“We shall need to dig deep into our mental reserves to maintain our efforts, uphold these standards and, in the worst case, survive.”
We were really excited to speak with Captain Nick Dennison, a British Army doctor for the Royal Army Medical Corps, University of Sheffield graduate and now a consultant anaesthetist at Frimley Park hospital. In 2010, Nick and his friend, fellow doctor, Captain Hamish Reid, became the first pair to row non-stop and unsupported around the British mainland, earning them both a Guinness World Record.
In our interview with Nick, he tells us how he and Hamish came up with the idea of taking on such a gruelling challenge learn more about the adventurous 50 days they both spent at sea in a 24 foot rowing boat. Despite their limited sailing and rowing experience,
with the support of the British Army and the goal of raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes, they decided to go for it.
The Great British Row/Row Britannia kicked off on Wednesday 12 May 2010 from Lymington Yacht Haven, in Hampshire. They crossed the finish line 50 days and 2100 miles (3380km) later in the Solent on Thursday 1st July 2010. Over the course of their record breaking row, they contended with gale force winds, strong tides and high seas and the loss of their only bottle of chilli sauce.
In this motivating podcast, Nick explains how his fear of failure and determination against all odds (including a huge wave that capsized their boat of the shore of Scotland) saw them both through this epic challenge.
Nick now works as an army consultant anaesthetist in Surrey and he specialises in ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia and intravenous anaesthesia. He is married to Rebecca and has three small children.
Nick loves the outdoors and his interests include cycling, Nordic skiing and swimming when he has time. He has left his rowing days far behind him but still keeps his eye out for a challenge…
Nick is on Twitter @nickdennison
Comments