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The Atlantic Journey Starts Here

Andy Purvis and Tim Cox will put their friendship to the ultimate test later this year when they set off to row 3,000-miles across the Atlantic.

Dubbed the world’s toughest rowing race, the pair will have to overcome sleep deprivation, salt sores and waves of more than 40 feet as they battle the elements in a specially designed 20ft carbon fibre craft.

The Atlantic Challenge begins in San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands and ends 3,000 miles later at Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda.

Their two-man team Oar Mighty Mates 2C will have to spend more than two months at sea rowing two hours on two hours off while braving the elements as competitors of the Worlds Toughest Row – Atlantic 2024.

It is a test of sheer endurance, where participants have to push far beyond their limits and overcome all their physical and mental boundaries.

More people have made it to the top of Mount Everest than have successfully undertaken Andy and Tim’s transatlantic mission.

Over the coming nine months Tim and Andy will focus on the mammoth challenge with the support of Medway Yacht Club as they prepare for what lies ahead.

The Oar Mighty Mates 2C team is rowing for two charities and their aim is to raise £50,000 for these deserving organisations.

Note that the video is from 2023 coverage when the team consisted of Andy Purvis and Stuart Hatcher. Tim Cox has now replaced Stuart Hatcher in the team now named Oar Might Mates 2C

The brave duo will be working to raise £50,000 for their charities, Dementia UK and Abigail’s Footsteps.

Dementia is a cause close to everyone, affecting close family members and one that will affect many of our lives as statistics predict one in three people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime. Abigail’s Footsteps is at the other end of the age range, supporting bereaved parents who have lost children.

Andy will turn 61 just a few weeks before launch but has no plans to let age dampen his determination to take part.

Andy said: “I have always loved the outdoors and extreme activities. My hobbies include skiing and scuba diving and I have also skydived among several other extreme activities.

“My passion is however running having completed many half and full marathons.

“Rowing the Atlantic will prove to be the ultimate challenge and we are both excited and honoured to have the opportunity to fulfil an achievement of a lifetime whilst raising money for such fantastic causes.

“We are both very lucky to have super supportive families who will encourage us at all times on the wonderful journey ahead.”

Tim, an owner of Sea Sports Southwest has been involved in the Atlantic crossings since 2012, teaching the essential skills to those taking part. Having been wanting to be on the other side of the challenge for a number of years, Tim jumped at the chance to join up with Andy on the 2024 row after the dissappointment of Andy not making the start of the race in 2023. Tim’s wife Sue saw what dementia can do to a person when her father passed away from the disease and wants to support Dementia UK in anyway they can.

Andy and Tim will have to brave the elements but a solar powered tracking system and satellite phone will mean those back at home will be able to keep a constant eye on progress.

There are 944,000 people with dementia in the UK. This will increase to over one million by 2030 and over 1.6 million by 2050.

Throughout the gruelling journey, Andy and Tim will have to get used to rowing 12 hours a day, surviving on filtered sea water and eating up to 5,000 calories just to keep them going.

The Worlds Toughest Row – Atlantic by numbers:

3,000 miles – total distance on the challenge
1.5million – number of strokes
5,000 – the number of calories each rower will burn per day
20ft – the height of the waves on the Atlantic swell
8kg – expected weight loss for each rower
ZERO toilets – rowers will have to make do with a shared bucket