Coeur d’Alene man ‘inspired to endure’

Dr. Peter Durso of Coeur d’Alene is about to embark on “The World’s Hardest Line” from California to Hawaii.

“I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this,” Durso said, adding that he wanted to “do something accomplished by less than 100 people, potentially historic and unquestionably life-changing.”

He will be joined by teammates Brendan Cusick and Patrick Morrissey of Durango, Colorado, and Scott Forman, MD, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Our motto is ‘inspired to last,’” Cusick said. “I personally hope that our small part will contribute and inspire others to embark on adventures that will advance the community as a whole and help each individual find the ability to realize their potential.”

The quartet, known as Team Human Powered Potential, will board their boat, American Spirit, off the coast of Monterey, Calif., on June 8 to sail 2,800 miles to Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, planning to row non-stop for 30 to 40 days. .

Their boat is a 28-foot Rannoch 45 ocean rowing boat, constructed of fiberglass and carbon fiber.

Human Powered Potential teammates go the distance not only to develop their own personal potential, but also to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

They have already raised $5 million, with a goal of $28 million.

Morrissey, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease just over four years ago, will be the first person with the disease to row the Pacific Ocean.

“The challenge, the commitment required in training and awareness of Parkinson’s,” he said of what drives him to row. “I am committed to slowing the progression and finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease within my lifetime. Exercise is the only thing that can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. One hundred percent of the money raised will be donated to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. »

The four teammates are all endurance athletes, but not previously rowers. While Durso was an American swimmer and triathlete, he did not attempt any ultra-endurance events.

“We are a strong team, fully committed to the race, the cause and each other,” he said.

Cusick, reclamation and sustainability specialist for Red Willow Production Company, is a former international mountain guide and current road racer and endurance runner.

Morrissey, recently retired, was president of GF Properties Group, the real estate arm of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund. He was a Division 1 wrestler in college and competed in mountain bike and road races over the years.

Forman, an emergency room doctor in the Southwest, competes in endurance running and cycling.

The Human Powered Potential team is also supported by training partner and Forman’s son, Skyler, and coach Angus Collins, who has rowed the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans and set the world record for the Atlantic and the Pacific in the American Spirit of the HPP team. .

“While our journey will be incredible, it won’t be easy,” said Cusick, who along with his other teammates have been training for nearly two years.

Durso said he loves bodybuilding and has gained 20 pounds, which will help him stay fueled until Hawaii.

“Indoor rowing sessions can be monotonous, but they definitely help us move the boat faster,” he said. “I also spent many hours last summer training on the Spokane River. Our California training rows aboard the American Spirit were physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. We encountered extremely difficult conditions. difficult, waves, winds and strong currents, which is excellent preparation for our crossing.

When the American Spirit team leaves Monterey, they will encounter the California Current pushing south along the coast, as well as north-oriented winds for about the first 200 miles, making the start of the race likely the hardest part.

“Typically we row two at a time for two hours on and two hours off, 24 hours a day until we reach Hawaii,” Cusick said.

However, when conditions are difficult, as is possible off the coast of California, the team is prepared to row three at a time for added power, alternating 90 minutes of rowing with 30 minutes of rest. Once they get through the winds and currents of the start of the race, they expect to row with the trade winds, which usually push toward Hawaii.

Team Human Potential will be completely self-sufficient during the trip, bringing food for 55 days in the form of freeze-dried meals and snack packs. A watermaker will provide water. Via text message and satellite phone, they will be in daily contact with the official World’s Toughest Row security team, who tracks their location and helps them manage social media and family communication, as well as the coach Collins for weather routes, race strategy and general advice.

“First of all, we are inspired by Pat for his initiative to tackle this problem,” Cusick said. “So much so that our willingness to endure this period of crossing the Pacific Ocean is tiny compared to the greater endurance that people with Parkinson’s disease face on a daily basis.”

Information: humanpoweredpotential.org