Robert “Bertie” Portal is a British actor and ultra-athlete. He is known for his work in movies, television, theater and radio. He can be seen in “The King’s Speech” and “Iron Lady” and is in the soon to be released movie “Mr. Turner”. Vinnie and Bertie Portal discuss his endurance event of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.
How it Started
- Bertie bought an ocean endurance boat that is self-righting
- Doing it for the charity Facing the World, which helps children with facial deformities in third world countries
- Wanted to conquer his fear of open water
- Had no rowing experience
- Wanted to see how he handled potentially lethal situation
Training
- Trained in small cellar with rowing machine in pitch dark for 12 hours
- Wanted to make himself physically and mentally stronger
- Only had banana and a bottle of water during training
- Also trained at a gym on a rowing maching at level 12 for 2 hours
- So much of endurance is mental
- Rowed with partner James Cash for 24 hrs as part of training
What Bertie is Doing Now
- Still working for “Facing the World” Charity
- Just came back from Marathon des Sables
- It is a 6 day event where you do a marathon everyday
- In the middle of the week you do 2 marathons in a row
- No crew. Carry own water
- Bertie tells Vinnie he is not a natural athlete
- Next Bertie is working on swimming the English Channel
