3 friends from the Isle of Wight have come together for the ultimate ocean encounter – rowing unassisted across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua.
With shared passions for the environment and exploration, the Mermaid Atlantic team will compete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2023, rowing to raise awareness of the preservation of ocean habitats and to raise funds for marine-focused environmental charities.
The world’s climate crisis is a shared concern for the teammates, who all embrace the sea as part of their everyday lives. They aim to raise awareness for 2 issues, water quality (including plastic pollution) and the protection of seagrass meadows which are home to native seahorses and incredible carbon sinks.
The team will be actively selecting sustainable suppliers and will seek out and refurbish an older Rannoch boat to minimise their impact on the environment and to highlight the effect waste disposal and human activity is having on the natural world.
Mermaid Atlantic will be raising funds for The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and the Seahorse Trust.
Chris Mannion, Paul Berry and Xavier Baker were brought together through their love of the water, and between surfing, scuba diving and rowing they’ve forged a friendship. Though two-thirds of the team are novices, they hope their shared determination will equal success under the guidance and instruction of Berry, a well-seasoned rower. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge presents the team members with the chance to embark on a mental and physical adventure while raising funds for marine causes they are passionate about.
Xavier Baker, Mermaid Atlantic crewmate, commented:
“We are all focused and determined chaps with a good understanding of the sea and certainly know not to underestimate her. While we each have our personal reasons for undertaking such an exciting and challenging adventure, we’re united in our passion for preserving the oceans and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to undertake the Atlantic challenge to spotlight these causes.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Embarking on ‘the world’s toughest row’, the team will leave La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December 2023. They will need to row 3,000 miles around the clock to cross the Atlantic and arrive in Antigua within 35 days to break the record in their class. The team is backed by Isle of Wight spirit brand Mermaid Gin as the headline sponsor.
To find out more about donation and sponsorship visit www.mermaidatlantic.com or contact [email protected].
Very original, it will look good on your CV’s tho.