In 2009 Mick Dawson skippered the first and only rowing boat to successfully cross the North Pacific Ocean; from Choshi in Japan to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. A truly unique and epic voyage of almost 7,000 miles which took him and his rowing partner Chris Martin 189 days 10 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Rowing a gruelling schedule of two hours on two hours off around the clock for six and a half months, the two men fought their way through everything the greatest ocean on the planet could throw at them.
He is, in his own words, "an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing". And his story-telling, bravery and modesty provide a highly motivational experience. With a great sense of humour and understatement, Mick describes the determination, teamwork and adaptability required for his adventure. And either in a keynote or after dinner speech, he explains how those traits can be applied to all walks of life.
The story of the 2009 crossing of the North Pacific was broadcast on Discovery Channel in the program; 'Rowing the Pacific.'
Mick and Chris's efforts were recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 2010.
Mick's talks are inspirational and motivational. All talks are tailored to suit the client after discussion.
"Mick Dawson is the type of adventurer who built the California West, the dreamer of impossible dreams who earns in most daring fashion the right to pass through the mighty Golden Gate into San Francisco. He takes us with him on a voyage that is equal parts conquest of nature, marvel of the sea's cruel beauty, exploration of our own dreams and our strength to realize them... with a grateful measure of good humor."
Paul Oliva: On-the-waterfront columnist, San Francisco Chronicle
"Your presentation at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park was outstanding. For anyone with an appetite for adventure, your voyage across the Pacific, powered only by your own strength and determination at the oars, represents the pinnacle of what it means to reach for a dream. Your account of this epic journey reminds us just how beautiful and fragile are the oceans that connect us all."
Howard Levitt, Acting Superintendent
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Mick is an engaging speaker with just the right mix of humor, insight, and narrative. To vicariously experience his epic journey is truly inspiring. If you ever had a dream, Mick will first show you how a dream can become an ambition, and then inspire you to believe that what you thought was out of your reach is attainable through perseverance, determination, and faith. Through the telling of his story, subtle yet powerful messages emerge on the themes of partnership, creative problem-solving, goal-setting, nurturing strengths, and managing challenges. Mick's story is a testament to what the human spirit can achieve and is an apt metaphor for any area of personal or organizational growth. Our students and faculty were entranced and enthused by Mick's informative and entertaining talk.
Percy L. Abram PhD , Head of School
Gateway Elementary, Santa Cruz, California
"Mick Dawson's 189 Days presentation provides audiences of all ages and walks a compelling adventure for the armchair traveller. Intertwining his whimsical 'Brit' humour with glimpses of sober reality as he tells the tale of a near 7000 mile voyage across the mighty North Pacific.
The tale embeds all aspects of an instant adventure classic with edge of seat provoking near misses, gut wrenching moments of sadness and gloom mixed with copious amounts of wonderment. The presentation transports the audience to a place so few have spent as much time in, isolated, two against nature in all her majestic fury, to her gentler kinder side, leaving crowds not only entertained, but stimulated and educated and wanting to know more."
Erik Simonsen, Marine Photographer, H2oShots.com
Mick spoke for an hour to an audience of 1200 people which included boys and girls aged from 11-18 and approximately 100 staff. His delivery was clear, the pace was good and he used images to illustrate and highlight the issues he was raising. The audience were enthralled from start to finish.
Mick's experiences are awe inspiring, so much so that many people, staff and students alike commented that his assembly was one of the best they had seen. He was truly inspirational.
I have been fortunate in my career to have listened to many first class public speakers in the world of sport including Olympic and Paralympic athletes and professional sportsmen but the presentation given by Mick Dawson was the most impressive and motivational I have heard. We hope that he will accept an invitation to return in the future.
R. W. Orkney; Director of Sport, Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, England
Mick Dawson gave an inspirational and humorous talk that had 420 students and staff spell bound as he recounted his dramatic voyage during an hour long assembly. The adventure and Mick's ability to grasp the audience and hold them with dramatic and breathtaking details of all his voyages was exceptional. The theme of overcoming adversity and determination supported by preparation was perfect for the audience and the message was fully received with open jaws and deep admiration for Mick. He also spent time answering questions about his voyages; this was done with plenty of humour and excellent pitch given the ages of some students, again showing Mick's ability to read the requirements of his audience. Mick Dawson had an extraordinary impact, he will continue to be discussed and referred to many times over the coming months and we hope to rebook Mick for future presentations. I would recommend Mick Dawson without reservation.
Mr S G Talbert, Teacher of History and Assistant Year Team Leader
Ivybridge Community College, Hartford Road, Plympton, Devon
The contribution of Mr. Dawson at the opening ceremony of the SMM - the leading international maritime trade fair - met our expectations to the fullest extent.
We are looking forward to working with Mr. Dawson again in the future.
Mick gave a highly fascinating and extremely entertaining report about his many rowing adventures across the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. The 500 guests of the opening ceremony of SMM - the leading international maritime trade fair - listened with their mouths open to follow the inspiring and at the same time humorous mixture. Fascinating pictures and videos of his journeys captivated his audience from the first moment. I have seen and listened to many keynote speakers during my years in the exhibition business: Mick was absolutely one of the few very best. I wish him the utmost success for his next ventures and hope to see him again soon.
Bernd Aufderheide, CEO of SMM HamburgWe were delighted to have Mick Dawson as our guest speaker. Our Prize Giving is a very important event and Mick presented the prizes and awards with real pleasure and interest in the students. His address was excellent; a thrilling account of some amazing adventures delivered with humour. The whole audience was captivated and enjoyed the accompanying slides too. Mick was also able to illustrate for our students the importance of perseverance and team work in achieving their goals. It was a really good choice for the event and we've had a lot of positive feedback from both parents and students.
Mrs Nixon, Head Teacher, Scarborough CollegeMick is the first person to row across the north Pacific Ocean. I have never enjoyed attending a speaker’s presentation more than Mick’s. At each presentation he would tell us about his adventures. He rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean twice. That in itself is incredible; but he had bigger ambitions, he wanted to row 6,000 miles across the north Pacific by himself. It almost ended in his death, when the boat capsized after he had rowed 4,500 miles. The second attempt with another rower lasted 189 days and was successful. The stories he told were so captivating. He is such an honest sincere person who was sharing the emotional highs and lows of his adventures. He is the first speaker that had me anxious to see the next day’s program each night to see if Mick had a presentation for me to attend. If you ever have a chance to hear him speak, don’t miss it. If you can’t see him, you might want to check out his website, www.189days.com. It provides information, photos and videos about what he has done and the projects he is working on now to help veterans with PTSD.
Debbie Weaver and her husband were passengers on cruise liner“Outstanding ! As Grand Master of our Brothers of The Corso I knew I had a challenging audience to entertain so turned to Mick for our after-dinner speech in Malta. Outstanding!. Gripping, inspirational and a unique and momentous adventure to share. Mick delivered his presentation with confidence, drama and humour and kept us absorbed, entertained and clearly enjoyed the rousing round of applause (and a few beers from our Order afterwards). Many thanks Mick…Awesome, and I’m off to hit the Concept II”.
Nigel Watson Clarke, Grand Master, Royal Marines Association Dinner
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