Hero Gavan Hennigan defies odds in epic voyage

After battling the Atlantic alone for seven weeks in a record-breaking feat of ocean rowing, Irish adventurer Gavan Hennigan had a simple request when he finally landed on terra-firma in the West Indies.

The water-maker on the boat always made tepid water so I was dreaming about a cold drink. I hadn’t had one for 50 days,” he said after finishing third in the Talikser Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a remarkable achievement for a solo rower up against crews of two-to four rowers.

“The first thing I had was a Coke with some ice, then a burger and chips, then another burger, and then a pizza, all in the space of a few hours!”