Calamos Supports Greece
GreekReporter.comEuropeGreek-British Lara Vafiadis Rows Solo the Atlantic to Honor Her Dad

Greek-British Lara Vafiadis Rows Solo the Atlantic to Honor Her Dad

Vafiadis rows Atlantic
Only 21 women have ever successfully rowed across the Atlantic solo and she says that her aim is to be the fastest ever. Credit: This Girl Rows

Lara Vafiadis a Greek-British woman rows solo in the Atlantic Ocean to honor her dad who passed away recently and raise funds for charity.

Vafiadis is currently rowing more than 3000 miles from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda.

Only 21 women have ever successfully rowed across the Atlantic solo and she says that her aim is to be the fastest ever.

Vafiadis says that she took on this row for a few reasons – but in doing so she would love to inspire other women and children that if you set your mind to something, you can achieve anything.

The lesson her dad gave to Vafiadis

The target her dad set when he was younger was “Aim High”. Don’t look left or right – FOCUS – and aim high.”

Seeing her dad suffer through years of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and everything that goes with cancer treatments – his determination and resilience took on another level and Lara thought to herself – if he can go through all of that, then she can row an ocean for him.

This row is dedicated to her father for all the times he went above and beyond. He passed away on September 14th 2022. “He won‘t get to see me finish but I know he‘ll be with me with every oar stroke to Antigua.”

Vafiadis rows Atlantic
Rowing across the Atlantic is “a marathon, not a sprint.” Credit: This Girl Rows

Vafiadis says rowing across the Atlantic is a “brutal experience”

From the excitement and anticipation of leaving the Canary Islands, it has been a pretty brutal first week on the water.

Less than 12 hours into the voyage she was struck down with acute seasickness. Unable to eat and more importantly row. Three days of feeling pretty awful thankfully subsided and now it’s about making up for lost time. The hands have taken a beating but are toughening up and conditions seem to have turned.

But Vafiadis is taking it all at her stride: “This is a marathon, not a sprint and with over 2500 nautical miles still left to go, there will be plenty of ups and downs for all of the brave rowers taking on the challenge.”

The Greek-British woman competes with rowers from across the globe in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Rowers battle with sleep deprivation, salt sores, and physical extremes inflicted by the race. They are left with their own thoughts, an expanse of the ocean and the job of getting the boat safely to the other side.

Her aim is to raise £25,000 ($30,000) for each one of the three causes she feels “very close” to her heart. Supporters and friends can donate by following the link here.

See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!



Related Posts