University academic starts long row across the Pacific

University academic starts long row across the Pacific

University of Auckland academic Tara Remington has started her row across the Pacific Ocean from Long Beach Los Angeles to Waikiki in Hawaii with American Paralympian Angela Madsen.

The pair set off in their vessel, the Spirit of Orlando, around 6pm LA time or yesterday afternoon New Zealand time.

The boat is named in honour of Lieutenant Orlando Rogers, a British marine and fellow competitor in the Trans–Atlantic Rowing Race in 2007 who was killed in a Tiger Moth crash in England in May 2011.

The 4000 Km odyssey is to raise money for New Zealand girl Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman. Charlotte lost her arms and legs to meningitis as a baby in 2004. Now a 10-year-old, she needs on-going assistance with prosthetic limbs as she grows. Tara’s row will also help raise enough money for Charlotte to attend Camp No Limits, a special camp for amputees and their families held in the United States each year. Angela, a former US marine, is also using the row to raise money for wounded American war veterans.

Tara and Angela were initially going to start their row last Thursday, but were delayed due to a storm on route. They had an enjoyable but busy few extra days in Los Angeles stocking up on food and supplies for the journey which is expected to take between 45 and 60 days.

They also received media coverage in Los Angeles print and on television.

Tara, a Waiuku resident and lecturer at first got involved with Charlotte’s charity through the Meningitis Trust in the 2007 Atlantic Rowing Race, and now her daughter Jade is Charlotte’s pen-pal.

Visit www.tararemington.weebly.com for more information on Tara and her Pacific Row 2014.
Make a donation to Charlotte at: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/RowingforCharlotte
You can also track their progress at https://share.delorme.com/AngelaMadsen

ENDS

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