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Amber Foundation supports the OAR through the British Inland Waterways

Posted by Dawn Benton on July 5, 2012

As Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris gears up for his journey across the UK through the Inland Waterways, it is clear that he wouldn’t get nearly as far without his valued support team. This time, he’s teaming up with the Amber Foundation. Each day, between 3-5 Amber residents aged 17 to 28 years will be coming along to escort Bojangles from Bristol to Pewsey. Their main contribution will be opening the many locks en route, clearing the way for Andrew to make it through to London in time for the start of the Olympics.

What’s next for the OAR

Posted by Dawn Benton on June 24, 2012

Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris explains what’s in store for the OAR boat and team on the British inland waterways this summer. We’ll be raising money for the OAR Legacy fund to help get young people out on the water, rowing.

Press Release – OAR Postponed After Warnings From Ice Experts

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 20, 2012

WORLD RECORD ATLANTIC ROW POSTPONED

AFTER WARNINGS FROM ICE EXPERTS

Disappointed Roz Savage and Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris postpone plans to
row 2,200 miles and arrive in London for the Olympic Games

Icebergs could easily punch a hole through their hull, duo warned

Roz Reports on the decision not to row the North Atlantic this year

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 20, 2012

I had hoped that this would be a final blog to bid farewell to dry land before we started our voyage across the North Atlantic. But if you’ve been following my blog over the last couple of weeks you will have noticed our growing concern about the unusually large quantities of ice off the coast of Newfoundland, largely due to the huge chunk of ice that broke off a Greenland glacier 2 years ago which has now drifted south into Canadian waters, breaking up into a minefield of icebergs as it goes.

Given our immovable deadline of reaching London in time for the start of the Olympics, we unfortunately don’t have the option to wait until the ice dissipates, which will take another couple of weeks at least. After much soul searching, it is with regret that we have come to the difficult decision to postpone our row for this year. The chances of hitting ice – and the serious consequences of a punctured hull in freezing North Atlantic waters – meant that the risk to our safety was simply unacceptable.

What’s next for Roz Savage?

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 18, 2012

Thank you for all the supportive comments about the sad postponement of our North Atlantic row. The OAR team has very much appreciated your kind words at this rather trying time. After bidding a sad farewell to our wonderful friends in St John’s, Newfoundland, I am now back in Britain, spending the weekend with my mother in Leeds while the country celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Chasing icebergs with the OAR team

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 17, 2012

“That’s the biggest iceberg I’ve ever seen in these waters,” said Harry Spurrell, native Newfoundlander, as he took us on a tour of the icebergs around Torbay today. Mos and I were out in his speedboat to get up close and personal with the bergs that could impede our progress across the North Atlantic.

Roz takes a closer look at the North Atlantic ice situation

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 16, 2012

Yesterday I went out on a plane to check out the ice situation offshore. Despite a favourable forecast, Mother Nature decided to hide her icy secrets in an extensive layer of fog. After being in the air for over 5 hours, the only icebergs I was able to see were within half a mile of shore. Those further offshore were shrouded in mists and mystery, pending further visual investigation, I decided to do some research online.

Remembering the Titanic – 100 years on

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 13, 2012

Given our current preoccupation with unusually high numbers of bergy bits and other ice fragments off the coast of Newfoundland this year, it seems poignant that we have just passed the one hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Mos and I plan to take a wreath with us in remembrance of those lives lost at sea.

Ice delays departure of the OAR

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 12, 2012

We had hoped to leave on Monday, but the ice continues to be a concern. So for now we have decided to postpone at least until Saturday May 19th, while we continue to monitor the ice situation.

Roz reports on ‘bergy bits’ off the coast of St John’s

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 11, 2012

Here is something I’ve never had to contend with before – bergy bits. They might sound cute, but these mini-icebergs, calved from larger icebergs further north, are causing no small amount of consternation in the OAR camp.

Press Release – Icebergs and strong winds delay departure of OAR

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 10, 2012

‘Safety remains paramount’, say rowers Roz Savage and Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris
as they prepare to set off on epic 2,200-mile expedition

Monday (14) now seems earliest possible departure date, say weather advisers

Roz reports on Sobering Statistics

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 9, 2012

Yesterday I was sitting in the boat shed with Mos (and Bojangles, of course) as we discussed our safety strategies. This is top of our minds – and for good reason. If you go to the Ocean Rowing Society website, the little box at the bottom of the page that sums up the stats on Atlantic rows from West to East reads like this:

Completed: 19 Incomplete: 33 Rowers lost at sea: 5

These are sobering statistics. A closer look at the numbers however, shows that the odds are actually pretty good.

Roz reports from the OAR team base in St John’s

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 8, 2012

The OAR team has been reunited in St John’s, Newfoundland, the port of departure for the OAR. We’re in the final stages of our preparations and all keeping a close eye on the weather forecast.

Press Release – Top ocean rowing duo “ROZ AND MOS” launch epic North Atlantic world record bid next week

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 3, 2012

Patriotic UK rowers Roz Savage and Andrew ‘Mos’ Morris fly the flag
unveiling their expedition motto: ‘Best of British’

Wide selection of high-res pictures available

Both rowers available now for interview, filming, podcasts ++ Read more

Press Release – Raymarine Sponsors the OAR on a Great British adventure

Posted by Dawn Benton on May 2, 2012

May 2012 - Raymarine, the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine electronics, is supporting the Olympic Atlantic Row (OAR) with the latest marine technology. Raymarine navigation equipment will play a vital role in the OAR’s epic challenge to row 2,000 miles across the North Atlantic Ocean, departing from Canada to arrive in England in time to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Roz takes a closer look at the North Atlantic ice situation Yesterday I went out on a plane to check out the ice situation offshore. Despite a favourable forecast, Mother Nature decided ...
From one ocean rower to another Ben Fogle and James Cracknell are no strangers to rowing an ocean, being veterans of the 2005 Atlantic race. Both men know ...
Andrew Morris undergoes prolotheraphy The rigorous 2012 training regime is well underway with a focus for Andrew Morris on managing a number of injuries sustained d...

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