A former SAS soldier who has wanted to row across an ocean for 30 years is set to cross the North Atlantic alone.
Mr Ian Rivers, from Hereford, said an unsupported solo row between New York and the Scilly Isles had never been achieved and was a “true adventure”.
A sextant and the stars will be the tools of choice for navigating, MR Rivers used nature as a guide when he escaped after being kidnapped while working in Syria.
His solo row, covering about 3,500 miles (5,632 km), is dedicated to two charities.
“I’m treating it as a true adventure and, as in any true adventure, you never know the outcome until you actually get there and that’s pretty much why I am doing it,” he said.
Mr Rivers, who was in the military for 27 years, is raising money for the Special Air Service Regimental Association (SASRA) and St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.
He said both were “brilliant” charities and also hopes to raise awareness of the mental health challenges facing military personnel and veterans.
Mr Rivers, who starts his trip next month, first pictured the feat when he was based at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth at the start of his military career.
“I used to look out across Plymouth Sound and think one day I’ll actually row across from New York back to the UK,” he said.
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
[sibwp_form id=4]
