Bhavik braves high Atlantic waves

Bhavik braves high Atlantic waves

Apr 10, 2007, 15:54 GMT

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) In his attempt to be the first Asian to cross the Atlantic Ocean, Bhavik Gandhi has embarked on a journey to cover 3,000 nautical miles in just 90 days. The 30-year-old Indian, in a 23-feet-long boat, has already rowed 900 nautical miles in 35 days after he set off from La Restinga on the island of El Hierro off the coast of Spain, Feb 28.

'Rowing solo across miles and miles of ocean pits man against nature and all that it has to offer. Some days it is just beautiful and calm while other days it comes with problems such as rough weather, strong currents which push people to and beyond boundaries they never knew existed,' said Gandhi in a statement Tuesday.

According to Gandhi, his effort to row across the Atlantic solo will inspire others to take on greater challenges.

'That is the biggest battle of them all. I have to get miles out of nature by pushing the boundaries of the equipment, body and mind.

'I have been preparing myself for this my whole life and with intense physical, mental and emotional training I have put myself through,' he said.

Gandhi is at the mercy of nature and has to endure extreme conditions such as gale force winds, storms and waves, which are 40 feet high, and not to forget the constant fear of sharks and whales.

He rows for 10-12 hours every day in four shifts and spends the rest of his time is spent in eating, cleaning and maintaining the boat.