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Ocean Rowboat Flip Test: SUCCESS!

By Greg Spooner

Image: Seattle Times & Alan Berner

If you picked up the Seattle Times today, or checked out the online article, you saw some GREAT photos taken from our flip testing, taken Friday last Friday in Puget Sound, just off Ballard’s Golden Gardens park.

There, we finally got all the guys back together in one place again (no, weekly Monday Skype meetings don’t count) for another phase of testing and training before our next couple adventure expeditions.

Click here for a photo essay and to read a brief Seattle Times story about the flip test, by photojournalist Alan Berner

For me & Jordan, capsizing the James Robert Hanssen was an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the ocean rowboat’s marvelous ability to self-right when capsized… a scene worth practicing, but hoping never to experience in real life.  For Adam & Richard, it was another opportunity to continue their ocean rowing education, familiarizing themselves with the boat’s capabilities while under duress, in the event we encounter surly seas while underway next year.

A capsize is a very real possibility for us during our next two expeditions.

In late April 2012 OAR Northwest is circumnavigating Vancouver Island.  We are rowing then because, #1, that’s when the winds turn in our direction for a S.E. run down the west side of the island, and #2, we are collaborating with local schools to make a first successful go at the Education arm of OAR Northwest.  It ain’t called the “Graveyard of the Pacific” for nothing.  We must be prepared.

Later on in December 2012, we’re rowing from West Africa to South America.  The capsize that sticks in my mind the most is in 2005 when Sarah Kessans & Emily Kohl of American Fire were capsized by a rogue wave, spending the next 16 hours clinging to the hull of their overturned boat while awaiting rescue.  Their route was roughly that of what ours will be.

Click here for an Associated Press video clip for footage from the rescue at sea

We’ve been close to a capsize at sea before while on the North Atlantic.  But through good fortune and great preparation, we avoided disaster.  I’d sure like to keep this string of good luck unbroken.  We’ll blog more about our near-capsize and other ocean rowing dangers as the trips grow near.

While today’s Seattle Times photos were fantastic, a few critically important points were left out of the story.  While at face value it looks like we’re 4 thrill-seekers bounding off on crazy adventures across the world’s oceans, we’ve worked hard to create more out of the OAR Northwest not-for-profit organization so it will benefit local schools, children worldwide, and connect global communities.

  1. We are partnered with Right to Play, an international organization that uses sport to lift disadvantaged children – worldwide – out of poverty.  See Adam Kreek’s blog entry: Connecting Continents.  The mid-Atlantic trek will begin from and end at Right to Play communities.
  2. We created an Education program, with K-12 curriculum developed through the collaboration of our organization and the Education Advisory Committee to deliver diverse and in-depth content in real-time to participating schools and students.  Click the Education tab for more information.

We crave your comments, questions, and suggestions.  Please ask away – we respond to everybody.

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