Solo
Rower: Alan Fortuin
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Social Media: http://www.oldseedogs.com
To mark my 60th Birthday, in January 2019 I completed a solo bike ride from John O’Groats to Lands End, over a period of 14 days, finishing on my 60th. On completion of the ride family and friends asked what challenge I would take on for my 70th, and I decided to row 7,000,000m on an indoor rowing machine in my 70th year. Then in 2021, I saw a news report about Frank Rothwell completing the World’s Toughest Row at the age of 70, my thoughts then were, if he can row an ocean why cant I. I will be 66 at the end of my row, so don’t worry Frank your record is safe.
My Grandmother was blind, and since 1999, in her memory, and by conducting various endurance events, I have raised thousands of pounds for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs). The first UK guide dogs were trained in 1931, and in 1934 the Guide Dogs was formed. The Guide Dogs does tremendous work, breeding and training dogs, helping enable the blind and those with sight loss to conduct a normal and fulfilling life. It should be noted, that for safety reasons, those who are registered blind can not take part in the World’s Toughest Row, however, they will be able to join me, in spirit, as part of the Old See Dogs team.
Rower: Milli Abrams
Country: Scotland
Boat Design: R25
Charity: The 2 Minute Foundation, C.H.A.S.
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Website: justonemorerow.org
I’m Milli Abrams, and I’m about to take on the Atlantic—solo. Five feet tall, almost fifty, and more at home with a knitting needle and a spreadsheet than an oar, I’m diving into a challenge that’s as wild as it sounds.
My spark? A chance meeting with an ocean rower that lit up something fierce in me.
I’m not just crossing an ocean; I’m rebelling against every voice (real or imagined) that says I can’t. Having sailed the world with my family and traded corporate finance for wooly entrepreneurship, I’m ready to push my limits, celebrate resilience, and raise money for causes that matter: C.H.A.S. and The 2 Minute Foundation.
This journey is for everyone who dares to dream—and, let’s be honest, for me too.
Rower: Steve Chetcuti
Country: Malta
Boat Design: R25
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
It may sound crazy, but I quite like the idea of being out on the vast ocean in a tiny boat with a great challenge to complete. This will give me the opportunity to achieve something amazing, and the chance to sing loudly and dance badly without my neighbours (or family) complaining.
This will be my second row – in 2021, I completed a mainland Europe to mainland South America row in just under 52 days. This time, I’m going solo.
Rower: Benoît Bourguet
Country: Belgium
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
Coming Soon
Rower: Tom Skinner
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
Rower: Jason Kemp
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R10
Charity: The Wave Project and Ocean Conservation Trust
Social Media: jason-kemp.com
I have spent most of my working life sitting down in busy offices or travelling to new and interesting places to sit down in a different busy office. At one point I was crossing the Atlantic in both directions, on crowded flights, seemingly on a weekly basis which, after a while, became a feat of endurance in itself. Now, instead of seizing the opportunity for a seat with extra legroom I am seizing the opportunity to row in a tiny boat made of recycled plastic bottles, on my own, powered solely by me, across the ocean I have flown over so many times. A childhood dream checked off the list and hopefully an opportunity to share whatever learnings are to be found in pulling 1.5 million rowing strokes alone at sea.
When it comes to fitness I am more of a Jack of a few trades, master of none, type, and none of those few trades is rowing, so learning to row efficiently and prepare myself for the physical aspects of this will be a new and interesting challenge. However, it is building the required mental strength that I am really fascinated by. 3,000 miles is a long way and spending it on my own with all the associated challenges of a solo row is likely to be the biggest single hurdle to overcome.
I will be rowing to raise money for two amazing charities, both revolving around the sea. The Wave Project harnesses the healing power of the sea to provide ‘surf therapy’ to young people struggling to find their own self belief and Ocean Conservation Trust which is protecting all the world’s oceans that we rely on in so many ways
Rower: Robert Clarke
Country: Ireland
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
The first time I came across the row I was about 15 years old, and since then I have been obsessed with the thought of doing it. After years of it coming and going I am finally in a position to go for it, so here I am. The idea of pitting myself against one of the greatest challenges in the world both mentally and physically very much appeals to me. I want to follow in the footsteps of some great Irish ocean rowers who have come before me such as Damien Browne, Karen Weekes, Eoin O’Farrell, Paul Gleeson and so many more.
Rower: Taryn Smith
Country: United States
Boat Design: R25
Charity: Girls on the Run
Social Media: Instagram
Website: http://tarynsmithmovement.com/
Taryn was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She loves the cornhusker state but after graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelors in Political Science, began working at Redfish Lake Lodge in Stanley, Idaho.
Taryn lives in the Sawtooth Mountains for the summer months and spends the winters traveling the world. In 2022 she spent a ski season in Chamonix, France, ran the NYC Marathon and trekked through Patagonia. In 2023 she touched foot on every continent.
Ocean rowing unites Taryn’s love of adventure, endurance sports, and spending time on the water. (She inherited a fascination with boats from her grandfathers who both sailed).
This solo ocean row is her desire to throw herself out of the nest: to take big risks, learn new skills, and live boldly. It is an absurd endeavor, some might say crazy.
And that is why Taryn loves this sport.
During the row, Taryn will represent Girls on the Run, a non-profit that empowers girls through athletics. Through a running based curriculum, Girls on the Run teaches girls teamwork skills, how to cultivate inner strength, and critical thinking. The world is a better place when girls compete in athletics and Taryn is thrilled to be a part of this new wave in women’s sports.
My campaign Row2Inspire has been created with the aim to inspire anyone and everyone it is possible to overcome tough times and achieve your dreams. Crossing the Atlantic ocean has always been a pipe dream for me. I assumed it would be under sail but I think the physicality of rowing will be more in tune with my personality and lust for adventure.
I want to inspire my children William & Emily through this challenge that when life gets tough and your in the eye of the storm in 40ft waves or scorching equatorial heat in a boat alone if you persevere you can make it out the other side.
In late 2019 I lost my mother to Ovarian Cancer, her name was Jacqueline. The same name I have given to my ocean rowing boat to honour her. Target Ovarian Cancer is the charity I will be supporting during the row.
Rower: Jake Still
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R25
Charity: Aire Rivers Trust & The Rivers Trust
Social Media: Website
My passion and drive for undertaking adventures and expeditions stems from Scouting in my home village of Farsley in Leeds. During that time, I ended up partaking in the Duke Of Edinburgh completing up to the final Gold Award. I don’t know what it was, but something about tackling expeditions with your physical effort, using all the skills I learned from Scouts and being immersed in the tranquil atmosphere of nature was very appealing to me. You get to experience more of the world by walking across than if you were to drive through or fly over it. Hence why, as soon as I saw someone from my university advertising a talk about a trek to Base Camp Everest, I immediately signed up for it in my first year and had the most amazing experience. I wanted to do more like it, but equally at the same time, I wanted a goal to strive for. So, when I was finishing my master’s degree in physics I ended up stumbling upon the World’s Toughest Row.
I want to support the Rivers Trust because as a rower, I am very closely connected to the river Aire and have spent countless hours rowing on it. Rowing for me is very therapeutic and is something I have come to enjoy doing. However, this experience is ruined when Yorkshire Water spills sewage directly into the Aire and it is not uncommon for plastic bottles and footballs to be floating down it as well. The water quality has gotten so bad that we as a club cannot do capsize drills in our river anymore due to the pollution levels.
Furthermore, more races are being cancelled and there are fewer chances to get out on the water in the winter period due to dangerously high river levels brought upon by excess flooding and rain. These events are vital in supporting the local club communities and businesses where these races are held. To some people, these clubs are important in supporting their physical health and mental wellbeing. The dire state of our rivers cuts us off from enjoying our blue spaces and it feels like being back in lockdown. This is a consequence of climate change bringing about wetter winters and more storms and results in the number of water sessions becoming fewer each year. Especially for those of us who can only get down during the weekends in winter and especially for novice rowers who will not be able to go out in the more challenging conditions and may turned away from rowing. If our rivers thrive so do we.
Rower: Daragh MacLoughlin
Country: Ireland
Boat Design: D12
Charity: Debra Ireland & Dogs for the Disabled
Social Media: Instagram
Watching the row over the past number of years has stirred an indescribable feeling within, which left no option but to get involved. It’s time for a challenge like no other!
Pairs
Rower: Chris Ambler & Kip Wells
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: The Jon Egging Trust
Social Media: http://www.forcehorizon.com
We are Team Force Horizon – Chris & Kip!
We met on day 1 of secondary school and instantly hit it off…we had a great time at school competing against each other in the house sports events, competing together in the school teams and also on the amateur rugby scene. Fitness has been a shared passion of ours and we are both keen adventurers. We have been talking for years about doing a serious challenge together, and here we are!
We have decided to compete in World’s Toughest Row 2025 to support the Jon Egging Trust, who believe that every young person, no matter their starting point, should leave school armed with the confidence, resilience and self-belief to succeed.
Many of JET’s students face significant life challenges or lack positive role models. We know that with the right support, and by building teamwork, leadership and
communication skills and raising aspirations, the sky is their limit.
We aim to be a positive role model for JET, demonstrating to their students that with each Individual effort as part of a likeminded team, we can achieve incredible things. Team Force Horizon celebrates every member of the team, there is a place for everyone and everyone’s roles are important. We win as a team! When the Force Horizon boat makes it to Antigua it’s not just the 2 people in the boat that got it there…it’s the whole Force Horizon family!
We are not afraid of being out of our comfort zone, we thrive in the dark shadows of physical and mental exhaustion. We are a Force and we are heading for that horizon until we hit Antigua!
Rower: Dawn Smith BEM & Christopher Betts
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R25
Charity: TBC
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Website: www.rowaurora.co.uk
Rower: Julie Paillin-Dean & Ian Paillin-Dean
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: Adkin Pair
Charity: LOROS
Social Media: http://www.strongertwogether.co.uk
Jooles is a Mum to two children aged 14 and 10, has lived her life either on or next to the water. The ocean rowing began seriously eight years ago with an interest in rowing around Britain and following a fellow indoor rower in the 2015 race. Her previous rowing accolades include a Concept2 World Record, Marathon Records, Coastal, British Masters 4+ Win and international rowing adventures including rowing in the Vogalonga, Holland, Austria, Marseille & Naples. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant however was the best and most prestigious experience until now. Over the last 16 years of rowing adventures, coastal and ocean rowing experience, her passion for life and inherent determination has made her the driving force and natural choice to lead the pair on this most epic of adventures.
Ian is a Dad of one teenage daughter. Like most kids in the 70s and 80s he spent his summers in the local rivers, lakes and old quarries. Ian’s water based activities have generally been inland, including kayaking, open water swimming, narrowboating and river cruise adventures. Ian keeps busy singing and dancing, walking, anything from 5 to 70km, Obstacle Course Running and climbing. Ian started rowing after meeting Jooles. Ian likes to say he’s not competitive but the fourth time rowing ever he competed in the annual learn to row mini-races against more experienced rowers and won one of the heats. A lot of Ian’s time is now taken up preparing for World’s Toughest Row 2025 with weight training, yoga and a variety of mobility work to improve his strength, mobility and endurance fitness… and rowing of course. Perks of having a PT and rowing coach as your life partner and team skipper.
Rower: Payton Henson & Jesse McNeill
Country: United States
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
Coming Soon!
Rower: Kees Verweel & Paul Van Der Linde
Country: Netherlands
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Plastic Soup Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup and Spieren Voor Spieren
Social Media: atlanticsixties.com
Both Paul and Kees (1963) have a very long rowing career, and participated in lots of lifeboat & whaler races in The Netherlands as well as other countries. Both Paul and Kees do have one big dream on their bucket list; rowing across an ocean! In the year they will be 60 years old their dream will come true! Team Atlantic Sixties is on route for their biggest challenge in life; World’s Toughest Row 2025 During our Challenge we raise as much money as possible for three charities close to our hearts. Both in our work and private life, we are involved in the environment, sustainability and the necessary step towards a circular economy. And on a completely different note, although at least as important, every child must be physically able to be a child, meaning able to play and exercise. That is why we are very happy to support Plastic Soup Foundation, The Ocean Cleanup and Spieren voor Spieren
Rower: Oliver Rathbone & George Attfield
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: D 12
Charity: The Wave Wrangler Charity in partnership with the British Heart Foundation
Social Media: TBC
I (Olly) have been obsessing over rowing the Atlantic ocean ever since I first came across the concept of this challenge from the TV documentary ‘Through Hell and High Water’ back in 2007. The size of the task at hand is something you do not get in everyday life and a challenge I have always wanted to accomplish. As for George, he wouldn’t let me do something so ridiculous alone…a true friend! Having spent our university years playing rugby together and subsequently traveling Australia for two months we feel this is the next big adventure for us and we can’t wait to begin!
We are proud to continue the legacy created by Elliot Awin, a 2023 rower, and founder of Wave Wrangler. Wave Wrangler is a charity and platform dedicated to building awareness for people living with heart arrhythmia, as well as raising and carefully distributing funds to assisting charities.
We’ve both played rugby from a young age, and therefore understand the ever present risk of injury, having experienced our fair share through torn ACL’s and dislocated shoulders. Playing alongside Elliot, the founder of the Wave Wrangler charity, we have come to understand the struggles he has gone through battling and living with his heart arrhythmia. His resilience and dedication to keep living and pushing his own boundaries is inspiring. We are proud to raise awareness and donations on behalf of the charity and show anyone living with the condition that they can achieve great things.
Rower: Meryn Avery & Brianne Savage
Country: Canada
Boat Design: R25
Charity: http://marineanimals.ca/
Social Media: http://freefromtheharbour.ca/
We each have a deep love of the ocean. Living in the Canadian Maritimes, the ocean is the backdrop of our lives, but we have never left the shelter of the harbour. What happens when you cut your tether to shore and venture into the open ocean? How does that experience test and change you? That’s what we want to find out. That’s why we want to do the row.
It is important to us that we support a local charity whose mission is ocean conservation. Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) serves our communities and is dedicated to on-the-ground marine animal conservation through response, research and engagement. Their work is courageous, important and impactful. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support them.
Rower: David Knaggs & Richard Larking
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R25
Charity: Maggie’s & Friends of Alfie Martin
Social Media: http://www.greens2blue.co.uk/
Rower: Steven Gfeller & Anton Flohr
Country: Switzerland
Boat Design: R25
Charity: ToGo opening eyes
Social Media: http://stelantic.com
Anton Flohr and Steven Gfeller, friends and rowers from the rowing club of Baden. We grew up rowing in always perfectly flat waters on the river Limmat. After years on national and international regattas, we are now looking for the ultimate challenge in “The World’s Toughest Row“. We are very excited to meet the sport that has been with us all our lives, in a completely new way on the Atlantic.
Rower: Ingrid Gläßer & Walter Gläßer
Country: Germany
Boat Design: R25
Charity: Strahlemaennchen.de — fulfill the last wishes of children and families with cancer
— Heilbronner Rudergesllschaft Schwaben -we would like to support in youth promotion and youth work
Social Media: Website
WALTER:
My enthusiasm for rowing began at the age of 12, when I was active in junior rowing.
Until today this enthusiasm continues. Likewise for endurance sports, e.g. long-distance events in rowing and cycling.
INGRID:
My heart beats for running and also for cycling.
Throughout the years we have supported each other and now we want to take on this challenge together.
To inspire people to leave their comfort zone and not only dream dreams but also make them come true, even if you are a bit older you can still make a difference!
Rower: Fraser Morrison & Kirill Stockmaier
Country: Great Britain
Boat Design: RX25
Charity: Blue Marine Foundation
Social Media: Instagram
Coming Soon!
Rower: Amy Fallon & Stuart Pearce
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Jon Egging Trust
Social Media: Website
Rower: Julian Galliven & Gray Hewett
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R25
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC
Coming Soon!
Rower: Beth Murphy & Jess Smiles
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: The Wave Project
Social Media: TBC
We are Beth and Jess, an adventurous pair from the UK. Well versed in extreme and endurance sport, we have signed up to the Worlds Toughest Row to test our physical bodies, beat the world record and raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing alongside our charity partner The Wave Project. We are looking to conduct research into extreme sports as we take on this challenge to drive an understanding of our bodies and brains under extreme conditions.
We are working with The Wave Project, a charity dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people through the power of surf therapy. Through our Gold Sponsor, we are also looking for another charity sponsor to support us.
Rower: Ben Cornwell and Henry Eastick
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Alexander Devine
Website: www.oceanoarsmen.com
Trios
Rower: Anna Dunk, Rowan Dally & Matthew Busby
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: Teenage Cancer Trust
Social Media:Instagram
Rower: Archie Somers, Jacob Tutt, Nicholas Hobbs
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: James’ Place
Social Media:Website
Team: DeadLegz (UK)
Rower: Rob Oliver, Matt Humphries, & Kevin Joynes
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: The Frank Bruno Foundation
Social Media: https://www.deadlegz.co.uk/
DeadLegz was founded on the principle that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. That’s all we are. We aren’t out to prove we are better, we are out to prove that anyone can do extraordinary things when the time calls. Every challenge we do supports charities that mean a lot to us personally. With such a personal connection, it helps spur us on towards our end goal. Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean will test our mental toughness to the limit, as well asinspire us to get in the best physical shape of our lives.
“We have decided to raise money to support the Frank Bruno Foundation. One of Britain’s most popular sporting hero’s, Frank himself has suffered with mental health challenges and set up his Foundation in 2017 to provide a safe environment for young people with mental health issues. Since then, the Foundation has added a programme for older people, too. The Foundation now runs 12 week wellbeing and non-contact boxing programmes for anyone over the age of 13, with the aim of providing support and encouragement and the motivation to succeed. Participants are supported to build self-esteem, confidence, resilience and discipline and to apply those skills to their daily lives. The Foundation also seeks to raise awareness of mental ill health and to encourage anyone who is suffering to talk openly and not to feel discriminated against.”
Team: HODL (UK)
Rower: Toby Renwick, George Ryan & Will Towning
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: D34
Charity: Surfers Against Sewage
Social Media: TBC
We are attempting this challenge in the pursuit of personal growth, to raise awareness and donations for our chosen charity – Surfers Against Sewage – and for one hell of a story to tell.
Team: Oar We There Yet (UK)
Rower: Alan Crawford, Mike Blamires & TBC
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social Media: Website
Coming Soon!
Team: Oceanida (MX)
Rowers: Eugenia Mendez, Ana Lucia Valencia, Andrea Gutierrez & Lucila Muriel
Country: Mexico
Boat Design: R45
Charity: Fondo Guadalupe Musalem & Sirenas de Natividad
Social Media: Instagram
Website: https://www.oceanida.mx/
Fours
Rowers: Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton, Liz Collyer & Heledd Williams
Country: Wales
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: RNLI, Action For Children, Popham Kidney Support, Sea Trust Wales
Social Media:
Page: http://www.merchedymor.wales/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerchedYMor
Why? … To push ourselves beyond the ordinary and to inspire others, especially women, to dream bigger and believe in more.
Who are we? … We are wives, girlfriends, mothers, grandmothers, aunties and sisters who refuse to be limited by social norms. We are outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, educators and leaders who have found a mutual love for rowing (or at least we hope so!). We are Sisters of the Sea. We are Merched y Môr!
Rowers: JP, Angelo & Martin
Country: South Africa
Boat Design: RX45
Charity: NSRI
Social Media: Instagram
The Ocean Mavericks are a proudly South African team, united by their shared passion for the ocean, pushing boundaries and embracing the toughest challenges. Each member brings a unique story of resilience—from ultra-marathons to conquering mountain ranges and epic human-powered adventures across continents. Now, they come together to take on the Atlantic, driven not only by the thrill of the journey but by a desire to inspire others to believe that with determination and grit, anything is possible. For the Ocean Mavericks, this row is more than just a personal triumph—it’s about inspiring hope and proving that with hard work, we can make a lasting impact on our oceans and communities in South Africa.
Rower: Andrena McShane-Kerr, Fiona Deakin, Heather McCallum & Nicola Matthews
Country: Scotland
Boat Design: R45
Charity: SiMBA, RNLI, SCAA; Breast Cancer UK
Social Media: https://scotlandthewave.com/
We are a team of 4 women spanning 4 decades in age who have come together to achieve our collective dream of rowing the Atlantic Ocean. Both Nicky and Fiona are already seasoned rower who bring experience to the team. Whereas Andrena and Heather had never rowed until recently but are eager to learn and improve during the buildup.
Each of us have our own individual reasons as to why we want to row an ocean but ultimately, we all want to push ourselves to achieve this challenge.
Each of the team have chosen a charity that is important to them and hope to raise as much as possible to split equally between these charities. SiMBA was chosen by Andrena after her and her wife lost a baby in pregnancy during lockdown. RNLI was chosen by Nicky as her dad volunteered for this charity during her childhood. SCAA was chosen by Heather as she works with Police Scotland and has first-hand experience on the importance of Air Ambulance to saving lives. Breast Cancer UK was chosen by Fiona as she has had several family members and friends suffer from this preventable disease.
Rowers: Alex Brooker, Alex Gammeter, Lorenz Gammeter & Andreas Dyrby
Country: Switzerland & Denmark
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: TBC
Social: Instagram
Website: https://www.kiwifondue.com/
Rower: Adam Rowlatt, Jamie Kidd, James Leetch, Oliver Pickwell & Ollie Hamilton
Country: UK
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Dementia Adventure, T-21
Social Media: Secondary Fun
Name: Adam Rowlatt
Age: 24
Occupation: PhD Student
Location: Liverpool, UK
Name: Jamie Kidd
Age: 24
Occupation: Graduate Accountant
Location: Stamford, UK
Name: James Leetch
Age: 24
Occupation: PhD Student
Location: Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Name: Oliver Pickwell
Age: 23
Occupation: Graduate Project Manager
Location: London, UK
Name: Ollie Hamilton
Age: 23
Occupation: Graduate Ecologist
Location: London, UK
Team: Anchor Management (UK)
Rower: Craig Smith, Sarah Tebbett, Sammi Woodward & Tim Hodgkinson
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: McMillan Cancer Support
Social Media: http://www.anchor-management.co.uk
So why do we want to do the row? Because when you see something that excites you and scares the hell out of you at the same time it’s just got to be done.
We’ve chosen McMillan because not only are they a fantastic charity and worthy of the support but they helped both Craig & Sarah’s families during their darkest times.
Craig’s Dad had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and sadly passed away when Craig was just 19, his mum and his younger brother will be forever in their debt for the help and support that McMillan offered at that time.
And 7 years ago Sarah was diagnosed with Breast cancer, with 3 young children McMillan offered the family support whilst she underwent surgery and chemotherapy along with a year of further treatment.
Their support helped Sarah go on to make a full recovery.
Team: 44West (CH)
Rower: Julian Müller, Luca Fayd’herbe de Maudave, Lorenzo Henseler & Matthias Fernandez Garcia
Country: Switzerland
Boat Design: RX45
Charity: http://rrreefs.com/
Social Media: http://www.44west.ch
Our team consists of four daring rowers who are ready to go beyond the limits of the Swiss lakes for an unforgettable adventure. Our mission is to accomplish something extraordinary that no one around us has ever managed before. Our idea may seem crazy to some, but for us it is a chance to realize our dreams and to support our chairty rrreefs in rethinking, rebuilding and regenerating 1% of all the global coral rrreefs until 2034 with their innovative, 3D-printed, modular coral reef system.
We are convinced that our project will inspire not only us, but also young people from our generation to pursue their own goals and overcome their limitations. We want to show that it is worth being brave and fighting for what you believe in. We are ready to face the upcoming challenges and look forward to the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2025.
We hope that our project will encourage people to have their own adventures and make dreams come true.
Team: Per Ardua 21 (UK)
Rower: Matt Stowers, Mark Jacklin, Andy Calame & Guy Jacklin
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: Centurion Fund
Social Media: TBC
For two members of the team 2025 will be the 21stAnniversary of their first Atlantic rowing crossing and they want to mark the occasion by ‘doing it all again’; but quicker and to enjoy the experience this time! Building up to the start of the race we want to test our ability to plan/execute a demanding campaign and then, during the event, test our physical/mental robustness. Want to prove that the diverse nature of the team, a. rank range from Air Commodore to Air Specialist 1, b. mix of RAF Regular and Reserve personnel and c. father and son, will work when faced with the challenges rowing the Atlantic provides. Furthermore, we aim to inspire serving and future generations of RAF personnel to strive to achieve their highest potential and participate in future World’s Toughest Row’s.
The RAF Regt Centurion Fund exists to commemorate and remember those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or put themselves at risk of loss of life or injury during their time in the Service. The Fund also provides support to RAF Regiment members, past and present, when in need or urgent assistance is required. We chose to support the Centurion Fund to repay them for the support they have provided to our colleagues over the years and for their patronage of Per Ardua 21.
Crossing an ocean in a rowing boat is an incredible journey that fills us with excitement. It’s the ultimate challenge that gets our hearts racing! Joining the world’s toughest row allows us to dream big and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. What makes it even more exhilarating is the fact that we are an all-female team, breaking barriers and inspiring others to push beyond their limits. This challenge is a stark contrast to our everyday lives, offering a unique opportunity to push and to get to know ourselves in ways we never thought possible. We thrive on thinking outside the box and stepping outside our comfort zones, qualities that will undoubtedly serve us well during our lengthy voyage on the water. Our love for the ocean and passion for the great outdoors make this oceanic crossing a dream come true and we cannot wait to see what this journey holds for us!
Like all best made plans, ours was born in the pub!
Through a shared love of the sea, an ambition to do life differently after 50 and a desire to give back to future generations, we have decided to row an ocean!
This will not only be a huge physical challenge but a mental one too. It will involve a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and investments over the next two years, but it is also our chance rediscover who we are and who we want to be in the future.
We are four very different women, but we are united in our determination at this stage of life not to let go of our dreams, our ambitions, and our sense of who we really are. By taking on this challenge, we hope to empower others to achieve and push themselves to be the spirited warriors we know they can be, whatever their quest or stage in life. To show everyone what we, and they, are capable of!
We will also be raising money for two incredible charities, Rewilding Britain and The Wilderness Foundation. This is not only to help protect, re-wild and regenerate our fragile planet for future generations, but also to help others in difficult circumstances have similar opportunities to make positive changes to their lives, regardless of which part of life’s journey they find themselves upon. It is our bit to try and leave people and places better than we find them.
When the race begins everyone in the boat will be over the age of 50, some of us over 60, showing everyone, no matter their age, they can achieve amazing things.
Team: Rowtalia (EE)
Rower: Arnold Rein Tatunts, Karl Jürgenstein, Andres Käosaar, Kait Kaarel Puss
Country: Estonia
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Peaasi (Promotes mental health) ; TÜK Lastefond (Support the treatment of rare diseases in children)
Social Media: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok
The first Estonian team to compete in this race! Our team consists of talented people looking for challenges, three of us are PhD students and one education innovator.
Finding activities to spice up our everyday life is the major connection between all of us. May that be mountain climbing, motorcycling in the woods, marathons or mental challenges.
All of us have our own specific motivations.
Kait sees it as a way defeat his laziness and create discipline, otherwise the entire crossing will be torture, it still will be, but with a smile. Getting comfortable only leads to unhappiness.
Andres wishes to experience the discomfort of prolonged isolation and confinement and prove to himself that he can achieve whatever he decides is worth achieving.
Arnold Rein wishes to be a role model for his son – to show that everyone can decide what is possible for them.
Karl wants to do something that scares him, since it is his main pastime hobby.
All of us believe that participating and completing the race is an opportunity to experience something great and unique which at the same time provides the opportunity to inspire other Estonians to dream big.
Our crossing is supporting two Estonian charities, first is dealing with promoting mental health, the second is helping children with rare diseases. These were chosen due to their importance to our individual members.
“Embarking on the Atlantic row isn’t just about conquering waves—it’s a goal we set based on the premise that the discipline of rowing combined with rigorous preparation yields powerful returns. This expedition is dedicated to the charity Row New York, an organization that transforms lives by providing the opportunity of rowing and rigorous academic support to the community, regardless of background or ability.”
Team: Give Us A Wave (UK)
Rower: Grant McGregor, Tommy Curtis, TBC & TBC
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Mind Bristol
Social Media: Website
Adventure, break from the norm, something different, something amazing, inspire our kids and other local School kids. We are a group of normal average guys, we are friends with different interests, but a common focus achieving something awesome!!! This may be our mid life crisis, but what a mid life crisis to have! We are inspired having followed the race over the past few years and spoken to previous rowers, and could not be more enthusiastic in getting prepared for the life affirming experience.
Mental Health is a real issue which has affected the team in the past. Whilst it is an issue which is becoming more main stream there is still a lot of work needed to publicise the issue and support those affected. We hope to help raise awareness, keep the issue in the forefront of people’s ‘Mind’, and provide support to the charity in terms of sponsorship funding at the end of our adventure.
Rower: Andrea Gutierrez, Eugenia Mendez, Ana Lucia Valencia and Thalia Trillo
Country: Mexico
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Sirenas de Natividad, Fondo Guadalupe (Women education): https://fondoguadalupemusalem.org/
Social Media: Instagram & Website
Oceanida is an all female team that wishes to encourage and inspire women, specially Mexican women to follow their own callings and cross their own oceans, whatever those are. On the one hand, we are adventure seekers, we dream big, we challenge ourselves, we live for moments of thrill and joy and experiences that make us grow deeply. We wish to experience the beauty and vastness of the ocean and all the power, energy, lessons and life it has to offer. And on the other hand, we want to prove ourselves and other women what we are capable of and what we can achieve with pure determination, discover what our limits are and make an impact in ourselves and our lives. We also want to focus on supporting women to reach their goals, live without violence and move away from the gender norms and restrictions that still dictate mexican society today. And finally we want to prove that you can do all this, and follow your own callings while always considering the health of mother earth and promoting the protection of our oceans and our natural world.
The charities we have chosen focus on supporting women to reach their goals, live without violence and move away from the gender norms and restrictions that still dictate mexican society today. We want to row for those who are already suffering from gender violence as a march and protest for the women empowerment movement. And we also want to open new opportunities to women with less economic possibilities which we believe has a hand in hand with education. Additionally, our crossing, our sweat, our tears and our joy is an offering to all oceans, shedding light on the urgency of their protection and the need for all rowers to recognize themselves as ocean guardians and protectors.
Rower: Hugo Pettit, Richard Driver, James Stewart, Alec Vincent, Jack Seymour
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: Rowcroft Hospice & Bertie’s Helpers
Social Media: Instagram
Rower: Greg Collins, Elliot Collins, Kevin Luff
Country: United States & United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: The Begone Dull Care Foundation and The Matt Hampson Foundation
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Website: https://getbusyrowing.com/
Coming Soon!
Rower: Pieterpaul Muis, Felix de Natris, TBC & TBC
Country: The Netherlands
Boat Design: TBC
Charity: Seashepard, ClientEarth
Social Media: Instagram
Coming Soon!
Rower: Enrique Gomez, Frans van Leeuwen, Jeroen van den Berg & Ko Steenman
Country: The Netherlands
Boat Design: D34
Charity: Spieren von Spieren
Social Media: TBC
Rower: Alex Zacharias, Sam Gibbons, Adam Cresswell & George Johnson
Country: United Kingdom
Boat Design: R45
Charity: Cure Parkinson & MSA Trust
Social Media: Website
All four of us have been bitten by the endurance-sports-bug, and have all fallen in love with finding and conquering the next big thing. Call it masochism, call it obsession; all we know is, it’s pretty fun. Such challenges make life more fulfilling, and we all want the pride of saying we’ve completed the biggest of them all – WTR. Add the chance to change lives through our 2 wonderful charities, and we can’t think of a more meaningful use of our time and energy.
The charity funds we raise will be shared equally between 2 charities close to our hearts. George has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of Parkinson’s disease ever since his Dad was diagnosed several years ago, and Sam has had the same experience watching his Uncle fight the debilitating symptoms of MSA. George and Sam know how crucial charities like Cure Parkinson’s and MSA Trust are, and we’re all here to do our bit.
Rower: Rosie Tong, Melissa Jarman, Clare O’Reilly
Country: UK and AUS
Boat Design: R45/RX45
Charity: TBC
Social Media: TBC