Crew

Richard Carless

Richard is a commercial diver, and owns a company supplying equipment, camera boats and safety services to the TV and film industry. He has worked in India and Iceland on the Bond films. He has both rowed widely and competed in most major triathlon events, including the national championships. Known as “Spotless”.

Notable achievements:

• Henley semi-finalist
• Iron Man competition (2.5 mile swim, 112 mile cycle, 26 mile run)
• British Punting Champion
• Set the world records for 24 hours, cross channel row, and London to Paris.
  

Age: 43
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 12.0

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John Graham

John is an engineer with BT plc, and is currently the Captain of the Dittons Skiff & Punting Club after 2 outstandingly successful seasons as Vice Captain. He has skiffed extensively both long distance and competitively. The young lad in the crew is looking to make the record book.

Notable achievements:

• Skiff Championships Champion
• North Californian Dragon Boat Champion
• The fastest Great River Race time in a skiff
• Pioneer of Naked Skiffing
• Nothing else that can be reproduced here
  

Age: 36
Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 11.11

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Mike Hart, MBE

Mike was at Cambridge University, graduating in 1973 with an honours degree in engineering. He has since qualified as a chartered engineer, and as an expert witness, and is a director of a firm of consulting engineers. At Cambridge he rowed in one Goldie crew and two boat races, stroking the crew in 1973. He competed at international level for eight years. From 1973 this was in a double scull with Chris Baillieu and together they were pre-eminent in the world. He rows regularly, competing in the world veteran championships and the veteran Oxford & Cambridge "Goat " Race each year.

Notable achievements:

• Olympic Silver medal 1976
• World Championships gold, silver and 3 bronze medals.
• 4 times winner of the Henley Double Sculls
• Set the fastest time for the Henley double Sculls
• Set world records for 24 hours, cross Channel and London to Paris
  

Age: 52
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 15.6

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Mark Hobson

Mark is the Business Development Director for an IT consultancy. He played club rugby regularly for 25 years at Esher RFC before taking up skiffing in 1993. He is married with two children. Reckons he makes a major contribution to the crew when he keeps quiet, but this attempt was his idea, so you know who to blame …….

Notable achievements:

• Set world records across the Channel and London to Paris

Age: 53
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 5.12

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Chris Millward

Chris is the Financial Controller for National Boat Shows Ltd. Generally very quiet and mild mannered, but he seems to undergo a personality transformation when in a boat, which leads to high class results but erratic means. Keen to make an impression at record setting. We’re keeping our eyes on that.

Notable achievements:

• Humming
  

Age: 45
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 15.2

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Simon Leifer

Simon is a lawyer at an investment bank He is another celebrated international oarsman and has an outstanding skiffing record. He was also in the original DSPC crew that set the Giant Meander record, so you might wonder why he wants to do it again. Maybe it is fun.

Notable achievements:

• Rowed for GB in World Championships
• National Champion in the Coxed Pair
• National Champion in the Coxed 4
• Henley winner in the Britannic Cup
• Set world records for the Giant Meander and 24 hour
  

Age: 45
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 15.8

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