Crossing the Atlantic for inclusion: Four rowers complete 5,000 km from Gran Canaria

 

SEE THE START OF THE ADVENTURE FROM MASPALOMAS 24H - MÓGAN

 

 

 

 

After 54 days and 7 hours on the ocean, the Rowing Stones have arrived in Barbados, culminating an extraordinary challenge that saw them row a total of 5,061.5km (2,733 nautical miles) from the Puerto de Mogán, in Gran Canaria. They left on December 8, accompanied by an emotional farewell in which homeless people and volunteers from the Lázaro Foundation from Spain, France and Belgium participated.

 

Now, averaging 3.9 km/h (2.1 knots) for more than 1,303 hours of rowing, they have reached their destination carrying with them a clear message: challenges can be overcome, but together.

 

 

 

 

A journey full of challenges and unforgettable moments

 

From the very beginning, the Rowing Stones faced extreme conditions: headwinds, long days of effort and the immensity of the ocean testing their endurance. But the sea also gave them unforgettable moments that they recounted via satellite radio:

 

Day 5: Encounter with a turtle, baby dolphins and three whales that swam alongside the boat for hours. The night was illuminated by the magic of bioluminescent plankton.

 

Day 10: With ten days under their belts, the crew felt the weight of the distance that still remained: "It's hard not to get overwhelmed when you think about all that's left, but we're moving forward together."

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Day 30: In the middle of celebrating the New Year, they had an incredible surprise: a friend's father managed to find them on his sailboat and offered them freshly baked bread in the middle of the Atlantic.

 

Day 50: Just 250 nautical miles from the finish, the crew reflected on the intensity of the challenge: “Sometimes we don’t know if we would wish this experience on our best friends or our worst enemies… but really, we would wish it on everyone.”

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A sporting challenge with a social cause

 

This challenge has been much more than a test of endurance: it has served to give visibility to Lázaro, a foundation that promotes coexistence between homeless people and young professionals in shared homes. For more than a decade, Lázaro has shown that community and mutual support are key to social reintegration. From their departure in Gran Canaria to their arrival in Barbados, the Rowing Stones have rowed with a purpose: to show that no one should be alone on the path of life. Each stroke has been a symbol of collective effort, of overcoming and of the importance of building bridges between different realities.

 

An ending… and a new beginning

 

After more than 1,300 hours of rowing, the Rowing Stones have set foot on solid ground. Exhausted, excited and a few kilos lighter, but with an experience that will stay with them forever.

 

From Lázaro, we celebrate their arrival and thank all those who have followed their journey, supported their cause and rowed with them from a distance. Because this madness has been worth it.

 

Thank you, Rowing Stones, for proving that when there is love and commitment, there is no ocean big enough that we cannot cross together.