Shaun's oarsome adventure

Rower Shaun Quincey testing his sea anchor before leaving Coffs Harbour bound for New Zealand.

ADVENTURER Shaun Quincey is expected to face seas of up to four metres on this his third day adrift at sea, as part of his attempt to tackle the Tasman.

Support crews are keeping close contact with Quincey, who at last check passed Scotts Head yesterday, having rowed more than 60 kilometres since leaving Coffs Harbour on Wednesday.

In what could be threatening ocean conditions, swell that produced monstrous waves in Sydney is expected to roll up the coast over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The big seas present the first danger the 25-year-old has faced on his solo voyage.

“I know the seven metre row boat I’ve built, it’s capable of withstanding seas of up to 10 metres, and can take that kind of thrashing, but you just never know until you are in that situation,” Shaun said.

The progress report posted by his support crew yesterday read: “First check on Shaun’s progress looks good. His drift over night was favourable and it looks like he made an early start ... big seas ahead.”

Shaun is aiming to row the 2500 kilometres between Coffs and Taranaki, a voyage that could take anywhere between 30 and 80 days.

Before leaving Coffs, he planned to reach the East Australian currents before the weekend.

“They should carry me south of Sydney then the next big obstacle should be Bass Strait.”

Shaun is hoping to follow in the oar strokes of his father Colin, who became the first man to achieve the treacherous crossing from New Zealand in 1977.