In twelve months time, David Tiplady and team Blue Tusk will be in the final preparations for their row across the Atlantic in aid of  Tusk and the Blue Marine Foundation.

David sent this update on their training so far.

“We are hugely excited to have achieved a major milestone in generating sponsorships to cover our costs. From now, every penny raised can go towards the incredibly important work of Tusk and Blue Marine Foundation and every penny raised will be matched by the Vodafone Foundation.”

"We’ve had lots of activity training in Weymouth Bay and seeing Dolphins, having our own stand at the Southampton Boat show and cycling across the Alps with the Vodafone Foundation – it’s been a busy few weeks".

Training can be hard but it is not without its rewards!

Dolphins and Wellbeing

A few weeks ago, squeezing in some rowing between weather systems meant that instead of unwinding after work on a Friday with beer, wine, dad-dancing and curry the team was rowing around Weymouth Bay from 9pm, through the night, to 8a.m.

Being accompanied back into harbour by a pair of Dolphins was incredibly uplifting for our four tired rowers.

“At first we did not know what the noise was then we saw them. They were curious and came so close we were worried about hitting them with our oars. Catching them on video was more difficult than it sounds.”

Durdle Door Dinosaurs

When the weather turns too bad BlueTusk look for other ways to train together. More recently a training camp had to be cancelled and the guys switched to Plan B; a walk to Durdle Door along the coastal path.

Along the way BlueTusk met new tusks! Two teenage adventurers, Josh and his friend training for walking in Borneo in support of Orangutan protection and Turtle conservation.

“If the weather turns bad in the Atlantic we won’t have a choice other than to retreat to the two small cabins, lay at anchor and hold on, hoping not to get blown backwards too far. When it comes to wind off the South Coast, the risk is getting blown onto rocks, so we pay close attention to weather and tide. There are many situations that can be anticipated, storms, Marlin strikes, electrical failure, etc.; Dinosaur encounter is a new one!”