Will A.L. McCreadie and George A. Parry have taken on to themselves an unusual challenge with their Kayak and that is to paddle their way from Grenada to Miami, United States of America (USA) a journey that spans some 2,000 miles. Photo: Provided

Will A.L. McCreadie and George A. Parry at Bitter End, Virgin Gorda. Photo: Provided

“It has been brutal. We started on the 26^th of September going almost a month now and we have done over 700 miles in that time… it has been very, very hard,” said Mr Parry.

The challenge is called the ‘The Golden Arc’ and once accomplished the duo will be the first British team to make such an accomplishment as they aim to raise funds for the Get Exploring Trust which they’ve established to award small and medium grants to “people from all backgrounds to get into the outdoors, to test themselves in different environments, and to push their limits.”

Last night, October 23, 2016, this news site was pleasantly informed of the two young men, both 21 years of age, making their stop here in the Virgin Islands, landing at the Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda where they were given a warm welcome and treated to a special dinner and overnight accommodations.

“Please extend our heartfelt gratitude to the management and people of Bitter End. They have been so wonderful to us, they fed us and gave us a place to sleep which has been so amazing and everyone was buying us drinks and asking us questions,” said Parry, who added that since they set off in September they are just a few dollars short 10,000 pounds.

Passionate Mission

Parry had said in a published missive, “This is a mission I passionately believe in, founded on the personal benefits I have gained through the adventures and challenges I have been fortunate enough to experience. In fact, it is becoming ever more important in an age where outdoor pursuits, expeditions and challenges are becoming less and less of a focus while technology, health and safety and Pokemon Go dominate. The benefits could never be more significant.”

The two are rowing without a support vessel and relying on their own physical and navigational skills, which makes them susceptible to sleep deprivation, heat exhaustion, dehydration, high seas and strong winds and physical challenges of rowing for up to 30 hours non-stop with the sun and moon over their heads unleashing their beauty and wrath. “The heat has been unbelievable, relentless during the day and during the night as well, especially when the wind drops,” said Mr Parry as he said they are placing much emphasis on keeping hydrated and carrying sufficient water.

As they leave BEYC today for Nanny Cay, Tortola the duo will head to Puerto Rico for the next scheduled stop. Then they move on to the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and finish in Miami.

“We plan to finish on December 18 so we can be back in England for Christmas,” said Parry.