North Sea Saturation Divers Set to Undertake The ‘World’s Toughest Rowing Challenge’ Across the Atlantic Ocean

In December 2020, a crew of four men, ‘The Bubbleheads’ will board an ocean rowing boat and attempt to race – unaided - across the Atlantic Ocean, the second largest ocean in the world, for the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.

The Bubbleheads are no strangers to challenging situations; all four men are North Sea saturation divers, a job considered by many as the world’s most dangerous. Living at depths of 100m+ for up to 28 days and on average five days away from the surface at any time (it’s quicker to get back from the moon!), the life of a saturation diver requires peak physical condition and the mental strength of a warrior.

The crew will endure endless days and nights at sea as they row a punishing 3,000 miles from La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain, to Antigua in the Caribbean to raise money for Wessex Cancer Trust in the UK and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States. Being fully self-sufficient while rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, daily responsibilities will include navigation across the Atlantic, monitoring weather systems, desalinating water for cooking and hydration, preparing and eating military-style ration packs, catching fish for additional protein sources, undertaking any necessary and essential maintenance and remaining motivated and positive – despite what Mother Nature throws at them that day. The crew will be in a 25ft Rannoch R45 for the entire race – at the mercy of the elements and rowing to win. There will be no rest and no getting off.

The premier event in ocean rowing and the ultimate in endurance events. It begins in early December, with up to 30 teams participating from around the world. Claimed to be ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, the race will challenge and push every element of the mind, body and soul. This is a truly global event that garners enormous coverage worldwide across digital, TV and print media.

Chris Ayres, crew captain, comments: “The initial idea to enter the 2020 row came when three of us witnessed the arrival of the 2018 winning boat on a trip to Antigua. At that moment we all agreed it was a challenge worth doing but naturally a little hesitant; this is a challenge that would once again take us away from our friends and families when we already spend so much time away for work. The pivotal decision-making moment was when crew member James told us how he wanted to find a way to raise money for Wessex Cancer Trust. The charity has provided him and his family endless support over the last six years.”

The Bubbleheads have secured sponsorship from Helix Energy Solutions but actively seeking additional corporate sponsorship. www.thebubbleheads.co.uk