Sussex crew member to take on world’s toughest rowing race

Team Nautilus, a six strong ocean rowing crew, is preparing to take on the GB Row Challenge 2026, widely regarded as the world’s toughest rowing race. Departing from Tower Bridge, London, the team will attempt to row more than 2,000 miles unsupported around the entire coastline of Great Britain — without stopping, resupplying, or receiving outside assistance — while simultaneously collecting crucial environmental data on the health of the UK’s coastal waters.

Rowing 24 hours a day in two‑hour shifts, Team Nautilus expects to spend up to six weeks at sea, navigating some of Europe’s most complex tidal systems, shipping lanes, and volatile weather conditions across the North Sea, Irish Sea, and English Channel.

A Race With a Scientific Purpose

The GB Row Challenge is not solely an endurance event. It forms part of a multi‑year citizen science initiative, with all teams collecting standardised environmental data to support long‑term research into coastal ecosystem health.

During their circumnavigation, Team Nautilus will operate their boat as a floating research platform, gathering:

Microplastics samples
Environmental DNA (eDNA) to map marine biodiversity
Sea temperature and salinity data
Underwater acoustic recordings to assess noise pollution and marine life activity

The data will contribute to ongoing research led by the University of Portsmouth and supporting partners, helping build one of the most comprehensive datasets ever assembled on Britain’s coastal waters.

Professor Fay Couceiro, Lead Scientist at the University of Portsmouth, has previously highlighted the importance of this work, noting that GB Row data is “vital to building a comprehensive picture of the environmental challenges facing our coastal seas”.

Meet Team Nautilus

Team Nautilus brings together a diverse mix of professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to adventure, environmental stewardship, and resilience:

Aoife Luscombe (Skipper) — Net Zero and Social Value consultant and GB Row Challenge veteran returning after an abandoned 2024 attempt due to severe weather off Cornwall
Matt Bishop (First Mate and originally from Eastbourne) — Former British Army serviceman and mental health advocate with a background in operational and safety leadership
Kenza Thomas — Environment Agency professional and passionate advocate for ocean and environmental protection
Grace Church — Completed her Sports Science Degree and is head rowing coach at Selwyn College.
Becky Robb — Sustainability consultant at Accenture, taking on her first ocean rowing challenge
Kit Nelson — Paramedic and outdoor education specialist with extensive experience in high‑pressure environments

Together, the crew represents a blend of seasoned professionals and first‑time ocean rowers, demonstrating that the challenge is accessible not only to elite athletes, but to determined individuals united by purpose.

Built by Grit, Driven by Purpose

At over 2,000 miles, the GB Row Challenge is longer than a transatlantic row and is widely acknowledged as more technically demanding due to fast‑turning tides, narrow channels, and constantly changing conditions around the UK coastline.

Team Nautilus is aiming not only to complete the challenge safely, but to contribute meaningfully to climate and marine science, while raising awareness of ocean health and human impacts on coastal environments.

As skipper Aoife Luscombe explains:

“We’re not just rowing around Great Britain as a physical challenge, we’re adding to a growing dataset that helps scientists understand how our seas are changing. It’s about pairing sport with science and using this platform to inspire people.”

Support and Follow the Journey

The expedition is being self‑funded, with the team raising approximately £50,000 to cover boat rental, safety equipment, food, training, and scientific instrumentation. Team Nautilus is currently seeking corporate sponsors, community partners, and public supporters aligned with sustainability and environmental values.

The public can follow the team’s preparation and progress via: