A 51-year-old woman from Bristol is embarking on a 3,500-mile row from Boston, USA to London, having only started rowing five years ago, to raise funds for London Youth Rowing (LYR).

Klara Anstey, who is Welsh but now lives in Bristol, is taking this challenge on alongside three other rowers who are based in America, and if successful, will become the first British woman to ever complete this row.

Anstey began rowing only five years ago taking part in some competitions, but primarily just on rowing machines, before seeing a Facebook post about this challenge and a crew in need of a fourth member. She only met the crew for the first time within the last few weeks when they completed an overnight practice row.

On her quick decision to sign up, she said: “I jumped at the chance to apply for the seat with no hesitation whatsoever even though it’s a lot riskier than the normal Talisker challenge. I am looking forward to the huge challenge of pushing myself to the max, both physically and mentally, and to be a valued part of an incredible team.

“I’m also looking forward to the isolation and the amazing opportunity to have time out from life to just be free, think, and enjoy nature.”

Anstey has seen benefits to her mental health, as well as physical, since getting into rowing. She said: “Rowing allows me the opportunity to switch off from my every day worries and stresses. Being out on the water, whether on the sea or in the harbour, gives me a feeling of euphoria that I don’t experience anywhere else.”

She will have to battle high winds and extreme tiredness alongside crewmates Bryan Fuller, John Lowry and Elizabeth Gilmore, in a specially equipped Ocean rowing boat built by Spindrift in Washington. The team will be setting off from Boston on 1 June.

The crew will row for 24-hours a day taking turns in pairs, rowing up to 4 hours at a time, while the other crew members rest and refuel. They will be the first crew ever to attempt this journey and are expecting to complete it in just 45 days, finishing at Tower Bridge in London.

Anstey is rowing to raise funds for London Youth Rowing (LYR), a charity that helps disadvantaged young people through the power of rowing, improving inclusivity and empowering participants to develop valuable life skills.

She hopes to raise £10,000 for the charity who recently opened a new programme called Active Row Bristol that will see coaching of on and off water sessions provided in curriculum at local schools.

If you’d like to follow Klara’s journey visit Rowing The Atlantic for Young People (givengain.com).