Wilkins to share stories about cross-Atlantic rowing adventure

When Charlie Wilkins decided to join a group of people set to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat, the writer’s first goal was to survive the trip and then write a book about it.

Wilkins, 63, joined 15 other people that rowed from Morocco to Barbados this past winter; the trip began in January and ended in early March.

For the first time in Thunder Bay, the local writer will share some photos, video and stories from the voyage at Trinity United Church Tuesday evening.

“People are most interested in how basically a skinny, old guy like me survived out there amidst young, hard-nosed athletes in 30-foot swells and stormy conditions,” he said.

The trip was tough; Wilkins lost more than 25 pounds and was “banged up” and exhausted.
The book, the title of which is still uncertain, is another form of survival.

“I only rode the Atlantic once and I’ve written about 15 or 16 books, so I’m a little more comfortable in the thought I will survive that,” said Wilkins.

“When you write a book, it’s in your head all the time. The Atlantic is always there kind of washing around and the little community of people, the little ship of fools as I call them who were out there with me; they are there constantly.”

Wilkins is about halfway through the book and said it isn’t just a wonderful story for himself, but what he believes is a good story beyond his own interests in the trip.

“I think people are interested in the exotic, the very unusual nature of this trip,” he said. “You put 16 people on a little, wee, fragile boat and send them out to row across the Atlantic.”

Wilkins’ presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity United Church.

Tickets are $15 and proceeds go to charity.