30-03-2025
Pembrokeshire women make history in record-breaking Atlantic row
A team of four women from Pembrokeshire have made history by completing an extraordinary Atlantic row in just 53 days.
Their inspiring 3.200-mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua has shattered two world records and raised over £20,000 for charity.
Janine Williams,70, is now the oldest woman in the world to row an ocean, while Sophie Pierce (32) has become the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to achieve this feat.
Alongside teammates Polly Zipperlen, 50, and Miyah Periam, 24, the women – all members of Neyland Rowing Club – battled relentless waves, sleep deprivation, and the extreme physical and mental challenges of ocean rowing to complete the challenge.
The 'Cruising Free' team arrived in Antigua on Thursday, March 27 – a week ahead of schedule – to be greeted by an emotional crowd of supporters, including family, friends, and fellow adventurers.
In their 10-metre rowing boat, Spirit of Bluestone, the team rowed in shifts around the clock, stopping only to eat together or shelter from four-metre waves. They survived on 1,000 dehydrated meals and relied on a water desalination machine, advanced communications, and a fridge to store Sophie's Cystic Fibrosis medication.
Social worker Sophie, from Johnston, said: 'If you had told me five years ago that I would be standing here in Antigua after rowing an ocean, I would have laughed.
"This journey has been incredibly tough, but also one of the most empowering experiences of my life.
"I hope this challenge not only inspires others with Cystic Fibrosis to push boundaries but also helps reimagine the future of CF."
For Janine, from Neyland, the row was a testament to the power of perseverance: "People kept asking if I was worried about rowing at 70, but I never doubted that we could do it," she said.
"This has been an adventure of a lifetime, proving that you're never too old to take on something extraordinary.'
Watersports instructor Miyah, from Milford Haven, added: 'This was harder than I ever imagined – but also more beautiful. The ocean is a wild, unpredictable place, but it has given us some of the most incredible moments of our lives.'
Polly Zipperlen, from Llangwm, added: "The ocean tested us in every way possible, but we kept each other going. We laughed, we cried, we sang our way through the hardest days – and we made it. This wasn't just about rowing; it was about proving what's possible when you work together and refuse to give up."
The team's challenge was also a mission to raise funds for three charities close to their hearts: the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, and Emily's Entourage.
Donations can be made via the Cruising Free GoFundMe page.
was the team's key sponsor, and the company's chief executive, William McNamara, met them at the finish line in Antigua.
He said: 'What these women have accomplished is truly remarkable. Their determination and spirit embody everything we stand for at Bluestone, and we couldn't be prouder to have supported them on this journey.'
"Supporting this team on their journey has been an absolute privilege, and seeing them cross the finish line in Antigua was a moment I will never forget. Their story will inspire many, and we are incredibly proud to have been part of it."
