Protein Powered Rowers

Two ex-soldiers from the UK are attempting to break a world record, rowing across the Indian Ocean from Carnarvon to southern Africa, with the help of Aussie Bodies protein.

 

Mike Noel-Smith, 45, and Rob Abernethy, 31, have set out on the Betfair Indian Ocean World Record Row, the ultimate test of mental and physical endurance, as they attempt to row 4400 nautical miles, unaided, in record time.

 

Two motivational training and change management experts, the duo hopes to make landfall on the small African island of Reunion after 60 days of rowing, setting an official Guinness World Record.

 

The row is hoped to raise some $600,000 for children's charity SPARKS, funds which will be used to help fund research into septicaemia, a deadly form of meningitis, at the University of Portsmouth.

 

As part of their nutritional program, the rowers are enjoying Aussie Bodies Protein FX. This helps Mike and Rob achieve their target 6,000 calories per day with optimum protein.

 

Food will be cooked in a cramped cabin which will also act as sleeping quarters. As well as protein bars and energy drinks, Mike and Rob have their own watermaker as well as 30 litre water containers that double up as ballast. The pair will complement their diet with fish from the Indian Ocean. To optimise progress, the crew will be backed by a team of meteorologists who will give them up-to-the-minute information on weather, winds and currents.

 

With the journey well and truly underway, day two presented the first major challenge with 20 knot winds and 4m waves forcing the boys to ride out the conditions in the survival cabin. Without being able to cook, the duo lived off their supply of protein bars.

 

Tim Foster, part of the famous gold-medal winning coxless fours team at the Sydney Olympics 2000, praised the awesome twosome for toughing it out for a good cause.
"What Mike and Rob are attempting is very brave. With its unique currents and weather patterns, including tropical cyclones, the Indian Ocean can be very unpredictable. However I'm sure their training and preparation will see them through.

 

"Mike and Rob feel very strongly that the funds they generate from the row go into a specific project and the Portsmouth University team is doing groundbreaking research into how to combat the devastating effects of bacterial septicaemia. The funds raised by Mike and Rob will help ensure this good work goes on."

 

Maria Deveson Crabbe, CEO of major sponsor Aussie Bodies, also commended the duo.

 

"Good nutrition is vital for the rowers, not just to keep up energy levels but to prevent muscle breakdown - one of the biggest hindrances in endurance events such as this. Stranded out there in those inclement conditions, the least these guys deserve is a great tasting protein bar every 15 kilometres or so. We like to think our bars are giving them a rewards program rather than just a sponsorship!"

 

Stay tuned to this site for more on our intrepid rowers as they keep us abreast of their adventures with a weekly diary. For more information about the Betfair Indian Ocean World Record Row  you can also visit http://www.transventure.com/.