Review of a Talk by Jon Wilburn and Steve Potter Worlds Toughest Row - Atlantic

Published 17:42 on 24 May 2024

Last Thursday evening the Club not only hosted Jon and Steve, two of a 4-man team taking part in the World's Toughest Row, but also their 6.8m long rowing boat. For an hour before their talk many interested members asked questions about the boat and were encouraged to climb in and take a look.

Jon and Steve gave us a very enthusiastic presentation. The format with people asking questions along the way made for a very friendly informal Talk which worked very well. They also brought along props, including examples of vacuum-packed freeze-dried food, maps etc, etc. Their challenge is to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic as part of an annual event involving 50 teams. The men will take it in turns rowing 2 hours on and 2 hours off for roughly 55 days at sea!! A huge challenge both physically and financially for them all. For giving the Talk ESC will give a donation to help sponsor them and that qualifies ESC to join their 100 Club, meaning we'll get updates of their progress.

Both men were very impressed with our Club, the food, and particularly "the audience full of enthusiasm and support". They agreed that "the hospitality shown to us last night was second to none".

If you want to find out more about their aims for this challenge, and ways to donate to help them financially or give to the charities they're supporting, go to https://gofund.me/385d8b60 and https://lessonsfromaboat.com/ . And to know more about the event itself https://www.worldstoughestrow.com/the-atlantic/.

We'll put updates on the WRU over the next few months and hopefully Jon and Steve will return next year to give a Talk about how it all went.