Seasickness hampers round-LI rowing fundraiser

Pounding rains, rough waters and jolting after-dark lightning strikes have turned what started as a goodwill rowing trip around the whole of Long Island into a harrowing tale of four men battling the elements and illness.

And though seasickness has claimed two of the four Long Islanders who set out from West Neck Beach Monday, they said the journey will continue with the goal of returning to the Lloyd Harbor beach by Thursday.

The four-man crew was down to two after veteran rower Rick Shalvoy, 57, of Long Beach and Chris Rizopoulos, 37, of Coram had to leave the team after getting seasick Tuesday.

However, Jones Beach lifeguard Brian Banks, 25, of Merrick, who rode out on a boat to check on the crew, volunteered to join the mission.

"I'm an experienced rower," said Banks, who met up with the crew off Jones Beach Tuesday. "When they came around I wanted to go out to them and talk and see how they were doing."

Shalvoy, who was being treated at Long Beach Medical Center after complaining of nausea, described a sleepless Monday night for the team as it made its way west on Long Island Sound to the East River and Manhattan.

"There was just one storm after another," Shalvoy said. "The seasickness kicked in during the storms."

The four started their more than 300-mile journey to raise money for and awareness of wounded service members and to honor the memory of Smithtown Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, who was killed in the Persian Gulf in 2004.

The crew was down to Chris Cuddihy, 56, an experienced rower, and his son Ryan Cuddihy, 28, both of Riverhead, until Banks came aboard. As of Tuesday, $1,600 had been raised. Donations can be made at roundis landrow.com., where the crew's progress can also be tracked.