The last day has given us some of the best conditions so far — 15–18 knots of wind, nicely in the right direction, and swell that was broadly playing the game too. Out here, though, waves are never quite as simple as they are closer to land. Coastal waves are mostly wind-driven and fairly predictable. Ocean swell is a different beast altogether. It can be generated by weather systems hundreds — sometimes thousands — of miles away, old storms still sending energy across the se

(Covering the last 24 hours) The last 24 hours have been steady, purposeful, and at times a real slog — but always moving in the right direction. Yesterday’s conditions were mainly following, but nothing particularly punchy, which meant we had to work hard for every mile. Still, everything was going the right way, and out here that’s what matters. Every single stroke is a stroke closer. For much of the day we had a rowing-boat pacemaker sitting somewhere behind us. Close enou

Tuesday 16th December – 10am (Covering the last 24 hours) You would be forgiven for looking at the tracker and thinking all the boats are waving at each other — we appear so close together. The reality couldn’t be more different. On the first night we could see the odd navigation light or two, faint pinpricks in the darkness. Last night there was just one set of lights on the horizon. And now… nothing. No boats. No land. Nothing but ocean. The first night we could still see

Hello everyone, We’re finally at sea. Saying goodbye this morning was emotional — to loved ones, supporters, and the other crews who have become familiar faces over the last couple of weeks. There was a real sense of shared understanding on the dock: everyone stepping away from normal life and committing fully to the ocean ahead. 🚣‍♀️ Race Start The race started on time, and it was incredibly moving watching the boats ahead of us pass by, cheering them on as they disappeared

Hello everyone, Tonight is last night — for the second time. The strange thing is, it feels very different this time. This time it’s much more set in stone. The race start has now been confirmed for tomorrow morning, 14th December, with the fleet starting at 11am. We are Boat 31, with a two-minute gap between each boat, so we expect to be rowing away just after midday. 🕘 One Final Briefing Tomorrow begins with our final fleet briefing at 9am — the last time all the crews wil

Hello everyone, This was meant to be the first newsletter from the Atlantic Ocean. Instead, I’m writing from La Gomera — on solid land — because the start of the race has been postponed. ⚠️ Amber Weather Warning The island has been issued an amber warning for Saturday, with a strong low-pressure system building across the Canary Islands. This brings: Large, confused seas Swells pushing into unsafe heights Gale-force winds Breaking waves across the harbour entrance In short: i

Hello everyone, What a week it’s been since the last blog. Everything suddenly feels very real, very close, and very emotional — in the best possible way. 🚣‍♀️ Penny B Touches the Atlantic This week we launched Penny B into the marina, giving her her first taste of the Atlantic. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional that moment would be. Seeing her floating there — the boat we will trust with our lives — was overwhelming in a quiet, powerful way. She looked completely at home,

Hello everyone, We’re finally here! Both Paul and I arrived in La Gomera on Sunday, and today was our first full day of official race preparation — and what a day it’s been already. 🚣‍♂️ Fleet Briefing & Straight to Work We started the morning with the 9am fleet briefing, joining all the other teams taking on this year’s World’s Toughest Row. There’s an incredible atmosphere here — excitement, nerves, focus, and the energy of people who have spent years preparing for this mo

Hello everyone, The countdown is well and truly on — and this week marks a big moment in the journey. ✈️ The Team Comes Together Paul leaves the US tomorrow, beginning his journey across the Atlantic by air… before crossing it again in a boat! I’ll be leaving the UK on Sunday, and we’ll finally be reunited in Tenerife after months of planning, training and preparing on opposite sides of the world. From Tenerife we’ll travel together on the ferry to La Gomera, the beautiful (a

Hello everyone, We’re officially 24 days out from the start of the race and things are moving fast! The excitement is building, the prep is under way — and there’s a lot to share this week. 🎙️ On the Air I had a wonderful time this week on air with Caroline Coastal FM (94.7 & 104.7 FM) — the community radio station based in Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. It was great to talk about our journey, our goals, and how local communities are part of this expedition. Many thank

🌍 Hometown Row – Connecting Communities Across the Atlantic Hello everyone, As our departure draws closer, it’s all starting to feel very real! Paul and I will be travelling to La Gomera on the 30th November to begin 12 days of final preparations before the start of the World’s Toughest Row on 12th December. This week, we’re excited to share one of the most meaningful parts of our journey — our new mission to connect communities across the Atlantic Ocean. 🤝 A Journey That L

Hello everyone! First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who has signed up to follow our journey. Paul and I are blown away by the support and interest in Hometown Row — our mission to row home, the long way round! 🚣‍♀️🌍 For anyone new here, this newsletter will share updates, stories, behind-the-scenes prep, and soon — daily blogs straight from the ocean once we set off! Before we go, here are some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve been getting lately 👇 ❓When

Hello Crew, I’m Dawn Smith BEM and I’m thrilled to welcome you aboard our new adventure. Over the past few months I’ve been quietly preparing behind the scenes, and now we’re ready to share the story. Together with my co-rower Paul Lore, we will launch from La Gomera on 12 December 2025 and set off across the Atlantic as part of our “Hometown Row” expedition. Join us as we navigate ‘THE BIG LOOP’ from the Canaries Back to the UK Via Antigua and Florida starting in December 20