Support Crew
The expedition takes more than just the people in the boat to pull together. There's a team of people behind the scene and some of the most important are our support crew.
With a range of different skills and experience, they advise, plan, and make sure the crew stays as safe as possible when they're out in the arctic.
Kim Partington
A polar consultant with 27 years experience of high latitude scientific research and polar operations support, Kim's experience includes positions as Head of NASA's Polar Research Program, Chief Scientist at the US National Ice Center and Associate Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He is the founder of two UK-based companies including his current company "Polar Imaging Limited". Kim is providing detailed ice information to support the Row to the Pole expedition.
Will Stirling
Will is an experienced Offshore Yacht master and a boat-building expert and set up his own company, Stirling & Sons, a traditional yacht building and wooden boat repair yard which specialises in replicas of historic vessels. He’s been on a few adventures in his own right from sailing across the Atlantic to sailing to the Severn Isles, cycling to Morocco and riding a motorbike to Syria through the Alps. He will be supporting the Row to the Pole crew as a specialist in repairing wooden boats and will be vital member of the support crew should anything go wrong with the ice boat on the trip.
Rod Macrae
Rod Macrae is a former broadcaster for the BBC, GMTV and Reuters. He’s no stranger to inhospitable locations, but is supporting the Row To The Pole expedition’s media and operations work in the UK. He has worked with several expeditions and spent time in the Arctic on a scientific expedition in 2010.
Tony Woodford
Tony is the Row to the Pole engineer. He has years of experience working on boat engines and electrical systems. He met Jock some ten years ago and since then he's been on numerous trips to the arctic. He was one of the original organisers for the Polar Race in 2003 and has attended every race since, dealing with weapons training, computer support, electronic navigation, photography, videography and snow mobile support. Tony is no stranger to adventures himself with a motor cycle trip from London to Sydney and a snow mobile trip to the pole under his belt.
Chris Tibbs
Chris is the Row to the Pole weatherman. As a weather forecaster, notable previous projects include oceanic crossings, consultancy to yacht racing teams and helping yachts sailing in high latitudes in the Arctic and Antarctic. As an onboard weather router and navigator Chris has helped mastermind and execute seven world speed sailing records. He is the author of the RYA Weather Handbook with specially written editions for the US and Southern Hemisphere. As a sailor Chris has an impressive record with over 250,000 miles under his belt, including three round the world races. He runs Sailing-weather Ltd a weather forecasting and consultancy company from Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Gary Walker
Gary was the founding director of Data Connection, now Metaswitch Networks, a leading software development company and also an adventurer in his own right. In 1998 he circumnavigated the globe and skippered the support boat crew for a record-breaking row from Westminster Bridge to the Eiffel Tower in 1999. He has provided logistics and communication support to previous Polar expeditions, and was one of the organizers of the original polar race in 2003 where he presented the trophy to the winner at the pole. He will be a valuable member of the support boat crew for the Row to the Pole expedition.
Justin Holt
In-between his service with the MOD at Whitehall, Justin regularly participates in the Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing club, which involves three hours of grueling training per day, 6 days a week. However, Justin’s water and cold weather skills stretch beyond the still waters of Thames; he has spent two winters in Norway with the Royal Marines, participating in Arctic warfare training and cross country skiing, in addition to cross channel relay swimming in 1999. He is a well equipped all rounder and is relishing the opportunity to support the Row to the Pole crew.
Richard James Webster
Richard is currently studying for a PhD at Carleton University, Canada. Not only a keen rower – training 4 to 6 times a week – Richard actively trains for half Ironmen and participates in cross country skiing. In addition to all around physical fitness, Richard also brings a sound knowledge of Arctic fauna and climate change to the fore , and is looking to developing his knowledge of a new ecosystem within the support crew.