We are Row For The Ocean - founded by Ros, Kirsty, Laura and Kate - brought together by a passion for adventure and rowing.
In December 2018, we are rowing 3,000 miles across Atlantic ocean, unsupported, in order to raise awareness of the ocean plastics crisis, raise money for Surfers Against Sewage and build upon our local project, Plastic Free Exeter.
More people have been into space and climbed Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic!
Our purpose is to raise £60,000 for Surfers Against Sewage for their Ocean Schools programme.
The programme works to inspire and engage young people against plastic pollution, providing them with the education and opportunities to become innovators of the future and stewards of the environment.
As part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, we'll be one of thirty boats attempting to cross the Atlantic in December 2018. We aim to be the fastest women. With no sail or motor, it’ll be up to us to get across safely and quickly. Here’s what we’ll face...
SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND EXHAUSTION: Rowing 24/7, non-stop, in a 2 hours on, 2 hours off shift patterns for 3,000 miles. We will also be rowing in the night, through the darkness.
ISOLATION: There’s no outside help. We take everything we need on board the boat for the full crossing.
In an emergency situation, a rescue can be days away.
EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS: We will experience 30-40 ft waves, storms and an extreme range of temperatures.
VULNERABILITY: Whales and sharks, and rowing through shipping lanes for vessels 30x the size of our rowing boat.
HEALTH ISSUES: Salt sores, blisters, infections, muscle damage and depletion and sunstoke are just a few of things we will suffer from.
NUTRITION: All food is freeze dried and our water is pumped from the sea. Keeping nutrition levels high and our bodies fully hydrated will be a challenge in itself.
THE BOAT AND EQUIPMENT: Any boat damage is dealt with by us - at sea - in the aforementioned 30-40ft waves!
The specialist boat, on-board equipment, on-shore support and insurance all cost money and without these, our challenge isn't possible.
The good news is that a lot of the costs incurred on the boat and equipment will be recouped upon re-sale, and all proceeds will go to Surfers Against Sewage. We hope to exceed our £60,000 target in order to make a real difference in the fight against ocean plastics.
Since starting the campaign in August 2017, we have achieved 70% of our target - so this is the final push we need to get us fully funded!
Whilst we have the boat and are training hard, there is still vital safety equipment we need in order to attempt the crossing - this is where you come in!
Aside from supporting this important cause, we are offering incentives (just click on the links to the right!) - which includes having your name on our boat.
For £250, it allows us to take you across the Atlantic with us.
We also have range of other rewards branded by Row for the Ocean and Plastic Free Exeter, plus reusable bottles from one of our supporting partners, Klean Kanteen.
The more we delve into the subject of Plastic pollution, the more shocking it gets, with new stats, images, and videos emerging daily; you may remember the images shown by David Attenborough and Blue Planet II?
By taking on the Atlantic row, we have a unique platform to inspire action for the cause, as well as provide vital funding for Surfers Against Sewage.
Along with a group of dedicated volunteers we aim to make Exeter one of the first plastic-free cities in the UK by 2020 as our legacy to the Row for the Ocean project. On a national level, we hope tthat this will inspire other cities to join the Plastic Free movement.
If you want to know more about the SAS Ocean Schools programme that will receive our direct funding, visit : https://www.sas.org.uk/news/welcome-ocean-school/
If you want to find out more about the project you can contact us via:
Website: https://www.rowfortheocean.co.uk
Facebook: Row For The Ocean
Instagram: @rowfortheocean
Twitter: @rowfortheocean
You Tube: Row For The Ocean
Tel: 07827666950
If you are a business and want to be involved in our project with branding on the boat and on our kit, please visit our Parternship packages here.