bhavikpress

Sports Illustrated – CNN Valut

2009-01-01T15:05:00.000+05:30

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/topic/video/Canary_Islands/1900-01-01/2100-12-31/10/381/index.htm

Business Week Turkey – Cesaretin Var mı Zoru Başarmaya?

2008-12-25T09:17:00.000+05:30

Marine Biz TV

2008-12-15T12:40:00.000+05:30

BOAT INDIA 2008 Conference (part 1-part 14) is being telecast on our Satellite Television Channel from the 22^nd of December to the 28^th of December, 2008 at 06:30-07:30 GMT. Boat India 2008,the two day International Conference on Boating and Yachting, organized by Marine BizTV was held on the 15^thand 16^th of December 2008 at Cochin, India.

One Mans Inspiring Atlantic Odyssey

2008-09-21T15:54:00.000+05:30

Team India to sail the world independently for the first time

2008-09-10T10:02:00.000+05:30

While India is definitely on the stopover destination list of the Volvo Ocean Race, in one of the firsts for the country, it will participate independently in the sport of yacht racing with IMOCA Formula1 Ocean Racing, scheduled to take place next year.

IMOCA is the International 60 feet Monohull Open Class Association. It was established in 1991 and was recognised by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) in 1998. IMOCA is the governing body for the Ocean Racing World Championship, which includes events such as the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Transat. F1 yacht racing is carried out in Open60 Monohull yachts.

India competing on a private party basis is considered an achievement. Till now, India has never participated on a private party basis. The Indian Navy has participated in various international yacht races with the official support of the Government of India.
The turning point comes at a time when India is on the brink of being tagged as a cricket crazy nation, even though other sports exist and survive with due credit to the endeavours of the respective players. The business of yacht racing is a multi-billion dollar industry and according to a report, is the third highest recipient of European sports sponsorship spending.
To focus on the prospects of sailing as a sport, the Elite Sports Management Group has stepped into India. It has appointed Bhavik Gandhi, an experienced yachtsman, as the spokesperson for its Indian counterpart as well as the Indian team which will participate in the F1 yacht race. The senior management team will be put into place in some time.

Read the ful article at
http://www.afaqs.com/perl/news/index.html?sid=22118

Profiled - India Boating Mag, Sep 08

2008-09-08T16:16:00.000+05:30

Click here to download the PDF of the Article in India's Luxury Boating Magazine

Formula 1 Yacht Racing Launched in India

2008-09-05T16:22:00.000+05:30

Indian First Formula 1 IMOCA Skipper
Bhavik was recently signed by Elite Sports Management, representing India's debut on the Formula 1 Sailing Circuit.

The Youngest IMOCA Skipper in History to sign up for the 3 in 3 – 3 round the world races in 3 years starting with the Velux 5 oceans in 2010, followed by the Barcelona World Race in November 2011, and culminating in the 2012 Vendee Globe.

For more, visit
www.slammsmg.com/7oceans/

Arenan Radio Finland - Med roddbåt över Atlanten

2008-06-20T22:00:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi skämtade inte år 2007, när berättade att han tänkte ro från Kanarieöarna till Karibien. Ann-Sophie Sandström sökte upp honom efter den långa roddturen, för att ta reda på vad som riktigt är tjusningen med att tillbringa 106 dagar ensam i en roddbåt på Atlanten.

Click Here to Listen to the Radio Interview

Xlife Asia Cover Issue

2008-03-09T18:18:00.000+05:30

Outside Europe

2008-02-27T17:55:00.000+05:30

Den nya generationens äventyrare at Äventyrstidningen Outside

2008-02-12T12:48:00.000+05:30

Den nya generationens äventyrare

Å ena sidan en elektroniknörd, å andra sidan en modern nomad som nöjer sig med det lilla och enkla. Lika hemmastadd i Stockholmsnattens berusande uteliv som vandrande över Sibiriens ensliga slätt. Han ror gärna en roddbåt över ett stormande världshav, ändå hatar han att ta risker. Om Bhavik Gandhi är galen? Kanske. Hellre galen än tråkig, säger han själv.

AV Emma V Larsson
FOTO Björn Olin

Han talar lugnt och sansat. Det engelska uttalet är emellanåt utsökt brittiskt. Gesterna är livliga. Vänster arm slår ut i en hastig rörelse, som för att understryka det han säger eller kanske bara av inlevelse. Han rör på sig hela tiden. Inte nervöst eller ängsligt på något vis, utan snarare som av ett behov av att vara sysselsatt. Ivrigt utforskar händerna bordets rispiga yta eller pillar förstrött på halsduken som hänger över stolen.
Jag träffar Bhavik Gandhi i ett vintertrött Stockholm som sedan fyra och ett halvt år tillbaka utgör hans fasta punkt. En trettioårig entreprenör med livet nedstuvat i en resväska, eller möjligtvis i en portfölj. Han är född i Indien men uppväxt i Sri Lanka från 12 års ålder. Sedan dess har han bott lite varstans i världen.
Bhavik Gandhi är killen som korsade Sibirien till fots mitt i vintern, eftersom det verkade vara en bra erfarenhet. Han cyklade därefter från Stockholm till Istanbul, för att det var en skön grej. Nu senast korsade han Atlanten resande i Columbus farvatten. I en roddbåt. 106 dagar, helt ensam.
–Jag brukar inte svara på frågan om varför jag lever det liv jag gör. Människor som utövar en extremsport frågar aldrig varandra om varför.
Bhavik Gandhi småler. Jag försöker envist locka ur honom ett svar på varför han hyser en så stark lidelse för äventyr. Svaret ligger inbäddat någonstans mellan behovet av att upptäcka och viljan att utmana sig själv.
–När du är liten vill du bli brandman eller rockstjärna. Barn har de mest storslagna drömmar, säger han och inflikar roat att han i och för sig ville bli busschaufför som liten. Fast det hör ju inte hit.
Blicken är stadig och de mörka ögonen spärras upp när han brister ut i en angenäm skrattsalva. Efter en stund blir han allvarlig igen. Han ser fundersam ut, reflekterar. Han säger att något går fel mellan åldrarna sex och 30. Den lilla pojken med alla drömmar hamnar bakom ett skrivbord, i ett yrke han inte trivs med.
–Drömmar ska inte kastas bort. Vi måste veta vad vi vill och försöka förverkliga det. Allt är möjligt.
Förutom den tidiga drömmen om att köra bussar handlar det för Gandhi om att se sådant som han tidigare aldrig har sett, att träffa människor han tidigare aldrig har mött.
–Det ligger i människans natur att utforska och upptäcka. Annars skulle vi inte sitta här idag.
Och annars hade inte killen bredvid mig, prydligt klädd i skjorta och tröja, rott över ett världshav.

Den 14 juni 2007 klev Bhavik Gandhi, 30 kilo lättare och på skakiga ben, iland på Antiguas nordöstra kust. Efter att ha rott 6393 kilometer, med start i Spanien, satte han ett nytt världsrekord som förste asiat att ro ensam över Atlanten.
Bhavik Gandhi blev nummer 32 på listan över personer som har utfört denna bedrift framgångsrikt. Att utföra en rodd ”unsupported”, som Gandhi gjorde, innebär enligt Ocean Rowing Society att man utför rodden utan hjälp från någon. Att ta emot mat från en passerande båt vore med andra ord inte tillåtet.
Rodd över oceaner är kanske ett av vår tids sista, farliga äventyr. Extrema väderförhållanden på det öppna havet, starka kulingvindar, höga vågor, hajar och valar är några av de inslag som placerar en havsrodd långt ifrån en söndagsutflykt. Sporten är unik i fråga om fysisk och psykisk ansträngning.
Förutom ovan nämnda faror utsatte Gandhi sig själv för risker som isberg, hypotermi, starka strömmar, tropiska stormar och stora fartyg.
Så, vad var det som lockade Gandhi att korsa Atlanten i en 23 fot lång roddbåt vid namn Miss Olive?
–Jag sökte efter en större utmaning antar jag. Det här projektet, med allt vad det innebar var ett äventyr.
Han berättar att det inte är sporten i sig som spelar den största rollen. Planering och förberedelse är en del av utmaningen.
Behovet av att ta sig an utmaningar har funnits så länge han kan minnas. Bergsklättring i Himalaya, dykning i Malaysia, Moçambique och Sydafrika. Segling i Karibien, Sri Lanka och Medelhavet. Det är några av bedrifterna som har blivit avprickade på listan. Tack vare uppväxten vid havet har vattensporter alltid varit framträdande i Gandhis liv. Att ro ensam över ett världshav var emellertid något helt nytt.
Under en diskussion med en vän om vad som vore det ultimata uthållighetstestet kom havsrodd och Rune Larssons namn upp. Larsson blev tillsammans med Niclas Mårdfelt de första svenskarna att ro över Atlanten 2001.
–Jag ringde upp Rune och sa helt enkelt att jag ville ro över Atlanten. Rune behövde inte ens fråga varför. Han svarade bara att det är det mest fantastiska du kan göra, berättar Gandhi.
Fast det var inget lätt beslut för honom att ta.
–Att göra val är en del av livet. Jag visste att jag var tvungen att lägga ner minst ett år på det här projektet, så jag funderade länge. Men det var ett bra beslut, det bästa.
Det goda beslutet resulterade i mycket planering och träning. Han berättar att förberedelserna var det svåraste, för i det stadiet kändes själva rodden overklig.
–Det var svårt att absorbera hur stort projektet egentligen var! Det var en utmaning i sig bara att hålla energin uppe, berättar han och skakar på huvudet.

Den 28 februari 2007 gav sig Bhavik Gandhi iväg. Han startade från den spanska ön El Hierro och på 106 dagar såg han inte en enda människa.
Det fanns inte tid till att känna rädsla. Gandhi hade alltid något att laga på båten, han uppdaterade sin hemsida, läste böcker och skrev i sin dagbok
–Jag var inte särskilt rädd, men visst fanns känslan där ibland. Rädsla kan vara bra, för det håller dig alert, säger han.
Gul och blå över hela kroppen efter vågornas ovarsamma lek lärde sig Gandhi att läsa av båten. Från ljudet av vågorna visste han vart de skulle slå och kunde då förbereda sig för stöten. Inom sinom tid transformerades hans mjuka hud till strävt sandpapper och kroppen anpassade sig till det ovana muskelarbetet.
Bhavik Gandhi tittar ivrigt på mig och gungar på stolen. Med våldsamma gester demonstrerar han hur han knuffades hit och dit i den lilla båten. Det ser tämligen obekvämt ut och jag kan inte låta bli att fascineras över hans inlevelse.
–Jag gjorde ett aktiv val med vilken attityd jag skulle närma mig problem, förklarar han och sätter sig åter tillrätta.
–Vissa dagar var svårare än andra. Jag skulle ljuga om jag sa att inte bakdelen gjorde ont efter allt sittande. Men det var bara att bita ihop.
Plötsligt en natt skedde det som Gandhi mentalt förberett sig för länge.
Det var den sjätte juni klockan tre på natten. Månen var dold bakom ett molntäcke och det var mörkt. Gandhi vet inte säkert men han tror att han träffades av två stora vågor som kom mycket tätt inpå varandra. Av kraften slängdes han ner på däck och vågen vände båten upp och ner. I det svarta vattnet försökte han orientera sig och lyckades lokalisera båten med hjälp av sin livlina. Miss Olive var designad att räta upp sig vid händelse av kapsejsning. Att båten nu inte snurrade runt igen oroade honom.
Gandhi bestämde sig för att försöka vända båten själv. Med hjälp av en stor våg och hela sin kroppstyngd lyckades han.
–I en sådan situation börjar du be, oavsett vem du är, säger han allvarligt.
Förutom att diverse prylar försvann knäcktes även en åra. Men en glad Bhavik Gandhi paddlade vidare med en extraåra och nekade assistans från kustbevakningen.
Kapsejsning till trots upplevde Gandhi ändå det han var där för.
–Jag fick upptäcka fantastiska saker varje dag, sedda ur ett helt nytt perspektiv. Vågorna var majestätiska från där jag satt i min lilla båt. De såg ut som massiva bergskedjor med djupa dalar på andra sidan, berättar han.
Gandhi sov endast några timmar i taget och minnet av de becksvarta nätterna är starkt. Ibland kunde han se stjärnornas skugga på havsytan och när algerna blev störda av årorna lyste de som fyrverkerier.
–Ibland steg månen samtidigt som solen gick ned. Då visste jag att det var värt det. Jag insåg hur lite vi ser av himlen här hemma. Vi ser för lite öppna horisonter, säger han och tittar ut genom fönstret.
På restaurangen där vi sitter är det varmt och ljust men utanför faller mörkret snabbt. Husen längs med gatan ser ut som svarta skepnader. Någonstans bortom byggnadernas tak vilar en regntyngd himmel hotfullt nära bristningsgränsen.
Gandhi vänder blicken mot mig, tittar uppfordrande som för att få mig att förstå att jag också måste ut och se lite öppna horisonter.

Det vore enkelt att beskriva Bhavik Gandhi i klyschor, med en urtypens våghals som mall. Men någonstans mellan vagabondens rastlösa vandrande och äventyrarens pressande av gränser lyser ett lugn igenom. Ett lugn i hans sansade resonemang, ett lugn i hur han står stadigt på jorden och inte svävar i det blå. Framförallt är inte Bhavik Gandhi adrenalinjunkien som blir hög på risktagande. Istället är det utmaningen i planering och upptäckarglädje som berusar.
–Jag hatar att ta risker. Förmodligen har många uppfattningen att jag lever ett risktagande liv. Men ska du ut på en expedition av något slag handlar allting om att ha översikt över eventuella faror och framförallt att kunna kontrollera dem. Jag tar kalkylerade risker.
Så glöm Robinson Crusoes nödtorft. Elektronik är en viktig del av äventyret. På Atlantrodden var båten fullastad med bland annat en laptop, iPods, GPS och satellittelefon.
–Ärligt talat så är jag en riktig elektroniknörd, skrattar Gandhi.
–I mitt yrke sysslar jag mycket med problemlösning, vilket jag även gjorde ute på Atlanten. Eller så är jag bara utomordentligt duktig på att hitta problem.
Bhavik Gandhi är en entreprenör med utbildning från University of London, Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship och Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan. Han är involverad i många olika företag och driver riskkapitalfonden Development Venture Capital Group som specialiserar sig på mikroinvesteringar i utvecklingsländer.
Det är inte helt lätt att hänga med i beskrivningarna av alla de projekt som han är engagerad i. I ett andetag berättar han om företaget som investerar i Antiguas fastighetsmarknad, i nästa andetag om ett företag som utvecklar medicinska funktioner på mobiltelefoner, för mätning av puls och blodtryck.

Att kombinera elektronik med upptäckarglädje lockar Gandhi. Det var det intresset som gav upphov till den fem veckor långa cykelfärden mellan Stockholm och Istanbul 2004. Under resans gång undersökte han hur väl olika mobila tjänster fungerar på resande fot.
I fråga om mobilfunktioner var inte Gandhi helt nöjd. Dålig täckning och svårigheter med att ladda batteriet var några problem.
–Du inser inte hur värdefulla vissa funktioner är förrän du verkligen behöver dem.
Trots att mobilfunktionerna gav negativa resultat var det en hänförd Gandhi som banade väg genom Europa.
–Cykling är en fantastisk blandning av träning och utforskning. Det är snabbare än gång, men långsammare än en bil. Du får en chans att överblicka omgivningarna, berättar han entusiastiskt.
I bagaget fanns en mobiltelefon, digitalkamera, digitalt papper och penna och så givetvis ett tält. Men inte en enda karta.
–Kartorna var så dyra och tunga. Det kändes bara onödigt, tycker Gandhi och flinar åt min skeptiska blick.
Trots detta hittade han vägen utan problem och susade igenom ett landskap bestående av idylliska byar och lantliga vägar.
–Det var nog ren nyfikenhet som gjorde att jag fortsatte ända fram och att jag drog iväg från första början.”
Det är väl lite så det är med Bhavik Gandhi. Nyfikenheten tar överhanden och så vips, är han ute på nästa äventyr.
Och Gandhi stannar aldrig på en plats särskilt länge.
–Jag behöver bara en plats att förvara min saker på, det är min definition av ett hem, förklarar han och ser ner på sina händer som leker med kanten på bordet.
–Jag känner mig som mest hemma på resande fot, tillägger han och tittar upp med ett leende.
Han förklarar att det viktigaste är att inte vara låst till en plats eller situation, i fråga om finanser och åtaganden.
–Frihet att göra vad jag vill, det värderar jag högst, summerar han.
Bhavik Gandhi är sin egen. På alla sätt och vis. Att sätta undan ett år för att resa är inga problem, mycket tack vare yrket. Han är tacksam för att han genom dagens högteknologiska möjligheter kan arbeta varifrån han vill på jorden.
–Du kanske inte vågar släppa allt eftersom du är orolig för vad chefen ska säga. Men du bör ta vara på chansen. Resan kan vara det mest fantastiska som du någonsin kommer att göra. Tro mig, det finns fler jobb där ute.
När Bhavik Gandhi talar låter det så enkelt, så självklart. Det är inga krångliga resonemang och inga rosa drömmar. Bara hans sanning.
–Många upptäckare är nog ensamvargar. Har man fru och barn kanske man tänker annorlunda om att ta risker, säger han fundersamt.
Att familj inte finns på Bhavik Gandhis agenda riktigt än är solklart. Han tycker om sitt liv som det är just nu.
–En dag kanske jag gifter mig, medger han.
–Vi kan ju köpa en husbåt och segla jorden runt. Barnen kan växa upp i världens alla hamnar, fortsätter han och skrattar men ett visst allvar ligger det nog i det han säger.
Bhavik Gandhi tycker om att vara ensam. Ändå får jag ett helt annat intryck när vi träffas. Han är social, pratglad och öppen. Mobilen ringer och han verkar vara i ständig kommunikation med andra människor, om än totalt fokuserad på den han pratar med för stunden.
–Jag trivs med att vara ensam. Samtidigt lever jag ett hektiskt socialt liv. På helgerna är jag ute och festar och trivs med det också.
Gandhi får många olika reaktioner på sitt val att leva livet, både bra och dåliga.
Han berättar att det finns två olika sorters människor.
–Den första snubben drar ner dig, säger att det inte är genomförbart, att du inte kommer att klara det. Han är en riktig nolla – inga tjejer, inga pengar, illa klädd. Du tänker då att han är ju en nolla så varför ska du lyssna på honom?
Gandhi höjer frågande på ögonbrynen, som för att kolla att jag hänger med i resonemanget.
Han berättar att den andra sorten är farligare än den första.
–Den andra är den rika snubben, den framgångsrike med ett stort företag och dyr klocka på armen. Om han säger till dig att du inte kommer att klara det, då börjar du kanske tro på honom! För han är ju så bra och vet ju så mycket. Jag har lärt mig att bara tro på mig själv. Säger någon att det inte går, då blir det min motivation till att bevisa motsatsen.
Det var så det var med resan till Sibirien. Han fick höra av många att han inte skulle komma hem levande. Men visst gjorde han det. Det var i december månad 2003 som Gandhi korsade Sibirien till fots.
–Varför? För erfarenheten, säger han som den mest självklara saken i världen.
Han tycker att västvärldens mediebild av Sibirien inte är rättvis, den är alltför tung och grå.
–Det är en av de vackraste platser jag någonsin har sett. Människor har grillfester i -30 grader. Det är ju helt fantastiskt, utropar han.
Efter en månads vandring i Sibirien spenderade han tid i Mongoliet och Kina.
–I Mongoliet var det -50 grader. Människorna lever ett mycket enkelt liv där. Likt nomader vandrar de från plats till plats med sin boskap och lever på att sälja hästkött.
Lite som Gandhi själv då kanske? Fast med boskapen utbytt till vår tids teknologiska lösningar.

Idag saknar Bhavik Gandhi det enkla livet ute på Atlanten men är i full färd med att planera nya äventyr. Han vill bland annat göra en ensamrodd över Stilla Havet, åka skidor över Nordpolen och cykla genom Syd- och Centralamerika.
Fast först på listan står en världsomsegling år 2009. Ensam och nonstop ska han segla sig runt jorden och vem vet, kanske slår han ett hastighetsrekord när han ändå håller på?
–Galna drömmar tycker väl en del. Fast jag är ju hellre galen än tråkig, skrattar Gandhi.
Äventyret ute på Atlanten sätter han just nu på pränt i en bok som beräknas vara klar till våren 2008.
–Budskapet i boken är att inspirera människor att sticka ut och ta sig an utmaningar. För livet handlar ju om att upptäcka, eller hur?

Den nya generationens äventyrare at Äventyrstidningen Outside

etui.se - kommunikation, prylar och allt annat fint » Gammalt och nytt

2007-11-22T18:13:00.000+05:30

etui.se - kommunikation, prylar och allt annat fint » Gammalt och nytt

Outdoor Magazine - Voted Top 10 Personalities 2007

2007-11-15T16:56:00.000+05:30

Bala's (aka Balaji) Charity Cycle... e-Sprit: From "Mahatma Gandhi" to "Bhavik Gandhi" ...

2007-11-02T19:45:00.000+05:30

November 2, 2007

From "Mahatma Gandhi" to "Bhavik Gandhi" ...

(Photo Courtesy: Ocean rowing.com)
It was in early March this year, when I came across a news article about an Indian attempting to row across the Atlantic Ocean SOLO and UNSUPPORTED. Initially I wondered, as to why anyone would attempt something like that... I started to follow the journey of the modern day Gandhi's adventure (Bhavik Gandhi) and it became a daily ritual...
Reading about Bhavik's joyful stories of him swimming with the dolphins in the open Ocean, watching amazing sunsets and sunrises, enjoying the solitude, his ordeal of pumping for hours to make a litre of water using a manual hand pump, surviving and setting right a capsized rowboat, eating uncooked cold food, surviving on protein shakes made me realise that life is too short and unpredictable to keep complaining and live in fear... and that we need to follow our heart, our inner-calling, realise our goals and live in the moment...
In short, although, it was Gandhi - The Mahatma's life, which had influenced(awed) me all throughout until now, it took another Gandhi to plunge me into action... THANKS Bhavik !!!

Bala's (aka Balaji) Charity Cycle... e-Sprit: From "Mahatma Gandhi" to "Bhavik Gandhi" ...

Dhar's Blog: 1 Man, 1 Boat, 5000 Kms

2007-10-09T00:43:00.000+05:30

October 09, 2005

1 Man, 1 Boat, 5000 Kms

2000 people have sailed the globe
1400 have climbed Mt. Everest
450 have been into Space
180 have been to the Poles
To date, there have been only 32 successful attempts at rowing Solo across the Atlantic.
My friend from Reliance days is attempting something truly phenomenal. Starting in December 2005, Bhavik will attempt to row 5000 kms across the Atlantic Ocean, from Spain to Barbados. While I am yet to confirm with Bhavik, I believe he is the FIRST INDIAN to be attempting this feat. Way to go Bhavik!!
Link:
http://www.bhavik.com/crossatlantic/
By Dhar | Perma Link | 2 comments |

2 Comments:

At 4:41 AM, Anonymous said...

Thats def a first for India. 1 billion Indians and 1 bronz at the olympics. About time someone did something about it.

At 5:39 PM, aus said...

hey dhar - logged on to your blog after quite a while...
this one is quite a phenomenal effort! way to go bhavik!

Dhar's Blog: 1 Man, 1 Boat, 5000 Kms

Antigua Sun

2007-09-14T18:24:00.000+05:30

Antiguans to go on historic Atlantic crossing

Friday September 14 2007

by Nikisha Smith

Two Antiguans will attempt, for the first time, the gruelling 3000 mile rowing trip across the Atlantic Ocean in December.

They are Mark A. Hadeed of Crosbies and Gordon “Bumps” Foster of Willikies. They have been chosen by Bhavik Gandhi, a successful solo Atlantic rower, to be the members of Team Antigua.

Foster is currently building a motor boat and has competed in other boating competitions.

Hadeed is a certified water sports instructor and has participated in various sailing regattas around the Caribbean including Antigua Sailing Week.

A few years ago, Hadeed was diagnosed with an auto-immune deficiency disease called Lupus and a Bi-Polar disorder, but he is confident he is physically and mentally capable of completing the challenge.

Gandhi is the manager of the team and is currently organising for local, regional and international advertising for the event. He said that the companies will be announced in the coming weeks.

Team Antigua is attempting a world record as the first Antiguans to participate and finish the Atlantic Rowing Race. They, however, will not be the first West Indians as a team from Barbados already holds that title.

They hope to complete the trip in about 50 days, but are aiming to break the record of the Bajans, which is 43 days.

From 15 Dec., about 40 teams from around the world will compete in a race across the Atlantic on equal terms in three race classes - Solo’s, Pairs and Fours. The race was first held in 1997, and roughly every two years since.

Gandhi completed his 106 day solo journey across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands on 14 June. It was his fourth attempt, and he succeeded, unsupported in his 23 foot rowing boat called Miss Olive.

After landing in Antigua, and enjoying the island’s hospitality, Gandhi said that he has grown to love the place and is willing to donate his time to helping some locals achieve the same goal.

“Personally it is my way of giving back to Antigua for the wonderful hospitality. I’m willing to donate my time to the project because I think that it would be great for Antigua to be a part of the race. It’s a once in a life time achievement.”

Team Antigua will be using, Miss Olive, the same boat that Ghandi used on his journeys.

The rowers will take along with them water, dried and canned foods, coffee, a GPS system to keep on track during the journey, a radio, and phone. Miss Olive is fibre glass boat and is equipped with a water storage tank of 200 litres, two water purifiers and a stove.

Antigua Sun

LIFE IN FOOTNOTES

2007-08-19T00:45:00.000+05:30

Sunday, August 19, 2007

To the craziest man I know.

I scrolled down my blog and realised, to my utter surprise that the one person who's journey I've been following over the last few months isn't mentioned in it at all. i will redress it right away.
School yearbooks are sometimes filled with comments and asides and everyone always guesses as to who will go out and make it big. Well, Bhavik Gandhi certainly wasn't on my list for person to make a difference. He was too goofy and funny. A year ago, we got in touch again, through either the school website or something else, I don't remember. And he mentioned that he planned to row solo across the Atlantic, from Spain to Antigua. I thought he was pulling my leg. I went to his website and checked the preparations, the sponsors who'd come on board - the immensity of it struck me.
The first attempt at the row had to be canceled due to weather and technical conditions I think. But he was determined, and said that he would attempt in a few months. And he did. He blogged almost everyday from his boat, Miss Olive (even asked his friends to suggest names for his boat). Iridium and his website kept him in touch with the world and all the wishes he was getting from everywhere.
His blog posts should be a book - they are interesting, sometimes funny, and always inspiring. From a recognisable face he turned to tom hanks in castaway, then the geico caveman and then the yeti itself. he spoke about the whales and the changing climates and the calm sea, then the angry sea, the ships that almost ran him down.
Finally, after capsizing and refusing help, repairing his boat by himself, after 103 days, he reached ashore, to a warm and cheerful welcome.
Read all about it on his blog.

LIFE IN FOOTNOTES

Record Row

2007-07-09T14:28:00.000+05:30

India Today - Aaj Tak

2007-07-09T03:13:00.000+05:30

Rajasthan Patrika

2007-07-08T03:09:00.000+05:30

Royal Holloway

2007-07-02T17:04:00.000+05:30

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/messages/press/message.asp?ref_no=1505

http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Management/News-and-Events/anouncements.html

Royal Holloway,

Royal Holloway - Press Release

2007-07-02T16:59:00.000+05:30

Record Atlantic Crossing

Bhavik Gandhi, a former student of Royal Holloway, University of London has rowed single-handed and unassisted across the Atlantic. He became the first Indian to ever complete a solo ocean crossing. Bhavik was at sea for 106 days and landed in Antigua at 5.45pm on 14 June, after rowing a record distance of 6396 kms (3456 nautical miles).
He began his epic journey in La Restinga, Canary Islands after months of arduous physical and mental preparation. During the crossing he struggled against gale force winds, 40 ft waves, severe sleep deprivation and mental fatigue; on 6 June he came close to defeat after his boat, ′Miss Olive′, capsized.
Bhavik navigated using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and more traditional charts and compasses, regularly updating his progress on-line. Nearing the end of the crossing he ran out of solid food and was reduced to a liquid diet, “I tell you after 95 days on freeze dried meals, I could eat sweets while they are still in their wrappers and still find them tasty,” he said.
He studied a BSc in Management and Information Systems at the College, graduating in 1999. He is the founder and principal partner at the Development Venture Capital Group, a venture capital fund specializing in micro venture capital for social entrepreneurs in developing countries.
For further information about Bhavik’s achievement visit: http://www.bhavik.com/crossatlantic/index.htm

Royal Holloway - Press Release

The first Asian...

2007-07-01T03:05:00.000+05:30

TAG Heuer

2007-07-01T03:02:00.000+05:30

Rowing Archive - Ocean Rowing - Woodvale-Challenge Rowing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

2007-06-30T19:54:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi (India)
Route: La Restinga de El Hierro, Canary Islands - Antigua
Departure Date: 13:15 GMT - 28th February 2007
Distance: 3000 Miles
Estimated Crossing Time: 50 - 90 Days
Boat: Woodvale Pairs Class - Previously rowed by Oliver Hicks in the North Atlantic
Website
Latest Positions
Arrived at Jabberwock Beach, Antigua on the 14th June 2007at 22:45 GMT after 106 days, 9 hours and 30 minutes at sea.
Congratulations Bhavik!
Photos courtesy of Ted Martin at Photo fantasy Antigua

Rowing Archive - Ocean Rowing - Woodvale-Challenge Rowing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

The Hindu : Metro Plus Delhi / Environment : Rowing success

2007-06-30T17:10:00.000+05:30

Rowing success

Bhavik Gandhi has become the first Asian to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo. He speaks to RANA SIDDIQUI from Antigua

My boat had started leaking.

I had to find the exact location of the leak, I had barely done it when the steering broke…

Triumphant Bhavik Gandhi just before starting on the historic voyage across Atlantic Ocean

An engineer by qualification and a rower by passion, Bhavik Gandhi has just made India and Sweden (where he is based now) proud by breaking a record. The record of crossing the Atlantic Ocean unassisted.

Bhavik rowed 3000 nautical miles across the Atlantic from Spain to Antigua in 106 days. He had planned to achieve it in 90 days though. Still, Bhavik has broken the existing record of Emmanuel Coindre of France.

Now in Antigua, Bhavik plans to return to India in two to three weeks. He is trying to regain lost health during the tough rowing which left him about 25 kilograms lighter, for he finished his dry rations midway. Bhavik chose to row rather than sail for two reasons: Sailing is easier, and he wanted to keep it “solo, simple and pure”.

Recalls the 29-year-old, “It was very challenging, both physically and emotionally. I rowed for 6000-plus kilometres. Sailing across the Atlantic takes just 20 days from Spain to Antigua. It had little adventure involved. But I preferred to row to experience that different challenge. I kept it solo because I didn’t want to get into the bureaucratic muddle of equipment hassles, medical assistance, sports crew and so on. It gets very complicated when a ship is following you. Rowing alone would have amounted to my triumph or my loss solely.” Not that it was as simple as he thought it to be. Though he was ready for challenges, he started facing dangers from the third week.

Dangers on the way

“My boat started leaking. I had to find the exact location of the leak, bail the water out and repair it. I had barely done it when the steering broke. The sea was too rough to hold on to. Heavy winds rocked my boat and it went sideways. It rained for the most part at night while I was rowing. I also finished my ration of dry fruits. My requirements were more than 8000 calories as I had assumed. So I survived on powder protein during the last two weeks. It shrank my stomach,” narrates Bhavik with the ease of a saintly man. All this while, he wore Tag Heuer’s specially designed watch for water sports called special Aquaracer, that ensures water resistance to a depth of 300 meters. There were also good things to fall back on. “While it was raining, I saw a bright red light in the clouds. It was very beautiful. It gave me hope.

I had whales and dolphins for company. Most big fishes are attracted by lights. So they would jump onto my boat at night. Next morning I would find lots of them on the boat floor. It used to be quite a funny sight. These amusing moments and fixing and framing the things regularly kept me busy. And the journey taught me how to fight loneliness,” recalls Bhavik nostalgically.

Not that everything happened as he planned it but he was confident enough. He strategised his next move by sensing weather conditions. He had no connections with the land.

But Bhavik is very happy that he made the journey “just in the nick of time”. The reason is, from June, storms start lashing the Atlantic Ocean, making it virtually impossible to row. With previous experience in sailing as well as trekking, Bhavik was prepared to face tough situations. “It’s all in the mindset,” he adds stoically.

The only child of lawyer parents, Bhavik says he is “single and very happy being one.”

The Hindu : Metro Plus Delhi / Environment : Rowing success

Rowing success

2007-06-30T03:01:00.000+05:30

Gandhi - the sailor

2007-06-29T02:59:00.000+05:30

HINDU INFO: June 2007

2007-06-28T20:14:00.000+05:30

Friday, 22 June 2007

Gandhi braving the mighty Atlantic

Bhavik Gandhi became the first person to row across theAtlantic Ocean unassisted after a 106-day journey.

Bhavik Gandhi began his attempt at becoming the first Indian and first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean on 28th February, 2007 at 1155 hrs GMT.

He set out from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to Antigua onhis boat 'Miss Olive', covering close to 3000 nautical miles in theprocess. The rower reached Jabberwock Beach,

Antigua after a 106-day voyage.

During his journey, his boat capsized 200 kms from the destinationbut he managed to steer the boat by rowing with a spare oar.

In the process, he also became the first Asian to complete an oceanrowing expedition solo and unassisted.

Born in Mumbai but now a Sweden resident, Gandhi's record will becertified by the Ocean Rowing Society.

Article taken from

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bhavik-gandhi-rows-acorss-atlantic/42975-3.html

Bhavik Gandhi's Profile

http://www.ibnlive.com/features/bhavik/bhavik_profile.php

Posted by kiranparmar2 at 13:39 0 comments

HINDU INFO: June 2007

Traversing the Atlantic is a sport for this man

2007-06-27T16:50:00.000+05:30

Publication:TOI_Delhi;
Date:Jun 27, 2007;
Section:Times Sport;
Page Number:30

Traversing the Atlantic is a sport for this man

Mandakini Raina | TNN
    There’s only so much a trans-Atlantic call can tell you about ocean rower Bhavik Gandhi. While one might only briefly react to a record he has just achieved — he became the first Asian to row across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted, making it from Spain to Antigua in 106 days and 9 hours — it’s only when your mailbox receives pictures of him, undertaking the very same journey that explorer Christopher Columbus once had, does the jaw drop.
    Traversing the ocean, over 5000 kilometres of it, that can be macabre, serene and picturesque at the same time or within minutes of each other, is possibly the toughest challenge for a human muscle to endure. Bhavik survived it, and is only among 32 people in the world to have achieved such a feat solo.
    “Ocean rowing is the toughest sport to indulge in, it becomes that much more difficult because the water is not our natural habitat. Your life depends on you, and there is no other sport which takes so many days of consistent effort,” Bhavik said of his oneof-a-kind experience. “You are out there alone and making decisions by the minute about tackling waves and staying on course. You are battling skin diseases and physical discomfort. Your legs go to waste,” he elucidated. He is recovering currently from exhaustion and a 25kg weight loss in Antigua.
    Not much, however, can be done in preparation.”You can physically train in the gym but you don’t know what lies ahead. So it’s all survival instinct,” he said. He modified his boat, Miss Olive, to ease some of the anxiety at high sea. He chose to take the risk of travelling without a light craft, though. The boat was made self-righting, more air-tight compartments were added and radar reflectors were fitted. But when things have to go wrong, they do. Miss Olive had rudder problems, a broken steering, missed colliding into a tanker and capsized once before making it to its destination — which it almost missed due to the gushing winds.
    “I lost water and food during the capsize, but you have to be self-sufficient. There is no business to be in such a position if you cannot deal with it yourself,” said the Mumbaiborn 30-year-old, a resident of Stockholm, Sweden.
    Explaining the psychological aspect of it, he said: “It is a matter of positivity. You have to learn to turn your problems around, see them as just tasks you have to do. You have to tell yourself that you could be learning something new that day.”
    “It was demoralising to know at the end of most of my meals that the winds were steering the boat the wrong direction. It used to be that much more work for the day. When the wind is behind you, you could be doing up to 40-50 kms in a day and when it’s towards you, you could be doing only about 10 kms for the same amount of effort put in. Plus, it’s a different challenge to row and keep on course in the dark,” he said of his daily laborious 12-14 hours toil.
    The back-breaking work apart, it was the marine life that lifted Bhavik’s spirit. Curious onlookers would swim by, much to the rower’s delight. “The eye level contact with the fish was exalting,” he recounted his meeting with dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles and flying fish. “The boat didn’t have a motor and moves slow so they would come by the boat unthreatened.”
    Bhavik intended to complete the route in 70 days minimum and 90 days maximum on his fourth attempt, but, with the start of the hurricane season it took a month extra.
    Funnily, had Bhavik he made it in the stipulated time, he could have caught cricket action at the World Cup! “But the home team had packed up and left by then!” he chuckled.

WHAT A ROW! Bhavik Gandhi during his trans-Atlantic haul

Traversing the Atlantic is a sport for this man

2007-06-27T02:54:00.000+05:30

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

2007-06-24T17:22:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi: “It takes 1 month at sea to miss life on land - and just 1 day on land to miss life at sea” On June 15, after rowing the Atlantic Ocean for 106 days, and 3,456 nautical miles, Bhavik Ghandi arrived at a “beautiful white sandy beach of Antigua, at Jabberwaki Point,” as he described the place. The Ocean Rowing Society confirms the Indian rower has become the first Asian to complete an ocean rowing expedition – solo and unsupported, beach to beach. “I'm having very mixed emotions being back on land,” Bhavik reported. “My body is very wobbly but I'm making a fast recovery from life at sea but I miss the peace and freedom.”

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

Get the lightweight look

2007-06-23T02:48:00.000+05:30

Chitralekha

2007-06-23T02:46:00.000+05:30

The Ocean - Ocean news and guide

2007-06-20T17:32:00.000+05:30

Solo unsupported rower Bhavik Gandhi: “It takes 1 month at sea to miss life on land - and just 1 day on land to miss life at sea”

"As far as I saw he was rowing on his own," said ABSAR's Joanathan Cornelius, in the image with Bhavik. "He (Gandhi) did arrive on the beach at approximately 21:45 GMT last Thursday. I was busy holding his boat and did not note the time right away, but it would have been right about that time. I did ask them (the coast guard) when they brought him in. They told me that he rowed all the way in.” (Click to enlarge).
"It takes 1 month at sea to miss life on land. And just 1 day on land to miss life at sea,” Bhavik wrote yesterday. “I'm having very mixed emotions being back on land. My body is very wobbly but I'm making a fast recovery from life at sea but I miss the peace and freedom." (Click to enlarge).
“There was a number of overwhelming moments during my last few hours at sea,” Bhavik recaps. “Rowing in the darkness and watching a dull red glowing cloud, reflecting the lights of Antigua ... Stressing about hitting the reefs in the dark ... The first radio contact with land in the dark, on VHF. Rain. Then sunrise in the morning revealing Antigua covered in low clouds. Rain again..." (Click to enlarge).
On June 15, after rowing the Atlantic Ocean for 106 days, and 3,456 nautical miles, Bhavik Ghandi arrived at a “beautiful white sandy beach of Antigua, at Jabberwaki Point,” as he described the place. The Ocean Rowing Society confirms the Indian rower has become the first Asian to complete an ocean rowing expedition – solo and unsupported (click to enlarge).
The first Asian to complete an Ocean Rowing Expedition solo and unassisted, land to land, Bhavik has made an incredible row, in spite of serious adversities even managing to beach. All live images over Contact 4.0 courtesy of Bhavik Gandhi (click to enlarge).

Related Links

Previous story
Bhavik's dispatches

08:00 am EDT Jun 20, 2007
(TheOceans.net) On June 15, after rowing the Atlantic Ocean for 106 days, and 3,456 nautical miles, Bhavik Ghandi arrived at a “beautiful white sandy beach of Antigua, at Jabberwaki Point,” as he described the place. The Ocean Rowing Society confirms the Indian rower has become the first Asian to complete an ocean rowing expedition – solo and unsupported.
Kenneth F. Crutchlow, Executive Director of the Ocean Rowing Society explained that he had spoken to a member of Antigua Barbuda Search And Rescue (ABSAR), Jonathan Cornelius:
ABSAR: “He rowed all the way in”
“I did not go out to meet him since the coast guard had a boat in the area. They met him and escorted him through the reefs on the north side of Antigua. As far as I saw he was rowing on his own. He did arrive on the beach at approximately 21:45 GMT last Thursday. I was busy holding his boat and did not note the time right away, but it would have been right about that time. I did ask them when they brought him in. They told me that he rowed all the way in.”
Bhavik had no break until the very end of the expedition. “I had terrible wind conditions from the SE and after 10 hours of futile rowing trying to get to English Harbor and speaking to ABSAR, I changed my landfall point,” he reported after touching frm ground land – and sleeping for 18 hours.
“There was a number of overwhelming moments during my last few hours at sea,” Bhavik recaps. “Rowing in the darkness and watching a dull red glowing cloud, reflecting the lights of Antigua, appear on the horizon. The appearence of the strobe light high on the hills of Antigua. Stressing about hitting the reefs in the dark. Slowing the boat down with the sea anchor. Waiting for day light watching the boat drift closer and closer to shore as it dragged anchor."
"The first radio contact with land in the dark, on VHF. Rain. Then sunrise in the morning revealing Antigua covered in low clouds. Rain again. Watching clouds drift over the island. Then drift off the hills again. Watching the tops of buildings appear. Then trees. Seeing the first humans - coast guard officers - that came to escort me in."
"Finally the white sand the overwhelming smell of smoke, trees, flowers and land. Trying to make it into camp Blizzard. Pushed onto the reef by the winds. Trying to steer away. Hitting the reef. Coast guard officer getting into trouble in the water. Rowing the boat off the reef. Rowing it onto the white sand beach. Touching ground…”
Already missing the ocean’s peace and freedom
Bhavik is currently resting in the Caribbean Island – and already missing the Ocean. “It takes 1 month at sea to miss life on land. And just 1 day on land to miss life at sea,” he wrote yesterday. “I'm having very mixed emotions being back on land. My body is very wobbly but I'm making a fast recovery from life at sea but I miss the peace and freedom. I'm getting used to walking and the sores are subsiding.”
Bhavik Gandhi (India) has rowed from El Hierro (Canary Islands) to Antigua in the boat 'Miss Olive' - becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic. In spite of all the difficulties, Bhavik has kept the unsupported status though the 106 days-long trip. Bhavik rowed on his own power until touching land at a beach in Jabberwaki Point, Antigua, on June 15, 2007.

The Ocean - Ocean news and guide

Divya Bhaskar

2007-06-20T02:44:00.000+05:30

Dainik Jagaran

2007-06-20T02:41:00.000+05:30

Indian rower sets Atlantic record

2007-06-19T02:33:00.000+05:30

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

2007-06-18T19:12:00.000+05:30

ExplorersWeb Week in Review

Bhavik has made an incredible row, in spite of serious adversities even managing to beach. Image of Bhavik sent live over Contact 4.0 courtesy of Bhavik Gandhi (click to enlarge).

Related Links

Previous ExplorersWeb Week in Review

01:35 am EST Jun 18, 2007
Indian Bhavik Ghandi has become the first Asian to row across the Atlantic - solo, and beach to beach. On Everest, Conrad Anker and his team bagged the latest spring summits registered ever. But questions have arised about the press release of the climb: "First to free climb the route? The first confirmed true, i.e. unaided, ascent?" What's up with all that - and what about Cadiach and Fritsche? ExWeb has sent out emails to sort things out - so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, international mountaineers forge ahead on new routes in Pakistan, and many more climbers are approaching the country’s higher peaks. On a sadder note, exploration pioneers Wally Herbert and Ernest Hofstetter passed away last week.
Bhavik Gandhi ARRIVES in Antigua - Solo Atlantic row completed! "Bhavik arrived at Jabberwock Beach, Antigua at 5:45 p.m. local time," his home team reported on Friday. "He is the first Asian to complete an Ocean Rowing Expedition solo and unassisted, land to land." Bhavik has made an incredible row, in spite of serious adversities, the Indian rower even managed to beach.

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

Metroblogging Mumbai: Bhavik Gandhi Rows Across the Atlantic

2007-06-18T19:06:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi Rows Across the Atlantic

posted by Arzan Sam Wadia at 4:47 AM on June 18, 2007

"2000 People Have Climbed Mt. Everest. 23 have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, solo."

Image Copyrights

In what is a stupendous feat of physical prowess and mental strength, Bhavik Gandhi took 106 days to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

"I have no words to describe how it felt to touch land after 106 days at sea." These were Bhavik Gandhi's first words, to DNA in a telephone interview, after he arrived at Jabberwock beach in Antigua, in the Caribbean Islands, on Saturday.
Gandhi, a 30-year-old software engineer, has created a new world record for rowing a boat across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to Antigua, in just 106 days. He was given a reception by officials from the Prime Minister's office, the sports and tourism ministries of Antigua. Bhavik is, in fact, the first Asian to complete a solo rowing expedition across the Atlantic.

If you havent already checked his website, now is a good time to do so. Here it is 3000 miles.

Metroblogging Mumbai: Bhavik Gandhi Rows Across the Atlantic

K2climb.net - K2 and Karakorum by climbers, news

2007-06-18T18:36:00.000+05:30

ExplorersWeb Week in Review

Bhavik has made an incredible row, in spite of serious adversities even managing to beach. Image of Bhavik sent live over Contact 4.0 courtesy of Bhavik Gandhi (click to enlarge).

Related Links

Previous ExplorersWeb Week in Review

01:35 am EDT Jun 18, 2007
Indian Bhavik Ghandi has become the first Asian to row across the Atlantic - solo, and beach to beach. On Everest, Conrad Anker and his team bagged the latest spring summits registered ever. But questions have arised about the press release of the climb: "First to free climb the route? The first confirmed true, i.e. unaided, ascent?" What's up with all that - and what about Cadiach and Fritsche? ExWeb has sent out emails to sort things out - so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, international mountaineers forge ahead on new routes in Pakistan, and many more climbers are approaching the country’s higher peaks. On a sadder note, exploration pioneers Wally Herbert and Ernest Hofstetter passed away last week.
Bhavik Gandhi ARRIVES in Antigua - Solo Atlantic row completed! "Bhavik arrived at Jabberwock Beach, Antigua at 5:45 p.m. local time," his home team reported on Friday. "He is the first Asian to complete an Ocean Rowing Expedition solo and unassisted, land to land." Bhavik has made an incredible row, in spite of serious adversities, the Indian rower even managed to beach.

K2climb.net - K2 and Karakorum by climbers, news

Bhavik Gandhi rows across the Atlantic

2007-06-18T02:30:00.000+05:30

My Works: Bhavik Gandhi : A Feat worth remembering

2007-06-17T20:07:00.000+05:30

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Bhavik Gandhi : A Feat worth remembering

Bhavik Gandhi became the first asian to row across the atlantic ocean - unassisted. Check this link for more on his feat.
Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic : Bhavik Gandhi, expedition, rowing, atlantic ocean : IBNLive.com : CNN-IBN

My Works: Bhavik Gandhi : A Feat worth remembering

[Metroblogging] Posts by Arzan Sam Wadia - metblogs.com - 2007 Archive

2007-06-17T18:22:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi Rows Across the Atlantic [Mumbai]

Jun 17, 2007

Arzan Sam Wadia: "2000 People Have Climbed Mt. Everest. 23 have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, solo." Image Copyrights In what is a stupendous feat of physical prowess and mental strength, Bhavik Gandhi took 106 …

[Metroblogging] Posts by Arzan Sam Wadia - metblogs.com - 2007 Archive

Loksatta

2007-06-17T15:00:00.000+05:30

After all!!

2007-06-17T02:26:00.000+05:30

Sea Change

2007-06-17T02:18:00.000+05:30

Kuwaitsamachar.com Indian rows solo across Atlantic

2007-06-16T20:06:00.000+05:30

Sweden-based Bhavik Gandhi has become the first person to row across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted. He achieved the feat in 106 days.
The 30-year-old venture capitalist became only the 33rd person to row across an ocean and the first Asian to do so.
Bhavik's journey followed the same route as Christopher Columbus did when he discovered America - from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to the Jabberwock Beach in Antigua in a rowing boat.
"I like the beauty of the challenge. I normally fail quite a lot, but am always looking forward to the challenge and this experience of rowing was out of this world, completely diffrent from sailing. It's just a small boat and a metre above the water. I didn't have any assistance, from the wind or the waves," said Bhavik Gandhi.
There was no assistance, but there was certainly a huge amount of hindrance.
The journey was anything but smooth-sailing for Bhavik. He had to deal with broken rudders, a water leak that destroyed 20 days of ration, a faulty radar, strong squalls, and to top it all a boat capsize 200 kms away from his destination.
Through it all, Bhavik refused help from the rescue team that was on standby all through the journey. And though he had a laptop, a satellite phone, an i-pod to keep him company, Bhavik spent most of his time thinking, something he said he can't do on land.
"The big moments for me were setting out, losing sight of plan, seeing the first set of dolphins, dealing with the water, the capsize. It's just the beauty of everything around even the bad weather was beautiful when it was really bad," said Bhavik.
The rower's record will now be certified by the Ocean Rowing Society. After that 106-day journey, Bhavik Gandhi says his mind is like a blank sheet of paper. For the moment, he's looking forward to a trip back to India - this time on an aircraft.

Kuwaitsamachar.com

Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship - SSES

2007-06-16T20:00:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi managed to row solo across the Atlantic

After 106 days at sea, SSES alumni student Bhavik Gandhi realised a lifelong dream: To row solo and unsupported across the Atlantic!

On Bhavik's website we have been able to follow the exciting journey from day one. In December 2006, Bhavik set off from Spain to row the 5000 km solo in a 23ft rowing boat across the Atlantic. At 07:17 yesterday morning Bhavik posted the following message on his website:

- Good morning! I can see a faint yellow glow across the horizon to the West! I believe it’s the lights of Antigua being reflected by the clouds. The land is not yet visible, but the feeling of spotting the glow is indescribable.

Later in the afternoon, he reached land, and became the first Asian to ever complete a solo ocean crossing.

Bhavik Gandhi was a student at SSES in 2005 and 2006. He is the founder and the principal partner at the Development Venture Capital Group, a venture capital fund specializing in micro venture capital for social entrepreneurs in developing countries. His present work also involves investments in high growth startups specializing in Next Generation Network technologies.

Bhavik is currently based in Stockholm and holds an MSc in Engineering Information Systems from KTH. He was born in Bombay in 1977.

Bhavik's involvement in endurance challenges has spanned distance running, mountain climbing, sailing, trekking through lake Baikal in Siberia and cycling 3000 miles from Stockholm to Istanbul.

If you want to read more about Bhavik’s amazing journey, please visit: http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/

Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship - SSES

Secret Tenerife: Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted

2007-06-16T19:03:00.000+05:30

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted

Indian rower Bhavik Gandhi followed the same route as Christopher Columbus took when he went in search of India and found America instead, to become the first person to row across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted. He set out from La Restinga (on the island of El Hierro) in the Canary Islands for a gruelling journey lasting 106 days to Antigua on his boat 'Miss Olive'.
Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted

Secret Tenerife: Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Sport

2007-06-16T18:35:00.000+05:30

Bhavik rows into history

New Delhi, June 15
Indian rower Bhavik Gandhi has become the first person to row across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted.

Bhavik became the 33rd person to have rowed across an ocean. He set out from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to Antigua on his boat ‘Miss Olive’.

After a gruelling journey lasting 106 days, Bhavik reached Jabberwock Beach, Antigua, on June 14.

During his journey, his boat capsized 200 km from the destination but he managed to steer the boat by rowing with a spare oar.

Other hardships that he endured included a ghost ship collision and a water leak, which destroyed his ration for 20 days.

The 30-year-old rower, born in Mumbai, took the same route as Chritopher Columbus took when he went in search of India and found America instead.

A rescue team was on standby throughout. The Ocean Rowing Society would certify the Sweden-based rower’s record. — PTI

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Sport

Deccan Herald - In brief

2007-06-16T18:30:00.000+05:30

Indian rower sets Atlantic record
Indian rower Bhavik Gandhi, based in Sweden, has become the first person to row across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted, reports PTI from New Delhi. Bhavik became the 33rd person to have rowed across an ocean. He set out from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to Antigua on his boat Miss Olive.

Deccan Herald - In brief

KTH-EKOT Archives -- June 2007 (#19)

2007-06-16T17:59:00.000+05:30

Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 09:11:33 +0200 Reply-To: "KTH:s textnyheter" <[log in to unmask]> Sender: "KTH:s textnyheter" <[log in to unmask]> From: Olle Blomqvist <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Kistastudent rodde ensam över Atlanten i Columbus farvat ten Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Kistastudent rodde ensam över Atlanten i Columbus farvatten Bhavik Ghandi, tidigare student i Kista, steg på torsdagen den 14 juni 2007 iland i Antigua i Karibien efter att ha rott ensam och utan assistans över Atlanten i en roddbåt. Bhavik startade sin resa i hamnen i La Gomera i Spanien för att ro de 5000 kilometrarna över Atlanten. Resan har gått i Columbus farvatten och Bahvik landsteg på samma strand som Columbus gjorde vid sin andra resa år 1493. Under de 106 dagarna till sjöss har Bhavik kommunicerat med omvärlden via sin hemsida http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/. Det har varit en äventyrlig färd med jättevågor, vattenläckor och för bara några dagar sedan, en kapsejsning. Bhavik Ghandi är en sann extremsportare. 28-åringen är redan erfaren inom långdistanslöpning, bergsklättring, segling. Han har vintertid korsat Sibirien till fots och cyklat hela vägen från Stockholm till Istanbul för att testa hur dagens mobila tjänster fungerar. Men han har även slutfört sin masterutbildning på Campus IT-universitetet i Kista och studerat vid Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship. Idag driver han bland annat riskkapitalfonden Development Venture Capital Group som specialiserar sig på mikroinvesteringar i utvecklingsländerna.

KTH-EKOT Archives -- June 2007 (#19)

Moneycontrol India :: News :: Bhavik Gandhi creates world record!! :: :: Press- News :: Bhavik Gandhi,Jabberwock Beach,Ocean Rowing Society

2007-06-16T17:30:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi creates world record!!

2007-06-16 15:28:51
Email Print Version

Moneycontrol India :: News :: Bhavik Gandhi creates world record!! :: :: Press- News :: Bhavik Gandhi,Jabberwock Beach,Ocean Rowing Society

True tales of derring-do - Telegraph

2007-06-16T17:16:00.000+05:30

The Ocean Rowing Society
oceanrowing.com

They say that a couple of thousand people have climbed Everest, but only 30 or so have rowed the Atlantic solo. Be that as it may, you'll be amazed at how many are currently engaged in long-distance rowing attempts. Spare a thought for Indian Bhavik Ghandi (see bhavik.com), who is on the water somewhere between La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, and Antigua. For more about water-borne adventurers of all kinds see theoceans.net.

True tales of derring-do - Telegraph

Kannada Prabha

2007-06-16T17:01:00.000+05:30

Bhavik rows into history

2007-06-16T02:16:00.000+05:30

Rashtriya Sahara

2007-06-16T02:15:00.000+05:30

Punjab Kesari

2007-06-16T02:12:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi creates world record!

2007-06-16T02:08:00.000+05:30

Jansatta

2007-06-16T02:03:00.000+05:30

Bhavik rows across the Atlantic

2007-06-16T01:59:00.000+05:30

Dainik Tribune

2007-06-16T01:56:00.000+05:30

Indian makes history

2007-06-16T01:11:00.000+05:30

The Atlantic: Rowed « The Other Side

2007-06-16T00:41:00.000+05:30

The Atlantic: Rowed

June 16, 2007 by Vivek

Remember my previous post about Bhavik’s attempt to row across the Atlantic. He did it!

At 17.45 Local Time, I rowed the boat onto the beautiful white sandy beach of Antigua, at Jabberwaki Point.

My row from Land to Land is finally over.

If you haven’t been keeping a watch, go here and read all about it.

Heartiest congratulations to Bhavik!

Posted in Adventure Sports, Atlantic Ocean, Bhavik, Ocean Rowing | 2 Comments

2 Responses to “The Atlantic: Rowed”

on June 16, 2007 at 7:08 pm1 Dhar

Seriously, damn impressive!

Cheers,
D.
on June 27, 2007 at 6:21 pm2 Jeet

too much yaar.. crack macha diya ladke ne !! cool :-)

The Atlantic: Rowed « The Other Side

Bhavik sets a record - United News India

2007-06-15T23:34:00.000+05:30

Mumbai-born Bhavik Gandhi conquers Atlantic | Parinda.com

2007-06-15T19:56:00.000+05:30

Mumbai-born Bhavik Gandhi conquers Atlantic

by Dolly Nagpal | Fri, 15/06/2007 - 21:11 | in

General

Mumbai-born Bhavik Gandhi conquers Atlantic | Parinda.com

Kistastudent ror över Atlanten

2007-06-15T18:51:00.000+05:30

Kistastudent ror över Atlanten
Nu har startskottet gått för Bhavik Ghandi, den tidigare Kistastudenten som ska ro tvärs över Atlanten. Roddbåten är proppfull med ny teknik som ska hjälpa honom nå målet.

http://verkstad.it-univ.se/nyheter.html?nyhetsid=513&mid=&mid=117002

KTH-student från Kista rodde ensam över Atlanten

2007-06-15T18:45:00.000+05:30

KTH-student från Kista rodde ensam över Atlanten

Bhavik Ghandi har rott över Atlanten på 106 dagar. Resan startade i La Gomera i Spanien den 20 december, och den 15 juni kom han fram till Antigua.
Bhavik Gandhi har varit masterstudent i Kista och studerat på Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

http://www.it-universitetet.se/nyheter.html?nyhetsid=695&mid=&mid=117002

Kistastudent rodde ensam över Atlanten [KTH]

2007-06-15T18:41:00.000+05:30

Kistastudent rodde ensam över Atlanten

[2007-06-15, kl 21.03]

Bhavik Ghandi - masterstudent på KTH i Kista - har rott ensam över Atlanten på 106 dagar. Resan startade i La Gomera i Spanien den 20 december och den 15 juni kom han fram till Antigua.

Läs mer.
Pressrelease från Stockholm School of Entrepreurship
Resans officiella hemsida http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/

Kistastudent rodde ensam över Atlanten [KTH]

Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted. | PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. (June , 2007)

2007-06-15T17:29:00.000+05:30

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-31289042_ITM

Bhavik Gandhi rows across Atlantic unassisted. | PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. (June , 2007)

Front Page News - Antigua Sun

2007-06-15T17:03:00.000+05:30

Bhavik rows into history

2007-06-15T01:33:00.000+05:30

A dream turned into reality

2007-06-15T01:31:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi rows across the Atlantic!

2007-06-15T01:29:00.000+05:30

Bhavik's nearly there!

2007-06-15T01:27:00.000+05:30

Moneycontrol India :: News :: Bhavik Gandhi to row solo & unaided across the Atlantic :: :: Press- News :: Bhavik Gandhi,venture capitalist ,Falmouth Coastguard

2007-06-14T19:26:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi to row solo & unaided across the Atlantic

Bhavik Gandhi, an Indian and venture capitalist by profession has achieved a historic feat unimaginable to most human beings. Bhavik set out to conquer the mighty Atlantic by rowing solo and unaided from La Restinga in the Canary Islands to Antigua. After a grueling journey and over 100 days of loneliness, pain, a broken rudder, water leak and to top it all, his boat capsizing a few days ago, Bhavik is knocking on the doorstep of realizing a lifelong dream.

During this incredulous journey, Bhavik has faced a plethora of harsh and nerve wracking experiences which only strengthened his resolve to push towards the world record. A few days ago, when he was only 200 kms from reaching the end of this tumultuous journey, Bhavik’s boat ‘Miss Olive’ capsized. However, after having managed to right the boat Bhavik resumed his journey, rowing with a spare oar and now is just hours away from reaching his final destination, English Harbour, Antigua

Having faced and gone through what Bhavik has in the last 100 days would have caused most people to throw in the towel and call in the rescue team which is on standby 24 hours of the day. However, Bhavik was determined to finish what he started and after his boat capsized, he sent out an SMS on June 7, 2007 to his support team that read “Don’t want rescue. Will try to manage. No elect. Radio reflector and vhf not working. Backup oar. In touch with Falmouth Coastguard. Will hit emergency if necessary. Will try and manage”

During the last 105 days, while at sea, Bhavik has pushed his physical and mental faculties far beyond human imaginable limits. ‘Miss Olive’, his trusty rowing boat was made to face numerous tests and held her own against the gigantic and powerful waves of the sometimes merciless Atlantic Ocean.

Bhavik is now the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic and only the 33^rd person to ever row solo across any ocean. The Ocean Rowing Society would certify the World Records. Following the famous route Christopher Columbus took, Bhavik intended completing his journey in 90 days however due to the unexpected problems that he faced, it has taken him a little longer than anticipated. Bhavik upon reaching Antigua has not only achieved a lifelong dream but has made all us Indians proud.

2007-06-14 18:01:07
Email Print Version

Moneycontrol India :: News :: Bhavik Gandhi to row solo & unaided across the Atlantic :: :: Press- News :: Bhavik Gandhi,venture capitalist ,Falmouth Coastguard

Latest News - Ocean Rowing - Woodvale-Challenge Rowing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

2007-06-14T19:10:00.000+05:30

Congratulations Bhavik Gandhi!

Bhavik Gandhi, and his boat Miss Olive, arrived at Jabberwock Beach yesterday, 14th June 2007, at 22:45 GMT after 106 days, 9 hours and 30 minutes at sea.
Congratulations Bhavik!
Photo's courtesy of Ted Martin at Photo Fantasy Antigua

Latest News - Ocean Rowing - Woodvale-Challenge Rowing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Rashtriya Sahara

2007-06-14T01:25:00.000+05:30

Ocean's One

2007-06-14T01:20:00.000+05:30

Amar Ujala

2007-06-14T01:19:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi - Indian in a row boat across the Atlantic - R2IClubForums

2007-06-13T19:59:00.000+05:30

http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/
I have been following this guys progress and it is fascinating. Leave alone that fact that it is stupendous that a desi can even think of attempting something like this - what would his parents think!! His boat capsized in a storm, and he waited for a big enough wave to come from the right diretion to upright it. Apart from this he lost his rudder and desalinator and still managed to carry on and is right now 40 miles from completion.
Sadly, no where in the Indian media have they found space to cover this between the coach appointment and the abhi-ash tamasha

nand

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06-13-2007, 09:48 AM

#2

Be it Branson's balloon race or Bhavik's boat trip - neither excite me either.

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06-13-2007, 01:47 PM

#3

desi - fair enough that it may not be exciting for you. This kind of stuff is routine for a gora but not so for a desi to be doing this. I thought it was brave of this guy to attempt this. Of course, what can be gained from this? What can be gained from climbing everest or playing cricket either??

nand

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06-13-2007, 02:30 PM

#4

Amazing and commendable feat it is nand.Thanks for posting the link , I didnt hear a mention of this in any of the regular media i listen/read.

Bhavik Gandhi - Indian in a row boat across the Atlantic - R2IClubForums

2007-06-13T19:39:00.000+05:30

06-13-2007, 01:57 AM

http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/
I have been following this guys progress and it is fascinating. Leave alone that fact that it is stupendous that a desi can even think of attempting something like this - what would his parents think!! His boat capsized in a storm, and he waited for a big enough wave to come from the right diretion to upright it. Apart from this he lost his rudder and desalinator and still managed to carry on and is right now 40 miles from completion.
Sadly, no where in the Indian media have they found space to cover this between the coach appointment and the abhi-ash tamasha

nand

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Desi Past Administrator </CLASS="SMALLFONT">

Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago Suburb Posts: 3,265

06-13-2007, 09:48 AM

#2

Be it Branson's balloon race or Bhavik's boat trip - neither excite me either.

__________________
Desi
If you argue with a fool, you leave the argument feeling like a fool.

Desi

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nand Member </CLASS="SMALLFONT">

Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: santa clara, ca Posts: 411

06-13-2007, 01:47 PM

#3

desi - fair enough that it may not be exciting for you. This kind of stuff is routine for a gora but not so for a desi to be doing this. I thought it was brave of this guy to attempt this. Of course, what can be gained from this? What can be gained from climbing everest or playing cricket either??

nand

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va_ra_sa Member </CLASS="SMALLFONT">

Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 26

06-13-2007, 02:30 PM

#4

Amazing and commendable feat it is nand.Thanks for posting the link , I didnt hear a mention of this in any of the regular media i listen/read.

Bhavik Gandhi - Indian in a row boat across the Atlantic - R2IClubForums

Gandhi on target

2007-06-13T01:16:00.000+05:30

Gandhi on taget

2007-06-13T01:14:00.000+05:30

Caribbean Net News: Antigua & Barbuda

2007-06-11T18:41:00.000+05:30

Antigua & Barbuda

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Indian rower to arrive in Antigua after crossing the Atlantic

Published on Monday, June 11, 2007
Email To Friend Print Version

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Indian national Bhavik Gandhi who is attempting to row 3000 miles (5000 km) across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain to Antigua is schedule to reach land at English Harbour on Monday, June 11.
Bhavik is rowing solo and unsupported, in a 23ft rowing boat, spending an estimated 102 days at sea.
If Bhavik succeeds, he will be the first Asian to ever complete a solo ocean crossing. He will also break the existing record set by Emmanuel Coindre of France and be the 32nd person to ever achieve a solo Atlantic crossing.
Bhavik is also raising the awareness of the work done by the Shark Trust a charity that promotes the study, management and conservation of sharks.
One of the world's toughest endurance challenges, relying on muscle-power alone, athletes have to endure extreme weather conditions in the open-ocean, gale force winds, 40 ft waves, severe sleep depravation, mental fatigue and sharks.
Ocean rowing is unique in terms of its difficulty, exceptional length and demands on physical and mental endurance. The sport is as much a psychological as it is a physical challenge. Rowers often have to endure long periods at sea with help often many days if not weeks away. The challenge is especially acute for solo rowers who are held in especially high esteem within the sport.
Fast Facts:

Start: Spain, Landfall: Antigua

Distance: 3,000 miles (5,000 kms)

Est Time: 90 days

Boat Design: 23 ft wood, Epoxy re-enforced

Food: Dry Rations, 8000 cals/day

Water: Desalinator

Communications: Satellite Phone, Argos Satellite Tracking

Sails & Motor or Support Ship: none

Caribbean Net News: Antigua & Barbuda

Government of Antigua and Barbuda

2007-06-10T19:43:00.000+05:30

Indian Rower to Arrive in Antigua on
Monday after Crossing the Atlantic

June 10, 2007

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua

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Indian national Bhavik Gandhi who is attempting to row 3000 miles (5000 km) across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain to Antigua is schedule to reach land at English Harbour on Monday June 11.

Bhavik is rowing solo and unsupported, in a 23ft rowing boat, spending an estimated 102 days at sea.

If Bhavik succeeds, he will be the first Asian to ever complete a solo ocean crossing. He will also break the existing record set by Emmanuel Coindre of France and be the 32nd person to ever achieve a solo Atlantic crossing.

Bhavik is also raising the awareness of the work done by the Shark Trust a charity that promotes the study, management and conservation of sharks.

The Media is invited to cover Bhavik's arrival at English Harbour during the course of Monday. Please place in your diary of activities for short notice.

Ocean Rowing: One of the world's toughest endurance challenges. Ocean rowing is the sport of rowing across oceans.

Relying on muscle-power alone, athletes have to endure extreme weather conditions in the open -ocean, gale force winds, 40 ft waves, severe sleep depravation, mental fatigue and sharks.

This sport is unique in terms of its difficulty, exceptional length and demands on physical and mental endurance. The sport is as much a psychological as it is a physical challenge. Rowers often have to endure long periods at sea with help often many days if not weeks away. The challenge is especially acute for solo rowers who are held in especially high esteem within the sport.

Fast Facts:

o Start: Spain, Landfall: Antigua
o Distance: 3000 miles (5000 kms)
o Est Time: 90 days
o Boat Design: 23 ft wood, Epoxy re-enforced
o Food: Dry Rations, 8000 cals/day
o Water: Desalinator
o Communications: Satellite Phone, Argos Satellite Tracking
o Sails & Motor or Support Ship: none

Perils at Sea
Bhavik's boat will have no sails, no motor, no support ship. Relying on muscle-power alone, he will be at the mercy of the weather and have to endure extreme conditions such as gale force winds, storms and regular 4-storey high waves in the open ocean. The 102 days of isolation without any human contact combined with severe sleep deprivation and irregular sleeping patterns will also exert an exceptional amount of mental stress on Bhavik. Seemingly simple tasks like scrubbing the barnacles at the bottom of the boat, that slow the boat down, will also be a risk considering the smaller fish, which feed off the growth on the underside of the boat, are food for sharks and whales. And, of course, there is always the risk of being hit by speeding cargo boats that fail to see his boat on their radar. Did we forget to mention - Bhavik will also cross the notorious Bermuda Triangle stretch?

Survival Guide
He plans to row for 10-12 hours daily. The rest of the time will be divided between eating, cleaning and maintaining the boat, and trying to catch up on some much needed sleep. To keep his sanity intact he will be carrying a laptop, a PDA, an iPod and a satellite phone which will be his only contact with the outside world. Of course, Bhavik will also carry extra supplies but then that is prime attraction for sharks. He will also be carrying a GPS system, an Argos tracking system and a SeeMe device that will enable his boat to be picked up by the radars of large ships.

"Water, water, everywhere; Not a drop to drink," Words made famous by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Ancient Mariner. Well, Bhavik is making sure he doesn't need to repeat those words. Solution - an on-board Desalinator.

Bhavik Gandhi - A Brief Profile
Bhavik is a serial entrepreneur and is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the founder and the principal partner at the Development Venture Capital Group, a venture capital fund specialising in micro venture capital for social entrepreneurs in developing countries. His present work also involves investments in high growth startups specialising in Next Generation Network technologies.

Partners
Bhavik has received widespread corporate and media support from several leading Indian and International Companies. His international supporters are Tag Heuer, Western Union Money Transfer, Panasonic, Onsite Systems, Apple, Ocean Rowing Society, Ursuk, Six Apart, Argos, and Iridium. The Indian companies on board are Idea Cellular, Amaron, Satyam, Sahara, L&T, Dhruva Interactive, makemytrip.com, Proline Fitness Planet, CNBC TV 18, Accord Public Relations, Maxim, Man's World, exchange4media.com, Sify, Tehelka, indiainfoline.com, cobrapost.com and many others.

Support Bhavik
Show your support for Bhavik Gandhi by logging on to www.bhavik.com and leaving a message for him. You can also participate in the boat-naming competition and be a part of history in the making. The site also has latest news, pictures and videos of Bhavik's planned trip; this information will continue to be updated via satellite phone as he makes his way across the Atlantic.

The Boat

o Length: 23.4 feet / 7.1 meters
o Width/Beam: 6.3 feet / 1.9 meters
o Depth: 3 feet / 1 meter
o Weight: 750 kg / 1,650 lbs

The boat is made of 6mm thick marine plywood with a coat of epoxy resin for strength and resilience to water. The boat provides shelter in the rear cabin, which also houses the water maker and all on-board electrics (solar powered). All food supplies are stored in sealed bags underneath the rowing deck.

In the likely event of the boat capsizing, several design factors have been introduced to ensure it rights itself. The watertight cabins fore and aft are egg-shaped due to which it is extremely unstable when upside down. Moreover, the air trapped in the cabin keeps the hull buoyant and combined with the heavy stores in the keel creates a high centre of gravity that causes the boat to right itself.

Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

2007-06-10T17:46:00.000+05:30

06:26 pm EST Jun 10, 2007
Fear is relative. Take Paris Hilton, 26, whose cries for mommy made global news last week. The blonde is said to be a role model for many young women, meanwhile, few know about last year’s K2 summiter Yuka Komatsu, 25. This season, as she can't afford to climb higher, Yuka will attempt a Pakistan 7000er. Elsewhere, an Indian rower is battling to reach Antigua with no rudder, radio, or power after capsizing only 200 km off coast; Asian climbers summited Lhotse Shar from its mighty south face; and a small Aussie/European led crew topped out Everest after virtually everyone else had gone home.

Bhavik Gandhi capsized: "DON'T WANT RESCUE (7:32am)" Bhavik Gandhi is definitely facing major troubles after capsizing on Tuesday night. With a broken oar, no electricity, no radio, no rudder, and 200 km to go – an SOS call seemed inminent. But in these days of guiding, external support and tricks, the Indian rower is commited to self-sufficiency. “Don’t want rescue. Will try to manage,” read his SMS last week.

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news

E365> Rowing News - Capsized! Ghandi Loses Essential Equipment, Won't Quit

2007-06-08T18:25:00.000+05:30

E365> Rowing - Friday June 08 2007

E365 -- Poor Bhavik Ghandi - this dude is having a tough time. The hapless Indian is trying to become the first Asian to cross the Atlantic, unaided, in a rowing boat, solo. Ghandi has been on a roller coaster of a ride for the last 100 days, suffering salt wounds, malfunctioning equipment, near-misses with tankers, and Kenny G. Then, just four days away from his finishing point in Antigua, the worst happened - he capsized.

Ghandi's daily update on his website the night before he capsized (Tuesday) has a chillingly prescient sign off: "The wind has started to pick up a bit and the swell is back. Its going to be a difficult nights row without the rudder. The boats already rocking and rolling a bit more than Elvis."

Then, the next day, instead of the normally eloquent post accompanied by photos, was a short SMS: "CAPSIZED LAST NIGHT. 3AM LOCAL TIME. NO ELECT. NO COMP. BROKEN OAR. TRYNG 2 FIX. PLS POST WEBSITE. NO BODY MSG ME. SAVING SATPHONE BATTERY. I WILL CAL 4 RESCUE MAYBE."

With 200kms to go Ghandi had lost all communication save for SMS, had no radar warning near major shipping lanes, no electricity, and no rudder. About the only things he does have are a back-up oar and his ARGOS position beacon.

Despite all that, what did the plucky Indian say the next day?

"DONT WANT RESCUE"

Ghandi is now trying to repair his solar panels to get some electricity going, but how successful that is may hinge on whether he can dry his battery compartment.

Luckily, being so close to the coast, he is in contact with the Falmouth Coastguard. But Ghandi wants to complete the feat entirely unaided.

More power to him, we say.

Good luck, Bhavik!

E365> Rowing News - Capsized! Ghandi Loses Essential Equipment, Won't Quit

"Vodka Martini Shaken not Stirred": Bhavik Gandhi..1 Man, 1 Boat 3000 miles

2007-06-07T19:09:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi..1 Man, 1 Boat 3000 miles

This guy is amazing. Found this while browsing, very interesting...
2000 people have sailed the globe,
1400 have climbed Mt. Everest,
450 have been into Space,
180 have been to the PolesTo date,
There have been only 32 successful attempts at rowing Solo across the Atlantic.
Starting from April 11th 2006, Bhavik will attempt to row 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) across the Atlantic Ocean, from Spain to Barbados. He will spend an estimated 90 days at sea in a 23 ft boat, rowing solo, non-stop and unsupported. Ocean rowing is the world’s toughest human powered endurance sport.
for more info..http://www.bhavik.com/crossatlantic/index.htm

posted by Viswanath GK Akella at 1:37 AM

"Vodka Martini Shaken not Stirred": Bhavik Gandhi..1 Man, 1 Boat 3000 miles

Bhavik Gandhi-(Miss Olive) fighting against Wind and Waves forces! | ISS Fan Club

2007-06-03T19:05:00.000+05:30

Bhavik Gandhi-(Miss Olive) fighting against Wind and Waves forces!

ToniG – June 3, 2007 – 10:40

Hi! Guys,
CallSign: Miss Olive
about: Bhavik Gandhi (India) ; http://www.oceanrowing.com
please take this and passing others to inform everyone a big person is now
aprx. 1650N 5700W and all Support and Human Resources as possible!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Day! Dear OM Dale Martin KG5U , Webmaster of:
Johnson Space Center
Amateur Radio Club
W5RRR
First of all, Congratulations for this Great Webpage.
Let me introduce you, my name is Toni (ea-8-bqm), this message is for inform W5RRR Members of intention from my part to giving Bhavik Gandhi (callsign: Miss Olive), a very good a draft of "Wind" of Happiness, Courage, Spirit, Radio Up-range, Weather Support and most important, human Resources.
at time, another rower also alone is now in Pacific Ocean; Ralph Tuijn.
God Bless to all !
73s to All. Toni ea-8-bqm
copy to:
gaston.bertels@skynet.be
ariss@arrl.org
ans-editor@amsat.org
forum.admin@aus-city.com
n8fgv@amsat.org
etc
Dear Sir, this e-mail is with destination to who can help become positive result in order to have a radio contact via Vhf .
I ask you if possible a call from ARISS via voice to Bhavik. The proposite is giving him a Cheer Up! Good Message, from Space to a person who was May24 just 15N 52W rowing alone inbound Antigua or other near Island in Caribbean in about 20 days (he is RX in Marine 16ch H24).
Thanks very much in advanced!, please answer me when possible.
Toni.

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Re: Bhavik Gandhi callsign Miss Olive

pd0rkc – June 3, 2007 – 10:57

Hello Toni,

Dangerous mission on the Ocean (I hope all will make it!).
Are there amateur radio operators in the boats?
What radio equipment (and antennas) they have in the boats?

73's Cor PD0RKC

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Bhavik Gandhi-(Miss Olive) fighting against Wind and Waves forces! | ISS Fan Club

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Bhavik Gandhi adding up difficulties: The Kenny G factor Here's another self-sufficient guy, out to win against all odds. Bhavik has rowed most of the Atlantic without a rudder, and that's pretty wild. Listening to music is an important part of Bhavik’s battle. He chooses a genre to fit the mood of the day and then just lets his iPod go. Unfortunately, during a recent row, the iPod went to Kenny G, a saxophone player who is infamous for his down tempo and at times boring tunes. “My first reaction was to reach for the skip button,” explained Bhavik, who however was forced to continue rowing while listening to the demoralizing riffs. “I had my hands on the oars and had a good rowing momentum going and it’s a bit fiddly to get the iPod out of the waterproof casing.”
Read these stories - and more! - at ExplorersWeb.com

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Well, it’s not quite gently down the stream. A young man called Bhavik Gandhi — a 29-year-old Mumbai-bred, Sweden-based venture capitalist — is rowing all by himself across the Atlantic Ocean. He set out from La Restinga off the coast of Spain on February 28 and is said to have just reached the midpoint. Bhavik’s publicists say he is expected to reach his destination, Antigua, 3,000 nautical miles away, sometime in late June. For that, he rows 10-12 hours a day in four-hour shifts in a 23-foot boat. When he completes his journey, he will be the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic. Why does he want to cross the Atlantic? Because, as the mountaineer said in another context, it’s there.

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