Rowing Across the Atlantic: What It Takes

Ocean rowing means crossing open water in a small, purpose-built boat, powered only by you. This is an overview of what the challenge involves, not a substitute for proper training and professional advice. It covers the route, the boat, equipment, training, funding, weather, life at sea and the finish.

The usual route

The best-known crossing is the east-to-west route that follows the prevailing winds and currents, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. Organised races such as World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic use this route, starting from La Gomera and finishing in Antigua, about 3,000 miles away. Other routes exist, including west-to-east crossings from North America towards Europe, which face stronger weather and more difficult conditions. Many solo and pair attempts choose their own routes and timing. Hurricane season in the Atlantic generally runs from June to November, so crossings are planned around it.

The boat

Ocean rowing boats are self-righting, with watertight cabins, a sliding seat and fixed rowlocks. They carry supplies, a water-maker, solar panels and safety gear. Choose a boat suited to your crew size and budget, and ask experienced crews what they recommend. Things to compare include:

• Size and storage. Enough room for food and spares without making the boat heavy.
• Stability and self-righting design. Boats should be able to recover from a capsize.
• Cabin comfort. You will sleep in short blocks, so ventilation and space matter.
• Condition and history. Buying second-hand can save money but needs expert inspection.

Equipment and technology

Category	Examples
Navigation	GPS, chartplotter, paper charts, back-ups
Communications	Satellite phone, VHF radio, tracking beacon
Safety	Life raft, grab bags, personal locator beacons, flares, harnesses, first aid kit
Systems	Water-maker, stove, solar panels, batteries
Rowing	Oars, spares, seat and slide parts

Race organisers set minimum safety requirements, and you should treat them as a minimum. Everything critical needs a back-up, from the GPS to the water supply.

Fitness and training

Crews typically row in shifts around the clock, often two hours on and two hours off, so you need strong aerobic endurance, a resilient back, hands that cope with blisters, and the ability to row while tired. Long erg sessions build the base: see how to row a marathon and endurance workouts. Add strength work (see strength training for rowing), because carrying and handling gear matters too. On-water training in rough conditions is vital, and so are sea survival, first aid and navigation courses. Training usually takes many months, and often starts a year or more before the start line.

Funding

An Atlantic row is expensive, with costs for the boat, safety gear, entry, shipping and training. Many crews raise money through sponsorship, charity partnerships and fundraising. Be clear about what you can offer a sponsor and about how the money will be used, and keep supporters updated.

Weather and navigation

Learn to read forecasts, understand the trade winds and currents, and plan around storms. A weather router or shore team can help. Navigation relies on electronics, but you need to be able to cope if they fail, so practise with charts and a compass. Know the rules for collisions and lights, because you will share the sea with cargo ships.

Life at sea

Expect a rotation of rowing, sleeping and eating in short blocks, with limited privacy. Sleep deprivation, salt sores and isolation are the main hardships. A crew that communicates well and plans rest carefully copes best. Daily routines help: check the boat, eat on schedule, drink regularly and look after chafing early. Wildlife encounters, from dolphins to whales, are part of the experience, and crews should keep their distance and never feed animals.

Records and history

Solo crossings go back decades. Guinness World Records lists John Fairfax, who rowed east to west in 1969, as the first person to row any ocean solo, and Gerard d’Aboville rowed alone from west to east in 1980. Records change as new crossings are completed, so check the Ocean Rowing Society or race organisers for current figures.

Finishing

Arrival is physically and emotionally big. Plan for support ashore, and allow recovery time. Many rowers find the return to normal life as strange as the crossing itself.

For a related challenge, see rowing to Hawaii, and for the water types you may row on, different bodies of water. More in the training hub.