A Solo Atlantic Row Across the Atlantic

The World’s Toughest Row is just that, a grueling 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic Ocean. Each year, approximately 40 boats depart from The Canary Islands, rowing across the ocean to Antigua.

Most compete in teams, but December 12, 2025, Taryn will become the first American woman to race in The World’s Toughest Row as a solo athlete.

FAQs

  • Solo rows across the Atlantic take 60-90 days. Most days Taryn will row 2 hours on, 2 hours off. Taryn’s goal is to have a speedy, safe, and fun journey.

  • Ocean rowers burn 5,000+ calories a day. Taryn will bring backpacking meals and ~lots~ of snacks to stay fueled throughout the race.

  • Taryn will race in an R25, a special ocean rowing boat designed Rannoch. The boat is 24 feet long with a fiberglass hull. Rannochs are self-righting in case of a capsize and have cabins to sleep in.

  • Very glamorous. A bucket.

  • Redundancy is the name of the game in comms at sea. Taryn will have 2 satellite phones and a BGAN (broadband global area network) which provides internet access. Taryn will be able to send pictures and videos back to land throughout the journey.

  • “She is crazy and we blame ourselves, just kidding, we are f*cking proud.”

    -Burke Smith

Training & Preparation

September 2023 Begin training with Gus Barton, Ocean Rowing Performance Coach

February 2024 Learn navigation, sea survival & weather routing, Seasports Southwest, UK

March-April 2024 Row with the Ocean Rowing Centre, UK

May-December 2024 Continue land based training

January-September 2025 Train with the boat (R25 built by Rannoch)

November 2025 Arrive in La Gomera

December 12, 2025 Race begins

Taryn Smith Movement, Solo Row Across the Atlantic Ocean. World's Toughest Row.
Taryn Smith Movement, Solo Row Across the Atlantic Ocean. World's Toughest Row.

TARYN SMITH MOVEMENT X GIRLS ON THE RUN

Taryn partnered with Girls on the Run, a non-profit that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Taryn Smith Movement, Solo Row Across the Atlantic Ocean. World's Toughest Row. Girls on the Run.

Taryn pledges all excess sponsorship funds to Girls on the Run and will represent GOTR while rowing across the ocean.