Galway’s Atlantic adventurers aim to break 124 year old world record
Two Galway ironmen, both of whom have faced up to the most incredible challenges in their lives already, have unveiled their latest adventure – to row the Atlantic in their quest to smash a world record that has stood for 124 years.
Former Connacht rugby star Damien Browne from Renmore and his lifelong friend Fergus Farrell from Athenry will take on the might of the ocean in an unsupported row of 4,937 km across some of the wildest, most unforgiving seas on the planet.
They are attempting to finally break the record set by George Harboe and Frank Samuelsen, the first people to row successfully across the Atlantic from New York to The Scilly Isles in 1896, in an incredible 55 days and 13 hours.
Many adventurers have made the crossing since – but never unsupported.
That’s why, 124 years later, that original record still stands after eleven pairs have attempted to better it – and failed. In fact, only six of those eleven boats even completed their crossings.
Damien and Fergus will make their attempt in 2022 in a boat that will stick closely to the traditional values of ocean rowing, with respect for all those who have gone before them – especially the historic ocean-row of Harboe and Samuelsen, where they had no water makers or satellite phones, GPS, EPIRBs or even a lift raft on board.
Project Empower was officially launched this week, with the two men rowing in a traditional Currach from Inis Oirr to Galway city to begin their 24-month studied endeavour in human empowerment.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now. Or you can download a digital copy from our website www.connachtribune.ie