Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

3 DADS · 1 OCEAN ROWING BOAT · 3000 MILES

On 12th December 2022, Neil Furminger who is a customer at our Seaford store, will be rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic, alongside his rowing partners Matt Garman and Steve Woolley. This amazing feat is in support of their local charity, the WOLO Foundation and also for Prostate Cancer UK.

So far, Neil, Matt and Steve have received fantastic support from local businesses and groups, and are raising a huge amount of money - and awareness - for their chosen charities. Neil says:

The support we’ve had so far has been overwhelming! We already have a boat secured and ready for a team for the 2023 crossing, this alone will secure £60k for our charities.

It's taken two years for the guys to reach this stage, they will be rowing 3000 miles unsupported, for a cause that they hold dearly to their hearts.

"We’re a team of 3 Dads seeking to inspire and show people that life begins at 40 (or even 50!!). Some of our friends and family think we’re having a mid-life crisis by investing in an ocean rowing boat instead of other ‘boy’s toys’. We’re out to show the world that at our age, there’s more to life than pipes and slippers, and a ‘middle aged spread’ is not mandatory. Between us we’ve competed at CrossFit games, climbed mountains, finished Ironman events and competed at endurance swimming events. We’ll be raising money for 2 charities very close to our hearts: Wolo Foundation in Sussex, England that helps support families affected by cancer, and Prostate Cancer UK, raising awareness for a disease that affects so many men of our age."

Obviously the team require all kinds of safety equipment on board, such as rescue beacons, personnel beacons, life rafts etc. to name but a few. For their personal wellbeing however, they also need two pairs of sports sunglasses per man. Most days of the 45-50 day row will be 30°C and with the sun reflecting off the ocean, these are a mandatory part of their personal kit.

To support the challenge, Barracloughs have donated a pair of Maui Jim's and a pair of Evil Eye sports sunglasses to each rower. These styles not only provide 100% protection against harmful UVA, UVB and UVC radiation (UV400) but they also come with polarised lenses, which will reduce the glare and reflections greatly.

They have setup their own website showcasing their reasons behind taking part and offering some background on each of the rowers. They're a fantastic bunch who are extremely focused and dedicated to the cause. If you'd like to donate, head on over to their JustGiving page, any amount no matter how small, is very much appreciated by the team.

We wish Neil, Matt and Steve all the best on their "Ocean Dadventure" and our sincere congratulations on participating in such a brave and challenging journey!