No sooner had I received the news the 2009 Atlantic Rowing Race was going to start on Wednesday the 9th, came the news that further delays were imminent. Apologies to anyone who has assumed I’ve started and just not up dating the blog. The internet access has not been great over the past few days and I wanted to update people with accurate information.

What does all this mean and when can I leave? Ok well no ocean rowing boats are going to be leaving La Gomera until the earliest next Sunday. This is due to a massive low pressure system that is in the North Atlantic and probably dumping rain and wind on the UK as you read this. This low pressure system is creating high winds that are not in my favor. (The wrong way basically) Professional weather forecasters have actually predicted that there may not be a window to leave for at least two weeks from now. Just to clarify if the race fleet did leave regardless of the weather everyone would just simply get blown backwards and potentially be ship wrecked. The most dangerous time for ocean rowing boats is leaving port and arriving. Big sea’s and high winds in the middle of the Atlantic are not a problem as the boats are built for that.

I have moved out of my hotel accommodation now and am living on the boat which is fine. I intend to spend the rest of my time here training and going through my drills on the boat. I’ll use the harbor for that as it’s protected from the winds. You can’t really be to ready to row across the Atlantic!

Over the next few days there will be some photos going up on the multimedia section of Gomera and the port just so you can see what it’s like instead of painting a picture in your head.

Unfortunately the sun is hiding behind a thick band of cloud today so it’s not as hot as it usually is but it’s still very pleasant. Just on a separate note thanks to everyone who has sent txt messages through to me form the site. I’m receiving them all and it’s great reading them. Apologies I can’t reply to them all.

I’ll keep you all updated with the weather issues over the coming week.

Out for now,

Captain Ketch,