In December 2025, four South African adventurers will set off on an extraordinary 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean as Team Ocean Mavericks, rowing unsupported from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua as part of the renowned World’s Toughest Row.
This isn’t just a row- it’s one of the most extreme endurance races on Earth.
The World’s Toughest Row sees participants row unsupported across 3,000 miles of open Atlantic Ocean. For the Ocean Mavericks, that means no rescue boats, no supply drops, and no outside help. Every mile will be earned through grit, teamwork, and sheer determination.
They are responsible for everything: navigating across one of the most unpredictable oceans on the planet, repairing their vessel mid-journey, desalinating seawater to drink, and rationing freeze-dried food to sustain their strength. It’s a test of absolute self-reliance and will take the guys anything from 30 to 50 days.
Conditions are brutal. Crews face swells of up to 8 metres, the very real threat of tropical storms, relentless sun exposure, and constant motion. Days and nights blur into a punishing two-hours-on, two-hours-off rowing schedule. Rest comes in short, broken shifts inside a tiny cabin barely big enough to sit upright.
What keeps them going? For many teams, it’s the cause they’re rowing for. Driven by a shared spirit of adventure, resilience, and purpose, the Ocean Mavericks are rowing to raise funds and awareness for the Pondoland Conservation Trust- a non-profit dedicated to protecting the Wild Coast of South Africa, one of the country’s most biodiverse coastal regions, and uplifting her / it’s local community.
Meet the Mavericks
Martin Hall, athlete, entrepreneur, and father, was the first to say “yes” to this challenge. With a long list of endurance feats under his belt (including 7 Dusi Canoe Marathons, the Comrades, and the Cape Epic), Martin is the steady heart of the crew. For him, this row is about legacy: showing his children that resilience, grit, and heart can shape the world.
JP Briner, business owner, husband, and father of two, thrives on high-adrenaline challenges. Whether racing across land or sea, JP is always pushing limits. For him, this crossing is a lifelong dream- a test of endurance, a love letter to the ocean, and a chance to show his boys that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.
Angelo Wilkie-Page brings boldness, laughter, and unmatched experience to the team. Having traversed from Los Angeles to Nome, Alaska relying solely on human power, climbed Kilimanjaro, and completed Comrades and Joburg2C, Angelo knows how to suffer, and do it with a smile! He joins the Mavericks to share one more great adventure with lifelong friends and to inspire his daughter through action.
Matt Botha, founder and director of Wild Child Africa, proud owners of the Pondo Trail™, is a modern-day explorer who has spent his life guiding others into remote wilderness areas and leading conservation efforts. Known for pushing boundaries (like leading the first barefoot climb up Kilimanjaro), Matt rounds out the team with raw tenacity, ocean knowledge, and a deep connection to the Wild Coast they row to protect.
Their vessel, Shayamanzi, a Rannoch RX45, will be their home at sea. The crew will rotate in 2-hour shifts- rowing, eating, sleeping, and navigating through some of the harshest and most unpredictable conditions on Earth.
Rowing for a Cause: The Pondoland Conservation Trust
At the heart of this mission is the Pondoland Conservation Trust (PCT), an NPO committed to protecting the threatened ecosystems of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism. This stretch of coastline is home to countless endemic species and ancient cultural traditions- many of which are at risk due to unsustainable development, poaching, and land degradation.
Funds raised will support community-led conservation, rewilding initiatives, local food sovereignty programmes, and the protection of endangered species in the region. By rowing for PCT, the Mavericks aim to spark national and global attention for one of South Africa’s last wild frontiers.
Powered by Purpose- and Incredible Partners
The Ocean Mavericks are proudly backed by a powerhouse of sponsors: DITH as Gold Sponsor, Investec as Bronze Sponsor, ALS handling logistics, Spec-Savers South Africa providing eyewear, and Tyremart supporting the team from land to sea.
Follow the journey on Instagram: [@ocean_mavericks_2025]