Posts from Elsa’s Pacific Solo Row, which she undertook in 2014.
Hello everyone,
It’s been a long time coming, but we finally have a video about the row – my preparations for it and the cause that I’m rowing for. Hopefully this will make it more real for everyone. I’m really excited about it, and want to say a big thanks to Guthrie Freeman for all the filming and editing – there would be no video without him.
Please do watch and share as widely as possible.
Thank you! 🙂
Last Wednesday Steve and I went down to see how my boat is getting on, and to chat to Justin about some of the details. It was a brilliant day, and seeing the boat makes it all that much more real.
It has pride of place in Justin’s workshop, and looks beautiful (I think the boat is probably an ‘it’ until it is ready and has been launched, when it will become a she).
I sat in it, imagining that I was alone on the waves, far away from anyone. The boat feels quite big to sit in, but will definitely feel tiny out on the big ocean.
It is similar to other ocean rowing boats that Justin has built, but with improvements and adaptations. There is a space for the anchor to live right in the stern, and my sleeping space is slightly indented, meaning that I will be more snug and will not roll around so much. It also means that the hatches on each side of my bed are a little deeper than usual (more space for snacks!), and I can use them a bit more like shelves and a desk.
 
Justin and Will are working hard on getting the boat ready in time for the end of February, so each time I see it there will have been a lot of changes. It’s only a matter of weeks until I’m rowing it.
I can’t wait!
Some more great news: Mactra Marine Equipment are supporting Elsa with supply of electric and handheld watermakers – a critical part of surviving for three months alone in the ocean.
Jim and his team have been really helpful taking us through the ins and outs of a wide range of products, and have a huge amount of experience in general marine supplies, and in particular with ocean rowers – the first five boats in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge had Mactra-supplied watermakers, obviously there’s something about them!
Jim will be working more with Elsa to make sure that she’s prepared to maintain her watermakers should the need arise, and will be on hand for advice throughout the race. Thank you so much!
We’re so pleased to welcome a new supporter to the team: Foremost Signs are helping us produce logos and branding for Elsa’s boat (build pics coming soon, watch this space!) and for our new mini PR model boat!
Mark and his team offer a wide range of sign services, from vinyl to banners and illuminated cut-out lettering. They’re a really friendly and professional bunch, and will be helping us make sure that Elsa’s boat looks awesome!
Thanks very much! Go and check out their work at foremostsigns.co.uk!
JBP PR have issued a press release detailing Elsa’s progress in fundraising and training.
Elsa Hammond, the University of Bristol student who will be competing in the inaugural Great Pacific Race in June, has been buoyed by the support she has had from sponsors.
She has so far raised some £20,000 towards building the boat she will row in for some three months across the Pacific. Donations have come in sterling and Bitcoin, the new currency making all the news. Organisations who have committed financial support to date include the University of Bristol, IT and mobile solutions provider, Excalibur, MBA Polymers, Blockchain.info and the Hatfield Trust. They are joined by a number of personal donors.
Next week (Tuesday 28th January) she will officially launch her bid to row solo across the Pacific at a business event at the M-Shed in the presence of Bristol Mayor, George Ferguson, Judith Squires, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, Chris Martin, the director of the Great Pacific Race and Jo Ruxton, Founder of Plastic Oceans Foundation, the charity that will benefit from Elsa’s attempt.
The race will start on 7th June 2014 from Monterey Bay, in California, and participants, including Elsa, will row some 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. Rowing for up to 16 hours a day, Elsa and fellow contestants will face a number of challenges, including spending up to 3 months without any human contact. Elsa is the only solo female participant in the race from the UK.
By taking part Elsa hopes to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans around the world. The race will take participants near the ‘great Pacific garbage patch’, the world’s biggest landfill.
Elsa’s campaign manager, Steve Bullock, says: “We have been overwhelmed by the support to date both in terms of giving money and equipment, as well as time in such areas as marketing and PR. We have made a great start and now need to keep the momentum going so that we can reach our target of £100,000.”
A number of local organisations have provided support in promoting Elsa’s bid including JBP PR, Stuff Advertising, Low Carbon South West and Business West.
For more information on Elsa’s bid please visit elsahammond.com.
To arrange an interview please contact Steve Bullock, Campaign Manager at steve@elsahammond.com or on 07977 216406.
It was a privilege to be interviewed by Donald McIntyre of Newfination today – check out the video here! Donald was once a Wall Street investment consultant, he has worked internationally in a range of businesses, and last year started Newfination to cover new finance and digital currencies.
Elsa’s support from the Bitcoin community is growing – Blockchain.info were her first corporate sponsor and she has had numerous donations from individuals. It would be amazing to be able to publicise her challenge being funded significantly through Bitcoin donations and sponsorship! Turning around the mainstream media’s doom-and-gloom reports of lost wallets and asset seizures.
If you agree, jump on board! Donate Bitcoin now, or get in touch to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Thanks again to Donald – it will be strange to see ourselves on the same page as some very well-known faces!!
It is brilliant to be able to welcome Excalibur Communications to the Pacific Solo Row team. 
Excalibur provide communications and IT solutions for businesses across the UK. They’re forward thinking and I really like their broad view on the influence of technology across society – check out their posts on tech trends for 2014, and wearable tech!
Their sponsorship takes me one step closer to the Row in June – continuing the boat construction (watch this space for build pics soon!) and working on the logistics of getting everything to California in time for race prep. Excalibur say:
“Excalibur are proud to join the Bristol community in supporting this inspiring attempt. Elsa, we wish the best of luck for a safe and successful journey”
Thank you so much to James and his team – your support is invaluable to me and I very much look forward to working with Excalibur in the coming months. Check out Excalibur’s site for more information about their work.
Elsa is still looking for more support. Do spread the word  – who knows…your next-door neighbour or long-lost cousin might want their logo/name on a boat!
Elsa was asked to write an article about how Arthur Ransome – one of her favourite authors – influenced her life, on the 130th anniversary of his birth for the Nancy Blackett Trust.
In it, Elsa writes of her love for his books, and about her adventurous childhood.
Nancy Blackett was the favourite yacht of author Arthur Ransome, CBE, and the inspiration for “We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea”, part of his “Swallows and Amazons” series, and probably his best sailing novel. Nancy, lightly disguised as the Goblin, plays a starring role as the boat at the centre of the book.
Nancy Blackett is now owned by the Nancy Blackett Trust, preserving her as a living part of the Arthur Ransome heritage. Each year many Ransome fans enjoy the experience of sailing her, and many more visit her at maritime events.
Elsa Hammond 