I am continuing with my training both in the gym and on the water, which has now completely replaced extended workouts on my Concept2 at home. The boat has undergone a series of roll-over tests and has now proven to be safe and stable. I am collecting it from the boatyard in Suffolk next week; then, it is back to Southampton where it will undergo a full electrical overhaul (change of batteries, solar panels and re-wiring) and wrapping up in a custom-made vinyl cover graphically designed for Leo’s Row. I am planning to start taking it out into the Solent by the end of July. I will need to do at least 100 nM of training in it in preparation for my transatlantic solo row.

training for my transatlantic crossing.

I have started a new strength and conditioning programme, which I will write about later. I have also resumed my coastal rowing at the Coastal Rowing Centre with Bob Cottell who is a legend and has trained a few ocean rowers before. It is a technical and hard sport. I have an utmost respect for the sport and have caught a rowing bug myself. Hard, full-body workout outside in a stunning setting of the Jurassic Coast which looks different, but consistently stunning in any weather – what is not to like? Here are just a few pictures taken from the boat during our training sessions.

On-the-water training is an essential part of my preparation for my Atlantic solo row!

First time on the boat and successful roll-over tests.

Me and Happy Socks have finally had our first outing together. I have come to Suffolk where it is currently undergoing some work for a series of roll-over tests to make sure that it does self-right. It was a beautiful day for it. We launched the boat from a slipway … and it started making bubbling sounds and slowly sinking. We quickly realised that there was a gaping hole in the hull of the boat where the water maker had originally been attached. It had been removed earlier and sent for a service. Thankfully, there was a rubber plug on the boat which quickly solved the problem, but it was a dramatic start of her journey.

I got to row her for the first time even for a short distance between the slipway and the dock where the roll-over test was performed. Putting the boat into the water and having to row it revealed a few little problems, like the watermaker leak and missing the oarlocks, which made rowing a bit tricky. Despite all this it was a pleasure having an opportunity to row her for the first time. I know how she handles now, what it is like to be in the rowing seat. She is fully my boat now.

We did three roll-over tests with various loads simulating the boat’s weight at the start and the finish lines when it will be about 100 kg lighter because of the food that I am going to consume. The most important test was the first one with the boat light and empty – if she rolled back after being turned upside down by a crane, then she was definitely safe and well balanced. It is not a question whether she will, or will not capsize during my row (she most certainly will!) – it was a question whether she self-righted which she did both empty and loaded with weights of 100, 200 and 350 kg.

This was the most important potential problem that needed addressing. As I have mentioned before the boat had been made lighter by Lia Ditton for her record-breaking Pacific row in 2020 which led to a few very hairy capsizes when the boat did not self-right. We really wanted to make sure that Happy Socks is well-balanced, and I am really happy to report that she really is!

Now, a few relatively minor jobs to sort out and we are back at the South Coast for boat wrapping and electrics to sort out.

We now have a clear timeline for the completion of all the works that the boat needs. I am picking up a water maker from the service on July, the 5th. I am then driving to Suffolk to have it installed on the morning of the 8th, then driving her to the Universal Marina near Southampton for both the electrics and wrapping to be sorted in sequence. Both shops are next to each other at the Marina so this should be easily possible. The boat should be fully ready by July, the 22nd. I have found a place for her to be stored at the Berthon Marina in Lymington with the help of some very good people. This is an ideal place for her as it will be so easy to row into the Solent from there! It will be displayed at the very entrance into the Marina from the end of July so please come on down and have a look.

I am very excited about our on-the-water training! It has been a long wait but we are finally entering the final and most important stages of our preparation for the transatlantic row. More news to come soon!