The Big Challenge: Solo row across the Pacific – 2018

Charlie Martell is intending to row solo across the Pacific in 2018. This will be his second attempt at this enormous challenge. He will be rowing in support of three charities, and we’re pleased to be advised that AFF will be one.


Charlie writes, in an update following our original post in April:

“By 2018, six years will have passed since Blossom and I were in Japan, setting off from Choshi, heading for the western seaboard of the USA. All was going well until we encountered Typhoon Mawar. It’s testament to the design and rigorous build of Blossom that she survived this storm; she’s the first rowing boat known to have withstood such an onslaught.

Fortunately, we were both  recovered from the ocean by a passing ship. A fellow ocean rower, caught up in the same storm, had to wave goodbye to her boat as she was rescued.

But Blossom (and I!) are now repaired and ready to make another attempt at this elusive Guinness World Record feat – to be the first person in history, to row solo and unsupported across the North Pacific Ocean, from Japan to the USA, land to land.

A number of lessons have been learned from the test of 2012. But the Pacific Ocean is not an easy ocean and 2018 will not be an easy trip.

I’m incredibly proud to be associated with Hesco again. Without Hesco’s support in 2006, I wouldn’t be where I am now, preparing for the Pacific (again)!

I am raising funds for GTaSCVIA and AFF.

If you, your family, friends, colleagues or business wish to have their names on ‘Blossom’, don’t hesitate to get in touch, I would love to have YOUR name ‘tattooed’ on Blossom, keeping me company on my journey.”

We’ll update further news of Charlie’s preparations as they develop.