News

A multi-national crew of eight amateur rowers (6 men and 2 women) today smashed a record that has remained unbroken for 38 years, for the fastest ever crossing of the Indian Ocean by rowing boat.

The elite crew, rowing a custom built 36ft long ocean rowing boat named ‘Aud Eamus’, set off from Geraldton, Western Australia on the 28 April 2009.  Having rowed a mammoth 3,132 nautical miles across the treacherous and unpredictable Indian Ocean, these audacious eight arrived today at Mauritius, after just 58 days, 15 hours and 08 minutes at sea, knocking an impressive six days off the previous route record.

The crew of eight comprising British nationals Simon Chalk (36), Ian Couch (39), Helen Taylor (22) and Paul Cannon (39), Americans Angela Madsen (49), Doug Tumminello (43), and Brian Flick (23), together with Bernard Fissett (46) from Belgium, were all recruited by nautical events company, Woodvale Challenge Ltd as part of the Woodvale Works Team concept.

Bringing a range of skills, adventure, ocean rowing and ultra endurance experience with them, the crew of Aud Eamus was assembled specifically with the aim of setting an Indian Ocean rowing crossing speed record.  Through their success in achieving this goal, they also claim a number of other Indian Ocean rowing records that include the first eight man crew, the first paraplegic (Angela Madsen), the first females (Angela Madsen and Helen Taylor) and the first person to row the Indian Ocean twice (Simon Chalk).

Simon Chalk, crew member of Aud Eamus and Chairman of Woodvale Challenge Ltd comments: “We have pushed hard, battled against the elements and overcome all the obstacles to achieve what we set out to do.  It’s a fantastic feeling to be here knowing that we have made a little bit of history in setting these new records”.

“It was a pleasure to share this opportunity and unique experience with seven other likeminded people, all with the same drive, determination and tenacity.  Woodvale Challenge now looks forward to bringing together more likeminded individuals and forming ‘Woodvale Works Teams’ for the purpose of setting more ocean rowing records”.

The Woodvale Works Team comprises of a new pay per place concept where individuals who wish to row an ocean as part of an elite crew, solely with the purpose of breaking and establishing records can apply to join the crew onboard a purpose built ocean rowing boat.  Woodvale Works Teams are currently being recruited for other ocean record attempts including the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean later on this year.