44 days after they waved goodbye to Tower Bridge in England’s capital, on July 19th 2023, Team Ithaca crossed the finish line of the World’s Toughest Row, the GB Row Challenge.
Since their departure on the 4th June 2023, the all-female crew achieved an incredible feat; rowing continuously and unsupported, setting a new Guinness World Record as the first female to ever do so.
Spanning approximately 2,000 nautical miles, the journey circumnavigated the rugged and diverse coastline of Great Britain battling torrential rain, strong winds, lightning and thunder, all the while rowing two hours on and two hours off. Navigating the tidal currents and ever-changing weather conditions, the team was poised with their sights set on making history and dedicated to their mission of conducting vital ocean conservation research.
As the crew embarked on their adventure, they were overwhelmed by the warm support they received from communities along the British coastline. People gathered to cheer on Team Ithaca as they rowed tirelessly along the shores – rowing continuously two hours on, two hours off.
Team Ithaca is a formidable group of six keen sportswomen, each with a drive to push their limits and explore the bounds of their comfort zone within sport. They are: Emma Wolstenholme, Amy L Wood, Maggie Hodge, Clair Fennessy, Sandra Gates and Emma Haxell.
Photo Credit: Team Ithaca Facebook Page
Preparation for the GB Row Challenge 2023 commenced months before the actual journey. The crew underwent rigorous physical training to enhance their strength and endurance.
However, they didn’t set out to just make world records. The crew were partnered with the University of Portsmouth in a bid to fight against plastic pollution, their boat fitted with modifications designed to collect data on sound pollution, salinity, temperature and even traces of marine biology through DNA samples. According to the University of Portsmouth, their boat ‘Challenger’ has recorded 2.8 terabytes of underwater noise pollution data.
Photo Credit: Team Ithaca Facebook Page
As Team Ithaca completed the last leg of their journey, emotions ran high among both the crew and their supporters. Cheers echoed along the shoreline as the team triumphantly rowed back to where it all began – the starting point of their grand adventure. The GB Row Challenge 2023 had come full circle, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, camaraderie, and environmental consciousness. Team Ithaca’s incredible feat showcased the beauty of coastal Britain while shedding light on the importance of preserving its fragile ecosystems.
The GB Row Challenge 2023 was more than just a rowing expedition – it was a celebration of human resilience, the beauty of the British coastline, and a clarion call for coastal conservation.
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