Two Scots women who struck up a friendship online during lockdown are set to take on a 3000 mile Atlantic Ocean challenge - despite never having rowed before. Sabrina Faith and Leanne Maiden will spend at least 60 days on the water after setting off from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua in the Caribbean in December.
With no stops allowed during the race, the pair will rotate between rowing for two hours on and off while facing sleep deprivation, salt sores and the psychological difficulties of being on the ocean. The pals admit the biggest obstacle initially will be learning how to actually use the boat - but hope to inspire others to take on life-changing challenges.
Stirling-based pilates teacher Sabrina, 43, is no stranger to adventure having mushed a team of huskies across the Scandinavian Arctic, trekked to Everest Base Camp, learned to multi-pitch alpine climb in the French Alps and trekked 300km of The Great Wall of China. She said: “When I was back in Canada staying with my brother during lockdown, he told me he was training for an Iron Man.
“There’s a bit of sibling rivalry between us so I wanted to outdo him. I found out about the Atlantic challenge, and I started looking online to find a team, which is how I met Leanne. People keep asking about the training, but the hardest thing is everything else.
“Admin is a full-time job, as is fundraising. We’re spending more time behind a computer screen than on a rowing boat right now. Another massive challenge is learning how to operate the boat. We are starting from scratch and have literally no idea.
“This is an opportunity to feel strong both physically and mentally. We can’t wait to get off the hamster wheel and be on the ocean.”
Bearsden mum Leanne, 41, who has two sons, Blair, six, and Ruaridh, seven, added: “People keep asking if this is a mid-life crisis. I’m not sure if that’s the case but whatever it is, it will be a life-changing experience. Few mums can say they’ve rowed the Atlantic Ocean.
“I want to teach my children that it’s OK to do things differently and to challenge perceptions and reach for their dreams. I had a particularly bad lockdown. I was starved of adventure, and I stopped sleeping; I needed to find something to take me out of my comfort zone.
“Planning and training for this is helping me to feel like myself again. There are risks, but people take risks every day of their lives and I would literally go to any length for a good beach party in the Caribbean.
“Life is short and you are dead for a long time, so I’m glad I’ve found a friend who matches my crazy and helps me to live my best life.
“I will miss my family. I’ve never been away from them for that long. But my husband will look after them and make sure they don’t starve. My whole family has been incredibly supportive and excited about what will be a life-changing experience for all of us."
The pair launched their boat in Loch Lomond this week to begin their training regime, during which they must bank over 100 hours on the water, including an overnight row, to be cleared to compete in December.
You can visit their website to follow their journey and donate to their chosen charities at She-roars | Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge or follow their journey on Instagram by clicking here.
