A Galway man with two years’ rowing experience is to take on the Atlantic Ocean in a mammoth fundraising challenge for two charities.
Daragh MacLoughlin flew to the Canary Islands on Sunday as the countdown begins for a 4,800km solo row to Antigua in the Caribbean.
Departing on December 12, the race will see the Clarinbridge man spend Christmas, the New Year, and much of January at sea.
And while the Galway businessman has invested a huge effort into the World’s Toughest Row, he is deeply conscious of the potential hazards.
“Once you’re in the middle of the ocean, you can’t ring a helicopter to pick you up,” said the father-of-two.
“You’re calling a Mayday, and you might be boarding a 300-metre tanker going to Angola, which is where you’re going, too.
“I’m not making that call. I’m a guy who believes he can do this.”
Daragh, one of the few solo rowers taking part in the challenge, says his motivation was to push the boundaries of life – but also to help charities which he believes do not get enough State support.
On his fundraising page, he wants to raise up to €10,000 for Debra, the national charity supporting those living with ‘Butterfly Skin’ disease EB, and for Irish Dogs for the Disabled.
“Thankfully, in our family, we have no-one afflicted by a life-altering condition.
“We support charities which are small enough to retain that fighting passion but big enough to make a difference.
“The ones fighting tooth and nail for their people are the ones that really deserve support.”
The 42-year-old, who is self-financing his participation, took up rowing just two years ago, setting his sights on the World’s Toughest Row as the ultimate personal challenge.
Being self-employed at his website building and management company webhero.ie, has allowed him the time to prepare – and he will need every ounce of the mental and physical strength banked so far.
Powering through seas which can turn dangerously hostile, he will row for around 18 hours a day, consuming 7,000 calories daily, mostly freeze-dried food including seeds and nuts, and sea water fit for drinking thanks to an onboard desalinator.
His Dutch-made boat, a seven-metre carbon fibre vessel weighing 400kg when fully loaded, is waiting for him in La Gomera.
“When you’re out there and your body hurts, you’re sleep deprived, your cabin is like a sauna, you have to be very mentally strong to put yourself in a position to row,” he said.
“You will be looking for every excuse to get out of it.
“Some people, when they find out you’re doing it, can be a bit negative and unimpressed, because of the risks involved.”
That’s why the unwavering support of his wife Suzanne and the couple’s two daughters Maeve and Saoirse, has carried him through.
“Over the course of the training, it becomes very clear what you got yourself into.
“There’s no way I want to be in the mid-Atlantic wondering why I hadn’t done more.”
Daragh asks the public to make donations, to be split between both charities, at: idonate.ie/fundraiser/thejasper
Alejandra Livschitz of Debra said Daragh’s “incredibly brave” challenge will be appreciated by everyone who lives with EB in Ireland, and the families caring for them.
