See ROW HARD NO EXCUSES in Slamdance!

ROW HARD NO EXCUSES chronicles the voyage of the only American entry in a rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean. It is both an exciting sports-adventure story and an intimate portrait of the two-man crew that explores masculinity, midlife and ambition.

ROW HARD NO EXCUSES screens at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on:
Sunday, January 21 at 9:00 pm in the Treasure Mountain Inn
Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm in the Treasure Mountain Inn

Hope to see you there!

At 51 and 41, John Zeigler and Tom Mailhot are among the oldest competitors to participate in the Atlantic Rowing Challenge, a three thousand mile race from the Canary Islands to Barbados. They spend three years (and personal savings) to make their dream of winning possible, but once on the water, their boat and their bodies don’t respond as they’d imagined. Drawing from their compelling video diary at sea, the film engages the audience in the emotional challenges and rewards of their arduous journey. The unique perspective of Tori Murden, the first woman to row solo across an ocean, adds context to a meditation on shattered expectations and the pursuit of happiness.

Ocean rowing, as a sport, has only been around since the inaugural event in 1997. Before then crossings were strictly Guinness Book of World Record affairs. In fact, fewer people have rowed across the Atlantic than have climbed Mount Everest. Race rules pit two-person teams against each other rowing unassisted with no food drops or navigational aid. Rowers have to contend with sleep deprivation, seasickness, isolation, boredom and cramped living conditions. Most of the competitors row naked to avoid painful chafing. Even with a steep entry fee and no prize money, the 2001 race drew thirty-six teams from fifteen nations including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, China, and eight European countries.

Directed by first time feature director Luke Wolbach, ROW HARD NO EXCUSES, is a labor-of-love collaboration between he and his father, Bill Wolbach.

Lantern Films
224 3rd Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.876.0111

Rowers John Zeigler and Tom Mailhot and filmmakers Luke Wolbach and Bill Wolbach are available for interviews at Slamdance.

Publicist contact: Chris Wiggum/Larsen Associates 415.298.4154 (pcs), larsenassc@aol.com
Producer contact at Slamdance: Bill Wolbach 617.828.2153 (pcs), bill@lanternfilms.com
Director contact at Slamdance: Luke Wolbach 415-305-3824 (pcs); luke@lanternfilms.com