All the crew were serving members of Corunna Company, 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. See them here deployed on Exercise BRAVE LION, Denmark 2017.The Crew
Major Simon Farley
Si, from Ramsgate in Kent originally, is a serving Infantry officer with the Royal Yorkshire Regiment. Alex, his wife, and Rose and Lily, his daughters, wave him off once again on his travels – hoping this time he finally gets it out of his system. A veteran of multiple tours, he believes (hopes) much of his training and experience will help him, and is confident everything he learned as a Sea Scout when he was 14 will come rushing back. Having served for nearly 20 years, the Army has put him in places and conditions that can easily be described as extreme; but has always provided support and a (relative) safety net. The Great Pacific Race offers a rare opportunity to step outside of his comfort zone as part of a small unsupported and independent crew and pit themselves against the race, the elements and themselves. When things are at their most intense, it is the small team dynamic that has seen him through his most testing of times - and he is certain it will again.
Captain Chris Bailey
Chris, 29, from Herefordshire is a keen rugby player, spear fisherman and loves nothing more than swinging his leg over a motorbike and heading off with not much of a plan. As far as rowing is concerned, it has always just been a way of keeping fit during the summer months that meant he doesn’t have to go for a run. Having recently returned from a motorcycle trip to Mongolia he has decided to take on a slightly different challenge. At home Chris leaves behind his very understanding wife Lucy & daughter Erin. Chris studied Zoology and is looking forward to the possibility of bumping into some pacific marine life but he’ll let you know at the end whether it was worth it rather than a guided tour. Chris has been in the Army for 8 years as a member of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, he has been lucky enough to visit places as far as Belize and New Zealand. This expedition is another example of the opportunities available with a career in the military.
Captain Sam Morris
Sam, the most junior of the crew but not necessarily the youngest, grew up in Cheshire and lived in Manchester before jumping over the Pennines to join The Royal Yorkshire Regiment in 2018. He loves nothing more than throwing himself at any opportunity for sport or adventure that comes along, hoping (and praying) that he can draw on his experiences from the sporting fields and courts, the mountains and their pistes to be successful in this challenge on the water. Like the other members of the crew his rowing experience equals nil, aside from gruelling Concept 2 sessions in PT, but has been intrigued by the challenge of an ocean race since watching Cracknell and Fogle and being enthused by all those who have pushed themselves to achieve the feat. He is excited at the prospect of reaching into the unknown and doing so with his friends in an equally committed crew. Sam spends his own time enjoying life back at home in Cheshire with his girlfriend Alice and their young lab Willa.
Captain Chris Barnes
Known as Barndog, the senior member of the crew born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Chris passed out of the Infantry Training Centre in 2002 and since then has deployed on multiple operational tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Relying on his natural ability to instruct, Chris has trained both soldier and officer recruits; but has never said which one was easier! The constant thrill seeker, Chris admits he thrives on the demands of Military service and constantly demands to be challenged both physically and mentally. The Pacific crossing is his next, and possibly biggest challenge to date. Chris spends his time in Bristol with his long term partner Melanie, who also loves to be challenged and regularly keeps him on his toes with the thrive of adventure. Chris has 2 amazing little girls, Lolah and Dellah who he devotes all his spare time to in Yorkshire.…the home of a proper cup of tea.