First foes, and then firm friends on the rugby pitch, Galway's Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell are now brothers in arms undertaking a non- stop Atlantic rowing challenge.
The Project Empower pair set off from New York this week on a 5000km route in which they are prepared for ferocious weather, 10m waves, giant whirlpools and biting cold - all in a bid to set a new world record. That it has not been broken for 128 years, tells its own story. Of 18 attempts, just six boats have managed to complete the voyage.
Browne, is of course, no stranger to extreme adventure. After retiring from rugby, the need for more physical and mental challenges came via competing a six day ultra marathon in the Sahara desert before becoming one of an elite 200 people who have completed a solo Atlantic row. The lure of a mountain challenge followed, but having scaled five of the seven highest summits, Covid intervened to thwart his Mount Everest climb.
Now for this latest venture he is joined by Farrell - a former Monivea rugby player who also played with Galwegians. Both were also on the same Connacht U18/19 squad, and as the team's youngsters, they instantly "palled around" together. Although their love of rugby was the instigator - "driven to be good rugby players" - the two were "laid back" with "similar energies," and interests, such as travelling and a mutual love of animals.
Yet on this trip the two rowers will be almost like ships passing by day and night. One rower on for two hours; one eating and sleeping in the cabin 24/7.
"One is on the row seat trying to get as many kilometers under the belt, the person not rowing has his duties - the number one priority to keep the cabin dry," says Browne. "The person coming out of the cabin after rest makes sure the person coming in has a towel, talcum powder - everything ready for him before he gets into the cabin to keep it dry."
Not as easy as it seems. On the sea it can take up to 45 minutes to prepare and organise food, after which it is time for an hour's sleep - much needed to help prevent extreme tiredness. Those four daily meals involve preparing boiling water for the dehydrated food, and with the snacks and shakes, food intake is some 10,000 calories a day.
"Exhaustion will be a huge factor," says Browne."It leads to not being able to communicate better, not being able to make decisions better. We have to realise and understand that as we go along. There will be days when we are simply crossing each other's path.
"Rest is important because there is also boat maintenance. The stress on the boat can be enormous, so we have to keep on top of things and keep good attention on all the moving parts to catch any issues early so there is not a disaster down the line."
Farrell overcomes paralysis
Farrell, known as Gussie to his mates, has little experience of extreme outdoor activity, but he has overcome more than his fair share of challenges, having been paralysed several years ago. It was an innocent enough action - moving a metal bench in the yard of his Monivea bus business.
"I took a few steps and remember just dropping it with awful pain shooting up the back. I picked it up again, and went to take one step and instantly fell to ground roaring with pain - it was like a shot gun in the middle of the back."
Farrell was instantly paralyzed, rupturing his spinal chord, and the prognosis of walking again was about five per cent. Yet although far from recovered, he walked out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital seven months later. Without a follow-up programme in place, he had Browne by his side, helping him in the gym. A year later he had returned to "normal", although he still struggles to run or jump.
Rowing, he says, was an ideal activity for him - "two feet, two arms, and the bum, so it is really good for me. Give or take a year, in my mind I was in a very happy place."
Taking on an Atlantic challenge, however, was not on the agenda.
Browne's brother Andrew and also a former Connacht Rugby player was supposed to be the rowing partner.
"I had this drive to compete and share something with Andrew because we never had the opportunity to play together or even against each other.
That was always a regret of mine," Browne says. "Unfortunately Andy pulled out when his wife became pregnant with their first child.
"Gussie's interest was always in the back of my head - what he had gone through, and on the back of that he walked across the country in the Toughest Trek. I did some of it with him. Seeing his stoicism, and the discomfort he went through - his whole foot was one blister - it was very clear to me this was guy I could rely on in the ocean, so I posed the question. He took 24 hours to think, but I knew deep down he'd be unable to say no."
Browne's legacy
Farrell says rowing this particular route is a legacy for Browne.
"Damian has done a lot of adventures over the years, but he puts this at the pinnacle of that, so it really excited me. To be part of that is just magical, how could I pass it up? What helps me in life is challenge, and what better?"
It is also much different from those he has faced. "This is self inflicted, the other happened out of blue and I had to deal with it, learning every day and not knowing the outcome. This involves a lot of planning and training, the challenge is in front of you so they are totally different, but I don't see myself doing anything bigger than this in terms of a planned challenge."
However, his accident has helped prepare him mentally - giving him confidence for this challenge.
"I'm very head strong mentally. Excuse the expression, but when the shit hits the fan, I knuckle down and plough through in a positive way rather than let it get to me. I think it will stand to me on the ocean.
A lot of stuff will be thrown at us, and it won't be a case of throwing down the oars, but doubling down efforts."
Throughout his paralysis, Farrell never gave up. "Yes, I get thick with myself and try to push through, and the outcome is I'm here today to do the row with Damian. And I know we will stay fighting to get those extra metres that are required every day, and we are both strong enough mentally to do that rather than concentrating negatively to blisters, headwinds, or being being constantly wet."
Missing family, Damian's partner Rozelle and daughter Elodie in Brisbane, and Fergus' three children Aimee, Bradley and Felim, Browne says a sense of humour is also vital.
"It goes goes a long way when things are tough, uncomfortable and when you get in your own head about the difficulty and enormity of the task, and the nonsense your mind throws up. So being able to keep a sense of humour and also understand the deep reality of what we are experiencing is important."
Dishevelled grumpy men
Both are aware that with only each other for company throughout this long journey - the current best is 55 days and 13 hours - there will be pressure on their relationship. "We are going to vent from time to time, and there will be tension, but you have to embrace it, face it head on, and be brutally honest and brave with communication. We are well prepared for it, but the proof is in the pudding.," says Browne.
Not one to go over old ground, Browne's choice of route is all about Galway, and being able to complete the event in his home town. It means abandoning Columbus' trade-win route for northern latitudes with greater propensity for storms and hurricanes. But Browne and Farrell are looking to hook into the Gulf Stream. It may not be so difficult to find, but staying in its snaking course can be tricky with giant eddies ready and waiting at its edges.
"It is highly challenging, so that would have drawn me, and the connection with Ireland and my home town is important. That is why I say it is a legacy piece.
"I keep seeing two well worn dishevelled grumpy men coming past Blackrock into the docks. Lots of people out because we would have shared this story as much as we can and people would have an insight into the demands of this ocean row - all going well.
"They'll get to see us having come through the battle of a lifetime, a real achievement that two people from their home town have accomplished. It's about setting goals high in life wherever life's avenue takes them, to go after the big thing and to persevere and put in the work.
"It's just a picture of what is achievable in whatever place people find themselves. Wherever you are in life, rock bottom or sailing fast, there is still more in you. If you have the right attitude and mentality, you can achieve more."
Charity fundraiser
Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell have chosen four charities close to their hearts.
Ability West, which providing services and supports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism; Galway Simon Community, supporting a person’s right to security, dignity and wellbeing in his/her own home; MADRA Dog Rescue, volunteer-led charity which rescues and rehabilitates unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned dogs;NRH Foundation, supporting adults and children in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH ) on their individual rehabilitation journey.
Go to iDonate.ie / project empower 2022. Visit www.projectempower.ie Follow Damian and Fergus' intrepid row www.facebook.com/projectempower2022,, www.instagram.com/projectempower 2022.
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