Meet The Crew

Our team has changed dramatically since the start of this challenge.

The first confirmed crew members were Greg and Elliot, father and son, both rowing novices, more familiar with the rugby pitch than the open seas. They were to be accompanied by ocean rowing veterans Kevin and Steve, but life events forced both of them to drop out. It’s hard enough to make the start line, let alone the finish.

As the GBR team faced an existential crisis, another team, HODL, was facing a similar plight. After a couple of video calls to see if the remaining team members would gel, Will Towning and Toby Renwick became the third and fourth team members (or Greg and Elliot did, depending on your perspective).

Then Toby had to drop and we were so lucky to find a willing volunteer in Chris. The combined team now faces the unusual challenge of living on two different continents, separated by the ocean they intend to row.

While each team member trains hard, smashing out unbelievable numbers on the rowing machines you find at the the gym, time together on the boat is precious.

The combined team's first joint activity was a 24-hour - 440 total km - row at the Matt Hampson Foundation's Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire in Feb 2025.

The final line-up is now getting regular practice on the water off the Essex coast in the UK.

Business leader Greg is also a rugby coach, rock guitarist, a proactive eccentric and a champion of good causes. Formerly an excellent squash player, he has come back from hip surgery to take on this challenge.

Calm in a crisis, Greg “runs towards the roar” and was the founding member of the GBR team. He will be 62 at the race start.

Will is an entrepreneurial thinker and was team leader of HODL. He brings leadership and organization to this otherwise chaotic experience. He is one of the most cool-headed and hardworking guys you could ever work with.

Will is full of ideas to support the team’s charities and generate value for sponsors.

With the muscles for rowing, Elliot has switched from power lifting to endurance. In support of the family’s Begone Dull Care charity he has completed 4 marathons having previously said he hates running.

Elliot is easy going but determined and resilient and will be the engine room of the team.

Chris was a Virgin Atlantic pilot for many years who is now preparing himself to cross the ocean at sea level for the first time.

Chris is the final addition to our team that has had 7 members in total.