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HANDS ATLANTIC

RACE FINISH TIME:

68 days, 19 hours and 48 minutes

MEL FINISHED ON Tuesday 20th February 2024

MEL's RACE FINISH GALLERY

WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW 2023

The Atlantic rowing challenge that will take me more than 3,000 Miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain (28°N 18°W) to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (17°N 61°W).

The annual race starts on 12th December 2023, with up to 45 teams participating from around the world.
 

The World's Toughest Row - Atlantic brings together teams from all walks of life united by the same objective: To take on the unique challenge of crossing an ocean in a small ocean rowing boat.

  • The new Race Record for Female Solo rowers: 59 days, 16 hours and 36 minutes 

  • The World Record: 40 days, 21 hours and 1 minute 

 

All teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores and physical extremes inflicted by the race.

Rowers are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of getting the boat safely to the other side.
 

The mental and physical endurance will result in a life-changing achievement, that will never be forgotten.


You can find out why I have embarked on this epic journey to row the Atlantic solo, braving the World's Toughest Row for a cause that truly matters; Stichting Interplast Holland, an amazing charity that shares medical knowledge, treatment, and experience across communities worldwide, offering hope and healing to those in need.
 


Your generous donation can provide crucial medical care and transform the future for countless individuals. Every contribution MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU!

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RACE FACTS

WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW

Each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over a race

Team rowers will row for 2 hours, and sleep for 2 hours, constantly, 24 hours a day, solo rowers will row a different rhythm

Over €6million has been raised for charities worldwide over the past 4 races.

The waves the rowers will experience can measure up to 20ft high.

At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 8.5km/5.28 miles deep.

The 2013 winning Team Locura arrived in Antigua with a blue marlin beak pierced through the hull of the boat.

The teams are supported 24/7 by two land-based duty officers. All teams will have satellite phone which enables them to contact the safety team and/or passing boats in the event of an emergency. 

Each rower needs to aim to consume 10 litres of water per day. The teams need to filter water from the ocean by using a de-salinator.

There are two support yachts shadowing the fleet across the ocean. In the 2013 race, one yacht travelled a massive 9000nm!

There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket! Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing.

Rowers burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day. The rowers will be eating highly calorific dehydrated meals (imagine astronaut food). which must be re-hydrated with boiling water.

 All rubbish must be stowed on board to be inspected by the scrutineers on arrival in Antigua. Polluting the ocean is not accepted by race organisers.

WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE
ROWING THE ATLANTIC?

Discover the journey that led me to this incredible challenge

HANDS ATLANTIC GALLERY

Take a look at my gallery covering my campaign so far... from courses on sea survival and navigation, trips to the start line through to   exciting training rows. 

YOUR GOOD LUCK MESSAGES TO MEL

"When Mel told me a while ago that she was planning to participate in 'The World's Toughest Row', I felt the enthusiasm rising within me. What an incredibly cool and extreme challenge, which requires a lot of courage, perseverance and guts. I admit, I would like to, but I don't have the nerve to do it. I felt the need to help, but how and what? That question was answered when I saw the charity: 'I am going to be a sponsor'! Two birds with one stone. I contribute a little to the necessities of the race and support a very good cause. Mel, I wish you the best of luck and success in the preparation and of course the race itself. You are an incredible person!"
 

JOLANDA 

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