A FEARLESS adventurer is heading for the record books by attempting the world’s first ever rowing race across the Pacific Ocean – despite having only just learned to row.
Barry Hayes, 32, of Farndon is currently training for what will be the toughest challenge of his life when he rows 2,400 miles, 12 hours a day for about 50 days all the way from California to Hawaii in May 2014.
Barry, of Townfield Avenue, and three friends will race against 20 other rowing boats from all over the world as Team Battleborn in the new event, organised by New Ocean Wave.
But until recently, Barry had virtually no knowledge of rowing and has had to join the Grosvenor Rowing Club for an eight-week course in order to learn the ropes.
To prepare himself, he has taken on a vigorous training regime which includes daily gym workouts and 4am runs more than three times a week, as he is also training for the Chester Marathon in October.
But Barry, who combines training with working two jobs at Bank of America and as a personal carer for a cerebral palsy sufferer, couldn’t be more excited about the ‘biggest personal challenge I’ve ever done’, and is also aiming to raise thousands for local charities.
“This will be the world’s first four-man crew attempt to row across the Pacific and although we haven’t yet discussed officially which charities we’ll be raising for, we’re aiming to support our local areas,” he explained.
"Personally, I hope to raise in excess of £100,000 for good causes but who we support will have a lot to do with who our major sponsors are.
"We are keen to find a local company who can help us to buy our boat and the equipment we need, and in return have their branding across the boat."
During their stint at sea, the team will row two hours on and two hours off for 24 hours a day, and spend nights in sleeping quarters so small they are dubbed ‘the coffin’.
They will have to take enough food with them for the entire time with no outside support, and water will come from a special device which converts sea water into fresh water.
It will be a tough 50 days but Barry, whose previous sporting achievements have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro aged 16, and taking nine days to walk the length of Wales when he was 14, is looking forward to taking on a brand new experience.
"My dad was a seafarer and I was always immensely proud of him and loved to hear the incredible stories about his travels which I used to relay to other kids in the playground," he said.
"I just can’t see my eight-year-old step-son telling stories about me at Back of America in the playground! "Aside from that it's a huge personal challenge; I’m a completely ordinary office worker breaking out and taking on an ultimate challenge - I hope it will inspire many other people to do something amazing too.
"The loneliness, the frightening bits as well as the incredible sunsets, the tranquility of the calm seas and the exhilaration of the stormy seas all appeal to me - all the good and bad bits will only serve to broaden my life."
Barry added: "I think what will spur me on is seeing my family at the end, the prospect of making a huge difference to people's lives through the charitable donations - and probably the concept of a bacon butty when we get to Hawaii!"
To offer your support to Barry and his team, contact him at bshayes@hotmail.co.uk.
