| SKIPPER |
| ENGINEER |
| ROWERS |
| R0Y |
| DAVID |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| ~ ROC EXPEDITION ~ ~ G l o b a l L a n d & S e a E x p e d i t i o n s ~ |
| ~ Crew ~ |
| _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| CREW |
I am a 55 year old maple syrup producer (and physician). I have
been married for 26 years to Janet McLeod and have three adult
sons: Jeremy, Zak, and Nigel (as well as grandson James).
I grew up on Toronto Island and spent most of my childhood
fishing and messing about with sailboats.
A high school dropout at 16, I experienced 8 years of the "real
world" workforce before returning to university in Kinesiology
followed by a degree in Medicine.
Blessed (or cursed) with a short attention span and considerable
enthusiasm, I love to start new projects.... but need lots of
variety in life. I am competent at many things but excel at few.
prefer trips of sufficient duration that they "become" my life. I
prefer trips of sufficient duration that they "become" my life. I
prefer it when little exists outside the moment. If I posses a single
attribute of value to this effort it is that I have a high capacity to
suffer .....and keep on going.suffer .....and keep on going.suffer
.....and keep on going.suffer .....and keep on going.
been married for 26 years to Janet McLeod and have three adult
sons: Jeremy, Zak, and Nigel (as well as grandson James).
I grew up on Toronto Island and spent most of my childhood
fishing and messing about with sailboats.
A high school dropout at 16, I experienced 8 years of the "real
world" workforce before returning to university in Kinesiology
followed by a degree in Medicine.
Blessed (or cursed) with a short attention span and considerable
enthusiasm, I love to start new projects.... but need lots of
variety in life. I am competent at many things but excel at few.
prefer trips of sufficient duration that they "become" my life. I
prefer trips of sufficient duration that they "become" my life. I
prefer it when little exists outside the moment. If I posses a single
attribute of value to this effort it is that I have a high capacity to
suffer .....and keep on going.suffer .....and keep on going.suffer
.....and keep on going.suffer .....and keep on going.
Elizabeth Koenig
Age 24
Originally from Long Island, NY, currently residing in Charlotte,
NC where I train and work in Sales.
Rowed four years for Saint Anthony’s High School, 6 years for
Sagamore Rowing association, and went on to row Varsity for
four years at the University of Rhode Island under coaches Julia
Chilicki-Beasley, Shelagh Donohoe, and Jessica Lizzie. These
three coaches were my biggest influences and role models. After
Graduating from URI, I moved to Boston to spend the Summer
Training with the US Rowing Under 23 Development camp.
Rowing achievements include medaling at the Atlantic 10
Championships, ECAC Metro Championships, and US Rowing
Nationals. Placed second in the women’s 8 at the Royal
Canadian Henley in 2007.
I look forward to trying a new type of rowing and leaving the calm
waters behind for the waves and adventure of the Atlantic
Ocean. Most of all I look forward to breaking a world record with a
determined and athletically dynamic team on Big Blue!
| STEVE |
| LIZ |
| CHARLES |
Charles Wilkins
is a fulltime writer who divides his time between his home in
Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Superior, and
his cabin in the Muskoka region of central Ontario. He has written
fifteen books, including Walk to New York, about his 2,200-km hike
from Thunder Bay to New York City, The Circus at the Edge of the
Earth, about his travels with the Great Wallenda Circus, and, most
recently, In the Land of Long Fingernails: A Gravedigger’s Memoir,
about the summer of 1969, during which he dug graves in a big
corporate cemetery in the east end of Toronto. He has three
children (girls 14 and 15, a boy 21) and enjoys travel, sport, and
the benefits of a rich inner life. He also enjoys a good laugh… and,
whenever possible, enjoys inspiring one through his writing.
| NIGEL |
| ERNST |
I'm 21, grew up on good ol' St Joseph Island and have always
had a thirst for those experiences that bring out the best in life.
Athletically, I consider myself a runner - having been coached to
compete at the national level for the Lakehead University track
team. Also, I like beer.. but am yet to successfully combine these
two hobbies in a completed beer mile attempt - but we all need a
goal. During the summers I've been working at a summer camp
as a leadership trainer and in more recent years have been
leading month long canoe trips down (and up) Northen Rivers. In
2008, I swung a degree in Poli-Sci and destined not to fall into a
routine and work a normal job, took off to South America to learn
Spanish and eat up as many experiences as I could bite into.
After 6 months of working at hostels, looking for anacondas and
failing summit attempts, I heard the old man was trying out to
cross the Atlantic.... in record time. I checked it out and was
immediately drawn to the whole thing. I've been pumpin' the guns
since then.
As for the Atlantic Crossing in 'Big Blue'... it seems to me that
we've got the Captain, we've got the boat design, we've got the
crew and if we get some decent weather - we've got the world
record.
had a thirst for those experiences that bring out the best in life.
Athletically, I consider myself a runner - having been coached to
compete at the national level for the Lakehead University track
team. Also, I like beer.. but am yet to successfully combine these
two hobbies in a completed beer mile attempt - but we all need a
goal. During the summers I've been working at a summer camp
as a leadership trainer and in more recent years have been
leading month long canoe trips down (and up) Northen Rivers. In
2008, I swung a degree in Poli-Sci and destined not to fall into a
routine and work a normal job, took off to South America to learn
Spanish and eat up as many experiences as I could bite into.
After 6 months of working at hostels, looking for anacondas and
failing summit attempts, I heard the old man was trying out to
cross the Atlantic.... in record time. I checked it out and was
immediately drawn to the whole thing. I've been pumpin' the guns
since then.
As for the Atlantic Crossing in 'Big Blue'... it seems to me that
we've got the Captain, we've got the boat design, we've got the
crew and if we get some decent weather - we've got the world
record.
Name: Ernst Fiby
Age: 32
Nationality: Austria, grew up in Vienna
Occupation: Cargo Agent
been with the Austrian Armed Forces on different
Peacekeeping/enforcement Missions between 2001-2005 in Kosovo
Peacekeeping/enforcement Missions between 2001-2005 in Kosovo
and on the Golan Heights.
and on the Golan Heights.
Languages: German, Czech, Croatian, English
Competitive Sports: 8 years Bike Racing (Track&Street)
Kraig Salvesen was born in Stanford, CA and grew up in the San
Francisco Bay Area. An avid swimmer and water polo player in
high school, he first took to rowing while attending Harvard,
where, in addition to being a member of the heavyweight crew,
he was also a member of the varsity water polo team. He has
continued to compete in rowing since graduating from college,
having competed in the Head of the Charles in the single scull,
and is currently an active member of the Lincoln Park Boat Club
in Chicago, IL. He continues to be an avid participant in other
endurance events, having competed in numerous swim meets,
triathlons, and open-water swimming races. Kraig has worked as
a management consultant, an anesthesia technician, a legal
assistant, and as a coach of rowing, sculling, swimming and water
polo. Outside of his professional and athletic pursuits, Kraig's
interests include playing music (cello, bass, piano and guitar),
literature, and any and all non-motorized outdoor activities not
previously alluded to above.
Francisco Bay Area. An avid swimmer and water polo player in
high school, he first took to rowing while attending Harvard,
where, in addition to being a member of the heavyweight crew,
he was also a member of the varsity water polo team. He has
continued to compete in rowing since graduating from college,
having competed in the Head of the Charles in the single scull,
and is currently an active member of the Lincoln Park Boat Club
in Chicago, IL. He continues to be an avid participant in other
endurance events, having competed in numerous swim meets,
triathlons, and open-water swimming races. Kraig has worked as
a management consultant, an anesthesia technician, a legal
assistant, and as a coach of rowing, sculling, swimming and water
polo. Outside of his professional and athletic pursuits, Kraig's
interests include playing music (cello, bass, piano and guitar),
literature, and any and all non-motorized outdoor activities not
previously alluded to above.
| KRAIG |
| RYAN |
Ryan Worth is a student at the University of Tennessee studying
Environmental Science and is an Employee of the Outdoor
Program. His other activities include; Knights of Columbus,
Triathlon Club, and American Society of Agricultural and
Biological Engineers.
Ryan began rowing in high school and Captained the
Chattanooga Junior Rowing team in his senior year there. He
continued rowing in college with Tennessee Crew and is now
serving as the Club's President. Ryan is also an Eagle Scout
and Lifeguard. He enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, fishing, hunting,
paddling, rock climbing, and running..
Environmental Science and is an Employee of the Outdoor
Program. His other activities include; Knights of Columbus,
Triathlon Club, and American Society of Agricultural and
Biological Engineers.
Ryan began rowing in high school and Captained the
Chattanooga Junior Rowing team in his senior year there. He
continued rowing in college with Tennessee Crew and is now
serving as the Club's President. Ryan is also an Eagle Scout
and Lifeguard. He enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, fishing, hunting,
paddling, rock climbing, and running..
| JAIRO |
Christopher Covey
Age: 24
Nationality: GB
I am a farm worker and part-time rowing coach living near
Cambridge, UK. I am a Durham University engineering
graduate and learnt to row at university. I was part of a GB
U23 development group and competed in the University's top
boats for three years. At school I was a Venture Scout,
climbed Mount Kenya in 2002, and was a keen dinghy sailor. I
now row in Cambridge for Rob Roy boat club, and was looking
for the next challenge... until it arrived in the shape of Big
Blue. This race for the World Record will be the biggest
challenge I have ever faced, and I hope to raise money for
Breakthrough Breast Cancer along the way.
Age: 24
Nationality: GB
I am a farm worker and part-time rowing coach living near
Cambridge, UK. I am a Durham University engineering
graduate and learnt to row at university. I was part of a GB
U23 development group and competed in the University's top
boats for three years. At school I was a Venture Scout,
climbed Mount Kenya in 2002, and was a keen dinghy sailor. I
now row in Cambridge for Rob Roy boat club, and was looking
for the next challenge... until it arrived in the shape of Big
Blue. This race for the World Record will be the biggest
challenge I have ever faced, and I hope to raise money for
Breakthrough Breast Cancer along the way.
| CHRIS |
Roy originally from Kilmacolm Scotland now resides Shelter Island New
York .
Married to ocean rower/teacher Colleen and Dad to Roy 7 and Charlie 5.
Ex Royal Navy diver.
Four Atlantic crossings rowing /sailing ,three as Skipper .
Apart from having sailed the Worlds oceans ,Roy's fondest memories are
of two expeditions in the same year of 1997 circumnavigating his native
Scotland first rowing second kayaking solo ,living wild for a total of eleven
weeks.
On both occasions with the primary goal of raising funds for a friends
charity housing Romanian orphans.
Holder of a Guinness World Record as the co/designer builder and
Skipper of Orca 2007/08.
Orca became the first multihull in history to have been rowed across any
ocean of the World.
" Any ocean rowing expedition comes with three main elements the crew
,boat and weather , I'm confident despite the difficulties inherent with an
expedition of this magnitude we will break the World record of 33 days and
be successful in pioneering the new route from Africa to the Americas and
win the Cup as being the fastest boat to cross the full extent of the Atlantic.
Of the three elements ,crew is by far the most important ,I know that ocean
rowing has never witnessed such a physically capable crew who possess
additional attributes wholly beneficial to the expedition ,I could not have
wished for better and unknown to the crew their boat Big Blue will be better
than they could have wished for".
York .
Married to ocean rower/teacher Colleen and Dad to Roy 7 and Charlie 5.
Ex Royal Navy diver.
Four Atlantic crossings rowing /sailing ,three as Skipper .
Apart from having sailed the Worlds oceans ,Roy's fondest memories are
of two expeditions in the same year of 1997 circumnavigating his native
Scotland first rowing second kayaking solo ,living wild for a total of eleven
weeks.
On both occasions with the primary goal of raising funds for a friends
charity housing Romanian orphans.
Holder of a Guinness World Record as the co/designer builder and
Skipper of Orca 2007/08.
Orca became the first multihull in history to have been rowed across any
ocean of the World.
" Any ocean rowing expedition comes with three main elements the crew
,boat and weather , I'm confident despite the difficulties inherent with an
expedition of this magnitude we will break the World record of 33 days and
be successful in pioneering the new route from Africa to the Americas and
win the Cup as being the fastest boat to cross the full extent of the Atlantic.
Of the three elements ,crew is by far the most important ,I know that ocean
rowing has never witnessed such a physically capable crew who possess
additional attributes wholly beneficial to the expedition ,I could not have
wished for better and unknown to the crew their boat Big Blue will be better
than they could have wished for".
David Davlianidze
Originally from Republic of Georgia
Since 1997 David has resided Shelter Island New York
and is the head of Roc Expedition he is also the
founder of Shelter Island boats whose rapid growth and
success is largely due to David's natural engineering
skills.
David holds a Masters Degree in economics from Tbilisi
State University and was instrumental in the foundation
of the Tbilisi stock exchange as Georgia gained it's
independence.
The combination of his skills and education make David
the perfect person to handle the financial management
of the expedition and to fulfill the role as engineer
aboard Big Blue.
"Roy breaks them I fix them"
Originally from Republic of Georgia
Since 1997 David has resided Shelter Island New York
and is the head of Roc Expedition he is also the
founder of Shelter Island boats whose rapid growth and
success is largely due to David's natural engineering
skills.
David holds a Masters Degree in economics from Tbilisi
State University and was instrumental in the foundation
of the Tbilisi stock exchange as Georgia gained it's
independence.
The combination of his skills and education make David
the perfect person to handle the financial management
of the expedition and to fulfill the role as engineer
aboard Big Blue.
"Roy breaks them I fix them"
Lyndsay Edmonds has been yearning to live on the edge of this path we call
life ever since she was little. Always looking for something to enrich her
curious inner-self by being active in athletics and various outdoor activities. As
a child growing up in eastern Michigan, being outdoors was a big part of her
livelihood. Downhill skiing and traditional sports through high school carried
her athletic ability to further her interest of participating in sport through
college. Joining Northern Michigan Universities club rowing team at the chilly
lower harbor on Lake Superior made her itch for a more competitive
environment. Seeking other options, Lyndsay was soon recruited to Barry
University in Miami Shores, Fl. Taking to the sport of rowing extremely quickly
Lyndsay and the Barry team soon accomplished top rankings through
numerous regattas. Winning gold at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta back to
back years, as well as falling 1 second short of a Division II National
Championship Barry settled for 2nd in the nation. Graduating from Barry with
a B.S. in Exercise Science was an accomplishment as well as completing
her collegiate rowing career. Lyndsays love for challenges has brought her to
the sport of triathlons. After competing in several races the idea to start
training for the half Ironman was next to conquer! Currently, while coaching
rowing and working as a program coordinator for an after school rowing
program she splits her time between her rowing interests and triathlon
training. Lyndsays search for an extreme and unique personal challenge is
being filled by an adventure of a lifetime, a.k.a. Big Blue transatlantic ocean
rowing expedition!
life ever since she was little. Always looking for something to enrich her
curious inner-self by being active in athletics and various outdoor activities. As
a child growing up in eastern Michigan, being outdoors was a big part of her
livelihood. Downhill skiing and traditional sports through high school carried
her athletic ability to further her interest of participating in sport through
college. Joining Northern Michigan Universities club rowing team at the chilly
lower harbor on Lake Superior made her itch for a more competitive
environment. Seeking other options, Lyndsay was soon recruited to Barry
University in Miami Shores, Fl. Taking to the sport of rowing extremely quickly
Lyndsay and the Barry team soon accomplished top rankings through
numerous regattas. Winning gold at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta back to
back years, as well as falling 1 second short of a Division II National
Championship Barry settled for 2nd in the nation. Graduating from Barry with
a B.S. in Exercise Science was an accomplishment as well as completing
her collegiate rowing career. Lyndsays love for challenges has brought her to
the sport of triathlons. After competing in several races the idea to start
training for the half Ironman was next to conquer! Currently, while coaching
rowing and working as a program coordinator for an after school rowing
program she splits her time between her rowing interests and triathlon
training. Lyndsays search for an extreme and unique personal challenge is
being filled by an adventure of a lifetime, a.k.a. Big Blue transatlantic ocean
rowing expedition!
| LYNDSAY |
Aleksandra Klimas-Mikalauskas
Long Island, New York
Aleksa began her rowing career in college at Stony Brook
University, and was later recruited to Dowling College in Oakdale,
New York. At Dowling she was a member of the college's first
women's eight to be invited to the NCAA DII Rowing
Championships in 2006. She graduated from Dowling in 2006
with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology-Anthropology, and
continued on to recieve her Master's degree in Elementary
Special Education. In the spring of 2009 she returned to Dowling
College to become the Assistant Women's Rowing Coach. Aleksa
also works as an EMT-Critical Care and as a substitute special
education teacher. Aleksa is also a volunteer firefighter and
EMT-CC in the North Babylon Fire Company (Long Island, NY).
She enjoys community service, photography, and almost anything
that involves being on or near the water.
Long Island, New York
Aleksa began her rowing career in college at Stony Brook
University, and was later recruited to Dowling College in Oakdale,
New York. At Dowling she was a member of the college's first
women's eight to be invited to the NCAA DII Rowing
Championships in 2006. She graduated from Dowling in 2006
with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology-Anthropology, and
continued on to recieve her Master's degree in Elementary
Special Education. In the spring of 2009 she returned to Dowling
College to become the Assistant Women's Rowing Coach. Aleksa
also works as an EMT-Critical Care and as a substitute special
education teacher. Aleksa is also a volunteer firefighter and
EMT-CC in the North Babylon Fire Company (Long Island, NY).
She enjoys community service, photography, and almost anything
that involves being on or near the water.
| ALEKSA |
Jairo , aged 22 resident of Greenport Long Island I have
been assisting Roy in the construction of Big Blue ,according
to Roy I possess all the attributes of an ocean rower ,I will
have to take his word on that one.
Assisting in the construction has taken on a different
meaning ,I'm still dealing with the idea that I'm building a boat
that I will row across an ocean .
I am interested in many sports especially soccer and
consider myself a team player and look forward to meeting
the crew.
I 'm really looking forward to taking part in something that I
could never have done without Roy and Dave ,my life with a
World Record is still an unbelievable dream .
been assisting Roy in the construction of Big Blue ,according
to Roy I possess all the attributes of an ocean rower ,I will
have to take his word on that one.
Assisting in the construction has taken on a different
meaning ,I'm still dealing with the idea that I'm building a boat
that I will row across an ocean .
I am interested in many sports especially soccer and
consider myself a team player and look forward to meeting
the crew.
I 'm really looking forward to taking part in something that I
could never have done without Roy and Dave ,my life with a
World Record is still an unbelievable dream .
