The World's Toughest Row | Shaw and Partners Atlantic Crew
Published Thu 30 Sep 2021
35 days, 5000 kilometres and one rowboat are what four inspiring rowers are putting themselves up against as they row unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean in what is known as the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a premier event in ocean racing.
Team Shaw and Partners Atlantic consisting of former Sydney Rowing Club athletes James Samuels, Sam Horsley and Rob Wells and Riverview Old Boy Louis Hugh Jones will be setting off in December 2021 undertaking a race that will span more than 5000km's across the Atlantic Ocean from La Gomera, Canary Islands to English Harbour, Antigua.
The rowing race, equivalent to around four Sydney to Hobart yacht races, will see the boys row shifts day and night in tandem- 2 hours on, 2 hours off, 24 hours a day and will take them just over a month to complete. Throughout the journey, the boys having all rowed competitively in the past, are eager to not only win the race in under 35 days and be the youngest Australian four to row the Atlantic but raise an incredible $500,000 for mental health.
"We are all dedicated to completing this immense endeavour with fortitude, echoing the struggle of those facing mental health challenges across Australia."
The charity in question is Gotcha4Life, a not-for-profit Foundation that enables men and boys to develop better social and emotional connections with their mates, families and community, placing equal importance on maintaining a healthy mind as a healthy body. The team will be leveraging their platform to raise funds for mental health, giving voice and awareness to the challenges that are too often silent.
The Shaw and Partners Atlantic crew will undertake the world's toughest row in a Rannoch R45, a 28ft ocean rowing boat that is designed specifically for rough open ocean crossings. The Rannoch R45 is not your conventional rowboat with less floor space than your average bathroom and two small cabins to house the team of four for over a month.
Find out how you can donate HERE.