Duo aim for new rowing world record

Father and son-in-law duo Kevan Jefferson and Martin Gilbey are aiming to be the first two-man team in history to row unsupported across the North Atlantic, from Canada to England. 

They also hope to set a new world record when they undertake their two-month voyage in June 2009, and are seeking commercial sponsors.

Kevan and Martin are both from Middlesbrough.  Martin, 26, is a General Manager for Midas Cladding, a firm set up 14 years ago by his father-in-law.  Martin has achieved a BSc (Hons) in Criminology and Law from the University of Teesside, and is currently studying part-time at the University for a Masters in Business Administration.  His wife Claire is also a Teesside design graduate.

Martin said: ‘We’re complete novices at rowing, the idea came from Kevan, we have the same sort of ambition.  I’m so excited about this, the adventure of it all, I’ve never been one to sit and watch life go by.  I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this.’ Kevan, 45, was inspired to devise the journey by his cousins’ husbands, George Rock and Nigel Morris.  They rowed across the Atlantic in 2005 as part of a four-man crew. 

Kevan said: ‘It’s all about coming out of my comfort zone, testing myself physically and mentally and making my mark.  We’ve started specific cardio and endurance training and will keep building on this.  The weather will be very extreme, the water can be colder than freezing and we will be aiming to row two marathons a day.’

The duo will split the rowing between them, alternating two hours sleep with two hours rowing. Martin added: ‘We will be rowing across where the Titantic sank, which is quite a thought!  We’re looking for sponsors mainly to fund hi-tech communications equipment.  The sponsorship package will include company branding on the boat.’     

The University of Teesside’s Business School also has an evening for postgraduate courses on Wednesday 4 June from 5.00pm to 7.00pm where potential students can find out about the range of masters courses on offer and meet programme leaders.  Call 01642 738079 or email tbspg@tees.ac.uk

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