Invictus Atlantic Crew Set for 24-Hour Rowathon in Falmouth Ahead of Atlantic Challenge

Cornwall’s Invictus Atlantic crew will soon face their final endurance test before embarking on a 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean this December. The four-man team will undertake a 24-hour rowathon in Falmouth next week to raise funds for Invictus Trust, a Cornish charity dedicated to supporting young people’s mental health.

24-Hour Rowathon to Replicate Ocean Conditions

The rowathon will commence at 3pm on Friday, 15th November in Falmouth’s Events Square and run non-stop until 3pm on Saturday. Spectators are encouraged to attend and witness the team row in shifts of two hours on and two hours off—just as they will during the Atlantic crossing. This schedule will see them through waves and challenging conditions, although the rowathon will spare them the 40-foot swells expected at sea.

James Brittain-Long, Paul Hayes, Luke Morgan, and David Radford-Wilson are the crew behind Invictus Atlantic. Each of the four men has been rigorously training to face “The World’s Toughest Row,” an annual event that will have them setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 12th December, joining 44 international teams rowing to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Supporting Cornwall’s Invictus Trust

The team is rowing in support of Invictus Trust, a charity founded by the Cowburn family in Truro in 2011 in memory of Ben Cowburn, who tragically passed away at 18 after a struggle with mental illness. The charity’s focus is on improving mental health support for young people in Cornwall, and in January, they launched a counselling service for those aged 11 to 21. The Invictus Atlantic crew aims to raise funds to extend this crucial service into a second year and secure lasting NHS funding for the service.

Speaking on the significance of the cause, James explained, “Rowing across the Atlantic is one of the greatest challenges you can take on, but we’re doing this to support young people facing their own battles. Adolescent mental health in Cornwall is something we’re passionate about, and Invictus Trust does incredible work to help young people get the support they need. We hope this rowathon inspires people to join us in raising funds and awareness for this cause, while giving a taste of the gruelling schedule we’ll be facing for real in just a few weeks’ time.”

Cornish Businesses Rally Behind the Crew

The team’s preparations are being backed by Cornish companies, led by Hayle-based Aspects Holidays. The company’s commercial director, Mandy Spencer, shared her excitement, saying, “James and the team have been training hard for their epic row, and we’re very proud to be supporting the Invictus Atlantic crew on their inspiring journey, and in helping to raise funds for the vital work of Invictus Trust in Cornwall. We hope that people will turn out to cheer them on in Falmouth and donate whatever they can spare to such an amazing cause.”

Over recent months, the Invictus Atlantic team has undertaken other challenges to build their endurance, including overnight rows from Mylor Bridge near Falmouth and a strenuous journey to the Isles of Scilly. With a mix of military and aviation backgrounds, the crew, including a former Royal Marine Commando and former RNAS Culdrose helicopter pilot, are prepared for the extreme test ahead.

To learn more about the Invictus Atlantic challenge and to support their fundraising efforts, visit the Invictus Atlantic website.

Photo: (left to right) skipper James Brittain-Long, Luke Morgan, David Radford-Wilson and Paul Hayes training at Mylor Yacht Harbour near Falmouth.