The "Summit to Sea Challenge" is a solo, unsupported ocean row that will test human endurance and resilience to the limit.
Starting in January 2027, Stuart Macdonald, IFMGA Mountain guide and lifetime adventurer, will take on the toughest challenge of his life, whilst at the same time raising funds for two charities close to his heart, Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Martin Moran Foundation.
Watch Stuart explain the challenge, the training he is doing and the charities he is supporting in this video.
Watch my Video hereThis is not just an ocean crossing. It’s a platform for storytelling, brand alignment, and public engagement.
Read more about the sponsorship opportunities and structure ranging from Title Sponsorship through to Individual Supporters by clicking on the button below.
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Stuart will be swapping the high mountains for the ocean in an attempt to break the current 96 day record for an unsupported solo row from Europe to South America in what will be the toughest challenge of his life.
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Stuart will be rowing a boat manufactured in UK by Rannoch, the world leaders in Ocean Rowing Boats. A self righting design, manufactured from carbon and composites, fitted with advanced navigational aids and communication equipment.
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Starting from Portugal, Stuart will row the Atlantic to French Guyana in South America. The 6000 km journey will take 2-3 months. Extreme weather, huge waves and even sharks will be just some of the challenges along the way.
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The budget for the trip is around £100,000, including the cost of the boat. Coaching, courses, training on the boat, food, shipping, travel, communications equipment and safety gear are just some of the things I have to pay for. If you are able to support the campaign, then please make a donation here
Donate to the Challenge
This charity is involved in research, care and advice for those suffering from pancreatic cancer. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are dead within a year. Earlier diagnosis would give more precious time with friends and family, and could even allow treatment to cure victims.
Donate to the Charity
The Foundation takes young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity and gives them fully funded mountain adventures. Martin was a mentor to me and many others when training as a Guide so I hope this will, in a small way, give something back to him
Donate to the CharityI want you to join me on this journey. Follow me as I prepare physically, mentally, and technically for this challenge. During the crossing I will be sending regular updates to this website and social media covering all the highs and the lows.
The links to my social media feeds are in the header to this page and you can read my latest news below. Once the row starts you will also be able to track my progress on a regularly updated map.
Stuart Macdonald answers your questions as to how the Summit to Sea Challenge originated, how it will be conducted, and what it is seeking to achieve.
Stuart is delighted to release details of the sponsorship opportunities linked to the Summit to Sea Challenge
Stuart has recently taken delivery of a Rannoch ocean rowing boat specifically designed for solo rowers.
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I first discovered the outdoors with youth groups as a teenager. Hiking and camping trips lead to rock climbing, and by the age of 17 I was climbing in the Alps.
I joined the British Army when I was 18 and over the following ten years I took every opportunity to climb around the world, with expeditions from the Alps to Alaska, and the Antarctic to the Himalayas. After two years as an instructor at the military mountain school in North Wales I knew that I wanted to remain in the mountains and made the decision to leave the Army and focus my efforts.
The following year I enrolled on the British Mountain Guides training scheme and began the journey towards becoming a fully certified Guide. I moved to the Chamonix Valley in France and completed my training in 2008. I have climbed across the Alps, and elsewhere around the world. Notable personal achievements include the six classic North Faces of the Alps (Eiger, Matterhorn, Dru, Grandes Jorasses, Cima Grande, and Piz Badile), The Nose of El Capitan, first ascents in the Antarctic and the summit of Mount Everest.
However, since reading a book in 2005 the idea of rowing an ocean has been at the back of my mind. Like a smouldering ember, this slowly burned, and after 20 years I realised that I needed to make the idea into reality. Hence in 2025, the Summit to Sea Challenge was born. I looked at various routes on different oceans, and eventually settled on the idea of rowing Portugal to French Guyana across the Atlantic.
This 6000km journey will not be easy. As a solo rower there is no back-up. There is nobody to take over on the oars when I’m tired. There will be no safety boat. I will have to be in peak physical and mental condition to make this happen.
Technical training is well underway with two weeks of training already undertaken in UK. This will continue until the end of summer 2026. Physical training is very much in progress. A rowing machine has been installed at home and I’m regularly rowing 90-120 minute sessions. Weight training at a local gym to increase muscle and reduce the risk of injury while rowing is going well.
While I will be on my own on the boat, I want you to come with me on this journey. Whether you’re a corporate sponsor or an individual who has joined Club 250, I need your support to make this adventure happen.
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Stuart Macdonald
I joined the British Army when I was 18 and over the following ten years I took every opportunity to climb around the world, with expeditions from the Alps to Alaska, and the Antarctic to the Himalayas. After two years as an instructor at the military mountain school in North Wales I knew that I wanted to remain in the mountains and made the decision to leave the Army and focus my efforts.
The following year I enrolled on the British Mountain Guides training scheme and began the journey towards becoming a fully certified Guide. I moved to the Chamonix Valley in France and completed my training in 2008. I have climbed across the Alps, and elsewhere around the world. Notable personal achievements include the six classic North Faces of the Alps (Eiger, Matterhorn, Dru, Grandes Jorasses, Cima Grande, and Piz Badile), The Nose of El Capitan, first ascents in the Antarctic and the summit of Mount Everest.
However, since reading a book in 2005 the idea of rowing an ocean has been at the back of my mind. Like a smouldering ember, this slowly burned, and after 20 years I realised that I needed to make the idea into reality. Hence in 2025, the Summit to Sea Challenge was born. I looked at various routes on different oceans, and eventually settled on the idea of rowing Portugal to French Guyana across the Atlantic.
This 6000km journey will not be easy. As a solo rower there is no back-up. There is nobody to take over on the oars when I’m tired. There will be no safety boat. I will have to be in peak physical and mental condition to make this happen.
Technical training is well underway with two weeks of training already undertaken in UK. This will continue until the end of summer 2026. Physical training is very much in progress. A rowing machine has been installed at home and I’m regularly rowing 90-120 minute sessions. Weight training at a local gym to increase muscle and reduce the risk of injury while rowing is going well.
While I will be on my own on the boat, I want you to come with me on this journey. Whether you’re a corporate sponsor or an individual who has joined Club 250, I need your support to make this adventure happen.
Stuart Macdonald
