British rower, Kyle Meredith is gearing up for a world-first challenge to cross the wide Atlantic Ocean from Morocco to Miami “solo, non-stop, and unsupported” in a rowing boat, according to his interview with “All At Sea,” a British watersports media outlet.
Meredith plans to complete this nearly 6,500-kilometer crossing to raise funds for the British Skin Foundation’s skin cancer research. If successful, the 33-year-old will set a new Guinness World Record, as no solo rower has ever completed such a journey.
As a redhead with the MC1R gene, his risk for developing skin cancer is elevated. For Meredith, the journey is deeply personal, as he is rowing in memory of his partner’s grandfather, Grandad Michael, who died from fourth-stage melanoma in 2020.
Meredith will have to brave the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean in a solo rowing venture, facing an intense tidal current with nothing but his muscles and sheer determination to propel him forward.
However, Meredith seems to be more worried about the mental side of things.
“Isolation is a huge factor, especially when you are out there for months with no one to talk to. I have done a lot to prepare for the physical toll, but dealing with the quiet and the vastness of the ocean alone will probably be the biggest test,” he said.
His sole companion at sea will be a Rannoch R25 Solo boat, designed for endurance and equipped with a small cabin for sleeping and storage of supplies.
Through this journey, Meredith wants “to make people, especially men, more aware of the importance of early detection and proper protection.”
He plans to commence his challenge in November, once the optimal weather conditions allow him to launch his Guinness World Record attempt.