Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Not quite sailing down the Amazon

by Sail-World, Robert Dowling, Great Amazon Raft Club on 27 Oct 2009
Start line - Great Amazon Raft Race Robert Dowling http://amazonquest.net
Five years ago Irish sailor Rob Dowling completed a marathon 24-hour sail, sponsored by his local club. Spurred on by its success, Rob then sailed 800 kilometres solo, in a customised plastic bath tub down the Amazon River. He also competed in a three day 112-mile raft race, again down the Amazon in Peru.

During his time in Peru, he met and helped a young girl named Jazmin retain her sight, and his life changed forever.

Rob Dowling is a man who believes 'one man can make a difference'. Driven by his passion and desire to help the children of the Amazon River basin and his love of sailing, Rob undertook on the 3-4th July 2009, a marathon sail around an estuary in Northern Ireland. Rob completed his challenge - a 48 hour, solo sail in an effort to raise the necessary funds to continue his work with the river children in Peru.

In September Rob headed back to Peru and again undertook the epic raft race.

From Rob:

Well I swapped the dinghy sail boat for a raft; myself and a crew of three (Ann Marie, Bowie and Roy)..paddles in hand we covered 112 miles on the mighty Amazon River in Peru.

I believe this to be the world's toughest challenge on rafts. Why do it ? To promote the kids project.

There were almost 35 rafts in total and 15 pulled out after day two which was 10 hours non-stop in harsh conditions and weird currents, with heat that was like being in a sauna.

This event is promoted by my friend in Peru. We make the rafts out of eight basal wood logs and a dozen nails, 100 ft rope and away we go. We had a Navy armed escort at times whiled out on the river, and these conditions are only for the toughest. This is the second year I have completed and finished the course.

Perhaps some of you would like to have a go next September (2010).

Jazmin the child we continue to help, is the reason I push myself beyond the normal.


If you missed the Rob's 48 hour Marathon Sail story - click here

Amazonchildren.com or http://www.amazonquest.net/

The Amazon Rafting Club is based in Iquitos, Peru, and adventurers from all over the world compete in this event. The three day race started in Nauta on Friday, 25th September 2009, and finished in the City of Iquitos on Sunday, 27th September 2009. The four person crew paddled a raft they built themselves the day before the race constructed of lightweight balsawood logs. The teams then rafted 112 miles down the Amazon River.

Race founder Mike Collis moved to Iquitos from Birmingham, England in 1998. Mike had organised raft races back in England.

On the 29th July 1999, on the Nanay River the first race took place. 43 crews competed in the 12 mile, one day race from Santa Clara to Bella Vista Nanay. The winners completed the course in just over 2 hours and 30 minutes. The following year the same course was used with over 60 teams from 14 different countries competing. In 2003 the course was extended to 26 miles over 2 days and the winning team completed the course in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

In 2006, the format changed to 112 miles, and attracted rafters from 11 countries. The 2007 Great River Amazon Raft Race attracted rafters from Australia, USA, England, Scotland, Peru, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, and Mexico. In 2008 the Great River Amazon Raft Race was won by a foreign crew.
Race website: http://www.iquitostimes.com/race_2009



Sea Sure 2025Allen Dynamic 40 FooterJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

Yoann Richomme returns to Fastnet
Says Elodie Bonafous' is the boat to beat This weekend's biennial Rolex Fastnet Race - one of the oldest classics in sailing - sees the IMOCA Class return to the racetrack, with eight boats on the startline on Saturday for what is the second round of this year's IMOCA Globe Series Championship.
Posted today at 3:12 pm
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 6
Arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time Sarah-Quita Offringa pushed all the way by Maaike Huvermann in arguably the best female Freestyle final of all time, while Yentel Caers wins ‘Battle of Belgium' against Steven Van Broeckhoven to hold respective event leads.
Posted today at 11:48 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | D2 Inshore Racing Videos
One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine. One race and then it was all done. Very light and even a bit of liquid sunshine.
Posted today at 10:57 am
How to follow RORC Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
At present 451 yachts are entered, which, if all start on Saturday, will break the previous record. This year's centennial edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail this Saturday, 26 July from the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes, Isle of Wight, bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.
Posted today at 10:30 am
WASZP Games 2025 Day 3
When racing got under way, it was a game of patience, persistence, and pressure-hunting Day 3 of the WASZP Games dawned with cautious optimism as the early risers in the boat park were greeted by a light but promising northerly breeze. However, an approaching front caused the race committee to call a three-hour postponement.
Posted today at 8:23 am
Masters Games in Canberra early bird entries
More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin More than 200 sailors are expected to hit the waters of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra this October as part of the 2025 Australian Masters Games
Posted today at 6:52 am
Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am