On 1 March 2022 Rachel Hearn, John Haskell and Billy Taylor will set off from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands in an attempt to row over 4,800 kilometers of open ocean to Antigua in the Caribbean.
The challenge could take anything between 40 and 70 days and for the entire time that they are on the water they will be completely unsupported, having to take everything that they need for a safe and successful crossing with them when they leave. They will row in two-hour shift patterns for the entire journey, never sleeping for more than 90 minutes at a time and their entire world will be a 9 meter long by 1.60 meter wide ocean rowing boat. When not rowing, they will be sharing a small living space in which they will cook, eat, carry out repairs, navigate, sleep and attend to any medical issues.
Rachel, John and Billy are taking on this challenge to raise awareness and funds for mental health and Parkinson’s disease.
The Parkinson’s fundraiser has been set up in memory of the late Alex Flynn – the well-know and inspiring Parkinson’s advocate, athlete and adventurer who sadly passed away in 2021. To honour his legacy Billy, who was one of his closest friends, has decided to take on this new challenge.
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