Talisker Atlantic Challenge - Kris Elliot

Last Thursday’s meeting welcomed our 2 speakers, Kris Elliot and Allan Huntly, and Caitlin Yool, QVS Interact Club President.

Kris and Allan are both firefighters from Stirling Fire Station who, in December 2017, will embark on The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Team Noble was set up in memory of firefighter John Noble from Alloa who was killed in a crash in Jan 2008. The team comprises 4 friends, 2 firefighters, a geologist and a conservationist. They are raising funds for the Fire Fighters Charity. Depending on the success of their fundraising, the team is hoping to purchase a new, larger, boat which will allow all 4 team members to take part; otherwise they will use the current 2 man boat.

Kris and Allan with The Pendovey Swift, a Woodvale Pairs class 23ft ocean rowing boat.
It has already coossed the Atlantic no less than 3 times and has been extensively refurbished.

A total of 40 entrants, comprising solo, pairs and 4person teams will row more than 3000 nautical miles across the world’s second largest and most dangerous ocean, the Atlantic. Rowers will head west from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and finish in Antigua. Crossing times are dependent on weather, current and rowing effort – this year’s race was won in a record 37 days and 9 hours. No outside assistance is permitted during the race and each team has to carry all necessary food, cooking gas, medical kit, and communication and safety equipment for the entire crossing. All drinking water is produced by desalination of sea water.

The team is hard at work training for this grueling challenge where they will face 40 foot waves, sleep deprivation and shark attacks during the crossing. They will row 2 hours on and 2 hours off and take turns to prepare food, water and carry out general tasks on the boat.  

They have raised £3k to date and are always grateful for donations which can be made online at: www.team-noble.org

John Anderson gave Kris and Allan a well-deserved vote of thanks and wished them well with their venture.