Row, Row, Rowing His Way Across the Atlantic
After 75 days, Sam Williams becomes one of only 35 to do it with oars.
March 31, 2008 — -- When Sam Williams moored at Nelsons Dockyard Marina in Antigua last Thursday, he became one of only 35 people to ever row across the Atlantic Ocean.
"You just kind of keep on grinning and just looking over your shoulder because when you're rowing you're looking the other way and just turn around and kind of realize this massive ordeal is nearly over," Williams said of approaching his final destination in English Harbour.
The Brit and his boat, Pacific Pete, had traveled 75 days, four hours and 43 minutes since leaving La Gomeara, Canary Islands, to accomplish the task. He began the trip to bring attention to Farm Africa, the British development agency that works to reduce poverty among African farmers.
"I'd be rowing probably about 12 hours a day," said Williams, who said he rowed 55 miles on a "good day."
But in an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America," Williams said he wasn't eager to repeat the feat.
"I wouldn't do the same thing again," the 24-year-old said.
During the 3,700 mile solo odyssey, the former law firm proofreader said he felt like a prisoner in his own boat and questioned why he began such a journey.
"It was scary," he said. "A few moments I hid myself away waiting for it to be over."
He didn't have extensive rowing experience and was unsure what toll the trip would take on him.
"[It was] something I've never done before," Williams said. "I've never been particularly athletic. I felt like going out and trying to do something that was a real challenge. It was a complete unknown; the mental challenge and physical challenge. I prepared for it as best I could."
When Williams set sail he had little to keep himself entertained, other than dreaming of actress Liv Tyler and relying heavily on his iPod.
"I listened to music constantly, my only form of relaxation," Williams said, adding that he also brought along a waterproof radio in the form of a rubber ducky.
"I had a water kit that converts sea water into fresh water and took huge amounts of rice and couscous," he said.
