The Row Across The Atlantic Ocean That Started A Competition

David Johnstone had an audacious idea. The English journalist wanted to row across the Atlantic Ocean from North America to Europe.
He took out an advertisement in The Times enlisting help: “Will five fortitudinous oarsmen over 28 join me and engage in second-ever transatlantic rowing voyage?”

British Army Captain John Ridgway responded to the ad, but he and Johnstone realized they wouldn’t work well together, so they parted ways. Ridgway, though, was still fond of the challenge, so he sought his own partner to attempt the feat. Sergeant Chay Blyth came into his office to volunteer his services.

The two British Army paratroopers left the shores of Cape Cod, Mass., on June 4, 1966, less than two weeks after Johnstone departed with John Hoare from Virginia Beach, Va., on May 26.

“We thought it would be good to race them,” Blyth told Culture Trip.

Blyth and Ridgway, on the other hand, continued their journey. The duo overcame hurricanes, storms, huge waves and whales bigger than their boat, English Rose III. Finally, after 92 days and some 3,000 miles later, they reached the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland; accomplishing a feat only done once before in 1896 by Norwegians George Harbor and Gabriel Samuelson (who rowed from New York City to Le Havre, France in 60 days).

“We were delighted to have survived,” Blyth said. “… We were on about 400 calories a day.”
Accomplishing this taxing challenge inspired Blyth to lay the foundation for others to follow suit. Thus began the Atlantic Challenge — a row across the world’s second largest ocean, beginning at the Canary Islands and ending in Antigua.

Competitors race boats as solo, pairs or four-person teams. There are certain specifications for the vessels and useable technology, what can be brought onboard and even how drinking water can be obtained — “all drinking water shall be produced using a water maker from sea water.”

The 2016 event begins Dec. 14.

Despite achieving a unique feat, Blyth wasn’t done with his adventures at sea. On Oct. 18, 1970, he set sail again, attempting to become the first person to single-handedly sail around the world non-stop from east to west. He would accomplish this task some 290 days later.

“The world wanted adventurers — you could sell your story to newspapers and publishers,” Blyth said. “I thought I could make a living from this way of life.”

Blyth aboard British Steel during his around-the-world sail, 1970-71

Chay, who has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) and was made a Commander of The British Empire (CBE), has certainly continued his seafaring ways. Chay, 76, and wife, Felicity, embarked on a three-year journey aboard the Wullie Waught around the world beginning January 2014. Unfortunately, the excursion was cut short because of a health problem.

“We are in Turkey but this is as far as we are going,” Blyth said. “We are going to sell our boat. It’s been great though, and a great boat.”

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.