I think the most common question to any venture, adventure or project is why? To be truthful there are so many reasons, but ultimately, why not?
Before I delve into 3 of my ‘why’s’, it’s important to understand that a lot of people are often just too afraid to commit to their personal challenges or dreams. In this instance they may be afraid of the ocean, potentially can’t swim, perhaps afraid of the punishing physical and mental routine, possibly the separation from their family or maybe even the toilet scenario (google it if unsure, but it shouldn’t take much imagination).
“By following our journey we hope that you can recognise that we are all living with limitations in some capacity, but for those who choose to be challenged, they will in time, defy their own limitations and create something truly magical and inspirational for themselves and others.”
Let’s rewind to 2009 and my first why which was when I was assigned to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick. One of the PT Staff (Andy - thank you for sharing) was discussing his crossing through the North Atlantic with 3 others from his Regiment. Through their journey he experienced plenty of big swells, wore big beards and had lots of adventure that not many had been exposed too before. This was the first time I’d heard of ‘normal’ people doing ocean rowing.
My second why is a personal one but really links to understanding your limitations. My life has allowed me to experience several situations that have impacted life decisions which I’m ok to talk about, but mostly use as a means to reference in order to help others. What I’m keen to recognise is that we all have these limitations in some form, be it families or friends, maybe a physical or mental limitation or perhaps even professional, the list is endless. The key to success is to create an environment for limitations to be normalised and to lose any stigma attached. This will allow for confidence to grow and individuals to develop. In an attempt to influence others and create conversation, we will continue to share the teams’ journey and how we address these very same issues both personally and as a team.
The third and final why I will share is that it’s just been done by Force Atlantic 19, so why not 😉
‘How’
Having been involved with rowing (indoor and on the water) for many years now, I had always hoped that this opportunity would arise. Over the years I’ve come to know more ocean rowers through like-minded friends and watched the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge grow. With the growing of the challenge it has become more viable for ‘normal’ people to participate.
Although we have only recently launched our campaign, it’s really important to understand what has already passed to enable future teams to be successful. Now naturally our plans have evolved over time and there is no model or process that will fit all, but I found that once I could share the dream, it became real. Vicky and I first shared the possibility of combining efforts well over a year ago. Since then we watched the Force Atlantic 19 crew intently, all the while thinking about our team and planning our journey. Finding the rest of the team was relatively easy by comparison, a couple messages around like minded groups and it’s was clinched. Once we identified the team, the planning immediately started and it’s taken nearly 9 months just to get to the media launch of our campaign.
We have taken nothing for granted and reached out to so many past ocean rowers in reconnaissance to gather as much lived experiences as possible to shape our direction. In this climate that meant non-stop Zoom conferences with truly wonderful people all committed to helping us achieve our goal. There are 3 key points that I will share which were common across nearly all our guests;
Team selection is vital - this naturally made sense; we will be spending all day - every day for 40+ days, we must get on!!
Have a common aim - for example is the aim to finish or to race, and what sacrifices do you make in maintaining your aim. Are their agreed sacrifices or does that then in turn create further conflict?
Speak up - there’s no place for bottled emotions on a 7m long boat. We must be disciplined and not let those emotions build and create an explosion. It’s the ‘stone in the shoe effect’ - once you notice it, it must be removed, we must be clinical about the emotional flow of the boat. This is important, we are not shutting emotions out but being open throughout with them.
In closing and in danger of repeating myself, but this crew is perfectly balanced and so in-tune with each other. We have a phenomenal team with a huge amount of individual strengths all united by our common goal, which we will share further through the blogs.
Finally by following our journey we hope that you can recognise that we are all living with limitations in some capacity, but for those who choose to be challenged, they will in time, defy their own limitations and create something truly magical and inspirational for themselves and others.
‘Cap’
Scott Pollock