The power of social media was put to great effect to share live the wonderful moment that four friends from the RGS Class of 2006 reached Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. Their official time was 39 days 07 hours 41 minutes so it may be less than impossible to crack their future six-digit passcodes, for this is a genuine lifetime achievement for the boys that will live long in the memory.
 
Ewan Bell, James Protherough, Jon Merotra and Ed Wilson forged their friendship at the School and especially on the Flagge Meadow playing fields. The notion of spending almost seven weeks in cramped, uncomfortable quarters undertaking gruelling hard work on an unforgiving ocean would test the strongest of bonds, so it was fabulous to see them step onto dry land and celebrate as a team.
 
They were met by family and friends who had flown to the Caribbean to await the arrival of these modern-day adventurers. It was an understandably emotional reunion captured on camera for friends, family, supporters and schoolfriends located around the world. 
 
As part of the welcome reception, they were asked a few questions and their answers are worth sharing:
 
Q. How does it feel to be on land? 
Ewan: Very wobbly!
 
Q. What was the most memorable sight you experienced at sea?
James: The night skies, observing the Milky Way. (He undid his romantic credentials by then adding that it was matched only by seeing the guys naked)!
 
Q. What are you most looking forward to, now that you are off the boat? (A potentially risky question but fortunately the guys towed a respectable line)
Jon: Sleeping for a week!
Ed: Eating food that is not dehydrated!
 
Q. Would you row this or any other ocean in the future?
Ed: I don’t think I would do it anytime soon but I wouldn’t rule it out completely!
 
At this point the interviewer wisely let the boys rejoin their loved ones. The party was undoubtedly going to last long into the night with countless tales to be told. It really will take time for the magnitude of their achievement to sink in.
 
With more than £109,000 raised for charities and their place assured in the history books of RGS, everyone at the School wishes them a well-deserved rest. We look forward to welcoming Jon, Ed, Ewan and James back to the School to inspire the current pupils. If ever there was an example needed of RGS grit, friendship, dedication and teamwork this is it, because the challenge required them to be Resolute, Gracious, Selfless, Willing (RGSW). 
 
Well done guys and enjoy the luxuries of land and savour the flight back over the Atlantic.