Non-stop round Britain row for gig ladies
2:30pm Friday 15th February 2013 in News
Kerry Blewett and Jade Smith will be rowing non-stop
A Falmouth woman will be part of a team of six who will attempt to row non-stop around England in June while raising money for Cancer Research and trying to break a world record.
Kerry Blewett, 27, who rows with Falmouth Gig Club will join five other women for the challenge when it starts from Tower Bridge in London.
Jade Smith, a 21-year-old gig rower from Penzance had the idea after seeing a notice appealing for crew members posted online. “When I saw the race advertised I thought, ‘why not?’” she said.
“I’m young and want a great challenge and adventure in the sport I love.”
Kerry, who is training to be a sports science lecturer at Truro College, was up for the challenge, having hiked to Everest Base Camp for Macmillan in 2008. She started as a team reserve, but found been promoted to the team.
“I’m a bit of a late addition,” she said. “Jade mentioned it, said they needed a spare and then someone couldn’t make it. Apparently I’m now spending all of June in a rowing boat.”
Training is now well underway with the women spending a lot of time running, swimming and rowing – both on the water and on a machine – in preparation for the big event. They will be rowing two hours on, two hours off, day and night and only anchoring to wait for weather or tide.
Kerry and Jade are still looking for sponsors – anything from gloves and food to the whole boat, with its name still up for grabs to the main sponsor.
Items for a charity auction will also be gratefully received.
For more details log on to www.ladiesgbrow.wordpress.com or www.gbrowchallenge.com
