Atlantic World First - ATA Energy Support 'oar-some' challenge

View team's progress, pictures and preparation video here.

Leading recruitment company ATA Energy is throwing its weight behind 2 women who will spend Christmas and the New Year battling huge waves in a world record-setting trans-Atlantic rowing challenge.

Annie and Mel will achieve a world first when they complete the grueling 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. 33 other crews will be competing in the race but Annie and Mel are the only female pair, they hope to complete the crossing in record time. Only 49 women have ever rowed an ocean, and only 6 female pairs

But before they can pull a stroke they need to raise a whopping £80,000.

On hearing about the challenge, Gary Hewett, Managing Director of ATA Energy, decided to offer his company’s support. ATA Energy, is lending Annie its resources to help her obtain sponsorship.

Gary said: “What Annie is planning is incredible. No mixed four has ever completed this challenge, and more people have gone into space than rowed an ocean!

“She will spend between about 45 and 60 days at sea, with nothing to propel her other than oar-power. When I heard about what she was planning to do, I wanted to help it become a reality.

“ATA has 10 offices across the country and an extensive network of business contacts. By giving Annie access to our resources she will be better able to attract sponsorship.”

Annie and Mel will row 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua as part of the Woodvale Challenge, which teams from all over the world will take part in the event. They will row two hours on, two hours off, day and night, through Christmas and New Year for anything up to 60 days. The men’s fours record for the row is 39 days, while the women’s fours record is 52 days.

Annie, a rowing coach who lives in Bristol, explained some of the trials she expects to encounter on the way: “There is a potential for sunstroke, salt sores, capsizing, sharks, oil tankers and waves of up to 35ft. We’re almost certain to experience severe sea storms, and certain to suffer sleep deprivation and blisters where you wouldn't believe!

“But this is the challenge of a lifetime and we are really keen to put Britain into the record books as the country which had the first trans-Atlantic mixed fours rowing crew.

“I’m really grateful to ATA Energy for their support. There is no doubt that what they are doing for us has taken us one step closer to making the challenge a reality.”

If Annie, 40, and Mel exceed the £80,000 needed to cover the cost of the race, the money will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

ATA Energy is the energy division of ATA Selection, one of the UK's leading recruitment specialists, with 45 years of experience and 10 branches throughout the UK. ATA Energy specialises in recruitment in the energy sector, helping businesses in areas such as wind energy recruit skilled staff, and helping to place candidates in vacancies in the energy industry. The company can provide a complete recruitment service to clients, whether they are looking for permanent or fixed contract or temporary staff. 

To find out more about Annie and Mel visit www.atlanticworldfirst.co.uk or follow their progress here.