Karate ace takes on world’s toughest rowing race for health charity

Amy Wood from Leeds is getting ready to take on one of the toughest sporting endurance challenges in the world this year.

In just a few months 25-year-old Amy is hoping compete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and row for almost two months 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

She is no stranger to sporting challenges having previously represented England at karate. However this challenge is so tough that more people have been into space or climbed Everest than rowed the Atlantic.

Amy is part of a three-strong team who will row for two hours and sleep for two hours constantly, for 24 hours a day, until they complete the journey. In 2019 finishing times ranged from 32 days to one crew still being at sea after 79 days.

“Moving from karate to rowing was a fairly natural move for me,” says Amy, originally from Leeds.

“I moved to a new school meaning I wasn’t able to keep training at a level I needed to compete. I picked up rowing and never looked back.

“In 2012 my crew mate, Jooles, and I tried to get to the start of an unsupported row around Great Britain but the ladies crew of six just didn’t gel and that challenge unfortunately came to a halt.

“Rowing the Atlantic Ocean is the ultimate rowing challenge. I’ve taken part in several crazy rowing races over Europe but nothing comes close to the 3,000 miles between La Gomera and Antigua. It’s an extremely difficult race that is going to push us to the absolute edge, both physically and mentally – bring it on.”

Amy will be undertaking the epic challenge with friends Mark Sealey and Julie Paillin and in doing so the team, who have dubbed themselves The Transatlantic Trio, will also be attempting to become the first mixed trio to cross the Atlantic. Not only that Mark, isn’t actually a rower.

Amy, who was born and grew up in Leeds but moved to Salisbury, where she currently lives, three years ago, is quick to pinpoint her biggest concern during this epic adventure.

“My biggest fear is our boat capsizing,” she says. “We’ll be facing up to 40 feet high waves so capsizing is a real possibility.

“Our boat – a Rannoch Adventure, R45 – is designed to self-right and is a highly proven boat on the ocean, but it doesn’t stop me worrying

“We will all be wearing a safety harness that attaches us to the boat so, in the event of our boat being flipped over, we won’t be washed away. It is our responsibility to make sure we’re all attached to the boat at all times, it needs to be second nature to us.”

As part of the challenge the Transatlantic Trio will be raising money for the Blood Bikes charities across the UK with an aim of helping them buy new vehicles and train volunteer riders and support call handlers.

Amy explains why the group chose this charity.

“Blood Bikes provide an out of hours, emergency service to the NHS. They deliver lifesaving matter from blood and platelets to breast milk for new born babies. For every £1 received by Blood Bikes, it will save the NHS £5 on private delivery mechanisms. Best of all Blood Bikers are all volunteers; from bike riders, coordinators and controllers, through to fundraising leaders. Each one of them give their time and effort so generously, they’re all everyday heroes.”

But even getting to the starting line will be a challenge.

“Our project will cost approximately £100,000, including our boat, race entry fees, equipment and training,” Amy explains.

“We need the help of corporate sponsors to help us get to the start line and in return, sponsors will receive PR exposure through the race, valued at £114m.

“We need your help in being the makers and breakers of world records but more importantly, to reach our fundraising target of £250,000 for Blood Bikes to carry on their amazing work saving our neighbours, friends and family – you never know when you’ll need a Blood Biker.”

Someone who knows first hand the challenges faced rowing the Atlantic is Yorkshire father Marcus Beale, 50.

He spent more than 48 days at sea and raised more than £120,000 for Macmillan Cancer,. Marcus was the first solo rower to complete this race which kept him apart from his family at Christmas, finishing in January, where they were waiting on shore to welcome him home.

He lost 30 pounds as well as contending with 50ft waves, sea sickness, sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue and sharks. And he has just revealed that prior to the challenge he underwent foot surgery at Spire Leeds Hospital after suffering a painful bunion on his right foot.

“You use your legs, thighs and feet to generate the power for rowing. Your feet push against the footplate to drive power through your legs. I couldn’t drive or even stand on my foot without significant pain and it was seriously impacting my training.

“It would have been extremely painful, if not unbearable, to attempt this race without having undergone the surgery.

“Without doubt, this was the biggest physical and mental challenge I have attempted and I chose to do it to test myself to the limits. It was hard being apart from my wife, Suzanne, and two children, Charlotte and Ben, who have been incredibly supportive. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved and particularly to raise funds a cause that’s deeply personal to me.

“Macmillan has provided huge support to myself and my family over the years.”

He is already planning his next challenge – the Arctic 320 Ultra – a gruelling 320-mile Arctic race across the Arctic in 2021.