As part of Women’s History Month at Godalming College, we had the pleasure and privilege to welcome Captain Imogen ‘Imy’ O’Brien and Corporal Emma Gibb, two of the four women who make up Force Atlantic, the British Army’s first all-female team to row any ocean. Together with Warrant Officer Class One Sheridan Lucas and Major Rebecca Glover, the team of four rowers embarked on the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic, a 3000-mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean, in their 8.5-metre rowing boat Rosie (A distance equivalent to 50,000 football pitches!).
The Force Atlantic crew had limited rowing experience and training was intense, particularly when balanced with full-time Army careers. Preparation for the challenge included many water-based hours on the boat, gym sessions six times per week and working with a sports psychologist and nutritionist. They had to be ready both physically and mentally. Teams from all corners of the globe sign up for this ultimate test of endurance; an annual race that begins every December. No two years are the same, as conditions can vary and be perilous at times. Although there were only four rowers in the boat, Team Atlantic is made up of 12 women, including six support team members, who were all crucial to the crossing as well as the wider campaign.
As the race is unsupported, Force Atlantic had to take everything they could possibly need with them on the boat, including food. Each person needed around 4000 calories per day, but the reality was that it became a struggle consuming that much. For one, they had technical difficulties with heating water once the race had started, and the nausea made it nearly impossible to eat certain foods (like peanut butter), especially once they lost sight of land. The facilities on board comprised of two buckets: one for washing, one for going to the toilet. In their own words, the women got to “know each other very well”! Communication with the outside world was also difficult, and limited to the occasional text, since Wi-Fi and power were both in short supply.
The team’s Army careers helped them in their preparations on many fronts. They started with a good level of fitness, knew the importance of teamwork, and had a good foundation of resilience. Still, the race was challenging both physically and mentally. They rowed two hours on, two hours off, exposed to all the elements, in difficult weather, and with only each other to rely on. They faced many trials and had to rely on teamwork to see them through, from 40ft waves, to oars breaking, to being stalked by a great white shark, or nearly being killed by a passing boat.
They had to be tethered to the boat at all times, since going overboard would mean being lost at sea, and they struggled to get any rest in the 40° heat of the cramped cabins. The smallest maintenance task became an ordeal, like getting rid of the barnacles attached to the hull of the boat, which might otherwise attract small fish, bigger fish, and possibly sharks. There had to be a member of the team on shark watch, while another went in the water, secured to a teammate on the boat. Even washing hair or making a cup of tea became a task that needed careful organisation, and a lot more time than expected.
They finished the race in January this year, after 46 days and 55 minutes.
Students and staff alike attended the inspirational talk, and Imy and Emma were kind enough to spend extra time at the end to chat with some of our students.
‘l loved hearing about the brave and courageous women who were strong enough to do something as hard as rowing the Atlantic, their amazing story has really inspired me to always be brave and determined in whatever l want to accomplish. You can do anything you put your mind to!’ , says Lower 6th student Dara.
As a team, Force Atlantic wanted to Promote women, both in and out of the military, and share their incredible stories; Inspire others, through humility, humour and inclusivity, to believe that anything is possible; and Belong to something bigger than themselves, to a community or strong, like-minded women.
So far, these inspiring women have raised over £16,000 for The Girls’ Network, a charity that aims to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a mentor and a network of professional role models who are women. Their JustGiving page is still open: Force Atlantic is fundraising for The Girls' Network