Amateur rowing friends prepare to cross the Atlantic

Two friends who grew up on the Isle of Man are set to row across the Atlantic Ocean, in a bid to become the first Manx pair to do so.

Tim Foster, 57, and Mike Reed, 58, will start their 3,200 mile (5,150km) journey from Lanzarote, Canary Islands before finishing at the Caribbean island of Antigua.

Participants usually take three years to prepare for the Atlantic Dash, but the men have taken just seven months, admitting "if you're going to do it, just do it".

The amateur rowers hoped to complete the unsupported journey in 55-65 days whilst battling sleep deprivation, marlin strikes, the prospect of falling overboard and the busy shipping lanes of the Atlantic.

By their own admission, the pair had not been consistently keen rowers all their lives, yet the Atlantic Dash, an annual event which allows rowers to complete the 3,200 mile (5,150km) journey, has always been on their to-do lists.

Reed said: "This is a once in a lifetime adventure and we're lucky enough to have got to that point in life where things are stable.

"When you have a few drinks, people ask, 'are you going to do it?' and then eventually Tim said 'yes!'

"But life gets in the way and then suddenly it doesn't and you're then running out of excuses.

"If you're going to do these things, don't just say it - you've got to get out there and do it."

The pair, who have been friends since aged 10, used to row along the island as kids.

"Growing up on the Isle of Man, you do spend a lot of time staring at the sea", said Foster, who when not out on water, works in the building industry on the island.

"As 13-year-olds we rowed from Maughold to Laxey, it took nine hours, camped overnight and rowed back.

"We thought 'let's go a bit further next time' and here we are many years later.'"

As part of their preparation for the mammoth journey, the friends had to complete a minimum of 70 hours of training, which they hit through rowing around the Isle of Man and up into Scotland.

The pair also had to complete sea survival and first aid courses along with a dental check to qualifying for the race.

"It's all about the right attitude and will but I think we're good to go", said Foster.

Aboard their boat, named Cheerfulness, the pair have 65 days worth of rations, a desalinator to turn sea water drinkable and a safety parachute which could be opened in case one falls overboard, called a sea anchor.

Foster said: "We'll do two hour shifts, one's rowing whilst the other navigates and prepares the food and drink.

"They reckon on a good session you get 90 minutes kip, you are sleep deprived, there's no doubt about that but if it was dead easy, I don't think it'll be worth doing."

The friends will also have to tend with underwater dangers, like strikes from marlins - sea predators known for their speed and long, sharp bill.

"As you're rowing along, you form a shadow which attracts the small fish who then attract bigger fish like marlins and in the process sometimes hit the boat and put holes in it.

"We have shaped-wooden pegs to tap into any holes made by these creatures", said Foster.

The pair hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow Manxman Andrew Baker, who in 2021, became the first person from the island to row the Atlantic solo, from Portugal to Barbados.

Foster said he estimated the total cost to participate in the Atlantic Dash is around £100,000 when taking account of mandatory courses, rations and shipping their 7.5m (24.6ft) rowing boat to Lanzarote and then back from Antigua at the end of their adventure.

"Our boat gets smaller every time you look at it", joked Reed, who works at the Venture Centre on the Isle of Man.

"We left the island with it looking quite big and when we took it out the container it had shrunk somewhat."

The friends are raising money for charity Crossroads Care, which supports the needs of carers on the Isle of Man.

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