In December we posted about our Director Ross McKinney’s plan to cross the Atlantic in nothing more than a rowing boat and the strength of four other fellow rowers. We thought he was joking at first. He wasn’t. Well thankfully, he made it! They made it!
ROSS ROWED THE ATLANTIC!
3000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean in 36 days, 3 hours and 33 mins!
Rowing in 2-hour shifts, 24 hours a day for over a month, the crew of 5 ( Five in a Row!) did it! They did it! They survived what is generally known (in the field) as “The World’s Toughest Rowing Race”.
The team comprising of Caley Water’s very own Ross McKinney and Ian Baird, Duncan Hughes, Fraser Potter, and Clive Rooney, embarked on a gruelling journey to row 3,000 miles (4,830 km) from La Gomera, Spain, to Antigua in the Caribbean. The team, which had undergone over a year of intensive training and preparation, arrived at their destination after 36 days, three hours, and 33 minutes, securing third place in the 36-boat race.
For Ross, the journey was particularly meaningful as his daughter Eliza, who lives with Rett syndrome, inspired the team’s fundraiser for the charity Reverse Rett. Rett syndrome is a neurological condition that primarily affects girls between their first and second birthdays, leaving them with multiple disabilities and complexities for life.
Despite encountering terrifying moments at sea, such as having to weather huge waves and being thrown off their seats, the team soldiered on, with none of the rowers having more than two hours of rest at a time. To cross the finish line, they had to eat, sleep, and maintain the boat in that time frame.
The McKinney family’s story exemplifies the significance of Reverse Rett, an organization that has significantly impacted their lives. The team surpassed their initial fundraising target of £20,000, with the current total sitting around £50,000.
The team’s efforts and their success was recognized by Kenny MacAskill, MP for East Lothian, and Paul McLennan, the county’s MSP. They both submitted motions that were supported by their colleagues.
MacAskill’s motion praised the Five In A Row team for their incredible achievement and congratulated them for finishing third in the 2021 Talisker Atlantic Challenge. The motion also highlighted the team’s fundraising efforts and their commitment to the cause. The rowers took turns to row and sleep for two hours each, making the journey even more challenging. The journey was fraught with danger, and falling from the boat could have been fatal, as the crew members could not be retrieved in the darkness quickly enough.
The success of the Five In A Row team is truly inspiring, and their efforts have raised much-needed funds for a worthy cause. The team’s journey has been an extraordinary accomplishment, and they deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication.
If you would like to support Five in a Row and Reverse Rett you can donate via this link.
Watch the moment Caley Water’s Ross McKinney and the 5 in a row team made it home.
Needless to say, the team at Caley Water is immensely relieved The Boss made it back alive. Inspirational stuff! Now that you’re back on dry land Ross, enjoy yourself! No need to rush back to the office !!