Great work behind the scenes Tone, keep it up.

  3. Andy Whittle says:

    Undisputed
    Nautical
    Champion
    Loves
    Explorers

    Tony
    Organises
    Nearly
    Everything

    Great work behind the scenes Tone, keep it up.

  4. Simon TY says:

    My goodness, Tony’s Angels. I hope you pass no container ships or yachts in such a state of undress, they will think they are hallucinating, seeing Sirens luring them on to the rocks ?

    There may have been a pirate in his Crow’s Nest on the horizon with a steamed up telescope ?

    Anyhow sharks, tell us about sharks ? You referrred ages ago to swimming and one person being on shark watch duty. Have you seen many ? Any ? the fact you write of a 5 ft shark means it was worth commenting on ? Is he/she the first ? And have meant to ask: ever seen a turtle ? I am sure you would have mentioned ?

    Hope you making more progress today XXX

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