CLAVERDON LIONS
WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW 2026
Rowing 3,000 miles across
The Atlantic Ocean
The World’s Toughest Row is the premier event in ocean rowing. A challenge that will take me more than 3,000 Miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain (28°N 17°W) to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (17°N 62°W).
The annual race begins in early December, with approximately 50 teams participating from around the world.
The challenge of our lives
The race brings together crews from all round the world, who gather in the race village in San Sebastian, de La Gomera. The atmosphere is electric as people help each other prepare for the challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean; all with the same objective – to take on the unique experience of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat.
This extreme endurance race presents a formidable challenge, as we row unsupported across the Atlantic, pushing ourselves to our physical and mental limits.
As well as the physical challenge itself, we will deal with sleep depravation, the relentless impact on our hands and bodies, and the general administration associated with life at sea.
This is the biggest challenge of our lives. We go into it respectful of its scale and severity, yet also excited to learn what we have within ourselves.
Some Race Trivia
We will row over 1.5 million oar strokes on our journey across the Atlantic
Ocean rowers can expect to see lots of wildlife, such as Minke and Pilot whales, Dolphins, Turtles, Flying fish and of course the Blue Marlin, whose bills have previously pierced through hulls of ocean rowing boats!
We will aim to consume 10 litres of water per day. We will need to filter water from the ocean by using a desalinator. Rowers burn in excess of 6,000 calories per day. Each rower loses on average 12 kg crossing the Atlantic.
We will typically work a 2 hours on, 2 hours off, shift pattern.
To date, the World’s Toughest Row has raised over €19 million for various charitable causes through the efforts of its teams and participants.
Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing. There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket!
We are likely to experience waves up to 40ft/12m in height high. At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 5.28 miles deep.
We'll have a satellite phone which enables us to contact land support and VHF to contact passing boats in the event of an emergency. Two land-based duty safety officers are on-hand 24/7.
All rubbish must be stowed on board and taken to the finish destination. Polluting the ocean is not acceptable in the ocean rowing community.