A seed was planted
When Debra Searle lined up at the start in 2001, she received little attention from the male rowers. Some competitors did not take her seriously. Someone even asked whether she was coming along to cook for the men during the race. Debra did not answer with words. She answered with her oars. She proved that it could be done, by rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean. As a rower, Trea loved the book and discovered that crossing an ocean under oars was actually possible, alone or as part of a team. By the time she finished the last page, a tiny seed had been planted.
Fast forward to 2026
In December 2026, no fewer than 45 teams from around the world will take part in the World’s Toughest Row. A total of 129 rowers will line up at the start: 84 men and 45 women. Among them will be something truly special: the youngest female trio and the oldest female trio ever to row an ocean. The youngest trio is the British team Just Row With It: Olivia, Jenna and Meg. The oldest trio is us, Grannies on Waves: Carla, Ineke and Trea.
They are in their early twenties. We have grandchildren. They are at the beginning of their adult lives. We have already travelled a long way through ours. But out on the ocean, those differences quickly disappear. Because in the end, we all face the same things: waves, wind, sleep deprivation, seasickness, doubt, fear, wonder, and above all, countless hours of rowing. The ocean does not care whether you are a man or a woman, young or old. What matters there is perseverance.
The world has changed
Perhaps that is the most beautiful part of this story. When Debra set off, she first had to prove that women belonged on the ocean at all. Today, thankfully, that question is rarely asked anymore. Men are still in the majority, but nobody is surprised to see an all-female team. Nobody asks whether we are coming along to cook. Nobody doubts that women can cross an ocean in a rowing boat.
Anything is possible
We cannot wait to meet Olivia, Jenna and Meg, and all the other teams, in person on La Gomera. Women and men. Young and old. From every corner of the world. All sharing the same dream and heading for the same destination: Antigua.
What started with one woman proving it could be done has grown into a race where women of all ages proudly claim their place. Not because someone gives it to them. But because they have earned it themselves. With blisters, determination and with dreams bigger than the ocean itself.
We are looking forward to standing on the start line alongside Olivia, Jenna and Meg. Because however different we may be, we are all proving the same thing:
