TO do their jobs, firefighters have to be brave, strong and selfless in the face of danger, but one firefighter from County Durham is channelling these attributes in another way – by joining a team to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic this December.
Departing from Gran Canaria on December 15, Ryan Tipping and his three crewmates will look to travel the mammoth journey and reach Barbados in under 30 days – battling stormy seas, the physical and mental demands, and personal challenges along the way.
The four-strong rowing crew will exert themselves through a “relentless” pattern of rowing two hours on, two off, both day and night.
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With massive pressure already on Ryan and his squad, the rowing effort will also be a World Record attempt – so Ryan has admitted that “fishing, dolphin spotting and sunbathing will be kept to a minimum”.
Despite the 3000-mile row ahead of him later this month; a challenge that has been completed fewer times than people summiting Everest – Ryan is taking it all in his stride and using the inspiration behind the challenge as motivation.
As part of the team effort to travel from Gran Canaria to Barbados, the rowers will be raising funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, RMA Royal Marines Charity, Not Forgotten Association, Veterans United Against Suicide and Go Again Mental Health Consultancy, which are all charities that everyone taking part holds close to their hearts.
For Ryan, it’s the mental health and military side of things that resonate most with him, with the firefighter and ex-Royal Marine keen to complete this challenge to break the stigma of mental illness.
He said: “We all have mental health, just as we have physical health. It can change from good to poor. Poor mental health can affect any of us irrespective of age, personality or background.
“The pandemic has only increased demand for mental health services. The restrictions and changes in health services have left growing numbers of teenagers and adults alike with no one to reach out to.
"Although mental health awareness is increasing, we need to do more about it.”
The opportunity for the Atlantic row came about for Ryan after he completed a coast to coast run for the Firefighters Charity earlier in the year when he was approached by a former firefighter and Royal Marine, Andy Ellison.
After talking to Andy, the conversation changed to how a friend of his from the Marines, Mick Turner, was currently planning a trip across the Atlantic and asked Ryan if it was something he would be interested in doing.
Ryan jumped at the chance, and a week later, a place on the Atlantic crossing was his.
Ever since he found out about the challenge, Ryan has been well acquainted with the rowing machine, spending hours at a time on the piece of equipment to simulate the 3000-mile journey.
The County Durham man is also well versed with fitness challenges after taking on ultra runs, which has included the Marathon Des Sables; a 150 mile in the Sahara Desert week carrying all the kit you need from start to finish.
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Mr Tipping added: “I’m extremely excited and surprisingly calm and relaxed. I suspect the nerves may kick in some time closer to departure day.
“I think perhaps the experience of having worked closely with others onboard small boats for both the Royal Marines and my time in the maritime security industry for extended periods will hopefully give me a little flavour of what fun lies ahead."
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