Rower to attempt record-breaking crossing from Carnarvon to Africa to help fund mental health charity

One man is set to begin an arduous adventure across the Indian Ocean, as he aims to create a first. Rob Barton will set out from Carnarvon on Wednesday, on an 8358km continuous voyage which will see him land in Tanzania, on the east coast of Africa. Barton, who is from Perth, expects he will be on the water for six months, rowing 12 to 15 hours a day, as he raises money for youth mental health charity zero2hero. While seven people have rowed solo across the Indian Ocean previously, no one has done so without stopping at various islands along the way. Barton said he wanted a challenge that would push him past his limits, while also supporting a cause close to him. “For me, it was just about trying to find a challenge,” he said. “I wanted do something that was going to push me to my limit.” In 2021, Barton’s daughter attempted to take her own life, which was a wake-up call for him about the importance of mental health care. Barton has already raised nearly $20,000, but he has ambitious goals of reaching $300,000. “Previously, I was quite dismissive of mental health, I wasn’t very understanding of it ... now I realise how important prevention is, because there’s no cure for suicide,” he said. Barton is expecting to lose 25 to 30 per cent of his body weight during the journey, and could be facing waves more than 10 metres high. There’s no doubt the voyage will be a challenge, but he is taking it in his stride, and has been preparing intensely over the last six months. “To put this challenge into perspective, approximately 10 times the number of people have been into space compared to those who have rowed across the Indian Ocean, so it’s a huge challenge,” he said. “Sleep deprivation, salt sores and the mental challenge of solitary confinement will be my biggest challenges, but also part of the fun. I am planning for the worst and hoping for the best,” he said. Aside from the physical challenge, he’ll also be saying goodbye to his friends and family for at least six months, with only a satellite phone to communicate with the outside world. “Some of family have mixed feelings,” Barton said. “Some of them think it’s going to be great and I’ll be OK, and others think I’m a bit mad.” To donate, visit https://www.mycause.com.au/p/292935/australia2africa?fbclid=IwAR1Ixjz3ZcOFApVy7vfU6gS15o3JOQZ_FdccfPSRWkvUf2W86Wf5DjWVlFk.