Saturday 16th January

(Covering the last 24 hours)

Hopefully, we’re down to just 10 days to go before reaching Antigua. It’s incredible watching the other boats arrive via the tracker — each little icon reaching land feels like a small victory for everyone still out here. We haven’t quite had enough Wi-Fi time yet to watch anyone arrive on the live streams, but even seeing those finish lines tick over is a huge morale boost.

We’re both very much looking forward to a proper shower and a bit of downtime.

🏁 Why Watching Arrivals Feels So Emotional

I absolutely love watching the other boats arrive — and strangely, I find it more emotional than arriving myself.

When it’s your own arrival, your head is full. There’s navigation to concentrate on, communications to manage, flares to prepare, radios to monitor — it’s busy and intense. You don’t really get the chance to stop and feel it.

Watching others arrive is different. You know exactly what they’ve been through. You understand every sore muscle, every sleepless night, every moment of doubt that got them there. Seeing them cross the line brings all of that flooding back — and it hits you right in the heart.

✨ Bioluminescence – Our Night-Time Magic

I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned bioluminescence yet.

Bioluminescence is caused by tiny marine organisms that emit light when disturbed. At night, every stroke of the oars creates glowing green trails in the water. The puddles left behind by the blades shimmer and swirl like liquid neon, almost as if you’re rowing through stardust.

With the dark nights and occasional shooting stars overhead, it feels like having your own personal light show — above, below, and all around you. It’s completely mesmerising and something that never gets old, no matter how many times you see it.

🌊 Fast and Free

Bigger winds have brought bigger seas, and honestly — we love it.

Our top speed so far has been 8.5 knots, surfing down a wave. When you see a wave coming, you power up the face, then lift the oars high and let the boat fly down the other side. It’s exhilarating — especially at night, when you leave a glowing green bioluminescent trail streaming out behind you.

Moments like that remind you that this isn’t just endurance — it’s pure joy.

🌅 Final Thoughts

Out here, days blur together, but the experiences don’t. There’s hardship, beauty, exhaustion, laughter — often all within the same hour. As Antigua gets closer, we’re soaking up every moment, knowing how rare and special this journey really is.

Onwards, one wave at a time.

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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