This Galway Man Is Rowing Solo Across The Atlantic Ocean For Charity

Think you’re fairly fit and active? 

Think again, because compared to super-fit Galwegian and self-described “adventurer” Gavan Hennigan, the rest of us are pretty much all just one big collective couch potato.

Gavan is halfway through a highly ambitious journey across the Atlantic Ocean, a voyage that’s widely considered to be one of the toughest challenges on the planet, pushing those who attempt it to their extreme limits.

To this day more people have climbed Everest, reached the North Pole or ventured into space than have successfully rowed the Atlantic. Not only that, but Gavan plans to row it solo. 

Yep, he’s an adventurer alright.

Gavan is aiming to break the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge race solo record by completing the journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua & Barbuda in under 50 days, all while raising money for Jigsaw Galway and Cancer Care West.

He’s currently in third position —beating many of the pairs, threes and fours, making us believe he must have arms of absolute steel.

Gavan is what’s known as an Extreme Environment Athlete, meaning that he’s competed in climbing and snowboard mountaineering in all seven continents, including crossing frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia on foot, covering 700km in just 17 days.

The even more amazing thing? Up until one year before he set off for his race, Gavan had never rowed before in his life.

He had to bring all of his supplies on the boat with him, such as freeze-dried expedition meals and MCT oil for extra calories.

With his incredible journey half-way through, here’s an insight into how Gavan has been getting on alone in the Atlantic:

*UPDATE* Been out here all alone for 6 weeks now, staring at sky, clouds, water & stars as i row, hard for it not to become a part of me.

— Gavan Hennigan (@soulogav) January 25, 2017