The countdown has begun! Renee Blacken begins her solo 3200 mile transatlantic row on January 24, 2026! The hardest part is getting to the starting line. This fundraising push will help her:
- Transport the boat to Lanzarote -where she will begin.
- Pay The Atlantic Dash entry fee balance.
Renee will be rowing solo in The Atlantic Dash 2026, to raise awareness of and funding for trauma recovery programs in northern New Hampshire. She is rowing for the Bethlehem, NH-based non-profit Outdoor Adventuring for Good (OAFG). OAFG supports trauma recovery programs that serve active military, veterans, first responders, survivors of domestic abuse and assault, and other individuals who have experienced acute or complex trauma.
Why row an ocean? From Renee:
"I am embarking on this row to support OAFG because I believe that every human being deserves access to resources to process and overcome traumatic life experiences to reach their full potential to thrive. My own ongoing journey through complex trauma has taught me that no one should ever let their lowest moments define who they are, or let the worst things that have happened to them determine who they are capable of becoming. It has also taught me that the trauma recovery journey cannot be undertaken alone, and that timely access to resources and support is critical."
Rural northern New Hampshire has the most vulnerable populations in the state with respect to unmet primary care and mental health needs. Nearly half of all New Hampshire adults say they experienced stressful or traumatic events in childhood, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, which include things like abuse and neglect, witnessing domestic violence, and growing up with relatives who have substance use disorders. These experiences can have negative health impacts on individuals and communities, with associated human and financial costs.
If you would like to learn more, sign up for the newsletter and/or make a donation directly to the non-profit Renee is supporting with her row, visit www.outdooradventuringforgood.org
Follow Renee as she prepares to row the Atlantic: on Instagram @reneerowstheatlantic or on Facebook at Outdoor Adventuring for Good.
Organizer and beneficiary
Renee Blacken
Beneficiary