A remarkable team of four British adventurers has triumphantly completed a gruelling 3,000-mile row across the vast Atlantic Ocean, dedicating 39 arduous days at sea to raise crucial funds for charities supporting individuals with life-changing conditions.
From Stormy Delays to Ocean Triumph
The epic journey, known as the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic 2025, commenced on December 14th after initial storms forced a two-day delay to their launch. Team Seas Life, comprising former England Rugby 7s captain Ollie Phillips and fellow Everest summiteers Stuart Kershaw, Tom Clowes, and Julian Evans, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands. They braved the open ocean throughout the festive period, spending both Christmas and New Year aboard their rowing vessel, before finally reaching the shores of Antigua in the West Indies on Wednesday, January 21st.
Confronting Nature's Fury for a Noble Cause
The crew faced an immense physical and mental challenge, battling towering waves, oppressive high temperatures, and severe sleep deprivation. Their mission was to generate vital support for four key charities: My Name’5 Doddie, the Matt Hampson Foundation, Cure Parkinson's, and The Clocktower Foundation. Operating in constant two-hour shifts, with two members rowing at all times while the others attempted to rest or consume vacuum-sealed rations, their resilience was tested to the limit.
Despite the hardships, the team encountered moments of breathtaking beauty, sharing the ocean with whales and dolphins, witnessing incredible skyscapes from vibrant sunrises to star-filled nights, and even finding time for a spot of fishing. They maintained festive spirit by wearing Christmas hats on December 25th, enjoying a well-earned slice of Christmas cake amidst their monumental effort.
An Extraordinary Achievement for Ordinary People
Speaking upon their emotional arrival, an overwhelmed Ollie Phillips reflected on the experience. “It’s been a fantastic experience,” he said. “They say ordinary people can do extraordinary things and this is an extraordinary event. Just a fabulous event, and absolutely relentless, from the moment we left until the moment we arrived.” He described the reunion with waiting friends and family as “overwhelming, just absolutely incredible.”
Team Seas Life finished as the ninth team out of 43 to complete the formidable 2025 Atlantic crossing. Their extraordinary endeavour has already raised an impressive sum exceeding £350,000, with donations still being welcomed to support their chosen causes. This incredible feat of endurance and philanthropy stands as a powerful testament to human determination and the spirit of charitable giving.
