In December 2025, Denise, Helen, Liz and Heledd pushed off from La Gomera as Merched Y Môr, becoming the first all-Wales female crew to take on the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic. Fifty days, fourteen hours and forty-three minutes later, they reached Antigua after rowing 3,000 nautical miles across open ocean, an achievement defined by endurance, preparation and resilience under pressure. What Is the World’s Toughest Row? The Atlantic race is an unsupported ocean crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. Crews of one to five carry everything they need on board, including food supplies, water-making systems and safety equipment. Once the race begins, there are no support boats and no external assistance. Teams row in shifts around the clock, navigating trade winds, changing weather systems and long periods of isolation. It is widely regarded as one of the most demanding endurance challenges in expedition sport. A Test of Endurance and Isolation At its most remote point, the crew were approximately 1,500 nautical miles from land. Out there, they were entirely self-sufficient, rowing a small ocean boat on a disciplined shift pattern that saw them covering more than 12 hours each day. The Atlantic does not offer consistency. Weather systems shift, cabins remain humid and everything feels damp. Sleep is fragmented and decision-making becomes harder as fatigue builds. Yet the isolation brought moments few people will ever experience. “Being 1500 nautical miles from land means you see wildlife up close and personal,” Denise told us after the race. “The stars are clearer than you might ever see on land and the horizon feels endless.” Midway through the crossing, the crew entered 5km-deep water to clean the hull beneath the boat. Suspended above open ocean, surrounded by depth in every direction, it became one of the defining moments of the challenge. The beauty of the crossing sat alongside its strain. “Rowing over 12 hours a day for 50 days definitely takes its toll on the body,” Denise explained. “But this challenge is 90% psychological. That’s where it really tests you.” Four Years of Preparation The Atlantic crossing did not begin in La Gomera. It began four years earlier. The idea first emerged during lockdown after seeing the race on social media. What followed was sustained preparation. The crew trained together physically and technically, practising capsize recovery and emergency drills. Nutrition was planned down to individual calorie counts. Fundraising and sponsorship required long-term commitment. Ocean rowing demands more than strength. It demands structure, trust and resilience under pressure. By the time they launched, preparation had already been tested repeatedly. The crossing would demand even more. Equipment in a Hostile Environment Lifeventure and Lifesystems were proud to sponsor Merched Y Môr, equipping the crew with kit designed to perform in demanding conditions. Ocean rowing is unforgiving. Saltwater exposure is constant. Cabins remain warm and humid. Storage space is limited. Rogue waves sweep across the deck without warning. In those conditions, equipment must function without compromise. Following the crossing, we spoke with Denise about the role the sponsored kit played across the 50 days at sea. “The equipment provided to us by Lifeventure and Lifesystems was invaluable to our crossing,” she said. “Everything from keeping our snacks dry to securing kit to the boat so it didn’t wash away and enabling us to function even at night.” Dry bags became part of daily life. The 5L size travelled in and out of the cabin on every shift, holding suncream, snacks and personal essentials. This reduced the need to open larger lockers and risk sea water entering the cabins. Larger dry bags protected long-term supplies in an environment where humidity created constant issues with damp and mould. Lighting was equally important. Head torches remained clipped to grab rails throughout the crossing, exposed to rain and waves for 50 days. They were relied upon during night shifts and when clearing flying fish from the deck. They performed consistently. Securing equipment was critical. Karabiners attached water bottles, food containers and essential items to the boat. When rogue waves swept the deck, nothing was lost. Hygiene required simple, effective solutions. A soap pouch fixed to the exterior of the cabin allowed the crew to wash without leaking containers inside already damp spaces. Travel towels were used daily to dry off, provide shade, add warmth and manage moisture. In a confined, humid environment, compact quick-drying kit proved essential. Even documentation required protection. Passports, cash and emergency paperwork were stored in clear waterproof wallets inside the grab bag. With cabins persistently wet, waterproof storage was non-negotiable. Across 50 days at sea, reliability mattered. Equipment had to function consistently in demanding conditions. Perspective Beyond the Finish Line Crossing an ocean reshapes perspective. “Accepting that we are not in control of all aspects of our lives is actually ok,” Denise reflected. “It’s how we respond to challenges and change that really matters.” The Atlantic reinforced a simple truth. Nature sets the terms. Preparation improves your chances, but resilience determines the outcome. The physical achievement was clear. So too was the psychological shift. “Our bodies are capable of incredible things,” Denise said. “Often it’s what we think we are capable of that limits us. Perhaps we could all aim for a little bit more.” Representation in Adventure Fewer than 500 women have rowed an ocean. Women and girls remain underrepresented in endurance sport and expedition environments. “When we see others take on challenges like this, it forces us to question if that could be us,” Denise explained. “Even if it’s not rowing an ocean, I hope it encourages others not to write themselves out of the story before they’ve even tried.” Merched Y Môr completed one of the toughest ocean rows in the world and, in doing so, added their names to a small and growing group of women who have crossed an ocean under oar. A Landmark Crossing Fifty days, fourteen hours and forty-three minutes at sea.3,000 nautical miles rowed.A performance built on preparation, teamwork and mental resilience. The World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic continues to demand the highest levels of endurance. In 2025, Merched Y Môr added their names to its history. A crossing that will be remembered not only for its distance, but for what it represents.
