Days Away from Finishing |

A Sussex man who has been at sea for over 3 months on his own rowing single-handedly across the Atlantic Ocean is expected to finish his 3000-mile journey around Monday 20^th March.

Daryl Farmer from Forest Row in East Sussex, set off from La Gomera on the 14^th December 2016 as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. With no engine and no sails Daryl has had to row every inch of the journey in his Pure Class traditional style ocean rowing boat. It is estimated that he has rowed over 1.5 million oar strokes so far whilst rowing up to 18 hours a day. More people have been into space and successfully climbed Everest than rowed across the Atlantic.

Daryl's journey has been a tremendous undertaking and seen him washed overboard, capsize, dodging enormous tankers, having to make repairs, and he is currently rudderless.

Daryl will be met by his partner Sabine and daughter Ellie at English Harbour Antigua in what is expected to be an emotional reunion.

“For the past three months we have all be dot watching on-line keeping a close eye on Daryl and his progress. For someone to choose to do something so amazing for our small and humble little charity is absolutely amazing.” Said Trevor Weeks MBE founder of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) which Daryl is raising money for, “Daryl is one of our volunteer rescuers and we are really looking forward to having him back on dry land and helping us with our rescues once he is fully recovered again. What an inspirational man!”

Duty Officer Ian Couch from the Talisker Whisky Challenge said “Our remaining rower has crossed the 500nm remaining mark (on 6^TH March 2017). This is always a huge achievement and a significant milestone for any row but he has been at sea for over 80 days now and is still facing more days before he makes land. Not just the duration makes this a significant feat but Daryl has been without a rudder for a significant time and has faced poor conditions. For those of you who have not rowed take a moment to picture the enormity of what he is doing. Alone, communications through sat phone only, tired - wanting to rest but knowing every rest means you are making less progress forward, facing emotional highs and lows (happiness at good progress, fear during storms, loneliness), self-doubt- 'can I keep this going through the relentless routine?' 'Can I keep going through the physical discomfort?', guilt 'I should be with my family,' pride at what I am achieving and a thousand other conflicting emotions that can be experienced in just one hour. This challenge is not just strength, stamina and physical robustness but technical and above all mental and emotional. It strips away a lot of unimportant things and shows you what basic needs are. It highlights to each rower their strengths and weaknesses and deepest fears. The achievement in getting through this race in 30 or 100 days can never be overestimated. I am sure Daryl is unaware just how many people are watching him with nothing but admiration. It is not over until he steps safely onto land but there is no reason for Daryl not to complete a crossing and even without a rudder we will do all we can to guide him across the finish line.”