Team Mermaid Atlantic brave wind & waves for ocean charities as they set off on 3,000-mile row

A trio of Isle of Wight natives embarked from the Canary Islands this week to begin a gruelling 3,000-mile rowing race across the Atlantic.

Chris Mannion, Paul Berry and Xavier Baker are representing Mermaid Atlantic in the World’s Toughest Row as they raise funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust.

They’re joined by 38 other teams, all bound for Antigua.

Together the rowers will face 40-foot waves, 35-knot winds and possible blue marlin strikes – not to mention the physical and mental exhaustion of non-stop rowing for what could be 50 days or longer.

Speaking in the months before the event with Hampshire Biz News, Xavier, co-founder at Isle of Wight Distillery, spoke of the team’s preparations.

“We’ve all known each other since we were kids. We’ve surfed together and we all have a good understanding of the sea.

“Between training, the necessary qualifications and safety check surveys, as well as the social media and marketing aspect of it, it’s consumed our lives.

“I’m hugely excited for it though.”

People back home can track their progress via the official YB Races app as Xavier, Chris and Paul make their way across the Atlantic.

• mermaidatlantic.com
• worldstoughestrow.com

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