On the 26 of September, an ex-marine completed an unprecedented feat by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean with no support.
Dave Bell said goodbye to land and its comforts on the 31 of May 2021 where he departed New York and started rowing. The journey would end once he reached Europe, and therefore become the first person to ever row the entire Atlantic Ocean with no assistance.
The pandemic has awakened the adventurous side of many of us but few took their motivation and achieved such a monumental feat. Not only did Dave Bell attempt and succeed at rowing 12 hours a day, all alone, in the most dangerous ocean route due to storms and currents, but he did this with a fear of open waters. Yes, he fears the open sea. Which is what he claims pushed him into the journey.
Just like the sea, Dave explained that his emotions twirled like the sea. His content was highlighted by the view and serenity of the sea, just like his fear and solitude were doubled when storms hit his boat. Dave encountered dolphins, sea turtles, and a stingy jellyfish.
Apart from the already impressive challenge, Dave wanted to make his stance on the climate crisis clear, which is why the rowing boat he used was solar-powered, and he tried to generate as little plastic waste as possible.
After calloused hands, horrible weather, and 40 straight hours of rowing to avoid a fatal storm in Scilly Isles, he arrived. With just a day's food left he made the decision to stop at Newlyn instead of Falmouth as planned. Every ambitious plan and goal needs to be open to modifications.
119 days of rowing later, he was greeted by his family, friends, and multiple strangers as he stepped in land for the first time since the beginning of his adventure.
Though he doesn't regret his decision, Dave states he is “ never doing anything dangerous ever again". Clearly showing the physical and emotional toll this trip had on him.
Dave invites everyone to follow his lead and face their fears, without the need of facing extreme danger.
Bibliography
Diprose, A. (2021, September 24) Home run: Former Royal Marine now less than 200 miles off completing epic Atlantic solo row. Dorset Biz News. https://www.dorsetbiznews.co.uk/home-run-former-royal-marine-now-less-than-200-miles-off-completing-epic-atlantic-solo-row/
Bell, D. (2021) He kept people up to date during his row, including a blog and pictures. [Photograph] BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-58698593
Former marine completes unsupported Atlantic row. (2021, September 26). BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-58698593
Patel, Bhvishya (2021, September 27) Ex-Royal Marine, 49, who suffers from a FEAR of water becomes the first person to row unsupported across the Atlantic ocean – and he took the most dangerous route, too! Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10033505/Ex-Royal-Marine-49-person-row-unsupported-Atlantic-ocean.html