There have been 15 failed attempts by 9 different rowers, to row solo across the North Pacific Ocean. I’m one of the 9. Failure has come to each of us in different ways. Each of us will have learned some lessons from our experiences. Personally, I’m fortunate enough to also be able to call on the experiences of Mick Dawson, who attempted this route twice (2003, 2004) and then as a pair, with Chris Martin, was successful in making this crossing in 189 days.

Some of the lessons learned have included making a few adjustments to my solo ocean rowing boat, Blossom. The aft cabin was damaged due to a pitch pole capsize in 2012, it’s now been repaired and the lesson learned; reinforce the cabin bulkhead.

With the support of my family, my friends and my sponsors Hesco, Frobishers Cordials, PACE Networks and Gloucester Biltong, I’m really looking forward to getting out on the Pacific again next year. A place to witness whales, dolphins, flying fish and birds in their natural environment. I shall be taking video cameras and plan to send back video footage as and when I can, to try to give you an idea of what it’s like out on the Pacific.