Having headed south to take advantage of the winds expected to carry him to Singapore, Louis Margot is approaching his final crossing not without apprehension, but strengthened by experience.
Those who recently checked Louis’s onboard GPS may have noticed that the rower from Morges set course south, making a stopover on February 3rd on Kei Island (Indonesia). This is not a technical malfunction, but a strategy devised with his weather router. The aim is to anticipate the winds as effectively as possible ahead of the final rowing leg, which should take him to Singapore after a two-month crossing.
Shifting winds
Too far north to reach Singapore “horizontally” from Raja Ampat, Louis had to “descend” a few latitudes. However, in this region, winds and currents reverse every six months after a transition period: they generally blow from the southeast from April to September, and from the northwest from October to March. “The least risky solution was therefore to row straight southwards and then climb back up towards Singapore thanks to the winds which, from April onwards, come from the southeast”, explains the adventurer.
Although this route is overall less risky than a direct crossing from Raja Ampat—where the winds would have pushed him even farther north—it is far from easy. The islands are numerous, and navigating around them creates considerable stress. “When you’re in the middle of the ocean, drifting isn’t a big deal. But between the islands, it’s much harder—there are far more obstacles: boats, shoals, stronger currents and thermal winds… And alone, it’s very tough.”
Reaching Singapore presents another challenge: “The last ten kilometers are a real construction site in terms of maritime traffic. […] It’s cargo ships one after another. So you have to aim between them. And even if they see me, they can’t avoid me because they’re confined to shipping lanes.” To ensure his safety, the Vaud native plans to rely on escort boats.
Fear of failure
As Louis approaches the end of his rowing epic, a fear—over which he has little control—is growing: failure.
“I’ve always thought about failure. But now that I’m so close to the goal, not being able to finish because of an injury, a collision due to traffic, or an unfavorable current would be very hard to accept. After everything I’ve done. Even if it wouldn’t be my fault. […] It’s like when you’re at the end of a race, with 250 meters left and you’re in the lead. Suddenly you start stressing about winning because maybe you’ll be overtaken in the final meters. By contrast, the person at the back of the pack doesn’t feel that stress.”
For all these reasons, Louis Margot admits he is mentally worn down by the rowing. “My body is holding up, but I think I may have lied to myself a little by telling myself that once the Pacific was crossed, there wouldn’t be much left.”
Valuable lessons
Despite this difficult mindset, the adventurer can rely on the experience gained during his previous crossings—particularly when it comes to managing food, which directly affects both physical and mental well-being.
“At the beginning, I was very disciplined. But over time I stopped restricting myself and take what I feel like eating. Food is so emotional when you’re alone at sea. It becomes my best friend.”
A best friend that will need to be stocked in sufficient quantities before departure, as running short would only add further stress.
Finally, in terms of mood management, Louis also feels stronger.
“When you row alone, it’s a constant emotional roller coaster: sometimes I feel great, and as soon as there’s the slightest problem, I drop very quickly. Crossings amplify everything.”
To withstand these emotional storms, he has developed a capacity to let go and endure discomfort.
“With time you learn that tomorrow is another day. I accept feeling bad in the moment, hoping that the next day will be better. Over time, I’ve gotten used to it and I’m more confident about the future.”
At times, that renewed confidence comes from very simple moments that are in fact “the best”: a sunset, a good meal, or simply feeling in good shape.
Louis repartira fin mars, début avril de l’Île de Kei et devrait arriver à Singapour au début de l’été. Il a pour objectif d’être de retour en Suisse d’ici la fin de l’année.