Talisker Challenge
Dylan Woods, son of WCRC rower Kelly Carmichael, along with three other Royal Navy submariners, just completed an epic world challenge after rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 36 days, six hours and 40 minutes.
HMS Oardacious are four Royal Navy Submariners who completed the epic journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Harbour in Antigua in the Caribbean to raise over £100,000 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, Lieutenant Callum Fraser, Petty Officer Dylan Woods and Leading Engineer Technician Matt Harvey embarked on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the ‘world’s toughest row’, on December 12. After months of training, which started in the Clyde, they rowed their 28ft-long, £50,000 lightweight R45 Rannoch rowing boat across 3,000 miles of shark-infested waters, waves reaching heights of 40ft, heavy storms, and busy shipping lanes.
Dylan and Mum Kelly reunited at the finish.
Hugo said: “The beginning of the race was touch and go due to the demise of our autopilot, which meant we had to steer manually and took us down to three men for 24 hours, but determination and great team work meant we still managed to remain in the front pack”.
Completing 1.5m strokes, they kept to a strict schedule of rowing two hours, and sleeping for two hours, 24 hours a day. The submariners overcame seasickness, and blisters and sores.
At their lowest, the team battled dehydration and extreme fatigue in 40-degree heat, burning 12,000 calories a day and losing around 20% of their body weight. The race is considered the world's toughest row and puts the competitors to the test, both mentally and physically.
Dylan said: “It was an incredible challenge for a worthwhile cause and it feels great to be back on land, reunited with loved ones. My gran was told to prepare bangers and mash for our return so that will be next on my list!”
Meet the team
Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs joined the Royal Navy as an Officer after completing a Mechanical Engineering Masters at the University of Sheffield. After training and an intensive academic curriculum, he qualified as a Nuclear Reactor Supervisor, serving on Vanguard Class Submarines.
Lieutenant Callum Fraser joined the Royal Navy in 2012, he underwent a demanding training and qualification process at the end of which he was awarded his Dolphins onboard Vanguard Class Submarines.
Petty Officer Dylan Woods has been in the Royal Navy for 10 years and works as a Marine Engineer on the Astute Class Submarines.
Leading Engineer Technician Matt Harvey joined the Royal Navy in 2013, attending HMS Raleigh. He gained his first taste of life as a submariner onboard Trafalgar Class Submarines. He has since moved to the Faslane area to join Astute Class Submarines.