Frank Rothwell, 74, has rowed solo across the Atlantic twice, raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK during his incredible journeys.
He started sailing after a family trip to Australia in 1990. They loved it so much that they bought a yacht. Frank began taking longer trips, but it was tough to find sailing buddies. So, he wanted a challenge he could tackle alone.
One night, he met someone who planned to row the Atlantic solo. That sparked his interest. In 2020, he entered the World’s Toughest Row. He decided to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a cause close to his heart. His first trip raised over £1.1 million!
To prepare, he logged 400 hours of training, far exceeding the required 100 hours. He also did hill runs and weightlifting to build strength.
On December 12, 2020, he set off from La Gomera, Canary Islands, and after 56 days, he reached Antigua. At 70, he was the oldest in the race. His second journey was even longer, taking 64 days at age 73, raising over £383,000.
Each day was a grind. He’d row between eight and 14 hours, depending on the weather. Mornings started with a call to base control and a quick chat with his wife. Meals were simple—granola, pot noodles, and lots of macadamia nuts for energy.
He rowed slowly, about 2.5 miles an hour, to keep up the pace. During his second row, his boat capsized twice, but he managed to stay safe. After feeling down, he pushed himself to keep going, proving his resilience.
Despite his family’s worries, Frank is eager to take on the ocean again. He’s truly an inspiration, showing that age is just a number when it comes to chasing dreams.
