On Thursday night I will be in San Francisco for an ocean rowing event. My friends Mick Dawson and Andrew Morris first rowed together in the Atlantic Rowing Race 2005 – the same race that I did.

Mick completing his Pacific row in San Francisco last year, with Chris Martin

Andrew’s crossing got off to a rocky start (literally) when he fell and banged his head within the first few days. He was brought back to shore with a concussion. While Andrew was recovering in hospital, his French crewmate decided their bid was over, and returned to France. Andrew emerged from hospital still raring to go, but now lacking a partner. Over a beer or several, he managed to persuade Mick, who was then working for the race organizers Woodvale, to give up the next couple of months of his life to hop in the boat with him and row the Atlantic.

They set out about 10 days behind the rest of the pack. I was most disgruntled as they rapidly gained ground on me and cruised on past. Only kidding – they are great guys. And big and fast.

So if you are in San Francisco and want to come and support them as they raise funds to row the North Atlantic in 2012 (the voyage that I had penciled in, but then thought better of it) then join us for a reception at the Golden Gate Yacht Club at 7pm this Thursday. Andrew will be there, but Mick has had to return to the Indian Ocean to fight pirates. (!)

Then this weekend I will be at the Making Waves event in Boulder. If you are in the area, come and join us at Boulder Public Library between 1pm and 5pm.

Alison Gannett en route to Brussels - carrying skis to gather signatures

My presentation is at 3pm, with Alison Gannett, extreme skier and climate campaigner and veteran of the Big Ben To Brussels walk. Other speakers include Marcus and Anna of the 5 Gyres Institute, Dianna Cohen of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Margo Pellegrino of Seattle to San Diego paddling fame, Dr Sylvia Earle, Jim Toomey and David Helvarg of Blue Frontier Campaign.

Speaking of Blue Frontier, if you care about our oceans and would like to support their worthwhile work, for TODAY ONLY they are having a fundraiser on Give To The Max. Check it out on their Twitter page!

Phewee. And that’s about all for now. Hope to see you at one of these events sometime soon – or right back here on my website.