THE WORLDS TOUGHEST OCEAN ROW
INSPIRE – EMPOWER
02 January 2024
A monstrous 500OKM Rowing race across the Atlantic
The objective – to take on the unique experience of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat. A challenge that will see us row 5000km west from Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, until we reach our final destination, The Jolly Harbour in Antigua.
The purpose – We are supporting the Race Against Dementia, If we row together we can help talented research scientists continue to seek preventative treatments and cures for dementia.
We have partnered with Race Against Dementia, the charity founded by 3 times Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart, OBE, to help win the race against dementia. His F1 mindset: innovation, resilience and collective goal is to help these bright minds fast-track dementia research and help beat dementia, faster.
The race against dementia
ROW to RAISE MONEY TO FUND BREAKTHROUGH DEMENTIA RESEARCH
GET INVOLVED AND JOIN THE RACE
RACE FACTS
Remarkable people achieve remarkable things by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, new dreams realised new stories are created, charity funds raised and magnificent wildlife seen.
- We will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes during the crossing.
- We have committed to collecting daily Marine research data for the Michigan state University to help better understand the plastic pollution problem in the Atlantic.
- At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 8.5km / 5.28 miles deep.
- The waves that the rowers experience can measure up to 20 meters high.
- In the 2016 race, solo rower Daryl Farmer arrived in Antigua after 96 days, rowing without a rudder to steer with for nearly 1200miles/40 days
- Rowers burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day.
- There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket!
- The average rower loses around 8kg during a crossing.
THE CREW
Neil Glover – Race car driver
Jason Black – Professional Mountaineer
Dr Emily Lane-Hill – Race Against Dementia and Barbara Naylor Charitable Trust Fellow
Sophie Maggs – Fundraising Manager, Race Against Dementia
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
DEMENTIA affects the brain, causing problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. It’s a progressive disease, so it gets worse over time.
Dementia can affect different parts of the brain; some people with dementia may have trouble remembering things, while others may have trouble with language or performing tasks they used to do easily.
There are many types of dementia. Each one can affect people differently. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEMENTIA
Each type of dementia has its own characteristics and causes. The most common types of dementia are:
- Alzheimer’s disease accounts for around 60-80% of dementia cases. Characterised by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain, damaged brain cells affect memory, thinking and behaviour.
- Vascular dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain, which can be the result of stroke or other conditions that affect blood flow to the brain. Symptoms can include problems with memory, language and decision-making.
- Lewy body dementia is caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain, known as Lewy bodies. It can cause problems with movement, as well as altering mood, behaviour and thinking.
- Frontotemporal dementia is caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which can affect behaviour, language and decision-making. It can signal the early onset of Alzheimer’s too.
- Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) is caused by the build-up of alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, damaging cognitive function and causing memory problems, language difficulties, changes in mood and behaviour, as well as imbalance, tremors and stiffness.
- Huntington’s disease is a rare genetic brain disorder that causes problems with movement, emotions and thinking. As the disease progresses, it can make it harder to walk, talk and swallow as the disease progresses.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare brain disorder caused by abnormal prion proteins damaging nerve cells. This leads to rapid mental and physical decline – memory loss, personality changes, problems with coordination, balance, speaking and swallowing.
- Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles (cavities) of the brain. Symptoms vary, but may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, balance problems, and cognitive difficulties.
- Mixed dementia is a combination of two or more types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.