Miriam starts the race and gets featured on BBC Breakfast!
Race Diary as told by Alison Payne (Miriam’s Mum)
That’s us! Me (Alison), Miriam and my husband Christopher at San Sebastián Marina in La Gomera just before race start.
Well, what a week it’s been! We arrived back in England to sub zero temperatures. After 5 days in La Gomera it was a shock to the system.
After 3 years of planning my husband Christopher and I were finally in La Gomera to wave Miriam off on the biggest adventure of her life. Miriam had been out for 10 days before we arrived for pre-race preparation including final safety checks.
One of the official ‘before’ photos taken by the race organiser’s Atlantic Campaigns for the race.
Photo Credit: @Atlantic Campaigns
That evening we met up with other rowers and their families. What a close-knit community the Ocean Rowing Community is with everyone looking out for each other, parents and rowers alike - Lifelong friends have been made. Of course, no visit was complete without a drink in The Blue Marlin!
As parent’s we attended a ‘Friends and Family’ briefing given by one of the Atlantic Campaigns safety officers and Carsten Heron Olsen the Atlantic Race director. This was very informative and all aspects of the race were covered from preparation, the race day and right through to the finish in Antiqua.
Staff from Atlantic Campaigns took time to answer and discuss any queries, fears and anxieties we had as parents. They run a tight ship and couldn’t have been more helpful!
Our 4 days in La Gomera were spent just being about for Mims if she needed anything and meeting her for meals.
Race day was soon upon us. We all enjoyed supper the night before. After breakfast we said an emotional goodbye to Miriam. We were then sent off to get some fresh fruit and sandwiches for Miriam to take with for the first couple of days.
Family and friends then joined us and off we went to watch the race. The rowers were all swapping phone numbers so they could keep in touch throughout the race and also small gifts too. There were lots of goodbyes and hugs too. It was a lovely but a somewhat emotional sight to see.
Miriam, very focused but taking everything in her stride as she sets out on her mammoth row!
Footage Credit: @Atlantic Campaigns
A Spanish navy ship and the Atlantic Campaigns support boat were out in the harbour to watch and oversee the boats going out. The fireworks then went off and the race started. Before long it was Miriam’s time to go. Everyone was waving, shouting and cheering her off as we did for all the other rowers. It was an emotional sight for us, and not without tears. Saying that, as parents we had an immense sense of pride watching Miriam row off into the distance and thinking about all she had achieved in recent years.
Miriam rows out of the marina in La Gomera and starts an adventure of a lifetime.
Photo Credit: @Atlantic Campaigns
We’ve received a couple of calls from Miriam. Despite a bit of seasickness, blisters and tiredness - all which was expected, Miriam being Miriam was just getting on with it all and was ‘surfing the waves’. An initial head wind has made rowing hard work. The wind is now beginning to change direction which will be much more in her favour. She will continue to row a bit further south and then will go west and pick up the trade winds.
We’d like to thank everyone for their support and kind wishes in the recent days. All very much appreciated.
Alison x
UPDATE:
MIRIAM HAS NOW BEEN FEATURED ON BBC BREAKFAST. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW - WE COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD!
Miriam Payne (Seas the Day Solo Rower) featured on BBC Breakfast. Footage Credit: @BBC