One boat, one man, one ocean: Raphael Garcia’s takes on the Atlantic

Raphael Garcia (34) set off on an extraordinary journey from Lüderitz, Namibia, to Salvador, Brazil, on Wednesday, 8 April, to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in his rowing boat, Sater.

Garcia began his day with a quick breakfast before launching Sater from the Kelp Blue boat ramp in the harbour town. Community members, learners and staff from Lüderitz Blue School gathered to witness his departure as he rowed into the horizon, towards the vast blue stretching endlessly in every direction.

“I packed most of my gear yesterday, so I just brushed my teeth and was ready to go,” he said.

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and now based in New Zealand, Garcia works for the coffee franchise Black and White Coffee Cartel.

He plans to complete the transatlantic route in approximately 120 days.

His epic adventure, covering a significant stretch of the South Atlantic between south-western Africa and north-eastern Brazil, can be followed online.

“I think the hardest part will be the start – probably the first two or three weeks as I get used to a new routine," he said.

"I might get sick as well, and I’m sure there will be storms. It’s quite rough just outside Lüderitz on the open sea. I’m hoping that after three or four weeks, things will settle into a routine and I’ll be more accustomed to what I have to do,” he explained.

The direct great-circle distance between Lüderitz and Salvador is between 5 700 and 5 800 kilometres (3 100 to 3 150 nautical miles).

Garcia has spent four years preparing for this expedition. “I started planning in 2022 and worked on it almost every day. I initially thought it would take a year, but it took four. Reaching your goal often takes longer and costs more than expected,” he said.

After overcoming numerous logistical challenges, Garcia expressed relief at finally beginning the journey. “It was frustrating when things went wrong, especially when others were involved, like customs or manufacturers. Now it’s just me and the boat. Whether I take it easy or push hard, it’s entirely up to me,” he said.

Dare to dream

“When I started this, I didn’t know how to row and had barely been at sea. I had to learn everything to get here,” Garcia said. “I haven’t reached the other side yet, but I believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to. It takes vision, attention to detail, preparation and determination.”

Garcia arrived in Namibia about a month ago after shipping his boat from New Zealand, a process that took three months. “My goal is to reach Brazil in about 100 days. Once I’m out there, there’s no stopping. I’ll pass St Helena Island, but I won’t stop until I reach Salvador, at Todos os Santos,” he said before departure.

Garcia draws inspiration from Amyr Klink, the first person to row across the South Atlantic. Klink began his journey from Lüderitz on 10 June 1984 and arrived in Salvador 100 days later, on 18 September 1984. His book '100 Days Between Sea and Sky' chronicles the voyage.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of retracing Klink’s journey. It will be tough," he said.

He plans to row between eight and 12 hours a day, making as much progress as possible and adjusting his course as winds and currents shift.

He estimates his journey will take around 105 days. “I have food for about 140 days, so I should be covered. Most of it is dehydrated, powder-based meals, along with some tuna and salmon. I’ll also fish if needed.”

Safety first

Sater is equipped with advanced safety systems and redundancies designed for ocean rowing.

“It’s self-steering and self-draining. There’s a dedicated rowing area, while the rest of the boat is used for storage and a small cabin where I sleep or shelter during storms,” Garcia explained.

He emphasised the importance of self-righting capability: “The boat must be able to drain water and right itself after capsizing. In rough seas, it can flip, so it needs enough weight at the bottom to return upright on its own, whether I’m inside or outside.”

The vessel is also fitted with a desalination system. “At the press of a button, it converts seawater into drinking water. I also have a manual backup and emergency reserves in case of failure,” he added.