Gavan Hennigan

Gavan Hennigan (born 1981) is an Irish Extreme Environment Athlete.[1][2]

Background

Hennigan grew up in Galway, Ireland. At the age of 16, he began abusing alcohol and drugs as a means to deal with his homosexuality and his father's alcoholism. Hennigan travelled abroad, living in a squat in Amsterdam and an unfurnished flat in London. He suffered blackouts from alcohol and drug overdoses, eventually entering rehab for his addictions when he was 21.[3][4][5][6]

Sports career

By trade a saturation diver on oil rigs for over 10 years, in 2016 Hennigan became the "fastest solo competitor in the history of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, dubbed the world's toughest row." Hennigan completed the three thousand mile long journey in "49 days, 11 hours and 37 minutes."[7][8]

Charitable work

Hennigan pursues snowboarding, mountaineering, ultra running, and rowing, raising over €12,000 for local Galway charities.[9][10]

References
  1. Jarlath Regan (6 May 2017). "Gavan Hennigan". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (190 ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  2. Gavan, Hennigan. "Home". Gavanhennigan.com. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  3. McHale, Maria (2 September 2016). "Gavan Hennigan's story: From alcoholic and addict to extreme adventurer". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  4. "Gay rower sets transatlantic record". Pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  5. "Gay Irishman Gavan Hennigan Sets Transatlantic Solo Rowing Record - Towleroad". Towleroad.com. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. Doggett, Eamon (3 February 2017). "Who is Gavin Hennigan? All you need to know about record breaking Irish rower". Irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  7. "Gavan Hennigan - The former heroin addict who 'came back from the brink' to smash world record". Independent.ie. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  8. "Hennigan sets new Irish Atlantic rowing record". Rte.ie. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  9. "Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW". Taliskerwhiskyatlanticchalenge.com. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  10. "Gavan Hennigan's story: From alcoholic and addict to extreme adventurer". Irishtimes.com. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
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