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The Oarsome Adventures of a Fat Boy Rower: How I Went from Couch Potato to Atlantic Rowing Race Winner
This is a story about trying to find happiness. There is a strange trick to being happy. You have to think certain things, believe certain things and hold your tongue the right way. This is the story of how Kevin Biggar lost the trick and found it again. There's quite a bit about rowing as well.
If you are in a hurry here are the contents of this book in 150 words or less: 'I stop being immortal. I have a traumatic pizza ordering experience and realize I am very unhappy. I quit my job, girlfriend, house and go live with my mother. I watch a lot of daytime TV. The 'How's Life' show decides that I row the Atlantic. I team up with the original Naked Rower, we struggle to raise money, start building the boat, start training insanely. I lose the plot. Find a rowing partner, lose a rowing partner, get another rowing partner - Jamie.
'Meet Hot Polish Girl with cold hands. Start the race (badly). Row into storm. Take the lead. Row. Lose the lead. Row. Attempt a Big Push. Nothing happens. More rowing. Hallucinations. Slowly catch up! Another storm. Neck and neck as we sprint to the finish. Capsize and get thrown out of the boat. Get to Barbados! Yay! Get protested against. Boo! Media circus. Win at the protest hearing. Still living with Mum.'
If you are in a hurry here are the contents of this book in 150 words or less: 'I stop being immortal. I have a traumatic pizza ordering experience and realize I am very unhappy. I quit my job, girlfriend, house and go live with my mother. I watch a lot of daytime TV. The 'How's Life' show decides that I row the Atlantic. I team up with the original Naked Rower, we struggle to raise money, start building the boat, start training insanely. I lose the plot. Find a rowing partner, lose a rowing partner, get another rowing partner - Jamie.
'Meet Hot Polish Girl with cold hands. Start the race (badly). Row into storm. Take the lead. Row. Lose the lead. Row. Attempt a Big Push. Nothing happens. More rowing. Hallucinations. Slowly catch up! Another storm. Neck and neck as we sprint to the finish. Capsize and get thrown out of the boat. Get to Barbados! Yay! Get protested against. Boo! Media circus. Win at the protest hearing. Still living with Mum.'
- GenresNonfictionAdventure
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2008
About the author
Kevin Biggar
6 books4 followersKevin was a strategy consultant with The Boston Consulting Group when he decided to take part in the world’s toughest endurance event – the Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race. This requires rowing a 7m plywood dinghy, 5000 km between the Canary Islands and Barbados. An unusual choice for anyone but particularly someone who had never rowed before and was prone to sea sickness.
Kevin used his business skills to great effect, analysing and innovating on the most critical elements of the preparations. However, plans went awry just six weeks before the start when his rowing partner pulled out and 22 year old Jamie Fitzgerald signed on as a last minute replacement.
They encountered storms, curious whales, sleep deprivation, breakages, hallucinations, stinging jellyfish and were dramatically thrown out of their boat in a night time capsize just 130 miles from Barbados, leading to a desperate and thrilling sprint to the finish. In the end, the rookie crew not only won the race they also set a new world record.
Throughout the preparations and the journey Kevin learned valuable lessons about goal setting, determination, teamwork under pressure, persevering through adversity and maximising performance.
The incredible story of Kevin’s transformation from couch potato to world record holder is told in ‘The Oarsome Adventures of a Fat Boy Rower’ published by Random House and awarded the Sunday Star Times ‘Sports Book of the Year 2008′.
Kevin then took on an even more audacious challenge – the first ever unsupported trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Starting with very limited experience (Jamie had never seen snow falling) they spent months researching, consulting with their patron Sir Edmund Hillary, training in the Arctic and rehearsing the skills they would need to survive in the highest, driest, windiest and coldest place on Earth.
The skills learned in the Atlantic were tested again and this time taken to another level. Pulling loads that started at 160kg and temperatures as cold as -40oC, they battled frostbite, injury, whiteouts, crevasses, gear failure and slow starvation. In the 52 days it took to get to the Pole Kevin lost 50 pounds.
Kevin’s professional career has included working in problem solving, consulting and strategy roles at The NZ Treasury and large multinationals like The Boston Consulting Group, as well as small businesses and more recently as the CEO of a software startup. This varied background combined with the universal appeal of his adventure stories means that his able to relate to a wide variety of audiences, ages and at all levels from the Board, to CEOs to frontline staff.
Whether it’s to a small group of senior management at an executive retreat, a team off-site, or a keynote to 1800 sales staff, his advice about how to unleash your potential – shared in highly visual and entertaining presentations or dynamic interactive workshops have made a lasting impact on thousands of people.
Kevin is the rare combination of someone who not only knows the theory but has lived it, tested it, and can present it to your staff or delegates in a way that sticks.
Kevin used his business skills to great effect, analysing and innovating on the most critical elements of the preparations. However, plans went awry just six weeks before the start when his rowing partner pulled out and 22 year old Jamie Fitzgerald signed on as a last minute replacement.
They encountered storms, curious whales, sleep deprivation, breakages, hallucinations, stinging jellyfish and were dramatically thrown out of their boat in a night time capsize just 130 miles from Barbados, leading to a desperate and thrilling sprint to the finish. In the end, the rookie crew not only won the race they also set a new world record.
Throughout the preparations and the journey Kevin learned valuable lessons about goal setting, determination, teamwork under pressure, persevering through adversity and maximising performance.
The incredible story of Kevin’s transformation from couch potato to world record holder is told in ‘The Oarsome Adventures of a Fat Boy Rower’ published by Random House and awarded the Sunday Star Times ‘Sports Book of the Year 2008′.
Kevin then took on an even more audacious challenge – the first ever unsupported trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Starting with very limited experience (Jamie had never seen snow falling) they spent months researching, consulting with their patron Sir Edmund Hillary, training in the Arctic and rehearsing the skills they would need to survive in the highest, driest, windiest and coldest place on Earth.
The skills learned in the Atlantic were tested again and this time taken to another level. Pulling loads that started at 160kg and temperatures as cold as -40oC, they battled frostbite, injury, whiteouts, crevasses, gear failure and slow starvation. In the 52 days it took to get to the Pole Kevin lost 50 pounds.
Kevin’s professional career has included working in problem solving, consulting and strategy roles at The NZ Treasury and large multinationals like The Boston Consulting Group, as well as small businesses and more recently as the CEO of a software startup. This varied background combined with the universal appeal of his adventure stories means that his able to relate to a wide variety of audiences, ages and at all levels from the Board, to CEOs to frontline staff.
Whether it’s to a small group of senior management at an executive retreat, a team off-site, or a keynote to 1800 sales staff, his advice about how to unleash your potential – shared in highly visual and entertaining presentations or dynamic interactive workshops have made a lasting impact on thousands of people.
Kevin is the rare combination of someone who not only knows the theory but has lived it, tested it, and can present it to your staff or delegates in a way that sticks.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2012
This book has become the benchmark style guide for other publishers writing about the Atlantic Row or other ocean rows conducted in the race format. The first 1/3 of the book is concerned with the decisions and tribulations leading into deciding to enter an Atlantic Challenge race, and records some of the steps of preparation, such as fund raising, physical preparation, and boat build/design. By and large, these areas receive less descriptive insight in nearly all the other books published on the human ocean crossing rowing endeavors.
The book also indirectly indicates what a unique concentration of geographic factors enabled Kevin to engage in his preparation tasks. In the states, former ocean rowers are rare. Club facilities near open water ports are rare. Ocean rowing is almost unheard of, except as surf-boating or limited coastal racing. In NZ, he had Rob Hamill as an advisor, and Westlake as an opponent, both who had completed former races and worked out as members at the same club.
The effort to develop skill and muscle mass on the erg is hardly ever mentioned. Practice rows in preparation for the Atlantic row were fleshed out here, as opposed to almost no mention in any other prior book. Small details such as transport handling and pre-race preparations in the Canaries had more mention here than elsewhere.
The rowing journal is somewhat of a standard format revealing daily details and tribulations. Of importance here was the focus on this trip as a race and the constant attention to elements such as hull smoothness and shift work to increase speed.
The detailing of the protest and the hearing format was also unique to this book.
I've read between 20 and 30 other books of ocean rows, and follow some events via blog entries. This write up is handled with a unique informational style that is humorous and somewhat terse but delivers the point precisely and keeps the pages turning.
The book also indirectly indicates what a unique concentration of geographic factors enabled Kevin to engage in his preparation tasks. In the states, former ocean rowers are rare. Club facilities near open water ports are rare. Ocean rowing is almost unheard of, except as surf-boating or limited coastal racing. In NZ, he had Rob Hamill as an advisor, and Westlake as an opponent, both who had completed former races and worked out as members at the same club.
The effort to develop skill and muscle mass on the erg is hardly ever mentioned. Practice rows in preparation for the Atlantic row were fleshed out here, as opposed to almost no mention in any other prior book. Small details such as transport handling and pre-race preparations in the Canaries had more mention here than elsewhere.
The rowing journal is somewhat of a standard format revealing daily details and tribulations. Of importance here was the focus on this trip as a race and the constant attention to elements such as hull smoothness and shift work to increase speed.
The detailing of the protest and the hearing format was also unique to this book.
I've read between 20 and 30 other books of ocean rows, and follow some events via blog entries. This write up is handled with a unique informational style that is humorous and somewhat terse but delivers the point precisely and keeps the pages turning.
February 9, 2015
What an interesting book. I wasn't that bothered about rowing but after seeing the great reviews the book got, I was encouraged to read it. I was pleasantly surprised at how witty, and exciting the book was, and bonus points for being set in my home town of Howick, Auckland.
March 30, 2015
I decided to reed this book because I am a rower myself
I liked the book because of its very funny parts
I learned that there was a Atlantic rowing race
a setting I found interesting was in the middle of the Atlantic
I liked the book because of its very funny parts
I learned that there was a Atlantic rowing race
a setting I found interesting was in the middle of the Atlantic
January 15, 2024
Loved this book! Filled with thoughts that resonated on existence, on drive, on pursuit for a life well lived. I love the ethos of anything is possible, and the work that goes into achieving it.
Biggar writes in a comical way, I definitely had a few laugh out loud moments. I can’t wait to get my hands on his next book!
Biggar writes in a comical way, I definitely had a few laugh out loud moments. I can’t wait to get my hands on his next book!
September 21, 2024
A funning and interesting tale about someone who gets out of their comfort zone and achieves something incredible.
The transatlantic rowing race is an extreme event and the story of the race and what it takes, firstly to get to the start line and ultimately to complete the race is fascinating and well told here.
The transatlantic rowing race is an extreme event and the story of the race and what it takes, firstly to get to the start line and ultimately to complete the race is fascinating and well told here.
August 7, 2018
Felt like I was there
I loved reading about this epic adventure and really appreciated the NZ references and sayings. I would highly recommend this easy read to anyone who enjoys reading of outdoor adventures with a sprinkling of interesting history and facts throughout.
I loved reading about this epic adventure and really appreciated the NZ references and sayings. I would highly recommend this easy read to anyone who enjoys reading of outdoor adventures with a sprinkling of interesting history and facts throughout.
April 6, 2020
This is my second time reading this book, and I love it. When I started reading it, I didn't even consider the relevance of rowing for 40 days across the Atlantic Ocean as an ultimate test of isolation, in light of the current lockdown. Highly relevant, motivational, and inspiring!
October 12, 2019
Inspiring and amusing book highlighting what can be achieved with enough motivation
September 10, 2022
Interesting book about someone pushing themselves to their limits and succeeding.
September 19, 2008
having met and listened to the author, I really wanted to read this one.
Very funny (I kept getting into trouble for giggling and not sharing the joke) and totally enjoyable. Unless of course your name is Westlake...
Awesome, Kev. Or Oarsome. Doesn't matter which way you look at it.
Edited 22/09 - finished and loved this one and very happy to recommend! It's off to Dad for his reading pleasure now...
Very funny (I kept getting into trouble for giggling and not sharing the joke) and totally enjoyable. Unless of course your name is Westlake...
Awesome, Kev. Or Oarsome. Doesn't matter which way you look at it.
Edited 22/09 - finished and loved this one and very happy to recommend! It's off to Dad for his reading pleasure now...
March 4, 2012
This is a great book. But it's written by Kevin Biggar (also author of 'Escape to the Pole'), not Roy Sinclair?
Kevin Biggar
Kevin Biggar
October 26, 2012
Another good book by kevin Biggar- very inspirational- The references to the opposition as the Dark Side got a little bit on my nerves by the end though!
July 28, 2013
THIS IS WRITTEN BY KEVIN BIGGAR NOT ROY SINCLAIR.
March 4, 2012
Loved it. Couldn't put it down. And agree with Paul, it's written by Kevin Biggar
January 4, 2013
Actually written by Kevin Biggar
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews