From left to right – James Prior; Matt Inglesby; Simon Chalk; Paul Williams; Yaacov Mutnikas; Matt Mason; Gav Emmerson; Oliver Waite
Crew Profiles for the “TOBY WALLACE” February 2014 Atlantic Crossing
Simon Chalk – Skipper. Based in Shropshire. British (41)
Simon is the skipper of Toby Wallace and arguably one of the worlds most experienced ocean rowers having now completed 7 ocean rowing crossings on the Atlantic and Indian oceans. He has designed and built more ocean rowing boats than anyone else in the world, and has been personally involved in over 100 ocean rowing crossings with individuals worldwide, with an unrivalled safety record and vast knowledge of ocean rowing. Simon has been heavily involved with the Atlantic Rowing Race since 2003, and was most recently Race Safety Officer for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Race in 2011. He now works full time for Oceanus Rowing helping to run “pay per place” crews and helping to enable people of all backgrounds to row an ocean. He is raising money in memory of Toby Wallace who he rowed with in 2012 and you can donate at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/mcmenigallwallace
Paul Williams – First Mate. From Gloucestershire. British (46)
Paul has two Atlantic crossings under his belt, having competed as a crew of three in the 2009 Woodvale Race in 75 days and was also onboard Titan in 2012 with a very respectable crossing time of 34 days. On Toby Wallace, Paul is First Mate and Watch Leader. He is a long distance canoeist and white water kayaker having covered Europe, North America, the Himalayas and New Zealand. He has also competed in three Devizes – Westminster canoe races! Paul has travelled extensively and has done five seasons of Himalayan mountaineering and three winter ascents. In a previous career, Paul was a semi professional fire breather and juggler of knives and machetes!! These days he works as a freelance engineering consultant. He is raising money in memory of Toby Wallace who he rowed with in 2012 and you can donate at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/mcmenigallwallace
Gavin Emmerson – From Penrhyn Bay, N Wales. British (33)
Gav is an Outdoor Activities instructor in Wales and has a military background also. A competent kayaker, skier, scuba diver, sky diver and mountain biker, he has also summited Kilimanjaro in Africa, Pollux, Breithorn and Monch in the Alps. Gav has wanted to row the Atlantic for many years and is glad to be onboard the Toby Wallace to make his dream a reality!
Matt Inglesby – From St Helens, Merseyside. British (21)
Matt is a personal trainer and works as a Crossfit Coach in Widnes. Despite his young age, he is no stranger to outdoor pursuits – he is a big runner and cyclist and has done many endurance challenges to date. He is looking forward to the ‘ultimate’ challenge rowing the Atlantic and has been spurred on with the row to use it as a tool to help raise funds for a cutting edge ReWalk machine (a bionic walking assistance system) for Kerry Greenfield from Widnes who was born with Spina Bifida Occulta and has lost the use of her legs. You can sponsor his cause here http://www.gofundme.com/6acu8o
Matt Mason – From Acrington, near Preston. British (24)
As a serving Royal Marine Commando, Matt has a great level of fitness and enjoys cycling, fell running and hill walking in his spare time. Despite his age, Matt has already experienced three tours of Afghanistan and has spent a few arduous months in the Arctic Circle training. He is looking forward to the warmer climate of the mid Atlantic and having an adventure on the water! He has cycled Lands End to John O’Groats in seven days and has done some sailing in the past, as well as recently being more under the water diving in Thailand. He is excited about the prospect of the speed record and testing himself mentally and physically! Matt is raising money for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund and you can sponsor him at http://www.justgiving.com/mattmason12
Yaacov Mutnikas – Based in Berkshire, UK & currently lives and works Connecticut, USA. Lithuanian
Yaacov has extensive sailing, rowing and ocean rowing experience. Having been rowing since he was 16, he competed at club level in the UK and now in USA time permitting. Yaacov has had two attempted Atlantic rowing crossings with other speed campaigns (La Mondiale in 2008 and Sara G in 2012) and has successfully negotiated a treacherous 1000km expedition on the Zambezi River in 2011. He lived for over a decade in South Africa and loves the country – his eldest daughter still lives there. He works in the Financial Sector and is married to Natalie with two daughters. This is his third time on the Atlantic – very much unfinished business for him.
James Prior – Based in London. British (49)
James works hard in management as a Client Director for UK company, INVOLVE. His background is varied, with a military career in the Armed Forces and working for the drinks industry in the UK and South Africa too….having a great understanding of real ale! He is also a busy father – having four boys under the age of 12 who keep him very busy when he’s not working! James is raising money with his row for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a cause close to his heart as one of his sons has Crohns disease. You can donate to his cause here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesPrior6
Oliver Waite – Based in Porthleven, Cornwall. British (26)
Having just finished work as a Business Development Manager in Dubai, Oliver is taking some time out to complete the challenge of the Atlantic row. With a school rowing background, his main sport of interest currently is rugby, being heavily involved in the UAE Rugby scene. He has kayaked extensively in Norway and the UK and has taken part in two “Tough Mudder” events in the UK which were great fun. He has his mum to blame for being on board – she sent him the ‘recruiting for crew’ email and dared him on!