Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean; My Experience (2021) | Hacker News Reader

Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean; My Experience (2021)

onestep4ward.com

60 pointsColinWright19 comments

This story is an incredible testimony to the courage, dedication, perseverance, and iron will of the rest of the crew that managed to make it all the way across the Atlantic without pushing this over-priveleged douchebag overboard.

I don't want to structure my life around: 1) visiting/doing all of X category of things (like countries) and 2) doing extreme things because they are "challenging."

If I couldn't swim and had never rowed a boat in my life, I would be a little suspicious of the competence of an organization that would accept me as a crew member on a trans-Atlantic row.

>I faced some demons I never had the courage to confront before. The internal lessons learned, the epiphanies I had. The self-awareness gained. But it came at a heavy price.

After reading the entire post, he got the adventure he wasn't looking for. Who am I to criticise someone who takes such immense risks to get out of their comfort zone, while I enjoy a quiet Sunday in the sun, within the safety of steps from my family, kitchen and bed?

>> Who am I to criticize someone who takes such immense risks to get out of their comfort zone

Because this often means other people taking similar risks to rescue them. As a former rockclimber I am all for adventure, but some of this open ocean stuff is beyond reason. From rogue waves to pirates, often your open ocean fantasy is less skill than a roll of the dice. You are also rolling the dice for all of those onboard the ships and helicopters that will be sent to rescue you.

You say you're a former rock climber. Did you retire because of the similar fears of taking on too much risk? Do you think that rock climbing can be done in a safe enough way?

Ocean risk is very different than rock climbing risks. The distances and weather make rescue far more involved. Most climbers are only a quick helicopter ride to a hospital.

> this often means other people taking similar risks to rescue them.

I agree about mountains, but I don't think the risks are similar on the sea. Modern large vessels are relatively safe in all weather. Plane and helicopter pilots follow safety protocols, I don't think they gonna fly into a storm.

Driving ships and helicopters into storms is Coast Guard 101. When a rich guy on an around the world sailing attempt gets into trouble, someone has to go rescue him, often in extreme conditions. It is one thing to risk one's life to save fishers or merchant sailors, another to risk one's life saving a bored millionaire trying to sail across the Pacific on a raft made of soda bottles.

This sounds like an incredibly foolish expedition. They took a boat to sea without practicing basic seamanship procedures (person overboard drills), an inaccessible life raft, and no practice as a crew. That’s not adventurous, it’s reckless.

Why did they row in 2 hour shifts 24/7? Why not 4 hours or 6 hours so you can get some longer sleep?

I believe the answer is... try rowing for more than two hours without a break.

lol I guess that makes sense.

Honestly I agree with him this isn’t that impressive. Have you been in the Atlantic? Currents are strong and will probably take you all the way to Europe if you just sit and do nothing long enough. Hiking across a continent such as Antarctica or Australia would probably be a far better adventure with better bragging rights.

Gripping read. Lots of reveals.

> us Type A's

...

Reads like he's pretty clueless and self-absorbed

IMO most people are pretty clueless and self-absorbed (myself included). This guy is just pretty open and honest about it. And it's not like he didn't learn his lessons. That bit about realizing how Martin wasn't on his personal expedition was a pretty powerful growth moment.

>He told me to sign up for a Facebook page called the Ocean Rowing Society. What an adventure to tell my Grandkids.

Take this out of context because it's hilarious if you do.

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