www.rowingtheatlantic.com

When I was asked to come and talk to the boys of Year 4, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. It has been 14 years since I left Tower House and I certainly didn't ever think I would achieve something worth talking about.

Since I left Tower House, I have been through the wars... slightly. I left to go to Cranleigh School in 1995 and was soon diagnosed with a spinal problem caused by Scoliosis and Kyphosis. It meant that I was forced to wear a back brace for 4 years during my adolescent years. Those who may remember me will know just how sporty I was and what a big blow this was to me. It didn't mean I did no sport, I managed to play cricket wearing my brace and also hockey and golf. Both golf and cricket, I captained the 1st team, something I also managed to do here at Tower House. We made it through and despite being told "not to play sport in the foreseeable future", we came out the other side and set about putting the doctor’s ideas to the test.

To cut a long story short, up to October 2008, I have completed a wide variety of sporting challenges including three ironman triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run), one double ironman triathlon and one triple ironman triathlon (7.2 mile swim, 336 mile bike and 78.6 mile run), the latter positioning me inside the top ten in the world. My main goal is to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

My mother claims that this idea was brought about during a Geography lesson at Tower House. Being dyslexic, I like the colours of the map and somehow put two and two together. I don't know whether this is a true story, but I fear, it probably fits quite nicely!

So, on December 6th 2009 I will be aboard my small rowing boat in La Gomera, Canary Islands about to head due west and hopefully arrive in English Harbour, Antigua, some 60 days later. Our boat has all the food and communication systems on board to allow us to have a successful trip. Additionally, we have a water maker that changes salt water into drinkable water. We will face flat calm seas to 50 foot waves along with cold nights and 100 degree days. Every element of the trip is in the hands of the environment and how we cope in that environment. It will challenge us to the limits. Limits that both I and my rowing partner feel ready for.

The crossing itself covers around 3000 miles and has only ever been done by approximately 350 people. I'm hoping to add to this list but use it as a stepping stone for the next challenge and hopefully prove to myself and others that you can achieve something you never thought possible and live your life in a manner that doesn't restrict you to the "box" to which modern day life often restricts us.