Rowing 1000km for 'Olivia Inspires'

Encourage. Challenge. Inspire.

I am rowing 1000km from Turks and Caicos to Miami. Follow me?

2020 I set up Rowing Adventures Ltd to ENCOURAGE a new wave of rowers to enjoy Learning, Exploring and Competing in this wonderful sport. c. 550 new rowers are now afloat on rivers, lakes, seas and oceans and I am incredibly proud of that.

In 2022, I was CHALLENGED with a Lumbar 5 discectomy operation and had to simmer for a while, but with support and perseverance, my return to the water was inevitable and adventuring continued.

By 2024, my back was strong enough take on the challenge of rowing Loch Ness with 4 wonderful friends. 33km in 3 hours. I loved the crew preparation as much as race day (and the festivities that followed).

Now in 2025, my new adventure is to row 1000km from the Turks and Caicos to Miami. Expected to be 14 days; 12 rowers, 3hr shift pattern. When you are off the oars, you eat, rest and complete boat maintenance. Shifts run through the night.

Some years ago, I was presented with a Volunteer Coach award by Nigel and Paula Burt from the local '*Olivia Inspires' charity. Their charity aims to help disadvantaged young people from the New Forest realise their potential in STEM, the arts and sport.

So, I approached Nigel and Paula to see if we could use this rowing challenge as a way to INSPIRE and raise more funds for them. They can provide small grants to help with buying equipment or services that will give the applicant a much needed helping hand. I've enjoyed reading about opportunities they have provided to local children over the years.

I do hope we can raise funds for their charity and then share in how they are used.

*Olivia Inspires was founded to keep the spirit of Olivia Burt alive. Olivia was a Durham University student from the New Forest who tragically died in 2018.