Page 16 - Cadet Review Spring 2024

Joint Service News
WORLD’S TOUGHEST
ROW - ATLANTIC 2026
By CI Louis Webb
We are brother and sister, Louis and Giorgia Webb from South Yorkshire, and in 2026 we will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean! We have been asked by the Editor of the Cadet Review magazine, Colonel David Fuller OBE, to write about the amazing adventure we’ve undertaken over the next three years in the Cadet Review magazine!
You may be wondering why we are writing in a Cadet magazine. The answer is simple: we are both ex-Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Giorgia (29) began her cadet career in 2008.
Her journey in the organisation saw her take part
in numerous Adventure Training and Uniformed camps across the UK. She took part in many activities representing her Squadron, Wing and Region. Giorgia left the Cadets after nearly 3 years when
her education took her to North Yorkshire and then eventually to the Cotswolds where she resides today.
Louis (26) joined the Air Cadets in 2011, and this lit the adventurous flame within him, just as it did with Giorgia. He rose up to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer achieving many aspirations and having life-changing experiences along the way. Louis
has been a Civilian Instructor at 218 (Rotherham) Squadron since the age of 20, where he inspires the next generation of cadets to venture for adventure.
Now you know more about us, let us tell you more about the World’s Toughest Row!
This is an annual event organised by ‘Atlantic Campaigns’ where competitors row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, in a race from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua in the Caribbean!
You can enter as solo rower or a team of up to
5 rowers. We are entered together in the Pairs Race. Prior to the race the rowers spend 2-3 years preparing. During this time the teams not only have to undertake demanding physical training, but they also have to find sponsorships from businesses which will pay for all of their equipment and food. A total cost of around £100,000!
With the Race having an audience of around 45+ million people, it is certainly a very successful way to promote your business; having your logo, not only on your sponsored team's social media platforms but also on the side of their boat for all the world to see as they cross the ocean!
You might still be wondering why anyone in their right mind would voluntarily put themselves through something so physically and mentally challenging. We both had very adventurous childhoods, in and out of the RAFAC and this has followed us into adulthood. The RAFAC motto “Venture Adventure” is exactly what we’re doing. You only live once, so live to the full and try everything! Hence why we chose our team’s name: “One Row, Live It.” The flame of adventure was kindled when we made the decision to attempt such a challenge, and the best part is that we can help raise vital funds for charity whilst undertaking this epic journey. Since the start of the Atlantic Race in 1997, over €19 million has been raised for charities around the World, and that number is still rising!
16 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2024