The Arctic RowerThe first black person to row an ocean eyes Northwest Passage for second historic voyage to inspire fellow Caribbeans

Philip Als makes history in 2003 by crossing the Atlantic and now wants to inspire Caribbean people all over again with world first Arctic row

‘We are all human beings, you can achieve anything,’ Als says in October during Black History Month

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Phil Als is part of a team set on becoming the first to row the Northwest Passage, the Arctic route that links the Atlantic and the Pacific. Photo: Associated Press

Published: 1:00pm, 3 Oct 2020Updated: 10:02am, 4 Oct 2020

Philip Als is already a history maker, but 17 years after he first entered the record books he is intent on transcending human boundaries all over again.

In 2003, Als became the first black person to row across any ocean when he crossed from the Canary Islands to Barbados with partner Randal Valdez.

In 2021, Als is part of a team, including this author, set on becoming the first people to row the Northwest Passage, the Arctic route that links the Atlantic and the Pacific. The northern environment is a far cry from Als’ home in Barbados.

“People have seen the film of the Jamaican bobsleigh team, Cool Runnings,” Als said at the start of October – which is Black History Month. “So it has been established on land. But this is the sea version, too. People from here need guidance and focus. I want to tell them the sky’s the limit. You can do whatever you want if you apply yourself. White, black, it doesn’t matter, we are all human beings.”

Als believes the key to success will be looking after each other in the Passage.