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Ivybridge Community College

Ivybridge Community College

Ivybridge Community College

The Rowing Marine live via satellite

Ivybridge Community College Year 10 students had the privilege of a live satellite phone call on Tuesday, 5 March, with Lee Spencer, the Rowing Marine.

Lee served in the Royal Marines for 24 years before an accident whilst helping out a motorist  stranded on a dual carriageway, left him as a single leg amputee. 

Lee has since completed an Atlantic crossing with 3 other amputees.  His motto is not to be ‘defined by disability’.  He visited our Year 10 students last year and was one of the most inspirational speakers our students have ever seen.  It was during this presentation when Lee outlined his next challenge; to row the Atlantic from mainland Europe to mainland South America (over 3,500 miles) and to beat the World Record set by able bodied athletes.  This currently stands at 96 days and 12 hours.

When we spoke with Lee he had been rowing for 55 days and was on track to be finished in a week.  This is such an amazing effort from a truly inspirational man.  The Year 10 students prepared a set of questions for Lee and were all fully engrossed as he gave his responses.

We wish Lee all the best for the finish of his challenge and look forward to welcoming him back to our College to tell us all about his adventures.

Please click here for further information regarding this amazing challenge.

**Update** Lee Spencer finished the crossing from mainland Europe to South America in 60 days, breaking the able-bodied record for the route by 36 days.  He arrived in Cayenne, French Guiana, at 04:06 GMT (01:06 local time) on Monday,11 March, having faced 40ft waves and a bout of gastroenteritis during the voyage, while sleeping for just two hours at a time.

We are looking forward to inviting Lee back to the College soon to tell us all about his amazing record-breaking achievement.