FROM flying fish, to sharks, huge cargo ships to enormous whales, Sean McGowan, the solo Limerick oarsman who is rowing the Atlantic in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, has seen it all after over his last 40 days at sea. Tired and emotional, but resilient and supported, Sean’s biggest milestone came through the middle of Saturday night last weekend when he broke through the barrier signalling that he had less than 2000nm left in his race. A marker that seemed lost.
Dogged with issues of survival and equipment failure, Sean’s steel remained and despite clocking up a total of only 25nm over eight days, a weaker man might have thrown in the towel, but not McGowan as he clocked over 200nm in the following eight days of rowing.
Tuesday of this week however, the weather, high seas and heavy winds were back and just to make sure that our Limerick rower was not getting too comfortable, fate and the race, threw up another little problem as Sean’s water maker decide to pack in – again. Earlier in the week, Sean reported dead calm seas with mixed rowing conditions saying, “It’s hot and slow,” so he “had a shave” and apologised to the “grow a mo gang”. The ‘gang’ that Sean refers to, Tom, Peader, Aiden and Duff are growing their moustaches in aid of the charity and when he finishes the race, they will shave them off.
Back to matters at seas, repairs to his rowing seat, his hands and watermaker are regular occurrences for Sean, but the Limerick man never forgets those on shore.
Last week, Sean’s report noted how much he was missing at home; “It’s my eldest’s birthday tomorrow, Rachael is 15. I wish I was there,” adding, “everyone who meets her, wish her a big happy birthday, her dad loves her.” A tough day to miss, but he had to row on.
But support is key and always full of encouragement, Paul Gleeson regularly signs in to wish Sean well and offer valued advice. Last week the former race participant noted that Sean should go with the wind and let the battle to get South take it’s course. Sean has over 750nm covered in his 40 day endurance race and with just over 1900nm left, the race is on for him to get to the finish in Antigua. Follow Sean’s progress on www.limerickpost.ie, www.atlantic09.com or become a fan on facebook.
