THE CHALLENGE
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the world’s no. 1 ocean endurance race and is widely considered to be one of the toughest challenges on earth.
The race takes participants over 3,000 miles unaided across the Atlantic Ocean. More people have reached the summit of Everest or travelled into space than have successfully rowed an ocean.
In December 2020, I will depart La Gomera aiming to be the first solo rower to reach Antigua. Once clear of the harbour in La Gomera, I will be on my own until I reach Antigua. Out on the ocean I will be completely self-sufficient as I single handedly propel the 23ft boat for more than 3,000 nautical miles…
This is an endurance race like no other, rowers can be at sea for over two months, during which time they will be pushed to their physical, mental & emotional limits...
• Sleep Deprivation, Exhaustion, and hallucinations:
Rowing up to 20 hours per day, every day, for 3000 miles including rowing in darkness. I will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over the race.
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• Isolation:
I will receive no outside help. In an emergency situation a rescue can be days away. Solar panels will provide the electricity to power the systems onboard including the water maker.
Any problems or boat damage will have to be dealt with by myself using only the supplies I have with me.
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• Extreme Weather Conditions:
30ft+ waves, storms, extreme temperatures.
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• Vulnerability:
Whales and sharks, shipping lanes, collision course for vessels 30x the size of the rowing boat.
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• Health issues:
Salt sores, Blisters/infections, muscle damage and depletion. Each rower loses on average 12kg crossing the Atlantic!
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• Nutrition:
All food will be on the boat and water pumped from the sea. Keeping nutrition levels high and fully hydrated is vital. Rowers need to consume up to 10 litres of water and 10,000 calories per day.
