Andrea worked as a ski-guide in the Alps and then moved to Africa where she managed teams in the aid and development sector. She is now a Social Worker supporting children seeking asylum in the UK. Andrea has an MSc in Development Management and a Masters in Social Work. She has completed six ultramarathons and this year she is running the entire length of the Lake District in a day.
EXPERIENCE: 5 years
AGE: 52
FROM: Bexhill
CLUB: Bexhill Rowing Club
Charlie from East Sussex graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2020. She recently moved to Portsmouth to start her career as an NHS Physiotherapist. Charlie started rowing when she was 11 and competed in several indoor rowing competitions where she was invited to join Bexhill Rowing Club. In her first year at university, Charlie won the Women’s Eights ‘Head of the River’ Race.
EXPERIENCE: 8 years
AGE: 22
FROM: Portsmouth
CLUB: Bexhill Rowing Club
Steph is from Massachusetts, USA where she first rowed at University on the Charles River about 34 years ago. She works as a NeuroPhysio with acquired brain injury survivors. Steph rediscovered rowing 4 years ago, but this time on the sea and she is thrilled about taking on this challenge alongside five strong women around the challenging British coast.
EXPERIENCE: 5 years
AGE: 52
FROM: Bexhill
CLUB: Bexhill Rowing Club
Jess went to Exeter University to study Sport and Exercise Science and now works in the Orthopaedics department at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Her proudest achievements have been winning the gold medal in the ladies open pair at the British Rowing Offshore Championships and Beach Sprints in 2019 and in the same year winning the Ladies Senior Open at the CARA South Coast Championships in Dartmouth.
EXPERIENCE: 8 years
AGE: 33
FROM: Tunbridge Wells
CLUB: Bexhill Rowing Club
After graduating, Lia became a professional physiotherapist and followed this calling to become a respiratory physiotherapist on intensive care during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lia recently raised £1500 for good causes by undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge. She is passionate about conservation and spent her university summer volunteering aboard a sea vessel and teaching in Madagascar.
EXPERIENCE: 2 years
AGE: 22
FROM: Bexhill
CLUB: Bexhill Rowing Club
Fiona studied Industrial Engineering at University, gained an MBA and now works as a Sports Massage Therapist . She’s been rowing for 35 years and has competed in many triathlons including the demanding World and European age group championships. Fiona set the British record for indoor rowing for the marathon distance (42,195m) for her age group and went on to beat her own record.
EXPERIENCE: 4 years
AGE: 62
FROM: Brighton
CLUB: Shoreham Rowing Club