From Cambridge to Brazil - The great Amazon row

Dr Mark de Rond, Reader in Strategy & Organisation, Cambridge Judge Business School and Anton Wright, Chief Coach for Clare College Boat Club and Coach of the University Lightweights, will attempt to row the entire length of the Amazon.

Mark is joining fellow oarsman, Anton Wright, in his attempt to row the river’s 2200 miles unsupported, and, if they’re successful, they are likely to be the first in history to have achieved this feat.

They aim to start rowing in Peru on 1 September 2013, with the goal of reaching the Brazilian coast six weeks later. You can follow the expedition on the project Twitter @RowtheAmazon.

Mark has spent several years observing and researching teams of people in difficult circumstances, and has decided it’s time to experience first-hand what an endeavour like this will yield by joining Anton on his expedition.

The duo are planning to produce a feature-length documentary as part of the effort and Mark is aiming for the experience to feed into his future executive education teaching at Cambridge Judge Business School, as well as feeding in to his own research.       

As part of their effort they will be raising money for Leonard Cheshire Disability, a charity supporting disabled people in the UK and over 50 countries worldwide. They will also be designing an educational package for Cambridge-based primary schools in order for them to learn about the Amazon.

Organisations sponsoring Mark and Anton include: Cambridge Judge Business School; Clare College Boat Club; ADEC Marine; GITZO; JL Rowing and The Møller Centre, Cambridge.