An article going out on behalf of a sports team mate rasing money for a very good cause. His name is Neil Lomas and in December 2022 he will be setting off to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for Alzheimer’s. Neil and the rest of the crew will be taking Roxy for a daunting spin. Starting from Tenerife to Antigua in the Caribbean he expects to arrive mid January 2023 after an arduous jorney of 35 to 45 days of continuous rowing. What’s more all without the aid of a support boat. Read on to find out more and how to support this Neil on his northwest man’s Alzheimer’s Atlantic row.
So What’s Involved in Rowing the Atlantic?
Well clearly a tough task physicall and mentally. A daily repetition of 3 hours rowing. Followed by 3 hour recovery with sumptuous rehydrated dried food and sleep. Then let’s go again with 3 hours row, more dried rehydrated food in the next 3 hour rest. Repetaed for 24 hours. Next day its the same again. You get the drift (excuse the pun).
The Sumptuous Food
It needs a fair bit of intake to generate the 6,000 calories a day needed. Not particularly easy when rehydrating dried food with boiling water a la Pot Noodle. Even then, Neil is likely to lose 12 kg in body weight by the time the crew reach Antigua.
On the plus side, he can limit his walk to 20 steps a day. Doing more can lead to calf wastage and a likely inability to stand up on arrival. Although I would have thought after 45 days sat on a seat rowing in 3 hour stints, he would may never want to sit down until summer!
The Preparation
Neil has trained for well over a year, rowing endless miles at Trafford Rowing Club, paddling in an O1 at Amathus Dragonboat Club in Liverpool’s south docks. Along the way he has built up his stamina with other sea and oocean going rows. That’s before we even consider the land based weights, fitness and agility work.
Even in the last week, classroom courses on reading ocean currents, capsize drills, handling storms, all add to the tasks that may be called on.
Why This Row is so Appropriate to Alzheimer’s
- A 3 hour rowing stint requires concentrating on the moment in hand. It’s the very essence of a healthy brain.
- Each one of Neil’s strokes represents a battle to prevent the plaque that causes an Alzeimher’s brain’s effectiness to diminish.
- Completing a mentally and physically tough challenge represents the emotional and heartbreaking journy thats sufferers, family and friends endure when affected by this terrible illness.
How to Follow the Northwest Man’s Alzheimer’s Atlantic Row
To find out more follow the link below. See the webcam and blog on the site. Oh and any donations, gratefully received of course.
We will follow up the article as we track Neil, the rest of the crew and Roxy shortly. Bon voyage Neil and all.