Tiny Littles great big feat
A middle-aged Norwich man who set off from San Sebastián de La Gomera in January to row the Atlantic alone arrived in Antigua last week after a gruelling 116 days at sea.
James "Tiny" Little runs a pub in Norwich which is frequented by a number of customers with strong Tenerife connections, among them Tenerife resident Brenda Baraona and former Trinity School science teacher Toni Hassett. They are all thrilled at their host's achievement and an impromptu party was thrown at the Alexandra Tavern when news broke of his landfall. Wait for the homecoming!
Tiny eventually had to be towed the last fifty miles into English Harbour after the currents got to grips with his 24 foot rowing boat Womble, pushing him ever further from his goal. It was a pity, he said, but if he hadn't been helped, "the next stop could have been Greenland!"
Mr Little in reality was unfazed by having to resort to a tow: after all, 3,479 miles were behind him. "I am perfectly happy with what I have done," he said in his irrepressible, good-humoured manner. "I have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in my own rowing boat and if anyone thinks I haven't, they should get out more. I did quite a bit of it twice and some of it three times, for heaven's sake!"
Tiny Little took on the challenge to row the Atlantic in January to raise funds for The Davenport Trust, a Norfolk charity set up to help young people and their families spot the warning signs that indicate depression. The charity takes its name from Shaun Davenport, son of friend of Mr Little's. Two years ago, aged just 17, he took his own life in tragic circumstances. He and his family were unaware of his illness and the symptoms were not obvious, disguised as they were amongst normal adolescent behaviour.
While waiting for the tow boat to arrive Mr Little happily celebrated his arrival by tucking into a special meal of haggis, potatoes and his last miniature of malt whisky!
Only 26 people have completed a solo, unsupported East-West crossing of the Atlantic and Mr Little can proudly boast he is now the 27th. About the same number of rowers have failed in the attempt and four have been lost at sea. The Ocean Rowing Society has confirmed that Mr Little's was one of the toughest crossings they are aware of, given the frightful weather conditions through which he had to battle a lot of the time.
Source: Tenerife News