Aberdeen's Wallace Attempts World Record by Rowing Across the Atlantic

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. ("Aberdeen") is supporting an eight-strong team in its attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean commencing Feb. 15th, weather permitting. The eight comprise one of the most experienced ocean rowing crews ever assembled and includes Aberdeen's own Toby Wallace, based in Philadelphia.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120203/PH47073)

Toby is a senior relationship manager and has worked for Aberdeen for almost 12 years. When his 6'7'' frame isn't towering over his desk or coaching the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta Corporate Challenge Team, you can find him preparing for this incredible feat.  

The crew will climb aboard the lightest, most technologically advanced Ocean Rowing Boat ever produced in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in under 30 days in an effort to break the current world record of 31 days, 23 hours. The 3,000-mile unsupported journey will take them from Gran Canaria in the Canaries to Barbados.

Toby has chosen to support the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust charity. Kirsten, a colleague of Toby's on Aberdeen's UK marketing team, succumbed to cancer this past fall at the age of 25. The Trust offers financial assistance to people under 26 years old to travel or take part in volunteer projects which brought Kirsten such joy.

Toby Wallace comments: 
"Attempting to break this world record will undoubtedly be the most physically and mentally challenging adventure of my life. I expect to be seasick, sleep-deprived, hallucinate and lose 20% of my body weight over the voyage."

"It is fantastic to have such strong support from Aberdeen, which has a long history supporting both rowing and other adventures, whether across the ocean or poles. Aberdeen is a tremendous supporter of rowing, including the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in London from 1999 to 2006, and currently the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta here in Philadelphia."

"I am also honored to have the opportunity to raise money for the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust, which is a cause close to my heart."

It is estimated that the crew will burn roughly 8,000 calories a day during the crossing, while consuming roughly 6,500 per day. Weight loss is inevitable and Toby has gained about 40 pounds through diet and training to prepare himself. The eight-member crew will rotate rowing shifts with four men rowing at any one time and sleeping facilities on-board – two enclosed boxes positioned under the rowers' seats. Water is supplied from an on-board solar-powered desalination system which is limited, because additional power is needed to operate a satellite phone and GPS systems.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter who will be wishing Wallace good luck at his office on Friday, Feb. 3 comments: 
"I wish Toby and the rest of the rowing team the best of luck in this record-breaking endeavor," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "Toby's participation in and Aberdeen's support of this journey only add to Philadelphia's great rowing heritage."

Information and updates on the progress of the crew will be available via Aberdeen Asset Management's sponsorship section of the company's website once the crew is underway.

If you would like to donate to the Kirsten Scott Memorial Trust, e-mail [email protected].

About Aberdeen Asset Management
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, the parent company of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., is an independently-run asset manager listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1991, and operating from 30 offices in 23 countries. The company invests on behalf of institutional and wholesale clients, primarily in equities, fixed income, alternative investment strategies and property. The Group manages more than US$270.3 billion of assets for both institutions and private individuals as of December 31, 2011.

Aberdeen Asset Management is the marketing name in the U.S. for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Aberdeen Asset Management Investment Services Ltd, Aberdeen Asset Management Ltd and Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Ltd (collectively, the 'Aberdeen Advisers'). Each of the Aberdeen Advisers is wholly owned by Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, collectively herein referred to as ("Aberdeen") or ("Group").

SOURCE Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.