World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic

Karen Neville

Camberley, Bagshot & Lightwater, Chobham, Community & Charity, Egham, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Old Woking, Round and About, Surrey, The Clandons

Friends Karl and Ed from Ascot are preparing to set off for the Canary Islands, but their trip will be no holiday as the pair get set to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic

Spare a thought for Karl Austen and Ed Shaw as you tuck into your turkey and enjoy Christmas with family and friends, the intrepid duo will be crossing the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row.

The friends are embarking on the 3,000 mile challenge from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua, starting on December 12th with the aim of raising funds for Dementia UK and Prostate Cancer UK, which have special meaning for the pair. Both have parents suffering from these awful diseases.

Their boat has now shipped to the start point and Karl and Ed, as team 2Stroke, will join her on November 30th. They have spent most of the summer travelling up and down to Portland for on water training while much of the last few weeks have been spent preparing and packing the boat – food, clothing and equipment – and going through extensive lists to make sure they have everything covered.

“As the race draws near it is all very ‘real’ now but we’re actually not nervous,” says Karl. “As we have spent over 250 hours on the boat training we feel well prepared. As they say, ‘Confidence is built through evidence’. We can’t wait to get out to La Gomera where we will have lots of briefings, safety meetings, kit inspections and then final packing of the boat. We will also take the boat out in the Atlantic waters for final safety checks post shipping before we set off.”

Both Karl and Ed will take turns on the oars, two hours on and two hours off, undertaking their two hour shifts for a minimum of 12 hours per day each, and never sleeping for more than two hours at a time. “Our only contact with the world will be via a satellite phone, as the race is completely unassisted and we will carry everything we need for up to two months at sea in our Rannoch R25 rowing vessel. From the dangers of 40ft waves and sea sickness, to Marlin strikes and salt sores, The World’s Toughest Row is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance!

“The challenge will strip us of all the comforts of modern life and test every part of our mental and physical resilience; it is the ultimate test.”

They’ll be posting regular updates and wills end small video and voice notes via satellite to their ground crew. Follow their progress on Instagram @2stroke.team

For more of their story and to donate visit their website at 2stroke.team and at Fundraiser by Edward Shaw : 2 Stroke – Atlantic Challenge, 3000 miles unassisted row