Burnley world record rower spending New Year crossing the Atlantic
A world record-holding rower who grew up in Burnley will spend New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as part of a gruelling 3,000-mile challenge aimed at highlighting climate action and marine conservation.
Emma Wolstenholme, 43, is part of the Call to Earth team currently rowing unassisted across the Atlantic, relying on solar power as they take on the demanding crossing thousands of miles from land.
The crew are set to see in the New Year at sea, rowing in shifts 24 hours a day in conditions that have already included strong winds, heavy swells and close encounters with marine life.
Emma, who attended St Hilda’s Roman Catholic Girls’ School in Burnley and Nelson and Colne College, previously made headlines in 2023 after winning a world record as part of an all-female crew rowing around Great Britain.
Speaking from the Atlantic, she described the progress the team has made so far and the conditions they have experienced.
She said: “We've surfed down swells at nearly 7 knots, making excellent ground. Good winds have allowed the team to push hard and maintain speeds between 4.5 and 6.8 knots when rowing in pairs. The team have well and truly settled into life at sea – learning the rhythms of the boat, the ocean and each other. Morale is high.
“Wildlife encounters quickly became a highlight. A lone bird has taken to circling the boat daily, appearing like a quiet companion on the journey. Pods of dolphins, including spinners, launching themselves metres into the air, passed close by, lifting spirits during long hours on the oars. Flying fish skimmed the wave crests, and a truly unforgettable visitor appeared: a curious six-foot blue shark, calmly cruising alongside the stern before disappearing back into the deep.”
Emma is rowing alongside STEM Ambassador Stacey Rivers and former air force pilot John Hammond. Together, the trio are tackling waves that can reach up to 20 feet high while following a strict rowing routine of two hours rowing and one hour resting during the day, with solo night watches through the darkness.
The boat is unassisted and powered by solar panels, which also run a water maker converting saltwater into drinking water for hydration and meal preparation. The crew are also accounting for every piece of plastic and waste used during the challenge.
The Atlantic row is being supported by business water retailer Water Plus, which has teamed up with Call to Earth to highlight sustainable practices and practical actions to help reduce carbon emissions.
Reducing water use can cut emissions linked to supplying and heating water, while easing pressure on water resources. Water Plus says small actions can make a significant difference for organisations working towards sustainability and Net Zero goals.
Emma said: “Our row is a call to action: to innovate, conserve, and protect our planet and having Water Plus onboard helps power our mission to drive more action.
“We’re combining our voices with Water Plus, who have won awards for large-scale water efficiency results for its customers, to reach even more people with the actions to take to help and protect our planet, through more sustainable approaches.”
The Call to Earth crew are also raising funds for marine conservation and climate initiatives during the crossing.
As of December 31, tracking information shows the team leading the mixed trio class, with 1,584 nautical miles remaining of the 3,000-mile challenge.