Explorer beginning next adventure in N. Augusta 4/3/2009 12:11 AM
By RACHEL JOHNSON Staff writer
A 3,300-mile rowing expedition across the Atlantic Ocean starts in North Augusta.
In a quiet storefront window in Hammonds Ferry, one man works tirelessly constructing a 24-foot-long and 6-foot-wide boat to row for up to 140 days from the United States to England.
The voyage will make history as the first American solo, unsupported ocean row across the North Atlantic. The launch is scheduled for this summer, from Chatham, Mass.
Professional explorer Wave Vidmar, 44, said the expedition is like a vacation.
For a man who has been hunted by Polar Bears, blinked in negative 57 degree weather and had his eyelids frozen, composed music at the North Pole, bicycled solo across America and hiked 150 miles on a North Pole expedition with a broken ankle and crushed leg, the upcoming Ocean Row Solo North Atlantic Challenge 2009 serves as just another adventure and is nothing out of the ordinary.
"The boat made of foam ... is designed to tumble in 40 foot waves filled with water," said Vidmar.
He went on to explain the boat is being constructed to float regardless of whether or not it is in one piece, and he admits he fully expects to capsize at some point. During the voyage, he will be equipped to repair the boat as necessary and will set up video cameras to capture Great White sharks as they attempt to eat his boat.
"There is always a point where your life is on the line. I am not an adrenaline junkie but it just comes with this type of adventure," said Vidmar. "I will be like a cork in a bottle during storms. I am not fearing it, but looking forward to the enjoyment."
He anticipates a typical day on the water will include waking up, preparing food, rowing, stopping for lunch, taking a few breaks and lots of rowing. In the evenings, he plans to compose music and he will be sending updates from the boat to include images, video, interviews and data.
"The rowing is equivalent to running two 26-mile marathons a day," said Vidmar.
The boat to be used for this expedition is currently under construction in North Augusta, and Vidmar encourages anyone interested to come and be a part of his journey. At the store front, visitors are invited to write words of inspiration to be packaged with his food and to create artwork. The art will be transposed into the inside of the boat to keep him company along the journey.
"I invite the public to come and be a part of this historic expedition," said Vidmar at the Yamasee District of the Boy Scouts' monthly roundtable meeting. "One of my goals is to get people to see beyond their perceived limits and boundaries. I like to share my experiences with as many people as possible. We are a lot more capable then we think."
Vidmar credits the Boy Scouts for preparing him for his adventures and desires to help future generations "envision, inspire and accomplish."
"All of the top explorers in the world were Boy Scouts," said Vidmar, a Life Scout. "Scouts have been an integral part of my journey. The skills I learned in Scouts, I use on expeditions. I want to give back to the Scouts, to invigorate and energize. I want as many Scouts and people to come and see the boat, to help with its construction, to put their hands on it and be a part of this historic expedition."
Visit www.oceanrowsolo.com for more information about this amazing adventure beginning in our backyards.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.
Vidmar's World Records and "Firsts"
* First American solo/unsupported expedition to the geographic North Pole
* World-record: Longest time swimming in Arctic Ocean/North Pole (3 hours 14 minutes)
* World-record: Longest distance swimming during expedition to North Pole
* First to compose music at North Pole
* First to shoot High Definition video at North Pole
* Most weight portaged by solo explorer to North Pole (380 pounds)
* Longest distance traveled with severe injury during North Pole expedition (broken ankle, crushed leg bone, 3 weeks - 150 miles)
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