Bournemouth and Poole Lecturer Joins Alex Lewis' Rowing Challenge

Inspired by rowing guru Alex Lewis, Ellis Hagger, a lecturer from Bournemouth and Poole College and former club captain and coach at Bournemouth Rowing Club, volunteered with the Ocean Rowing Company to assist Alex in his monumental rowing challenge in June this year. 

Company Rannoch Adventure recruited 20 volunteers to row with Alex in stages from Falmouth to Dover in his specially adapted rowing boat. On March 14th and 15th, the team gathered to prepare for the summer challenge. Over these two days, they spent time getting to know Alex and his team, learning about his prosthetics, liners, and attachments, and understanding the level of support he would need from the crew while on the boat. They also took to the water to practice rowing with him.

This preparation wasn't just about mastering the physical aspect of rowing with Alex; it was also about building connections. United by a shared passion for rowing on oceans and coastlines, the volunteers were driven by a common purpose: to support Alex in his quest to achieve a world first for a quadruple amputee.

Alex is an exceptional athlete who was once a regular guy with a partner and a two-year-old son. He was running the Kings Arms in Lockerley, Hampshire, and was also a stay-at-home dad. In early November 2013, Alex caught what he thought was a simple case of the flu but deteriorated quickly. He awoke in tremendous pain with his skin turning purple and in a semi-conscious state. It turned out he had developed Strep A Toxic Shock Syndrome, which led to Septicaemia.

Alex was rushed to the hospital, and within hours, his vital organs were being supported mechanically, with noradrenaline forcing blood through his body. Consultants gave him less than a 3% chance of survival during the first three days. But he certainly lived to tell the tale. And what a tale it was. Even four years later, Alex is still undergoing treatment and lives an extraordinary life in a transformed body.

Ellis, who greatly admires Alex's resilience and determination, is an accomplished rower himself, with over 25 years of experience in coastal and river rowing. Currently, he engages in surf rowing in Devon and Cornwall. Ellis represented Australia in a surf boat during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, participating in the Royal Flotilla on the Thames. He has also been a marine extra in several films and was directed by Ridley Scott in a drowning sequence for the movie Robin Hood—an experience he humorously describes as ‘not difficult’ due to his weak swimming skills and the heavy armour he wore.

Ellis said; ““To row and spend time with Alex was inspiring, to say the least. From day one, he puts you at ease and is really easy to get on with. He explains his illness readily and has a great sense of humour.  A very well-liked chap with a fantastic support team who are also very good friends. He is (in his own words) 'differently-abled' rather than 'disabled' and sees his situation as a new life with new and fantastic challenges ahead.” 

Ellis continued: “I have met Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and they have both said that Alex is a very … 'tough, brave and optimistic individual,  and I can certainly vouch for that!”

The challenge was for Alex to row (with cutting-edge prosthetics) 350 miles from Falmouth to Dover. Then, to cycle back 650 miles on a converted cycle! A usual day comprised of an early morning wake up at 6:00 a.m. (after a not so comfortable night camping) and getting to the R.I.B. and yacht (safety boat) to load all gear for the next 12 hours of rowing. Which would then be taken out of the port by the R.I.B. To sea.

Alex would be helped onto the rowing boat (which was very interesting to do in heavy seas!) and Ellis would get in as well. The rowing would commence (through hot and cold weather and flat or rough seas). 

After a few hours Ellis would be relieved for a couple of hours by a guest rower and Alex would remain. After approximately 12 or so hours of rowing, Alex and Ellis would come into the next port, de-camp, shower and go to the pub for a well-earned pint (or two) and a meal and a de-brief. 

Ellis’s initial contribution grew from one day to five days and he was truly humbled by the tenacity and bravery of Alex Lewis along with his great sense of humour.

Money raised went to help the FLOAT Foundation which helps with AT (Assistive technology). The FLOAT Foundation’s mission is to help create a world where AT is accessible and affordable for all individuals. They envision a society where every person, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate and thrive in their communities empowered by the transformative potential of assistive technology.