The Bristol Gulls, an all-female rowing team, are getting set to row the Atlantic in the most sustainable way possible, to raise awareness of plastic pollution and the importance of safeguarding our oceans.
The teams Eco Ocean Rowing Boat, manufactured by Rannoch Adventure, will be the first of its kind and the most sustainable boat ever rowed in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Not only are the Bristol Gulls ensuring their boat is as sustainable as possible, but they’re also considering every aspect of their challenge from eco-friendly food packaging to sustainable fabric alternatives for their clothes.
For the past 20 months, the team has been working hard challenging every decision and looking at every single aspect of their crossing from the kit, logistics, clothes, food and packaging to find the best and most sustainable alternatives to the norm.
Designed to have less impact on the environment, the brand new Eco Boat, will undertake its maiden voyage during the challenge as the team attempt the first-ever sustainable Atlantic rowing crossing, in this race..
They’ve teamed up with Rannoch Adventure to manufacture an Eco Ocean Rowing Boat, which will be the first of its kind and the most sustainable boat ever rowed in the race.
The Eco Boat is made of three main components – resin, fibre and core. The resin is a “green” epoxy because roughly 50% of the carbon used to produce it comes from plant origin as opposed to the petrochemical origin. The glass fibre is manufactured from a renewable energy source, the foam core is manufactured from 100% recycled plastic bottles. In fact, Eco Boat contains around 10,000 500ml recycled plastic bottles. These materials have been tested and are structurally able to work together.
Charlie Pitcher, Founder and Director of Rannoch Adventure comments:
“We are delighted to be working with this forward-thinking team and their eco-boat which has less impact on the environment in its construction method. Added to the team’s respect for the ocean is their focus on this challenge, as a sustainable crossing ticks all our boxes. We wish them the very best of luck moving forwards”
The Bristol Gulls will be rowing 3,000 nautical miles across the vast Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in December 2020. The team is rowing to raise money for the RNLI and Clean Up Bristol Harbour, two organisations that share their mission to promote a safe and sustainable relationship with our oceans.
The team consists of Lorna Carter, Sarah Hunt, Sofia Deambrosi and Phoebe Wright. The team aim to set a number of world records on their row next December, including the first-ever Uruguayan and first South American woman to row across any ocean. Described as the ‘world’s toughest row’, the Bristol-based rowers will start the challenge in La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, and finish in Antigua. Currently, fewer people have rowed the Atlantic than have travelled into space or climbed Mount Everest.
Sofia Deambrosi, the Bristol Gulls’ Team Captain comments: “Pollution of our oceans is a worldwide problem. We’re committed to making a difference, starting with our local waters here in Bristol. We want to represent our city and the incredible people and organisations that make it so special; we will train hard and work around the clock but we cannot achieve our mission without the support of Crowdfunder backers and corporate sponsors who share our passion for sustainability.”