Brocade Sponsors Pacific Rower

SAN FRANCISCO -- In the early morning hours of mid-July, when the tides and winds are favorable, and with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, Roz Savage will embark upon a perilous journey across the Pacific Ocean alone in a 24-foot rowboat named The Brocade. Savage will attempt a three-part voyage that begins in San Francisco. The first leg of the passage originates in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and will end in the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The San Francisco-to-Hawaii stage spans 2,600 miles. Savage will then continue on to Tuvalu in the Southwest Pacific, followed by the final leg of her passage to Australia. If successful, Roz Savage will have rowed 6,700 miles, and she will be the first woman in history to row solo across the Pacific Ocean.

Savages journey across the Pacific is being sponsored by Brocade and is a project of the Blue Frontier Campaign, a non-profit marine conservation organization, and is in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program. Her mission is to raise awareness about the devastating effect plastic pollution is having on our oceans and marine wildlife.

At just five-foot-five and barely 120 pounds, Savage seems an unlikely candidate to row 6,700 miles alone. In fact, the 39-year-old, who hails from Cheshire, England, is no stranger to ocean rowing. In 2005, she was the only woman to compete in the 3,000-mile Atlantic Rowing Race from the Canary Islands to Antigua. She finished in 103 days.

While one ocean crossing would suffice for most, Savage will now set out across the Pacific Ocean because she is intent on conquering new challenges and motivating others to do the same. “A lot of people don't believe they can do anything to make a difference,” said Savage. “I’m trying to show that one person and their actions can – and do – make a difference. The difference is in the little choices we make each day, whether it’s in carrying canvas bags to the grocery store or choosing to recycle our plastic soda bottles. It all adds up, and we each need to do our bit.”

Savage’s boat is named The Brocade after title sponsor Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a leading provider of networked storage solutions that helps organizations connect, share, and manage their information.

“At Brocade, we focus on reducing the power that our products consume,” said Mike Klayko, CEO of Brocade. “By sponsoring Roz’s efforts, we hope to inspire others to take on the challenge of protecting the environment – in any way that they can. We’re very proud to be a part of this courageous journey, and we all look forward to following Roz’s progress every step of the way.”

Brocade Communications Systems Inc.