Hazlemere woman smashes two world records (From Bucks Free Press)

Hazlemere woman smashes two world records

11:10am Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Hazlemere and Holmer Green By Rebecca Cain

A HAZLEMERE woman is one fifth of a team who has smashed two world records after completing a gruelling 45 day row across the Atlantic- facing huge challenges along the way.

Debbie Beadle, who is part of the Row for Freedom team, arrived to a welcome party during Sunday night at Port St Charles Marina 45 days, 15 hours and 26 minutes after they left The Canary Islands on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

They smashed two world records: the fastest crossing of the Atlantic ocean by an all-female team and the first five-woman team to row any ocean.

Speaking from Barbados, Debbie said: "I am very relieved and a bit stiff. It has been really great and so non-stop.

"We have done nothing but media interviews and photo shoots. I haven't even seen the beach yet. Soon I will have time to relax.

"I collapsed as soon as I stepped onto land. We are all still a bit wobbly. We suddenly just knock into a post. It is hilarious."

Debbie completed the enormous challenge with Julia Immonen, Helen Leigh, Kate Richardson and Katie Pattison-Hart.

She said: "We are all so elated. I can't believe we smashed the record by five days."

Debbie said it was a struggle at the end as strong winds took them off course and what they thought was going to take two hours turned into five.

The 30-year-old said: "We came in after such a struggle. I can't even tell you what the feeling was like and the support we had was overwhelming."

In the end all the crew came in on was the GPS, a compass and foot steering as all their equipment had broken and they were not allowed assistance.

They battled 30-foot waves, the failure of their steering system, and their water-maker catching fire. They had to overcome salt-sores, crippling cramp and debilitating sea-sickness.

The organiser of the race said they were the gutsiest crew out there and they were praised for their positive attitude.

But Debbie said the row was very scary at some points especially when there were really high winds. But they got through it and even had to manage as they started to run out of food.

And she said the team will be friends for life as they did not argue.

She said: "We loved each other all the way across. We are already talking about what we are going to do next. We can overcome anything now."

The crew even had to row naked at some points due to the unbearable heat.

"We all know each other very well," she laughed.

Debbie said when they came onto land they enjoyed time with their friends and family and had some orange Fanta and a massive breakfast buffet.

She returns to Hazlemere on January 31, where she is living with her mum for the time being.

Row for Freedom has teamed up with ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking) to lead The A21 Campaign calling on the UK to provide safe accommodation and guardianship for child victims of trafficking.

Debbie is the youth programme coordinator at ECPAT UK and they are raising money for this charity.

To sponsor the team go to www.rowforfreedom.com