Burnley ocean rower Emma Wolstenholme taking on GB Row Challenge

Emma Wolstenholme, from Burnley, is picking up her oars once again to race around the Great Britain coastline in June and, if her team succeeds, they will be the first crew of six to ever achieve the feat.

Forty-year-old Emma last year attempted a gruelling transatlantic race rowing solo and unsupported, but due to an electrical failure of her boat, she had to be rescued 500 miles off the coast of Africa in strong night-time winds by the crew of a cargo ship.

Emma Wolstenholme (Image: Emma Wolstenholme)

That did not put her off, though, and a few months later she embarked on a race to circumnavigate Britain in a five-person crew. However, her five-person team had to abandon the challenge halfway through after experiencing the worst storm the Irish Sea has seen in 38 years.

This year, the former RAF squadron leader and ex-air cadet is attempted the GB Row Challenge again, skippering an all-female crew who will have to navigate tidal streams, shipping lanes and changeable weather in the 2,000-mile race around the country’s coastline.

READ MORE: Retired RAF leader from Burnley to take on Atlantic solo row

Emma and her crew ‘Team Ithaca’ will row continuously and unsupported in shifts of two hours on and two hours off for two months.

She said: “I’m determined this will be third-time lucky and believe that with all the ocean rowing experience under my belt, I’m in a better place than ever to finish this challenge. I’ve also just completed my Coaster Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore theory qualification.

“Contending with fast-turning tides, unpredictable UK weather, a rocky coastline and busy shipping areas, this is a greater test of navigation, seamanship, and skill than trans-ocean rowing.”

The GB Row Challenge is not just about rowing; it’s a challenge with a sustainable purpose. Emma and her crew will be collaborating with scientists to collect data on microplastics, temperature, noise pollution, and biodiversity.

The challenge will also incorporate scientific research (Image: Emma Wolstenholme)

The aim of the research is to build a picture of the many challenges facing British coastal water, and gathering comprehensive and crucial data that will help preserve precious marine environments and wildlife.

GB Row Challenge founder William De Laszlo said: “We had a vision to not only host the toughest rowing challenge in the world, but to also add a powerful sustainable purpose to the event, leaving a legacy in the sport of ocean rowing for our environment.”

READ MORE: Chorley veteran rowing 3,000 miles across Atlantic for baby Elijah, who lived for just 37 days

Last year’s teams collected invaluable scientific data, which found microplastics pollution around Great Britain’s coastline is up to 100 times worse than previously recorded.

William added: “Each year we gather data, our scientific partners will be able to compare the data to track any trends or changes, which will strengthen our understanding of conditions in the seas around the UK. Our aim is that this real-world research will ultimately preserve Britain’s coast.”

Emma skippering a crew in the middle of the ocean (Image: Emma Wolstenholme)

Emma is no stranger to adventure, having served in the RAF for 16 years and was the last woman out of Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in 2014. After raising £91,000 for the RAF Air Cadets in 2022, she was made an honorary ambassador for the organisation.

She also taught kitesurfing in the Western Sahara, taught women how to march in the Middle East, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in the rainy season in five days, and represented Great Britain at skeleton bobsleigh at the Europa Cup.

Team Ithaca will depart from Tower Bridge, London, at 3.00pm on Sunday, June 4.