Preparations

After eight months of preparation I am now nearing deadline, which is the start of my new adventure project. Yet another dream that will come true. To again be free as a bird and allowed to just exist and constantly move forward in nature. Back to the freedom of outdoor life. Because I have been working with projects as work form all my life, I use clear deadlines to work towards which make it so much easier for me to make the realisation of an adventure possible. It starts with a dream which is then reformed into a goal, a sentence. That sentence is remade into a thirty page long project plan that among other things contains a time plan, list of activities, equipment, budget, analyses and facts about places, weather phenomena, nature, laws and regulations. When all that is done I start the exercising, diet, studying and practical learning of what I need to be able to do, meanwhile contacting all interested parties on the market, both sponsors and media. Everything regarding the boat itself (Vagabond 4.7 from Row Generation) is now completely done and almost all decals and stickers are on their place. At an adventure you also get a medial space and an opportunity to make a difference through those who follow and read about the adventure. My personal opinion is that you then both have a duty and a great opportunity to contribute. It also gives you a greater purpose than just realising your dreams. I don't think the adventure and the message need to be connected, but it's of course an advantage if they are. In my case I choose what upsets/affects/touch me the most. 

Last year I paddled for the Baltic Sea which is the world's most contaminated sea. That politicians proudly offer people to drink the water outside Rosenbad in Stockholm. That Swedish fat Baltic Sea fish contains so high levels of environmental toxins that export is prohibited. That our agricultural minister Eskil Erlandsson drives through an exception in the EU so Sweden can sell the toxic fish to its own population because the fermented herring has such a strong tradition and we can't do without it. That there is nothing at all to read about this on the labels. That environmental toxins contribute to the remarkable increase in cancer, allergies, mental diseases, "letter diseases" like ADHD and fertility problems that make people unable to have children. That fifty percent of the Baltic Sea is dead and without oxygen. That poisonous and slimy algae spread out on large areas in the summer resulting in intoxications and making swimming a health hazard. That shallow bays get overgrown and millions of fry die. That dangerous levels of heavy metals that affect the brains ad nervous systems of foetuses and children can be found in all the Baltic Sea fish. That new-born babies who breast feed have a higher concentration of environmental toxins in their bodies because they get transferred from the mother through the milk. That we now see new toxins which we have no idea how they affect us. That all life forms except humans mistake plastics for food and die a slow and painful death by starvation. That just a small part of the original fish is left in the Baltic. That we no longer have clear and fresh water anymore and that we have bereft our children the possibility of a healthy Baltic Sea. But it is perfectly fine to row on the surface. As long as you do not look down below it. 

The year's adventure though is not about the environment, but about how Sweden still makes a difference between men and women in court. That saying no doesn't mean anything during a rape. That we, in court, still ask stupid questions like "why did you let him in", "why did you drink so much", "how were you dressed", "how are your sexual habits". Row to Russia for Equality is about rowing for equal rights and obligations, and for the enactment of the law of consent.