These Fathers Cross Arctic Oceans By Rowing To Promote Marine Species Conservation

Stefan Ivanov with Maxim. (Source: Never Ocean Row)

JAKARTA - Stefan Ivanov, a 52-year-old banker from Bulgaria and his son Maxim (21), celebrated their birthday in August by rowing across the Arctic Ocean with his son to promote the preservation of endangered marine species.

After 33 days, the boat crossed the Arctic Ocean on September 8, hoping to break the record as the first rowing boat to achieve this feat.

"We want to be the first rowing expedition across the entire Arctic Ocean and we start with Haugestund (Norwegia), which is south of the southern border of the ocean," Stefan told Reuters.

"I think we will be able to break the record," he added.

Footage from the sailing journey shows waves and strong winds, with the small boat swinging in the ocean.

Stefan spent 33 days on the boat, while Maxim, a Stanford University student, joined after completing his internship in New York.

"It's a big fight with the Arctic Ocean. We didn't work well together, we sent side winds, Sadal wind currents that pushed us in one direction or another," Stefan said.

"It feels like being in the washing machine for weeks," he added.

Stefan and Maxim started building their own boats in 2019 to cross the oceans. They were Never.

"This is a game of the words 'Never rest until you reach Everest'," Stefan said.

In 2020, Maxim at the age of 16 became the youngest rower to cross the Atlantic Ocean with his father.

"This is our hobby, but we don't want to let it end. We want to have a positive impact on the world if we can," Stefan said, adding they were doing it to promote a petition to establish a new protected area in the Southern Ocean to establish a new protected area in the Southern Ocean to preserve marine biodiversity.

"Travels like this are a reminder that even a small win is a win and when time becomes difficult, every step is a step forward, no matter how small it is," said Maxim.

"But sometimes those steps are very limited," he said.