Australian man rows for months to raise funds for mental health

July 21, 2023

- Rob Barton believed to be 1st person to row non-stop for 3 months across oceans from Australia to Africa

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - An Australian man who set out on his over 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles) sea journey in April this year touched the shores of Tanga in Tanzania, local media said on Friday.

Rob Barton, 58, started his voyage from Carnarvon, a coastal town in Western Australia, to Tanzania to raise funds for youth mental health.

"I haven't got my land legs yet, so I'm walking around like a drunken sailor, and I haven't had anything to drink," Barton told ABC News.

"It's quite bizarre. It's fantastic. It's a great feeling," he added despite facing tough weather during his journey in sea.

Barton is believed to be the first person to row non-stop solo and unassisted across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Africa, according to the broadcaster.

During his journey he had only a "fresh fruit juice drink" since arriving on dry land, Barton said he was looking forward to his first proper meal.

He started his journey to raise fund for youth mental health following his personal experience with his daughter.

"Two and half years ago, I came home to find my daughter, Jessica, throwing up, she was apologising, and I couldn't understand what was going on," he said, adding his daughter spent a few weeks at the Bentley Mental Health Service.

He added that so far he has raised $100,000 for youth mental health.