United Leeds Endeavours Watches Brit Break Solo Atlantic Crossing Record

A 26-Year old British man has broken the record for the fastest solo Atlantic crossing in a rowing boat. United Leeds Endeavours looks at the skill and training involved to accomplish such a feat.

Andrew Brown, from Surrey, has completed the Atlantic Challenge in a record breaking 40 days, rowing from Tenerife to Barbados, 2,936 miles. The race is said to be the world’s toughest rowing race. United Leeds Endeavours, a marketing and sales company with offices around the UK, has followed many endurance events before but Brown’s has shown an exceptional level of dedication and grit.

The toughness of the race is exhibited by the fates of a number of other competitors. Two rowers were rescued by a cruise ship after their boat was hit by a massive wave in December. Of the 17 teams that started the race, 8 pulled out because of problems ranging from sea-sickness to poor weather. United Leeds Endeavours learnt that some teams were disqualified after calling for help, breaking the competition rules that forbade external assistance.

Brown’s own journey wasn’t plain sailing, “Everything on the boat was powered by solar panels and for the first two weeks we didn’t have much sunshine. I became really tight on electricity, which I needed to make water.” One of the team at United Leeds Endeavours remarked, “The physical toll that an endurance event like this takes on the body is extreme. Andrew apparently consumed 6,500 calories per day, and lost three stone in weight. The fact that he had to conserve water as well must have been punishing.”

“At United Leeds Endeavours we have a huge deal of respect for the training that goes into endurance events. No matter how hard these guys train they can never fully prepare for feats like this, unforeseen circumstances are inevitable and at some point your body will just want to give up. The fact that Andrew Brown succeeded in a record breaking time shows just how mentally tough he was as well.”

After his first meal on dry land, consisting of a burger and chips, Andrew Brown admitted “I don’t’ think the feeling has quite sunk in yet.” Perhaps a week relaxing in Barbados will give him the well-earned rest that he deserves. For more details of his journey, and to donate to the charities Andrew rowed in aid of, please visit his website http://www.andrew.rowtheatlantic.com/

Many congratulations from everyone at United Leeds Endeavours.