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Against all the Odds, Rowing for Prostate take Second Place in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009

A New Zealand four man crew named ‘Rowing for Prostate’ today snatched second place in the inaugural Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.  Against all the odds, the team, who lost contact with shore over a week ago, completed the last few hundred miles of the race under stealth mode.

Kiwis, Tom Wigram (31), Pete Staples (38), Billy Gammon (35) and Matt Hampel (34)  who were all born in the UK left Geraldton, Western Australia on 19 April 2009 together with nine other crews, all aiming to row a mammoth 3,132 nautical miles to the beautiful Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.  At 0701GMT today, the Rowing for Prostate crew reappeared, rowing their 29ft long purposely built, composite ocean rowing boat proudly over the finish line after 81 days, 4 hours and one minute, and up to the Grand Bay Yacht Club, where their family and friends where eagerly waiting to greet them.

Rowing for Prostate crew member Billy Gammon comments: “The Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009 has been the most difficult challenge we have undertaken so far.  Rowing all day to find you have gone backwards over old ground is the most demoralising feeling ever.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish but the elation to have succeeded in what we set out to do and to have finished in second place overall is the best feeling ever”.

During the team’s two year campaign leading up to and including their epic journey they have worked relentlessly to raise valuable funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Charities in both the UK and New Zealand. The Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, which is one in a series of ocean rowing races organised by South West nautical events company, Woodvale Challenge Ltd is a perfect platform for charity fundraising and community support projects.

Simon Chalk, Chairman of Woodvale Challenge Ltd comments: “Many congratulations to the crew of Rowing for Prostate on taking second place in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.

“Rowing 3,132nm in 81 days is an amazing achievement and to use a challenge such as this for the purposes of raising funds for charity organisations is extremely honorable.  Each and every crew that took part in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race has done exactly this, raising thousands of pounds for a wide range of charities.  Well done to them all.”