Rottnest nurse embarks on record row for charity

Four women, one row boat and 4,800 kilometres of ocean to cross.

The team, known as “Blades of Oary”, plans to row self-supported across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the World's Toughest Row at the end of the year.

One of the oarsome foursome, Cassie Gaff, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at the Rottnest Island Nursing Post (RINP) and has been preparing for the gruelling high seas challenge for more than a year.

"We're aiming to become the first female Australian team of four to complete a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a row boat," Cassie said.

"My role as a CNS has set me up well in terms of my emergency response training and adapting to conditions related to isolation.

"At the Nursing Post we work long hours often in extreme heat or stormy conditions, assisting people in need who are on or around the water, and with the ocean set to become my home for almost two months it's definitely given me a taste of what's to come.

"I have a love for adventure having crossed the Gobi Desert on camel back and conquered the notorious Finke Track on a dirt bike - I'm definitely excited to continue to push my limits."

Using the Indian Ocean as their training ground, the team has spent many hours in the water off Rottnest to ensure they have their sea legs.

Battling the elements, braving sea sickness, and responding quickly and decisively to equipment malfunctions will test the team's mental and physical limits, in addition to the extreme sleep deprivation.

"For 55 days, Chelsea, Micah, Laura and myself will be fully self-supported and continuously row for two hours then sleep for two hours," Cassie said. 

"In our two hours off the oars we will make our own drinking water, clean the boat, repair any damage and eat while adjusting to life in very close quarters!"

Cassie, who is also a Royal Flying Doctor Service critical care nurse, says the team is taking part in the record row for two causes close to their hearts.

Their goal is to raise $250,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia and RUAH Community Services of Western Australia, Perth's oldest women's and children's refuge.

"Between us we have a wealth of experience in high-pressure environments and a love for the open water," Cassie said.

"We're also passionate about increasing visibility for women in adventure sports, after all - it is hard to be what you can't see!

"We really want to inspire the next generation of women to be more confident, more self-assured individuals by proving that an all-female team of amateurs can tackle the high seas.

"As a team we have more jokes than strokes and a rowing style best described as ‘chaotically coordinated’ – yet despite all this we're ready to take on waves, whales, and whatever else the Atlantic throws at us to do our charities proud!” 

To follow their journey across the Atlantic Ocean on their dedicated website.

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