The Challenge
Crossing the Atlantic is never an easy undertaking, but people have been making the journey for hundreds of years. The very first crossings were made to discover and explore new lands. Today, most crossings are made by huge cargo ships exporting essential commodities across the ocean.But some daring people choose to cross the Atlantic to test the limit of their physical and mental strength; to achieve something unthinkable. The idea of the Atlantic Challenge race came to Sir Chay Blyth whilst he was rowing the Atlantic Ocean in 1966 with John Ridgeway. It was a 92 day battle against hurricanes, 50 foot waves and near starvation.It’s no surprise then that more people have been into space, or climbed Everest than have rowed the Atlantic. It takes a certain kind of person to keep going when faced with blisters, salt rash, sharks and sleep deprivation.Talisker Whiskey
Our Needs
Entering the race
This includes full support for our rowing campaign including
- All paperwork
- Race insurance
- Boat tracking
- 24/7 emergency race Crisis Operation Plan
- Safety boat coverage
- Port clearance and liaising with maritime authorities
- 24/7 support in Antigua by Atlantic Campaigns Crew
- and more
The Boat: Ocean 4
We are looking at purchasing the plans for this boat and having it locally built in South Africa, thereby saving an estimated 50% of the European retail equivalent price of just over R500 000
- Building material: Duflex composite
- Status: Custom built
- Type of yacht: Ocean rowing boat, 3 seats
- Length: 11.10m
- Beam: 1.80m
- Draft: 0.28m
- Displacement: 1.8 Tons
Nutrition
Equipment
Logistics
Training
As part of the rules and regulations for the event all crew on board are required to have completed/passed various nautical related training courses, these include:
- RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
- Sea Survival
- Marine radio License
- First Aid
The Cause
Meet the Team
Andrew Owen-Jones
CrewAndrew is an adventurous body who has a wealth of seamanship experience behind him having grown up on a yacht in the Caribbean and crossed the Atlantic twice. Andrew, currently an IT specialist working at maritime company Nautic Africa, heralds from a commercial diving background and has his level 2 offshore commercial certificate as well as a quilified DMT (Dive Medic). His unwavering joie de vivre and capacity for the strongest of mental challenges, means he is a completely capable crew member for TeamAfrow.
Hamish Owen-Jones
CrewHamish, being Andrews older brother has the same yachting background sailing to the Caribbean and crossing the Atlantic. Hamish, a builder by trade, is a laid back and easy going crew member who will bring a certain calmness as well as piece of mind to the TeamAfrow crew. Hamish is a strong character with a intuitive link to the sea which the team cannot do without.
Gary Cope
CrewGary is no stranger to extreme adventures from canoeing down the Zambezi, kayaking around Monkey Bay in Malawi and scuba diving with Manta Rays in Mozambique. He is an avid environmentalist and consciously aware of climate change having summited Kilimanjaro in 2012. Combining his passions for the ocean and the environment he is ready for his next adventure rowing across the Atlantic to raise awareness and funds in promoting sustainable seas.
John Afrow
CrewWe are still searching for our last able crew member and if you would like to submit yourself as a potential candidate please click here: Extra crew make life much easier and add to the stimulation.
Our Partners
