World’s Toughest Row

Organised by Atlantic Campaigns, this is an extreme endurance event starting each December when teams join together from all walks of life united by the same objective: to take on the challenge of crossing the Atlantic Ocean unsupported in a rowing boat! The race starts in San Sebastián de La Gomera and finishes at Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua.

Atlantic Campaigns have many prerequisites of the race and each team is only allowed to set off it they meet all of the qualifying criteria. This includes a number of qualifications including VHF Radio, First Aid at Sea, Sea Survival, Navigation and Seamanship Skills and Ocean Rowing Courses. Crews must also spend at least 120 hours (minimum) on the boat together with at least 48 of those hours being in darkness.

From the day they set off, crews battle sleep deprivation, salt sores, hallucinations and other torments thrown at them from the ocean. Limited communication with land leaves rowers with the waves and their own thoughts and the job of getting safely to Antigua.

The race is different for everyone and a personal experience. Some compete to win and set records when others just want to do the crossing and prove to themselves what they’re truly capable of. Upon finishing, rowers join a small community of friends who have shared a life changing adventure of crossing an ocean that will never be forgotten.