The Bond University Rowing Club (BURC) plans to set a new world record by rowing for 48 hours straight – and they need your support.
From 5.45pm on Monday March 17 through to 5.45pm Wednesday March 19, a team of ten ‘oarsome’ rowers from BURC will row non-stop to set a world record for the longest continuous row by a mixed team.
The team will set-up their rowing machine in the ADCO Amphitheatre and take it in turns to row half an hour to an hour each.
Over the course of the two days, during which the team will eat and sleep in shifts under the stars, they will cover a distance of around 500 kilometres – or from Bond to Bundaberg!
Tom Jenkins, Sponsorship Director of the Bond University Rowing Club, said the main aim of the two-day rowathon was to raise awareness of the club and recruit new members.
“We’re a small, but very passionate and ambitious club. We need more members to grow and be successful, to purchase a new boat and most importantly, find a coach,” he said.
Through gold coin donations and potentially corporate sponsors, the team is hoping to raise $6,000 with the world record attempt, to fund their growth and development.
“This is the first time this record has ever been attempted and in order for us to be successful, we need to keep the fly wheel moving continuously for 48 long hours,” Tom said.
“Managing the changeovers will be a real challenge, as we literally have within one stroke for one rower to jump off and the next rower to jump on the machine.
“Staying awake through the night and staying motivated won’t be easy either, but with the support of our team of 10, the Bond cheerleaders and hopefully loads of visits and encouragement from staff and students – we’re going to smash it!”
The BURC World Record team will consist of Aksel Sunde Bratli, Edward Burrows-Cheng, Isabella Rositano, Isobel Starkey, Jack Hannah, Jack Ryan, Jo Godø, Karri Coles, Patrick Slattery and Tom Jenkins.
Students and staff and are encouraged to show their support of the team throughout the 48 hour rowathon, but especially when they’re in the home straight at around 5.30pm Wednesday 19 March.
Also on Wednesday 19 March at 10.40am Sea FM will be conducting a live cross with the team and will have plenty of giveaways to handout.
For more information about the event, or to get involved, visit the BURC team’s facebook page.