Two British women have made sporting history after becoming the fastest female pair to row the Atlantic Ocean, setting a new world record while raising vital funds and awareness for young people’s mental health through surf therapy.
Rowing under the team name Atlantic Highway, Beth and Jess crossed the finish line in Antigua as winners of the Women’s Class at the World’s Toughest Row 2025, completing the 3,000-mile crossing from La Gomera to Antigua in an extraordinary time of 38 days, 12 hours and 18 minutes.
Competing in one of the most demanding endurance races on the planet, the pair rowed completely unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean, facing 40-foot waves, tropical storms, intense heat and extreme fatigue. Their crossing broke the existing women’s pair Atlantic rowing world record by almost a full week.
The World’s Toughest Row is widely recognised as one of the hardest ocean rowing races in the world, requiring physical endurance, mental resilience, teamwork and survival skills at sea.
Fewer than 70 all-female crews have successfully rowed the Atlantic Ocean from east to west, placing Beth and Jess among an elite group of women worldwide to complete the challenge.
Their achievement reflects the growing presence of women in extreme endurance sport and ocean-based adventure, with more athletes taking on ambitious challenges in demanding marine environments.
Alongside their world record attempt, Atlantic Highway rowed in support of The Wave Project, a UK charity that uses Surf Therapy to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The Wave Project delivers structured surf programmes for young people experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma, helping them build confidence, connection and calm through time in the ocean.
Jaz Bennett, North Devon Project Coordinator for The Wave Project, said:
“Through Surf Therapy we help young people find calm, connection and healing. Watching Beth and Jess complete this extraordinary Atlantic crossing — and set a new world record in the process — has been truly inspiring.”
If you’d like to donate to The Wave Project, please click on the link below:
