A Solo Row Across the Atlantic.

When Taryn signed up to row across the Atlantic Ocean, she had never been on a row boat.

December 12, 2025 she will become the first American woman to compete in the World’s Toughest Row as a solo athlete.

World's Toughest Row, Taryn Smith, Solo Atlantic Row, Yoga Teacher Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean, World's Toughest Row 2025 tracker

The World’s Toughest Row

An Unsupported race across the Atlantic. Every year 40+ teams depart from La Gomera, rowing across the ocean to Antigua. Taryn is honored to be the first American woman to compete in this race as a solo athlete.

A sailboat with solar panels and fishing equipment on calm water during sunset.

3,000 Miles

This endeavor is a meditation on endurance, impermanence, and joy. Taryn can’t wait surf big waves (literal & psychological) and have the adventure of a lifetime.

Woman in a white jacket paddling a rowboat at sunset

2-3 Months at Sea

Rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off, surfing 40 foot waves, burning 5,000 calories a day (eating backpacking meals & snacks to stay fueled)

Close-up view of ocean waves with white foam and dark blue water.

Route

Map of the Atlantic Ocean showing the route of a yacht race from San Sebastián de La Gomera, Spain, at 28°N, 17°W, to Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua, at 17°N, 62°W, across approximately 3,000 miles or 4,800 kilometers. The route passes through the mid-Atlantic Ocean.

3,000 miles from The Canary Islands to Antigua. Taryn will face 40 foot waves, sleep deprivation, & social isolation, but also get to say hi to wales, row through bioluminescence, and see every star at night.

Boat

A white racing hovercraft with a blue front panel, labelled 'World's Toughest' and 'ROW', designed for extreme conditions.

R25 by Rannoch. Designed to be speedy & safe, this self-righting boat will carry Taryn 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. R25s are constructed out of fibre glass and come complete with a Garmin Chart plotter to help her navigate.

Taryn Smith Movement X Girls on the Run

Taryn partnered with Girls on the Run, a non-profit that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Logo for Girls on the Run Nebraska featuring a stylized girl running inside a circular border with pink and light green colors.

Taryn pledges all excess sponsorship funds to Girls on the Run and will represent GOTR while rowing across the ocean.

“The world is a better place when girls run together.”

Girls on the Run offers programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others.

Empower the next generation of courageous athletes.

Donate to Girls on the Run

FAQ

  • Solo rows across the Atlantic take 60-90 days. Most days Taryn will row 2 hours on, 2 hours off. Taryn’s goal is to have a speedy, safe, and fun journey.

  • Ocean rowers burn 4,000+ calories a day. Taryn will eat oatmeal with extra granola & protein powder for breakfast, backpacking meals for lunch & dinner, and ~lots~ of high calorie snacks in between (candy, trail mix, nutella, peanut butter).

  • Taryn will race in an R25, a special ocean rowing boat designed Rannoch. The boat is 24 feet long with a fiberglass hull. Rannochs are self-righting in case of a capsize and have a bow and stern cabin to sleep in.

  • Very glamorous. A bucket.

  • Redundancy is the name of the game in comms at sea. Taryn will have 2 satellite phones, a starlink, and a BGAN (broadband global area network) which provides internet access. She will be able to send pictures and videos back to land throughout the journey.

Two Polaroid photos, one of a woman rowing a boat at sunset, and the other of a girl in a life jacket on an orange rescue boat in a swimming pool.

Training & Preparation

September 2023 Begin training with Gus Barton, Ocean Rowing Performance Coach

February 2024 Learn navigation, sea survival & weather routing, Seasports Southwest, UK

March-April 2024 Row with the Ocean Rowing Centre, UK

May-December 2024 Continue land based training

March-September 2025 Train with the boat (R25 built by Rannoch)

November 2025 Arrive in La Gomera

December 12, 2025 Race begins

Three Polaroid photos featuring a woman on a boat. The first photo shows the boat's deck with electronic equipment. The second shows the woman standing on the boat's bow, with sunglasses, a white sweatshirt, and black leggings, near sailing boats in a marina. The third shows her inside a boat cabin operating navigation and communication equipment, with a map spread out in front of her.

What will you do now with the gift of your left life? -Carol Ann Duffy

What will you do now with the gift of your left life? -Carol Ann Duffy

A woman sitting on a boat at sunset, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and black pants, with her legs up and arms extended, holding onto ropes or wires.