Katie Spotz becomes youngest ever to row an ocean solo

Katie Spotz, before her Atlantic mission. (Photo: Picasa)

"Endurance is patience concentrated." – Thomas Carlyle

Katie Spotz, 22, knows something about endurance. After 2,817 miles of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, she endured all that the elements and her body could throw at her. Now she is the youngest person ever to row across an ocean solo. Her 70-day, five-hour, 22-minute journey from Dakar, Senegal, to Georgetown, Guyana, is complete, and while Katie Spotz reaps the rewards of her momentous achievement, the real winners are those in need of clean water. According to the New York Times, Katie Spotz' "Row for Water" raised more than $70,000 for The Blue Planet Run, a San Francis! co-based non-profit committed to providing safe drinking water for people in need. These dollars aren't unsecured loans; they're gifts of life.

'You really have to dig deep,' said Katie Spotz to the Times

Considering that ocean currents forced her to change course – a move that added about 400 miles to her trip – there's no doubt that Katie Spotz had to tap into an inner strength and determination. Yet her view of it was very pragmatic: You're trapped in that boat, so what else are you going to do? Wind, currents, 20-foot waves, exposure and difficulty sleeping come with the territory. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Katie Spotz becomes youngest ever to row an ocean solo"