The Atlantic Aardvark’s World’s Toughest Row – 2026

This enormous challenge involves rowing 3000 miles of stormy, unforgiving ocean from the shores of San Sebastian in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua.  
 
We will be racing about 40 other crews from around the world with journeys ranging from 30 – 70 days, each boat being unsupported and with crews sharing the rowing 24 hours a day.  For the four of us, this isn’t about breaking records, it’s about our values and rising to a challenge that will make us dig deeper than we ever have into our mental and physical resources.  A huge motivation for us is the money we will be raising for the two charities that mean so much to us, in different ways:
 
Breakthrough T1D is doing amazing work to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes and its complications.  Johnny Douglas (Jamie’s son) and Henry Crossley (Dom’s nephew and Francis’ cousin) are two of the many heroic children who live with Type 1 diabetes and they are a genuine inspiration for all of us, as is the amazing work of Breakthrough T1D. The self pity on the nightly alarm calls will be put in check with the knowledge that these kids (and mums/dads!) live with constant nightly interruptions to adjust insulin levels. 

As a UK based crew of Irish families, we are also inspired by the work of the London Irish Centre.  It welcomes thousands who struggle with the pressures of life in London, providing advice, sanctuary and support, and a great cultural hub for Irish communities in the UK’s capital. 

We are so grateful for your support.

Jamie, Dom, Charlie and Francis.