Chris Martin to row North Pacific Ocean

The Challenge

In April 2009 Chris Martin - Programmes Manager at him! - and Mick Dawson will embark on a historic adventure. Chris and his rowing partner, Mick Dawson, will set off from Chosi, Japan with the aim to become the first to row unsupported across the North Pacific Ocean finishing under Golden Gate Bridge, San Fransico, USA. The journey of 5,100 nautical miles will take between 4.5 and 6 months months and has never been completed without outside assistance.

The Weather

Dominated by massive weather systems traversing east from the Asian continent and low pressure systems travelling up north east from the Phillipines, typhoons and tropical storms are a constant threat, particularly at the beginning of the voyage. As well as the challenges the weather presents, the route has man-made problems too as the North Pacific has a massive flow of commercial shipping passing through it and as ever an ocean rowing boat is very difficult for them to spot or identify.

The Boat

A state of the art ocean rowing boat designed specifically to cope with the conditions on the North Pacific and fitted out accordingly will provide the best possible tool for the job. Most important of all both Chris and Mick have a wealth of experience to call upon after multiple ocean rows and a lifetime at sea on ships.

The ocean rowing boat will only be moved by human power. In order to be unassisted, the boat will leave Japan with everything we need for the trip, including; all food and supplies. Power for the water desalinator, communication and video systems are provided by batteries charged by solar panels. The vessel will also be fitted with all the necessary and modern safety and emergency equipment.

The Crew

Chris Martin began rowing at school in 1993. During the 1995-1996 season he was undefeated and in 1997 started his international career as an athlete in the British rowing squad. By 2002, Chris had won 6 medals in consecutive World Championships. Three years later, in 2005, Chris rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to Antigua in 68 days. He has also taken part in unassisted rows from London to Paris in an ocean rowing boat and will compete in the European Surf Boat Championships in 2008.

Mick Dawson is a professional Yatch Captain and a former Royal Marine. Currently the master of a yatch in Africa, Mick has years of sea-going experience. He is also a veteran of four ocean rowing projects. He has successfully crossed the Atlantic twice in 2001, with his brother Steve, and again in 2005. Mick has also attempted to row the North Pacific solo twice, but has failed on both occasions due to equipment failure and being flooded and capsized by a freak wave.

Opportunites and Support

As you might expect from a challenge of this magnitude, there will be a fair amount of media and press coverage not only in the UK but globally. Sponsorship packages are available from £5000 upwards. Your company can benefit from being involved in a world first that is guarenteed to have heaps of media attention. There will also be documentary film to be produced upon return. Want to get involved in a world first then please contact Chris to help scope put a bespoke sponsorship package to support you. The sponsorship package can offer you (amongst other things);

• Logos on and in the boat
• Logos on the website
• Logos on all merchandising materials (T-shirts etc)
• Personal appearence and speeched with the boat
• Signed high resolution photo of the boat flying your corporate flag
• Satellite calls from the boat while at see

For more information visit www.goldengateendeavour.com or contact Chris Martin at chris.martin@him.uk.com