Rowing for Hope: Angus Collins’ Epic Solo Adventure Begins

Quick Smiles:

• Angus Collins aims to be the first to row solo around Great Britain in under 60 days.
• He is raising funds for men’s mental health charity, James’ Place, during his journey.
• Collins has designed a special boat to tackle Britain’s unpredictable weather.

Angus Collins is setting out on an extraordinary adventure, hoping to become the first person to row solo around Great Britain. His ambitious plan involves covering 2,000 miles in just 60 days using a handmade specialty boat.

Collins, a seasoned ocean rower with five world records, anticipates this challenge will be his most demanding yet. The unpredictable weather patterns around the UK necessitated a specially designed boat to handle British winds.

“Many say it’s impossible,” said Collins, the ultra-endurance athlete from Hampshire. “I know that isn’t the case.”

His journey will involve eight hours of rowing followed by four hours of rest, starting from Portsmouth in mid-June. If all goes well, Collins hopes to complete the circumnavigation in less than 50 days.

The journey has been attempted eight times but remains unconquered, according to the 35-year-old.

Collins is also using this challenge to raise funds for James’ Place, a charity dedicated to men’s mental health. So far, he has collected over $85,000 (£62k) towards his £250,000 goal.

“Largely, people think that rowing around Britain is a lot easier than rowing across an ocean. (But) because it’s coastal, it makes it significantly harder,” he explained.

Navigating around Britain requires extensive nautical knowledge. “There’s a lot more nautical knowledge needed to row around Britain. Areas in Weymouth are very difficult. Up in Scotland, there is Europe’s biggest whirlpool,” he noted.

Collins speaks from experience, having previously completed the same feat with a five-man crew.

“I know the waters well,” he said. “The biggest prep is the actual boat itself. I’ve designed a boat that is purposefully made for around Britain.”

He added, “The ocean boats are designed to catch as much wind as possible, whereas in Britain, the winds are constantly changing, so the boat is adapted for that.”

Collins chose James’ Place as his charity because of his personal struggles with depression.

“James died by suicide, and his younger brother put the charity together. At that time, I hadn’t recognized that I was struggling with depression—but I wasn’t in a happy place. The work James’ Place does is phenomenal.”

“I love the fact that every day I can think, ‘If we can raise that (amount) each day, that’s another life saved, and all I have to do is row for 14 hours.’”

For those inspired by his journey, you can support Angus’s Just Giving fundraiser.

May this endeavor inspire you to share and support the cause.

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