Egyptian ‘Team 02’ joins world’s toughest rowing race

CAIRO – 15 December 2017: Taking part in the annual ocean rowing race called the Atlantic Challenge, Omar Samra and Omar Nour accepted the challenge and have joined the 3,000 nautical mile adventure.


Starting at San Sebastian, La Gomera in the Spanish Canary Islands and ending at Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour in Antigua, the adventurers have undergone 10 intense months of mental and physical preparation for the expedition. Both athletes have gained a combination of 27 kilos of body weight to transform into top rowers; expecting to lose them over the course of the crossing.


Taking the extra precaution, both have gone through medical training such as RYA Yacht-Master Ocean Theory, First Aid at Sea, Sea Survival and a VHF Radio License. Nour, a Type 1 diabetic, has been fitted with a continuous glucose monitor that sets off an alarm to alert his teammate should his blood sugar drop to a critical level.


Omar Nour and Omar Samra - Courtesy of Team 02

“There will be challenges along this incredible journey – when you’re faced with 50-foot waves, blisters, salt rash and sleep deprivation, that’s a given! But we’re as ready as we can be, and excited to get out there and show the world what you can do if you set your mind to it,” Samra stated in a press release.

Nour added: “I can’t believe this is it – we’re finally on the start line! The preparation we’ve gone through to get to this point has been intense – no outside assistance is permitted during the crossing; as soon as we row out of this harbor we are at the mercy of the elements – so it’s been imperative that we get every single detail locked down. It’s been incredible to have our whole support team here in La Gomera over the last week – our family, friends and the team from DHL – and to meet the other 27 teams. It really brings it home that we are part of something big. We truly hope we make everyone proud!”

Competing against 28 teams from 17 countries, if and when they become successful in their venture, they will become the first Arab team to row across an ocean.