From Perth to the Atlantic: Four Aussie Women Set to Tackle the World’s Toughest Row

For those of us who live and breathe the ocean, there’s something magnetic about its raw power and endless horizon. Now, four intrepid women from Perth are preparing to embrace that power in one of the most challenging maritime adventures imaginable: rowing 4,800 kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean in the World’s Toughest Row.

The team, composed of a flight nurse, occupational therapist, teacher, and rescue crew person, will face waves up to over 9 metres high as they navigate from the Canary Islands to Antigua. If that doesn’t sound demanding enough, they’ll be doing it entirely self-sufficiently, making their own drinking water and handling any mechanical issues that arise – including potential marlin strikes (yes, you read that right – a previous team had to patch their boat with a champagne bottle after such an encounter).

The mapped out route of 'The Worlds Toughest Row'
The mapped out route of ‘The Worlds Toughest Row’

The Team: A Serendipitous Union

The story of how Micah, Cassie, Chelsea, and Laura came together feels almost as destined as their upcoming adventure. Micah proved to be the common thread that would eventually bind this extraordinary team. Her path first crossed with Cassie while both were working in emergency retrievals in Broome. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Cassie had unknowingly lived parallel lives in Cairns before fate brought them together through mutual friends after they both relocated to Perth at the same time.

Laura entered the picture during a fortuitous day at Lancelin beach, where she became what Micah describes as her “guardian angel in kite surfing” after offering to launch her kite. As for Chelsea and Micah, their bond was forged during what they both describe as the “worst boat ride” of their lives – an experience that would ironically prepare them for their upcoming Atlantic challenge. What started as separate paths has merged into a powerful friendship and an even stronger team.

From left to right: Chelsea, Laura, Micah and
From left to right: Chelsea, Laura, Micah and Cassie

A Test of Ultimate Endurance

The crossing, expected to take between 40 to 70 days, will push these frontline workers to their absolute limits. Their schedule? A relentless two-hour rotating roster where two team members row while the others attempt to rest, eat, and manage the countless tasks required to keep their vessel, aptly named ‘Saltie,’ on course.

Their preparation is as intense as you’d expect for such an endeavour. Beyond the physical training on coastal rowing boats and rowing machines, they’re working with sports psychologists to prepare for the mental challenges ahead. As any seasoned mariner knows, the ocean has a way of testing not just your physical strength, but your psychological resilience as well.

More Than Just a Row

What makes this team particularly inspiring is their motivation. As frontline workers, they’ve witnessed firsthand the disparity in essential services across Australia, particularly in Western Australia. Their Atlantic crossing serves as a platform to raise funds for Ruah Community Services (Perth’s oldest women’s refuge) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA.

Their vessel, ‘Saltie,’ is equipped with everything needed for such an epic journey: auto-pilot systems, a desalinator for drinking water, satellite communications, and self-righting technology in case of capsising. Solar panels and lithium-ion batteries will power their essential systems, while a para-anchor stands ready for unrowable conditions.

An Unprecedented Australian Effort

It’s worth noting that Australian participation in the World’s Toughest Row is rare, given the logistical challenges and substantial costs involved in preparing for a race held halfway across the world. The total expedition is expected to cost around $250,000, with any money recouped from selling their boat post-race going directly to their chosen charities.

Support Their Journey

We are stoked to announce that the team will be joining us at a few of our Ocean Film Festival screenings in March 2025! Come see them, say hi and have a chat about their row in the following locations; NSW: Avalon Beach 14th March, Sydney North 6th + 7th March, WA: Bunbury 19th March, Perth 2nd-5th April.

In the meantime you can support their journey by giving tax- deductible donations through the Australian Sports Foundation to partnerships and sponsorships (see their partnership pack here), every bit of support helps these brave women move closer to their goal.

As they prepare for their December 2025 departure, these four Perth women remind us that the ocean, while formidable, has an extraordinary way of bringing out the best in human determination and spirit. Their journey embodies what many of us love about the ocean – its ability to challenge us, transform us, and inspire us to reach beyond what we thought possible.

Follow their preparation and eventual crossing on their social media channels and website to be part of this extraordinary maritime adventure.

Want to know more? Head to these links:

Worlds Toughest Row Website

Their Instagram

Worlds Toughest Row Instagram

Their Website

Their Facebook

Australian Sports Foundation fundraising page

PLUS: Don’t forget to head over to the Ocean Film Festival website to secure your tickets for the much anticipated Ocean Film Festival coming March 2025!

Meet The Team!

Meet the Team!

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