Force Atlantic 2021

“Every new beginning, comes from some other beginning’s end” - Seneca

And it’s a wrap! Last week saw our last official act as Force Atlantic 21. The campaign’s experience has presented us with one of the most rewarding opportunities available and enabled a huge amount of growth in each crew member. Although it brings about the end of an era, it also represents the start of someone else’s amazing journey.

Part of our aim was to create an enduring legacy and inspire others to commit to this life changing opportunity and we are very pleased to say that Ocean Rowing across the services is in a really good place. So good that there is the newly formed society named Ocean Rowing Club (Army) affectionately known as ORCA. This is a place for the serving Ocean Rowing community to engage with experienced Ocean rowers and discover new opportunities. Each of Force Atlantic 21 crew members have moved into committee roles to continue our work towards Ocean Rowing.

We would like to thank ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE for all their continued and passionate support, however now it’s not about us, its about the future……ladies and gentlemen may I please introduce Pacific One . The first ever Army team to row the Pacific Ocean. Pacific One will be skippered by Maj Si Farley and are set to row the Pacific Ocean in 2023, they will be using our trusty vessel, Rosie.

Equally Force Atlantic will return in 2024 with the first ever Army all Women’s crew to row the Atlantic Ocean skippered by Capt Imy O’Brien.

For one final time Force Atlantic Out.

British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
Atlantic Campaigns
Royal British Legion
Made to Measure Mentoring Limited
Technogym
Indigo Fitness
Traffix Ltd
Newitts.com
ESTC - Emergency Services Training Centre
Raging Bull
MyPura

Had a blast doing this, thank you for the opportunity Coach Dean Hammond.

I love reflecting on this journey of ours.

Check out the podcast below;

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4M4cFGH33ORxS6O3ei0M3Y?si=iOsN8H_qQ72aqi55PsHxxQ



Atlantic Campaigns
British Army
Army Sport Control Board
Royal Army Physical Training Corps

Friday night spent as a team talking all things Force Atlantic 🤟

Go and give it a listen!



British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
Atlantic Campaigns
Royal British Legion

Friday night spent as a team talking all things Force Atlantic 🤟

Go and give it a listen!



British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
Atlantic Campaigns
Royal British Legion

This week Victoria was asked to speak at the Midlands Female Festival of Sport.

Sport is a huge part of military life, and this was an opportunity for all the females within the Midlands area to come together and play sport. The day was jam packed with different activities including Strength and Conditioning Workshops, Badminton, Rounders, British Army Warrior Fitness and of course Indoor Rowing. Even if you don’t play any of the sports this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go, have fun and meet other females in the area.

Victoria spoke about the extensiveness of activities that are available to both regular and reserve personnel. She received a lot of questions about Ocean Rowing and the directions that can be taken in this area. The world of Ocean Rowing is looking bright as more personnel are drawn to the opportunities that are available.

Scott was also in attendance throughout the day to offer guidance and support.

A massive well done to all who took part.

British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army West Midlands

Around our normal work commitments, the team have still been out and about spreading our story.

This week Laura visited 1 RIFLES in Chepstow to highlight the opportunities available to service personnel. Delivering two presentations she spoke to the Riflemen's Cadre in the morning and spent the afternoon speaking to the SNCOs, WOs and Officers in the Mess.

Scott meanwhile put his football boots back on and took to the football pitch for a Dads Vs Lads game at Nova United Football Club. After the game he took Rosie to meet the team, shared our story and showed them where we spent 40 days living out at sea.


British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
The Rifles
Atlantic Campaigns

Another opportunity to share our ocean rowing adventure.

Yesterday Laura visited Army Training Centre Pirbright to speak to members of permanent staff who are currently halfway through their own challenge, The 4x4x48 Goggins Challenge. The team will run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours, they started at 1600 hrs yesterday afternoon and will finish their challenge tomorrow. As this post is published they will be about to finish their eighth run and totalled 32 miles each. There’s definitely going to be some sore legs by now but they’re still going strong!

She was also joined by members of Gold Platoon who are currently undergoing rehabilitation and upon a clean bill of health will recommence their basic training. People get injured and we were no different so talking to the Platoon allowed her to share how we overcame/managed our injuries and continued to complete our aim.

Being a PTI Laura couldn’t resist getting involved and joined the team for their 2000 hrs run.

A massive thank you to Army Training Centre Pirbright for allowing us to share our adventure with you and good luck with the rest of your challenge!



British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
Royal British Legion
Atlantic Campaigns

FA19 and FA21 in a boat…

On Monday the team joined up with Chris Hames from FA19 to take part in the Whitby Flag Raising Ceremony. The event marked the start of Armed Forces Week and Rosie played her part transporting the flag from the water to dry land.

It felt amazing being out on the water in our beloved Rosie and getting back on the oars was easy, we even went for a little row around the Marina. This was our final time in the water as next month we will be handing her over to The Yorkshire Regiment in preparation for her next ocean crossing.

We had the best time catching up and talking everything ocean rowing, including the possibilities of future adventures... Of course no trip to the coast is complete without a trip to the fish and chip shop and Royal Fisheries ensured we were well fed before getting back on the road and heading home.


British Army
Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training
4th Infantry Brigade

They say the hardest part of any challenge is getting to the start line and for us this was no different. Our challenge wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for our sponsors, with their help the dream of rowing across the Atlantic was made a reality.

Last week Victoria had the pleasure of reliving our experience with Pinnacle Group at their Future Opportunities Conference. A huge thank you to Pinnacle Gp for believing in us and joining us on this adventure!

British Army
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training

Last week saw the initial selection process for the Force Atlantic 24 Team, the first all Female Army Team.

In just under three years they will take on the Atlantic Campaigns TWAC and will be supported by an all female support crew (photo), it was our privilege that WO1 (SMI) Blackburn had the opportunity to present to an audience of inspiring and hopeful candidates.



British Army
Army Sport Control Board
Army Adventurous Training

The beauty of the Ocean is a huge ‘pull’ towards this challenge but it saddens most Ocean rowers on just the amount of rubbish floating out there.

We hope to enlighten the future generations though our exploitation phase and through raising awareness.

We can all do our bit……

The first day of the month means it’s time to turn the calendar over to a new page. Our amazing Charlotte Graham Photography calendar is full of incredible photos but this one is our favourite!

This photo was taken when we first met Charlotte Graham in Cardiff and it feels so long ago! Charlotte joined us on all of our training sessions, events and team gatherings to capture our journey. When we first met she explicitly said “you’re never getting me in that boat”, well guess who ended up in the boat!

Charlotte has been one of the key members of our team from the start and we want to say a massive thank you to her for believing in us from start to finish, she is simply amazing!