ocean rowing
Ocean rowing is the sport of rowing across oceans. Some ocean rowing boats can hold as many as fourteen rowers; however, the most common ocean rowboats are designed for singles, doubles, and fours.
The history of ocean rowing is divided into two ...
race from the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
to the
West Indies
The West Indies is a subregion of North America, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea that includes 13 independent island countries and 18 dependencies and other territories in three major archipelagos: the Greater A ...
, a distance of approximately 2,550 nm (2,930 statute miles or 4,700 km). The race was founded in 1997 by Sir
Chay Blyth
Sir Charles Blyth (born 14 May 1940), known as Chay Blyth, is a Scottish yachtsman and rower. He was the first person to sail single-handed non-stop westwards around the world (1971), on a 59-foot boat called '' British Steel''.
Early life
B ...
with subsequent races roughly every two years since. The early races were run by Challenge Business Ltd. until the race was bought by Woodvale Events Ltd., managed by Simon Chalk, in October 2003. In May 2012, Atlantic Campaigns SL, managed by Carsten Heron Olsen bought the rights to the Atlantic Rowing Race, now called The " Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge" – The World's Toughest Row. Since 2015, the race has been held annually starting each December.
1997 – Port St. Charles Rowing Race
* Departure Port: Playa San Juan,
Tenerife
Tenerife (; ; formerly spelled ''Teneriffe'') is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands. It is home to 43% of the total population of the archipelago. With a land area of and a population of 978,100 inhabitants as of Janu ...
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
* Race Start: 12 October 1997
* Teams Starting: 30
* Teams Finishing: 24
* Categories: Pairs
* Winning Boat: Kiwi Challenge
** Team Name: Kiwi Challenge
** Country:
** Rowers:
Rob Hamill
Robert Miles Hamill (born 4 January 1964), also known as Robbie Hamill, is a former New Zealand rower and political candidate. He came to public attention when, in 1994, he won a silver medal in the World Rowing Championships. He went on to win ...
and Phil Stubbs
** Time: 41 days, 2 hours, and 55 minutes
2001 – Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Race
* Departure Port: Playa San Juan,
Tenerife
Tenerife (; ; formerly spelled ''Teneriffe'') is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands. It is home to 43% of the total population of the archipelago. With a land area of and a population of 978,100 inhabitants as of Janu ...
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
* Race Start: 7 October 2001
* Teams Starting: 36
* Teams Finishing: 33
* Categories: Pairs
* Winning Boat: Telecom Challenge 1
** Team Name: Telecom Challenge 1
** Country:
** Rowers: Matt Goodman and Steve Westlake
** Time: 42 days, 4 hours, and 3 minutes
2003 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Port St. Charles,
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
* Race Start: 19 October 2003
* Teams Starting: 17
* Teams Finishing: 14
* Categories: Singles, Pairs
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: Holiday Shoppe Challenge
** Country:
** Rowers: James Fitzgerald and Kevin Biggar
** Time: 40 days, 4 hours, and 3 minutes
2004 – Ocean Rowing Society Atlantic Rowing Regatta
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 20 January 2004
* Teams Starting: 13
* Teams Finishing: 12
* Categories: Singles, Pairs, 1x Four
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: Atlantic-4
** Country:
** Rowers: David Martin, Neil Wightwick, Glynn Coupland, and George Simpson
** Time: 49 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes
2005 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 30 November 2005
* Teams Starting: 27
* Teams Finishing: 20
* Categories: Singles, Pairs, Fours
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: C2
** Country:
** Rowers: Clint Evans and Chris Andrews
** Time: 52 days, 2 hours, 10 minutes
For more race details, see:
2005 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
* Winning Fours Team: Atlantic4 (GB), rowed by George Simpson, David Martin, Glynn Coupland & Neil Wightwick.
* Winning Doubles Team and overall race winners: C2 (GB), rowed by Clint Evans and Chris Andrews.
The 2005 race saw 20 doubles, 4 fours ...
2007 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 2 December 2007
* Teams Starting: 22
* Teams Finishing: 20
* Categories: Singles, Pairs, Fours
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: Pure Vida
** Country:
** Rowers: John Cecil-Wright, Robbie Grant, Tom Harvey, and Carl Theakston
** Time: 48 Days, 2 hours, 52 minutes
For more race details, see:
2007 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
The 2007 race left San Sebastián de la Gomera on Sunday 2 December 2007 with the finish in English Harbour, Antigua, on the same course as the 2005 race. 2 singles, 15 pairs and 5 fours started the race, with a six-crew boat starting slightly l ...
2009/2010 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 4 January 2010 (Race delayed by a month)
* Teams Starting: 7 Solos, 20 Pairs, 3 Fours
* Teams Finishing: 20
* Categories: Singles, Pairs, Fours
* Winning Boat: JJ (Insure & Go)
** Team Name: Charlie Pitcher
** Country:
** Rowers: Charlie Pitcher
** Time: 52 days 6 hours and 47 minutes
2011 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Port St. Charles,
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
* Race Start: 5 December 2011
* Teams Starting: 17
* Teams Finishing: 11
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Fours, Fives, and Sixes
* Winning Boat: Box No 8
** Team Name: Box No 8
** Country:
** Rowers: Toby Iles and Nick Moore
** Time: 40 days, 9 hours, 15 minutes
2013 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 4 December 2013
* Teams Starting: 17
* Teams Finishing: 11
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours, Fives
* Winning Boat: Locura
** Team Name: Team Locura
** Country:
** Rowers: Tom Salt and Mike Burton
** Time: 40 days, 2 hours, 38 minutes, 54 seconds
2015 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 20 December 2015
* Teams Starting: 26
* Teams Finishing: 26
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours
* Winning Boat: Ocean Reunion
** Team Name: Ocean Reunion
** Country:
** Rowers: Angus Collins, Gus Barton, Joe Barnett, Jack Mayhew
** Time: 37 days, 9 hours, 12 minutes
2016 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 14 December 2016
* Teams Starting: 12
* Teams Finishing: 11
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours
* Winning Boat: American Spirit
** Team Name: Latitude 35
** Country: Mixed ( and )
** Rowers: Jason Caldwell (USA), Matthew Brown (USA), Angus Collins (UK), Alex Simpson (UK)
** Time: 35 days, 14 hours, 3 minutes (New Race Record)
2017 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 14 December 2017
* Teams Starting: 26
* Teams Finishing: 22
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours
* Winning Boat: Aegir
** Team Name: The Four Oarsmen
** Country:
** Rowers: George Biggar, Peter Robinson, Stuart Watts, Richard Taylor
** Time: 29 days, 14 hours, 34 minutes (New Race Record)
2018 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 12 December 2018
* Teams Starting: 28
* Teams Finishing: 27
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours, Fives
* Winning Boat: Rose
** Team Name: Dutch Atlantic Four
** Country:
** Rowers: Marcel Ates, Erik Koning, David de Bruijn, Bart Adema
** Time: 34 days, 12 hours, 9 minutes
2019 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/2019-race-entrants/ ''2019 race entrants'' Retrieved 26 January 2020https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/2019-race-tracking/ ''2019 race tracking'' Retrieved 26 January 2020
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 12 December 2019
* Teams Starting: 35
* Teams Finishing: 35
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours, Fives
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: Fortitude IV
** Country:
** Rowers: Oliver Palmer, Tom Foley, Hugh Gilum, Max Breet
** Time: 32 days, 12 hours, 35 minutes, 2 seconds 2019 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
2021 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
* Departure Port:
San Sebastián de la Gomera
San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and a municipality of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain. It also hosts the main harbour. The population was 8,699 in 2013,English Harbour
English Harbour is a natural harbour and settlement on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, in the extreme south of the island. The settlement takes its name from the nearby harbour in which the Royal Navy established its base of operations ...
,
Antigua
Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...
* Race Start: 12 December 2021
* Teams Starting: 36
* Teams Finishing: 35
* Categories: Singles, Doubles, Trios, Fours, Fives
* Winning Boat:
** Team Name: SWISS RAW
** Country:
** Rowers: Roman Moeckli, Ingvar Groza, Samuel Widmer, Jan Hurni
** Time: 34 days, 23 hours, 42 minutes 2021 – Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
Current Race Records
Ocean rowing records for The Atlantic Rowing Race are maintained by
Ocean Rowing Stats
The ocean (also the sea or the world ocean) is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. An ocean can also refer to any of the large bodies of water into which the worl ...