HAVANA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Four young Americans left Havana in kayaks on Wednesday to row to the coast of Florida, in an attempt to bring the peoples of Cuba and the U.S. closer together.
Andy Cochrane, Wyatt Roscoe, Wesley Preston Siler and Christopher Rodel Brinlee sailed in the morning from the Hemingway Marina in western Havana, accompanied by members of the Cuban national team.
"With this trip, we want to demonstrate the friendship between the American and the island's people, rowing with the Cuban kayak team, and proving our personal limits," said Roscoe to Xinhua.
The American rowers expect to make the journey of about 100 nautical miles between Havana and Key West, Florida, in between 30 to 40 hours, if weather conditions are favorable.
The daring athletes are making the crossing in five-meter-long carbon fiber kayaks, weighing about 14 kg.
They are accompanied by a backup team sailing in a catamaran from Sunluver Charters and stop every hour for a rest and refreshments.
