Monday, February 27, 2006

IBNLive > Bhavik Gandhi > 1 Man, 1 Boat, 3,000 Miles

 logo_cnnibn

Indian embarks on solo Atlantic voyage

In 1493, European explorer Christopher Colombus sailed this route. When he landed in Antigua in the Carrribean Islands, he thought he had arrived in India. And now, 600 years later, it's a small co-incidence that an adventurer of Indian origin is taking the same route in an effort to create a world record.
Bhavik Gandhi, a Mumbai-born Indian now based in Sweden, wants to conquer the Atlantic, rowing 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua. An intrepid sea adventurer, Gandhi is aiming to enter the record books by becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Gandhi began his journey to set a new world record as the fastest rower to cross the Atlantic Ocean all by himself on April 11. According to reports, Gandhi started his journey at 1700 hrs from La Gomera in Spain and aims to reach Antigua in 90 days. He will row 10 to 12 hours at a stretch each day.
Sea rowing is a rigorous endurance sport and an ultimate test of mental and physical endurance. Gandhi's daredevilry will pit him not just against the vagaries of nature, but also creatures of the deep like sharks and killer whales.
The 29-year-old, the first Indian to undertake such a challenge, will follow the route taken by Christopher Colombus. He will also cross the infamous Bermuda Triangle. �I have long been involved in various endurance challenges like distance running, mountain climbing, sailing, cycling from Stockholm to Istanbul, trekking across Siberia in minus 30�C temperatures," Gandhi says.
"When I look back at these experiences now, it seems as if, through these seemingly unconnected events, I was preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge - becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean,� he adds.
Being on a solo journey, he will be equipped with a laptop, an iPod, a satellite phone, GPS tracking system and a SeeMe device which enable his boat to be tracked by bigger ships.
However, his boat will have no sails, motors or support ship and he will rely only on his muscle power. Till date only 32 people have survived the arduous journey.

Ibnlive.com will track Gandhi's historic journey and mark his progress. Click here to send your wishes to Bhavik Gandhi.

IBNLive > Bhavik Gandhi > 1 Man, 1 Boat, 3,000 Miles

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Bhavik Gandhi Attempts World Record in Ocean Rowing First Asian to attempt to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean

logo_indiaPRWire 

Bhavik Gandhi attempts to become the first Indian and first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Upon completion of this journey he will be the 23rd person to row solo across the Atlantic and only the 33rd person to ever row solo across any ocean. The Ocean Rowing Society would certify the World Records. Starting 28 February 2006, Bhavik will row 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua, Barbados. Following the route Christopher Columbus took, Bhavik will spend an estimated 90 days at sea in a 23 - ft boat, rowing solo, non-stop and unassisted.

So why would a man attempt a feat so dangerous, so threatening and yet so tempting? "Rowing an ocean is not an adventure. It's a sport where the known risks are unpredictable. It is the ultimate endurance sport and test of mental and physical endurance that pushes the boundaries of what is possible," says Bhavik. He continues, "It is my hope in doing this that it will inspire others to take on personal or business challenges that seem impossible and see them through."

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.

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 90 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.

Ocean Rowing: The World's Toughest Endurance Challenge

Ocean rowing remains the world's toughest human powered endurance sport. Relying on muscle-power alone athletes row in extreme weather conditions across the open ocean facing 40 - ft. waves. This sport is unique in terms of its difficulty, exceptional length and demands on physical and mental endurance. Extensive planning, preparation, motivation and persistence are a pre-requisite.

Bhavik says, "I have long been involved in various endurance challenges like distance running, mountain climbing, sailing, cycling from Stockholm to Istanbul, trekking across Siberia in minus 30�C temperatures. When I look back at these experiences now, it seems as if, through these seemingly unconnected events, I was preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge - becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean."

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.

Note to Editors:

The Boat

� Length: 23.4 feet / 7.1 meters

� Width/Beam: 6.3 feet / 1.9 meters

� Depth: 3 feet / 1 meter

� 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.

More about Bhavik

Bhavik Gandhi 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, for converged voice, video and data services for fixed and wireless telecommunication carriers. Bhavik's experience spans Telecommunications, Retail, New Media, Venture Capital, Energy, Outsourcing and the non-profit sector. He has also had extensive experience in the establishment, growth and management of startup companies.

He is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. Bhavik holds an MSc in Engineering Information Systems from the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden and a B.Sc in Management & Information Systems from Royal Holloway, University of London. He was born in Bombay in 1977 and studied at Bombay Scottish, Mumbai till Std. VIII before moving to Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom for further studies.

- End -

Accord is a full service public relations agency that focuses on the needs of lifestyle brands. Our focus sectors are Tourism, Travel and Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Media and Entertainment and Retail and Real Estate. In the specific sector of Tourism, Travel and Hospitality, we have worked with Walt Disney World Resorts, The Claridges Group of Hotels and Resorts, British Airways, and India's first truly world class theme park and resort [coming up in Noida]. We are headquartered in New Delhi and have offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata.

Bhavik Gandhi Attempts World Record in Ocean Rowing First Asian to attempt to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Indian Express "1 man, 1 boat and 3,450 miles of sea"

logo_indianexp

060219_indianexpress_doc1 060219_indianexpress_doc2

1 man, 1 boat and 3,450 miles of sea

 logo_indianexp_sunday

1 man, 1 boat and 3,450 miles of sea

Indian hopes to break record rowing across Atlantic, solo

R RAMACHANDRAN

Posted online: Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 0118 hours IST

NEW DELHI I FEBRUARY 18: There will be sharks, killer whales, icebergs, the currents, the risk of running into huge ships and, above all, the grim facts of hypothermia. But for Bhavik Gandhi, set to row 3,000 nautical miles (approximately 3,450 land miles) across the Atlantic Ocean, these are challenges he loves, to push himself beyond his own boundaries.

Gandhi, 29, aiming at a new world record on the route, sets off on his voyage on February 28, rowing solo an estimated 90 days at sea, non-stop and unsupported. All this on a 23-foot boat that will have no sails, no motor and without any support boat or ship following. The route he wants to take during his voyage is the one that Christopher Columbus — from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua in Barbados.

 

1 man, 1 boat and 3,450 miles of sea

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

February 14, 2006. First Asian Attempt to Row Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean La Gomera, Spain.

2000 people have SAILED around the GLOBE
1400 people have CLIMBED Mt. EVEREST
450 people have BEEN into SPACE
180 have been to the POLES
ONLY 32 have ever ROWED an OCEAN SOLO...

Bhavik Gandhi attempts to become the first Indian and first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Upon completion of this journey he will be the 23rd person to row solo across the Atlantic and only the 33rd person to ever row solo across any ocean. The Ocean Rowing Society would certify the World Records. Starting 28 February 2006, Bhavik will row 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua, Barbados. Following the route Christopher Columbus took, Bhavik will spend an estimated 90 days at sea in a 23 - ft boat, rowing solo, non-stop and unassisted.

So why would a man attempt a feat so dangerous, so threatening and yet so tempting? “Rowing an ocean is not an adventure. It's a sport where the known risks are unpredictable. It is the ultimate endurance sport and test of mental and physical endurance that pushes the boundaries of what is possible,” says Bhavik. He continues, “It is my hope in doing this that it will inspire others to take on personal or business challenges that seem impossible and see them through.”

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.

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 90 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.

Ocean Rowing: The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenge
Ocean rowing remains the world’s toughest human powered endurance sport. Relying on muscle-power alone athletes row in extreme weather conditions across the open ocean facing 40 - ft. waves. This sport is unique in terms of its difficulty, exceptional length and demands on physical and mental endurance. Extensive planning, preparation, motivation and persistence are a pre-requisite.

Bhavik says, “I have long been involved in various endurance challenges like distance running, mountain climbing, sailing, cycling from Stockholm to Istanbul, trekking across Siberia in minus 30°C temperatures. When I look back at these experiences now, it seems as if, through these seemingly unconnected events, I was preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge – becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.”

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.

Note to Editors:

The Boat

• Length: 23.4 feet / 7.1 meters
• Width/Beam: 6.3 feet / 1.9 meters
• Depth: 3 feet / 1 meter
• 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.

More about Bhavik

Bhavik Gandhi 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, for converged voice, video and data services for fixed and wireless telecommunication carriers. Bhavik's experience spans Telecommunications, Retail, New Media, Venture Capital, Energy, Outsourcing and the non-profit sector. He has also had extensive experience in the establishment, growth and management of startup companies.

He is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. Bhavik holds an MSc in Engineering Information Systems from the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden and a B.Sc in Management & Information Systems from Royal Holloway, University of London. He was born in Bombay in 1977 and studied at Bombay Scottish, Mumbai till Std. VIII before moving to Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom for further studies.

For further information please contact:

Meenakshi Bhanja:9811784695 Vikram Mohinta:9810921616
mbhanja@gmail.com vikrammohinta@accordpr.com

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

Young man and the sea. | PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. (February , 2006)

 image

Young man and the sea.

Young man and the sea
K Kumaraswamy
New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Being out on the sea, alone in a non-motorised boat for 90 days and at the mercy of storms and big liners, is not everyman would wish for. But that is exactly what young Bhavik Gandhi would be attempting to accomplish when he tries to cross the Atlantic ocean all by himself later this month.
Beginning February 20, Gandhi, a 28-year old Mumbai-born entrepreneur and an endurance athlete, will try to become the first Indian and Asian to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic from La Gomera, Spain, to Antigua, Barbados.
Gandhi will be unassisted - no motor, no sails to power his boat, nor any support ship to guide...

Young man and the sea. | PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. (February , 2006)

The Hindu News Update Service

 image

Sport
Young man and the sea

New Delhi, Feb. 8 (PTI): Being out on the sea, alone in a non-motorised boat for 90 days and at the mercy of storms and big liners, is not everyman would wish for. But that is exactly what young Bhavik Gandhi would be attempting to accomplish when he tries to cross the Atlantic ocean all by himself later this month.

Beginning February 20, Gandhi, a 28-year old Mumbai-born entrepreneur and an endurance athlete, will try to become the first Indian and Asian to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic from La Gomera, Spain, to Antigua, Barbados.

Gandhi will be unassisted -- no motor, no sails to power his boat, nor any support ship to guide him -- through his 5,000-km voyage.

"I find it a challenge, a very enjoying experience as well, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally," the Stockholm-based Indian told PTI over phone.

Gandhi is not a novice when it comes to extreme or adventure sport. A self-proclaimed distance running and swimming addict, he has trekked through the Baikal Lake in Siberia in winter and cycled 3,000 miles all the way from Stockholm to Istanbul.

Yet, Gandhi is not a hulk. Son of lawyer-parents, he holds a B.Sc in Management and Information Systems and an M.Sc in Engineering Information Systems. His present work involves investments in generation-next network technologies.

"I guess it is time management," he says of his ability to combine his profession and pastime.

The Hindu News Update Service

Young man and the sea- Other Sports-Sections-Indiatimes Sports

 logo_indiatimessports

Young man and the sea

PTI

 

NEW DELHI, Feb 8: Being out on the sea, alone in a non-motorised boat for 90 days and at the mercy of storms and big liners, is not everyman would wish for. But that is exactly what young Bhavik Gandhi would be attempting to accomplish when he tries to cross the Atlantic ocean all by himself later this month.
Beginning February 20, Gandhi, a 28-year old Mumbai-born entrepreneur and an endurance athlete, will try to become the first Indian and Asian to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic from La Gomera, Spain, to Antigua, Barbados.
Gandhi will be unassisted -- no motor, no sails to power his boat, nor any support ship to guide him -- through his 5,000-km voyage.
"I find it a challenge, a very enjoying experience as well, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally," the Stockholm-based Indian said over phone.
Gandhi is not a novice when it comes to extreme or adventure sport. A self-proclaimed distance running and swimming addict, he has trekked through the Baikal Lake in Siberia in winter and cycled 3,000 miles all the way from Stockholm to Istanbul.

Young man and the sea- Other Sports-Sections-Indiatimes Sports

The Hindu News Update Service

 logo_hindu

Young man and the sea

New Delhi, Feb. 8 (PTI): Being out on the sea, alone in a non-motorised boat for 90 days and at the mercy of storms and big liners, is not everyman would wish for. But that is exactly what young Bhavik Gandhi would be attempting to accomplish when he tries to cross the Atlantic ocean all by himself later this month.

Beginning February 20, Gandhi, a 28-year old Mumbai-born entrepreneur and an endurance athlete, will try to become the first Indian and Asian to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic from La Gomera, Spain, to Antigua, Barbados.

Gandhi will be unassisted -- no motor, no sails to power his boat, nor any support ship to guide him -- through his 5,000-km voyage.

"I find it a challenge, a very enjoying experience as well, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally," the Stockholm-based Indian told PTI over phone.

Gandhi is not a novice when it comes to extreme or adventure sport. A self-proclaimed distance running and swimming addict, he has trekked through the Baikal Lake in Siberia in winter and cycled 3,000 miles all the way from Stockholm to Istanbul.

Yet, Gandhi is not a hulk. Son of lawyer-parents, he holds a B.Sc in Management and Information Systems and an M.Sc in Engineering Information Systems. His present work involves investments in generation-next network technologies.

"I guess it is time management," he says of his ability to combine his profession and pastime.

The Hindu News Update Service