Solo Ocean Rower and Eco-Adventurer Roz Savage to speak at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Date: Thursday, Oct. 7
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
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Roz Savage, who earlier this year became the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean, will speak about her experiences on the open water as well as her dedication to the environment at a special Oct. 7 presentation at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. The event is free and open to the public.

A latecomer to the life of adventure, Savage worked as a management consultant for 11 years before deciding in 2005 to compete in her mid-thirties in the 3,000-mile Atlantic Rowing Race. In 2008 she became the first woman to row solo from California to Hawaii. In 2009 she continued from Hawaii to Kiribati, and in June she completed the Pacific crossing by rowing to Papua New Guinea.

In total, Savage has rowed more than 11,000 miles and cumulatively spent nearly a year of her life at sea in a 23-foot rowboat. She has braved 20-foot waves, faced death by dehydration and nearly drowned after becoming separated from her boat. Her goal is to raise awareness of issues facing the environment, including climate change, plastic pollution and habitat destruction.

During her presentation, Savage will show exclusive footage from her voyages and discuss the physical and psychological highs and lows of such epic endeavors. She will also talk about what inspired her to take up her oars in the fight for a cleaner, greener future. Following the presentation will be a booksigning of Savage's book, "Rowing the Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean."

The event is being offered free to the public with the support of Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Helen Edison Lecture Series at UC San Diego. Birch Aquarium admission and parking are included. Light refreshments will be available.

About Birch Aquarium at Scripps:
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the Caribbean. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth and ocean science. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium has an annual attendance of more than 410,000, including 45,000 school children.