Rannoch Adventure evolved organically from founder Charlie Pitcher's passion for sea-going adventure and the desire to excel in all aspects of ocean rowing. The sport has become hugely popular in recent years and continues to grow with events taking place worldwide.
Upon completing the 2009 Trans-Atlantic Race, Charlie’s first boat, JJ, beat the entire fleet and then went on to set the solo world record the following year. Rannoch’s second boat, Soma, then smashed this record again soon after. Thanks to our proven track record, Rannoch is able to provide high quality and innovative boats to the ocean and recreational rowing communities.
In 2019 we launched our exciting new boat - the Explorer. We are passionate about making rowing accessible to everyone and the Explorer enables us to do just that. It is ideal for recreational rowing on inland waterways or for coastal adventure expeditions. It's also perfect for training and developing rowing skills.
Rannoch Adventure is based in Burnham on Crouch which is near international air and shipping ports. We pride ourselves on being the only rowing business out there that is run by rowers and short-handed sailors and put our entire focus on rowing. We have access to the water 24/7 for training and within very close proximity to RYA recognized sailing schools for training courses. We are also incredibly proud that almost all of the trade that is involved with the construction of Rannoch boats is local to Burnham itself.
About Rannoch Adventure
Meet Our Team
Founder and Director
Charlie’s background lies within professional sailing having competed as a youngster in the America’s Cup and winning the Admiral’s Cup twice thereafter.
Charlie’s sea going focus has shifted towards specialising in Ocean rowing. In 2009, he single-handedly beat all other solo and pairs boats to win the Woodvale Challenge Atlantic Rowing Race. This feat was surpassed in 2013 when he broke the world record for the fastest un-assisted solo row across the Atlantic by almost 6 days. Both crossings were completed in Rannoch designs.
Charlie built his first dinghy when he was 12 years old, became a master carpenter and joiner and has been building boats continually throughout his life. Today, not only does he take on serious rowing campaigns, but is also involved in every single new build and refurbishment project. In his spare time Charlie is an avid ultra-runner and sailing coach to a number of local sailing clubs.
Production Manager
Mike has overseen, built, fitted out and refurbished over 60 ocean rowing boats.
Prior to being involved in ocean rowing, Mike was responsible for building and finishing off a number of medal winning boats for the Beijing, Athens, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. These included Shirley Robertson and her team's Gold medal, as well as having all three podium positions at the Beijing Olympics.
Mike is the man who ensures that our boats are 100% safe before leaving the workshop, as well as introducing new and innovative ideas to all of our boats.
Mike manages to combine two of the most time consuming hobbies. If he is not playing with boats, he'll be busy looking after his horses.
Electrical Engineer
Gary has been working with Rannoch for just over four years but officially joined the team in March 2019. With his expertise and hours of hard work being poured into every boat no one knows our boats and how to fit the parts we use better than him!
Despite being an electrician for his day job, Gary can’t help but tinker around with other electronic projects in his spare time at home too. He also enjoys flying model aeroplanes and playing the drums.
Office Manager
Lizzie Brown keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes at Rannoch HQ. As well as having many hours of offshore and dinghy racing under her belt, Lizzie was an RNLI helmsman for over 15 years. She is also the mother of a record-holding Atlantic rower!
Lizzie remains very active in the sailing world, often seen racing her Corby racing yacht "Intense" on the East Coast. Lizzie has years of coaching experience and shared her passion of the water with many of the youngsters in the town with the aim of creating “sailors for life”. She was involved for many years as "safety" at club and national level for dinghy sailing, and is always happy to share her experiences on this.
Office Assistant
Rachel works alongside Mike & Lizzie keeping the workshop administration under control. She oversees purchase orders and stock control and makes sure the right parts are in the right place at the right time.
Rachel grew up in Burnham on Crouch and loves the outdoor life the town provides. Although she hasn't as much boating experience as many of the other members of the team, she has learnt very quickly.
Rachel is eternally positive and never fails to bring a ray of sunshine into the Rannoch work place!
Personal Manager to Charlie Pitcher
Nicola joined the Rannoch Team in January 2019 to help out on various projects. She has a sales and marketing background and is working on various areas of the business including the brokerage, managing the websites and developing the Explorer business.
Although not an experienced rower, Nicola and her family own a Corsair Trimaran and enjoy leisurely sailing on the River Orwell during the summer months.
Sports and the outdoors are Nicola’s great loves, in particular tennis, hockey, cycling and wild camping. She also loves photography.
Instructor
Dawn has been involved in ocean rowing since 2014, training crews with Rannoch Adventure. At the beginning of 2019, she rowed solo and unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean so she could become a better teacher.
Dawn has worked commercially at sea for the past 16 years in maritime policing. She has a wealth of experience and is a commercially endorsed yacht master and yacht master instructor, as well as a qualified British rowing session coach and an RYA instructor.
Dawn’s ‘Aurora Sea School’ courses include Marine Radio, First Aid, Navigation and Sea Survival, amongst others. When Dawn is not rowing she is thinking about rowing, training others in rowing or planning her next big row!
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