1.
When will the regatta take place?
Annually, starting in 2004.
Weather
permitting, the first ORS regatta will start on
20th January 2004
from
San Sebastian
, La Gomera in the
Canary Islands
to Port St Charles, Barbados.
2. How far is that and how long will it take?
A distance of around 3000 miles, that has been previously completed in
anything between 42 and 110 days in the past.
3. How
much will it cost?
The
ORS regatta fees are in ‘Schedule
B of the Competition Agreement’
and total £8750. This is payable in stages which have been set to
give teams maximum time to acquire funding and sponsorship for their
entry. This sum covers regatta administration and team support before
during and after the regatta. There will be additional costs to cover
compulsory insurances, logistics and satellite tracking. You will of
course, need an oceanrowboat, equipment, supplies, communications,
travel and accommodation the level of which will depend on the depth of
your pocket and level of sophistication. To give you some idea however
the ORS has budgets from two members who took part in a previous
Transatlantic Regatta which will give some idea of the range of expenses
from maximum
to the minimum
costs you could expect to incur.
Many of those engaged in the organisation and execution of the
regatta are giving their time and expertise in a voluntary capacity. This
coupled with the Society’s ‘not for profit’ status is helping to
offer a unique package at great value for money
(including help with supply of food and equipment, shipping the
boats and trailers, arranging insurance and accommodations, organizing
web-pages, etc)
4. How
will I get this money together?
Find
a main sponsor or engage in a terrific amount of hard work, rowing
oceans isn’t an easy task nor (for most crews) is getting together the
funding. The Society will be happy to advise members on the kind of
activity that has proved to be successful in the past.
5. What
about an oceanrowboat?
There
are a number of ocean rowing boats for sale or
hire
on this site, you
may also wish to consider having a new boat constructed for the regatta
using the official ORS
boat design.
Probably the best thing to do is contact the Society for availability,
help and advice in this area. Needless to say the sooner the better you
procure this essential item of kit in order to fit it out and use it for
training purposes.
6.
Do
I need to be an experienced rower?
No,
but there are various criteria you will need to abide by to participate
in the regatta. Careful reading of the "Notice of Regatta" and "Competition
Agreement" will
inform you of these. Safety is of paramount importance.
7.
What
kind of safety support can I expect?
The
ORS has chartered a yacht from 1997 ocean row competitor Peter Hogden.
The regatta rules do not allow any outside assistance so the
safety support vessels are there to assist with help only in an
emergency situation. If they do give assistance the team will be
disqualified from the regatta but may still be allowed to continue to
complete the crossing if the problem requiring assistance can be
resolved in a safe and satisfactory manner.
In the case of a true "emergency" it is the responsibility of each crew
to activate their EPIRB.
8.
What
next?
If
you are interested in taking up the challenge then read carefully the "Notice
of Regatta" and
"Competition
Agreement".
You may also wish to talk to the Ocean Rowing Society to answer any
further questions you may have, in this case visit us at our London HQ
call 44 (0)207 485 8807 for appointment.
Attend monthly ORS
seminars for prospective oceanrowers.
Regatta organisers can put you in
touch with Ocean Rowers who would be happy to give advice before you
make an informed decision about entering the regatta.
