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Source: ONE News -
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What drove Shaun Quincey's pursuit of such a difficult and dangerous dream?
A father who made it, a kayaker who died trying and a fear of failure are all part of a very complex answer.
The Hamills will be warm and dry this winter, but dad Rob, winner of the Atlantic Rowing Race, clearly recalls a time he wasn't: In the middle of the 42 day, back-breaking Atlantic race.
"You're on the edge, you don't know what's coming round the corner, what's over the next wave and anything could happen," says Hamill.
Thirteen years on, the extreme rower struggles to describe the endurance race.
"It's too big a picture to really describe in words."
Hamill is convinced Quincey's success is inspired by his father Colin. The first person to ever row the Tasman.
"I couldn't think of anything more aspirational really. Seeing my dad go off and do such a great adventure, it fits so beautifully doesn't it?"
Hamill also thinks Australian kayaker Andrew MacCauley, who perished 80 kilometres off Milford Sound three years ago, had a hand in Quincey's success.
"Those tragedies like Andrew MacCauley could have stopped him. All power to him because he didn't let it stop him."
Sports psychologist Ian Lambie says it is a challenge most of us can't contemplate, one driven by a very real fear of failure.
"I think it's huge, absolutely huge. And I think the higher up they get, the more pressure is on them."
It is a trait that could now lead Quincey on adventures he has not had time to dream about yet.
