The World’s Toughest Row is a monumental challenge, pitting human endurance against the boundless might of the sea. Known for its grueling routes and extreme conditions, this event has captured the imagination of adventurers worldwide, offering both the ultimate test of resilience and a platform for meaningful causes.
What is the World’s Toughest Row?
Organised by Atlantic Campaigns, the World’s Toughest Row comprises two main events: the Atlantic and Pacific challenges. Each demands that participants traverse vast expanses of open water with nothing but their rowing skills, stamina, and teamwork. This is not a race for the faint-hearted. Teams face relentless conditions including sleep deprivation, equipment failures, and the psychological toll of isolation.
The Atlantic route stretches over 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. Rowers brave this journey in December, battling shifting winds, towering swells, and unrelenting sun. The Pacific route, a newer addition, spans 2,800 nautical miles from Monterey, California, to Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. This leg, introduced in July 2024, comes with its own unique set of challenges, such as encounters with marine life and the sheer vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
A brief history
The concept of ocean rowing as a competitive endeavor began in the 1960s when Sir Chay Blyth and John Ridgway rowed across the Atlantic in an open boat, enduring 92 days of harsh conditions. Their success inspired others to take on the ocean, and by 1997, the first official race—the Atlantic Rowing Race—was organised by Sir Chay Blyth’s company, Challenge Business.
One of the most iconic moments in the early years came in 2005 when the four-man British crew “All Relative” set a record for the fastest crossing, completing the Atlantic route in 39 days, 3 hours, and 35 minutes. This achievement showcased the potential for human innovation and teamwork in extreme conditions.
In 2013, Atlantic Campaigns took over the event’s management, further enhancing its global appeal. Under their stewardship, the race expanded to include diverse categories, from solo adventurers to family teams, making it one of the most inclusive endurance events worldwide. Notable achievements include Mark Slats’ 2018 solo crossing, completed in just 30 days, breaking long-standing records and inspiring countless rowers to take on the challenge.
The Pacific route was introduced to broaden the scope of ocean rowing. This addition highlights the diversity of challenges rowers face, from the Atlantic’s powerful trade winds to the Pacific’s vast and often unpredictable expanse. In 2022, the inaugural Pacific race saw a mix of seasoned rowers and first-time participants, proving that determination can often outweigh experience.
To give a good idea of how long it takes to row each ocean, we’ve listed the winning times for each ocean.
Past winners of the Atlantic Race
- 2019: The Four Oarsmen set a record for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a four-man crew, finishing in 29 days, 14 hours, and 34 minutes.
- 2020: Team Fortitude IV completed the journey in 32 days, setting a new benchmark for teamwork and efficiency.
- 2021: Row For Hope, a mixed-gender team, shattered records, finishing in just 34 days.
- 2022: The Swiss Raw crew dominated with a time of 35 days and inspired many with their perseverance.
- 2023: Team Atlantic Allies, comprising veterans, crossed in 36 days, raising significant funds for military charities.
Past winners of the Pacific Race
- 2022: Latitude 35 Racing took the inaugural win, finishing the 2,800 nautical mile course in 38 days, 3 hours, and 21 minutes.
- 2023: Pacific Boys claimed victory with a time of 37 days, 11 hours, and 25 minutes, showcasing incredible stamina and precision rowing.
- 2024: The Salty Sappers completed the journey in 36 days, 6 hours, and 49 minutes, marking their names in the record books.
Record-breaking feats
In 2024, a team of British women set a record-breaking time on the Pacific route. Jess Goddard, Charlotte Irving, and Taylor Winyard completed their journey in just 38 days, 1 hour, and 35 minutes—15 hours faster than the previous record. Their story is one of resilience and determination: after capsizing three times and facing severe physical exhaustion, they persevered, raising significant funds for Cancer Research UK.
Another historic moment occurred during the 2020 Atlantic race when the “Antigua Island Girls” became the first all-female Caribbean team to complete the row. Their 47-day journey inspired pride across the region and underscored the event’s power to break barriers.
The Atlantic race also boasts one of the youngest solo rowers to cross an ocean. In 2019, Lukas Haitzmann, at just 18 years old, completed the challenge in 56 days, showcasing that age is no barrier to ambition and grit.
In the 2023 Atlantic race, 98 rowers aboard 38 boats set out from La Gomera on 13th December 2023, with the highest ratio of women to men of any fleet to date. Of these, 37 crews completed the 3,000-mile crossing to Antigua in some of the most technically challenging conditions we have ever seen. The 4th January 2024 saw the crew Aussie Old Salts rescued following the tragic death of Alisdair Putt.
This year, the Pacific race saw 9 crews set out from Monterey in June, with 8 making it safely to Kaua’i. Race winners, the Salty Sappers, completed their row in an impressive 36 Days 6 Hours and 49 Minutes, but it was the women’s fleet that broke all the records this year. For the first time in history, women outnumbered men in the fleet at 71.4%, and they put in one amazing performance with nail-biting races down to the wire and new women’s Pairs and Trio world records being set by Wild Waves and Pacific Triow respectively. American crew, Human Powered Potential, also smashed the race record for charitable fundraising with a staggering $41,000,000 raised for their chosen charity.
Preparation and challenges
Training for the World’s Toughest Row is an enormous undertaking. Participants often spend years preparing, both physically and mentally. Rigorous fitness regimes, sea survival courses, and navigation training are just the beginning. The vessels used are custom-built for ocean rowing—compact, self-righting boats equipped with essentials for survival.
Rowers operate in shifts, rowing continuously around the clock. The physical strain is immense, with salt sores, dehydration, and sleep deprivation becoming daily realities. Yet, for many participants, the mental battle—coping with isolation and the endless horizon—is the hardest to overcome.
More than a race
The World’s Toughest Row is more than a test of endurance; it’s a platform for change. Many teams dedicate their efforts to charitable causes, raising millions for organisations worldwide. Beyond fundraising, the event also raises awareness for marine conservation. Teams have partnered with research institutions, collecting valuable data on ocean health and wildlife during their journeys.
One standout effort was a team of marine scientists who completed the Atlantic challenge while conducting studies on microplastics. Their research underscored the importance of preserving our oceans, turning their adventure into a mission for sustainability.
From historic records to modern achievements, the World’s Toughest Row continues to redefine what is possible, proving that the human spirit—when tested against nature’s extremes—can achieve the extraordinary.
