How long will I have to row?
OK here is how we have worked out the challenge.
Bristol – Haiti = 7010km (Why Bristol??, we live there and that's where the challenge will be held)
We have set ourselves a 12hr challenge, therefore 12hrs = 584km Per hour
How many machines will I need to cover that distance?. We have worked on an average speed for each machine of 2m:10s per 500m, that means every machine completing an average of 13,846m per hour
584km/13,846 = 42 machines. OK we've rounded it down but we'll reassess the numbers as the entries and challengers come forward. There is scope for adding a few machines if needed.
So if you have a team of 4, that's 3462m in 15minutes. But don't get hung up on this figure, some will be slower and some will be much faster.
How many in a team?
Like any challenge we don't want to make it too easy?, we could have 100 per machine but how easy would that be, might get a bit crowded!!. 4 in a team gives 15mins in the hour for each member and that is 3hrs exercise in the day. Based on that exercise being a moderate to max effort, this is not an insignificant challenge to the average person.
How you complete the metres is up to the team there will be no set agenda. If you want to row 1hr on 3hrs off, so be it.
Can I row solo?
If you are mad enough and fit enough, then yes no problem. I've see it before and there are people fit enough and mad enough to do it. We would just bear in mind that this is a m's challenge and not a flog yourself to death one. If you only average say 12k in the hour, that's a lot of m's for everyone else to make up
How fit to I have to be?
This is more of an endurance challenge. Rowing like any sport has its own physical attributes and parts of the body it gets to that others don't. Imagine walking at a fast/light jog pace for 15 mins and then resting 45mins, 15mins and then resting. It should not be much more than that. Again some will be able to go faster and some slower. You'll learn a lot on the day.
Things that might get affected, the posterior and the hands. Cushioning in terms of towels/sponge will help the former, gloves might help the latter, but training prior to the event should mean the body is a bit more in tune for the rowing machine and the day itself will not cause too many significant problems. We aim to have people on site for the day to hand out help and Vaseline as required.
What training will I need to do?
I've trained on a rower for many years and highly recommend it as an all round fitness tool. I'm also silly enough to enter races.
There are training recommendations on the concept2 website. As a guide I'd look to be doing a couple of 20-30 minute rows at a comfortable pace a week, set the damper/resistance at 3-5 and leave it, don't put it up to 10.
If you have not done any significant rowing before, it will be hard at first but that's because the rower is working the majority of the muscles. I know from experience that it gets easier quickly provided you row regularly.
The great thing about training with the rower is you can compare your self against all other users in the world and it soon gets the competitive juices going. http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/rankings.asp
What is the venue like?
In a word brilliant. Redwood Country Club is an excellent venue, large gym with saunas swimming pool etc together with a bar and restaurant. We can't thank them enough for offering to stage the event and with no hesitation I should say.
We'll be using the badminton hall. The facilities will be available to everyone, but the extent will be confirmed soon. There is an adjoining hotel, and they will confirm rates in the near future. At the time of writing rooms can be booked for £89 per night
Could I get injured?
We hope not, we hope to have masseurs on standby and will have first aid present.
More Q&As as they get asked, if you have a Q, email us at