Agathos is proud to support GB Row challenge

Agathos is proud to sponsor GB Row Challenge, a sporting event with a powerful sustainable purpose: the rowers collaborate with scientists from the University of Portsmouth to collect data on microplastics, temperature, noise pollution, and biodiversity.

A team of female ocean rowers set off on a 2,000 mile rowing challenge around the entire coast of Great Britain on Sunday 4 June. The crew of six includes a cyber security expert, an army nurse, a mountaineer, a former international rugby player, a fitness instructor and an RAF Air Cadets ambassador.

‘Team Ithaca’ will navigate complex tidal streams, shipping lanes and volatile weather to row in the world’s toughest rowing race. The team rows continuously and unsupported, taking turns to row for two hours on and two hours off. They’re aiming to finish the row within 50 days or less. If successful, they will break the world record becoming the first team of six to have ever completed the feat.

The team has also been trained to use specialist equipment to gather scientific data.

Dr Fay Couceiro, expert in biogeochemistry and environmental pollution at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Ocean pollution is one of the biggest challenges of our generation. The data collected by last year’s teams found that microplastic pollution was up to 100 times worse than previously recorded but what is really valuable is to see how fast the problem is changing.

“This unique collaboration between GB Row Challenge and the University aims to produce an annual map of ocean pollution and biodiversity, which will give a great baseline for the entire UK and show any changes happening year on year. This data will give a clearer picture of the environmental damage and long term impact of these pollutants on our seas.”

Please click on this link to read the GB Row 2022 impact report.

Jim Bastin, GB Row Challenge Director of Operations, has been working hard to ensure the team have the best possible chance of successfully and safely circumnavigating Great Britain in a rowing boat.

He said: “Team Ithaca is a fantastic group of ordinary people taking on an extraordinary challenge. They are a determined team who came together last year because they are passionate about adventure, but also about the environment.”

Jim was part of a rowing team that completed the challenge in 2005, along with Agathos Founding Partner William de Laszlo, setting a world record by completing it unsupported in 26 days 21 hours and 14 minutes.

If you would like to follow the team on their epic journey please click here.