WA:Rower's solo journey from Freo to Mumbai

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2011
WA:Rower's solo journey from Freo to Mumbai

PERTH, April 13 AAP - Pirates are a danger but they won't stop rower Roz Savage attempting
a solo journey from Fremantle to Mumbai to raise conservation awareness.

The British rower, author, motivational speaker and environmental campaigner is embarking
on her third solo rowing expedition.

Having rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean, the 42-year-old is now attempting to become
the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean.

Her departure has been delayed twice due to bad weather, but Savage finally left Fremantle
at sunrise on Wednesday.

She told AAP there were concerns about large waves and pirates during her 6500km journey,
but they were to be expected in the ocean.

"As if the ocean itself isn't challenging enough, we have to deal with pirates," she said.

"Piracy has been accelerating in recent months and we were looking at changing the route.

"We have actually changed my route three times already."

Savage said she would take precautions to protect herself from pirates by not posting
her whereabouts online, but said she did not think she was putting herself in danger.

"I just don't see it that way ... I just feel that this is the right thing for me be
to doing right now," she said.

Savage said it was important to her to raise awareness about environmental issues and
encourage people to act on the issues.

"What we need is more consciousness. We've got some big (environmental) challenges
ahead," she said.

"A lot of people feel like they can't do a lot, but we all have to do out best.

"It's not just about raising awareness, but to take some action too."

Savage said people should not wait for governments to save the environment but do little
things in their local communities to make a difference.

"We've got to start taking better care of the planet, not for the planet's sake but
for people," she said.

The journey is expected to take up to six months to complete.

To keep track of Savage's journey, visit her website at www.rozsavage.com or follow
her on Twitter and Facebook.

AAP anr/pc

KEYWORD: ROWER

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