The World's Toughest Row

Four regular guys. One 3,000-mile ocean. And a mission that’s about much more than personal achievement.

Crossing the Atlantic in a rowing boat isn’t something most people casually add to their to-do list. But for the Oardinary Crew - a team of four friends from Suffolk - it’s exactly what they’re doing. Their goal? To row 3,000 miles unsupported, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, all while raising £250,000 for three charities close to their hearts.

They’re not ex-marines or professional adventurers. They’re balancing training with day jobs, relationships, and life back home. But for them, that’s the point.

“We’re just ordinary blokes trying to do something extraordinary - and meaningful,” they say. “It’s about pushing ourselves, backing each other, and raising money for causes that matter.”

For the team, this isn’t just about ticking off a bucket list item. It’s about stepping into the unknown together and seeing what they’re capable of.

“We’re not pretending this is going to be easy. It’s not. But that’s why we’re doing it. We want to find out where our limits really are, and hopefully move them.”

There’s also a shared belief that the effort should count for more than just personal growth. That’s why they’re aiming to raise serious funds for mental health charity James’ Place and East Anglian charities The Giving Tree and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

“We’re just ordinary blokes trying to do something extraordinary - and meaningful”

“Knowing we’re supporting these charities gives every mile, and every tough moment, a real purpose.”

Rowing across an ocean isn’t romantic. It’s raw. It’s relentless. It’s 40 days of sleep deprivation, salt sores, extreme calorie burns, and wave after wave of physical and mental exhaustion.

The crew expects to face four major challenges:

Sleep Deprivation Life on board runs in a brutal two-hours-on, two-hours-off rotation — meaning actual sleep is limited to around an hour at a time. “No matter how tough you are, that cycle breaks you down.”

Sea Sickness Some of the crew have already had a taste. Out in the Atlantic, it’s constant motion — and getting sick is only half the issue. Staying hydrated and keeping food down afterwards is the real challenge.

Nutrition Each rower will need 5,000–6,000 calories per day — mostly from dehydrated meal packs. Not exactly gourmet, but essential. Despite the intake, they expect to lose 10–15kg each.

Staying Clean Hygiene on land is easy. At sea, it’s a full-body mission - limited water, no privacy, and constantly shifting seas make every wipe-down a strategic operation to prevent infection, not just smell.

Stills from short film created by Novus Nine

The crew will spend the crossing in Stephen, a Rannoch RX45 a carbon fibre boat designed for long-distance ocean rowing. Fully self-sufficient, it runs on solar power that fuels two batteries, which in turn support essential equipment like the satellite communication system, navigation instruments, and the all-important water maker that converts seawater into drinking water.

Now mid-way through an 18-month training programme. Six to eight hours of training per week on top of full-time jobs and personal lives. Their regime includes rowing-erg sessions, heavy strength work, and monthly sea trials lasting 24–30 hours at a time on the water in Weymouth.

“The erg sessions are brutal, Monday is max effort, later in the week it's long endurance slogs. But the real reward is getting on the water in Stephen.” But physical prep is only half the battle. The mental side might be even tougher. They’re also working with psychologists to prepare mentally, building coping strategies for stress, fatigue, and the unexpected moments that come with isolation at sea.

“We know the physical part will be hard. But it’s the mental side - tiredness, stress, confinement - that could really test us. Stories of hallucinations from other rowers might sound funny now, but they’re no joke in the middle of the Atlantic.”The race is entirely unsupported, but safety isn’t left to chance. Every crew member wears a harness and tether at all times. The boat carries EPIRBs, flares, a life raft, and other emergency kit, and the team has undergone extensive safety training, drills, and briefings.

“We’ve rehearsed man-overboard drills, fire procedures, and emergency comms. Preparation is everything because once you’re out there, help is a long way off. At some points, we’ll be closer to the International Space Station than anyone on land.”

When the crew finally steps ashore, the wish list is simple:

“A cold pint in a Chestnut pub. And being with the people who’ve supported us - our families, girlfriends, mates. They’ve been part of this from the start.”

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Want to Follow the Journey?

To learn more about the Oardinary Crew, support their fundraising, or track their Atlantic crossing, visit: www.theoardinarycrew.co.uk or follow them on Instagram; @oardinarycrew