#rowing – On June 7, a doctor from Castleknock in Dublin will set off on a 2,400 mile rowing expedition from Monterey, California to Honolulu, Hawaii. Aoife Ní Mhaoileoin and her teammates, Emily Blagden, Laura Kennington and Ingrid Kvale, will be the first all-female four to complete the row, which will take over forty days.
'Team Boatylicious' is one of 15 crews participating in the inaugural Great Pacific Race, which the organisers describe as the "biggest, baddest human endurance challenge on the planet".
The team is raising money for two charities: Hope and Homes for Children, which works internationally to eradicate institutional care of children and The Ahoy Centre, which gives disadvantaged children and people with disabilities the opportunity to earn sailing qualifications.
"I'm drawn to the race as an opportunity to test all my physical and mental resources." Aoife says. Obviously it's a daunting prospect, particularly as I've never taken on a major rowing expedition before, but I can't wait to get out on the water in June.
"We are raising funds for two inspiring charities and we welcome donations to these causes. We're also inviting corporate sponsors to become part of the team by helping us to meet our race costs.
"We have been training intensely, as well as taking courses in sea survival and navigation. Beyond the physical and psychological training, there are also a huge number of practical considerations. We need to ensure that our boat is race ready and that we have reliable water-purifying equipment and plenty of food — we'll need to consume 5,000-6,000 calories a day!
"Less than three months out I am getting nervous, but if nothing else it's a great excuse for a holiday in Hawaii!"
