Worlds Toughest Row 2026

Aim

Help me get to the start line of the World's Toughest Row 2026 — rowing solo for Caudwell Youth and Cancer Relief Gibraltar

Hi, I'm Rufus Lewis, and on 12th December 2026 I'll be taking on the World's Toughest Row — a 3,000-mile solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour, Antigua.

For up to 16 hours a day, I'll be rowing completely unsupported, facing storms, huge waves, and the isolation of the open ocean. It will take 40-60 days to complete the crossing, with nothing but my oars, my boat, and the Atlantic.

WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES

Every donation to this Crowdfunder funds the campaign — everything it takes to get me safely to the start line and across an ocean:

• The boat and her fit-out

• Safety equipment — life raft, EPIRBs, para-anchor and comms

• Supplies — 85+ days of food and provisions

• Training, qualifications and sea survival courses

• Insurance, the structural survey and the race entry fee

This page pays for the row itself — and by getting me to the start line, you're powering a campaign raising £150,000 for two charities, split equally between them. If you'd rather donate to the charities directly, that page is at givewheel.com/fundraising/19831 (also linked from rufusrows.com), where every donation is split 50/50.

WHY THESE TWO CHARITIES

Cancer Relief Gibraltar is personal. In early 2025, in the middle of preparing for this row, my mum was diagnosed with cancer. It changed everything for my family. After her treatment she was encouraged to visit the Cancer Relief Centre, and the care and encouragement she found there gave her a new lease of life — and it wasn't just her they looked after, but my dad and our whole family too. They've cared for the Gibraltar community since 1983, and every one of their services is free. Without them, we'd be in a very different place today.

Caudwell Youth supports young people across the UK who've grown up in care, face mental health struggles, are neurodiverse, or are at risk of exploitation or offending. Through long-term one-to-one mentoring, Caudwell Youth gives young people the consistency, trust, and encouragement they need to build brighter futures.

When the row is finished, the boat will be sold — and those proceeds go to the two charities as well.

Join the journey:

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Follow the row at rufusrows.com and Instagram @rufus.rows

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 12th December 2026 at 2:48pm