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Local lawyer in valiant world record attempt

Ben Taylor, partner at Manchester-based law firm, Glaisyers Solicitors LLP, almost rowed the entire 40-mile length of the UK’s three largest lakes in 24 hours only to be beaten by bad weather and injury!

The gruelling world record attempt consisted of rowing Loch Lomond in Scotland (22 miles), Lake Windermere in England (13 miles) and Bala Lake in Wales (5 miles) – all in one 24-hour period in a coxed four rowing boat.

All was going well as the crew of eight set off from the north end of Loch Lomond. They completed the first eight miles in a blistering time of one hour and ten minutes.

However, after the first changeover, the boat was rocked, and eventually sunk on two occasions, by rising swell from 25 miles per hour winds. When the crew were forced to ‘abandoned ship’, Ben broke his toe, twisted his leg and cut his foot on rocks, requiring an immediate visit to the local A&E department.

The rowers were forced to abandon their row of Loch Lomond after completing two-thirds of the distance. However, determined in their quest to raise £5,000 for charity, they carried on with the gruelling challenge.

Taking up the story, Ben explained: “We were resolute that we were all going to complete the challenge so I had no choice but to carry on rowing with a broken toe and a badly cut foot.

“Conditions on Windermere were perfect and the sight of the sun rising across the lake at 4am was breathtaking. This was the inspiration we needed and we soon conquered Windermere in just over two hours and then on to Bala which we completed in only 40 minutes.”

Ben was one of eight friends attempting the world record and to raise £5,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Parkinson’s Disease Society. Six of the group were complete novices who had never sat in a coxed four rowing boat before they began their training in November last year.

Ben concluded: “Technically, we didn’t break the world record but I think our achievement was nonetheless staggering. We conquered the largest lakes in both England and Wales and two-thirds of Loch Lomond in 23 hours and 30 minutes.

“The challenge was exhausting but we are all very proud of our achievement and we hope to exceed our fundraising target of £5,000 for two very worthwhile charities.”