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WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW

CALL TO EARTH ARE Rowing the Atlantic 2025

THE CHALLENGE

Rowing 3,000 ACROSS THE Atlantic

The World’s Toughest Row is the premier event in ocean rowing. A challenge that will take me more than 3,000 Miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain (28°N 17°W) to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (17°N 62°W). The annual race begins in early December, with up to 40 teams participating from around the world.

La Gomera marina with World's Toughest Row boats lined up, each featuring sponsor logos and text such as "World's Toughest Row." Flags fly above the pier, which is crowded with people watching the event.
Close-up of organised Ocean Rowing kit, gear and food supplies, including life jackets and buckets, at the boat park in La Gomera at the start of World's Toughest Row.
Rowing race event with a colourful boat and participants, a sign reading 'World's Toughest Row 3,000 Miles to Go,' and spectators on a dock.
View of a person on a boat from inside a cabin at the start of World's Toughest Row, showing equipment and a window with a scenic view of cliffs and a blue sky.
Rowing boats lined up on the water for the "World's Toughest Row" event, with various national flags flying in the background against a hilly landscape.
Rowing boat in rough sea with solar panels and navigation equipment

EAT, SLEEP, ROW, REPEAT

The race brings together a vibrant community of adventurers from around the world, gathering in the race village of San Sebastián, La Gomera, in the Canary Islands. The atmosphere is alive with excitement and camaraderie, as teams unite to prepare for the monumental challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Despite coming from different corners of the globe, we all share one common goal: to embrace the unique and life-changing experience of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat.

For Call to Earth, this extreme endurance race is more than a challenge - it’s a testament to resilience and determination. Rowing unsupported across the vast Atlantic will push us to our physical and mental limits. Along the way, we will confront the immense power of Mother Nature and battling against the ocean’s unrelenting forces.

This journey is not just a race - it’s a mission to raise awareness for ocean conservation and to prove that with grit and purpose, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.

WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW FACTS

  • Outline of a wave icon on a black background.

    We will experience waves that can measure up to 40ft/12m high. At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 5.28 miles/8.5km deep.

  • Outline of an oar above water waves, representing rowing or paddling.

    We will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over the period of our Atlantic row.

  • Black and white illustration of a clock with hour, minute, and second hands.

    Ocean rowers have the option to do a shift pattern (2 hours on 2 hours off) per 24 hours or we can do longer stretches of rowing anywhere up to 18 hours a day!

  • Stylised whale tail emerging from water with ripples

    Ocean rowers can expect to see lots of wildlife, such as Minke and Pilot whales, Dolphins, Turtles, Flying fish and of course the Blue Marlin, whose bills have previously pierced through hulls of ocean rowing boats!

  • Icon of a person drinking from a bottle

    We should aim to consume 10 litres of water per day. We will need to filter water from the ocean by using a desalinator. Rowers burn in excess of 6,000 calories per day. Each rower loses on average 12 kg crossing the Atlantic.

  • Icon of a mobile phone with signal waves, depicting communication or connectivity.

    We’ll have satellite phones which enables us to contact land support plus VHF to contact passing boats in the event of an emergency. Two land-based duty safety officers are on-hand 24/7.

  • Gray bucket icon with black handle and blue poop emoji on a black background.

    Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing. There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket!

  • No littering sign with person and water symbol inside a prohibited circle.

    All rubbish must be stowed on board and taken to the finish destination, the race organisers enforce strict environmental policies to preserve marine ecosystems. Participants also engage in beach cleans at both the starting point and the finish line, ensuring that only their footprints are left behind.

  • Icon of a money bag with a euro symbol

    To date, the World’s Toughest Row has raised over €19 million for various charitable causes through the efforts of its teams and participants​.

DONATE
Black bucket with humorous toilet symbol and text "Please keep this bucket clean. It's all we have."
Assorted packaged freeze-dried meals displayed on the deck of a boat.
Underwater view of a person in a swimsuit wearing goggles, floating or swimming in clear blue water, holding onto a surface above.
Person rowing a small boat on the ocean, wearing sunglasses and protective gear, surrounded by supplies.
Hand with dry, peeling skin showing signs of possible skin condition or dryness.
interior view of a small cabin with personal items, numbered walls, and a window

WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO ROW THE ATLANTIC?

rowers can face:

✔ 40-foot/12m waves
✔ 40mph winds
✔ Up to 40°C heat

Map showing the route of the Atlantic Row 2025 race from San Sebastián, La Gomera, Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua, spanning 3,000 miles across the Mid Atlantic Ocean. Locations include Africa, Spain, and the Caribbean Islands.

A 8.64 METRE ocean rowing boat
will be OUR home for 40 PLUS days

Illustration of a boat on water with labeled features including solar panels, office/bedroom, sat phone, a bucket labeled "the loo," food stored in boat hull, water maker/desalinator, and bedroom with sleeping figure.

Join US on this incredible journey

Support our mission by donating, sharing our story, or following us on social media. Together, we can make waves for a cleaner, greener future.

Every contribution makes a difference.