Atlantic Rowing Race to Begin on December 12
Forty boat crews will embark on a 3,000-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua this winter.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Running
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The Atlantic rowing race will commence on 12 December 2026, featuring 40 boats departing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Participating crews, including Saltire Tides and Coastal Commanders, will row 3,000 miles to reach their destination in Antigua.
Why it matters
Crews are undertaking this grueling challenge to test their endurance across the ocean and to raise significant funds for various charitable organizations. The race demands rigorous logistical coordination and physical preparation alongside the rowers' full-time careers.
Each boat consists of a three-person crew, with participants like the Coastal Commanders having completed 300 hours of sea training. The crossing covers a total distance of 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
The players
Jenna Volpert
She is a 30-year-old trainee surgeon and a member of the three-person crew Saltire Tides.
Scott Dingle
He is a 38-year-old commercial pilot and a member of the three-person crew Coastal Commanders.
The details
Athletes like trainee surgeon Jenna Volpert and commercial pilot Scott Dingle have balanced training with professional obligations to prepare for the crossing. The teams utilized sea training, electrical skills courses, and water-making courses to ready themselves for the multi-week challenge.
Timeline
12 December 2026: The Atlantic rowing race begins from La Gomera.
End of November 2026: Coastal Commanders arrive at La Gomera.
April 2026: Saltire Tides began their rowing training.
1997: The inaugural Atlantic rowing race took place.
Season Trajectory
This race follows the pattern established by the inaugural 1997 Atlantic rowing race, which turned long-distance ocean rowing into an organized global event. The participation of 40 boats marks a continued trend in the expansion of extreme endurance rowing challenges.
Teams must successfully navigate 3,000 miles of ocean, meaning crew health and equipment reliability are the primary variables for race success. Supporters can track individual boat progress across the Atlantic throughout the weeks following the December start.
The takeaway
The race highlights how individuals balance demanding professional lives with intense physical training goals. Aspiring participants should focus on gaining diverse technical skills like electrical repair alongside their cardiovascular endurance training.
Further reading
For more information on endurance challenges, visit the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jersey Evening Post.
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