| Well the other day our think tank got on a discussion | | | | unduly. Perhaps, there would be some type of upper |
| of rowing across the Pacific in a Rowboat. Now | | | | body garment that could be worn at first that would |
| before you laugh there is a Frenchman who actually | | | | encourage the correct posture so there'd be muscle |
| did it. He went across the Atlantic four times. We got | | | | memory for the rest of the journey." |
| to thinking of the logistics needed to beat this record | | | | Good plan I said; "Smart thinking. But do not make it too |
| he set of 129 days. | | | | easy otherwise that would be a real problem for the |
| One of our think tank members Swift from Las Vegas | | | | challenge of it, as it is a test of will, the ultimate survival. |
| thought; "The best position would be in the central part | | | | You must battle the adversity with will and human |
| of the boat, while rowing in a forward position; but | | | | intent, you see that is the fun of it?" |
| during rowing races not everyone is in the central part | | | | Swift said; "I was thinking about this last night and |
| of the boat. What about getting seasick? Medication | | | | today, and the movement would be a rocking motion in |
| might be needed, it helps, it doesn't stop it in everyone | | | | liquid, which would be very womb-like. I wonder if |
| because it is appearing to be a genetic issue that's | | | | storms would feel more intense when they occurred |
| stronger in some than in others. What about | | | | because of the sensory deprivation and how the |
| cadence?" | | | | womb-like movement might affect the primitive area |
| I thought well, that is a very interesting point I thought; | | | | of the brain." |
| Well, it would be fine, like a long distance runners | | | | Indeed what about vertigo; although it does sound |
| cadence only even slower really. But in running you | | | | peaceful to me. On a pitch-black night with my new |
| step every half-second or 3 times per second. | | | | invention for my LED light, to flicker on the waves |
| Sometimes striding out .75 times or 1 time per second. | | | | ahead so you did not get any surprises. The light would |
| Swift began to discuss the similarities of the Tour de | | | | run off the waves slapping against the hull and the |
| France to paddling across the Pacific Ocean and | | | | vibrational energy. Well yes all that would be a |
| noted that someone like Lance Armstrong only a | | | | consideration, but also I think conquering the fear and |
| rowing champion would be the best type of human to | | | | risk might be a way to really make the experience a |
| try something like this." | | | | life event worthy of the human endeavor. If we talk all |
| However I thought what if we had a scientifically and | | | | the danger away, it might not seem like such an |
| perfectly engineered boat with special oars, which | | | | adventure. You need enough to not necessarily feel |
| allowed it to travel very fast thru the water, even with | | | | 100% safe, but comfortable knowing you were |
| the waves? Could we take a very dedicated and | | | | prepared for the 'survival' aspect of the journey. |
| mentally tough average good athlete and still get it | | | | Swift said; "It would be important to be able to access |
| done? If we could, I would or might like to try it. | | | | NASA's AIRS system that is integrated with the |
| Swift said well you are crazy enough to try it, I | | | | Global Forecast System. Microwave and infrared |
| suppose and said; "Lance, I can see you crossing the | | | | imaging would help improve the accuracy of the 4 to 5 |
| ocean--it would be fun. With composites, the ship could | | | | day storm forecasts as it could penetrate the cloud |
| be designed to be quite aerodynamic to move through | | | | layers to show the temperature and water content of |
| the water more efficiently than wood or other | | | | major storms. The accuracy is supposed by improve |
| materials. Perhaps, there could be something with the | | | | by 20% so one could determine the best times to take |
| design or the weight at the bottom that would | | | | a shower--cold as it might be. It's good to be |
| discourage the thing from flipping over during storms." | | | | prepared." |
| Indeed, I thought these are excellent points aren't they? | | | | "I was thinking that the bottom of the ship or boat |
| Yes, of course you would have to stay alert and fight | | | | could also take advantage of the cold of the water |
| it? That would be a challenge. If it got to bad, close her | | | | and could be a refrigeration unit so that food could be |
| up airtight and wait it out. Conquer your fears. Develop | | | | preserved in a safer manner and could be more fresh |
| a self-enclosed and encapsulated pod as part of the | | | | food than canned foods. The weight of the ship would |
| boat incase of Typhoons or Hurricanes or just really | | | | diminish only slightly with better food and cans that |
| dangerous and rough seas. | | | | wouldn't be tossed overboard. Freeze-dried can be so |
| Swift said, well we will have to check to see if the | | | | boring. There would be a better nutritional mix, which is |
| French guy had sails, but if they would be made out of | | | | important for the success of the journey. If one fished |
| this film, there'd be electricity that wouldn't add a lot to | | | | well, the journey could be a great series of gourmet |
| the weight. (New Flexible Solar Panels like on the | | | | meals! How about a solar oven so one could bake |
| Aerovironment "Pathfinder") How peaceful would it be | | | | while rowing? " |
| to be moving on a calm sea with the boat lit up so one | | | | Indeed Swift is correct this would be a smart plan, but |
| could determine when the calmness would be over. | | | | right under me I would want to be able to see the |
| There would be a lot of clues that a person could | | | | ocean underneath too. I would not be concerned with |
| figure out in the time it took to cross. I wonder if things | | | | anything but sustenance. I wouldn't want to make it too |
| are different over the Ring of Fire as far as water | | | | easy, but I could tow a small line and fish is good |
| currents and movements of storms. It would be great | | | | protein. Solar Oven, yes I have seen those, good idea. |
| to have a computer, so one could have a program of | | | | And you could make your own water by using a can |
| the maps of the ocean in these areas, so as one | | | | of seawater and a mirror at an angle off the top |
| rowed, the idea that there was an underground | | | | condensation would run into the fresh water can. Also |
| volcano, so fish might be plentiful to catch that day. | | | | they make little RO filtration units, which are solar and |
| Yes indeed I said, some electronics would be needed | | | | then kill bacteria in a solar pack. |
| for navigation. Yes or a satellite radio or something I | | | | Now then Swift gets serious; "Would you choose the |
| suppose. You could on a very calm time send emails | | | | Atlantic or the Pacific, Lance?" |
| by a satellite? But short wave might be the best way | | | | I had to stop and think for a second, well probably the |
| to do it. Might be cool to have a Satellite Phone too. | | | | pacific, but at certain times of the year you could do |
| Swift indicated that it might also be an important | | | | an Atlantic voyage? I guess all we need now is a |
| consideration for proper seating. "Something that would | | | | perfect rowboat, some oars, rationing and a Corporate |
| be important would be to create an ergonomically | | | | Sponsor? What would you take if you were going to |
| correct seat to row on so the back wasn't stressed | | | | paddle across the ocean? Think on it. |