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Atlantic Challenge

Kent rowers set new pairs record in the

World’s Toughest Rowing Race

Kent duo, Dan Parsons (30) and Olly Clark (31), set the new Pairs Class record this weekend in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, by completing the 3,000 mile crossing from the Canary Islands to Antigua in 42 days, 17 hours and 59 minutes in their ocean rowing boat. They’ve smashed the previous record of 53 days, 9 hours, 30 minutes by more than 10 days. Described as “The toughest rowing race on earth”, the team were sponsored by the Ashford based RIFT Group and have raised over £80,000 for their chosen charities Prostate Cancer UK and ABF, The Solider’s Charity.

“This is first time I’ve taken on challenge to this scale” said Parsons, “We’ve experienced 30-40kn storms, a near miss with a cargo ship, a night capsize, horrific hallucinations from sleep deprivation, regular power failures that meant no water and auto-helm, and the most horrendous bottom sores! But we’ve also raised a huge amount of money for charity, so it was definitely worth it.”

Jan Post, MD of RIFT Group, said: “If anyone epitomizes the determination and teamwork it takes to succeed against the odds, it’s the men and women of the armed forces. When we heard that local boys Olly and Dan would be taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, we jumped at the opportunity to roll our sleeves up and get involved. We’ve been following their progress with great excitement and are delighted at their fantastic result.”

James Beeby, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We would like to thank Dan and Olly for taking part in this extraordinary challenge for Prostate Cancer UK. By doing this they have joined the charities Men United army of supporters, all helping to make a real difference in furthering the fight against prostate cancer. We would like to thank the pair for their dedication and passion to the cause and to everybody that has helped to contribute towards this amazing fundraising target.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity comments: “Olly and Dan have really done the Charity proud for their tremendous efforts. Undertaking such a huge task as this alone speaks volumes for their courage and determination, yet they both have had to do this battle against major storms and capsize.”

They battled storms, sharks and sunstroke. Their tiny 22ft boat was nearly torn apart by a storm. One night their rudder stock sheared off completely and it was almost the end, but for Olly’s characteristic ingenuity in improvising a repair with a length of wire and some duct tape. They’ve endured everything from sleep deprivation-induced hallucinations to freak waves throwing them overboard, but Dan and Olly did everything they could to keep each other safe, sane and pulling toward a common goal.

Captain Olly Clark, Royal Engineers, said: “During our darkest times, we maintained morale by reading messages from our family and friends. We could not have completed this challenge without the constant support we’ve received – from our sponsors and friends before the challenge started and while we were in the middle of the Atlantic – we are forever in your debt.”

More people have been in space than have rowed across the Atlantic. Unsurprisingly, the crossing has taken a heavy physical toll on the boys – but, their spirits have remained positive throughout, and their friendship is stronger than ever.

To read more about their experience and to donate: please visit www.atlantic-row.com