Last updated at 14:51, Thursday, 01 April 2010

A FATHER and son have just completed the ultimate test of mental strength and physical ability by crossing the Atlantic in a rowing boat. Norman and James Beech set sail on the legendary Woodvale Challenge on January 4.
After finally reaching dry land, the Beech Boys talked to EMMA PRESTON about their “incredible voyage.”

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THE challenge: two men, one rowing boat and 3,000 miles of ocean.

The reality: 82 days, four hours and 29 minutes at sea.

The result: 2,000 people in Tanzania with all-new access to clean water for life.

These are the amazing figures behind the incredible mission taken on by Coniston’s Beech Boys, a daring father and son duo who made it their goal to row across the Atlantic.

Despite having no rowing experience, when 50-year-old Norman Beech heard about the Woodvale Atlantic Challenge, he saw a chance to act out his lifelong ambition.

Having dreamed of making a voyage across an ocean since he was 20, the cross-Atlantic race from La Gomera to Antigua in support of global charity WaterAid was just too much for Norman to resist.

The gruelling, 2,550 nautical mile (3,000 land mile) slog from the Canary Islands to the West Indies is, for many, the ultimate test of mental strength and physical ability.

And for Norman, the challenge was to become something of a family affair when his son James, then 18, decided to go along for the ride.

Looking back, James said: “I heard of dad’s plans and since he didn’t have a rowing partner, I decided to have a go, thinking; ‘Why should he have all the fun?’”

Despite having a wealth of experience in sailing, yachting and sea kayaking, rowing was a relatively new challenge for the Beech Boys.

So, after making the decision to take on the massive journey, the pair got straight into training.

For more than a year before heading off on the voyage, both men spent either an hour or two hours every day on a rowing machine, building up their strength.

They also travelled to Sheffield Hallam University to do a rowers’ training programme, before practicing 24-hour and 48-hour rows on Coniston Water.

After more than a year in training, the boys travelled to La Gomera, ready to set sail on January 4.

They set off with a target of completing the challenge in 60 days, making them the fastest ever father and son to row the Atlantic.

But facing stormy seas, windy weather and a battle with the elements, the boys had taken on more than they could ever have imagined.

Norman said: “Our preparation stood us in good stead for establishing our daily routine on the boat.

“However, without rowing an ocean you can never comprehend the demands it is going to make on you.

“There were times when we were particularly tired and we really had to dig deep.

“The support we received during the row made a great deal of difference, helping us through the harder moments.”

James said: “The rowing and sleeping pattern is very demanding, and even a 48-hour row cannot prepare you for 82 days of rowing for two hours then resting for three hours.

“It was relentless heat when we were out on the ocean, with no shelter.

“I also injured my back during the row, and for two weeks struggled with back pain. Moving about the boat was hard enough but I still had to take my turn on the rowing shifts.

“Fortunately, a combination of massage, pain relief and people praying for me saw me through.

“I think we were very determined from the outset that we would keep going until we got to dry land, no matter what happened.

“But there were certainly some days, especially when the wind was against us, when things became exceptionally hard.

“Initially, when we started the project, we were estimating a 60 to 65-day crossing, which is just a bit longer than an average crossing, but this year in particular the weather was fairly awful.

“We spent over two weeks on anchor not being able to go anywhere because the weather was against us, and all the boats took longer than they ever anticipated.”

Drifting in at different daily intervals, the 30 boats that took part in the Woodvale challenge finally beat the weather and made it to shore.

Among them were Norman and James, who docked on Saturday afternoon, at the helm of the 20th boat to arrive.

They were welcomed with a shower of champagne, and hugs from wife and mum Christine and daughter and sister Lydia.

Norman said: “Rowing into English Harbour, Antigua, we received an amazing reception, yacht horns blaring, tenders escorting us in, people shouting ‘well done’.

“The whole of a quayside restaurant stood up to cheer us, and then we saw our berth and the final welcoming crowd, of which my wife Christine and daughter Lydia were part.”

James added: “Having spent 20 days at sea longer than we anticipated, it felt incredible to step ashore knowing that we had rowed 3,000 miles of ocean with everything that it could throw at us.”

Despite the unforeseen weather putting paid to their hopes of breaking the fastest father-son record, the Beech Boys have a huge amount to look back on with pride.

The pair are the first British father and son to cross the Atlantic while James, who celebrated his 19th birthday in the water, is the youngest man ever to row an ocean.

Their achievements are made all the more special by the funds that they have helped raise for WaterAid.

The cash has not been counted yet but the pair predict that it will be enough to give 2,000 Tanzanians clean water and sanitation for life.

As they spend one last week on holiday in Antigua before flying home next week (06/04), the boys will be reflecting on the types of experiences that, for many people, will never be more than a dream.

James said: “I will look back on this as being a massive personal achievement, and although there were some tough times, they were far outweighed by the good times.

“I celebrated my 19th birthday by swimming in 5,000 metres of water, while wearing a party hat and eating my birthday cake.

“One day a pod of dolphins followed us from 10am to sunset.

“We also had whales underneath and alongside the boat, catching fish and, in spectacular fashion with eight miles to the finish line, we saw a humpback whale surface – coming almost out of the water before plunging back in with a huge spray of water.”

Norman said: “It was an incredible voyage to be on the ocean and see firsthand so many sights that otherwise you would never encounter.

“Having that time with James and being able to work through all the different situations we encountered together, we had to trust each other completely.

“Arriving in Antigua, there was an overwhelming feeling of happiness that we had succeeded. It felt very sweet.”

First published at 13:13, Thursday, 01 April 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk