On the 9th of July my mind was officially blown as I stood at the Grand Bay Yacht Club watching a four-man crew rowing towards me. arrive The team of 4 kiwis, “Rowing for Prostate,” had just rowed from Australia to Mauritius.

Rowing for Prostate arrives at the GBYC

Are you paying attention?  Australia to Mauritius! That is FAR people! About 3132 nautical miles to be exact.

The crew comprised of  Tom Wigram, Peter Staples, Billy Gammon and Matthew Hampel, all expat Britons living in New Zealand. Their goal: to become the first southern hempisphere team to ever cross this stretch of water in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.

Some very hairy men: Tom Wigram, Peter Staples, Billy Gammon and Matthew Hampel

The trip was not an easy one, in fact due to a faulty battery in their satellite telephone, the crew lost contact with land for 10 days. During this time they had to deal with broken seat rails (which had broken 3 weeks into the race, meaning that they had to row without moving backwards and forwards for the remainder), severe food rationing and even capsizing! Um guys, I think it’s time to re-look the hardcore rating of the Mauritian Ocean Classic.

Not a race for pansies.

And this should give you an idea of what conditions can be like:

Throughout the race, the rowers kept a blog about their experience. After reaching the shore, this is what Billy, the main blogger, had to say:

This had been an absolute mine field of emotions, and a catalogue full of experiences beyond our wildest dreams…and nightmares…including a physical and emotional test way beyond anything we could have ever prepared ourselves for – but as I’ve said so many times before, I wouldn’t have changed any of it for the world. We set out some 81 days ago safe in the knowledge that we were entering a world we knew very little about and what bit we did know would be of little assistance in a world where mother nature could and would be so unpredictable – so beautiful on the one hand, yet so desperately angry on the other…but at all times so very very powerful.

The purpose of this adventure was to raise money for prostate cancer, and to find out how you can get involved, go here. The men placed second over all, behind a British crew who finished in 68 days, achieving their goal of becoming the first southern hemisphere team to row this stretch of water.

305 nautical miles from Mauritius

Pretty darn amazing don’t you think?

Have a listen to their interview to this radio interview, if you can handle the Kiwi presenter:

Are you guys as impressed as I am?

Xx Coco