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Our mission
TO ROW THE ATLANTIC IN DECEMBER 2024
THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC) is an annual ocean rowing race which starts from La Gomera, Canary Islands and ending just a 'short' 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) later in Antigua and Barbuda. More people have climbed Mount Everest than have rowed across this ocean. In the 12 years since this challenge began only a handful of crews have successful completed the crossing. Included in these numbers are only 120 female athletes. In December 2024, ‘The Stormtroopers’, Anique and Saskia, will embark on their Atlantic Crossing as the first two Dutch woman who rowed an ocean. And that is only the beginning of our story!
Friendship, a thriving curiosity, a certain amount of insanity, love for people, heart for the ocean, physical empowerment and the urge for adventure brought us together.
We decided to combine all those elements into one big adventure and strive to help as many people as possible to reach a better healthcare and help to make the ocean healthy again.
A healthy ocean can decrease natural disasters, thus helping people – often without access to medical care – who have been affected by climate change. With these values in mind will we will row our assess off and nail these 5000 km across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat in less then 45 days, 7 hours and 25 minutes.
Team up with us!
The Facts
- we are the first duo of Dutch women who will row and cross the Atlantic ocean. If we make it, we will break a world record.
- at least 1.5 million strokes will be rowed to cross the ocean
- 2 hours on the oars and 2 hours off to sleep, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- 3000 nautical miles of Atlantic between La Gomera and the finish line in Antigua
- More people have gone to space than have rowed the Atlantic
- Burning 5000 calories a day
- lose probably more than 8 kg bodyweight during the crossing
- Sleep deprivation, isolation, exhaustion, mental breakdowns - a real test of mental and physical resilience
- Monstrous high waves and the unpredictable Atlantic storms to contend with
- Everything they require for their journey they must carry on board
- We will need to drink over 10 liters water every day - provided by a desalinator machine on the boat
- The last 3 races involved Marlin collitions, Kevlar protection is now a requirement for boats making the crossing
- There is no toilet onboard - 'bucket it and chuck it'.
A real test, a real adventure!
La Gomera
Antiqua
The challenge
TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE
The premier event in ocean rowing – a challenge that will take us more than 3000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands (28on 18ow) to Nelson’s dockyard english harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (17on 61ow). The annual race begins in early december, with up to 30 teams participating from around the world. Since 2011 Talisker Whisky has been the official title sponsor of the race.
SASKIA VILLANUEVA
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
A true love for sports and always busy doing all different kinds of sports. With a Spanish father, a Dutch mother and an older brother I grew up in the Netherlands. I am a two times UFC (Ultimate Forces Challenge) winner and used to tough challenges. I accomplished a 48 hour challenge with "Meet The Marines" 3 times! (2019, 2021 and 2022).
A few years ago I saw an appeal from a team with a mission. A mission to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Lots of people who know me had seen this appeal and pointed it out to me. I found this idea very appealing and was encouraged by the fact that my friends thought I could do this. I was curious and the more I read and heard about crossing an Ocean in a rowing boat, the more enthusiastic I became.
After reading a quote from Bibian Mentel: “Do something with your life that you really like. Make and collect memories", I suddenly realized what I had to do. But rowing across an Ocean is never ever easy. It is often said that reaching the start line is just as much of a journey as completing the Atlantic crossing itself. I failed two times while building a team. Fortunately I crossed paths with Anique. When we met we instantly knew that crossing an Ocean together is ment to be. Three times in a row. We will succeed!
ANIQUE VAN WALSUM
"Live the best life you can!"
Years ago, Ocean rowing crossed my path and since then, the idea of rowing an ocean didn’t leave me anymore. Although the swell of life brought the idea to row the Atlantic Ocean sometimes more to the background, the desire and inspiration were growing stronger and stronger.
People around me declared me totally nuts and to find someone like-minded took a while…
Till Saskia and I crossed paths. We had a connection and the plan was set…. Standing together here in the middle of all preparations needed for the challenge of a lifetime! Talisker Atlantic Challenge 2024, here we are!
The ocean and marine life are magical for me. But… the wild, endless unpredictable ocean has no mercy at all! She makes you humble and makes you realize that we are just a tiny part of the big picture. Despite that, I am even more inspired to push limits, set off together with Saskia to fix this crossing to Antigua safe and sound.