North Atlantic Rowing Race 2008

Woodvale Challenge has invested a huge amount of time over the past 4 years with the ambition of opening up the North Atlantic route as an Ocean Rowing Race. The journey started back in 2003 with the construction of a new class of rowing boat - the Challenge 4. It soon became evident that the boat was too large and heavy to be affectively rowed by teams of four. So it was back to the drawing board. An all new composite boat was then designed for the route - the Woodvale 4. In a bid to prove the boat design and make sure the vessel was safe for race entrants - Woodvale Challenge loaned the prototype boat to a team of 4 - later to be known as "Vivaldi - Naturally Best".

The team focused on fully testing the boat in the North Atlantic and attempting to break the North Atlantic speed record from Canada to the Scilly Isles. There had been various attempts to break this record in previous years but none of those attempts were successful. The overall speed record stood at 55 days - No one could have anticipated that the record was about to be smashed!

The team completed their crossing in a staggering 39 days....

The North Atlantic Rowing Race 2008 is viewed as the ultimate ocean rowing race. The most historic route to ocean rowing, the race starts with the fabulous backdrop of New York's Manhattan skyline and concludes in the Scilly Isles bewteen 60 and 90 days later.

The ultimate test of strength and endurance - only a few have ever completed this demanding course. This route is now open to all. With the race organisation from Woodvale Challenge, everybody has the opportunity to enter "The World's Toughest Rowing Race".

The race in June 2008, will see teams from all over the World competing on equal terms within two race classes. The proven and established Woodvale Fours class boats and then as a new variation in 2008 - the Adkin Pairs class boats.

The first time ever that a pairs class race has been organised over the North Atlantic. Very few pairs teams have completed a crossing of this route. It's your chance to become a part of history!

Woodvale Challenge offers full on water support and 24hr safety coverage while the event is taking place, full event management - race tracking, insurance and race web site. Nearly 50% of all successful ocean rowers in history to cross the North Atlantic have been supported by Woodvale Challenge - We are the only organisation that has supported multiple teams.

The challenge is set... The North Atlantic Rowing Race 2008 will offer a unique adventure and individuals the opportunity to take a place in the history books. 

All the photographs shown above were taken from the start of the North Atlantic Rowing Race 2006. The race was sponsored by Shephard Chartered Accountants - we are grateful for their support and committment to the event. 

The winning team from 2006 onboard "James Robert Hanssen" completed the race in 71 days, 3 hours and 22 minutes - The team also became the first crew ever to row mainland USA to mainland UK

Please contact us to find out more