“In the World of Ocean Rowing, rarely has there been such sheer determination, tenacity and resolve to continue and succeed against all the odds. The people and visitors of English Harbour (and Sean’s family members) gave a truly memorable welcome to this historic first.”
The words posted on the website of the organisers of the 2009 Atlantic Rowing Race in acknowledging Sean McGowan finishing the Atlantic Ocean rowing race.
Taking 118 days, 1 hour and 14 minutes, Sean McGowan rowed into the history books on Sunday May 2 last to become the first Irish man to row the Atlantic ocean unassisted.
After suffering capsize, knocked from his boat, extensive flooding, power failures, water making issues and a smashed rowing lock just days into his campaign, Sean battled on to become the very first Irish solo rower to cross any ocean – something that may well be equalled, but never ever beaten.
Finishing almost a week after the last competitor, Sean attributed the completion of this mammoth task to the support he had from all walks of life.
Drawing from the emotions of the event, Sean said that he felt people thought he was drunk for a few days as he walked around “wobbly” on his legs as he put it.
“My land legs are coming back to me but my hands are still locked”, noting the pain that he endured through the final days of the race, adding, “people thought I was drunk”.
Sean, still clasping the sponge rubber pads he used to try and ease the pain in his hands, rowed into English Harbour in Antigua as a large group of well wishers including his brothers were there to great him. Sean’s wife, Lorraine, and his two daughters, were in Limerick awaiting his return this Friday to Shannon Airport.
Paul Gleeson, a veteran of the Atlantic Ocean race, had these words for Sean; “Congratulations Sean, a truly remarkable achievement that is beyond my humble words. Well done, enjoy the rest, the fresh food, the shower, the toilet that doesn’t move etc etc. You have completed something very special indeed and I wish you well for all that the future holds for you. You are now an ocean rower.”
Sean was keen to hit the buffet breakfasts this week as he aimed to regain weight saying that he was “Delighted and relieved to be finally on land – doing my best to put weight back on – buffet breakfast gets many visits from me each morning. I’m the same weight I was when I was 14 years old.”
Sean McGowan will return to Limerick this Friday where he will be greeted by many well wishers but most importantly, his family that he have not seen for over four months while he endured the high seas.
