The Trafalgar Group proud to sponsor team Raring to Row in the ‘world’s toughest row’
Deemed the ‘worlds toughest row’, the 3000 mile ocean rowing challenge sees teams gathering from around the world to compete in the ultimate test of body and mind. From sleep deprivation and hallucinations to extreme hunger and everything in between – the challenge is no small feat. So, why do it?
‘The team all have their own personal motivations for taking part in the challenge” commented team captain Kevin Watkins. “
The one thing that unites us all is our ambition of raising vital funds for our chosen charity Action Medical Research, a leading UK charity supporting vital research to prevent rare diseases in children and young people.”
For team member Gemma Best, this will be the second time she has taken part in the Atlantic row for the same charity, having experienced first-hand the devastation of losing two sisters to rare diseases. “We hope that the money we raise will help to prevent other families going through the pain of what Gemma and her family experienced” said the team captain.
The Challenge
The Training
So how do you prepare for a physical challenge like this? “Our training program is pretty intense at the moment with each team member carrying out individual sessions no less than 6 times a week” explained Watkins. “A mix of rowing, strength, flexibility and developing mental resilience. We try to train together as often as possible either on the water or land-based drills. With around 200 days to go, the regime is about to ramp up significantly!”
The Boat
Team ‘Raring to Row’ will be taking to the ocean in ‘Lady Jane’. The 28ft ocean rowing boat will be home to the team for up to 45 days straight, with life on board consisting of two crew rowing while two eat and sleep in a rotating shift, day and night.
Throughout their training and before they set off to La Gomera in the Canary Islands in the Autumn, Lady Jayne will reside in
The Trafalgar Drystack as part of The Trafalgar Group’ sponsorship and support of the teams endeavors.
“We are so fortunate to be supported by the Drystack. It gives us the edge over many of our competitors as we know we have safe dry storage for the boat and that we can access her really easily. We can either launch her using the Trafalgar Drystack lift facility, straight into the harbour and out into the Solent or trailer her away for events. The team are so welcoming and nothing is too much trouble which really helps when time is never on your side” enthused Kevin.
With dry boat storage for over 300 powerboats, Trafalgar Drystack is the largest boat storage facility in the UK. Situated at Trafalgar Wharf in Portsmouth Harbour. A short trip down the harbour to the Solent means you spend more time on board, and less time getting ready or stuck in traffic.
Whilst The Drystack normally takes care of motor boats and RIB’s, the 28ft ocean rowing boat is making herself at home, with the entire Trafalgar team incredibly excited to be looking after her for such a good cause.
“Having supported The Bubbleheads in the 2021 race and followed their experience closely, we were all in complete awe of the scale of this physical challenge” said Trafalgar Group owner and Managing Director Jonny Boys.
“We were very happy to support team Raring to Row with our storage and lift services this year and look forward to following their training journey, something all of our customers and local communities will no doubt enjoy too.”
To find out more about team Raring to Row head on over to their website and stay tuned for more updates as we follow their journey to the Atlantic.
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