Guyana again in international spotlight as…
– sets World Record as Youngest Person to Row Ocean Solo
AMERICAN endurance athlete, Katie Spotz, 22, has reached land after 70 days and about 6 hours on the Atlantic Ocean, setting a world record as the youngest person to row across an ocean solo. When Spotz reached Guyana’s shores around 16:20 hrs Saturday afternoon, she had crossed approximately 2,817 miles during her journey.
That’s how long it took Ms. Spotz to carve her niche in record books as the youngest person to cross an ocean in a rowboat and the first American to row solo from mainland to mainland; and put Guyana once more in the international spotlight.
When she docked yesterday at Port Georgetown, at the Transport and Harbours Wharf, Spotz assertion was, “Yes, I exceeded my goal!”
Her target, to raise US$60,000 (initially US$30,000), now stands at a whopping US$65,000, and according to the young woman, it was worth each of the 2,817 miles from Dakar, Senegal to Georgetown, Guyana.
The efforts of the 22-year old from Mentor, Ohio, in the United States, is aimed at raising funds and awareness for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, a charitable organization that funds safe drinking water projects for billions of people around the world in need.
Blue Planet Run Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the lack of safe drinking water, and funding working solutions today for the billion people living without ready access to this life sustaining resource.
Spotz made clear that unsafe drinking water is the leading cause of sickness, disease and death worldwide, but it’s a problem that can be solved through collaborations.
“It was a real challenge…The purpose of this row is to raise funds and awareness for persons who do not have access to safe drinking water,” Spotz said.
Bumps, blisters, rashes –nothing major –is how she termed her physical distresses but explained that she thrived off a good challenge.
The young woman explained that her mornings, starting at sunrise, were spent rowing since “there’s not much to do on a row boat” until sunset.
“I would cook three meals a day. These dehydrated meals and at night I would do the blogs and keep in touch with friends and family,” Spotz said.
She noted that the only other thing was making water – converting the saltwater into drinking water.
“I was pretty simple. It was eat, sleep, row, repeat and repeat…My favourite part is reaching that new level…When I am alone it tunes me into the moment more and allows me that space to reflect,” she said.
However, this self-reflection came at a price. According to Spotz, her journey was possible only after two years of planning and working her parents around the idea of rowing solo.
“When I first told my family they didn’t even want to hear about it and after I secure the sponsors and did everything and took the courses required they warmed up to the idea,” she said.
Spotz said her determination to this cause has its genesis in Australia where, on a bus, she heard about ocean rowing.
“It was an idea that found me,” she posited, “I didn’t even know about ocean rowing and was instantly intrigued.”
At the same time in the country, she said Melbourne was experiencing drought and so her awareness of water issues “on a global scale” increased.
She said, “I learned that more than a billion people do not have access to safe drinking water…(and) because of this row, over 2,000 people will have safe drinking water for the rest of  their lives.”
On a personal note, she said the acclaim she has gained is “cool” and maintained that the challenge was her pull factor.
When asked as a young person what would be her message to youths, Spotz said that young people should never let anything hold them back and be determined.
“Growing up I was a benchwarmer…I was the worse on my swim team. I was the worst on my rowing team but all that matters is determination. Anyone can be determined,” she said.
Apart from studying Business and Economics and having worked with several charitable organisations, Spotz also has a number of other accomplishments to her name. In 2006, she completed a 3,300-mile bicycle ride across America for the American Lung Association; in 2007, she ran a 62-mile ultra-marathon in Australia; and last year she, not only completed a 150-mile run in the Colorado and Mojave deserts but, also became the first person to swim the entire length of the 352-mile Allegheny River, to increase awareness of the need for safe drinking water.
“There have been a few physical extremes in my lifetime,” she opines.
Since she began the row on January 3, Spotz’s successful social media connections resulted in followers from 135 countries who have become connected through RowforWater.com blog posts, Twitter, Facebook and media updates.
“I am so thankful to all of the people who followed my journey and sent me encouraging messages, but especially for their donations and support for safe drinking water, which were inspirations for the row. I am also very grateful for the support of my sponsors, including my title sponsor, GaREAT Sport Complex in Geneva, Ohio, as well as Pentair Water, World Shipping, Kinetico Water Systems, Moen, Weatherguy.com, Germ Guardian, and so many more who helped fund my journey through corporate contributions,” she said.
“The final days of my row were similar to the first ones, with generally calm seas.  I’m so glad I extended the journey 400 miles, as a part of me was holding on dearly to the simplicity of the sea,” she said.
Spotz conducted the entire row solo with no support boat other than an escort from the Guyana Coast Guard for the final 4 miles into land which provided no assistance, but was there in case of any emergency.
Her arrival, like her entire journey, was tracked via her Web site RowforWater.com and Twitter, as she moved slowly along the Demerara River into port Georgetown to the dock.
Spotz started rowing in early January from Dakar in Africa and had planned to arrive in Cayenne, in early March. Her original estimation for the journey was three months or more, but due to her determination and focus, as well as good weather conditions, she had a speedy journey.
A week earlier, Spotz made the decision to lengthen her row by 400 miles, and divert from Cayenne to Georgetown, Guyana so she could reach land unassisted via a safer route.
Spotz is expected to leave on Thursday and will not be rowing back home but added that “There are more adventures to come.”
Until then, Spotz will be staying at the Princess Buddy’s Hotel, courtesy of the Guyana Government.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Persaud, said Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) staffers will be on hand to accommodate Spotz and her companions, who include her father.
“If she wants to fly to Kaieteur then we will be able to do that,” Prashad said.
According to him, Spotz has brought the international spotlight to Guyana’s shores once more and made clear that it will promote and improve Guyana’s image abroad.
Prashad pointed out that apart from Spotz arrival, Guyana has received the attention of yachting enthusiast as well as cr
uise liners. Only last week, the Vista Mar cruise ship docked in Guyana bringing over 250 tourists.
“This will also help us to promote Guyana as a destination of choice,” he said.
He added that Spotz will be meeting with members from the business community to address contributions to her cause.
Prashad said it is fitting that Spotz ‘row for water’ should end in Guyana, the land of many waters