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An interview with the Ghost Rowers; Scott Wonenberg and Brett Sparrow, part II of II
14:00 p.m. EST Mar 16, 2004
Scott Wonenberg and Brett Sparrow wanted to race across the Atlantic in a row boat. With no money and no boat they managed to find a way. In less than a month they were off and catching up to the lead boats that had a two day gain on them. Unregistered and under-prepared they managed to make the crossing in incredible time under grueling conditions.
On March 12th ExplorersWeb had the chance to interview the American/Zimbabweans who rowed ‘Against All Odds’ across the Atlantic Ocean in 47 days.
Yesterday we spoke about how Brett and Scott got involved in ocean rowing, their problems with funding, and their motivations on the open sea. Today we wrap things up with some fishy stories and high sea tales.
ExWeb: So the burning question here is when you were at sea rowing for hours every day did you have one of those Looney Toons moments? Like when you see Scott turn into a giant hotdog and he’s sure you’re a giant hamburger…
Brett Sparrow: (laughs) No, I don’t think it ever got that bad, but there were definitely hallucinations. You hear voices out there; people talking, kids laughing, spirits of the sea. It was kind of creepy.
ExWeb: Seriously though, did you bring anything as a distraction to the monotony of rowing day after day, like music?
Brett: Nothing, we were loaded as light as possible. Maybe too light, the last few days we didn’t have enough food. But, there a lot of distractions from the wildlife. We had dolphins and whales follow us for miles, they would come back and check up on us every couple of days. A bird flew into the cabin and spent almost two days camped out in there. There was a school of fish that followed us for the better part of the crossing, at first we would catch them and eat them raw, but they got wise to us and it became very hard tricking them onto the lures.
ExWeb: Sounds like good sushi. What were you saying about running out of food before?
Brett: Yea, in the last few days we were only taking in about 2,000 calories and that’s not good. We should have been doing about 6,000. I would start to think about people I had met several years ago and think ‘I wonder how they’re doing? I wonder what they’re eating right now?”
ExWeb: Tell me how the reception in Port Charles was like, you pulled in unsupported, yes?
Brett: Yea, Scott and I are pretty experienced with whitewater rafting. So we hugged the shoreline, just far enough out to avoid the rocks and in enough to get out of the current. The rafting experience taught us how to navigate through tight spaces like that. When we pulled ashore the first thing we were offered was a beer each, everyone was happy to see us. It was like a fantasy, from one fantasy to another. Very unreal, we were exhausted. Standing was very difficult; we didn’t know how to use our legs.
ExWeb: So what is next for you guys?
Brett: First, we have a lot of debts to pay. Many people have been very generous to us and we would like to repay their kindness. We need to ship the boat back to England and then we are going back to Zimbabwe.
ExWeb: Tell us a little about Zimbabwe, why did you paint “Save Zimbabwe” on the side of your boat?
Brett: The People of Zimbabwe are starving. They have no choice to kill and eat the wildlife. But Zimbabwe has some of the world’s best wildlife. It’s a catch 22, there. The bottom line is, the people have to get fed first, before we can begin to change the government. I don’t get into the politics of it, the people of Zimbabwe are wonderful and I believe that the first step is to feed them. We are going back to try a help in whatever way we can.
The Ocean rowing society arranged the Atlantic Rowing Regatta 2004, with thirteen official teams rowing from Spain to Barbados. ‘Against All Odds” finished at 47 days 3hours and 40 minutes.
Scott Wonenberg Age 33, grew up living in California and Zimbabwe, backpacking and mountain climbing. At the age of 20, he flew a single engine Cessna from California to Zimbabwe. He travels the world performing acrobatic slam-dunk shows for crowds of up to 36,000 people, he has also worked with the Bud Light Daredevils as team captain and in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks where he built up the Mascot department and performed as a high flying, stunt type mascot. He enjoys various other outdoor sports, but his passion is in expeditions.
Brett Sparrow; Born in Africa. Age 29. Grew up on large game reserves in Zimbabwe often hand raising dangerous orphaned animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo and hyena. Became a Whitewater rafting guide and videographer in the Zambezi River. He was also a member of the ‘Safety Team’ in the 2001 Camel White Water Challenge (world rafting championships), and has guided in numerous International white water races.
The Ocean Rowing Society’s Atlantic Rowing Regatta ORSARR 2004 celebrates the 35th anniversaries of the first East-West solo ocean row by John Fairfax and first West-East solo ocean row by Tom McClean; and 33rd anniversary of the first Atlantic East-West double row by Geoff and Don Allum. Regatta started at 11:00GMT January 20th 2004
Photo of Brett and Scott leaving the canary's courtesy of Bob Barnsley and the Ocean Rowing Society
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