Oban man sets double world rowing record

Former Oban High School and Rockfield Primary pupil Huw Carden has became the oldest person to row the Mid Pacific Ocean at the age of 63.

Huw and four  teammates also became the first crew of five to make the voyage from California to Hawaii - they completed it in 51 days, five hours and 44 minutes.

The retired RAF serviceman, who was three when he moved to Oban,  had no previous rowing experience at all before he took on the challenge.

He met up for a coffee with veteran rower friend Elaine Theaker, who holds two titles in the Guinness  Book of Records,  and she asked him to become the fifth member of her Pacific crossing crew.

Their boat set off from Monterey on  June 12 and arrived in Hanalei on  August 2. The crew sighted land as the sun dawned on the Hawaiian islands at 5.40am.

“It was the first land we’d seen in seven weeks, and it was just such a great sight,” said Huw.

His oldest son Tim was in Monterey to see him off, and his youngest son Sam was on the beach in Hanalei to welcome him back on land.

Huw’s friend Dale Smith, who attempted the voyage with Team Row4ALS but had to retire from the race after four days, was also there to congratulate him - If Dale been successful, he would have become the oldest person to make the crossing at 66.

The bond forged between the two friends before the journey began was stronger than competition, and Dale was overjoyed for Huw when they met again.

“It was very emotional,” Huw said.

Before this race, just 82 people in 33 boats had made the crossing. Of the 14 boats that set off from Monterey in June, Huw’s team were the only crew of five.

The team’s journey was not all smooth rowing. Four days in, their rudder broke and they were left battling rough seas for five days before they could replace it.

Despite this, Huw  enjoyed the experience.

“I loved being out there. I felt like being at home,” he said.

He is eager to attempt the Atlantic crossing next, but unsure when he will be able to do so. The oldest person to row across the Atlantic was 70.

Huw’s team’s voyage raised money for Air Ambulance UK and SSAFA. The link to donate can be found here: rowflyinfish.co.uk/charity