2023 Race Entrants

In 2019 I witnessed TWAC rowers arrive at English Harbour, Antigua, and I knew then that I wanted to do that too one day! I will be 67 years of age at the start line with my wonderful family being fully supportive of this ambition of mine. I have decided to row solo as I don’t feel I can put anyone through the stress of being cooped up in a small boat with me for 2 months or so! The sea has played a huge role in my life having been brought up and lived most of my life on the two small islands of Gometra and Ulva on the West Coast of Scotland. My Father taught me to row shortly after I learned to walk, or so it seemed. The sea, in those days, was brimming with fish and wildlife. I have vivid memories of pods of Orcas, leaping dolphins, and friendly porpoises. Sadly there has been a huge degradation in the bio-diversity of our Seas and Oceans since those days of plenty and that makes me very sad. I have therefore decided to try to do something to raise awareness, and funds, for not only the Marine Charity, Openseas.org, but also NASS (National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society). I currently suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a Chronic Arthritic condition, which in my case has resulted in fusing in my neck and lower spine. However, this does not stop me from enjoying my passions of ski-mountaineering, long-distance walking, scuba diving and, of course, boating. I now want to prove to myself and others that it is possible to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic with AS. Openseas.org (www.openseas.org.uk) is a wonderful marine charity based in Scotland. The team monitors the health of our seas and lobbies Government for changes and oversight of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) around the coast of Scotland. NASS (www.nass.co.uk) is an equally wonderful charity offering support, and information, for AS sufferers, while working to raise awareness of the condition generally to the wider public and with the UK Government. I cannot wait to get out onto the Atlantic Ocean, help these two charities, and be an inspiration to my gorgeous Grandchildren, and our future.

Life goes quickly and the age of 56 seems like the right time to row the Atlantic.  I sponsored a team back in 2016 and have followed the race every year since although truth be told I was smitten with adventures in the water after reading Swallows and Amazons as a child.  My interest in the water stepped up a notch when saw the achievements of Tracy Edwards and later Ellen McArthur’s sailing exploits and I remember then wishing I could enjoy someadventures on the ocean. Now seems like the perfect time.

As it currently stands, according to Guinness World Records once I get to Antigua, I willbecome the oldest SOLO female to EVER row any ocean, not just the Atlantic – now if that’s not motivation to get to the other side, I don’t know what is!

I like to think I’m reasonably fit, I’ve already completed 2 Ironman races, in Sweden and New Zealand and multiple 1000 mile bike rides.  I’m confident I’ve got some endurance;however this will be on a whole new level! I will be following up my Atlantic row with a row around GB too, but I’ll wait for 2025 for that expedition, for now, the Atlantic is calling.

My motivation?  I became a grandmother in 2021 and my perspective in life has changed a lot, and I want to find out where my limits might be.  I’ve not found them yet so I thought why not push the boundaries and see what this ‘old girl’ is capable of.

I also wanted to raise funds for some amazing small charities and having seen the incredible work that my charities address, the goal is to raise over £300,000 to enable them to continue the fantastic work they do. Three small charities making a very big difference.

Youth Adventure Trust – inspire young people through adventure – they work with vulnerable young people from 11-16 to unlock their potential and lead positive lives in the future.  They deliver mentoring in a positive way through their unique Youth Adventure Programme and this is a genuinely life changing opportunity, giving young people the chance to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime.

Coppafeel! – are a breast health awareness charity.  Coppafeel! exists to educate and remind every person in the UK that checking their boobs isn’t only fun, it could save their life. Breast Cancer can affect any body, young or old, so learn how to check yours today.

Samaritans – Stratford upon Avon – are always there whoever might need them, whenever that may be.  Mental health is so important and we all need to take responsibility for this, in ourselves, our families, our friends, our colleagues and even the stranger we might walk by.  In addition, their fantastic outreach work within the community is vital for the mental health in our schools, hospitalsand a variety of other initiatives.

In 2019, I got involved in a research project “trigger fingers in Ocean Rowers”. With the research team, Hand Surgeons and Hand Therapists, we headed off to La Gomera early December 2019 to start the project. The moment we arrived, feeling the excitement, and talking to the rowers, I was hooked, and it never left my mind… so here we are…

– Have I ever done this before? The answer is ‘No’.

– Have I ever rowed before? The answer is ‘No’.

Besides my work as a hand therapist, my passion is my motorbike, so not even water-related
So why do this? Why not…! but please…ask me again in Antigua
As it currently looks like, I will be the first female solo rower from the Netherlands, although I might be slightly cheating as I now live in Switzerland and have lived in the UK before that

And I have been working as a hand therapist for over 23 years and am extremely passionate about this specialized profession, hence my team’s name and the charity. Interplast shares medical knowledge, treatment, and experience with under-resourced communities around the world. Hand surgery, and subsequently hand therapy, is a big part of this. 

I am fully aware the ocean row will test me to the max and on a completely different level than I have ever been tested before, physically, and mentally. But keeping in mind that the children and adults with disabilities who need help from Interplast, are and have been dealing with a lot worse.  Being able to support these children and adults with your donations during the row to help them in further life, gives me as a hand therapist, an incredible boost and motivation.

Following my battle with various arrythmias, finally resulting in the implantation of a (CRT-P) pacemaker, taking part in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, Wave Wrangler will provide a platform for raising funds for the British Heart Foundation, as well as bring awareness to a newly formed online platform for anyone living with an arrythmia to share stories and experiences.

I have always been passionate about sport ; it was a press article that made me want to tackle this amazing Atlantic oar crossing. I played handball and rugby. I practice water and winter sports such as windsurfing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering. Road and mountain cycling, motocross are also part of my life, and for 25 years, extreme endurance sports like ultra trail running and cycling have been essential to me.

I’m proud to finish these extreme endurance races, sometimes in very good positions, thanks only to my personal physical and mental preparation.

I’m 56 years old and I need to keep on dreaming. Surely I am lucky to be in good physical condition, I feel great motivation for this new extraordinary sport challenge.

Of course, I realize that preparation in new areas like navigation and rowing are vital, but everything is possible if you work your heart out : I strongly believe in this project.

I do not idealize this crossing at all, but I consider it as an amazing moment within an amazing environment. It will be a privilege to be part of the race and I intend to make the most of it every second.

I have chosen to sponsor the ” heart sport and health ” charity, which supports people with heart failure. I experienced a cardiovascular incident myself without any after-effects, and it allowed me to understand the importance of good physical condition. Willpower is also vital. That is what this association strives to bring : to put patients in motion, gradually, to give them the pleasure of the effort for a sustainable behaviour. My past and this goal of crossing can bring positive images to patients and help them in their efforts.

This race will in any case be a real moment of sharing with the association but also with others participants, all organization menbers, my team, my friends and my family.

I’m a big believer of living life with no regrets. Which is why at 73, I’m rowing across the Atlantic to raise another £1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK. But this time, I’m rowing for a cure.

I have galloped around 11 marathon courses, trudged up Kilimanjaro, skippered my own boat around the world, navigated the Northwest passage and around Cape Horn during my circumnavigation of North and South America and I cursed and swore my way through Channel 4’s The Island with Bear Grylls.

Since my last row, I bought my beloved hometown football club, Oldham Athletic, saving it from extinction and in November 2022, I survived major heart surgery. I’m not afraid of death. But I am afraid of getting dementia. As well as my brother-in-law, Roger, I recently lost a good friend to dementia. It’s devastating. I don’t want anyone else to go through it. That’s why I’m raising as much awareness and money as I can for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

If you would like to donate, please visit my JustGiving page and Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation will double it up to £100,000.

Thank you!

Around 10 years ago, I heard about this crazy rowing race across the Atlantic ocean. At that time, I was in awe of the race and I could hardly believe that it was even possible. But, it sounded incredible and a small little seed was planted. I incredulously hoped and dreamed that I would one day be brave enough to go on the adventure.

Over the following years I learned about the row through the few available books and documentaries and the dream to actually go do it just grew stronger and stronger, but it was still just a far off dream for someday.

I was eventually able to muster up the courage to make the extremely challenging decision to turn that dream for someday into entering the World’s Toughest Row, Atlantic 2023, as a solo rower.

Why do I want to take on this extremely challenging adventure;

1. I feel that I still have a significant sporting achievement within me and was looking for something where I would truly be tested physically and mentally, in an environment where you just do not have all the control.
2. The ocean humbles me, but also sets me free and I wanted to experience that in the ocean’s extremes.
3. I believe that God planted this seed in me for a reason and that this journey has a greater purpose. What exactly that is, I do not know yet, but I am on the journey and hoping to inspire other people to break free from whatever is holding them back, so that they can follow their dreams. I am also hoping to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in South Africa, through the love and protection of the ocean.

Looking forward to taking on this challenge, with a smile!     

Freedom Rower

I row to raise awareness about climate change and money for the International Conservation Charity World Land Trust.

And I am a proud ambassador of World Land Trust. They do some amazing work around the world protecting our endangered rainforests.

Throughout life I have been lucky enough to have great friends, travelling the world with one, setting up businesses with others and marrying my best friend of all, but now I need to challenge myself to undertake this huge mental and physical challenge with only my own tenacity to rely on. It may seem an extreme way to find some solitude, but the places where we can be truly alone and veritably challenged are fewer and further between these days.

Our chosen charities work to improve the relationship between humans and our environment – I would like to think that when my time is up, the tide will have turned, and planet Earth will have a brighter future for the generations yet to come.

Liz always has an adventure on the go, its just the scale of them that vary.

In 2020 she saw the fleet of the World’s Toughest Row arrive in Antigua and the cogs started turning.  

Having spent most of her professional career preparing and racing other peoples ocean racing yachts, it was a surprisingly daunting task to take on her own little rowboat and challenge.  

Normally a bit of an adrenaline junky , racing fast yachts across oceans, foiling windsports in her spare time and always on the move – its been remarked that this may be the slowest paced things She has ever done.

Liz is fully up for all these challenges and is excited to try and adapt her lifetime of lessons learnt on the water fishing and ocean racing to rowing (very slowly) 3000 nautical miles across The Atlantic Ocean in a 7.2 meter boat.

Her boat is affectionately called ‘Tic Tac’ as it looks like a half eaten tic tac and She’s entered solo in The Worlds Toughest Row, Atlantic race with the start now only a few months away

I am Leanne Maiden, I am a very ordinary woman in my early 40’s. I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife and a mother of 2 incredible sons – who I hope are going to be very proud of me. 

I have never ever lived by myself, and I am not even sure what it feels like to be in my own company for more than a few hours.  I love people and have a lot of very incredible people in my life.  A lot of my life energy comes from seeing my friends and socialising so I anticipate spending the crossing in my own company is going to be very uncomfortable.  But when I look at the level of discomfort that so many people around the world experience over the course of their whole lives, a few months at sea really do pale into insignificance. I am rowing to raise money and awareness for those who cannot escape from their own uncomfortable place – whether it is from having no access to period products or clean water, not being able to go to school when they have periods, being shamed for having periods, being bullied at school, or being in an abusive relationship that they feel trapped in.  

The lengths a girl will go to for a rum cocktail and holiday in the Caribbean right!!?

This row has been a dream of Andrew’s for many years now. Although I (Eamon) am new to rowing, it has been a passion on Andrew’s for at least a decade now. Andrew commented about his dream on a facebook post back in November about a team preparing to do the crossing… and I replied saying “sure I’ll do it with you….” So that’s where are now 🙂 Make A Wish Ireland – this charity to close to me as I have raised previous funds for them. I am also a member of a running who are in the middle of a fundraising event for them (run from Dublin to Donegal) which has been postponed since April 2020 thanks to Covid19. The son (Seimi) of one of the lads died from a brain tumour before he was able to have his wish granted. MAW do amazing work in putting some fun into special peoples lives at the time they need it most First Light – this is a charity that supports families who have been impacted by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cotdeath). This is close to us as our oldest brother, Rory, died ages 10 weeks. It was obviously a very tough time for our Mam and Dad back then, as Rory was the first child in the family – another 5 have following since. As you’ll see from the team name, we have a major brother/family element in the challenge and what could be better than to name the boat Rory and to honour him with a donation to help other families experiencing the same difficulties

We are Mark and Dani Jones a married couple, who have found our next mad adventure by signing up to the TWAC 2023. We have over come many obstacles that life has thrown at us, but together we have over come them all and which each one we have grown stronger as a couple. We are not professional rowers, but we are sport mad, it was our love of sport that bought us together as a couple. This is why one of our chosen charities is Access sport. Sport is such a powerful tool, it can boost confidence, help people overcome loneliness and improve physical and mental health issues. We believe everyone, no matter their backgrounds should have access to sport and Access sport provided so many people the opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting events. We will also be raising funds for our local area including our children’s school. The hardest part of for both if us will be leaving our two young children behind, but we want to inspire our children to follow their dreams and over come all that life has to throw at them. “Because all dreams are just the other side of fear, we just need the courage to take the journey”. So TWAC 2023.. Here we come, bring it on! “

Our names are David Ferrier and Garry Hoyle, and we’re the lucky two who will be embarking on this remarkable challenge of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.

We have both been lucky to have worked all our adult lives, from leaving school at 16, and have taken the decision independently to retire from full time employment when we turn 60 and 61 respectively in 2023. However, neither of us intends to treat retirement as the end of an era, or a time to simply dwell on our past achievements, but the beginning of the next big thing and an opportunity to make new memories. As we have both remained sporty and healthy throughout our lives, we have talked for some time about marking the occasion with an appropriate physical challenge… and why not “The World’s Toughest Row”?

We hope you’ll join us on this journey, share in the highs and lows and, most importantly, help us to raise as much money as possible for The Great North Air Ambulance Service

Stuart – Hi Everyone my name is Stuart I’m 47 now but due to entering the TWAC2023 I will be celebrating my 50th somewhere in the Atlantic with one of my best buddies. I’m not an expert sea adventurer, but I do have a huge passion for the outdoors and endurance, so I guess if you think about it this is a combination of both just on an epic scale. But it’s not on the sea where you’d normally find me (especially in the months from December – February) because my biggest passion is Skiing! You’d find me blasting down mountains in powder, and out of season I’d be sitting round a fishing lake followed by a night round the campfire before sleeping under the stars. My love and passion for endurance racing doesn’t come from running ultra marathons or triathlons but it’s Motorsport. So what could I say when one of my best mates asked me to compete in the TWAC2023 with him, a race that combines both of my passions. I didn’t even give it a second thought I WAS IN! The sea has always been a happy and calming place for me from a young age, and that is why the challenge of rowing the Atlantic in aid of Dementia UK and The Sporting Memories Foundation. Mental Health is something I have personal experience of and I hold charities like this close to my heart. Also after the year we have had, I don’t think Mental Health has been more prominent in peoples lives, and is being talked about more and more. Not only will be raising money for a very special charity, I also get to spend a couple of months at sea with someone who I know will keep me motivated, focused and will make me laugh when it’s all starts to feel a little too much. So just like life, the journey from now, as I write this sitting in my kitchen April 2021 until that moment when we finally row into English harbour in Antigua in February 2024 will be one to remember forever. I am so excited to go on this journey, to learn new skills and make some incredible memories. Please help and support us in raising money for this incredible charity. Andy – Hi my names Andy and I will be 60 a few weeks before the start of TWAC2023. Like my buddy Stuart I have always loved the outdoors and extreme activities. My hobbies include Skiing & Scuba diving and I have also skydived among several other extreme activities. My passion is however running having completed many half and full marathons. Rowing the Atlantic will however prove to be the ultimate challenge and we are both excited and honoured to have the opportunity to fulfil an achievement of a lifetime whilst raising money for such a fantastic cause. We are both very lucky to have super supportive families who will encourage us at all times on the wonderful journey ahead.

In the depths of the pandemic, with just a drop of whisky remaining, two overgrown boys shook hands and sealed their fate. On that dark Christmas night, it was decided they would face their greatest challenge yet – the Atlantic Ocean. This story begins 11 years ago, when Matt and George first rowed together at school. In the years since, they have formed an unbreakable bond, a bond of brothers, the true test of which is yet to come. George loves to take on a challenge, however unprepared, as shown to a crowd of a thousand onlookers during his university boxing debut. Matt has a similar penchant for risk (despite his shocking injury record), and regularly competes at a high level in club rowing. Worcester born and bred, they bleed Worcestershire sauce. Make no mistake, these buoys aren’t just here to make up the numbers. We’re here to have an unforgettable experience, redefine our limits, and raise a huge amount of money for a great cause close to our hearts.

The hospitality industry is built upon a strong community spirit, and this spirit was damaged during the fallout of the pandemic with waves of redundancies sweeping the sector. Hospitality Action support people facing mental health challenges, something we understand the importance of, and want to support throughout our Atlantic campaign. The Spirit of Hospitality is a fitting name for our journey. Built upon generosity, cheerfulness and fun, our campaign brings together an industry that has suffered greatly, to achieve one important goal, the support of Hospitality Action and the vital work they do. From our lives working within the Contract Catering sector, we have partnered with some inspirational sponsors to help us achieve our fundraising goal of £100,000. Our campaign is being supported by some of the best chefs in the UK, who have kindly sponsored us with the creation of meals and snacks that will keep us going throughout the trip, and that we will share with our followers throughout the campaign. Suppliers, farmers, and producers have offered their support through sponsorship, helping to make our fundraising goal a reality. The Atlantic challenge is branded as “the world’s toughest row” and is a long way from the comforts of the industry we know and love. The tremendous power and support from the sector fuels our ambition, and with it we will cross the Atlantic ocean. Chris and Robbie

When serial entrepreneur Sam Glover asked artist Jake Chapman to row across the Atlantic Ocean in a 24-foot boat, without sail or engine, he replied with a resounding ‘yes’, since who in their right mind would turn down an opportunity for sea sickness, salt sores, crippling blisters, dehydration, sunstroke, hallucinations and the odd boat capsizing.

Team Glover/Chapman are determined to reach £250,000 to support UnLtd’s essential social program.

We row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money, for children’s education.

Why not row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean?
Why not raise money for education?
Why not do it today?

When we met again ten years after graduating from highschool, these questions came to mind. Danny emigrated to Jakarta to support the family business and Janik moved to Munich to work in IT and study physics. Through a video, Danny had heard about the Atlantic Challenge. A beer or two later, we finished the thought. Let’s start this adventure, but risk our lives for what?

We both believe that the better educated the world is, the better we can meet the future challenges like climate change, digitalization, or human rights. With this in mind, we chose to support two educational charities. Bali’s Children Project helps children in the rural areas of Bali. They give them acces to education by sponsoring and renovating schools. Ozeankind combines pollution with education by opening barter stores in Zanzibar. There, children exchange returned plastic items for something of value.

Lisa and Nini are two strong women in the sailing industry; Lisa works as a captain and Nini as a rigging technician. With over 60,000 nm at sea between us, we believe we have what it takes to take on the challenge of the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic. The race itself is an incredible feat, but the team is embarking on an even more fulfilling challenge to change the lives of former fostered youth with the proceeds raised from our campaign.

Cultivated from Lisa’s own experience and personal journey, Team Ocean Grown has developed the Bridges Over Water fund. The aim of the fund is to provide ten young adults who have aged out of the foster care system with an opportunity to find a career suitable to them in the maritime industry. Applications will open on December 12, 2023, the day of the race start, and remain open for 3 months.

We are all members of Eton Excelsior rowing club and train together on the stretch of water between Maidenhead and Windsor. We are all driven to push ourselves and achieve things that maybe at first seem slightly beyond what people may see as possible. Another member of the club has recently come back from completing the challenge himself and whilst he was training we started the could we, should we, type conversations which finally turned into a yes we should, let’s just get on and do it type conversation. As a group of women, we are not shy of a challenge – individually we have run marathons, rafted down white water, climbed mountains etc and we know that we can and will support each other through this amazing challenge. DASH is clearly a charity that supports women to be the best they can be and encourages them to stand firm in the face of adversity. We all work with young people in our real lives and at our rowing club and know the effect unhealthy relationships can have both on the individuals and on their extended families. DASH is a charity that many turn to in their hour of need and we want to support DASH to carry on their amazing work. We must stand firm against any abuse within relationships and through our challenge we hope to highlight the work of DASH whilst raising funds for the charity. Thames hospice is a charity close to our hearts. I don’t think there is anyone whose lives have not been touched in some way by cancer and the support of organisations such as hospices is vital when individuals and their families are going through the toughest of times. Palliative care is essential so that people can find dignity and peace in the darkest of moments. Thames hospice is a local charity and we hope to help support its profile in the community.

As a group of ocean-loving islanders, the Mermaid Atlantic team are rowing to raise awareness of the pollution and preservation of the world’s water habitats and raise money for marine-focused environmental charities.

The world’s climate crisis is a shared concern for the three teammates, who all embrace the sea as part of their everyday lives. They aim to raise awareness for two issues, water quality, including plastic pollution, and the protection of seagrass meadows. The team will be actively selecting sustainably produced materials for the row and competing as a net-zero outfit to highlight the effect waste disposal and human activity is having on the natural w

Robyn, Louise and Jordan met at the University of London Boat Club where they became close friends. Their mutual drive, ability to rally each other and desire for adventure let them to the Atlantic Challenge. Supporting Access Sport and London Youth Rowing gives momentum and motivation to the challenge for the crew. It is important that children from all walks of life can play sport, just as the crew did.

The opportunities to access sport that these charities deliver to children and young people are hugely important. The Tidewaves hope to use the duration of the project to engage with these charities on the ground; encouraging, coaching and supporting the initiatives alongside raising funds for their progammes.

Vibe the Wave are a trio of girls who wish to “Live the Adventure”.

Their mission is to thrive in adventure, rise the challenge, have fun, work as a team with true spirit to overcome obstacles and inspire big dreams!

They are also hoping to host “The Worlds Most Remote Cocktail Party” mid ocean – so watch this space!

The three of us are from all different background but have come together, with no prior rowing experience, for one hellava challenge and an almighty adventure. We are Vibe the Wave:

Maddie – Passion and adventure queen, with enthusiasm for days and an ambition to catch a fish mid ocean! The one who started river rowing, and quickly transitioned into ocean rowing! Enthusiasm for days – no task is too big!

G – Boaty McBoat Grace, the sailor amongst us and lover of the sea; if it floats, she’s sailed it! The even keel to our trio and navigator extrodiannaire.

Grace – The triathlete, endurance sport nutter… set her a task and she’ll complete it, believer than anything is possible and you gotta dream big!

From strangers, to colleagues, to now great friends, we started our journey simply by filling in an application form for Vodafone Foundation’s call out for employees to take on the Atlantic Row. After interviews, selection processes and testing, we formed the WaveBreakers.

Having never taken on a challenge to this scale, we’ve come together as a trio of ordinary women, taking on the extraordinary, proving that anyone is capable of achieving a mighty challenge when you put your mind to it.

United by our passion for our beautiful planet, we’re fundraising to support two charities (WWF and UNHCR) that are protecting those on the frontlines of the climate crisis: our most vulnerable animal species and climate refugees.

Bobbie, our wonderful Skipper, Sustainability Guru and Safety Squirrel, is just the person you want with you on a night shift for a good natter, is never far away from breaking out into giggles and will always be there to spur her teammates along. She’s most excited about the simplicity of life out on the ocean.

 Katherine, our Chief Navigator and Super Mum of 3, has a heart of gold and a contagious laugh that will have anyone smiling. She’s hoping to inspire her kids to take on great challenges and protect our wildlife for future generations. She’s most excited about the wildlife we might see on the crossing.

Hatty; our snack pack queen and nutrition lead. Bundles of enthusiasm, but a tough cookie too. Has a dance for every occasion. We’re not sure how we’re going to keep her out of the water given her love of a cold swim! Most excited about the Pina Colada in Antigua.

We are three generations of marine scientists, connected through marine research and education. Isabelle, a marine ecologist at Simon Fraser University, was Chantale’s PhD advisor and had a big impact on her ideas in marine ecology and conservation. Noelle and Lauren met while studying coral reef ecology during a field course in Curaçao – that was taught by Chantale! Our paths have all remained intertwined over the years, united by a passion for marine conservation. We have committed our lives to understanding, protecting, and sharing our passion for the ocean. All of us love adventures of all sorts, and competing in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge is one adventurous way for us to draw attention to ocean protection, and to support the people and organizations on the front lines of the fight for our ocean. We are splitting our fundraising efforts three ways, which reflects our team’s origins and experiences: some of us are Canadian, some of us are American, so we wanted to support charities based in both of our home countries. But also, we’ve all spent a lot of time working in the Eastern Caribbean, and with the race ending in Antigua we feel strongly that our efforts should also raise funds for marine conservation efforts in the West Indies. More specifically, we aim to raise at least $300,000 for marine conservation organizations, split evenly between the Bamfield Marine Science Center in Canada to support a scholarship fund for students of underrepresented minorities to complete courses and research in marine conservation, Green Wave—a non-profit based in Connecticut (USA) dedicated to sustainable ocean farming, and Shellback Expeditions—a non-profit started by Chantale and colleagues dedicated to marine conservation projects in the Eastern Caribbean.

“Why?” is the question we often receive when we tell that we’re going to row the Atlantic. Why? It’s hard to explain… It’s a feeling that’s already been there for a long time. A feeling to do something way outside our comfort zones, a desire to do something extraordinary, something we never thought we’re capable of. To prove to ourselves that we are, and that we can do more than we ever expected, both physically and mentally. Go back to our basics, getting to know ourselves and each other even better and find out if what we do in life at this moment is the way to go or if something has to change.

We are fortunate that we can change things if we really want to. There are a lot of children in our country who aren’t that lucky. Who live in an environment of abandonment or violence. We row for these children, by choosing Het Vergeten Kind (the Forgotten Child) as one of our charities. This organization fights for a stable, loving environment where children can develop properly. Give them positive experiences with real attention, so they feel seen and supported and regain self-confidence. Something no one can do without…

Besides that we also believe that children should be able to develop themselves in either a cultural or a sportive way. Engaging in sports or culture helps a child to develop optimally in a physical, mental and social way. In the Netherlands however, 1 out of 11 children isn’t able to do this, due to the fact that parents can’t afford it. Children who can’t join such activities, don’t have the opportunities that are taken for granted by their peers. Our second charity therefore is the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur (the Sports & Culture Youth Fund), since all children should be able to dream of becoming the next professional athlete or world famous pop star.

BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU ARE HALFWAY THERE

Hi, we are a team of 4 ladies from the Island of Jersey – Channel Islands, United Kingdom. The sea plays a massive part in our general lives and we are fortunate enough to all live within a mile radius of the coast. Hence we are either on the sea, in it or under it most days. As a team of busy working mums, we want to show that age and gender are not obstacles in achieving something you really want to do and believe strongly in the power of our combined team focus to achieve this goal.

When we succeed in our journey across the Atlantic Ocean we will set a new Guinness Book world record, by being the oldest female crew to have rowed any ocean. Along the way we wish to raise funds for two charities close to our hearts; the Grace Crocker Foundation and the Blue Marine Foundation.

The Grace Crocker Foundation provides emotional and financial support for Jersey families who have children requiring medical support in the UK. The Blue Marine Foundation is a charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing. It currently has a number of worldwide projects and one of those is working with the Jersey National Trust in trying to protect the National park around the Jersey coast.

Please join us on our fantastic sea journey!

This challenge is a fantastic way for us to raise money and awareness for two charities: Head-Up and Bowel Cancer UK. Team Marduk understand that mental resilience and physical endurance are two of the main components needed to complete the row, we intend to develop ourselves as a team and demonstrate that mental resilience isn’t just something you have, it is developed through adversity.

We want this challenge to raise the profile of our charities and give them a platform to discuss mental health for veterans and services personnel; something which is currently deteriorating. We also want to raise more awareness for Bowel Cancer UK, and help prompt earlier identification for the growing number of young people who are becoming diagnosed with this lethal disease. Finally, much like the Babylonian god Marduk did, we want to conquer the beast of the sea; and to help empower other people who might be going through life’s trials and encourage them to challenge their own limits.

Introducing the crew of BlueTusk

The guys are work colleagues who all share a passion for challenge and adventure; each with their own personal experiences of taking on extreme endurance events (albeit not always on the water). They also share a love of the great outdoors and are using the Challenge to highlight the urgent need to protect our planet’s wildlife and habitats against both human and environmental impacts, raising funds for two amazing conservation charities, Blue Marine Foundation and Tusk.

The team is made up of …

Andy Curtis, loves the open water his experiences include sailing as well as open water rowing

David Tiplady, a veteran of 9 Ironman races with a passion for endurance cycling and running events

Aaron Kneebone, an ex-Royal Marine, who is passionate about the ocean and is a keen competitive cyclist

Chris Wood, with a passion for adventure activities,  he is an ex-rower including competitively with the British Army

There are few bigger challenges in this world, and my love of the ocean and adventure has drawn my brothers and I toward this row. We seek the opportunity to bond through the adventure, isolation, and challenge.

This charity means so much to us. My brother Troy spent nearly a decade living in Afghanistan running various NGOs. We all have a heart for the oppressed in this world and each of us in different ways have a connection to the people of Afghanistan, so we are super passionate about raising money to help support Afghan refugees.

There She Rows is an all-female team racing in TWAC 2023. Uniting four women with a mutual love of adventure – sailors, ironwomen, ultramarathon runners, elite rowers – with one shared goal … to inspire women and girls to get active and to demonstrate that through sport, anything is possible.

Girls drop out of sports at 1.5x the rate that boys do by age 14. By age 17, more than half of girls will quit playing sports altogether. Similarly, in the UK, there are 2 million fewer women than men regularly playing sport – There She Rows want to use the race as a platform to inspire women and girls everywhere, and showcase that with self-belief, their own Atlantic Oceans can be crossed and conquered.

The Aussie Old Salts are four Australians with an average age of over fifty, aiming to make it across safely as quickly as practicable, given our limited training. Three of the four crew members have current or former links to the Australian Defence Forces, and we are fundraising for a military veterans transition centre near Perth. We are also fundraising for a remote area (Kimberley) women’s crisis accommodation centre as well.

The four of us have spent most of our free time outdoors since childhood, fishing and diving in the Gulf of Mexico, backpacking in the Appalachians, Sierras, and Himalayas, and hunting in Montana and Alaska. When a friend of Evan’s wife Noelle stumbled into the end of the race while working on a sailboat in Antigua, she reached out to Noelle and they put together the team Salty Science (also entered in the 2023 race). After a few weeks of FOMO, Evan reached out to me and we put together our own motley crew, Foarrest Gumption. We’re looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Providing access to a quality education for underserved youth is a cause we care deeply about. Looking around our local community back in Florida, Evan suggested we work with SailFuture, an innovative foster care program and high school in Tampa, FL. SailFuture has strong ties to the ocean, with portions of their programs taking place on sailboats in the Gulf. Combining access to the outdoors with educational opportunity is a perfect fit for us, so we reached out and were thrilled when they wanted to partner. All revenue we raise above and beyond the cost of the race goes to them, as well as the eventual resale funds from the boat.

Why: As George Mallory said – ‘Because it is there!’ Atlantic R2R is made up of 2 professional yacht crew, a hotelier, an ex-solider and a current soldier who all hold in common a drive, competitiveness and will to find and test their physical and mental limits – what better place to find and then push these limits that the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge! Although the team come from various backgrounds, the combined qualities, skills and experiences of each team member make for an exciting, cohesive and competitive ocean rowing team and an excellent vessel to raise money and awareness for veterans mental health through their chosen charity Rock2Recovery. Why we have chosen the charity: Mental health is a subject close to many members of the team, but veterans mental health in particular is close to Tom and Paul since the death of a friend and former colleague due to mental health issues. Rock2Recovery was founded by Jamie Sanderson RM and Jason Fox RM following long careers as senior ranking Royal Marines which resulted in medical discharges after diagnoses of stress illness and brain injury. R2R strive to creat positive change when it is needed most and following their unique experience they recognize the need for rapid preventative interventions, specific coaching and assistance, including the provision of short and long-term refocusing support for veterans leaving the service with brain injuries and mental health issues attributable to their period of service.

This is a once in a life time event. The team have a previous military connection and bond which we hope will stand us in good stead to complete this 3,000 mile adventure. We want to inspire and raise awareness for some great charities.

Two of the team live in Cardiff, Wales and the other two in Norfolk. The charities cover our respective  geographical locations but importantly include common ambitions/objectives around supporting health and wellbeing, maritime conservation and smaller charities in Norfolk. The rowing crew all have young (ish) children and want to support health, welfare and conservation…we hope this will help to raise greater awareness of the fragility of the world but also its beauty.

As a team of four women, in December 2023 we will embark on a journey of a lifetime, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovering our personal limits. Beyond challenging ourselves, our ambition is to increase awareness of mental health and highlight the need to recognise and support each other when faced with demanding situations.

Undertaking this row will take courage, wisdom and resilience beyond anything we’ve encountered before.  Collectively we are all driven by a belief that together we can do more than what we can do alone and when equipped with a positive mindset and unequivocal support, anything is possible.

When a challenge this demanding presents itself in life and seems unimaginably hard and out of reach, it’s perseverance and commitment that will help us overcome. And with the words of of Kurt Hahn echoing in the background – “We are all better than we know, if only we can be brought to realise this, we may never be prepared to settle for anything less”.

Our ambition while taking on this challenge is to increase awareness for mental health and raise funds for the Friends Foundation in Antigua.

The Friends Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation that helps mentally and physically challenged children and their families in Antigua & Barbuda.

Fight Oar Die (FOD) is an all-American all-veteran volunteer non-profit (501C3) organization established to support U.S. Veteran’s mental health. 

We are Royal Navy Submariners; having taken part in the 2019 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge we found our culture as submariners really harmonised with the extreme environment of “the World’s Toughest Row”, whether it was knowing everything there is to know about our boat, looking out for our crew mates, managing watch systems all while contending with sleep deprivation and dealing with the emotions of leaving our loved ones. Fortunately, one of the greatest strengths of the Submariner is being able to maintain a sense of humour in some of the very worst conditions. This humour really is a cornerstone to our ethos; when the sea going vessel you choose to call home for upwards of 3 months at a time chooses to sink, remaining positive and being able to laugh really is essential. HMS Oardacious are back to showcase our professionalism and adaptability as Submariners, pushing ourselves both physically and mentally. Our bodies and minds will again be tempered by the sheer vastness of the Atlantic Ocean; Neptune will again throw his fury upon our little craft and he will be met by Submariners, laughing back at him! Having previously fundraised over £100,000 in support of Mental Health initiatives, we continue to build on our legacy working with our service charity RNRMC, to provide Mental Health and Wellbeing support to our community: serving submariners, veterans and their families through life. Heritage and remembrance are also significant parts of our ethos, recognising all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; we are therefore proud to also be supporting the Submariner Memorial Appeal to create a fitting memorial to submariners who lost their lives in the service and to the sacrifice of their families.