By Diarmaid Doherty
Letterkenny man Jason Black took to the water yesterday morning to start his latest gruelling challenge which will see him row 5,000kms across the Atlantic Ocean.
The 52-year-old endurance athlete is part of a unique fundraiser in which he hopes to row across the ocean from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean Sea.
The row could take up to 50 days to complete and is being organised to raise funds for Race Against Dementia.
The global charity was founded by Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, to fund pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia.
Jason is joined in the ‘Destiny’s Tide’ rowing boat by British business tycoon Neil Glover.
Speaking in Lanzarote ahead of the start of his journey, Jason said it’s a challenge that has been two years in the making.
“It’s been incredible,” he said. “Everything is done that we can do. The food is on board and the safety checks are complete and we’re ready to go.”
If successful, Jason will become the first person from Donegal to row across the Atlantic.
He will also become the first ever person to complete a unique trilogy of endurance challenges having already scaled Everest and K2 mountains.
He said he wanted to thank all those who have helped him get to this stage of his latest adventure.
“It’s an opportunity to reflect on what’s been a punishing journey to get to this place.
“It hasn’t come without its pain but it’s so worth it,” he said.
Jason said he was proud to help play his part in raising awareness and much needed funds for the treatment of dementia.
“It’s a disease that’s so cruel and so crippling to families,” he added.
“Since we started this journey we have been inundated with people who have reached out to us.
“It’s just a horrific disease to deal with and it just empowers myself and Neil to want to continue to pull on those oars for 55 days to get to the other side, knowing that we are trying to be part of something positive to bring support to the Race against Dementia, that they can support the doctors to find a cure for dementia.”
Jason said he will also dedicate his row to those who have their own troubles in life.
“Part of the row as well is to bring inspiration to people – people battling in life,” he said.
“With baby steps you can get to where you get to and it’s the same with the row.
“We can’t think about the magnitude of what we are about to take on. We can only think about the next rowing stroke.
“Life is like that, don’t look at the totality of life, just look about getting through the next hour, the next day, the next week, the next month, the next year and the results will look after themselves.”
He added: “This is a lifetime dream. As a Donegal man to get this opportunity to be the first to hopefully cross is a privilege and I hope I do my county justice.
“It’s an amazing time. It’s very emotional. Quite a few times today I had a lump in my throat when I looked out and realised what we are about to take on.
“Everything is fine when it’s at a distance but when it’s on your doorstep it becomes very real.”
Using the latest Elon Musk Starlink satellite system Jason and Neil will broadcast daily reports from the boat
They hope to reach the Jolly Harbour in Antigua in late February and they will be part of the annual C-MAP Atlantic Dash ocean rowing regatta – an event described as one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)