Cyclone blows Quincey towards north

9th March 2010

A man trying to row across the Tasman from Australia may land on Northland's west coast next week after being blown off course by a storm.

Transtasman rower Shaun Quincey set off from Australia on January 20 in an effort to be the first man to successfully row that direction across the Tasman.

Mr Quincey had hoped to come ashore between New Plymouth and Auckland, but a tropical cyclone last week blew him off course, support crew member Michael Buck said.

As a result, Mr Buck said, Mr Quincey may land as far north as the Kaipara Harbour or Ripiro Beach early next week.

"He's had some pretty strong southerlies pushing him north the past few days that are set to stay around until tomorrow. Then there are westerlies forecast, but still with a bit of southerly in them," Mr Buck said.

"At the moment he's in line with Auckland so he may well end up landing further north in your area."

He said where Mr Quincey is expected to land should become clearer by Friday.

"He's still very positive. It's been a frustrating few days for him really, because he's been uncertain where he's going to land," Mr Buck said.

"He's faced far worse things on the trip so far, but I think it's just because he's getting so close."

He said Mr Quincey remained in good spirits, but was hanging out for "a good eggs benedict and a steak".

Last week Mr Quincey was bracing for the storm and estimated it could set him back by 100km or more.

He is hoping to become the first solo rower to make the crossing from Australia to New Zealand. His father Colin is the only solo rower to have done the crossing in the opposite direction in 1977.

Mr Quincey is raising Funds and Awareness for Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

The rower has spent 49 days
on the water in his effort to row the 2200km between the two countries.

Last week an aircraft dropped emergency provisions for Mr Quincey, including 38 litres of drinking water, coffee and a toothbrush, after his desalination machine broke down.

People can follow the trip at www.tasmantrespasser.com.