McIntyre launches Real Ocean Row a Retro Race Like it’s 1966
Modern ocean rowing races have become a popular sport and high-profile social media event. Up to 50 boats a year are crossing the Atlantic in record time of 30-50 days solo. Modern equipment and technology “creep” over the past 30 years has slowly reduced human powered effort and dramatically increased speed for these races! This in turn has opened the opportunity to people who would not normally consider an ocean row in their capacity. It’s certainly easier than 1966! Now McIntyre Adventure will “reboot” ocean rowing back to its roots with the Real Ocean Row! (ROR)
The official international adjudicator of ocean rowing and Guiness World Records, the Ocean Rowing Society (ORSI) established in 1983, has one founding rule. Quote: “Any use or attempted use of equipment to deliberately reduce human powered effort and or increase boat speed, will result in being ineligible for a human powered crossing.”
All “modern” ocean rowing races use solar powered watermakers to save up to 220kg weight per person. GPS chart plotters and electric autopilots keep the boats racing on course at 2-4kts while the rower sleeps or enjoys a cup of tea. Shoreside weather routers direct rowers to the best currents and away from worst weather. Satphone and Starlink video calls to trainers, family and partners reduces the psychological stress/mind game of rowing. The use of this equipment reduces human powered effort and directly increases boat speed! By ORSI standards, is this still ineligible for Human Powered status? On paper, maybe not? Still a tough row for sure but?
Australian Adventurer and well-known organiser of three retro around the world yacht races Don McIntyre has been thinking of rowing an ocean for 30 years. In 1996 he met the founder of the ORSI Kenneth Crutchlow and spent a few days together discussing ocean rowing. A seed was sown but other adventures prevailed. Over the years McIntyre witnessed how much easier it has become and wonders if any rower could even cope with the idea of doing it like 1966. But for him, that is the attraction and the only way. So, at 73 in 2028 he will try to do it in the footsteps of his friend Sir Chay Blyth and is challenging anyone else bold enough to join this ROR adventure, like it’s 1966!
“I really enjoy adventures with an historic connection that relates to those who did it first! Will I cope as well as them? Or at least understand better what they went through? Talking with so many rowers over the years I knew if I did it, it would be in the footsteps of Blyth and Ridgeway. I read their book in the early 70’s and it was truly scary. My boat, safety gear and training will be a bit better, and Tradewinds of the Atlantic will be kinder than their hurricanes, but I don’t underestimate how challenging this ROR may be. Everything will be slower, heavier, more work and more human than current modern ocean rowers. Right now, I am overweight, unfit and have never even sat in a rowboat! My challenge is real and I am up for it. Not sure if anyone else will? ROR is hard but is “Human Powered” under OSRI rules and that is special, so let’s hope I can make it!”
Don McIntyre…ROR Founder
