My name is David Lynes and I’m currently 28 years old. I have lived in Redditch all of my life, although I was born in Solihull. I have a wonderful wife, Emma, and we’ve been married for just over 6 years now. We have two boys, Ethan and Reuben who are full of life and have lots of energy (bit like their dad then!)
I have pursued computers as a career for as long as I can remember. Even right from the start (in my bedroom at home) building them for fun, right up until now, where I write custom software to developing websites and complex databases.
Am I a fitness person since I sit down most of the day? (Well ok, all day!) I have always liked and participated in various sports, and enjoy being fit, although with work, church and family commitments, I haven’t always had the time to train until more recently. I’ve taken up various interests over the years including running, cycling, racket-ball, squash, tennis need I say more? But when it comes to water….well lets say, up until a couple of months ago I was a complete novice! I officially joined Evesham Rowing club, in April 2007. Although before that I was joining in with fitness training over the winter months. That has been a real benefit, and helped me once again, to increase my strength and overall fitness, before I started to learn the technique of how to row.
It was the February of 2006, when Steve came and quizzed me about wanting to get fit, and of course being my inquisitive self, finally prized it out of him that he wanted me to enter a rowing race….and by the way had he mentioned it was across the Indian Ocean?!!! Without thinking, I immediately said yes, being the sort of guy that I am! And the rest is now history….
December 7th, 2006
My name? Well it’s Steven Redgewell, and I was born in Evesham 24 years ago. I’ve lived there all my life, with my Parents and brother, Paul. I studied BSc Computing at University, and since graduating I become a Web Developer; which I have been for some 3 years now.
Rowing is very much a family activity. My dad introduced me to it when I was about 9 or 10, so my first time in a boat was to Cox for him; and I’ve been rowing as a junior ever since I was 12.
My junior days were crammed with school, rowing, training and regattas! The most memorable, was Henley Royal Regatta, having raced there for 3 consecutive years. I’ve won numerous medals, too many to count! I even trained as a junior, for the Great Britain team, but unfortunately when I was 14, I had a rowing accident which caused ligament damage in my back and restricted what training I could do. As a Junior I spent many hours on a physiotherapy table, which eased the problem, but I still needed to be very careful of what I did. I know at this stage strengthening my back will play a massive part of my preparation towards the task ahead.
When I reached 18, I spent time coaching both at RGS Worcester as a part time coach, and Evesham Rowing Club. The time devoted to coaching, although fulfilling and important has meant that I have had little time to concentrate on my own racing ambitions. I think the most I have raced in recent times, has been twice a year!
I stepped away from coaching in September 2006, to concentrate and re-focus on my own rowing and training. I have always liked to maintain a certain level of fitness, mainly through rowing, but also running, swimming, cycling and rugby. I have always been “ultra competitive” and don’t like to lose! So for me, to focus again on my own racing has been a step in the right direction for concentrating on fitness, stamina and mental preparation, ready for this Ocean Race. I have always fancied doing something different…I would climb Mount Everest or trek to the North Pole if it wasn’t so cold! But, I guess I’ve wanted to do something similar to this before James Cracknell and Ben Fogle did the Atlantic row in 2005. Seeing them achieve their row, only deepened the desire to step out and do something worth while, so it prompted me to look into the Indian Ocean Rowing race set for 2009.
December 7th, 2006