Rowers aim to give paws for thought about cystic fibrosis

This summer a group of rowers and a dog will navigate a handmade wooden rowboat around the coast of Ireland to raise money for charity.

The project is the brainchild of Ger Crowley, a nephew of whom has cystic fibrosis. “He’s an incredible fighter. He’s a role model for all of us. That’s why we decided to row in support of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland,” he said.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and results in shortened life expectancy. About 1,200 people in Ireland have the disorder, the highest rate in any country in the developed world.

The trip is a relay, with teams of two people at a time rowing the skiff. Departing from Bray harbour in Co Wicklow on May 30th, they will row the 1,000 nautical miles around the coast of Ireland by September.

“Joey my dog is the mascot. The boat can’t be put out to sea without Joey. He sits at the back of the boat looking around and posing for photographs,” Mr Crowley said.

He sailed across the Atlantic in 2005 and got into boat-making after looking for a project upon his return.

Nama

He named the boat

Nama

after his mother Nancy, wife Angela and daughter Meghan. “Coincidentally, everybody who had a boat was selling at the time, in 2007 and 2008.” Crowley succeeded in

keeping his boat.

He has built two rowing skiffs with local youth clubs in Bray. “When you make something from wood it’s very satisfying. The kids have a sense of pride and ownership in it.”

The team hopes to finish the challenge in four months but possibly sooner, depending on the weather. “We have a safety margin built in. Everybody’s safety is the number one concern,” he said. A support team on shore will follow the boat in a jeep in case of emergency.

"We'll have a support boat in some of the dangerous areas, like across Donegal Bay," he said. They will be about 24km offshore while crossing that stretch in order to minimise the distance. Normally, the boat would be 3km to 5km offshore.

“I’m sure it’s to be a fun adventure. It’s to get an awareness of the sea for people and what a fabulous facility we have on our doorstep all around the coast of Ireland,” he said.

All money raised will go to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and none will be used to fund the project.

The rowers are donating their time and equipment, and they are looking for sponsors to help with accommodation, food and a back-up jeep.

For more information, see rowaroundireland.com.