Charlie Martell | Charlie Martell :: The Charitable Adventurer

Former Royal Engineer Charlie Martell is to take on the largest water mass on the planet and become the first person to row land-to-land across the Pacific.

Charlie is no stranger to a challenge, having rowed the Atlantic and trekked to the North Pole and whose active service in Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland led to a post-Army career in the humanitarian sector where he specialised in clearing explosive hazards.

With the support of Team Hesco, Charlie will leave Japan in his boat BLOSSOM and head to the USA, with enough food on board to last 180 days and a goal of completing the voyage within six months while raising funds for charities; Give Them a Sporting Chance, Veterans in Action and the Allied Forces Foundation.

The Charitable Adventurer

Charlie first attempted this Pacific challenge in 2012 before encountering the destructive forces of Typhoon Mawar and having to cut the journey short.

“It’s testament to the design and rigorous build of Blossom that she survived the storm in 2012. The bulkhead was damaged after a pitch-pole capsize and we’ve had to strengthen the aft cabin where I sleep and seek refuge.”

“The Pacific is not an easy ocean and 2019 will not be an easy trip, but now we’re ready to try again. I’m looking forward to really testing myself and to raise awareness for three incredibly important charities.”

You can learn more about Charlie's preparation for 2019 at rowpacific2019.com

The Team

Charlie Martell – the Charitable Adventurer – is, in essence, a close-knit team:

Ben Goss OBE, Mentor and Development Director
Ben Goss OBE is the founder of Give Them A Sporting Chance, one of the beneficiary charities of Pacific 2018. Ben has been a member of the Pacific management team since its inception in 2009. His valued judgement, network and enthusiasm has been crucial in developing support for the project and building momentum. In 2015, Ben stepped down as Chair of Give Them A Sporting Chance and with permission from HRH The Princess Royal and the management team, Charlie has taken over as Chairman of the charity.
Richard Sudbury, Creative
Richard is a freelance creative photographer and illustrator based in Gloucestershire and has been a close friend of Charlie’s since they were at school together from the age of 8. Having worked in the creative industry for over 20 years, with some of the biggest manufacturing, technology and service companies, Richard helps Charlie and the team, charities and sponsors with any photographic, illustrative and branding needs they might have, helping them to gain awareness, create partnerships and gather sponsorship for Charlie’s extreme challenges.
Tony Humphreys, Technical Adviser
Founder of Ocean Pursuits, Tony's input into Pacific 2012 brought an almost encylopaedic knowledge gained from more than 20,000 miles of sailing experience and a unique understanding of the perils and pitfalls facing ocean rowers, having managed four Atlantic Ocean rowing races, two Indian Ocean races and supported numerous independent ocean rows. Tony provides ongoing support with weather routing, navigational advice and route planning. Tony’s clear thinking ahead of tropical storm Mawar was undoubtedly a major factor in Charlie’s good health and Blossom’s eventual recovery.

You can read more about Charlie's boat, Blossom; Get a sense of the Journey; and read more about the Causes and help Charlie raise funds.