First London2Paris Rowing Race
(by Organiser Jock Wishart)
When you build a reputation for taking on unique challenges and making them happen I am always being approached by people with strange ideas. It was at the start of the Atlantic Rowing race in the Canaries in December 2005 it was put to me that might it not be a good idea to organise a race based on a record breaking project we undertook some 9 years ago :- the London2Paris Rowing Record.
With the growth in extreme distance rowing events but recognising that not everyone wants or can afford to "row an ocean" this did not seem a daft idea although the logistics behind organising such an event were to say the least daunting!
For some people as well, I mused, they might view it as a first step to "rowing an ocean".
On my return to the UK I put a call in to two fellow "conspirators" Gary Walker and Malcolm Knight who have been involved in many of my past projects and were in fact both leading members of the team that broke the record in 1999: - they have been known to insert an element of sanity into some of my more bizarre ideas in the past and it was no different this time. The basic idea was sound but the complex logistics would take a lot of sorting out and at an early stage Mike Oram, Head of the Channel Swimming and Pilots association with over 450 successful channel crossings to his name was quickly bought on board. It was largely due Mike and his son Lance's efforts on the support boats that the crews eventually made it there.
Slowly the idea became a plan and finally on May 2nd it became a reality as two crews rowed under Westminster Bridge (Start Line) as Big Ben struck 11.00.
Day 1 - Friday May 2nd
Leg 1 - London to Ramsgate 71 nm
The two crews that finally made the Start line were quite different in composition. One was based around an existing "fixed seat" rowing Club from Chichester Harbour: - the Langstone Cutters. The other a collection of individuals mostly from London but also with some members from "further a field" and based in Teddington on Thames: - largely put together by the efforts of American film financier Mary Booth who just loves a challenge. They christened themselves Le Figarow
Competitors and Organisers looked a "tad" apprehensive at the briefing at Tower Bridge but an hour later the two crews rowed under Westminster Bridge close together followed by support boats Gallivant and Sea Satin with Committee vessel Hebe just behind. Blessed by good weather the crews fairly rocketed away with Langstone building up a lead of half a mile only to lose it later on at a changeover (when the rowing crew is substituted from the support boat) where Le Figarow were much slicker. Langstone even went aground on a number of occasions in their attempts to shorten the distance rowed. And so it continued through out the night, one crew leap flogging another until eventually arriving in Ramsgate in the early hours of Saturday morning, after nearly 15 hours of rowing with Langstone winning the leg by just under 45 minutes.
Day 2 /3 - Sat 3rd and Sun 4th May
Leg 2 Ramsgate to Le Havre 140 nm
Following a hearty breakfast after some "crowded hours" of sleep on the support boats: - both crews started from just outside Ramsgate Harbour walls at 11.15. The two crews "egged on" by their support boats (who were just as keen rivals) took off in totally different directions looking for the best route to avoid the incoming tide and in so doing went straight through the fleet of yachts competing in the annual Ramsgate to Boulogne race much to their amazement. However by Deal off the Kent coast they were once again alongside each other with the smooth, long and efficient stroke of Langstone slowly pulling themselves ahead and away. By 2pm both crews were starting to cross the Channel avoiding some very large craft and their washes before working their way up the French coast passing Boulogne and Fecamp:-for many the Channel crossing was a high point.
Langstone's initial lead held but Figarow were determined to keep in touch and despite a problem with their bilge pump, which forced them to stop on a number of occasions kept Langstone (some members of their crew who were suffering from sea sickness) in their sights through out the long night and day that followed. Langstone finally making it across the Finish at Le Havre just before 7 pm on Sunday evening and having to deal with the wash of a very large ferry as they finished. Figarow coming home an hour and a half later.
Both crews were directed in by the Land support team with the unwelcome news that because it was Sunday there were no tokens for the showers!
Some took advantage of a local hotel to snatch a few hours of better sleep but most bedded down "head to toe" on the support boats with some sleeping outside on the deck. This was not a cruise they were on!
Day 4/5 - Mon 5th and Tues 6th May
Leg 3 - Le Havre to Rouen 72 nm
Leg 4 - Rouen to Amfreville 32 nm
It was an early start to catch the tide and pitch black as both crews nervously rowed out to the channel buoy, marking the start, with them both eventually away at 4.30 am up the tidal part of the Seine to the old cathedral city of Rouen. Rowing initially against the tide as the French authorities insisted that the stretch up the Seine to Rouen must be covered in daylight hours. As the tide turned in their favour the crews at one stage found themselves avoiding some large cargo ships coming in the opposite direction while making 12 knots over the ground in the other. Once again an early lead by Figarow was slowly whittled away by Langstone until they finally lead by an hour on arriving in Rouen opposite the Cathedral at just after 6pm. The decision was made to move "quickly on" as there was now a lot of stream running against the boats combined with a lot of land water coming down and in the gathering gloom and probably for the support boats the most difficult part of the Race the crews fought there way up to the first lock in the Seine at Amfreville another 30 miles on. For many this must have been one of the most gruelling days of their lives.
Day 5/6 - Tues 6th and Wed 7th May
Leg 5 - Amfreville to Notre Dame 22nm
Leg 6 - Notre Dame to Mericourt 22nm)
At 3 am some "dog tired" crews finally found a pontoon to rest on and a welcome shower in a local campsite. Following a crew meeting it was agreed to start again at 1pm much to the relief of the support crews who were by now "running on empty" due to lack of sleep.
The Pursuit legs were about to start and Figarow were determined to win a leg. There was a "brutal team talk and a bit of "heart to heart" within the team. With some trepidation, as there was little information to go on, organisers set a handicap over the next 22mile leg to Notre Dame. The crews however went at it as if it was a 2k race and 7 hours later Figarow came home just 3 minutes in the lead. Overjoyed but with nothing left "in the tank" they decided to concede the next leg from Notre Dame to Mericourt and paddled over with only 5 in the boat giving the leg to Langstone.
Day 6/7 - Wed 7th and Thurs 8th May
Leg 7 - Mericourt to Andresy 25 nm
Leg 8 - Andresy to Bougival 13nm
Leg 9 - Bougival to Suresnes 17 nm
Both crews were now really into the swing of it and leg 7 from Mericourt to Andresy saw them both again going at it "hammer and tongs " although it proved to be yet another win for Langstone. The Race was now on in a different sense as well as the crews had to get to Bougival Lock before 4pm when it was due to shut. A fact only notified to Organisers 5 days before the start of the race. What was noticeable was how well the cutters were going in the non tidal conditions even with only 5 people (four rowing) in the boat this despite sometimes a 2 knot stream running against them. The day was saved by French speaking member of the land support team, Louise Rapple who after negotiating with the lock keepers found an alternate lock to go through at Chateux much to everyone's relief. The following leg 9 from Chateux to Suresnes produced a classic with Langstone only getting their noses in front 200 metres from the Line.
Day 7 - Thurs May 8th
Leg 10 - Suresnes to Eiffel Tower 6nm
Crews were now able to take a breather as with a crowd of spectators expected at the Finish around 7.00 am we could afford to wait and rest for a few hours before starting off. By 6 am they were away with Figarow pushing for another win. And win they did but only by 200 metres from a fast closing Langstone to applause from a crowd of sponsors and well wishers.
Success after 417 nms!
NB This is the equivalent of 485 statute miles
Conclusion and Health Warning
This is not an event for the faint hearted! For most of the competitors it was their "extreme challenge" which took them well beyond their personal comfort zones. When you are tasked with rowing over 100 miles in a day on little sleep and "snack foods" when you are wet, cold, occasionally afraid and sometimes suffering from sea sickness it takes a special person. Once again it has been proven that if you have the will and determination it is possible to overcome the odds and arduous conditions. This is a tough event. The next Race is in 2010 and only the tough need apply!