Matthew Ponsonby’s North Atlantic row adventure

Matthew Ponsonby (PR 1978-83) has completed the epic North Atlantic row in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. The impressive challenge covered 1700 nautical miles, and took 36 days, battling against grueling waves, high winds, and brutal weather conditions.

Having had a taste for the challenge in 2020 when rowing from Lee in North Devon to North Wales, Matthew and friend Giles decided the next “logical step” was to complete the North Atlantic Row. The journey began at St John’s in Newfoundland in June in Rannoch’s R25 “Hurricane” and ended in Galway, Ireland. The impressive challenge covered around 1700 nautical miles, and took 36 days of 12 hour shifts, battling against grueling waves, high winds, and brutal weather conditions. Despite facing 12 degree sea temperatures and pushing his mental and physical limits, Matthew described it as an ”extraordinary trip for an extraordinary cause”.  The pair are waiting in anticipation to find out whether they have beaten the world record time of rowing from East to West, and if they are the oldest two man crew to do so.

Matthew has exceeded his target, raising over £100,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and can still be supported on his Just Giving page.