Welcome to the first our our Brightsides crew diaries. Every month we’ll bring you up to speed on what the team are up to as they prepare for the challenge of rowing independently across the Atlantic next year, raising money for great charities such as Get A-Head and with the support of fantastic sponsors such as Bromwich Hardy.
It’s been a busy few weeks for The Brightsides.
Training has noticeably intensified of late, with the team training for a minimum of an hour and a half each day, on a combination of weights and indoor rowing. With the start of the 6 Nations, Duncan chose an interval session of rowing for the first half of Wales vs Ireland, resting during half time, and then rowing again for the second half. He was very disappointed to find the second half lasted 57 minutes inclusive of stoppages!
The main issues the team are facing at this stage are blisters on their hands and pressure sores on their bums. The expectation is that skin will harden overtime, ahead of the challenge itself. Indeed, this physical transformation is a key element of the preparation.
Beyond the training, last weekend the three spent Sunday completing a full audit of all of the kit on their boat, Mrs Nelson. Seeing all of the kit laid out in one place is incredible. It is amazing to think that it all fits in a single 28-foot rowing boat!
Despite being a self-funded trip, meaning all financial donations & sponsorship will go straight to Meningitis Now, Get A-Head and ACCT UK, the crew have very gratefully received donations of kit and equipment. This week, Gill Marine provided training kit and waterproof rucksacks which will be invaluable in a few weeks time when the team hit the south coast for the first ocean training of 2023.
Hands and bums may be sore, but spirits are extremely high, and excitement levels continue to reach new heights. We really are revelling in every element of this incredibly privileged journey thus far.
Support The Brightsides here – https://www.thebrightsidesrow.com/charity-donations