Next time I'm confronted with the opportunity to do something brave, I'll keep Roz Savage in mind.Following her goal of being the first woman to row (that's right, with oars, in a rowboat) across the Pacific, Roz left Sausalito on a calm midnight in May. Her boat is well supplied with a small cabin, a computer, satellite phone, video camera, iPod, backup oars, a collection of stuffed animals sent to her by kids as mascots. There's a chase boat in range to help keep her safe, a good thing after her last attempt when the boat capsized three times in gale conditions out of Crescent City and she had to abandon it and go back for it later. But it's Roz and only Roz who's making this crossing, a stroke at a time.
It's unclear to me why she chose to row exclusively instead of installing a mast so she could sail part of the way. But this her undertaking, not mine. One can only imagine the muscles she's developed, particularly since she's already rowed across the Atlantic.
Roz has devoted her efforts to publicizing her concern for the environment. On her website she writes:When we are gone, the Earth will recover from the mess we’ve made. Even though our effects on the planet appear to be catastrophic, it’s ourselves that we’re harming. The Earth will continue. We may not.Those interested in her progress are following her through three weekly podcasts hosted by Leo LaPorte on iTunes, a whole collection of YouTube videos, updated email newsletters... She may be alone but Roz is a social animal with lots of admirers.
It doesn't hurt that she's also gorgeous, with an irresistible London accent.