Self professed adventurer, aspiring author and actual firefighter… Scott, 37, is on a mission to complete a massive bucket list! With a string of fundraising adventures under his belt including a solo row across the Black Sea, he brings experience and enthusiasm to the crew!
Why do you want to row an ocean?
Ever since Billy helped me get ready for my Black sea crossing we’ve talked about going on an adventure together so when he started organising this I had to say yes! Or rather I told him that I wanted to be part of it! I wish I could come up with a noble and poignant answer, but having rowed a sea, I can’t call myself an Ocean Rower can I?! Of course, I want to play my part in the raising of awareness, research and fund raising for Parkinson’s which In a way I hope will be part of my legacy (that sounds grandiose), but I guess ultimately I want to take on the challenge. I believe we only get one chance at all this, this life, so I want to make the most of it!
Have you taken part in a big adventure before?
This and that. Back In 2010 I set myself the target of doing something new every day for a year (now a terribly written book). I was so close to the end when I crashed a speedway motorbike and ended up with a plastic femoral artery. Since then I guess I’ve wanted to prove that it doesn’t hold me back. I had previously cycled John O’Groats to Lands End and wanted a new challenge. I chose Mt Elbrus in Russia. Then it all spiraled out of control! I decided to make my own way to the mountain which involved cycling to Bulgaria from the UK and then the aforementioned solo row across The Black Sea. I gained a World Record for the row – becoming the first person to ever do so. The whole thing was littered with problems; My boat was rotten, the trailer fell apart, I got lost a lot, my car towing the boat, Pacific Pete, broke down in France and never made it to the Black sea so after my bike ride I had to return home and go again the next year… Massive obstacles but I overcame them when so many doubted me.
Since then I’ve run the Marathon des Sables, kick scootered from Turin to Venice, several hikes, Mountain biked the south downs way, Tandem bicycled and inflatable kayaked between and along the three longest lochs in Scotland, Kayaked the length of the Thames.
Recently I attempted to run a 1000 miles from Riga In Latvia to Odessa in The Ukraine… with a wheelbarrow! Sadly after 6 days and nearly 200 miles my knee gave up and I had to abort the endeavour. It was a massive shame as my body in general was coping well with the mileage and I had found my rythm, but the adventure was always ambitious and I needed lady luck to bless me with an injury free trip! Never-the-less I raised some good money for charity, saw two new countries and met some wonderful people! It all goes down as experience though!
What are you most looking forward to about rowing?
Pooing in a bucket with an audience…ahem, I mean the wildlife. Although I saw plenty of dolphins on the Black Sea, I’d love to see some whales!
What do you think the biggest challenges will be?
I hated the two on two off Rota when I was at sea on my own. But that meant, and I did, that I could change it. I’d fall asleep at the oars in the early hours, so after my stint of being blown backwards I changed to rowing all day bar food breaks and then had a ‘night’. I needed that distinction. Obviously I won’t be able to do that with a crew of four. I think that will suck for at least the first week!
What 3 strengths do you think you will bring to the crew?
Positivity. Physical strength and the willingness to shout “COWABUNGA” at regular intervals. We all need Cowabunga inspiration.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
There are too many to mention really. Ross Edgely recently. Schwarzenegger. Mick Dundee…my mum. She’s a warrior. A never give up type of woman. When the chips are down and life keeps throwing shit at you, she’s always the first to stand up and be counted. She’d do anything for any of her children with a fierce loyalty that can’t be taught. To do her proud is one of the things that drive me.
What advice would you give to your 10 year old self?
Don’t be so scared of everything!
Aside from friends and family, what do you think you will miss most while you’re at sea?
It’s always the food. I’ll eat anything, but when you’re away from home and exhausting yourself mentally and physically, it’s the thought of REAL food that dominates the mind and often gives me drive to carry on. I always crave a burger. Simple.
If you could only listen to one album for the whole crossing, what would it be?
Right Said Fred – UP! I know it’s seen as cheesy, but it’s actually a great album! It’s fun but the music itself is highly underrated. You can’t help but smile when it’s on.
What would you sing at a karaoke night?
Oh god…nothing! I bloody hate Karaoke! Ha-ha. If pushed I’d have to say, um…a duet to Love Shack!
What will you bring as your luxury item?
My aero press coffee maker. I can’t imagine functioning without at least one cup of proper joe a day.
What is the most annoying habit other people have?
I reckon this is going to explored quite a lot and there will be things that annoy each of us that we hadn’t anticipated! I guess negativity would be right up there though.
Favourite Book?
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know by Sir Ranulph himself.
Tell us an interesting thing about you people should know…
Well isn’t this a tricky question? I’m quite happy to eat cat food. The pouches of wet food obviously…
You can follow Scott’s adventures at www.splitlipadventures.com