18 Fox Focus | Community
The Power of Human Connection and Stamina :
Rowing the Open Ocean for a Cure
By Jess Cavallaro
Rowing 2,800 miles across the world ’ s deepest and most volcanic ocean , Team Human Powered Potential ( HPP ) will be one of 11 teams this June to take on the “ World ’ s Toughest Row ” — a rowing endurance challenge across the Pacific Ocean from Monterey , California to Hanalei Bay , Kauai , Hawaii . With more than 300 pounds of food , a water desalinator and only a satellite phone and GPS chart plotter to guide them , Team HPP will endure weather and marine life and test their own stamina in their effort to raise millions for Parkinson ’ s research .
The four-person rowing team — consisting of friends Brendan Cusick , Peter Durso , Scott Forman and Patrick Morrissey — will row 24 hours each day in two-hour shifts until they reach Hawaii , likely 30 to 40 days after launch . “ We will endeavor to row with the power and strength of everyone who is impacted by Parkinson ’ s disease ,” says Brendan , 49 , of Durango , Colorado . And with the power and strength of one such individual with PD as crew on the boat .
Patrick , 53 , also from Durango , was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson ’ s in 2019 and will become the first rower with PD to cross the Pacific . For him , the challenge came at the perfect time . “ I needed something to help me move forward and find a new goal after my diagnosis ,” he says .
To prepare for the expedition , Patrick created a plan with his doctor on how to best manage his symptoms over each 24-hour period . “ When we are on the water , I seldom , if ever , note Patrick having a tremor or exhibiting any signs of PD ,” says Brendan , HPP ’ s team captain . “ With the intensity this journey requires , it ’ s remarkable to see how rowing mitigates his symptoms .”
Team HPP ’ s official training began in May 2023 at a weeklong camp in San Francisco Bay with their on-water coach and weather router Angus Collins . Since then , the team has traveled to California once a month to complete training rows , mostly overnight , to acclimatize and to meet the requirements for the race — 120 hours of rowing on the ocean in unpredictable conditions including challenging