Home Newcastle “Eat, sleep, row, repeat” – North East rowers reach half-way point of...

“Eat, sleep, row, repeat” – North East rowers reach half-way point of 3,000 mile Atlantic challenge

Claire Hughes of Team Tyne Innovation - pictured in the boat with a Mammoth mattress

A schedule of ‘eat, sleep, row, repeat’ is powering a group of North East rowers to success, as they reach the half-way point of one of the world’s toughest challenges.

To support them on their gruelling 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean, Team Tyne Innovation has been working with a range of innovative North East companies, including health and wellbeing brand Mammoth, who have supplied custom-made mattresses for the team of four.

The mattresses, made of Mammoth’s unique comfort technology, Medical Grade™ Foam and PostureCell® technology, have been specially designed to enhance the crew’s performance and recovery during their rigorous rowing schedule.

The team, made up of Phil Kite, Claire Hughes, Allan Huntly and Steve Sidaway, are competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, with a total of 28 crews representing 14 nations across the world. They set sail on 12th December and spent Christmas and New Year on board. It is estimated that the team will finish the race at the end of January.


Skipper Phil Kite, explains the routine on board the 25ft boat: “Our schedule consists of two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours a day – in essence, eat, sleep, row, repeat – with sleep being the most precious commodity.

“With a tough daily routine, it’s critical that the crew can have good sleep and that’s what Mammoth brings on board. Their mattresses are streets ahead of the competition and give us a significant advantage.”

As well as the gruelling schedule, toll on their bodies and minds, the cramped conditions and extreme tiredness, the team face the harsh Atlantic weather and gigantic waves. More people have climbed Everest or been into space, than rowed the Atlantic.

Backed by a range of innovative North East companies and specialists, the team hope the state-of-the-art items they have taken with them on the challenge, will give them the edge and help them succeed in the competition – as well as showcasing the best of the region’s innovation. Over the past year, the team’s holistic training regime, including specialist sleep coaching, has helped them prepare for both the mental and physical challenges they face.

As one of the companies supporting the team, Mammoth has a long and proud history supplying elite athletes and organisations with its mattresses, including members of the GB rowing team, as well as thousands of sportspeople over the past decade.

John Tuton, Founder and Managing Director of Mammoth, said: “The team are taking on an incredible challenge and we wish them the very best of luck for a safe and successful journey. Rest and rehabilitation is such a fundamental part of the team’s routine and we’re thrilled to be supporting them with our specialist sleep technologies. It’s great to see their progress and we’re looking forward to hearing all about their fantastic adventure.”

Team Tyne are aiming to raise £100,000 to support three North East charities – The Stroke Association, St Oswald’s Hospice and Daft as a Brush.