Bertie Portal & James Cash
United Kingdom

BERT:

‘..to raise a large amount of money for an extraordinary charity requires an extraordinary challenge-one that will literally test you to your very limits. This charity is close to my heart and 60 days of heightened physical and indeed mental danger is nothing compared to what these children go through. Crossing the Atlantic will be the culmination of a long held ambition. I can think of no finer test than to come face to face with your fears and having to learn to come to terms with them.’

JAMES:

‘...My reason for choosing this crossing as a way of raising money is simple...because I can. There are many people out there who, for various reasons, are unable to do something like this. Thankfully, I am not one of them. As a fit, strong and healthy chap, I want to take part in something where the challenge is tough and significant enough to warrant the amount of sponsorship I seek. It is a charity so worthy of support: the courage of these children puts us to shame. When looking back over my life, I’d like to be able to see that something I did which challenged my own nerve and strength, made a real difference to others.’

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Daniel & Nicholas Howard
United Kingdom

Photo Coming Soon!

Profile Coming Soon!

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Charlie Jenkins & Allan French
United Kingdom

Photo Coming Soon!

Profile Coming Soon!

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Liam Drosso & Jamie Ross
United Kingdom



Team Name - Oceans 2
Team Website - www.oceans2.co.uk

 we are two, young, born and bred scottish guys with an interest in the outdoors having both studied within this area at university and college. we were firdst introduced to woodvale and the atlantic rowing race after recieving a presentation on it in one of our university lectures by a previous race entrant, Neil Wihtwick. it wasn't until nearly a year later that we disscussed the idea of entering and are now entered into one of the toughest races in the world. we are lookig forward to the mental, physical, and emotional challenge of both the race and all the work needed to be done before then. 

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Robert Kimber & Richard Wattam
United Kingdom

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Mark Story & Stephen McGann
United Kingdom

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Oliver Hallam & James Cherrill
United Kingdom

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Stuart Vince & Mark Rowden
United Kingdom

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Viktor Mattson & Frekrik Albelin
Sweden

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Adam Burke & Brendan Guildea
Ireland



Adam:
So why am I doing this? To be honest, I'm not sure. I remember watching the documentary of Ben Fogle and James Cracknell (‘Through Hell and High Water') completing the same challenge in back in 2005. While everyone else seemed to be thinking that they were mad, I found myself getting very jealous of the adventure they were having. Since then it has been a life dream. So there are lots of reasons why: because it's hard; because I love pushing myself; because I love challenges. There is also the prospect of being able to support our chosen charity. Even now, that idea is a big motivator when I am in the gym. It will be one of the hardest things that I have ever done, and that's all part of the adventure. Bring it on!!

Brendan:
When Adam asked me to consider joining him in this project my initial reaction was ‘YES I'LL JOIN YOU! …But how will we pay for it?'
If you know anything about this race you'll know that getting to the starting line is as big a challenge as rowing the 3,500 miles – two hours on two hours off for as long as it takes.

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Tom Dignum & Christian Howard  
United Kingdom
website: www.oarraisers.co.uk


Chris
 So why are we doing it, well it's a huge challenge. I'd thought about running a marathon or even doing the Everest or Kilimanjaro climbs but by comparison the Atlantic Rowing Challenge is the modern odyssey, it's epic and less people have completed it successfully. Achieving this is not solely a personal goal, I had a grandfather that suffered from Parkinson's and I wanted to do something to help a Parkinson's charity - so it
seemed like a logical step to combine the two achievements.

For me the challenge is also about friendship and the pair of us working together on something amazing that neither of us will ever forget. I am pretty certain I could not do this with anyone else and I am absolutely sure that it is our friendship that will keep us strong throughout this journey.
 
Tom
When my partner Chris asked me to complete a challenge on behalf of Parkinson’s UK I was more than happy to help. It was when he proposed to me his idea of rowing across the Atlantic. My initial thoughts were that he either has sun stroke or he is not very well. I soon realised he was both sane and well, and with a little research and an already placed will to do something of this magnitude I agreed. With our close and unbreakable friendship we both needed a challenge that would benefit others as well as gaining from the personal challenge. We decided upon Parkinsons UK, a charity known but one that we believed needed highlighting to raise its awareness and profile. We hope to achieve so many things for so many people that suffer from this disease where the research can be used not just in the U.K. but internationally as it is still an incurable disease.

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Toby Isles & Partner TBC
United Kingdom

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Jason Nemits & Nigel Hamilton
United Kingdom

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Noel Watkins & Kevin Keane
New Zealand/France



Profile Coming Soon!

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James Watt & Olly Whitman
United Kingdom



Website:
www.alongwaytorow.com

James
Being from the Isles of Scilly I was as inspired as much as anyone when the Scilly Boys attempted to row the North Atlantic in 2008. From the moment they announced their intentions I began to think about whether or not I could take on a similar challenge, and now two years on I am relishing the opportunity to push myself beyond what I can currently comprehend as possible. I am sure that the pain that the two of us will go through will be worth it, especially as it means we can raise some money to help others, and having grown up on a small island in the Atlantic I can’t wait to be thousands of miles from land on a small boat in the Atlantic.
Olly
For me rowing the Atlantic is the ultimate challenge, both physically and mentally. The idea of the scale of it is almost beyond comprehension, much more so than running a marathon or climbing a mountain. To take part and reach the finish would be an awesome achievement that would sit firmly in the something-to-tell-the-grandkids box. It's great to be raising money for some good causes to make sure that all the effort that is put into the crossing benefits more than just the rowers taking part – but the enduring motivation (and memories after the event) will undoubtedly be of the personal challenges involved in crossing an ocean.

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Fours Teams

Team:  The Corinthians

Boat: Spirit of Corinth
Charities:  ShelterBox www.shelterbox.org
British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk
Our Website: www.spiritofcorinth.co.uk
Email: Administrator, Andrew Pocock at spiritofcorinth@btinternet.com 

All four of us have, individually looked for and accepted an increasing level of challenge in our sporting activity.  We are all members of the Lyme Regis Gig Club and have bonded as a team, ready to challenge the elements and raise our personal achievement boundaries.Chris:  “I have been involved in many different sports, in particular,rugby, long distance cycling and running Brian:  “I have participated in endurance events such as marathons, mountain marathons, kayaking and cycling”.Tony:  “I have over the years taken part in long distance cycling challenges, played and coached rugby and enjoy trekking in the Himalayas”Elliot:  “I am an ex schools cross country champion and AAA champion who keeps fit cycling and gig rowing”. 

Why are we accepting the WoodVale Challenge?

Chris:   “One of my lifetime ambitions has been to row the Atlantic.That opportunity is now”.   “The challenge awaits” Brian:   “I am keen to fulfil my ambition to always try and achievethe ultimate” Tony:    “I can think of no good reason - I just do – passionately” Elliot:   “When Chris mentioned that he had always wanted to row the Atlantic I felt I had to join him, not a question of why but why not”

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Deborah Quaile, Victoria Handsford, Sarah Bell and Partner tbc
United Kingdom