Scot Michael Prendergast suffers pub grub hallucinations whilst becoming youngest to row 3,000 miles across Pacific
A 23-year-old Scot has become the youngest person in the world to row the Pacific Ocean.
Michael Prendergast took 49 days, 23 hours and 15 minutes to row from California to Honolulu with his three American team-mates Robert Behny, Evan Buckland and Jordan Godoy.
During the gruelling 3,000-mile journey, the crew kept to a pattern of two hours rowing and two hours rest.
They all suffered hallucinations, with Mr Prendergast at one point believing he was in a London pub about to be served fish and chips.
Michael shared his story with the Great Pacific Race: "Oh yeah, those hallucination days. – I was rowing away with Robert and I was all “oh, that’s our food over there Robert. That’s our food – my fish and chips." And I was sure – I was absolutely sure, positive, that we were back in the London Bridge Pub [in Monterey]."
The Uniting Nations team were the first to cross the finish line of the Great Pacific Race in their 7×1.8-metre boat Isabel.
The crew reached Hawaii at 2.15pm local time on July 27 and were piped into the marina by a lone piper.
Mr Prendergast, who lives near Spynie Castle in Moray, said: "Mentally, it was the toughest challenge I could ever do.
"The two hours on, two hours off pattern was relentless. There was never a chance to relax.
"The nights at sea were the longest, hardest, wettest, coldest nights you could imagine."
He credited his experiences at his old school Gordonstoun, including team sports such as learning to sail, for helping him stay the course.
"It was the Gordonstoun motto ‘Plus Est En Vous’, which means ‘there is more in you’ that really kept me going," he said.
"I am passionate about raising funds for Down’s Syndrome Scotland because of the support they have given my brother," he said.
"Andrew is a very happy young man but everyday, simple tasks can be major obstacles for him."