THE EXPEDITION ROUNDUP- 1st JANUARY 2008
Finally the expedition is at an end….another day, another year, another expedition somewhere…..places you’d rather be.
They say the line between an adventure and an epic is periously thin and often traversed. No better analogy would be a fairer description for the final 24 hours as we approached the coast of Australia. Battered by freak weather conditions, we lost miles, struggling into head currents for 6 hours we lost more miles, and then through a gruelling 3 on shift roster we lost any ability to achieve meaningful rest. The careful endurance management planning was all out the door so close to home but that was all part of the plan and we all dug deep into our reserves.
After spending time with friends and family, we spent the following day unpacking the boat, sorting and servicing equipment stopping frequently to chat with local well-wishers who had seen the boat transformed from a hollow shell with well intentioned eager crew, to a battle worn expedition boat with a much thinner crew.
Many lessons and skills were acquired by the crew, and the famous saying of “it is the journey not the destination” takes on a clearer more poinent meaning to us all.
The Trans-Tasman Expedition started many years ago, and when I commenced building the Sara-G in May 2007, the only crew member was myself for a 4 person boat. Kerry was the first person to express an interest in the expedition and welcomed, joined by Andrew and Sally who applied for a position. In many ways this was unlike any previous expeditions where all expedition costs were underwritten by myself, and the expedition crew contributed a small amount for person costs.
Post expedition, the focus for me will be family and recovering some of the estimated $150,000 invested in the trip, and I look forward to completing the book about the expedition. As for the missing shadow boat which we paid several thousand dollars for to provide first line recovery and assistance for the 1st week from New Zealand in the event it was required….and whom we never saw or heard from …we are pursuing this further, and expressly our not insubstantial disappointment.
Expeditions are way of life, no person ever died wishing they had worked harder or longer….spend time with the people you love, cherish each breath and pursue your dreams.
Our expedition burden was eased by the kind generousity, support and belief in our ability to pull this epic off by our sponsors:
Principal Sponsors
BASEfx
<e.law>
Other Sponsors
Helly Hansen ( brilliant outdoor and nautical clothing)
SafetyLink (height safety equipment)
B-Safe (height safety equipment including fall arrest track and trolley system for the Sara-G)
AwlGrip (suppliers of the marine paint system for the boat)
Bounce (suppliers of protein balls)
AT & T (satellite tracking systems and satellite phone)
Supporters
Row Perfect (Mark!) for teaching us all how to row
Perry Surfboats (Neil) for providing rowing advice and systems which withstood the test of the Tasman
Incredible Individuals Without Whom We Could Not Have Achieved So Much
Allison Stanfield- just magic
Keith Johnson- a navigational genius, and supplier of daily “presents” for the crew!
Tania Stibbe- the public relations genius
Steve Barrett from Wilkinson Media for his PR brilliance
Tony Fehon for organising a welcoming boat and for being up at 4:30 am!
Harry and Sally of Oponoi Holiday Park for getting us going (sorry about the shifter!)
Hokianga Coast Guard for getting us past the infamous bar
“Clouds” Roger Bradham- weather forecasting and advice right on the nose every time
CSIRO- brilliance in understanding the allusive East Australian Current
To the guys on the Crossing the Ditch Expedition go our deepest thoughts and understanding on where you are at. Be safe, make the call which is the right one for you, you have achieved more than anyone can expect and you have our respect and admiration. The first beer in on me…plus a few steaks, a chiropractor, and a massage.
Steven Gates
Expedition Leader
YES THEY ARE HOME - 0300 Day 31 Sunday 30 December 2007
The crew passed through the Heads at approximately 3.00 am on Sunday 30 December after approx 2040k and 31 days and pulled in at Watson’s Bay to await the dawn and to be joined by family for the run down the harbour.
The last 36 hours was very tough as they fought the southerly current by rowing 3 on and 1 off (instead of the usual 2 and 2 in two hour shifts) to ensure they could make the Heads. They then had the tide to contend with coming through the Heads.
Despite all of that they look in great shape without an ounce of fat between them. However they do not want to sit down for a couple of weeks.
The final plot through the Heads.
When we couldn’t find them we went to the place where all Sydney siders go for breakfast.
The captain thought this was the place for a village!
Might be the lost city of Atlantis?
Yep we have found it! I recognise the Coat Hanger!
The Oarsome Foursome.
The traditional celebration after landing at Neutral Bay.
