Battling the Elements in Ocean Valour

7 April 2015

Two survey professionals, Tom Rainey (23) and Sam Coombs (24), from the offshore industry have decided to become the youngest men to row across the Atlantic, in order to raise money for charity and to bring awareness to the harm of micro plastic waste in the North Atlantic.

Graduating from the University of Plymouth in 2013, Tom Rainey and Sam Coombs decided to pursue a career in hydrographic surveying. However, sadly in 2012 Tom lost his father Luke Rainey to a brain tumour. As a passionate sailor himself, Tom and Sam decided to set up Ocean Valour not only to honour Tom’s father but also to raise money for the Brain Tumour charity that helped his family through this difficult time. Ocean Valour aims to raise £250,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity where the two professionals will attempt to row 3000 miles across the North Atlantic; starting in New Jersey Docks, USA and finishing at Salcombe harbour in the UK.

“Less than 2% of cancer research funding in the UK is spent on brain tumours. By taking on the almighty North Atlantic Ocean we hope to raise £250,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity, 10% of their yearly funds. We hope that by doing this we will help further the research needed to one day eradicate the risk of Brain Tumours.” – says Sam Coombs.

In addition to this, Tom and Sam hope to bring awareness on the harm caused by micro plastic waste in the North Atlantic. The “garbage patch” stretches hundreds of square kilometers, with over 200,000 pieces of debris per square km.

“Scientists estimated that up to one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year from eating micro plastic. One of our main tasks will be to survey and observe micro plastics and rubbish that collects the North Atlantic to prevent this from happening.” -  says Tom Rainey.

Ocean Valour is coming towards the end of its tough and physical training sessions. However, with the two men expected to row for a period of 55 days, 12 hours a day, the team has to be at their physical and mental peak. But both men have a number of sporting accolades; as former team members of the Youth British Sailing team, Tom and Sam are devoted to pushing themselves to the limit. If successful, Tom and Sam will be entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest rowers to complete this dangerous journey.

To find out more about Ocean Valour you can go to their website www.oceanvalour.co.uk and help donate to their worthy cause.