Simon Chalk



New challenge ahead for ocean rower

Rower and maritime adventurer Simon Chalk is preparing himself for another record breaking ocean crossing. This time he's hoping to become the first person to successfully row across all three of the world's oceans
		Having already successfully rowed the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Devon long distance rower Simon Chalk is about to set off on another epic voyage. His latest venture is to row solo across the South Pacific Ocean from Matarani in Peru to French Polynesia. If he's successful, he'll become the first person to successfully row across all three of the world's oceans. He has already rowed the Atlantic, with George Rock aboard the Cellnet Atlantic Challenger in the 1997 Atlantic Rowing Race.
Simon Chalk during his 2003 voyage across the Indian Ocean
And in 2003 he rowed solo across the Indian Ocean to become the youngest and first Briton to make the crossing. "Having completed crossing of two different oceans, the natural progression is to attempt to row the Pacific," said Simon. "The Pacific Ocean has always been referred to as the 'big daddy' among ocean rowers, but I am fully prepared for the challenge ahead."

For his latest challenge, Simon has constructed a new state-of-the art rowing boat which has been named Britannia III. He's used his experience of long distance rowing to come up with what he believes is most efficient design. The new boat is larger than his previous vessels but due to the advanced build materials, lighter and more efficient. Equipped with a high-tech communications system, he'll be relaying his adventures back to the web throughout the voyage.
		Simon aims to become the first person to successfully row across all three of the world's oceans.
The boat was formally named and blessed during the 'The Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel and Sports Show' held at Olympia in January 2005. It takes its name from Britannia II, a boat used by fellow rowers Sylvia Cook and John Fairfax to cross the Pacific in 1971.

Simon is due to travel to South America in time to depart early in April 2005. We'll be keeping you up-to-date through the final build up to the launch of Simon's historic voyage across the Pacific. It's been a busy few months for the South Devon adventurer. He's currently building a 68-foot trimaran at South Brent on which he hopes to set another new record. The trimaran, to be called Spirit of Teignmouth, has been designed to circumnavigate the globe in record time. Simon is aiming to smash the current 72-day record for a single-handed circumnavigation. He's hoping to set off on this challenge in November 2006.
		Simon is a highly experienced ocean rower