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Since the first crossing in 1896, rowing across the Atlantic Ocean has been a challenge that has adapted to the times to what is now famously known as The Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. Every year, rowing teams from around the world take part in what has been described as ‘The World’s Toughest Row’. A both physical and mental challenge, where participants will see Mother Nature throw all her tests at you, whether you’ve chosen to go solo, as a pair, a trio, or as a team of four or five. This challenge requires strength of the mind and body, the ability to work as a team in the closest conditions imaginable - does sharing a bucket toilet sound like something you could do?! Aside from the challenge itself, the training that must go into completing the race will push you to your limits, whether that's totting up mileage on the rowing machine, or adapting to eating high calorific freeze dried meals. And so why would you take on this gruelling challenge, it is voluntary after all..? For the first time, we have proudly partnered with two very unique Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Row Challenge teams. Both signed up to the race for completely different reasons, motives and charities, but both with the Rooster ethos built in, Team Full Throttle and Two-Inna-Row are sharing their thoughts and experiences on training, charities, the challenge and sustainability with us. With Two-Inna-Row’s main focus being its support for Kids With Cancer and their physical and mental ability, whereas Full Throttle focus on sustainability and carefully thought out charities. We caught up with our teams briefly before they set off to find out what it means to them to take part in this highly anticipated event.
Meet Team Two-Inna-Row:
Team quote: Decide. Commit. Row.
“Three very simple words that have sent us on the journey of a lifetime. After two long, hard years we are now ’moments’ away from setting off on what is sure to be the most physically demanding and mentally challenging adventures of our lives. Throughout the build up to us starting the row we have worked tirelessly to ensure that we are in the best possible position to have a successful crossing. We have put in every effort to support our children’s cancer charities and hero as many children fighting the disease as possible. The boat that we are using is now decorated with the handprints of these children. Each and every helping hand that we have received motivates even more to fight on and conquer the Atlantic.
As we enter this final phase of preparation where the nerves kick in, and the uncertainty that is ahead of us takes hold, we reflect on what has been a difficult journey. As a team we are incredibly grateful that Rooster has decided to support us and provided us with equipment and clothing that will certainly make our crossing a lot more comfortable. There is absolutely no doubt that when it comes to high quality gear, and knowing the demands of the open ocean, that Rooster is an industry leader. The waterproof clothing and storage options that we now have are certainly going to make our lives a lot easier. It's just one less thing to worry about, when the list of worries that we already have is so long.
Overall, I think we are quite excited to set off now. To get away and do what we have been telling people about for the last two years. We have no rowing experience, or backgrounds in sailing, so the open ocean is going to be a whole new experience for us. This feeling of us against the ocean and mother nature, while being confined to a rowing boat for two months with no help from the outside world can be very overwhelming. No matter how big or how small, whatever comes our way, we’re on our own out there, and that can be quite liberating, but in all honesty it’s quite terrifying.
We are just two ordinary people trying to do something a little bit extraordinary, spending time away from our own families at Christmas to help the fight against cancer in children. Thank you to everyone who has helped us to this point, but I fear that at the time you are reading this we still have a long way to go, so will still need all of the help we can get so any donations would be very much appreciated.
I live by a very simple saying, one which I hope will get me through this – One day I will not be able to do this. Today is not that day.
We’ve decided. We’ve committed. All we have to do now is row…”
Meet Team Full Throttle:
Team quote: “Every day is leg day”
“Having been so busy with the campaign over the last year we haven’t had a chance to think about our thoughts on the start exactly … but now we’re on the bike ride and already half way through our ride across Spain to get to the start of the race in the most sustainable way we have had lots of time to think alone about how we each feel about this monumental challenge. We couldn’t feel more prepared and motivated to get to the start line and this has been shown in the way every team member has been pushing themselves each day on the bike ride. It’s been cold, wet and windy but this hasn’t stopped us reaching our goal of around 50 miles each day. This has been a great way for us to bond as a team whether that’s whilst we huddle in the tent at night or push through the steep climbs on our cycle. We have had so much support from family, friends, sponsors and other experts in their field to get us where we are now. Let’s just say it’s been a campaign like no other!
To be partnered with Rooster has not only been a fantastic asset to our campaign but training in the British weather around the south coast at night time has been very cold and without Rooster, nowhere near as comfortable or easy. We have had the opportunity to practise with the products during our training rows around the Devon Coastline which has made us feel even more ready to smash our Atlantic challenge. We only have positive things to say about these products and the team behind the brand.
Now we have left the UK, our loved ones and home comforts - it feels like the challenge has already begun. As we already mentioned, we have been preparing for this trip for so long and now that it is finally here we feel even more ready than we did before we left. The time away from home has given us time to reflect on things we are already missing, items we haven’t got and would like for the row alongside preparing our stomachs for the food we will be eating on board.
Nerves include sea sickness for Daisy, capsizing for Aileen & Corrine and for Jess, she worries about the challenge coming to an end. We have found the cycle has absolutely flown by already and in all honesty we don’t want it to ever end.
As we draw closer to the start line, we cannot wait to be in La Gomera to meet the other teams and get this rowing boat on the water… !”
We wish both teams all the luck in the world as they set off this week. All the training, fundraising, cycling and adapting has paid off and come down to this moment before you embark across the Atlantic Ocean. We will be keeping an eye on your progress and keeping our followers and customers updated along the way with huge admiration and excitement.
If you would like to find out more about the teams or want to donate to their chosen charities, then please check out their websites, follow them on social media and give your support in any way you can.
Full Throttle website: https://thisisplanb.co.uk/ / social media: @rowfullthrottle
Two- Inna -Row website: https://www.two-inna-row.com/ / social media @twoinnarow