Isle of Wight rowing team to take on Talisker Whisky Challenge

The Mermaid Atlantic Team and a band of supporters gathered on the bank of the River Medina to launch their Rannoch 45 rowing boat and held a formal ceremony to rename the boat ‘Mermaid’.

This December, the team will head to La Gomera, where they will embark on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, known as ‘the world’s toughest row’.

The gruelling mission will see the crew row 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in support of ocean preservation, raising funds for Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust.

The Mermaid Atlantic Team with their recently launched rowing boat (Image: The Mermaid Atlantic Team)

Support the cause!

• To sponsor the team or donate to their chosen causes, visit the Mermaid Atlantic website

Making up the Mermaid Atlantic team are Islanders Chris Mannion, owner of iSurf, Paul Berry, Ventnor longshoreman and firefighter and Xavier Baker, co-founder of the IW Distillery.

All members are well-versed in ocean sports, with skills in sailing, surfing and kayaking. However, all but Paul are novice rowers, so the crew have been training daily, undertaking a strict exercise regime, and participating in safety courses, to ensure they are up for the challenge.

From left, Xavier Baker, Paul Berry and Chris Mannion (Image: The Mermaid Atlantic Team)

Speaking on behalf of the crew, Xavier said: “We’re hugely grateful to all our sponsors who have donated kit and funds to get us to this point.

“Now the boat is looking brilliant, we’re excited to be on the water and ready to crack on with training!”