The days since Southern Cross completed the 2009 inaugural Indian Ocean Crossing have been more than a little curious. What an opportunity to reflect on a whole host of issues fuelled by a wide range of emotions. JJ’s sponsors at 20 Degree Sud (the luxury hotel that has ensured they experience the full contrast between boat and dry land) organised a press conference at which they were asked to explain who they are, why they did it, how they managed it and what happened on the way. Both families were delighted to get this opportunity to hear their story (which they present differently to the outside world). Needless to say, the answer to the biggest of all these questions – why – is still shrouded in mystery. The traditional answer "because it was there" does not really satisfy and our two intrepid explorers are still at the stage of living on the adrenaline. Their partial answer is "we wanted a challenge; something different, doing something for charity" etc.
However, the role of observer is also an interesting one. All of us have also been challenged by their journey. The experience has stimulated multiple emotions and prompted many new questions. This is rich ground for contemplating meaning and significance beyond the event itself. I thought I would share some of my own confusions that have surfaced during this period.
But to begin at the beginning – or is it an ending? The arrival in Grand Bay set off a cocktail of emotions, which stirred many old questions and new thoughts. As I watched Jamie and James re-emerge after all these months – first as a dot on the horizon and, gradually, as a boat with oars and eventually as a boat with two people aboard, the emotions raced from joy, pride and relief to curiosity and concern. Their rowing appeared erratic, their course was uneven and I found myself speculating about their condition – weary; anti-climax; broken? What would "re-entry" be like for them? Having had such a challenging range of experiences, how could they share these with us, mere mortals "who could never really understand"? I experienced some trepidation at the process of reconnecting.
And then their human form became recognisable to the naked eye. The crowd on the quayside (family, Ferkins, locals, holidaymakers) was noisy and jubilant. The boys told us later that they could hear our cacophony from a good mile out to sea. The atmosphere was intense. Their progress was erratic making us concerned for their condition (only to discover later that this was due to their larking about and making preparations for landing such as putting shorts on after 103 days naked and lighting flares). It was a surprise and joy to discover that they were far from being broken men. They were all smiles and good cheer. Of course, their first steps on dry land were a little wobbly but the diet of 2000 calories per day had not left them emaciated. They were smiling, proud, tired, and happy. The outward appearance had changed – they were thinner, hairier and weathered – but far less than I had expected. The far greater curiosity now is the change on the inside, which has yet to be disclosed.
On that quayside and still in the grips of powerful emotions, I remembered the difficulty of drawing lines to demarcate emotions. I was experiencing both curiosity and disquiet at the reconnection process. These two boys were now officially "Ocean Rowers" going through an adjustment from sea, wind, waves and each other to the noise and demands of lots of people. How would they fit back into their lives and relationships that they had left more than 3 months previously? I was also feeling something else – something akin to sadness and yet I wasn’t feeling sad! Was it a sense of loss? Was it that the hopes and fears, the pride and concern, the roller coaster was coming to an end? This was an "ending" that signified completion and achievement – but I was all too aware of how it could have been a different story of disappointment, failure and sorrow. I sensed my own feelings about endings and parting was being brought into play.
I also observed, from the moment of landing, a clear difference in J and J’s interactions with the "land-lubbers" compared to their interactions with Guy and Andy (their fellow competitors known as the Flying Ferkins). It has been marvellous that these competing pairs could finish within less than 24 hours of each other – less than 1% difference over the whole journey. It not only enabled both teams and their entourage to celebrate together but also for the four rowers to talk and share this experience that has been so inter-twined all the way to the finishing line. And the need to talk and share with "people who know" was very evident and the mutual respect between them was a joy to behold!
One image that keeps recurring in my mind is the line in the sand as the tide comes in. We all draw lines in the sand. We all set targets and rules to help us, guide us and discipline us. They are often arbitrary – such as when a kid decides not to step on the cracks in the pavement or not to eat his/her sweets until reaching the front gate. Some of our lines are more important since they are drawn to guide us in how we want to live our lives – such as doing our homework before going out to play or not eating chocolate during Lent or always telling the truth. Such lines can be highly symbolic and serve to give shape and purpose to our lives as well as becoming an essential part of our identity. What does the line at 20 degrees south line signify now – and what will it signify to J and J in a few years time? I wait with interest as its meaning slowly unfolds through their lives to come.
But for now, they have passed a true rite of passage. They are very clearly now young men. I admire the challenge, the hope, and the adventure of youth. I am also old enough to recognise that these achievements which build identity and consolidate the ego are lines in the sand. As the tide comes in the greatest challenge is to shift the focus on "self" to an increasing focus on "others." The best metaphor is parenting which, when done well, converts individualism and confidence into generosity and humility. I now recognise some of the reasons for my mixed emotions and disquiet. It is the combination of admiration for this achievement with the question of what they have/will learn from it. I am sure that it is helping them to build their identity and confidence. They chose a challenge that many of us would never dream of. However, it is not the experience that is paramount, it is what they do with the experience. The next big question is how the experience is assimilated into the hardest journey of all – the road to generosity, respect, humility and wisdom. Even ocean rowers will find that hard.
But I do not want to take away from the achievement of the moment. Let me end on a less reflective and more concrete note. They crossed the finish line at12:26 GMT 31st July 2009 and reached land as the sun set about 19.00 Mauritius time. This was an incredible achievement for the youngest ever pair to successfully row an ocean. Not only is this a world record, which is likely to be held for many years to come, it is also a world record as the lightest and possibly the shortest pair in history. Congratulations.
And here is an Audio blogg conducted with Sonia from the Maidenhead Advertiser talking to Jamie 1 week after the finish.
July 31st 2009 at 111GMT saw Jamie Facer-Childs and James Thysse became the youngest team ever to cross an ocean entirely under their own power. The pair were a 21 and a 22 year old at the start but after 103 days, 9 hours and 26 minutes and a birthday celebration in mid-ocean they both finished as 22 year olds. The time in-between involved rowing 3600 miles across the Indian Ocean (from Geralton in Australia to Grand Bay in Mauritius). Initially the pair hoped to cross in about 60-80 days but, amidst some of the worst storms in many years, they were delayed by winds, waves and currents that insisted on pushing them back to Australia.
Suddenly they stopped diddling. Suddenly the miles were being eaten up. Suddenly we realised that it was time to book a flight to Mauritius. However, the Good Lord smiled as we phoned around. He smiled as each travel agent told us the flights were full but would we want to go from 20th July to the 20th August. The alternative was Business Class. Now I was not about to pay more to get to Mauritius than it cost to equip and ship the boat out to Australia. I heard God begin to chuckle but, in the spirit of the Woodvale Challenge, I was not about to give up.
Six hours later I found a dream ticket – an all inclusive flight and hotel for more than I had hoped but by now I was willing to pay. The flight left on the 29th August which would get us there before SX got in – but this was on the 19th July or “Day 92” when SX managed a mere 5 miles. And then God chuckled again and intervened a little more strongly by making sure the weather was more favourable – which meant that in the following days they covered 48, 48, 74, 63, 52 and 60 miles. This makes an average of 57 miles per day which was outside our calculation limits. Our non-linear mathematical models, regressions analyses and factor analyses had not taken this fire power (or rowing power) into account. All that sophistication and yet they were now projected to be in Mauritius before us! How can meticulous blob watchers get it so wrong! The calculators and statistics programmes have been relegated to the pile labelled “looks impressive but isn't”.
But God was on our side. He could see into our hearts and knew we wanted to be there to greet these boys as they stepped onto dry land. With benevolence and magnanimity he stirred the seas to create a few currents which slowed them down and, looking at them sternly, he reminded them that 4 bags of food did not allow this kind of mileage. It has worked and, God willing, it is reasonable to expect them on Saturday. The window for the arrival is now closed. It must be Saturday because that is the day after both families and supporters arrive. It is also the day that the weather turns – winds of 20 knots rising to 30 by Sunday!; waves of 10-15 foot high. If they don't make it by Saturday this weather change makes the arrival dangerous and dubious since the reefs can be treacherous. Just another challenge but we will be waiting ....
... and in time I will chuckle too.
Roy
Luckily we are talking about the aquatic rather than the human variety of shark. To be more precise, it was a single Hammerhead shark that started following the boat for a short while. With ingenuity, the boys put their hands in the water and tried to simulate a fish in the hope that old Hammerhead would be attracted closer for a nice photograph. Unfortunately he turned tail and swam away. The boys were not impressed with this show of strength and confidence but I am still glad to say that they did NOT leap into the water for a better view (which Jamie did when the whales nosed their boat). Perhaps, as we get nearer the shore, there will get more sightings of the ocean's creatures. However, there is not long left and so the next Blogg may well be a sighting of that strangest of all species – Man/Woman/Human.
Now on 2000 calories per day, they can last up to Friday and then zero rations!! We are wondering what kind of skeletons we will be meeting – if we manage to get there before they do. Families are arriving on Thursday and Friday.
Roy
The
British Rail Experience
Have you ever sat in a train at the station and had that feeling of “at last we’re off” – only to find that it was the train next to you that was departing and you are still waiting at the station? Add in that when you do get moving you realise you are on the slow train instead of the express and you will begin to understand Jamie and James over these past few weeks.
Ever since the 1000 mile mark JJ have been on the slow train. There have been no announcements telling them why they are stuck outside Mille Station and they haven’t even had British Rail sandwiches to excite them (which they would at this stage in their journey). Fighting against westerly current they tried rowing 2-up for 2 days and made no progress and eventually decided to try going North to 22 degrees. The decision has been the worst one they have made – they found currents that they could not battle against. The most depressing thing was to see the weather just to the South (where they had been) suddenly pick up and the Flying Ferkins began to live up to their name – they began to fly and were eating up JJ’s 89 mile lead.
A race was
suddenly on. JJ changed their tactic and began rowing 2-up for
substantial periods but, as Jamie says, “it was like we had run aground”.
Rowing in the current was like rowing through treacle and Flying Ferkins built a
20 mile lead. Devastated by how their extra effort was making no
difference JJ re-doubled their efforts and continued 2-up for longer periods
forgoing sleep and this got them back to 2 knots, then 3 knots. Imagine how they
felt when they saw that Guy and Andy were still pulling away. Finally, on
day 94, after 17 hours hard exercise but on only 2000 calories per day, they
finally realised that they were not as fit and full of energy as they were at
the beginning of the race! I must commend them on their self-awareness!
But I must also point out that it might have been a little slow arriving
into their consciousness. I was only using logic but still realised that
the food intake was too low (and they are also sleep
deprived).
Another story I have only partially understood is in regard to their rudder. Ever since Day 1 the mechanism has been tricky. The slide mechanism does not slide easily and so, if they want to change direction they have to stop rowing and adjust by hand. This has got stiffer and stiffer over the weeks such that, now, they can only do jerky, large scale adjustments which results in a lot of Zig-Zag and wasted effort. Apparently some boats have a system that makes the adjustment automatically linked to a GPS. I would recommend to anyone mad enough to consider following in their footsteps to begin talking to the right sponsor early on.
JJ were very clear about the respect they have for Guy and Andrew. Having thrown all they could at preventing them pulling too far ahead, JJ now realise that they have to conserve their energy and manage their food in order to get to Mauritius unsupported.
I am sure that, even if they cannot see it now, their determination, their effort and their disappointment contribute make a rich story of their character. I felt quite (in the English sense of the word) moved listening to Jamie explaining all that they had tried. To quote his favourite poem, “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, And treat those two impostors just the same ....... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!”
Roy
Food, food, my kingdom for some food - Day 95
Never give up (even on 2800 calories
per day) – Day 92
Only 611
nautical miles left (this sounds better than 700 land miles)! It now looks
“do-able” – so much so that we have all booked our flights so that we can
welcome them to dry land; to the land of comfy beds that don’t move; to the land
where 3 meals a day can be savoured and “energy input” should equal “energy
output”. I now have another fear to add to the list – that they will be
more interested in the chocolate we have promised them on arrival than in their
friends and family!! I will need to keep reminding myself that, having cut
rations from 5000 to 3500 and now a further cut to 2800, this may be an
acceptable physiological response.
To explain a
little more about the food regime, their meals had been cut to 5 per day (i.e. 5
delicious bags of dried food). Now the 5th bag is put aside
each day – apparently this has become a ritual of long lingering with their eyes
as they examine this beautiful object and then, with one swift movement, it is
added to their “extras” pile. A surprise homecoming present will have to
be a meal bag which has been framed so that they can hang it on their
walls. I am impressed with this excellent training whereby they are
learning to manage needs, urges and immediacies – things which are increasingly
difficult for a generation brought up in our “24/7; have it all now; instant
gratification society.” I am sure that adding the word “disciplined” to
their CV’s will be fully justified.
So we now
have an eta (expected time of arrival) which is around the beginning of
August. Since flights have become increasingly full we have had to trust
that the weather will not play any more big tricks on them – something we know
is unpredictable but the danger of full flights and not being there was getting
too worrying. If they do get held up again, and if all the families have
had flown home again .... no, that will not happen because JJ are under strict
instructions not to diddle around anymore!!
In the
meantime you can hear another audio blog between Sonia at the Maidenhead
Advertiser and Jamie having just come off his rowing shift. Click on the
link below.
If you listen
and then judge whether you think they will make it.
Roy
Diddling around in the Indian Ocean
What do you write when you are running out of things to say – when you've done the rowing (upside down as well as the right way up); when you have experienced exhilaration and progress followed by setbacks and frustration; when you have tasted the sweet thought of arriving at your destination and then realised there is still a lot of sea and weather between you and it. After another period of “diddling about in the Indian Ocean” the boys are once again eating into the remaining miles but they are on reduced rations in the full knowledge that they could have yet another period of no progress. I wonder how that works – when I water down the petrol in my car it doesn't seem to like it – and grinds to a halt. Thank goodness these boys are not so mechanical and so I hope that the energy that goes in at one end will still propel them in the right direction. I hope that my simple knowledge of the energy equation where 1+1=2 is upset by that irrepressible human factor – the spirit (where 1+1=3). We cannot live by bread alone .... but we do need enough of it.
I have always loved the wind – but never realised how important the news that it was coming from the east mattered to people out on the ocean. I now listen to the shipping forecast (Fisher, German Bight, Cromarty, Malin Head etc.) with new ears and a real heart.
More news when I have some
Roy
On the move again – Day 83
After the lows of recent days Southern Cross is once more making progress towards Mauritius. As we have learnt, their spirits are up again and determination has set in – they will eat less, row more, admire the view and put up with each others foibles. I think the sea is a wonderful metaphor for their journey – because no matter how big the waves, as they look up at the wall of water above them, they eventually end up at the top of it again. Things may look daunting from the bottom of the trough but there is always a peak. The lower you go, the higher you higher you achieve – well I can't say this is what they have been articulating but I think this will be in their DNA when they return. They may not have read Victor Frankl but they are living it – ask not what you want out of life, but what life wants out of you. What a legacy for their lives to come.
Today is actually Jamie's birthday. Ever optimistic, it was only a few weeks ago that he still thought he would be in Mauritius to celebrate it. I think he got the month wrong but luckily their navigation is not as far out as their sense of time. Happy 22nd birthday Jamie and I hope James has sung to you and given you that extra chocolate biscuit. I know that they have been discovering little food extras in the boat – courtesy of Anne – James' mum – who wishes she had stashed a few more in the hold now that the extra weight appears negligible in the light of what has happened. Oh well, we all have 20:20 vision looking backwards.
Happy Birthday Jamie
Roy 11th July 2009
Hallucinations set in – Day 77
Imagine seeing the “1000 miles to go” mark floating on the horizon before your eyes – only to see it disappear again, just like a mirage in the desert. Well that is what has been the experience for Southern Cross these last 6 days. Perhaps it is not as frustrating as the Ocean Angels who thought they caught sight of Mauritius this week who must, no doubt be questioning whether the little island really exists – but nevertheless another difficult time making so little progress. At least Southern Cross were able to share their frustration by contacting the Flying Ferkins! Now you might be imagining two boats a few miles apart would do so by rowing up alongside each other but the chosen method was a satellite phone call. I think it provided a boost for both teams since they were able to share in the frustrations and give each other words of support – even if they are pitting their sinews against each other to the end!!
In Jamie's (semi-) regular Saturday call they seemed as stoic as ever but I did detect the beginnings of another hallucination as Jamie talked about the idea of standing up and going for a long, long run. We need to remember just how small the cabin is (little more than 7 foot long and 3 foot high so lying down is the only position) and, with the bad weather and so much time being spent on the para-anchor inside the cabin it is hardly surprising that certain dreams of freedom are taking hold. However, I am not yet worried for their mental health – their ability to still laugh is a wonderful sign of how well they are taking this adventure.
Can't wait for the reunion – roll on Mauritius and roll on the easterly waves and winds.
Roy
5th July – Day 78
Oh dear – a broken Footplate
This may not mean a lot to people but this is what they use to move the rudder. One of the stainless steel struts sheered in two. Is it the size of the waves or the strength of the legs that can do that! This has necessitated locking the rudder and rowing from the Bow seat – which does not help with speed. However, given they are in westerly currents they can put the para-anchor out and do some much needed maintenance. In fact they have got their ipods working again by running it through the laptop which does not have enough battery to run itself ..... I am lost as to what they have done but these DIY electricians are doing all kinds of wiring that seems to be working.
Anyway, back to the footplate which they have now bound with a fibreglass repair kit that was donated by TSP Marines. Once hardened they believe they will be back on course – which is currently backwards but we all know that an ill wind does not blow forever. Tomorrow is a “jump in the water” day since they need to sort out why the rudder is sticking and to offload their passengers – the barnacles that keep hitching a ride.
How are they doing otherwise? Well they have both become Rubric Cube wizards – that is what I call time well spent.
Today they saw an Albatross – although it was not through the mist that it came. I am still learning every time I speak to these boys. Apparently they see small birds who fly by every day – presumably just out for a 3000 mile stroll/glide like the boys on Southern Cross. However, seeing the Albatross features as highly newsworthy simply because it generates another liturgy of superlatives. Once again the boys inform me of their sense of wonder, this time at seeing this amazing and graceful bird. And with no cross bow to spoil the show we can hope that its traditional role as the harbinger of good luck will/is being fulfilled. It certainly seems like it since breaking the “1000 miles to go” barrier is only days away – Tuesday 30th June or Wednesday 1st July; days 72 or 73
If any of you have not seen them, here are some photos from the beginning and then after being out at sea for weeks
How amazing is it to be in a British Rail carriage with people all around and getting a call from the Indian Ocean. I am not sure what people made of it as I listened to an excited description of surfing 40 foot waves. “ You're what? Surfing 40 foot waves? Right now? And you've got time to phone me? It's what? A massive adrenalin rush! I bet. How fast? You clocked 17.9 knots – more than 20 miles per hour!” I noticed a few looks as if to say what is this man on – people don't surf 40 foot waves whilst talking on the phone!
There is no doubt that the experience of difficulties of the past weeks has been transformed into an experience of exhilaration. These boys are experiencing real highs and joys on this crossing. They are getting on well and simply taking things as they come and, even if they run out of food, I think they will keep going on their optimism.
Roy
For anyone interested in an audio interview blog conducted by Sonia
Kapur of the Maidenhead Advertiser here is the link.
Roy
Sonia
Kapur
Reporter
Maidenhead
Advertiser
01628
678 236
Day 49 – the Moonbow Experience
So tomorrow is 50 days at sea – and what to report? Obviously the capsize has had significant effect especially on the growing list of non-functioning equipment. In fact, Jamie said today that they don't seem to have much time, what with rowing and repairs etc. Nevertheless there have been a few highlights – today they saw a Marlin which caused them a frisson of excitement or more like it “a wondrous experience”.
However, the biggest recent highlight has been the Moonbow. I am so jealous that, at the tender age of 21 my son has seen a Moonbow and I, with all my years of “experience” under my belt, did not even know that they occurred. I have therefore mugged up on Moonbows and discovered that they are rainbows that occur at night due to the light of the moon. They appear as a ghostly white arc – (apparently the colours are usually there but too faint to see) and, according to Wikapedia, they are relatively rare. It mentions a few places for known sightings – several places in the USA, Hawaii, Zambia and Zimbabwe all get a specific mention. Perhaps it is now time to update the references to add the Indian Ocean. Perhaps the rarity of sightings is due to the unusual combination of the weather conditions – which require rain with no cloud cover together with bright moonlight. I can't find a decent picture but try these for a start:
http://www.artfromthesoul.com/Moonbow.jpg
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/rainbows/moonbow.htm
http://www.pixheaven.net/photo_us.php?nom=090210_5594-96
Now, for the very keen ones amongst you, I am sure that “jjrowing enterprises” will be organising adventure holidays known as “Moonbow Trips”. All you have to do is pay a small fee and you will get a “short” rowing expedition to the middle of the Indian Ocean accompanied by two experienced 22 year odds (yes, we now expect them both to be 22 by the time they finish since Jamie – who is the younger and who has his birthday on 11th July – is no longer expected to celebrate his birthday with his family in Mauritius since the weather has not given him the speed we originally hoped).
If such a rowing trip is not your kind of holiday then, with the money you have just saved, you may like to consider donating some of what you have just saved to their charities on the www.oztoafrica.com website.
Roy Childs
Where would you go for a bit of peace and quiet? The middle of the Indian Ocean? Can’t be too much happening down there.