ANTIGUA – A pair of Dartmouth dentists have completed an epic feat of human endurance by rowing 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
Azud Irshad, a Muslim, and Justin Marney, completed the crossing, dubbed ‘”the world’s toughest row”, in 51 days, 11 hours and 35 minutes.
“My aim was to stay on the boat or tied to the boat. My thinking was if I went over in big seas, swimming wouldn’t help and I would be entirely subjected to the conditions. I made my peace with that before I left,” Irshad, who cannot swim, told Totnes Times on Monday, May 1.
“When I said goodbye to friends and family I was thinking this was a hugely dangerous row, and completely had it set in my mind I might not see them again.
“Every time something went wrong – when we nearly capsized or the steering went wrong – I would say to Justin this is what we came for, it wasn’t going to be a jolly.”
Both dentists arrived at English Harbour, Antigua, to a rapturous welcome from family and friends, six days earlier than planned.
Azud said the trip was life- changing for the pair, and their comradeship was a highlight, which helped them succeed.
“It was life defining, for Justin too. Both of us changed immensely across this trip.
“Despite the pods of dolphins, the shark and flying fish, the best thing was a 30 and 49-year-old able to spend 51 days together on a boat.
“Not a single bad word was spoken, everything was positive. If one of us was down the other picked him up, if one was unwell the other helped him, always holding out for each other.”
Raised up in a conservative Muslim family, Azud is exploring his life from a cultural standpoint.
“My parents are from Pakistan and I grew up the youngest in a traditional Muslim family,” he said.
“My upbringing was very disciplined and structured. I would never be expected to do something like this row.
“I spoke to my mum after the race and asked her if the reason she was so against it was because no one else she knew had done such a thing. She said yes. It was so unconventional and her friends had told her she should have stopped me.
“But now I’ve done it she understands and is hugely proud, telling everyone. It’s a great feeling.”
