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Shaun Quincey wants to break his father’s record row across the Tasman Sea (click to enlarge)
Shaun practicing his survival skills. Images courtesy of tasmantrespasser.com (click to enlarge)
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ExWeb interview with Shaun Quincey, “As long as I beat Dad’s record on the Tasman Sea I am happy”
Posted: Jan 12, 2010 01:32 pm EST
(TheOceans.net) 25-year old Colin Quincy is ready to depart on a solo row across the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. He is following in his father’s footsteps; 33-years ago Colin Quincey rowed the Tasman solo.
Shaun tells about the role his father plays in this expedition, how their rows differ, what will keep him going on his own and what he is looking forward to. ExWeb’s Correne Coetzer caught up with Shaun in Australia.
ExplorersWeb: When are you leaving?
Shaun: Aiming to depart between the 16 and 20 January but this all depends on what the weather is doing. Ideally I would like to leave knowing I have 4 or 5 days of good weather to get away from the coast.
ExplorersWeb: How long will it take?
Shaun: Between 30 and 80 days the trip is entirely weather dependent, but as long as I beat dads record I am happy.
ExplorersWeb: Where are you leaving from to where?
Shaun: I am departing from Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia and attempting to row to Taranaki, New Zealand.
ExplorersWeb: Why from Australia to New Zealand and not the other way like other rowers and your father did?
Shaun: Because it hasn’t been done yet and I want to be the first.
ExplorersWeb: What role does your father play in this challenge?
Shaun: Dad has mentored me a little and acted as a bouncing board for ideas but as he lives in Darwin, Australia and I live in Auckland, New Zealand he has had very little to do with the practical aspect of preparation.
ExplorersWeb: How does your row differ from your father’s?
Shaun: Apart from rowing a different way the main difference would be that I will be making my water and Dad carried his. I will use a GPS where dad used a Sextant and celestial navigation.
ExplorersWeb: What have you learned from rowers before you?
Shaun: Take it slow and steady and always relax and enjoy the expedition, stay positive and stick to routine religiously.
ExplorersWeb: What will keep you going when things go tough?
Shaun: If music is available I find that music can change your perception on a particular situation, if not I guess I will embrace the positives and small achievements until the negative thoughts pass.
ExplorersWeb: What are you looking forward to?
Shaun: I focus on rowing into New Zealand and stepping off the boat onto a beach in New Zealand. I have always made this my focus and I look forward to this the most.
ExplorersWeb: How do you feel at the moment?
Shaun: At the moment I want to get started, I want the challenge to begin but I am also forcing myself to slow down and complete the project requirements, test everything and secure a solid level of confidence in myself and my boat.
In 1977, Colin Quincey crossed the Tasman solo, rowing 2200 km from Australia to New Zealand. Colin remains the only person to cross the Tasman solo and survive. Shaun Quincey, Colin's son will row the reverse direction his father rowed starting from Forster in New South Wales, Australia and aiming for Taranaki, New Zealand.
At 4 years of age Shaun moved to Devonport, Auckland, which is home to the Royal New Zealand Navy where his father was based. Throughout his life, Shaun has always been involved with sport, playing soccer from the age of 5 until he was 7, when he started playing Rugby for North Shore Rugby Club. Rugby was to rule his life for 18 years, making the first XV at the age of 14 and playing in various age group teams while growing up.
Rowing entered Shaun’s life at the age of 14 years at Takapuna Grammar School, which provided the stepping stone to Surf Boat Rowing and eventually the Tasman Sea. As well as preparing for the Tasman crossing, Shaun is currently studying for his Masters in Business Administration after working in business development and advertising for the past 3 years.
Shaun Quincey was born on 27 September 1984 and lives in Auckland, New Zealand. For hobbies he likes playing the drums and rowing Surf Boats. Shaun has a Bachelor of Business and the latest book he read was “History of New Zealand” by Michael King.
Click here for an interview with Shaun’s father, Colin Quincey.
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