Rowing around the world

Last month, Oliver (Olly) Hicks set sail from Recherche Bay in Tasmania, Australia, attempting to be the first man to row around the world solo. While he was able to row across the Atlantic in 4 months in 2005, this trip around the world will take well over a year. Google is proud to be a technology partner in this endeavor because we think this is an inspiring quest.


Olly will be using the power of the web throughout his journey. Inside his boat, the Flying Carrot, he will have a water-resistant laptop and a satellite uplink, which means he will have access to the entire web and anyone who wants to surf it with him. He's already started sharing his progress on his website as he begins his row around the world. You'll be able to track where he is, read new posts on his blog, see pictures of him at sea, and watch videos about his journey. You can also join the community on his site and post a comment on the wall, ask him a question and vote on others you find interesting, or even donate to his cause.

Because all of this data is safely stored online, Olly will be able to access it from wherever he may be, even if it's the middle of another ocean. He will share his journey with the world in real time, rather than having to wait until he completes his journey. And all his data will be safely preserved, in case something were to happen to his laptop.

The journey has just begun and we wish Olly the best. Join us in wishing him well at www.virginglobalrow.com.

(Ed's note: At time of posting, Olly is about 200km southeast of Tasmania, and has about 28,700 km to go ...)

Posted by Mendel Chuang, Product Marketing Manager