🌊 Hometown Row – First Words from the Atlantic
- dawnysmiff
- Dec 15, 2025
- 2 min read
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 one by one toward the horizon.
Our start time was 12:02, and as we pushed off, the heavens opened. We rowed away in heavy rain — but it came with something pretty special. A huge rainbow appeared alongside the land, almost like La Gomera’s final send-off. It felt like a good omen.
🌌 First Night at Sea
The first night was a long slog. We transitioned from our short 50 minutes on / 10 minutes off pattern into 3 hours on / 3 hours off, which always takes a bit of getting used to — especially on day one when everything is still settling.
There wasn’t much wind, but we seem to have found ourselves in a helpful current, which means we’re still making good progress.
As the night went on, the rain cleared and the sky opened up. The stars were incredible — clear, bright, and uninterrupted — and we were even treated to a few shooting stars. Moments like that make the hard work completely worth it.
🌅 Settling into Day One
We’re now easing into our first full day at sea, finding a rhythm, fine-tuning systems, and letting our bodies and minds adjust to ocean life once again.
It feels good to finally be underway.
More soon — straight from the Atlantic.
Dawn
“Together Paul and I are rowing home — the long way round.”
Hometown Row
Leg 1 – La Gomera to Antigua
Leg 2 – Antigua to Florida
Leg 3 – Canada to the UK
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