Four determined women from Perth are preparing to embark on an extraordinary 45-day journey, rowing across the vast Atlantic Ocean in a bid to conquer The World's Toughest Row. Covering a staggering 4800 kilometres, the team will face relentless physical and mental challenges while raising crucial funds for two vital Western Australian charities.
A Gruelling Challenge for a Greater Cause
The team, named Blades of Oary, consists of Chelsea Tanner, an occupational therapist; Micah Manger, a search and rescue crewperson; Cassie Gaff, a retrieval nurse; and Laura Lilly, a school teacher. They are set to become one of the first all-female Australian teams of four to complete this self-supported odyssey. The expedition will commence in December from San Sebastian De La Gomera in Spain and conclude at Nelsons Dockyard in Antigua.
What began as an ambitious idea for an "ultimate girls trip" has transformed into a significant philanthropic mission. The women have set a lofty fundraising target of $250,000 to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Western Australia, which provides urgent medical transport in remote areas, and Ruah Community Services, which assists West Australians escaping trauma and life crises.
From Friendship to Fundraising
Chelsea Tanner revealed that the initial motivation was personal. "Initially I just really badly wanted to make friends, because I just moved to WA, so I thought, I've got to seem cool and I said 'yes', and now I actually have to go through with it," she admitted. "But it's the best decision I've ever made. I've got really good friends now."
The team's focus has since shifted profoundly. "Initially our fundraising goal was about just getting ourselves to the start line, but now it's shifted a lot more into just wanting to be able to give our charities as much as possible," Ms Tanner explained.
Intensive Preparation and Team Dynamics
The women have recently taken possession of their boat, named Saltie, and have commenced a rigorous training program under the guidance of an ocean rowing coach. Understanding the importance of teamwork in such an isolated environment, they have undergone personality testing to optimise their roster pairings and decision-making processes.
"As time goes on we're really getting to understand each other and what makes people get a bit pissed off," Ms Tanner noted, adding that she plans to conduct sensory profiles for all team members to further enhance cohesion.
Navigating Oceanic Dangers
The row will present numerous hazards, including rowing in waters 400 metres deep and up to 1000 kilometres from land. Micah Manger, drawing from her search and rescue experience, expressed concern about crew members going overboard. "Knowing just how small things look in the water and how easily missed they are, I definitely want to avoid anyone going overboard," she said.
Cassie Gaff highlighted additional threats, such as marlin strikes that could puncture the boat, a danger faced by previous teams. "Bait fish will follow the boat, and Marlins can try and strike the bait fish off the boat," she explained, noting the need to scrub the boat's hull every 11 days to reduce this risk. Rogue waves and potential injuries also loom as serious concerns.
Fundraising Momentum and Future Plans
To date, the team has raised over $171,000, with support from sponsors like Big Yellow Mining and Australian Indigenous Group. However, with twelve months of fundraising remaining, they are actively seeking additional business backing.
"At the moment we're on track to hopefully have $90,000 to donate between our two charities and we're hoping to at least double that before the end of the row," Ms Gaff stated.
Following the completion of their epic journey, the women plan to sell Saltie to another Australian team, with all profits directed to their chosen charities. Their dedication ensures that every stroke taken across the Atlantic will contribute to supporting essential services for Western Australians in need.
