I’ve spent 183 days at sea in a boat the size of an average bathroom and I still love ocean rowing. For someone who finds the actual discipline of rowing entirely tedious that’s some going! The Rowgirls project began almost two years ago. The plan: to become the first women’s four to cross the Atlantic. The record for a female crew stood at 50 days and we hoped to smash that. Claire Mills, Sue McMillan and Jo Davies joined me as the crew. Together we raised over £70,000 to kit out our bright pink boat. With huge support from our chosen charity, Shelterbox, we made it to the start of the Atlantic Rowing Race in November 2005. Then it all went wrong! Disasters
 | | Sally seeks cover on the boat |
It all began when we lost the teabags - an unmitigated disaster - until they turned up deep in one of the cabin hatches. We lost the poo bucket overboard (although a couple of us were secretly celebrating its demise; our alternative method of perching precariously over the side was far more hygienic and some how less intrusive). Jo injured her back and left the boat just after Christmas to be replaced by the perpetual grey cloud that was January, bringing with it gale force winds, 40 ft waves and the constant fear of being flung from our seats head long into the frothing waters. We almost capsized, the rudder fell off and we were attacked by a shark, it stole our drogue and left the boat scarred and with a hole in it! Lost dreams
 | | The Rowgirls: happy but exhausted |
Out of 26 boats that started, 19 capsized and several crews were rescued at sea. So many of us lost our dreams in this race, but we all survived. To arrive safely in Antigua after 78 days of bobbing about in the ocean and to be greeted by our families after such an adventure is a huge achievement. I feel privileged to have learnt so much; the art of conversation, the true value of friendship and knowing when to release the ferret (if you read the dispatches from the boat you’ll know what I mean.) | 
