Connecting with Dad: a Pacific voyage and never-heard tape
Louis Bird risked his life rowing across the Pacific to try and understand his father. But it was to be a cassette tape from his childhood that brought him answers.
When Louis Bird was just four-years-old his father, well-known rower Peter Bird, vanished whilst trying to row across the Pacific. Louis spent his childhood wondering why his dad had chosen a life at sea, rather than be at home with his family; an endeavour that had ultimately cost him his life. Louis had to find out what had attracted his father to the ocean, so he embarked on his own record-breaking journey, rowing for 54 days in waters Peter had once sailed. The experience helped Louis understand and connect with his father, but also raised more questions. Ultimately, it was not the ocean that provided Louis with answers. Louis has made a documentary called Lost at Sea: My Dad’s Last Journey.
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
Presenter: India Rakusen
Producer: Katy Takatsuki
(Photo: Louis arriving in Hawaii. Credit: Louis Bird)
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