Marathon Sail (Part 2) - Can one man make a difference?

9:45 AM Sun 19 Jul 2009 GMT

'GPS Google Earth - 48 hour endurance sail' Robert Dowling

Rob Dowling is a man who believes 'one man can make a difference'. Driven by his passion and desire to help the children of the Amazon River basin and his love of sailing, Rob undertook on the 3-4th July, a marathon sail around an estuary in Northern Ireland. Rob completed his challenge - a 48 hour, solo sail but unfortunately did not manage to raise the necessary funds to continue his work with the children in Peru.

Here Rob writes part two of his marathon sail and the reasons behind it. If you missed the first part of Rob's story - click here

Rob Dowling - 48 hour Endurance Sail - Robert Dowling

His charity website will be up and running in a few weeks, in the meantime log onto www.amazonquest.net to find out more about Rob and the work he is trying to do.

Day 2 - Quite a Challenge

Day two certainly started with a bang for me. I sailed along on the beats trying to regain my confidence. Around midday I had friends come out to visit on the rescue boat. Ann-Marie who is coming to Peru with me, was looking after the onshore details talking to people and organizing the planned fundraising BBQ later that night. When possible she would visit; Iona, Radica, Rory, Caroline, Anita and Doro.. all where there for me.

Blessed with steady winds and some sunshine, the afternoon was lovely. At around 9.30 pm people started to arrive at my clubhouse on the estuary. I would sail close by and wave at friends. Around 11pm I was getting worried, the car park seemed very empty the club house lights were on and I could see very few people. Where was everyone?

Coming up to midnight I just knew we hadn't managed to get anyway close to the numbers of people we'd hoped for to help with my fundraising.

With these thoughts I approached midnight. cold and asking, why bother going on what's the point?

This was my lowest point . I knew it would come sometime . mentally I was very worried. No people, no funds, no Peru, no project. It was a struggle for me and it was my bridge to cross.

(Even now as I type these words three days later I feel the deep disappointment.)

This despair had to pass. Naturally I went on and the fact that you are reading this story proves that.

I must concentrate on the bigger picture - is there someone out there who can help me with this project? A person who has the resources, the connections, someone who has the finances? I have used up all my own money and have been unemployed since February, the recession closed down my holistic shop.

However I remain focused and will have the web site completed by the end of July. Martin from Web Solutions Dublin has, at no charge, put together a new concept. His team is wonderful and they connect with the project.

Cotar stands for children of the Amazon River. It will be an active website tracking the team (and me) in Peru, day by day with the work we do, totally transparent and with full accountability. Donated money will be monitored, you will be able to see where and how it is spent and for a $50.00 one off payment, you can have a say as an elder of the website. Please take a look at www.Amazonchildren.com Or just enjoy this story and send us good wishes, the choice is yours.

Now back to the challenge and my inner struggle. Yes it was so difficult I had to look at Jazmine's photo. The guidance I was getting from my spiritual guides would keep me going and focused on the task ahead. Giving up was not an option!

Around 3am Sunday morning the Rescue team informed me there was 20 knots of wind heading to the estuary and that it would arrive around 6am.This news was not what I wanted. When they departed for the clubhouse and a hot cup of tea, I was sick inside. I was upset that they had told me; soon I would have to 'live' this information. (Sorry Rescue I know you were just doing your job, but on an emotional level this news left me cold - as if I wasn't bad enough already.)

For the next few hours I prayed 'please not the wind, I cannot go on any longer.' Every movement was pain, tacking was a task I have done a thousand times, yet with exhaustion and darkness I had to run through a mental list of how I needed to do it .where do I move etc. I would do it several times in my mind then for real.

I recall seeing human faces around me and then coming from the water looking at me. I recall looking at the sail and wondering what it was!!

I was heading for trouble; my mind was going now, following my body that had given up ages ago. But I never stopped sailing. The winds would guide me this last night, the sounds of the boom movement, the feel of the main sheet in my hand the rudder sounds, they all guided me.

Around this time, an energy stepped into me and my head shot upwards with the presence. I said to myself, what is this? who is this? I could feel the life coming back to me but in a strange way. Please indulge me readers, from this point on I wasn't sailing the boat, someone inside me was helping for the next three hours until daylight came.

(As I write this I feel the tears in my eyes. I am still very emotional after writing these words and for the three days since the challenge, and writing it all down is the first time I have actually faced what happened.)

The morning light came, and I could tell it was going to be beautiful. Perhaps the forecaster had got it wrong.

The sunrise and gentle winds and warmth from the early morning sun were a blessing. I couldn't believe we made it through the night. I say we, as I was never alone on the boat. With the good wishes of friends and my fellow holistic community, I knew I had their spirit with me; it was vital for me to succeed.

I remember thinking 'perhaps the lovely morning will stay like this' - but I was wrong. At around 8am the winds started to change and I could feel the difference and smell the storm in the air. The sailor in me was saying 'head for the opposite shore and be close to help and shelter.'

I tacked, and was making silly mistakes like forgetting to uncleat the jib before going about. I had to say to myself 'Rob not now, don't lose it.' I turned the boat into the wind and started my trip on a beat, no time to lose as the weather was shifting fast. Hiking out was difficult as I was in my bare feet. My sailing boots had left my right foot, my hiking foot, in tatters with blisters and friction burns. I couldn't take the pain and decided it was best without them.

Rob out on the estuary. 48 hour Endurance Sail - Robert Dowling

The sun was gone, the cold back and I was at least heading in the right direction. My thoughts were 'how in Gods name can I sail barefooted' and I still had six hours to go! Six hours of 20 knot winds, shifting squalls and heavy cold rain. The temperature had dropped and I was in for my biggest battle yet.

When I reached close to the shore and looked at the early morning walkers. Had they any idea just what this sailor was going through? I doubted it.

Being so close to shore offered some shelter, but not much. I was working a small area, which meant I had to tack every five minutes or face deeper waters and the full might of the wind. I shall never forget those last few hours. I went over twice and at one point was asked to give up by the support crew as it was killing me. My reply? 'No not now, I can't - not so close to the record. Three hours left. I can do it!

'45 hours is a great achievement Rob, you are shattered' they said. 'Guys thanks but no, I will go on. Please find me my runners, my feet have lost all sense of feeling and I am slipping on the flooring' was my reply.

With my runners on I could hang out better and I was in a battle, there was no doubt about that. At one point I was thinking 'funny how my back can take this punishment' . I guess I went into robot mode.

Nothing was going to stop me now; I was so close. I could see people under shelter waiting for the 2pm finish and I felt sorry for them, as it had turned into a real winter's day. Looking at my watch for the first time it was 1.45. the end was getting closer and closer. Come on Rob, another tack, port, reach and your home and dry.

Heading for the jetty I heard the crowd and friends cheering me on. It was so wonderful; I had achieved the impossible!

Once back onshore, Dory, a young rescue team member and a lovely guy said 'Hey Rob, one day I will beat this record.'

Looking at my young friend my reply was 'Yes you will, it's in your eyes. Pity you have to wait until you turn 51...'

Lets make a difference!!!

Robert Dowling's Amazon Children Peru project's new website - www.amazonchildren.com (end of July) or www.amazonquest.net