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Strawberry Finance broker Rob Barton is 30 days into a Guinness World Records Challenge to become the first person to solo row non-stop from Australia to Africa.
Western Australia-based broker Rob Barton from Strawberry Finance (part of the Money Quest Group) is one month into a six-month solo row, attempting to become the first person to single-handedly row the 8,358 kilometres from Australia to Africa without stopping on land and unaided.
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At the time of writing, Mr Barton was approximately a third of the way through, having covered more than 2,000 kilometres, and was situated at 22º 01.663 S 104º 17.468 E, according to his live satellite tracker.
While seven people have rowed across the Indian Ocean before, no rower has done it without stopping at land en route.
The broker, who had to put on 20kg over the last eight months to ensure he had enough calorie reserves for the journey, farewelled his family and left Carnarvon, Western Australia, on 26 April (two days late due to adverse winds), as he attempts the first solo, non-stop row across the Indian Ocean.
His goal is to raise $300,000 for Zero2Hero, a Western Australia-based youth mental health charity that educates, engages, and empowers thousands of young people a year to support and maintain their mental health and prevent suicide in their communities.
According to the broker’s fundraising page, the cause is close to his heart after his daughter Jess experienced depression and anxiety and experienced suicide ideation.
He said he learned the importance of having conversations with loved ones about mental health and “hopes there are some who can take inspiration from Jess, who — in allowing her story to be shared — will give others who may be struggling the courage to seek help sooner”.
Mr Barton, who has never undertaken an extensive row before, is rowing between 12 and 15 hours a day in a bid to cross the ocean to Africa.
He will likely face extreme conditions on his journey, including waves up to 30 feet high, strong winds, and high exposure to the elements.
Accompanying him on his row are six months’ worth of food (including 13kg of milk powder, 27kg of oats, 6kg of currents, and 9kg nuts); bottles of sunscreen, lanolin, and Sudocrem to manage chafing and salt sores; a satellite phone; and his football companion Wilson (pictured below).
According to his Facebook diary, he has so far experienced seasickness, a broken autopilot, sleep deprivation, schools of flying fish, and bruised shins but remains in good spirits.
Michael Russell, Money Quest Group managing director, told The Adviser: “We are in absolute awe of Rob and the monumental voyage he is undertaking.
“The physical and mental toughness it must take to row for hours on end, day after day, all alone in the middle of the ocean is almost incomprehensible, and speaks volumes of Rob’s resilience, strength and courage.
“He is a valued member of the Money Quest Group family and we wish him all the very best for the remainder of his epic adventure. We encourage everyone to get behind him and his chosen charity - ‘zero2hero’- a worthy cause very close to Rob’s heart.”
You can donate to Rob Barton’s Australia2Africa row on the Zero2Hero website or track his progress online via his Facebook page or live satellite tracker.
Seek help
If you are suffering from abuse, depression, or suicidal thoughts — or you’re worried about someone else — and feel that professional support is needed, contact your local doctor or one of the 24/7 crisis agencies below.
If you are concerned for your immediate safety or the safety of others, call Triple Zero (000).
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
[Related: 350km for $35k – meet the man who ran to Mount Kosciuszko]
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