Dominic is looking forward to the six hundredth time someone else in the boat will ask ‘whose bright idea was this?’ The managing director of Lumbers has tremendous belief in himself and his abilities, which is brave considering he has never rowed before. Dominic said: “I did play rugby, but was the laziest player on the pitch. I did my press ups with my knees on the ground.”

Gary is a former single scull rower who competed for New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. Through his company, Concept 2, he is now the only official supplier in New Zealand of the world’s best selling rowing machine, providing Indoor Rowers for the nation’s rowing clubs, gyms and health clubs. Stepping up to the Celebrity Row challenge to replace former Leicester Tigers rugby player Matt Poole, who has been suffering from an ongoing injury, Gary’s ability with a set of oars will be very welcome. In the words of Dominic Gomersall: “We welcome Gary into the team and hopefully his experience will serve us well throughout the major task in hand!”

Ian is the chief executive of Leicestershire pensions business, Mattioli Woods, and tries to set himself a challenge each summer. In Dominic’s words: “Ian says he likes it to ‘have a little bit of danger involved’, so this fits the bill. He runs every day and is very fit - so of course we’ll let him join in!”

 

Ian also put his reasons for accepting our challenge into his own, rather more measured words: “This is a great opportunity for Leicestershire businesses and sportsmen to work together to achieve something never done before - and to raise a lot of money for the charities in the process. During a credit crunch, the needs that different charities do so much to meet do not go simply away. Indeed, for some charities, the demands on them actually increase - and at the same time, it can get much harder for them to raise money. So I’m looking forward to helping businesses and sportsmen work together to help those most in need.”

The senior partner at the East Midlands office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Andy Lyon is a rowing fanatic. Strange then, says Dominic: “He certainly doesn’t look like he can row.” Appearances can be deceptive, however, as Andy competes in indoor rowing marathons. But has he got any sea legs?

 

Andy Lyon said: “It will be hard work but a fantastic achievement – something never done before. There will be an interesting contrast of open, off-shore rowing and paddling down canals. And if we can raise more than £100,000 for the charities that will also be a real achievement.”

Paul, the watch expert and buyer at Lumbers, is the key to the whole escapade, said Dominic. “He is the secret weapon.” Paul rowed in his native Cornwall from the age of 10 to 20, competing in seagoing gig boats at home and abroad, competing in world championships from 1998 to 2002; one year his crew were the 10th best in the world.
Paul said: “I know what rowing at sea is like. Which is why I keep telling Dominic he needs to do some training.”