Zara Lachlan, a 21-year-old physics student at Loughborough University, has begun gruelling cross Atlantic expedition.
She has left Portugal on what she hopes will be record breaking solo and unsupported row, across the Atlantic.
If she succeeds, she will be the first female (and youngest person) to row 3600 nautical miles to French Guiana.
The challenge will take approximately 90 days. During the voyage Zara will be rowing up to 20 hours a day. And she expects to lose a third of her body weight by the time she reaches land.
Joining the army
Zara plans to join the army in September 2025 as a technical officer. She has competed internationally in cycling and started rowing at 16 at Welbeck the Army’s 6th Form College.
Zara is a highly determined, tenacious and motivated young woman, and is comfortable pushing her mental and physical boundaries. She firmly believes that life’s most rewarding moments lie in the challenges we embrace.
Zara said that the first section of the challenge is set to be some of the toughest rowing on the trip. She added; “There is no getting away from the first stage of the trip to the Canary Islands which I’m hoping will take me no more than two weeks.
Ocean wildlife
“I’m expecting conditions to be really tough with unpredictable weather. There is the risk of bumping into Orca, the 11 different species of sharks and marlin that are known to puncture the hulls of small boats. Not to mention managing 20ft waves in an 24ft long boat.
“My plan is to row for five hours then sleep for 20 minutes at a time. I will only break this cycle during extreme weather conditions or when I need to clean the hull of my boat. Thats something I’m not looking forward to!
“I’m feeling really strong and well-prepared. I have worked with some of the best ocean rowing coaches in the world including Charlie Pitcher. And Lizzie Brown, has become a second mum to me over the last six months!
“However, I am mindful that I’m doing something incredibly dangerous that hasn’t been attempted by anyone of my age before.”
Inspiring women
Through this challenge Zara is hoping to inspire women and girls into sport. And she is also planning to host a talk from the ocean for schools across the UK.
“I know it seems like an extreme way to inspire other women to get into fitness. But also I want people to realise their potential and, if I can complete this challenge having never rowed on the ocean before, then other women can attempt a challenge of their own, albeit probably not a cross-Atlantic row!”
Zara will be carrying 800kg of supplies in her boat including 5,500kcal of meals and snacks per day – which she will be eating cold!
Every two days she will need to descend into the water to clean the underside of the boat and to check for damage.
The only assistance permitted throughout the challenge is meteorological, from onshore weather routers.
She will be raising money for two charities through her record-breaking trip. Team Forces and Women in Sport will be the beneficiaries.
