By Isle of Wight Observer
Newport Rowing Club have launched their Atlantic Challenge with the aim of rowing the distance from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua. It is the 4,700 km course of the world famous Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge that is run each December.
But the 20 club members are friends, who have taken on the challenge, will not even be getting their feet wet, as they will be doing it from their own homes, due to the ongoing restrictions. They are aiming to row over 100kms a day, and meet the challenge by the end of July, and at the same time raise money for Mountbatten Hospice. Since starting their voyage last weekend, they have so far rowed more than 700 kms.
The leading distance rowers so far are Suzanne Whitehouse (pictured) who has clocked up 76,708m and Matt Whishaw who has rowed 79,205m. Also pictured is Peter Blake, who has added 42,981m to the total.
Chairman Kev Bennett said: “We wanted to find a way join together as a club while we can’t get out and compete on the water. It also gives us a chance to raise money for Mountbatten who do so much good work across the island.”
You can check out how the team are doing, and also see how you can donate to such a worthy cause by visiting:
https://www.newport-rowingclub.co.uk/atlantic/
Isle of Wight Observer