Oceans Elite: Rowing the Atlantic to raise awareness on homeless veterans
Two veterans embark on an epic rowing journey across the Atlantic to raise awareness for the need for homeless veterans assistance.
This December, Chris Thrall and Louie Greenhalgh will set off on an extraordinary adventure: rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. Departing from Gran Canaria and rowing over 3,000 miles to Barbados, this two-man crew will undertake one of the ultimate tests of human endurance—all in the name of raising awareness and funds for veterans mental health and homeless veterans assistance.
A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
Chris Thrall, a former Royal Marines Commando from Plymouth, and Louie Greenhalgh, a fellow veteran from Bolton, are the Oceans Elite duo preparing to row their 28-foot boat, Isabel, without support. Their mission is deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. They aim to spotlight the struggles of veterans facing PTSD and mental health challenges while raising funds for Alabaré Homes for Veterans and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting bereaved service children.
This endeavour isn’t about racing—it’s about resilience. For Chris and Louie, the Atlantic crossing symbolises the struggles that veterans endure daily: pushing through pain, fatigue, and adversity.
Chris Thrall: A Life Defined by Adventure
Chris, 55, has faced his share of challenges, including PTSD and homelessness. A motivational speaker and mindset coach, Chris is no stranger to pushing limits. His adventurous spirit has led him to explore all seven continents, complete ultra-endurance challenges like a quadruple Ironman, and even run the length of Britain while completing an ultra-marathon each day.
For Chris, this Oceans Elite rowing expedition is a homage to legendary adventurers like Shackleton and Heyerdahl. His vision? To keep the spirit of adventure alive and inspire younger generations. “In a world of ever-increasing risk avoidance and toxic screen time, let’s inspire the younger generation with the power of resilience,” he says.
Louie Greenhalgh: Overcoming the Odds
Louie, 52, brings his own remarkable story to the boat. A seasoned adventurer, he’s scaled Mount Everest and the Andes, cycled across Asia and Australia, and even endured an extreme brain injury in 2021. Despite his injury, Louie has continued to push boundaries, recently completing a skiing expedition in the Arctic Circle.
Together, Chris and Louie embody the enduring spirit of veterans who rise above life’s challenges. Their efforts also seek to remove the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues and to raise awareness on homeless veterans assistance.
The Atlantic: A Sea of Challenges
The journey won’t be easy. The duo faces potential dangers such as shark encounters, exhaustion, injury, and even 40-foot waves. Surviving on dehydrated food and desalinated water, they’ll row in shifts, sleeping in a cramped cabin. The voyage is expected to take 40–50 days, making it a test of both physical and mental grit.
Interestingly, fewer people have rowed the Atlantic than have climbed Mount Everest—a testament to the sheer difficulty of this undertaking.
Supporting the Cause
Chris and Louie’s journey is entirely self-funded, and their goal is to shine a light on the silent crisis of veteran mental health. Their determination to raise funds for Alabaré and Scotty’s Little Soldiers highlights their commitment to giving back to communities that support veterans and their families.
You can follow their incredible journey on social media @oceanseliterow or contribute to their GoFundMe campaign for Oceans Elite to support these vital causes.
You can also follow their row live by downloading the YB Races app and following the Mission Atlantic race.
As Chris and Louie prepare to conquer the Atlantic, they remind us of the power of determination, teamwork and the importance of addressing veteran mental health. Their adventure is more than a row across the ocean—it’s a message of hope and resilience for everyone facing life’s challenges.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/oceanseliterow
https://www.facebook.com/oceanseliterow/
https://www.instagram.com/oceanseliterow
Oceans Elite Go Fund Me Page
January Update from Oceans Elite
After almost 30 days at sea, the journey has been anything but easy. In the initial days, the team battled onshore winds while adapting to the gruelling 12-hour rowing schedule. Balancing essential tasks like eating, cleaning, and resting is challenging, with sleep often sacrificed. The sweltering cabin conditions and the relentless 2-hours-on, 2-hours-off rowing cycle have left little room for recovery, testing both their endurance and resilience.
Thankfully, they’re now benefiting from favourable trade winds, allowing for excellent progress across the Atlantic.
The crew has embraced the routine with remarkable determination, tackling life aboard the tiny vessel amidst vast waves and strong winds. A recent issue with their solar setup was swiftly resolved, enabling them to maintain regular social media updates providing a window into their journey, and showcasing their grit and unshakable enthusiasm.
Every mile they row is a testament to their perseverance and team spirit. Let’s celebrate their incredible progress and cheer them on as they push closer to their goal! With 1600 nautical miles to go they are anticipating arrival in Barbados around the first week in February and meanwhile, they are absolutely loving the experience.
If you’d like to chat and send your own message to the guys we can arrange this by contacting r.houston@alabare.co.uk
Oceans Elite Facebook PageLatest news
Here, you can find all the latest news stories from across the Aabaré services dedicated to homeless adults, young people, veterans and those with learning disabilities.
