(no subject)

I had a odd, yet fun correspondence today.

So, Fark is one of those geeky sites that collect weird news stories, then everyone comments about the stories. Sunday, there was a story about two British men who are going to row across the Indian Ocean, from Australia to Mauritius. They happened to mention that they'll be naked for most of the 105 days to reduce chafing. So, Fark immediately picks it up with the following headline (link goes to story):

If two consenting, adult men want to row across the Indian Ocean naked I don't see how that's anyone's business but their own

The story was cute, but I think these guys have a shot, so I went to their site, and they had a PayPal donation button, so I donated 10 quid (they're from England, ex British Navy) in a random act of kindness.

I get the usual auto-bots from PayPal and their site thanking me for my donation. Then, this morning, I get this email:

Hi Peter

Once again many thanks for your kind donation, which was especially surprising coming from America. If you don't mind me asking how did you come to hear about us & what prompted you to donate to a project like this based out of the UK?

I'm intrigued because yesterday we were also approached by a radio station in Detroit, 101 WRIF, who'd also heard about us & wants to do an interview & potentially help find a sponsor. So we're very interested to find out how we are being heard about so far away. You're probably unaware just how encouraging such gestures are to us in these times when money is particularly short & potential sponsors have their own concerns to deal with. That is why we are especially grateful to you.

We always hoped that both the event & our efforts would have worldwide interest but it's not until it happens that we realise its significance. Your support will help carry us across the ocean & in doing so we hope to generate a legacy that will not only help those in the UK with Asthma but through the research that the charity supports, promote better understanding on how to deal with Asthma around the world.

So once again thank you for your support & I hope that you will follow our progress through our web site towards the start & as we cross the ocean.

Best wishes,

Roger

So I laughed, and replied back:

There's a website called fark.com that aggregates news that's a little out of the ordinary, and a story about you from the Guardian appeared on the site on Sunday. Many of the US radio stations and some TV shows read that site (though they won't admit it) to get fun news to read on the air, or to find people to interview.

Given the nature of the story (naked rowboating across the Indian Ocean), there plenty of chuckles and innuendo from people who sit in front of the computer for too many hours each day. If you are interviewed, don't be surprised if the focus is more about two naked men in a boat instead of the charity angle -- that's all most of these folks have read about.

On the other hand, I've always been a fan of ocean crossings and the sea. I live in Florida and do a lot of offshore fishing, and I've read Slocum and Robin Knox-Johnston, as well as O'Brian and Forester. So, I honestly wish you well on your attempt.

Good luck!
Peter

Then, I got this nice reply from Roger:

Hi Peter

Many thanks for solving the mystery for us. Yes the naked thing was something our PR agent jumped on to raise our profile for better or worse. I guess as the say "all publicity is good publicity" & it obviously worked. And at the end of the day if it gets us to the start & helps out the charities then I'm happy to be exploited any way they want. I didn't even know that we'd appeared in the Guardian!!

So many thanks again on both fronts & for taking the time to reply. Maybe we'll even get to write a book for you to read about our crossing until then keep an eye on our blog.

Cheers

Rog

So, these guys seem funny and I hope they make it.

Donations (in Pounds Sterling) can be made at their site:
http://indianoceanrace2009.com/
Go to Support, then Ways to Sponsor.