Will North ‘Heroes Of The Sea’ Feature: Atlantic Row Champion Compares His Experiences With ‘In The Heart Of The Sea’ Characters

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA is out now on Digital HD, 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD and to celebrate its Home Entertainment release we have an exclusive feature ‘Heroes of the sea’, written by Will North who completed the Atlantic Row in 2013 and he compares his experiences at sea with those the characters experience in the film. Take a look at his experiences and comparisons below:

Unlike the whalers of Nantucket in Ron Howard’s film, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA, the three thousand mile race to row across the Atlantic Ocean was not embarked upon to feed a hunger for increased wealth or status. It was a hunger to face similar extreme elements, to compete not only amongst our peers, but also with nature herself.

Ocean rowers do, however, have a number of similarities to the whalers in the film portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy and Tom Holland, most of all in the gruelling challenge itself. Facing off with ocean storms, malnutrition, monstrous waves and testing the human spirit to its limits, allows us to appreciate how we can overcome such trials and survive.

But more than that, we all need to have faith in our mission rather than leaving it to chance, just as the crew in the film take charge when stranded, surrounded by ocean and without sustainable food or water.

With the numerous twists and turns you experience thousands of miles from land, you must believe that your mission is worthy enough and that your vessel and crewmates will have the tenacity to see it through with you. Finally, as we venture off, we all leave our families at home, not always realising that they suffer just as much, if not more than those out at sea for months at a time.

Deep down though, it all comes back to how hungry you are to achieve your goal. For us it was a hunger vast enough to cross an ocean through man power alone and win our race class. For those shipwrecked after being attacked by a whale in the film, their courage and teamwork was essential if they were to try and survive months at sea. Their true life story would eventually go on to inspire one of the most celebrated American novels of all time: Moby Dick. Until the next challenge…

Will North and his rowing partner Dan Howie took part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – The World’s Toughest Rowing Race in 2013 and came first in the pairs / doubles class.

The epic and exhilarating adventure IN THE HEART OF THE SEA is available on Digital HD now and on 3D, Blu-ray and DVD 2nd May.

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