Roz Savage to join Andrew Morris in an epic row across the North Atlantic
We are delighted to announce that Roz Savage will be joining the OAR Project. Roz, holder of four world records for ocean rowing, is an eminent environmental campaigner who uses ocean rowing to inspire action on the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today.
This is the world’s first attempt to cross the North Atlantic from St John’s, Newfoundland to Bristol, England, then continue to London via the inland waterways. The pair will also be the first male/female team ever to cross the North Atlantic and will arrive in London time for the start of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Mick Dawson, who was originally set to row with Andrew, has been unable to devote sufficient time to prepare for the voyage due to work commitments fighting pirates in the Marine Security industry. Mick remains fully committed to the OAR Project and has taken on the role of leading the shore based team. He is currently in San Francisco refitting the boat, Bojangles, as a live working exhibit at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park on Hyde Street Pier.
“Rowing an ocean is a major challenge to undertake and finding someone to replace Mick was no easy task” said Andrew Morris. “Taking on the North Atlantic requires experience and tenacity and I can’t think of a better person to step up to the plate than Roz. Both Roz and I are extremely grateful Mick will be right there with us in spirit and that he remains an important and integral part of the OAR Project.”
Roz commented on her motivation to join the team: “I thought I had retired from ocean rowing, but I also said ‘never say never!’ When the opportunity to take part in the OAR Project presented itself, the time was right and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. I’m really excited to take on the challenge – not only of rowing this route, but also as a mixed pair, which will add a new dimension to my ocean rowing experience. I’m really looking forward to rowing home, and continuing the journey across Britain to arrive in London in time for the Olympic Games.”
PRESS CALL:
Monday March 5th at 10am.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Hyde Street Pier, 499 Jefferson Street, CA 94123.
Interview and photo opportunity with Andrew Morris, Roz Savage and Mick Dawson.
ENDS.
UK Press Office: Rachel Smith +44 (0) 7977 452 337 rachel@oar2012.com
US Press Office: Naomi Coe +1 415 361 0801 naomi@oar2012.com
High-resolution images are available on request.
Interviews with the team and sponsors can be arranged, please ask for details.
Notes to Editors:
The OAR Project is a world first in ocean rowing. Andrew Morris and Roz Savage, both experienced ocean rowers, will cross 2,500 miles of the treacherous North Atlantic before continuing up the Bristol Channel and all the way to London via the UK’s inland waterways. They will set off in May 2012 and aim to arrive in London in time for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Andrew Morris is a British entrepreneur with varied business interests including award-winning companies ranging in diversity from shipping to iconic motorbike manufacture. He also has a passionate interest in motor racing.
Andrew’s first attempt at rowing an ocean ended after just one night at sea. After hitting his head and getting concussion, he was returned to the dry land by the support yacht, crewed by Mick Dawson. Having taken time to recover, Andrew decided to set out again and this time persuaded Mick to join him onboard. Together they successfully rowed the 3,000 miles from La Gomera to Antigua, and developed a unique and lasting bond in the process.
A latecomer to the life of adventure, Roz Savage worked as a management consultant in London for 11 years. Since embarking on her first ocean (the Atlantic) in 2005, she also completed rows across the Pacific and Indian oceans. She has rowed over 15,000 miles, taken around 5 million oarstrokes, and spent cumulatively over 500 days of her life at sea in a 23-foot rowboat. In 2010 she was named Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic.
She is a United Nations Climate Hero, an Athlete Ambassador for 350.org, and an Ambassador for the Blue Project. The TrashMobs initiative Roz was due to launch this summer has now been postponed until 2013. This project combines a human-powered circumnavigation of Britain with a series of beach and riverside cleanups to reduce plastic pollution of the oceans.
What sets this ocean rowing project apart is that in addition to the incredible physical and mental challenge, the OAR Project will be running an educational program for schools across the UK. We are also linking with schools and youth development groups in San Francisco. OAR Inspiring is designed to bring the positive aspects of endeavor, courage and challenge right into the classroom, a series of lesson plans to generate discussions have been developed in conjunction with educational professionals.
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