Paul Gleeson: Crossing the Swell – Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean

VIMFF Great Ocean Traverses
Saturday, February 11, 7:30 pm (doors 7:00 pm)
Pacific Cinematheque

Tickets $18 online / $20 doors   Buy Tickets Here

What started out as an idea in an Irish pub, turned into a life changing experience for Paul Gleeson. Having never rowed a boat before, Paul decided to row across the Atlantic Ocean in 2006.
Starting in the Canary Islands off the North West Coast of Africa, Paul rowed 2,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, arriving 85 days later into the Caribbean island of Antigua.
    Paul recounts the entire adventure: from the initial idea, learning how to row, preparing for 3 months on the ocean and dealing with difficult reactions of family and friends right through to all the adventure he endured on the high seas that included chronic sleep deprivation, tropical storms, experiencing a “3rd person” on the boat and ultimately making it across the ocean in one piece. Paul will also share some very interesting life lessons he learned along the way.

Paul Gleeson
In 2003, Paul Gleeson, who hails from Limerick in Ireland, cycled 5,000km across Australia from Perth to Sydney. After 2 months on the road, which included being run down twice by cars, Paul arrived into Sydney to complete his transcontinental cycle.
    Paul’s next adventure took him from land to ocean. On the 30th of November 2005, Paul rowed out of a small marina in the Canary Islands and after enduring the tail end of a hurricane and 2 tropical storms that dished up 45ft swell and some of the worst weather ever recorded for that time of year, Paul arrived into the Caribbean island of Antigua to complete an 85 day rowing voyage. What makes Paul’s story even more interesting is that he only learned how to row one year before the race began.
    Paul and his rowing partner Tori wrote a book about their Atlantic exploits which was published in Ireland in November 2006 and in Canada in 2009 - the book is entitled “Crossing the Swell”. When on dry land, Paul works with people to help them live the life they really want, get past their “road blocks” and pursue real fulfillment in their lives and relationships.