WE MADE IT!

Winner of the female class and 7th overall, we are proud of our achievement! We did the crossing in 43 days, 4 hours and 56 minutes.

The start of the World’s toughest row was December 12th from La Gomera. We followed a strict routine of 2 hours rowing/ 2 hours rest (eat, sleep). We were surprised that our bodies adjusted well to this routine. Only a few days of seasickness, some blisters and some bruises here&there were all that we could call minor issues. Just before Christmas we endured a storm and almost capsized. Half a day after that event there was too much headwind, we rowed with 3 and backwards. Time for the para-anchor! We had to use that anchor a few times more during and after Newyears’ eve. We then were caught in northwesterlies and couldn’t get away. That was the most frustrating part of the race. After we managed to get away during a small weather window things got better. The second week of January brought us NE winds. Finally we could make good speed again! We rowed like madwomen and hoped to finish around Jan 22nd. The current was not always with us and the swell neither, but finally we saw the gloom of Antigua at night and the hills in the morning of Sunday the 24th of January. Knowing we would see our friends again, wondering how it would be like to hear the horn and see the flares of the welcome committee, we got thankful and humble. We spend the best of times during this weird Covid period. Absolutely Corona-free, the whole world in turmoil and look at us; 4 women grateful and stubborn, achieve our goal: being the first Dutch ladies team AND win the female class. The finish was overwhelming! Thanks to everybody, sponsors, family, friends, all supporters for believing in us and staying with us during this ultimate adventure!

The Dutchesses want to raise awareness and money for women-linked charities because they want to make a difference for other women in the world. By Women For Women! The Charity they choose is the Womens’ Heart. There’s much research needed to understand the reasons that lead to heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases, they differ from the men. For example, research into prevention and medication for these diseases is mainly aimed at men. In the Netherlands alone, 57 women die every day from cardiovascular disease. Without better research, this number will only increase.

Iris

Iris Noordzij was born in 1966. Iris has a blended family and is mum of 5 sons and a daughter. In April 2019, Iris became a grandma for the first time. The youngest 3 children still live at home.

With a background in health care, she is currently working as a coach and sports massage therapist at her home based practice. Iris has been taking part in lifeboat rowing since 2006 and is a member of the ladies team Trewes 3 Aldeboarn. She has been rowing with this team at the top of the premier league. During this time her current mindset took shape: row like a mad(wo)man! Quitting is not an option, carry on regardlessly.

In October 2017 Iris went on a rowing trip on the North Sea and met Mark Slats and the Dutch Atlantic Four who were training for their Atlantic crossing. During spring 2018 an idea blossomed and she started to think about rowing the ocean herself.

The same year Iris met the ladies with whom she will be sharing this adventure, took rowing lessons in a skiff at RV Epsilon Leeuwarden and became member of the Dutch Coastal Rowing. In addition, other enjoyable trips on the Northsea followed, such as rowing in a Yole de Mere.

Melissa

Always looking for adventure, that is Melissa Vooren. She grew up in Purmerend (The Netherlands) with her parents and sister. At 16 and afterwards  she often set her own course: drifting on smooth seas or battering many waves. Melissa spend time in most of the Dutch provinces, but eventually she cast anchor in Southern Spain.  “Home is where your anchor drops”

Her love for lifeboat rowing started in Friesland (north of The Netherlands) and it took her to many places and competitions. For me the reason to do this race is to get confidence in myself, to get out my comfort zone, dare to push myself and learn from it. It does mean that you may fall on your face before you get any better but in the end you will know how to get back up. The satisfaction of facing my own fears and control them is important to me and it will undoubtedly happen during this adventure. 

The need for new exciting experiences in my life, that give me a rush of adrenaline, is another motivation of mine to participate in the TWAC. This ties together with the joy I find in pushing my limits, physically and mentally.

Renate

Made by the sea, that’s Renate de Backere. In her youth you could always find her at the shoreline in Zeeland where she grew up. Some years after finishing her studies in Environmental Ecology, and Photography she moved to Friesland where she sailed the Wadden Sea and started with her lifeboat rowing career at Okke Hel in Harlingen. Renate is familiar with sea and mudflats, working as a nature guide and trainer at the Waddenvereniging. Nowadays, being member of SRV (Scheveningsche Roei Vereeniging) she got the chance to join the Atlantic Dutchesses. Waiting for the opportunity to use all her energy, good spirit and stamina, she is eager to join in for the race of a lifetime. The backpack full of life experience has given her the knowledge that everybody can go further and deeper than you’ve ever imagined.

She also loves to explore the mountains with Holmer - her buddy and partner. On skis, snowshoes, crossing a glacier or go Munro-bagging. Preferably in winter conditions with a wildcamp, the rougher the better! Of course with a little cup of Talisker whisky to mark just another Munro on their list. She hopes to tick of nr 100 this year!