| SKIPPER |
| ENGINEER |
| ROWERS |
| R0Y |
| DAVID |
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| ~ 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 ~ |
| _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| 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 |
| DYLAN |
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.
There are quite a few reasons that I decided to become involved with
this team - the thrill of chasing a world record, of using only human
power to travel such an overwhelming distance and to help fundraise
in support of the empowerment and rights of Indigenous people all
over the world. However, the main reason that I couldn't help but
dedicate myself to this expedition, was the opportunity to explore one
of the most remote places on earth with a dynamic team of
adventurers.
My background is in long range expeditions across the Canadian
wilderness, including an 8400km cycling trip in the summer of 2009,
canoe trips on Ontario and Quebec rivers, and surveying and
research work in the Yukon and Northern Quebec.
As the cinematographer on board, I will be capturing this voyage on
HD cameras to document every step of the way. Ever since I saw the
sleek hulls of Big Blue I've been thinking of different ways to show her
off in front of the camera.
| 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..
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"
| ZACH |
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 |
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario I am yet another Canadian to join
this roster of swashbucklers looking to cross the Atlantic on Big Blue
in world record time. I currently reside in Guelph, Ontario where I
attend the local university and dabble in a wide range of classes.
During the summers I travel to a small town called Pickle Lake where
myself and my fellow crew members work together to put out forest
fires, and sometimes get to travel out of province to lend a helping
hose. All in all, working with all that water, has made me thirsty!
Thirsty to try my hand at a new adventure aboard Big Blue, where I’m
confident that we can achieve all goals set for this voyage with this
great crew, boat and Captain.
this roster of swashbucklers looking to cross the Atlantic on Big Blue
in world record time. I currently reside in Guelph, Ontario where I
attend the local university and dabble in a wide range of classes.
During the summers I travel to a small town called Pickle Lake where
myself and my fellow crew members work together to put out forest
fires, and sometimes get to travel out of province to lend a helping
hose. All in all, working with all that water, has made me thirsty!
Thirsty to try my hand at a new adventure aboard Big Blue, where I’m
confident that we can achieve all goals set for this voyage with this
great crew, boat and Captain.
Name: Ernst Fiby
Age: 34
Nationality/City : Austria / Vienna
Occupation: Logistics Specialist
After my apprenticeship from 1991-94 incl
Federal Diploma I worked for different
Transport Companies in Austria and abroad.
Also I've been with the Austrian Armed Forces
on different Peacekeeping/enforcement
Missions between 2001-2005 in Kosovo and on
the Golan Heights.
Languages: German, Czech, Croatian, English
Competitive Sports: 8 years Bike Racing
(Track&Street)
Age: 34
Nationality/City : Austria / Vienna
Occupation: Logistics Specialist
After my apprenticeship from 1991-94 incl
Federal Diploma I worked for different
Transport Companies in Austria and abroad.
Also I've been with the Austrian Armed Forces
on different Peacekeeping/enforcement
Missions between 2001-2005 in Kosovo and on
the Golan Heights.
Languages: German, Czech, Croatian, English
Competitive Sports: 8 years Bike Racing
(Track&Street)
| ERNST |
Louise Graff
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and now live in Charleston, S.C.
I started rowing with the Louisville Rowing Club after graduating
from Earlham College. I continue to skull on the Ashley River in
Charleston. I was part of a two person team who attempted the
Atlantic Challenge crossing from the Canary Islands to Barbados
and have since successfully competed in the Marathon Rowing
Championships in Natchitoches, La. in a double, octuple and
dragon boat. I spent an amazing summer (80 days) paddling and
rowing 1800 miles on the Yukon River in British Columbia and
Alaska.
For the last six years, I have been very active as a volunteer
steersperson, assistant coach and paddler with Dragon Boat
Charleston, a wellness program for cancer survivors and
community paddling club. Our cancer survivors in this program
are a constant inspiration to me to reach further than I ever
thought possible and live life to its fullest!! I also paddle and
compete with the South Carolina Canoe, Kayak and Outrigger
club. These clubs have given me the opportunity to compete in
numerous U.S. cities as well as Canada and China.
I enjoy volunteering with Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding as
well as swimming and reading and playing the kazoo as musical
talent intrigues but eludes me. I love to travel and can’t wait to
experience Morocco and Barbados! I am very excited to be a part
of this amazing challenge on Big Blue.
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and now live in Charleston, S.C.
I started rowing with the Louisville Rowing Club after graduating
from Earlham College. I continue to skull on the Ashley River in
Charleston. I was part of a two person team who attempted the
Atlantic Challenge crossing from the Canary Islands to Barbados
and have since successfully competed in the Marathon Rowing
Championships in Natchitoches, La. in a double, octuple and
dragon boat. I spent an amazing summer (80 days) paddling and
rowing 1800 miles on the Yukon River in British Columbia and
Alaska.
For the last six years, I have been very active as a volunteer
steersperson, assistant coach and paddler with Dragon Boat
Charleston, a wellness program for cancer survivors and
community paddling club. Our cancer survivors in this program
are a constant inspiration to me to reach further than I ever
thought possible and live life to its fullest!! I also paddle and
compete with the South Carolina Canoe, Kayak and Outrigger
club. These clubs have given me the opportunity to compete in
numerous U.S. cities as well as Canada and China.
I enjoy volunteering with Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding as
well as swimming and reading and playing the kazoo as musical
talent intrigues but eludes me. I love to travel and can’t wait to
experience Morocco and Barbados! I am very excited to be a part
of this amazing challenge on Big Blue.
| LOUISE |
| SUB'S |
| FRANK |