A Dip in the Ocean: Rowing Solo Across the Indian

by Sarah Outen, Ellen MacArthur (Foreword)

Four-thousand miles of unpredictable ocean, 500 chocolate bars, 124 days of physical exertion, three Guinness World Records, and one incredible journey On April 1, 2009, brave 23-year-old Sarah Outen embarked on an ambitious solo voyage across the Indian Ocean in her rowing boat, Dippers. Powered by the grief of the sudden loss of her father and the determination to live life to the fullest, Sarah and her tiny boat successfully negotiated wild ocean storms, unexpected encounters with whales, and the continuous threat of being capsized by passing container ships. Along the way she broke two oars, ate 500 chocolate bars, and lost 20 kg of bodyweight before arriving in Mauritius. She became the first woman and the youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean. Life-affirming, funny, and poignant, Sarah's salty tale of courage and endurance will inspire the taste of adventure in everyone.

Genres: Travel, Adventure, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2011

Reviews

[Simon Yoong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lady is my hero. Youngest person to row across the Indian Ocean. 4,000 miles, 142 days, 3 world records.

I can't even last 30 minutes on the rowing machine at the gym.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, engaging, funny, uplifting read about an amazing true-life adventure! Sarah Outen named her rowboat "Serendipity" and took 500 chocolate bars as part of her provisions so I liked her immediately. I liked that she shares her moments of doubt, her inner critical voices and what she does to motivate herself. Her descriptions of spectacular sunsets and the most amazing starry nights ever made me wish for more photographs. Highly recommended! (Huge thanks to my friend Meryl for gifting me with this fabulous book!)

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, emotionally written book of the youngest person to ever cross an ocean solo in rowing boat

[Rob Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very inspiring! I Loved reading it!

[Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Sara Outen in the July 2019 edition of Adventure Cyclist magazine. I enjoyed her article in that magazine a great deal so I did what I have never done before, based on that article, I purchased A Dip in the Ocean. I estimate that Sara was at least ten years younger when she wrote A Dip in the Ocean and her writing lacks some of the polish of the more mature Sara. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic adventure and it was fun to read.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story, at times a little slow moving but also very relatable being a rower myself. I love all the details she wrote about; her journey, how she filled her days, and her most raw, random and entertaining thoughts and feelings. A powerful read of female role models. Can't wait to read her next adventure now.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a fascinating true story of Sarah's solo adventure across the Indian Ocean. She is determined and goal oriented and had such a passion to stay the course!. Sarah is a very gifted writer.

[Huw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days. Absolutely brilliant.

[Joe White · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better if not the best of the ocean rowing diary-travelogues. I was not aware that Sarah had crash landed on the reef at Mauritius. This book has one of the few accounts of a reef encounter in high waves. She also used a helmet for the high wave rolls, which is the first time I remember this being recorded. Having just read "Wild Waters In The Roar", where one of the rowers suffered a concussion during the first Indian Ocean rowing attempt, I am surprised that this hasn't been mentioned more.

The diary format filled with personal details may appeal to some, but I was more interested in the technical details about the boat, the weather, and the conditions generated at the wave top level by the wind and currents. One element not mentioned here is the discussion of human power output ability versus the power needed to maneuver a boat weighing over a 1000 pounds. This account didn't explicitly state it, but makes it very clear that these boats are pretty much limited to downwind travel, and don't have the ability to course correct or power against adverse current/wind conditions.

It is amazing to see how some of the British have the ability to fund raise for these expeditions. I had followed Sarah's blog during the Indian row, and at this time (April 2011) she has already started her around the world trek. With the kind of monumental logistical support and cost involved, I don't see how she has raised the funds for a new boat and the related travel and communication costs involved in so short of a time.

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating memoir! Very well written, and so interesting! Parts had me crying and parts had me cheering. I seriously cannot even imagine setting out on such a huge adventure / challenge alone though! I'd be completely terrified. But I love living vicariously through others, and this book was right up there with Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World, in how much it captivated me.

I need to google Sarah Outen now, and read more about the London2London trip she mentioned in her afterword. Perhaps there's a book out on that as well?

Highly recommendable for people who like to be adventurous through others.

[Kristy McCaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful account of Sarah's solo trek to row the Indian Ocean. She succeeded, becoming the first woman to do so, along with being the youngest. Her prose is immediate and invites you to be right along with her, from the decision to do it in the first place to the deep grief of the sudden loss of her father before the journey begins. You'll feel as if you rowed the entire thing right along with her. I appreciated her focus on details--what her daily routine was like, how much she loved seeing the albatrosses who passed by, and her inability to ration her chocolate. You can't help but admire her tenacity.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read Sarah's account of her incredible feat of endurance you will be truly in awe. This young woman took on the southern India Ocean on her own, in a tiny boat, with no possibility of rescue, and she triumphed. Any superlatives that might be applied to describe this epic endeavour seem totally inadequate. The story is superbly written and the reader very soon feels involved in the adventure (albeit in slightly more comfortable and stable environment). The book is enthralling, entertaining and inspirational and will transport you to a special place.

[Ramarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun to read, as Sarah chronicles her solo voyage rowing across the Indian Ocean! An amazing adventurer, I was amazed at her perseverance and endurance...through various storms and sheer exhaustion. Her sense of appreciation for the ocean and its power and its beauty make it all the surprising then (and disappointing) that she would be so completely non-religious: "why would I need religious faith when I had faith in myself?".
Still, a vicarious thrill to read.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what a girl. I was drawn into this adventure by Sarah's immensely likeable character whose whole approach to life on the edge is hugely impressive. She's like one of the famous five but now grown up, retaining and standing up for all the righteous values and not afraid to bare all for the cause. A great heroine!

[Joe Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from start to finish!

A true adventure with some heart stopping moments. Sarah's writing conveys humour too in Bob and the Tweedles. The book paints a vivid picture of a high seas adventure. Very inspiring.

[Trey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, touching, funny, and if this doesn't make you wanna rush out on an adventure of your own you're dead inside ;)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This girl was brave!!!! It was fun to read about her crazy adventure from the safety and comfort of my home. So crazy when she jumped into the water!

[Chung-yee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal journal, an inspirational tale of adventure though I did find the writing to be babbling at times.

[Myriam Schärz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book had chapters with real titles and quotes. I loved her writing but it was always clear that she's not a writer at heart. Captivating though and she did make me laugh a few times.

[D Hemstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy read, very descriptive of her voyage and the strength she needed. Hard to imagine

[Judy Mccarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book if you having difficult sleeping. Better than sleeping pills

[audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books where a majority of the tale's strength comes from the fact of the endeavor itself: rowing across the Indian Ocean alone. Rowing. In a rowboat. For four solid months.

[Gwyneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with so many interesting memoirs, a good story but not great writing. Pretty amazing story of a woman rowing across the Indian ocean, don't think that is for me!