Tom Rendell has served for eight years in the Royal Marines seeing active service in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Tom enjoys fishing and lists tuna steak as one of his favourite foods, although there is no time to fish in the team’s grueling regime of rowing twenty four hours a day for over a month. He is now a personal trainer at Clifton College in Bristol and a Royal Marines Reservist.
Tom describes the feelings on board the Ocean Rowing boat as they head towards the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In just a few days the team will be at the halfway point in the expedition; over 1000 miles from land and a long way from human contact, the British Ocean Racing Team are unsupported; they have no support vessel with them.
“Yes, we are on our own but if we are to successfully complete this task, our achievement is heavily reliant on all four of us hanging together as a team and we are all capable of doing that, teamwork is instilled into every Royal Marine, it is in our mind-set.
On a personal level I have wanted to row an ocean since I was about fourteen and when I heard about the Atlantic row I started to train for it straight away, I was very pleased to be selected for the team and I am looking forward to completing the task and arriving in Barbados, hopefully breaking the world record.”
Currently the British Ocean Rowing Team are ahead of schedule and one of the crucial factors is the weather as tactical navigator Mike Broughton explains;
“The weather has been close to perfect so far with tail winds pushing the team on. There was a possibility of them being caught up in the recent storms that have hit the UK and that is why the team have taken a more southerly course. The threat of headwinds is still there, especially over the next few days and the team is maintaining a southerly course.”
Tom
Great to see you are doing so well, everyone at Clifton is keeping an eye on you and wish you all the best.
Rich, Sam, Chris & Dave
Posted by: Richard Avery | 23 January 2007 at 12:17
Tom, .... I miss you!!
Posted by: Dave | 23 January 2007 at 18:25
One to amuse you.
Doctor Dave had slept with one of his patients and was feeling really guilty.
No matter how much he tried , the sense of betrayal was over whelming.
But every once in a while he'd hear an internal reassuring voice say "Dave don't worry about it, you arn't the first doctor to sleep with one of his patients and you won't be the last and you're single just let it go".
But invariably the other voice would bring him back to reality whispering,
" Dave you're a vet"!
Posted by: Tom Wornham | 23 January 2007 at 22:28
Hey Tommy,
just remember marital bliss awaits in Kingsland, Bristol haha
I hear the warming of the oceans means the marine life might get pretty feisty in the oceans of the northern hemisphere....
whatever you do dont try and fob nibble - it'll never satisfy him...
best of luck to you all....
and remember - pull!
Posted by: ben | 24 January 2007 at 11:10
Hey Tom,
Just to keep you updated:
I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO BOYS - well one boy. A nice boy (who would not sleep with a donkey)...
I will only tell you more when you break the record.
Hope the blisters aren't TOO bad (as you know that is actually code for "I hope they hurt like hell becuase you are mad as fish to be doing this as all")
good luck with the weather.
Clare.
Posted by: Clare H | 24 January 2007 at 13:39
Eddie and the boys! You've done a third of your Odyssey. Well done! Thinking of you all the time. Massives of snow in Meribel; probably warmer out there with you?! Missing you. Keep rowing and get the job done. I am so proud of you. Love your favourite sister. (Jasper also keeping a keen eye on your record progress whilst keeping an ear on the fridge door!) xxxxxx
Posted by: Jo James | 24 January 2007 at 14:49
hi Dom and team.Looking good so far,we are all with you in sunny Bridford.K and H say hello and theyre missing the big bear!.Keep up the good pace happy surfing the Blight family.
Posted by: blight family | 24 January 2007 at 18:41
Hey
Looks like you're pulling hard..but then you're used to that..good luck have a cocktail on me!
Stella Bella!
x
Posted by: Stella | 26 January 2007 at 21:44
Well done so far, Keep it up son!! Respect!! Bobby
Posted by: Ian and Diane | 04 February 2007 at 23:17
Hi Ed,
You may or may not remember me but we met randomly outside City Hall in London about 3 years ago, then before that at a Ball in the sticks, then both stayed at Mason Hall at Birmingham Uni. Anyway, Alison at Igloos (the posh loo people) sent me this and thought I would say firstly, well done, and secondly, how jealous am I?
The very best of luck with it all. Enjoy Barbados, well, I suppose how can you not...
Take care
Anna
Posted by: Anna Beech | 13 February 2007 at 14:42