Former Pupil, Guin Batten undertakes solo crossing of the Zero Degree Channel in the Maldives [29th March - 2nd April 2010]
NEWS!! On Tuesday 30th March Guin completed the crossing in 7hr 16min - she set off at 02:05 local time and arrived at 09:21.
Please click here for Press Release.
Olympic rower Guin Batten (OD 85-87), ably supported by a team of fellow Old Dauntseians, has become the first person to successfully attempt a solo crossing of the Zero Degree Channel in the Maldives. Using a standard coastal rowing boat she took on the mighty Indian Ocean as it passes between the paradise Atolls that boarder the equator. Strong tides, huge ocean swells, the unremitting heat and unpredictable storms were just some of the challenges she had to prepare for if she was to become the first person to achieve the solo crossing. The channel is known as the Zero Degree Channel (Addoo Kandu) and is approximately 60km wide. It cuts the equator between the Huvadhoo Atoll and the Foammulah Island. Guin used a standard FISA coastal single sculling boat that is 6m long, 78cm wide and weighs just 35kg. She was accompanied by a local support/safety vessel and was expecting to take between 8-10 hours averaging speeds of between 8 -6 km/hour. She therefore surpassed her expectations by doing it in just over 7hrs.
Guin and her backup team arrived in Male on 27th March 2010 and travelled down to pick up the local support boat. Sea trials and final equipment checks were carried out at the start of a 5 day window during which the back-up crew and the support vessel positioned Guin in the best place and time to succeed. The weather conditions meant that Guin set off on Tuesday 20th March and completed the crossing in 7hr 16min - she set off at 02:05 local time and arrived at 09:21. Guin met and shook hands with all of the local school children on Foammulah on arrival!
Background
Historically rowing is embedded in the culture of the people of Maldives both as a means of transport and as a sport. In the last 30 years various factors have led to its decline. As a physical activity rowing is well suited to maritime environment of the Maldives, and as such would be an ideal sport to improve the health and wellbeing of the population; male and female, young and old alike.
Guin Batten is a world renowned rower who won an Olympic silver medal at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and in 2003 broke the world record for crossing the English Channel. She crossed in an Olympic Class rowing boat that was only 30cm wide and weighted just 14kgs, interestingly her time of 3hours 14 minutes is some 8 minutes quicker than the men's rowing record.
Objectives of the crossing
To be
To raise the profile of rowing in the Maldives and to revive the sport to help increase the general health and wellbeing of the people.
To raise international awareness of the threat of climate change on the Maldives
To support the ambition of a woman's rowing centre on the Gaaf Dhaal Atoll.
Track the progress
Please show your support and stay informed on the preparation and progress by joining the Facebook Group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=328940141504&ref=ts
Not on Facebook? Updates will also be posted to the Friends of the Maldives website accessible here: http://www.friendsofmaldives.org/
Support and Patronage
Patron: His Excellency the President of the Maldives, H.E Mohamed Nasheed (also an Old Dauntsiean)
Sponsorship: Dr Farah Faizal High Commissioner for the Maldives in London
Quotes
H.E Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives (Old Dauntseian 84-86)
"I am delighted to hear that Ms. Guin Batten, an Olympic medalist and world renowned rower, will attempt to become the first person to row the zero degree channel in the Maldives. I hope Ms. Batten's efforts will be a catalyst for the revival of rowing in the Maldives. I wish Ms. Batten the best of luck"
Hon. Umar Jamaal, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Upper South Province
"Living in the midst of these beautiful lagoons, our women have rowed to work, leisure and self-determination. Inspired by the formidable Ms. Guin Batten, it is only natural that we should aim to row our way to the Olympics one day."
H.E. Farah Faizal, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
"It is a great honour for our people that the Olympic medalist, Ms. Guin Batten has chosen the zero degree channel in the Maldives to try and become the first person to row across it. I wish Guin all the best and hope that this will enable us to host a world-class coastal rowing competition in the near future."
Guin Batten
"Last year I spoke to a number of the top female athletes in the Maldives and they have a passion and grace that comes from doing sport; it is really exciting to have the invitation to take on the challenge of the crossing and an honour to have the opportunity of supporting local women to row."
