Concept2’s Dan Brooks' Endurance Coastal Row: The Blackburn Challenge 2024

By Dan Brooks 

Dan Brooks is an engineer with Concept2 and recently participated in the Blackburn Challenge, a demanding open-water race. Dan used our highly durable Skinny Coastal shaft combined with the Comp blade, and perfect for a race like the Blackburn Challenge. It’s especially suitable for the rugged and demanding discipline of coastal rowing, and as such, we’ve been supporting athletes at coastal rowing events around the world. We’re looking forward to coastal rowing making its debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Read on for Dan’s firsthand account of his Blackburn Challenge experience.  

Every July, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the heartiest of rowers and paddlers from around the country and beyond gather for the Blackburn Challenge. Often dubbed the “Boston Marathon of open water endurance racing,” the race is an homage to Howard Blackburn, the Gloucester fisherman whose fishing dory was separated from his schooner in a dense winter fog. Blackburn survived by rowing non-stop for five days. Every year, his legacy is honored by those who channel his fortitude during the 20-mile race that circumnavigates Cape Ann.  

This year, rowing in the World Rowing C1X open water class for the first time, I sat ready among a fleet of other boats in my heat, eager to find the fastest path through a high current obstacle course of moored boats, navigational beacons, and fishing buoys dotting the first five miles. I know these waters. I was raised in Gloucester, the son of a fisherman. With Concept 2’s new Skinny Coastal oar and a coastal racing shell loaned to me by NEXT Boatworks, I THOUGHT I was well equipped to be a contender for the race.  

An early encounter with a large, moored sailboat left me 100 meters behind the race leaders. Fortunately, my oars weathered the impact unscathed. Unfortunately, I would spend the next ten miles pushing myself to my limits to recover lost water. Willing myself to stay relaxed, keep my shoulders and hips loose, I slowly moved up the ranks, and started to enjoy the row.   

By the halfway point, I caught August Cole, a seasoned open water rower who would go on to win the class. Unfortunately, the Blackburn is not a 10-mile race. More technical water and other challenges were waiting in the second half.  

Within ten minutes of passing August, a thick fog shrouded the shore, and I suddenly realized that without a compass or GPS, I was in trouble. Following August (who had a compass!) was my best chance at staying on course. I found myself zigzagging to keep up with him, and then, he was gone. I was alone, surrounded by a surreal wall of fog with less than 75 feet of visibility. I strained to hear the waves crashing on the rocky bluffs and keep them on my starboard. 

My thoughts immediately turned to the race’s namesake and his bitterly cold, foggy row. Remembering Blackburn, I dug deep, knowing that my pain and unclear direction were a pittance compared to what he endured for his own survival. 

And then, a beacon of hope! A coxed four, using 20-year-old Concept2 sweep oars, and playing upbeat music caught up to me! I was humbled to have been caught, grateful for another boat to use for navigating, and proud to see another boat using Concept2’s products. But the fog still obscured all visible landmarks, and it was the blind leading the blind, with the finish still miles away.  

Eventually a pack of coastal rowers also caught up to me. Third place was in my sights! Digging deep, I nearly closed the gap, but in the end, Chad Wolfe would finish third, only seven seconds ahead of me.   

Above: Fellow C1X competitors Brooke Downes and Olivia Farar from NEXT Boatworks at the coastal rowing zone hosted by Concept2, NEXT Boatworks and Hudson Boat Works. They both switched to coastal rowing after years of competitive rowing from high school to U23 national teams. Olivia says she’s drawn to coastal rowing for the adventure! Brooke added that “there’s a lot more that can happen in coastal. Coastal is to flat water rowing as beach volleyball is to indoor volleyball, so there’s a totally different dynamic, strategy, and technique.”  

As competitive as I am, the Blackburn Challenge is a race in which to finish is to win. Though I didn’t hit my goal of a sub 3-hour finish, it WAS an adventure that I (and many others) will remember as the “The Foggy One.” I’m proud to have been among its tenacious participants—with the full support of Concept2 and NEXT Boatworks. I can’t wait for 2025 with its new and unpredictable adventures. I’ve already packed my compass. 

 At this year’s World Rowing Coastal Championships, September 5-8, 2024, many competitors used Concept2 Skinny Coastal oars. Next up is the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, September 12-14, 2024, in Genoa, Italy. Good luck to all!