The World's Toughest Row - Atlantic

Meet The Crew:

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For more details please check out this link: The Team – Get Busy Rowing

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Some Background:

The atmosphere is electric as people help each other prepare for the challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race. Rowers are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of getting the boat safely to the other side.

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The Why:

The inspiration for this challenge started when Angie’s cousin, Kevin, rowed across the Atlantic in 2020.  Angie and Greg watched the boats come into Antigua two years later.  Kevin had regrets about his previous crossing and wanted to do it again, they talked at length about what it would take, the level of commitment and what makes a good team.

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It really didn’t take long to conclude that this is just the type of challenge Greg wanted to achieve.

Greg has worked with The Matt Hampson Foundation for many years and they quickly decided that we would like to give a disabled person the opportunity of taking part in the challenge and are actively working with the foundation to find a suitable team mate.

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“The annual race begins in early December, with up to 30 teams participating from around the world. The race structure brings together an environment where teams from across the globe gather in the race village San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands. The atmosphere is electric as people help each other prepare for the challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. All with the same objective – to take on the unique experience of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat".

"The race offers different experiences to all involved. The challenge creates strong friendships and competitiveness gives way to the camaraderie that is required to complete the challenge. Upon finishing, rowers join a small community of friends that have shared the adventures of an ocean crossing. The mental and physical endurance will result in a life-changing achievement, that will never be forgotten.”

Race Facts:

"Every year remarkable people achieve remarkable things by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. No year is the same. Every year, brand new stories are created. From charity funds raised to wildlife seen, to World Records achieved - the facts are constantly updating in our ever evolving sport"

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• Each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes during a race
• Team Fortitude IV achieved the fastest 24 hours ever with 107.45 nautical miles covered.
• The fastest row across the Atlantic was a four man team The Four Oarsmen who finished in 29 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes
• At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 8.5km / 5.28 miles deep.
• The waves that the rowers experience can measure up to 20ft high.
• Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing.
• Crews will experience a range of temperatures, from as low as 10 degrees during the night shifts at the start to well in to the 30’s with added humidity as they approach the finish.
• In the 2016 race, solo rower Daryl Farmer arrived in Antigua after 96 days, rowing without a rudder to steer with for nearly 1200miles/40 days.
• Dutchman, Mark Slats, holds the world record for fastest solo and fastest pair, interestingly his solo time is the faster of the two.
• Rowers burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day.
• There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket!
• The average rower loses around 8kg during a crossing.
• In the 2018 race, solo rower Kelda Wood (Row 2 Raise) was kept company by a whale for nearly 7 days.
• Danish ocean rowing legend, Lasse Wulff Hansen, has completed our Atlantic route 3 times, as a pair, as part of a 4 team, as a solo, AND in 2023 he crossed the Pacific route too as part of four man team, Ocean Warrior.
• All crewmembers MUST be attached to the boats “jackstay” with a 3 point safety harness whenever they are on deck.