Ananya Prasad, a 34-year-old adventurer from Bengaluru, has made history as the first woman of colour to complete a solo rowing expedition across the Atlantic Ocean. She embarked on her journey from La Gomera in Spain’s Canary Islands on December 11, 2024, reaching Antigua in the Caribbean 52 days later, securing second place in the solo category.

Although she moved to the UK at six, Ananya has deep roots in Karnataka as the granddaughter of renowned Kannada poet G. S. Shivarudrappa. “Rowing is my preferred exercise, but this was more about the thrill of adventure,” she shared.

Grueling Preparation & Challenges

The World’s Toughest Row, an annual event for endurance athletes worldwide, required Ananya to train for over three years. She underwent rigorous physical, mental, and technical training. At one point, she had to dive beneath her boat in rough waters to fix a broken rudder. Despite her discomfort with deep-sea swimming, she also performed regular hull cleanups to prevent speed loss.

Throughout the voyage, she encountered marine life like whales, orcas, and flying fish. Her routine involved rowing 12 hours a day with short rests, sleeping five to six hours nightly. Though alone at sea, she remained connected with her support teams.

Festivities & Mishaps at Sea

Christmas was celebrated mid-ocean with mince pies and mulled wine. However, she accidentally dropped her phone into the water but relied on a backup device to stay in touch. Now back on land, she is unwinding in Antigua.

Read Also: