Extraordinary voyage

Roz Savage attempts an epic row across the Pacific, and Waikiki will be her first stop

STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORY

An adventurer who is crossing the Pacific solo in a rowboat hopes the voyage will draw greater attention to the problem of pollution in the oceans.

"When we have sick oceans, we're going to have a sick planet and, pretty soon, sick people," says Roz Savage, 40, who

embarked on her 23-foot-long vessel, the Brocade, from San Francisco on May 25.

Rowing 12 hours a day, she is now about 750 miles from Hawaii and expects to arrive around Aug. 31. Her first attempt failed after 10 days last year when her boat repeatedly capsized.

---

FULL STORY »

Roz Savage had the life people dream of: a lucrative career, a husband and a red sports car.

"I seemed to have it all, really, everything that we were supposed to want to make us happy, but I just wasn't happy," Savage said.

ROZ ROWS THE PACIFIC » Blue Frontier Campaign, a nonprofit marine conservation organization, is working in partnership with Roz Savage. To make a contribution, visit https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=1422. » To learn more about Savage's journey, visit www.rozsavage.com.

Dissatisfied with her life, Savage wrote two separate obituaries. One was about the adventurous life she desired. The other described the conventional life she was leading. It was an experience that ultimately motivated the 40-year-old to make her dreams reality.

On May 25, Savage launched her rowboat, the Brocade, from San Francisco for her second attempt to become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean. She was interviewed by satellite telephone on Wednesday as she took a break at a little more than halfway to her goal.

The feat is not only a personal challenge. Savage hopes her journey will also raise awareness about pollution in the ocean.

"We've tended to really use and abuse them (our oceans) and think that we can carry on doing that indefinitely, and we can't." Savage added, "When we have sick oceans, we're going to have a sick planet and, pretty soon, sick people."

Years after writing her own obituary, Savage's life is dramatically different. She is now divorced, without a permanent home or steady income. "I haven't looked back since I started changing my life. I love my life now," she said.

Most mothers would pale at their daughter traveling unescorted across the Pacific. Savage's mother initially did but later became her most ardent supporter.

"We should not prevent our sons and daughters from pursuing their dreams, making their own way through life, even if it is totally different from our own experience," Savage's mother, Rita Savage, wrote in an e-mail. "By supporting them in any and every way we can, we increase the bond between us."

"There's only one way you can cross an ocean, and that's one stroke at a time. Similarly, there's only one way to make big changes to your life, and that's one day at a time." Roz Savage Adventurer

In addition to her mother, Savage has other backers.

Brocade Communications, which her rowboat was named after, is Savage's lead sponsor. "By sponsoring Savage's extraordinary voyage, we hope to inspire others to take on the challenge of protecting our environment, drawing upon her courage and determination," said Chief Executive Officer Mike Klayko.

The Brocade, a 23-feet-long rowboat, is mostly constructed of lightweight carbon fiber and equipped with two satellite phones, a water desalination device, a tracking beacon and an emergency supply of chocolate and other provisions. Solar panels above the front cabin power built-in cameras and camcorders.

A documentary of Savage's voyage called "Savage and the Sea" will be produced. Savage made a similar expedition in 2005, rowing alone for 103 days in the Atlantic Rowing Race.

"Mentally, I'm much better prepared for this one," said Savage. "On the Atlantic there were quite a lot of dark moments of doubt."

Rowing about 12 hours a day, Savage faces greater risks than the occasional blister.

Her first attempt across the Pacific in 2007 failed 10 days in when her rowboat capsized several times in one day. A concerned individual called the Coast Guard to rescue Savage.

This trip, Savage has some emergency backup inspiration: Songs like Elvis Costello's "Accidents Will Happen" and "Save Me" by Queen are on her iPod. She also listens to audio books such as Harry Potter stories.

"The ocean is like my natural habitat," said Savage, "but I am very much looking forward to getting back to dry land."

Expected in Waikiki around Aug. 31, the adventurer is about 750 miles from finishing the first leg of her journey. After a couple of weeks in Hawaii, she plans to continue rowing to Tuvalu and then Australia.

"It's amazing the distance that you can cover just one little bit at a time." Savage continued, "There's only one way you can cross an ocean, and that's one stroke at a time. Similarly, there's only one way to make big changes to your life, and that's one day at a time."