Brit is first person with pacemaker to complete "world's toughest row" across the Atlantic
- 3 months ago
A British man has become the first person with a pacemaker to complete ‘The World’s Toughest Row’ - a 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic.
Elliot Awin, 37, rowed solo from San Sebastian in Spain to the English Harbour, in Antigua & Barbuda.
The wine importer from Surrey set off in December 13 and arrived today (26) after 44 days at sea in his 7.4 metre boat named Pacemaker.
The former rugby player took up rowing when he was forced to give up contact sports after being diagnosed with heart conditions Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation about nine years ago.
For five years, Elliot was in and out of hospital, trying to maintain a regular heart rhythm until he received a CRT-P device - a pacemaker - in February 2020.
Elliot decided to take on the rowing challenge to "prove that your life doesn’t have to slow down if you have a pacemaker".
He has raised over £152,275 so far for the British Heart Foundation’s mission to help supply defibrillators to underfunded sports communities.
He finished second in the solo category and is celebrating with pina coladas, club sandwiches and "lots of sleep on silky sheets".
Speaking at the end of the race in Antigua, Elliot said he wishes he had taken more sweet treats, and is looking forward to letting the blisters on his hands and feet heal.
He said his best bits included uninterrupted starry skies and sunsets, and seeing dolphins and sharks which kept him company.
He said: "A lot of people refuse to get a pacemaker as they’re worried they won’t be able to play with their grandchildren or run for the bus but what better way to show people they should get it.
"I just rowed the Atlantic! Yes it changed my life, but I can still do epic stuff."
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time due to an extra electrical connection in the organ.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurs when a rapid, erratic heart rate begins suddenly and then stops.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/wavewranglerTWAC2023
Elliot Awin, 37, rowed solo from San Sebastian in Spain to the English Harbour, in Antigua & Barbuda.
The wine importer from Surrey set off in December 13 and arrived today (26) after 44 days at sea in his 7.4 metre boat named Pacemaker.
The former rugby player took up rowing when he was forced to give up contact sports after being diagnosed with heart conditions Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation about nine years ago.
For five years, Elliot was in and out of hospital, trying to maintain a regular heart rhythm until he received a CRT-P device - a pacemaker - in February 2020.
Elliot decided to take on the rowing challenge to "prove that your life doesn’t have to slow down if you have a pacemaker".
He has raised over £152,275 so far for the British Heart Foundation’s mission to help supply defibrillators to underfunded sports communities.
He finished second in the solo category and is celebrating with pina coladas, club sandwiches and "lots of sleep on silky sheets".
Speaking at the end of the race in Antigua, Elliot said he wishes he had taken more sweet treats, and is looking forward to letting the blisters on his hands and feet heal.
He said his best bits included uninterrupted starry skies and sunsets, and seeing dolphins and sharks which kept him company.
He said: "A lot of people refuse to get a pacemaker as they’re worried they won’t be able to play with their grandchildren or run for the bus but what better way to show people they should get it.
"I just rowed the Atlantic! Yes it changed my life, but I can still do epic stuff."
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods of time due to an extra electrical connection in the organ.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurs when a rapid, erratic heart rate begins suddenly and then stops.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/wavewranglerTWAC2023