A coxed quad rowing crew is set to take on a mammoth task over the next few months, rowing from the bottom of Stewart Island and right along the east coast of the country to Cape Reinga.
The first task was to row from South Cape at the bottom of Stewart Island to Bluff, which began last Saturday. They got to Oban on Tuesday and then arrived at Bluff just before noon yesterday after an early start.
The row is a way to fundraise for various causes and has a hefty target of $5 million.
The adventure was an idea of Invercargill man Ian Hamilton and a few of his mates from the Invercargill Rowing Club.
It will not be the one crew doing the whole row. They are seeking volunteers from rowing clubs along the way and places to stay on the trip.
It is envisaged there will be 111 legs in the race, covering 3000km, taking about five months. Lions clubs around the country will be helping out.
Of course, this is rowing so it all comes down to the weather and the wind.
The crew made an encouraging start around Stewart Island with a nine-hour row from Pegasus to Oban on Tuesday.
They had nine rowers, who were swapping in and out of the coastal rowing boat.
Mr Hamilton said the boat sat well in the water but the waves they encountered were large.
"It has just been amazing — the whole journey. You see these incredible things.
"You are right down the bottom of the country. There is a different light, all the ruggedness you see. There is no vegetation for 15-20m along the cliffs as the spray and water just washes everything away."
There were plenty of seals, penguins and lots of other birds to see, he said.
Funds are being raised for the Lions Club Cancer Trust, Child Cancer, Starship Foundation and Surf Lifesaving NZ.
