Always on
This project successfully funded on 3rd September 2024, you can still support them with a donation.
Rowing the Atlantic to Save Lives and Oceans
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Aim: We are rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in Dec 2025 to raise donations and awareness for two important charities
Rowing the Atlantic to Change Lives and Save Our Waters
Supporting the Matt Hampson Foundation & Surfers Against Sewage
In December 2025, we—Team HODL Get Busy Rowing—will embark on an unassisted 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.
This isn’t just an extreme endurance challenge. It’s a call to action.
We’re rowing to raise awareness and funds for two incredible causes:
🧠 The Matt Hampson Foundation, supporting people with life-changing injuries
🌊 Surfers Against Sewage, fighting for a sewage-free, plastic-free ocean
The Problem: Two Crises, One Mission
🚫 A Broken Water System
In 2023, over 3.6 million hours of raw sewage polluted UK waterways. Meanwhile, 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, threatening marine life, food chains, and public health. This is a national emergency—and a global crisis.
We want a world where people can surf, swim, paddle and play without the fear of getting sick, and where rivers and oceans are teeming with life, not littered with waste.
💔 Life After Injury
A single moment can change everything. For those who suffer catastrophic sports-related injuries, recovery isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, financial, and social. The Matt Hampson Foundation helps young people rebuild their lives with specialist rehab, mentorship, and support.
We’re rowing for those who face battles far greater than ours, every single day.
🚣♂️ The Challenge
• 3,000 miles of open ocean
• 40–60 days at sea
• 2 hours rowing, 2 hour resting—non-stop
• Zero outside help
• Burning 5,000+ calories a day
• Living on ration packs and desalinated water
• Losing up to 8kg of bodyweight
• Battling sleep deprivation, storms, and salt sores
Why We Need Your Support
To take on this challenge, we must raise funds to cover:
• 🚣♂️ A reliable ocean rowing boat
• 🧭 Navigation, safety & comms equipment
• 🍽️ Food & hydration systems
• 🎥 Media & outreach to grow awareness
• 🧪 Training, logistics, and emergency prep
This is one of the world’s toughest endurance feats—and we’re doing it to make a difference.
🙌 Why Pledge?
• Help clean up the UK’s waterways and hold polluters accountable
• Support people recovering from life-changing injuries
• Drive policy change and public awareness at a crucial moment of political shift
• Join a movement rooted in resilience, restoration, and responsibility
🛠 How You Can Be Part of It
• Donate now – Every penny brings us closer to the start line
• Select a reward on this page
• Share our campaign with friends, family, and social networks
• Explore corporate sponsorship – Great brand exposure for a powerful cause
• Join our events & challenges – Be part of the wider HODL movement
HODL History
We started in 2021 with the idea to row an ocean to raise donations and awareness for ocean pollution. Our founding crew became the fastest-ever trio to row the Pacific Ocean and raised close to £15,000 for The Ocean Clean-Up.
HODL has now grown into a larger movement. The acronym stands for 'Hold on For Dear Life' and it represents more than just holding onto our oars. Its a philosophy to hold on to our vision, our values, and our commitment to making a difference. In every trial and triumph, HODLers embody this spirit of resilience, pushing through adversity with determination.
This year, with a new crew, a bigger team and a wealth of experience, we have our sights set on the Atlantic Ocean. Please help us make this happen!