Richard's oar-some ocean adventure

Feb 21 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

INTREPID oarsman Richard Wood is aiming to become the first person to row around the world - a perilous 20,000-mile journey that could take 13 months.

Having rowed solo across the Atlantic in 2004, raising £20,000 for charity, Richard is now flexing his muscles to circumnavi-gate the globe.

But he needs £250,000, nine fellow crewmen and sponsorship to back the record-breaking challenge. So far five people, including one American, have expressed interest.

The global expedition will involve three legs, with three people accompanying him on each ocean crossing.

The Pacific leg, of 8,000 miles, will take about five months.

Richard, of Barbourne, Worcester, plans to be at sea for the entire journey, on a hi-tech, four- berth ocean rowing boat.

"After I did the Atlantic I never intended on doing anything else," said youth worker Richard. "But then I began getting itchy feet and wanted to do something even more challenging.

"No-one has yet managed to row the world, but having negotiated the Atlantic solo I'm confident that with a strong elite crew that this challenge can succeed."

Richard, aged 49, only got into rowing eight years ago and his solo expedition across the Atlantic was his first proper stint at sea.

The challenge, which took 101 days to complete, saw him battle life-threatening conditions while his wife, 48-year-old Usha, sat at home biting her nails.

But Richard says Usha and their three children, Nayna, aged 24, John, 21 and Joshua, 11, are right behind his latest daring odyssey.

"When I did the solo, the only way I could communicate with my family was by a satellite phone on board," he said. "This time I need a lot more high-tech communication equipment."