The small island of La Gomera, one of the less well known of the Canaries that lies just off the west coast of Tenerife, is the start point for a rowing challenge that calls itself the 'World's Toughest Rowing Race'.

The marina at the port of San Sebastian was the departure point on Sunday 6th December for the teams that face over 2500 nautical miles of Atlantic rowing before they reach their destination, the English Harbour in Antigua. The organisers of the challenge have also promoted a similar challenge earlier in the year when rowers travelled from Western Australia to Mauritius. Teams of two or four rowers will alternate in the unsupported row across the Atlantic. Even though the timing of the event was set to hopefully take advantage of tailwinds, there was still the chance of storms, large waves and shipping channels to worry about.

The teams will not be totally alone during the event as all the boats are expected to be within range of two support yachts that will travel the route behind the rowing boats just in case any help is required. However any boat that takes advantage of the support yachts will be disqualified from the results.

Last year two English rowers, Sam Williams and Anthony Taylor each made the same journey solo after leaving La Gomera on 12th January and arriving in Antigua after an amazing 75 and 78 days at sea respectively. The departure event was an exciting and emotional affair, so if you were in the Canaries at the time the teams set off, it would have been good to visit La Gomera to give them a great send off. Flythomascook.com offers flights to Tenerife and flights to Gran Canaria, which are both close to La Gomera.