Elsa was interviewed live on BBC Radio Bristol‘s drive-time show! Recording unavailable.
San Francisco Bay Guardian: Based on Earth
Say hello to Natracare, our new Silver Sponsor!
I’m really excited and proud to be able to welcome Natracare on board as a Silver Sponsor. Their ethical and environmental values make me really happy, and I was bowled over by how lovely the whole team are when I met them.
Natracare makes organic, natural, biodegradable feminine hygiene and baby products. All their products are chemical and additive-free, and are certified free from animal testing. Their philosophy is summed up as: “Mutual respect for the material and functional needs of people in balance with the responsibility to produce products in a measurably sustainable, ethical manner. To support conservation of the earth’s natural resources by using only certified organic and natural, plant-derived, renewable materials which can demonstrate the lowest measured carbon footprint and highest environmental credentials.”
As well as jumping on board as a Silver Sponsors, Natracare have provided me with enough organic, biodegradable wipes to see me through the whole adventure.
One of the areas that I am highlighting through this row is the issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. Natracare is well ahead of most in this, having already banned all crude oil plastics from their products.
Finally, Natracare are celebrating their 25th birthday this year – why not help them celebrate by trying out some of their products?
Goodbye AMT
This week we also said goodbye to our trusty towing vehicle, kindly supplied by AMT Vehicle Rental. It has been our companion for the last couple of months, towing the boat to schools and events, on training trips, and finally down to Southampton for the final time. AMT have been so supportive – even branding up the vehicle with my logo and website! They specialise in Prestige and Executive Vehicle rental (we were a rather different sort of customer from usual), so check them out if you’re thinking of treating yourself.
Have a look at the gallery for more pictures of AMT Hammond in action.
Little Boat in Big Boat
Last Tuesday we drove my little orange boat onto a huge green ship, called Oberon, and waved goodbye as we left her there. Oberon sailed that evening, headed for LA via the Panama Canal. The next time I see my little boat will be when we meet her at the other end, ready to drive her up the coast to Monterey. I can’t wait!
Shipping can be an expensive business, but I’m hugely lucky to be sending the boat courtesy of shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. They are a great company to be working with, particularly as their vessels are eco-friendly and fuel efficient, and they are able to deliver quicker than all the other options we had looked into. Their remit is to “deliver innovative and sustainable global shipping and logistics solutions for manufacturers of cars, trucks, heavy equipment and specialized cargo.” Wallenius Wilhelmsen has been absolutely brilliant to me, and I look forward to seeing my boat safely delivered at the other end.
Business O Féminin: Breaking Records for Inspirational Women
Elsa’s row and her 2,400 women campaign features in international women’s business magazine Business O Fémenin.
Bristol Women’s Voice: Bristol student prepares to take on the Pacific Ocean!
147/2400
2400 miles: 2400 women. We’re getting some amazing nominations pouring in. Nearly 150 miles have already been dedicated to inspirational women across the world, across time, and even across the boundaries of fiction and reality. Steve has been doing an absolutely heroic job of getting them up on the website – have a look here.
As I’d hoped, we’re seeing people nominate many different women for all sorts of reasons. Some are well-known, others not. Many are close to home – mothers, especially. Some are not known personally to those who dedicated the mile, but may have touched millions of people throughout their lives. I can’t wait to see who else is nominated, and what other stories lie behind each name.
As the dedications keep coming in, I’m thinking more about what it’s actually going to mean to me when I’m out there. Each day I will have different names, people, and stories to focus on. They will be sharing my journey, and I expect they will affect it profoundly. I know that thinking about them will really help me to keep going when things get tough.
We still have over 2,200 miles waiting to be dedicated and I’m so excited to see who they will be for. Time is starting to run short though – I’m heading out to California in less than five weeks’ time, and will be rowing away from land shortly after that.
Thank you all so much for everything you have done for the row so far. Your support, advice, sponsorship, suggestions and contacts all make a world of difference. Please keep supporting and help me reach 2,400 fully dedicated miles, ready to start the row in June. If each person who has dedicated a mile finds just five more people who will dedicate one as well, we’ll soon be on the way to making the most of every mile.
Thank you 🙂
Boat Launch Celebration
Thank you so much to everyone who came to this event at MShed on Wednesday 2nd April – it was brilliant to see so many familiar faces, as well as some new ones. We ran another in a series of capsize tests and held a fundraising auction. Some very generous sponsors, along with some very generous bidders! Items included a fully kitted out bicycle from Bike UK, First Class treatment from Bristol Airport, some pampering goodies from Lush, cases of wine from Naked Wines, Luxury Car Weekend Rental from AMT Vehicle Rental, some generous individual donations, and a fantastic painting by Dirk Larsen. We have also been donated a wonderful holiday in the Isles of Scilly by Tresco Island, which will be up for auction soon!
Huge thanks again to everyone who helped and supported – I really appreciate it. Thanks also to MShed and Business West who made it possible.
TEDx Bath University: Why row over 2400 miles across the Pacific Ocean, alone?
Elsa’s TEDx talk is now available online!
Elsa Hammond 