A 'Mumentous' Solo Atlantic Row

There have been a few times in my life when I've been brave enough to go first. Because of that, others have found the confidence to have a go themselves. By becoming the first woman to row the Atlantic at 59 years of age in the TWAC 2024/5 race, I hope to encourage other women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond to do extraordinary, 'mumentous' things.

I, myself, am following in the wake of a group of women who inspired me. In 2016, four ordinary mums from Yorkshire entered the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and the record books by rowing 3000 miles across the ocean from The Canaries to Antigua. I thought they, The Yorkshire Rows, were just fantastic and I felt tremendously inspired by their achievement. I identified with them because, not only am I also from Yorkshire, I too am a middle-aged mum with no track record of being an ultra-endurance athlete and not a great deal of experience with rowing. But, I thought, if they can do it, so can I. I've given birth - twice! I've survived menopause and any number of life's other challenges and changes. I know as Mo Farrah says, 'With the right preparation, you can do anything,' - and I know I CAN row an ocean!

The Yorkshire Rows challenge has achieved what they wanted, which was to 'encourage real women to do extraordinary things,' (taken from the book 'Four Mums in a Boat'). 6 years after their race, with my youngest daughter on the cusp of leaving home as university beckons, the time is now right for this woman to follow in their oar strokes and enter this challenge.

Here I am with a massive dream and an even bigger drive to take on The World's Toughest Row and achieve it, not when I'm in my 20s or 30s, but when I'm 59. Hopefully, I too will enter the record books not by being the 27th woman to complete it (a small and select group as things stand today) BUT by being the oldest.

While I'll be rowing solo, I can't get to the start line alone - I need your help to do that. Right now, I'm looking to raise at least £25,000 in this first year, which will cover essential skills training and the initial stages of securing a boat to make the crossing. Beyond that, I'll be looking for more individuals and companies for Sponsorship (anything from £200 - £20,000) and a Charity to row and raise money for. As I'm at the very beginning, things I'm sure will evolve and fall into place as I go.

Many participants have said it before but the hardest part of this challenge is getting to the start line. Would you be willing to make a donation to help me begin this 'mumentous' journey?

Thank you for reading and wishing you all the best.

Viv x