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Escape from Thor Island
23 Apr 2012
Here are two video clips. First, Billy Gammon, then Jock Wishart - talking about the effort it took to get the boat across the sea ice for the last two miles to the Pole. What they are describing is the climax of the documentary - but no less dramatic even if you know the outcome. Remember, ROWING THE ARCTIC is on BBC ONE at 10:45pm on Wednesday 25th April - and if you miss it, available for 7 days on BBC iPlayer.
Reflections on the expedition - Part 1
11 Apr 2012
This is the first of a series of interview clips with Jock about the Old Pulteney Row To The Pole. They're from Frozen World Books, publishers of FURTHEST NORTH, the story of the expedition, just published.
Here, Jock tells the story from the skippers' perspective of the crew's first encounter with sea ice...a close call.
Furthest North on sale NOW!
09 Jan 2012
FURTHEST NORTH recounts the remarkable story following the Old Pulteney Row To The Pole expedition from its very beginnings through to its exhausting, dramatic, climax.
Beautifully illustrated with the photographs taken by the crew during the expedition, this is a fascinating, factual book about a unique polar and maritime adventure.
Experts told Jock Wishart that his idea of rowing a boat the 1996 certified position of the Magnetic North Pole was impossible, even foolhardy. In August 2011 he and his five crew proved them wrong.
He was clearly taking a risk in making the attempt, and history does not record any similar attempt to row the Arctic. However, as Rod Macrae's account of the expedition tells, climate change is altering this once ice-locked world and its millions of square miles of sea ice are melting.
The Old Pulteney boat ventured into the unknown. To reach the Pole position demonstrated how much is changing in this remote, deserted wilderness.
Furthest North...on sale now for just £12.50 and available through both Amazon and Frozen World Publishing
Polar Blade At Pink Palace
20 Dec 2011
Jock with the 'pink' Leander oar at the '96 Cert Mag N.Pole
Affectionately known as the "Pink Palace", Leander Rowing Club is the most prestigious of its kind in the world. You can only become a Member if you are an international oarsperson, have competed in the Boat Race, won at Henley Royal Regatta or through special invitation. Jock has been a proud Member for over 30 years, as well as having held his wedding reception there all those years ago – back in the day when he had some say in the relationship.
To honour his close ties with Leander Jock insisted on taking one ‘pink’ oar (see pic) with him during the expedition. It not only survived multiple sabotage attempts from his fellow crew but also made it to the ’96 Magnetic North Pole in one piece. Having managed to smuggle it back to the UK Jock has recently been awarded one of the greatest honours any oarsperson could hope to receive when the Club asked if the "pink" (or cerise) spoon could be hung in the Club alongside such greats as Sir Steve Redgrave.
Last week Jock met the Leander Club President, Sir George Cox, to formally hand over and sign the spoon.