Archive for December, 2013

Well it’s been a pretty exciting end to 2013. We finally got our lovely Doris out on the water! It was awesome taking her for a spin and although a lot tamer than being out on the open ocean we got our first feelings of how it will be out on the Pacific. We also got our first experience of manoeuvring an ocean rowing boat. A learning experience for all as it turns out it’s not easy to turn around in a strong southerly wind when you have no rudder, dagger board or ballast. We owe a big thanks to our lovely friend Mark from Christchurch rowing club who allowed us to hitch a lift back out of the bay. We also took the opportunity to toast Doris with champagne and test out our tea making skills with the jet boil.
We also had our final psych session of 2013 with the ever patient Keith. I’m not sure what we would do without him!
We have all enjoyed having a bit of a rest over Christmas and spending time with our families and friends. However we have also been busy preparing for our next exciting event. Doris and the rest of the Coxless Crew will be at the London Boat Show from 4th – 12th January. Come and visit us, meet Doris, have a go at our rowing machine challenge and win prizes including the chance to come out with us on the boat.
We hope you have all had a great Christmas and see in the New Year with a bang! We’ll see you all in 2014!

We had a lovely day out in Christchurch on Saturday. Most excitingly Doris is starting to look like a real ocean going boat and has been fitted out with lots of our electronic kit kindly donated by Raymarine. We also have speakers and vents. By next weekend we’ll be able to get her out on the water for the first time!! Cue massive excitement!

We also made some new friends down at Christchurch rowing club who very kindly allowed us to borrow a couple of boats and go for a row. It was really great to be out on the water and a nice reminder of why we are actually doing this challenge after the daily challenges of sponsorship hunting and lifting weights in the gym. Laura was particularly brave going out in a single scull and taking her mobile phone out with her!