Why new Atlantic Ocean rowing record gives humanity hope
Rowers’ Herculean feat shows the power of the human spirit
Think about what you did between December 14 and January 24. How far do you reckon you might have travelled?
Now contemplate the achievement of Emma Wolstenholme, 43, Stacey Rivers, 50, and John Hammond, 63, who have just become the oldest mixed trio ever to cross an ocean by rowing boat.
Despite the Herculean effort required on their 3,000-mile crossing of the Atlantic, Wolstenholme, who lives on the isle of Grimsay near North Uist, said she “absolutely loved it”.
The crew hope the row will highlight the importance of saving water and tackling global warming, with Rivers drawing a comparison between their journey and the one humanity must take to reach net-zero carbon emissions and stop global temperatures from rising. “Every oar stroke counts, just like every small action we take to protect our planet,” she said.
Once upon a time, no one would have even considered rowing across the Atlantic. Now boats make the journey all the time and even the mighty Pacific has been crossed. These are achievements that must surely give us all hope that no challenge, however great, is insurmountable.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.