Our Mission
In January 2020, four serving Royal Navy Submariners became the first ever Royal Navy team, and the fastest military team in history to row any Ocean spending 37 days, 6 hours, 40 minutes battling across the Atlantic.
Since then, HMS Oardacious has grown from a seed of an idea into a successful campaign that has reached millions around the world. We have collaborated with some fantastic organisations that add value to our community; inspired the next generation through STEM; championed Mental Health and Resilience and successfully fundraised over £600,000 in support of Mental Health and Heritage charities.
In January 2023, our third team of Royal Navy Submariners broke the previous record by crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 35 days, 17 hours and 19 minutes. In January 2024, the fourth team of Royal Navy Submariners completed the same challenge as a team of 5 to win the record as the fastest serving military team with a time of 35 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes.
I am pleased to announce that this year, for the first time in HMS Oardacious campaign history, we are aiming to set a new world record for the first and fastest all-women serving military team to row across any ocean. We look forward to sharing this, our legacy and many other adventures with you.
Yours aye,
The HMS Oardacious Campaign Team
The World’s toughest row, and the premier event in Ocean Rowing - a challenge that takes competitors more than 3000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelsons Dockyard in Antigua.
The Annual Race begins in early December with up to 40 teams participating from across the globe. The ‘World’s Toughest Row’ brings together teams from all walks of life united by the same objective: to take on the unique challenge of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat.
The atmosphere is electric as people help each other prepare for the challenge of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Teams battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race. Rowers are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of getting the boat safely to the other side.
Banner image: © Crown copyright. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
MORE THAN JUST ROWING OCEANS
HMS Oardacious was established in 2019 to provide Mental Health and Wellbeing support to the Submarine community, and that continues to be our mission.
The HMS Oardacious campaign has fundraised over £150,000 to provide Mental Health and Wellbeing support to Royal Navy personnel (serving & retired) and their families.
We are proud to be working closely with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, whose purpose and duty is to remain focused on the needs of the sailors, marines and their families. Since 2007, the charity has funded projects and facilities that boost morale for those who serve today. It also distributes millions of pounds annually to military charities which care for the children, families and veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
For more information, visit https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/how-we-help
2024 RACE TEAM
Lieutenant Izzy Rawlinson
Marine Engineer Officer
Petty Officer Aaby Aldridge
Survival Equipment Technician
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher
Pilot
Lieutenant Ali Aindow
Mine Clearance Diver
Lieutenant Commander Nic Hall
Warfare Officer
2023 RACE TEAM
Commander Matthew Main
Marine Engineer Officer
Commander Daniel Seager
Marine Engineer Officer
Commander Michael Forrester
Marine Engineer Officer
Petty Officer Ian Allan
Marine Engineering Technician
Lieutenant Rob Clarke
Health Physicist
2022 RACE TEAM
Lieutenant Commander Callum Fraser
Weapon Engineer Officer
Petty Officer Jon Norfolk
Marine Engineering Technician
Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs
Marine Engineer Officer
Lieutenant Tom Hutchinson
Marine Engineer Officer
2019 RACE TEAM
Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs
Marine Engineer Officer
Lieutenant Commander Callum Fraser
Weapon Engineer Officer
Petty Officer Dylan Woods
Marine Engineer Submariner
Leading Engineer Technician Matt Harvey
Comms Info Specialist Submariner
HMS OARDACIOUS OFFICIAL 2023 CAMPAIGN SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
At Jacobs, we solve the most important problems, the ones for the real world – making life simpler and more seamless along the way.
Our solutions are creative and influence how we live today as well as into tomorrow. We’re some of the smartest minds in the world, which means we always know there’s more to learn.
Gold Sponsors
Resilient Nutrition is a veteran owned and operated SME working in the Human Performance space. Our mission is to maximise the health and performance military and emergency services personnel, around the clock, in any environment on the planet. The Royal Navy and the Royal Marines have been a key part of our success, from the early days of Future Commando Force where we were able to prove the value of our approach, to the design and creation of the Future Deployed Rations System with 3 Commando Brigade. We are proud to be supporting the HMS Oardacious crews as Nutrition partner as well as Human Performance partner. We are current working with the 2023 and 2024 (Valkyries) crews on an integrated approach and system as well as using these crossing as opportunities to enhance the science behind sustained, cognitive and physical performance at sea.
As part of our support, any serving or veteran Royal Navy or Royal Marine teams who are planning a challenge or expedition can request a free Expedition Planning Consultation with the team by contacting humanperformance@resilientoperations.com.
If you want to try some of the food and drinks the team will be enjoying in training and on the water you can use the code OARDACIOUS and get 10% off. We’ll donate an additional 10% of all proceeds using that code to the HMS Oardacious charitable partners.
Babcock is an international defence company, operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets.
We support and enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets through a range of product and service solutions, providing increased availability, affordability and capability.
NSSLGlobal is a leading independent provider of satellite communications and IT management solutions with innovation and customer service at the core of its DNA.
NSSLGlobal provides best-in-class satellite network capabilities offering the most extensive Ku-Band coverage in the industry through its own award-winning Ku- and C- Band VSAT network and Ka- and L- Band, working in partnership with some of the largest MSS and VSAT satellite operators.
Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd powers the UK’s nuclear underwater defences. For the last 60 years we have designed, supplied and supported the nuclear propulsion plant that provides power for all of the UK Royal Navy's nuclear submarines. Our market-leading position in submarine propulsion systems encompasses everything from design and procurement to manufacture and in-service support.
Silver Sponsors
Water is what connects everything we do. From our beginnings as a brand in 1975, to the products we create now. Gill has always been about empowering people through engineered, technical performance clothing and equipment so they can be active on, off and around the water whatever the conditions.
Bronze Sponsor
The China Fleet Country Club is set in 180 acres of exquisite countryside, on the cusp of Devon and Cornwall, China Fleet is one of the South West’s leading country clubs. Just 15 minutes from Plymouth’s city centre, sitting on the stunning Tamar Estuary, we provide the perfect opportunity for a break away from suburban life. Whatever your age, interests, or work pattern, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love at China Fleet. The Club is owned by the China Fleet Trust, a military charity, who’s charitable objects are to provide quality leisure and recreational facilities for their beneficiaries, members, and visitors alike.
Donors
The ELBA Charitable Foundation was founded in March 2017 and is a Netherlands based charity.
The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide means and measures to create cohesive, sustainable and beneficial conditions, for people to achieve their full potential and for the societies in which they live to thrive. Acting exclusively in the public interest and without an aim for profit.
Team Forces is a programme which helps to fund sport, challenge and adventure in the armed forces community in order to improve health, wellbeing and recovery. They help the best get better.
Since their launch in 2011, they have donated over £9m to the armed forces community.
OUR PATRONS
The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP
Penny Mordaunt MP is the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North and Minister for International Trade.
Penny has long established links with the Royal Navy and is a champion for mental fitness and resilience in the Armed Forces. Penny has served as a member of the Royal Naval Reserve and is currently an Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy Reserve - this gives her direct personal experience of the challenges faced by the Armed Forces, and the importance of mental wellness and resilience.
Penny is also an advocate for marine conversation, another area close to HMS Oardacious’ hearts. Penny's work as Secretary of State has included helping to setup huge blue marine conservation zones in our overseas territories, create a Maritime Hub on the South Coast of England, and set up the Solent Forum to tackle and end the storm overflow discharges by water companies.
Image: Copyright 2022 Penny Mordaunt MP
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD
Sir Robin is a bona fide legend on the water.
He was the first person to sail single handed and non-stop around the world between 14 June 1968 and 22 April 1969, but his connection with the sea started when he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve whilst at school as a Boy Seaman.
You can find out about Sir Robin’s history with ocean sailing, along with his days in the Merchant and Royal Navy at his personal website: www.robinknox-johnston.co.uk/
Image: Copyright 2020 Robin Knox-Johnston
Honorary Captain Pete Reed OBE
With three gold medals in rowing at three consecutive Olympic Games, Pete secured his first of five World Championship titles less than four years after starting the sport. In his 17-year rowing career, he also secured two Oxford Blues and is one of only 14 Team GB Olympians to stay at the top of his sport for so long. A serving Royal Navy officer since 1999, Pete retired from rowing in 2018 to resume public service at sea. In 2019 he suffered a spinal stroke causing paralysis below his chest. Pete has since used his military training and Olympic experience to get the best from his changed life circumstances and help others to do the same.
He speaks openly about his unique insight into overcoming adversity and trauma having learned that resilience is not a given trait, but is trainable for everyone. Pete’s greatest personal passions are his wife Jeannie, photography, travel and anything active! His work promoting spinal cord injury awareness, the challenges of ugly accessibility and poor interpretation of accessibility for differently abled people will change the spaces we live and work in.
His philosophy on resilience and his inspirational approach to life and living well will change lives.
Community Outreach and Activities
One of our proudest achievements has been creating and growing a community of supporters and cheerleaders - young and old - who follow our team both on and off the ocean. We’re pleased to be able to share some resources that we have been working hard with our partners to create that will allow everybody the opportunity to get more involved with the HMS Oardacious story.
These products, ranging from school lesson plans to fundraising packs have opportunities for all ages to join in with the fun.
We’re also going to be getting the team to answer some of your questions during the race. If you have something you’d like to ask, whether it’s about the wildlife they’ve seen, what they’re missing most or how they’re feeling, feel free to send them to us via Social Media or admin@hmsoardacious.com.
Activity pack
Working with RNRMC and the Submarine Family we are pleased to share the HMS Oardacious Activity pack.
With information about the boat and the team, activities to do at home over Christmas and fundraising ideas, this is the perfect pack to keep busy over the Christmas holidays.
It also includes a map of the race with a cut out rowing boat so you can follow us along during the race!
Educational Resources
In conjunction with the Royal Navy Outreach Team we have been able to create 3 lesson plans that introduce the HMS Oardacious plan whilst allowing schools to learn more about Mental Resilience, building an ocean rowing boat and how we make water, both at sea and on Submarines.
These lesson plans are primarily targeted at Secondary School pupils however there may be some material that can be used by Primary school pupils.
Follow along the race with the Reach the World expedition site in the form of an expedition diary. The team will be submitting articles, logbook and photos from during the race, culminating in a post-race online interview which anybody will be able to attend! We’re hoping to cover lots of different themes in conjunction with RTW and show what life is like in the open ocean in a rowing boat!
HMS Oardacious are proud to highlight that they will be working closely with Never Such Innocence during the 2022 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, hoping to allow children to take the opportunity to enjoy following the race and learning more about the challenges for those in the Submarine Service and their family. We are also hoping to run workshops for the children of those currently serving in the Submarine Service.
Working with NSI we have already been able to create the Oardacious Sea Shanty, following a workshop at a school in Portsmouth. We look forward to being able to support many other workshops and engagements during the upcoming race. Inside the Fundraising pack there is information about the Poetry competition we’re running and we also look forward to any artwork you create that you can share with us via Social Media or email
If you are interested in a workshop with NSI, please contact Katie Salari at ks@neversuchinnocence.com.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Members of the Armed Forces
It’s okay not to be okay, It’s okay to ask for help
Joining Forces App
Joining Forces App Mental health awareness app provides information on anxiety, PTSD and depression.
PTSD Coach App
Provides coping strategies for anyone suffering from PTSD.
COMBAt stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
Their 24-hour Helpline is available to all veterans and their families for confidential mental health advice and support. They also have a range of online self-guided resources, to help veterans with a variety of mental health difficulties, including: PTSD, depression, anxiety, anger, and alcohol and substance misuse.
Call 0800 1381619 (free, 24/7)
Text 07537 173683
SSAFA FORcesline
Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline and email service that provides support for serving (regulars and reserves), ex-Forces and for their families.
SSAFA is outside of the military chain of command, will listen and we will not judge.
Call 0800 260 6767 (free, Mon-Fri 0900-1700)
MOD Military Mental Health Helpline
The MOD and Combat Stress have teamed up to provide a 24 hour mental health helpline for serving military personnel and their families:
Call 0800 3234444 (free, 24/7)
NAVYFit
Physical and mental fitness are at the heart of Royal Navy life, and NAVYfit is here to help you stay at the top of your game. Explore the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle, discover sporting opportunities, and find out how you can push yourself even further with Adventurous Training; all in one place.
ONE MILLION LIVES
Positive mental health and wellbeing is at the heart of One Million Lives. We know that it can be difficult to understand the many factors that contribute to overall mental health. To help better understand these complexities, Jacobs and mental health professionals have developed a free mental health check-in tool to help users assess their current state of mind and provide suggestions for growth.
Banner image: © Crown copyright. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.