Corkman set to break rowing record

A Corkman is part of a crew that is on pace to break the world record for rowing around Britain.

Gavin Sheehan, 25, from Blackrock, is rowing day and night with his fellow crew members aboard a 25ft-long ocean racing boat.

Gavin and his crew mates Josh Taylor and Alan Morgan, from Mersea Island, Essex, and James Plumley, from Guernsey, known as The Islanders, are competing in GBRow 2013, which started on Saturday at Tower Bridge in London.

On Tuesday, they were told they were ahead of the world record pace and could not believe it.

“They are now leading the pack and getting ready to turn at Lands’ End,” said Gavin’s mother, Paula, yesterday.

The rowing boat is one of six hoping to break the world record of 26 days and 14 hours for completing the 2,000-mile (3,200km) race.

They are also aiming to raise almost €60,000 for charity in their boat, named the Black Oyster. Gavin has nicknamed her Noreen, which means “little honourable one”.

Gavin, who works part-time in the family’s garage business, has been rowing since he was 13. He has won all-Ireland rowing championships and has represented Ireland.

While finishing his degree in real estate in Bristol University, he was elected boat club captain and got to know the other crew members.

Paula said the crew was working in two-hour shifts aboard the double cabin vessel. “The rowing continues 24/7 unaided, with no outside help whatsoever.”

Paula and her husband, Adrian, saw him off last weekend. “It is an epic adventure for Gavin and we are behind him 100%.”

www.gbrowchallenge.com