ROWERS SET OUT TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC
Two crews rowing across the Atlantic are supporting of the Matt Hampson Foundation’s work with young people following life-changing injury in sport.
The charity was created by Matt Hampson to provide physical and emotional support for others after experiencing his own serious injury as a 20-year-old professional rugby player back in 2005.
More than 60 beneficiaries each week visit the Foundation’s Get Busy Living Centre near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and there are plans to extend facilities in 2026 as well as continuing to develop a network of regional hubs to take support further.
On 14th December, the boat crews facing The Toughest Row set out from La Gomera in the Canary Islands bound for Antigua in the Caribbean, a total distance of 3,000 miles.
Julian Evans, a trustee of the Matt Hampson Foundation, is part of the four-man Seaslife crew. He is a long-term supporter of Matt’s charity and an adventurer who has previously reached both North and South Pole as well as summiting Everest.
The Get Busy Rowing team includes father-and-son Greg and Elliot Collins, also long-term supporters, who are facing their greatest challenge of an expected 40 days at sea, rowing two hours on and two hours off 24 hours a day in pairs for the duration.
Exciting
The start of the event was delayed by severe weather before the crews finally set out on their quest, covering around 60 miles per day in the opening stages.
Julian even managed a chat with Matt as his boat was getting set to leave.
“It’s really exciting to get cracking,” he said. “The storms have subsided and the weather looks really good and we have a good prevailing wind behind us.”
To find our more about the crews or to support their fundraising, click on the links below.
You can follow their progress on the YB Races app.
