Crossing the Pacific in a Row Boat

Can you imagine crossing the Pacific Ocean in a rowboat? How would you do it? Where would you start, where would you try to finish? How long do you think it would take? What kind of boat would you use, what type of oars? Can you just imagine yourself trying something that daring? Well one man not only imagined it, he did it.

He was a Frenchman named Coindre, is very much an adventuring soul indeed. Not only has he crossed the Pacific Ocean by rowboat, but he crossed the Atlantic Ocean four times. And he set the World Record of 129 days, which is impressive, but since no one has ever done it in modern history he holds the record? Can you imagine rowing for that many hours a day; he must be in Olympic Athletic Shape?

Do you think you could do it? I was considering this and I think I could do it and I would just to prove I could not for notoriety or to attempt to beat his record but rather to prove it to myself? Would you do it if you had the time? Talk about a great weight loss program and just think of the six pack in your stomach when you were done? Wow, you would be totally ripped, besides what a great work out?

One person I talked to said for them; “It would become like a Zen experience or flow where one becomes one with the boat and the movement. If that mental state could be held for the entire rowing period or the majority of it, it would probably be some type of record for that activity.”

Yes, indeed it would, wouldn’t it? But would you do it? Sounds like a once in a lifetime crazy thing, but I think I would like to do that very much actually. What supplies would you take? You would have to take supplies and water and food. Enough for almost a year, as you could not do it in the 129 days that gentleman did. Could you muster the strength of mind? I think I could; No problem, it is mind and will of the individual, strength of character. I could do it. Could you? Do you have that level of perseverance? Can you say that there is no doubt you could do it? Would you be willing to commit and do it?

What about high seas and weather? A year is a long time and you are bound to hit a least a few huge storms. What kind of boat would you design for such a trip? What if a real big storm came along could you turn your boat into an air-tight cocoon and simply bob up and down until it passed and then start rowing again in a couple of days? Would you survive being banged around that much? It is not like you could swim to shore? Look at a Globe do you see how big the Pacific Ocean is?

The Frenchman did it and finished near Charleston, Oregon he was headed for San Francisco, but that is not so bad consider the distance across the Pacific Ocean is it? He was in great shape before he started, what kind of shape are you in? A person attempting such must be in excellent shape to be able to handle it. If you were in good shape to start, but did not have a life-time history of rowing could you started cold turkey you would be tone when you were done; the ultimate weight loss program and body toning, would you say; “Hell just do it?” Do you have the heart and will to do something like that?

I know I always wanted to run across the United States and now that I have a really good feeling for how far that is having traveled it so many times by motor home coach. I know I could do it in 30-50 mile per day runs and walking; I will do that some day, it is something I would really like to do. But rowing across the Pacific Ocean, wow, that takes all the human will of a hundred people that would certainly be something. Could you do it? Would you? Think on this and live strong.

Lance Winslow