THE CHALLENGE
Learn more about the journey that made history in the Arctic Ocean, where four athletes came together to row 1,000 kilometers through one of the world’s harshest climates and prove what is possible.
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
WHERE
The team began their journey in Tromsø, Norway. They rowed 584 nautical miles across the Arctic open ocean and landed in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
WHEN
With 18 months of preparation and training behind them, the team pushed away from land in July 2025. They set off on July 4 and landed on July 14, completing the journey in 10 days and 5 hours.
HOW
The team rowed non-stop in a 9-meter ocean rowing boat, alternating in 90-minute shifts, 24 hours a day. They carried all supplies on board and completed the journey completely unsupported.
PERFORMANCE
WORLD FIRST
First Mixed-Gender Team of 4 to Row the Arctic Ocean
The team made history as the first mixed-gender crew of four to row across the Arctic Ocean. They also set a number of other Guinness World Firsts that are currently in the ratification process.
SPEED RECORD
Fastest 4-Person Team to Row the Arctic Ocean.
The team set a new world record for speed, breaking the previous record by 5 days.
All records are adjudicated through the governing body of ocean rowing, the Ocean Rowing Society International.
AMERICAN FIRST
First All-American Team to Row a Polar Ocean.
With the successful completion of The Arctic Challenge, the team became the first All-American crew to row across a polar ocean. Hannah Huppi also became the first American woman to row a polar ocean.
THE ROUTE
START
Tromsø, Norway
(official start in Engvik)
DISTANCE
584 NM | 1081km
FINISH
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
TIME AT SEA
10 Days, 5 Hours
DIRECTION
South to North
COMPLETION
July 14, 2025
THE VESSEL
Make: Rannoch
Model: RX45
Length: 9.6m
Beam: 1.7m
Material: Carbon Fiber
Cabins: 2
Rowing Positions: 3
“The Arctic doesn’t give you anything for free. We faced 30-foot waves, freezing rain, brutal winds, and days of dense fog that swallowed the horizon. Twice, we had to stop rowing and ride out storms on the para-anchor, holding position while the ocean pounded us. Out here, the sea decides how far you get, and you take nothing for granted, not a mile, not a moment of calm.”
- John Huppi
12
HOURS
The team rowed in pairs, alternating 90 minute shifts, 24 hours a day.
60
MINUTES
The team slept no more than 60 minutes at a time, averaging just 3 hours of sleep per day.
8k
CALORIES
Each athlete aimed to eat 5k to 8k calories per day (a difficult goal to hit with sea sickness
24
HOURS
Despite experiencing 24 hours of daylight in the Arctic, dense fog forced power conservation.
2
PARA-ANCHORS
Twice, the team was forced to use the parachute anchor because of Arctic storms and adverse weather.
5+
WHALES
The team saw at least 5 types of whales, including Belugas, Humpbacks, and Minkes.