Wednesday July 22 2009
From: Fingal Independent
DONABATE resident Robert Dowling sailed into the record books this weekend, having completed the world's longest continuous sail. Robert, known to many as 'the Amazon Man', successfully sailed around Broadmeadows Estuary in Swords non-stop for 48 hours in his 30-year-old 14foot dinghy sail boat.
Although clearly drained by this experience, Robert was undoubtedly happy with the achievement.
He said: ' It was a very difficult and demanding task but I am happy that I did it.'
In addition to his triumph, Robert explained about several other 'surprises' he received during the two days.
He said: 'I got off the boat on Monday with friction burns on my feet, swollen and strained wrists as well as a few other cuts and bruises, but you can't expect to undertake something like this without receiving a few injuries.' Robert added that although he celebrated his 51st birthday on Monday, July 6th, he spent the occasion with his 'foot up in bed, reading a magazine'.
This recent success is simply one in a long list of achievements for the Donabate resident.
In October 2008, Robert and three others became the first Irish team to enter the Great Amazon River Raft Race.
This three-day rafting endurance race sees teams travel from Nauta in Peru to the island city of Iquitos, a colossal 180km (112 miles) away.
Their only transport are the rafts they crafted themselves the departure.
This year, the race begins from Isla de Pescadores, or Fisherman's Island in Nauta on Friday, September 25th, and will run until Sunday, September 27th.
'I undertook this sailing night before challenge simply to raise awareness for my charity, Children of the Amazon Rainforest (COTAR).'
The charity hopes to provide children of the Amazon rainforest with a better standard of living.
In addition to the launch of his new website, www.amazonchildren.com, this month, Robert will travel back to the Amazon for three months later this year. Equipped with just a tent, he will travel up and down the river, working for these children.
Robert would like to thank both the members of his own club, Swords Sailing Club, as well as the members of Fingal Sailing School for their unwavering support.