Man attempts world rowing record from St. John's to Britain

How do you get to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean?

According to Peter Bray, you leave St. John's harbour in a rowboat, turn left at The Narrows, turn right at the Gulf Stream, then row straight ahead until you reach Britain.

That's Bray's goal, anyway. He left St. John's Wednesday morning hoping to beat the world record of rowing across the North Atlantic in under 64 days. He hopes to finish his adventure in the Scilly Isles, just off the southwestern tip of Britain.

Bray has been in St. John's since June 7, waiting for the right weather conditions: westerly winds. Wednesday was his day.

"I've got about two days of good weather," Bray told The Telegram. "Which is all I need. I can get about 50 miles out, then, if the winds turn, I won't be pushed back to the island."

The 53-year-old former British soldier will row roughly 10 hours a day, or 35-40 miles, depending on the weather. Bray will sleep in a compartment in the bow, which he says gives him just enough room to lie down. He has 70 days' worth of food rations on board, which is dehydrated to save space, and a desalination machine that turns saltwater to freshwater.

"Porridge every morning," said Bray. "Strawberry, cinnamon and raisin. It is a good thing I love porridge."

He will have regular contact with his support crew on land through satellite communication. His 21-foot boat is made of fibreglass. In case of an emergency, he has a life-raft, a survival suit and a device that will give off a signal if he's in danger.

When asked what he will do in his free time on the open water, he laughs.

"What free time? Between eating, sleeping, rowing and sending my blog, there just isn't any time left over."

Bray said he has no superstitions and he doesn't get nervous until he is actually out on the water. That didn't stop locals from giving him some good luck charms, though.

"I have been given a whale's tooth, a doll, a kayak, a plaque and a rhyme," he said.

This is Bray's second attempt to row across the North Atlantic.

In 2004, he was among a team of four who left St. John's following the same route. When they were just days away from reaching their goal, hurricane Alex tore their boat in two. Bray was awarded the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal for bravery for saving another crew member's life.

Back then, his boat was named the Pink Lady.

His new boat? The Black Knight.

In 2001, Bray was also successful as the first person to kayak solo and unsupported across the Atlantic.

Being a former British soldier, Bray is also hoping to raise awareness for the Help for Heroes charity, which provides funding to wounded British servicemen when financial aid from the government runs out.

"This is for the troops, that is my main aim," he said.

"If I can break the record, then that will be the icing on the cake."

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