The Endeavour
JOHN AND GEOFF WITH ENDEAVOUR
Guernsey’s transatlantic rowers, Jon Van Katwyk and Geoff Gavey are both members of the Guernsey Rowing Club and, between them have a wealth of experience of offshore rowing in the Channel Islands. Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands which are situated in the bay of St Malo in the English Channel. Although situated closer to the French mainland, the Island is a Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom. Offshore rowing has been part of Island life for in excess of 25 years and races are held on open seas in and around Guernsey and the neighbouring Islands of Herm, Jehou and Sark.
Jon Van Katwyk has over 15 years experience and was a prolific rower during the mid 1980’s where he dominated the single class in Guernsey setting numerous race records, eight of which remain unbroken today. After a break from island rowing Van Katwyk returned in 1995 and, in the following year, set four new records in the pairs class with fellow islander Andy Chapple. Notwithstanding these achievements, Van Katwyk is perhaps better known for his domination in the Channel Island’s premier rowing event the 19 nautical mile Sark to Jersey rowing race which was first held in 1967 and which was inspired by the transatlantic row of Captain John Ridgeway and Sergeant Chay Blythe who rowed the Atlantic in 92 days. Van Katwyk was part of the six man crew which set the course record of 1 hour 58 minutes 36 seconds in 1993 and has won no less than five singles titles between 1986 and 1991. He also finished second in the pairs class last year behind transatlantic rowers Ian Blandin and Rob Cassin.
Geoff Gavey has over seven years rowing experience and together with his brother Dave, he set several pairs class records in 1993 and 1994. He too competed in the Sark to Jersey rowing race and finished second in the pairs class in 1994. He has won numerous local races in recent years and won pair championship in 1993,1994 and 1996.
Both of these rowers are fiercely competitive as their records show and it is perhaps the desire to win which has inspired them to enter the transatlantic row from Tenerife to Barbados. Not having rowed together before, Gavey and Van Katwyk decided to spend the 1997 season competing together in the pairs class and also spent a fair proportion of their time training in their transatlantic boat.
Singles records held by Jon Van Katwyk
Guernsey to Herm 30-30 1986
Havelet Buoyed 56-54
Burbridge Trophy 25-56 1985
Trident Trophy 1-00-34 1985
Around Herm 33-16 1985
Guernsey to Sark 1-23-57 1986
RAFA Race 1-09-54
Pairs records held by Jon Van Katwyk
Havelet Buoyed 51-59 1996
Around Herm 30-37 1996
North Regatta 42-37 1996
Havelet Rocquaine 1-21-09 1996
Geoff Gavey(33) and John Van Katwyck(41) are both from Guernsey. Geoff is a trust manager and John is a carpenter/joiner. Geoff and John are one of three teams from the Channel Islands and have competed in the Sark to Jersey Rowing Race. If anyone has photos, more biographical information or press clips the Ocean Rowing Society would like to honour their efforts by adding more to this site. Please e-mail (webmaster@oceanrowing.com)with any further info. We will post e-mails, list of sponsors, photos, etc., Check out what's happening with the site we're doing for the Irish Kavanagh Brothers in Christina.
(I asked Caroline, John Searson's sister if I could post this verbatim and she said, "GO FOR IT..." Thanks Caroline; and more coming soon on Endeavour...)
From: "John Searson" <jsearson@itl.net>
To: <tlynch@sonic.net>
Subject: Details about Endeavour - I wish !
Date sent: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 20:20:09 -0000
Hi Tom,
I have managed to track down "David" Geoff's brother who wrote to me.....
Thank you for your interest in Geoff and John which is appreciated. This is
the best picture I could find but it is quite appropriate as Chay Blyth is
in the middle. Geoff is in the white shirt. [ I am going to scan this photo
- Monday- Personally I don't think it is that good....but better than
nothing I s'pose - Caroline]
Geoff is 34 and is Director of a Guernsey Trust Company. he was born and
bred in guernsey and has lived here all his life apart from spending 3
years at Cardiff University (Wales -UK)
Although John is a carpenter, both our fanilies have stong links with the
sea and many of our uncles and grandparents were fishermen.
Geoff's pastimes involve diving, fishing, running and football as well as
rowing.
I hope this gives some information for you but if you need more just give
me a ring.
----------------
Now I know this isn't much and I'm having trouble getting hold of "Paula"
John V K girlfreind who apparently has all the info on the sponsors and
stuff. I keep getting her answerphone which has the shorted spiel ever...
"This is Paula. Leave your message after the bleep"
!!
I have done and she hasn't got back to me so I shall try and get hold of
her again this evening when my husband (Steve) gets in from work.....
I'm just wondering......do you know why I always communicate with John via
e-mail.....dunno if I told you before..probably not....oh well might as
well tell you now and alter your illusions....I'm deaf...well more deaf
than hearing !...its really complicated....I can hear vowels with my
hearing aids or I can hear a jet engine without my hearing aids....But
basically I NEED to lipread. BUT if you say summat horrible about
me/swear....you can bet on your life ..I'll hear that !
Okay....hopefully I shall have something to report tomorrow from
"Paula"....
Caroline