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Four RAF Veterans will be Rowing Across the Atlantic
CareCo is proud to be supporting Per Ardua 21, a team of four RAF veterans as they row across the high seas in the World’s Toughest Row, which sees teams from all around the world gather to row from the Canary Islands to Antigua.
Per Ardua 21 are made up of Group Captain Andy Calame, Air Commodore Matt Sowers, Wing Commander Mike Dewar, and Squadron Leader Mark Jacklin. This intrepid crew have an average age of 56 years, making them among the older competitors of this event*.
They expect to take 50 days to complete the 3,000 nautical mile journey, working in three hour shifts with two rowing at a time, while two can rest and handle essential chores. Many teams do 2 hour shifts, but Per Ardua 21 have adopted the three hour system to give more time for meals, washing and cleaning, and sleeping. Good sleep is essential to physical recovery to allow them to keep rowing around the clock.
They must keep rowing constantly as while the boat is streamlined and slices through the waves, starting from a stop takes a huge effort. The state-of-the-art boat is well equipped for ocean travel, but they will still have many challenges on their journey. They must stay clipped on to the jackstay safety harnesses at all times, including when taking showers (using their unique solar shower installation, they must maintain standards, after all) and toileting. They’ll also need to take turns to scrap barnacles off the hull of the boat, which quickly accumulate and cause drag!
They will have no support crew, so need to carry all their food and water for 50 days, each having their own named watertight hold. The food will largely consist of RAF ration packs, so are nutritionally balanced and provide all the energy they will need for 12 hours of rowing a day.
Their power, sourced from solar panels, is critical for communication and for their solar powered water desaliniser which will be constantly replenishing their fresh water reservoir. These panels rely on sunny skies though, so a few days of cloud can quickly deplete batteries leaving them without power.
They will be rowing a Rannoch R45 Elite boat, which is made in Burnham-Âon-Crouch, Essex. Group Captain Andy Calame is very proud to be rowing a British made boat, and has declared that Rannoch build the best rowing boats in the world.
It's a fitting challenge for four RAF veterans, as the service's origins are rooted at sea. When the RAF formed in 1918, it brought together the Navy’s Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and the Army’s Royal Flying Corps, to form a dedicated service.
La Gomera to Antigua
The rowing event has organised by Atlantic Campaigns SL, and the race starts from their base at race village San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, and finishes at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua. They set off on Friday 12th December and aim to finish on Saturday 31st January 2026.
Thanks to global satellite wifi coverage using Starlink, the team will be able to steam music through their on-board speakers, and are asking fans to suggest songs to keep them motivated during their 50 days, 1200 hours, journey.
Per Ardua 21 are raising funds for the RAF Regt Centurion Fund, which was formed to commemorate and remember those who have lost their lives or suffered injury during their time in the Service. The Fund also provides support to RAF Regiment members, past and present, when in need or urgent assistance is required.
We’ll be tracking the team across the Atlantic and staying in contact. CareCo wishes Per Ardua 21 fair winds and following seas. Heave-ho, and God speed!
Footnote: While the veterans are older than many, they are far from the oldest, as in 2023, Frank Rothwell became the oldest man to row across the Atlantic at 73, and in 2019, another team of four, the Ancient Mariners, had an average age of 64. You're never too old to row!
