While most of us will celebrate the holidays at home, Hammersmith rower Scott Brown is spending Christmas, New Year and his birthday rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
Scott (30) only started rowing two years ago when he joined Fulham Reach Boat Club's learn-to-row programme.
"It's so much more than just exercise for me," he said. "It's a powerful mental outlet and a source of lifelong friendships."
So while the rest of us are pulling crackers, he'll be part of a three-man team (with Dafydd Helps-Fursse and Josh Pearson) taking on the 'World's Toughest Rowing Challenge' – the 3,000-mile unsupported journey across the Atlantic.
Their boat, the Vaquita, departed from the Canary Islands on 28 November. Scott and his teammates, known as the Oardinary Buoys, began their epic journey this Wednesday (11 December) after two weeks of preparation. Before embarking, he explained:
It's 3,000 miles from the Canaries to Antigua, and there'll be no getting off. I do two hours rowing, then get two hours off, 24 hours a day."
From riverside to open ocean
To prepare, Scott completed a 54k ultra marathon and even scaled the UK's three tallest peaks with a rowing machine strapped to his back.
Now, he's undertaking this challenge to raise money in support of his boat club's youth programmes, which he joined in summer of 2022.
"I'd always cycled along the river and saw everyone out on the water having fun," Scott explained. "I found very quickly I was enjoying it."
The H&F Mayoral charity has opened up the traditionally exclusive sport to thousands of state school students across the borough.
With a fundraising target of £5,000, you can support Scott via his donation page.
"Any donation, no matter how small, will go a long way in supporting Fulham Reach Boat Club and the young people they empower. Thank you for helping me make a difference!"
Track the journey
The team has already made remarkable progress, breaking past the first 100 nautical miles and taking an early lead in the Men's Trio class.
You can follow the rowers' at their website, Oardinary Buoys, or follow their progress via the interactive race viewer:
For daily updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow @oardinarybuoys on Instagram.
