I set off from Dakar on January 3 to complete a solo, unsupported, mainland-to-mainland row across the Atlantic Ocean. That’s still what I intend to do and I’m going to do whatever I can to achieve it. Even if that means rowing an extra 400 miles!
Some of you may have noticed that I’ve started to row a little further north over the last few days. The reason behind this is that I am longer aiming for Cayenne, French Guiana; I’m going to Georgetown in Guyana.
Rowing into Cayenne is very difficult unless the weather is very calm. Because of the current coming up the South American coast, the waves coming from the north and the wind coming from the east, the sea becomes very messy unless there is almost no wind. At the moment, the wind is about 20kt – that doesn’t count as “no wind”! I’ve been told that, with the weather and the sea like it is now, I’d almost certainly need a tow for the last few miles into port to avoid certain death. Well … I want to row all the way and, having been out here for over 2 months, what’s another 2 weeks between friends?
Although the route to Cayenne is shorter and will end my journey sooner, by diverting my route to the north and continuing a track to Georgetown, the seas should be less aggressive and, weather permitting, my hope is that it will allow me to conclude my journey as I have conducted it: solo!
[This has been written by Sam, but after being told what to say by Katie over the phone!]
{ 35 comments }
“What’s another 2 weeks”. Wow! That sounds JUST like you Katie.
2 weeks is about 2 weeks more than 99% of us reading this could do!
You are amazing! I don’t know where you get all of that wonderful spirit and energy but I am so glad you have it.
Your reasoning on this makes perfect sense and if you are able to accomplish the entire journey solo it will be even that much more special!
Good luck! We love you!
-Rachel and Jim O
Reading about the conditions in Cayenne, I have to agree with you that porting somewhere else is a better idea. Two weeks more to get there is far better than not getting there at all. Stay tough and stay safe! We’re watching any praying for you all the way.
Piece of cake, right? Keep pushing!
Awesome Katie! You are so brave!
No worries, Katie. You’re a Ninja! I’ll be smiling in spirit at Georgetown when you step ashore, holding a virtual slice of perfect watermelon in your honor. Row, Katie. Row! (Just glad you’re being as safe as possible!)
You are showing us the correct focus by keeping your sights on Solo no matter what. You are very wise to make this choice, coming as far as you have come. I would defeat the days prior to be towed or worse yet lost at sea. You wise focus is what has brought you this far! Row Katie Row, Solo! The final two weeks will be what separates you from the rest. Wisdom and Power!
Katie,
Smart move. It’s easy to second guess oneself under duress or stressful conditions but you’re keeping the big picture in focus and in the process, you are unselfishly making a difference for even more people facing despair every day due to their personal heath and water access crisis.
I have been sharing your story and quest with many of my family, friends and colleagues alike. For those of them that my be reading this blog, I would ask you to kindly extend your efforts another two weeks to give Katie some well deserved company and support. I know I will be doing the same (and having fun parting my friends, family and colleagues from their money).
As an aside, I just spoke with Kinetico’s owner (I have also made her aware of the journey you are on) who happens to be in a region of northwest India where the water crisis is quite severe due to three years of no monsoon rains. An excerpt from her most recent communication to me reads;
“farmers commiting suicide, people migrating to the cities and slums, twenty years to groundwater depletion and in some towns, they can only get access to water every fifth day! – Yet, there is much beauty and dignity here…”
It’s wonderful that technology affords me the chance to link you almost immediately with a real life example of how YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE with each and every stroke of an oar. By the way, I heard some people state that you may actually be heading for Miami just to extend the trip and fundraising efforts (showoff!). They’re going to be redefining half the endurance sports anyway now that you’ve done this leisurely row across the Atlantic so you might as well consider it.
All kidding aside, row safe and thank you for your courage and the difference you are making.
Warmest regards on behalf of the Kinetico team,
Shamus Hurley
Katie – what a wise decision. . .I was worried this morning when I awoke early and first thing checked for news on you. . . . being no new message from you I started thinking, no sleep, a freighter, another dolphin. . . .oh my . .but this news is great and we all are behind you and your wise decision. . . .to complete this SOLO row . . .be safe, get a little rest and keep on rowing. . . . you are an amazing woman with so much courage and determination. . . .you WILL reach your goal . . .row Katie, row. . . .prayers with you all the way. Thank you so much for taking our worries away. . . be safe. . . looking forward to the next message. . . .
Katie,
You are truly amazing. I myself am not a water person. Sea sick in an instant. God bless and keep rowing !
I’m seeing 5.3 knots as I write this. Wow, is all I can manage to say!
As I like to say, repeatedly, “You go, girl!”
Hi Katie!
I teach three all-girls math classes at MICDS, an independent Junior Kindergarten-12th Grade school in St. Louis. I heard your interview on Rosie radio and the next day I taught my fifth and seventh students about what you’re doing, introduced them to the blog, and assigned a daughter/parent (or older somebody) reflection on your blog for homework. Since that time my girls have been following and commenting on your travels. (I admit it, I give them extra credit…) Although I just teach math, this is an opportunity to show them how one person can make a difference, what is possible and how their future can be filled with unlimited possibilities. Thanks for being a strong, smart, and determined role model for all of us.
–B
Good choice, Katie!! Go for the row. You have made a wise choice. That in itself is a great example to all of us who have followed your adventure.
See ya, Harry and Judy
I guess you did wish the trip could last a little longer
Not sure if you met Steve (Gary’s friend) in Orlando. He’s in Guyana now.
Though if you keep rowing like that you could end up in Aruba on a withe sandy beach!
Glad to hear of both wise decisions. This gives me another 2 weeks to win the lottery, so I can be there at the finish! Hope this move gets you out of freighter traffic, too. Prayers continue, and enjoy! Carry on!!
You don’t know me, but I’ve been following your trip for 5 weeks now and am amazed at your incredible courage and fortitude. It seems the last stretch is the most challenging and good for you to take the wiser and safer route, even though it prolongs your journey. I bet your’e soo ready for setting foot on land with all its amenities awaiting you. May God bless and protect you in your final effort to the finishing line. I’m sure it will take an extra surge of energy and determination on your part. But you’re going to do it. Your family must be so proud of you and eager to see you, and vice-versa. You’re doing it!
Hi Katie, I’m an “Ed” from Ohio and I have not been eaten by a Dolphin. I am still there in spirit with you as you adjust your course to steer away from the danger on the route into Cayenne. I applaud your decision. It shows me and others that safety is of the utmost importance and you have to keep a level head and not over reach. You are right, what is a couple weeks among friends. And to tell the truth, I am selfishly alittle glad that you will be on the water a little longer because when you land you will not be blogging. However, I hope that you go to some of the places where Blue Planet Run will install some water systems and you can share your experiences on your traavels and the reactions of the people to being able to have safe, fresh, water. If you have the stamina, andit is apparent that you do, you could row for several more days as long as the delicious food holds out. All the best to you, figure out some way to keep the sun off of you to protect your skin, and some way for the flying fish to keep from slapping you;and you could row to Miami or New York City. We are pulling for you just like you pull the oars, so keep on rowing and we can wait awhile to celebrate your journey,
Ed (not the fish in the belly of the Whale-size dolphin.)
And so It Is.
After coming aboard a little late in the game, I’ve been engaged now, over this past week, in your journey, following your progress, and as of today I’ve now read from most recent to least recent, all of your posts. I had even adopted a favorite post; “The Observer.”
I was wondering what I’d have to contemplate once you were done. Now, I’ll have another two weeks to contemplate that. But I have a new passion in me now: The Heart and Mind of an Adventurer, and when I started this odyssey, I never realized that’s where it would take me.
Adventures, I guess are like a box of chocolates: You never know whatcha’ gonna get.
The size of those waves in the photo are pretty awesome from such a small craft as yours! We continue to follow you closely and pull for you daily. Glad you won’t have to fight bad conditions into Cayenne even though it is necessary to extend your voyage to Georgetown. For us in our safe homes, we will get a chance to enjoy our vicarious cruise with you a little longer and will be in Georgetown, in spirit, to applaud and welcome you when you arrive.
Katie
How is your rash?
Glad you made the decision to be safe — actually I’m sure you made it because you know that I am addicted to following your site and it gives me a few more days to do so
Stay strong.
Hi Katie,
My name is Nicole and I think it’s great you’re trying to raise money to help kids who don’t have clean drinking water like we do. I go to school with your cousin Connor and we’re friends. He told me back in January what you were doing and I think it’s really great you’ll meet your goal. YOU’RE AWESOME!
Sincerely,
Nicole Jares
I knew you wouldn’t have it any other way…. to row all the way in… no tow’s for Katie !! Speaking of ‘toes’… what did you ever do with your shoe??? did I miss that update ??? I wish i could be there, greeting you when you get to the main land of Georgetown !!! hmmmmmmmm well, maybe we’ll be able to greet you when you hit the mainland of Cleveland…
Best wishes for a safe passage to Georgetown;
How is the traffic?
Might need to add strobe lights to your navigation lights to be sure!
If ever muscles will be pumped up by now, yours should take the 1st place.
Ain’t nobody gonna put you to challenge.
Cheers from Woodford Queensland Australia.
Katie
something for you to look forward to when you get back to mentor….
an aladdin restraunt just opened here!
Hello Katie!
Methinks your having your having way, way to much fun out there (rash and all.) Either that or you just can’t bear the thought of parting with all of your new aquatic companions
Stay Safe Katie!
WOW!!!!! you are doing amazing!!!!! i am VERY impressed! I would think it would get harder and harder to row. I hope you keep going!!!!!!!!!! I hope i can do something like that someday!
Oh, one more thing…
Georgetown looks beautiful but make sure you stay with your “large” posse at “all” times. You do have a posse don’t you? Sorry, I don’t mean to be a worrywart; just concerned for your safety on land too
Rock and Row!
Katie,
Wise decision. I, too, am selfishly glad that I can continue to track you for a little bit longer! Be safe, stay strong, row hard, rock on! All the best to you and calmer waters!
Andrea
Dear Katie,
That must be agony! Rowing all that way and thinking that you were almost done, and you could get to see your family, and then you realize you must row another trillion miles. But I know you won’t give up because you’re strong! (and there isn’t another alternative) Keep going Katie!
Ellen
Great lesson in integrity. I’ll be sharing this with my kids.
Katie…I have been following you religiously from your first row from Dakar!
I am so impressed with your mental, physicial and emotional strength! We are pulling for you to make it to Georgetown!
We all should be inspired by your cause, passion and ambition! I know that I am!
I look forward to hearing all about the things you have not been able to post and how it feels to hit land!
There is not one person that I interact with on a daily basis that I have not told them about you and your adventure. My coworkers/friends at UH, my friends and family are all excited and support you 100%! God Speed!
Ashley
Cleveland Heights
Hi Katie, I remember hearing about your planned adventure last year and.. the update in today’s News Herald prompted me to congratulate you on your progress in this amazing feat of determination and endurance! I am praying that you will stay well and safely complete your journey.
Bill
Willoughby
Having spent a decent enough chunk of this winter on an indoor rowing machine (erg) with my pals at the Cleveland Rowing Foundation boathouse and not having gone anywhere, I’m starting to think your cross Atlantic trek wasn’t so crazy. Congrats on your journey and good luck on a safe fortnight.
Jim
Cleveland
hi katie…
im from Guyana and i tink wat ur doin is cool and in light of the recent womens day and im hoping that i will receive some amount of info and pictures from you so i can post this on our local news cause i view this a very big thing not only for your cause but in general clause for women all over the world and i again support what you do….
ps keep it real
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