A Commitment to Adventure and Sustainability
Our ocean rowing journey offers us a unique opportunity to connect closely with the ocean and the natural world. At the same time, we’re deeply aware of the harm human activities can cause to these fragile ecosystems. That’s why, from the very start of this mission, we’ve been committed to minimizing our environmental impact as much as we can. That’s why we’re partnering with like-minded, eco-conscious brands that are committed to making a real difference. In this blog, we’re excited to introduce some of our brand partners and highlight the impactful work they’re doing to help safeguard the environment.
Luchos: Instant Energy for Athletes
We’re incredibly grateful to have Luchos onboard for the second time round. They supported Jess’s Atlantic row in 2022 and were the only thing stopping Jess from falling asleep on the oars each night, a fantastic energy boost and the closest thing they had to fresh fruit.
Something we love about them is that their energy blocks come wrapped in 100% compostable Bijao leaves, so we can just throw them into the ocean – what a cool touch!
In addition, they proudly support organisations like Mossy Earth, who are doing incredible work in rewilding. Their efforts to restore ecosystems that have been damaged by human activity align perfectly with our values and commitment to preserving the environment.
Luchos was born from the desire to create the perfect energy block for modern cyclists and runners, providing a natural alternative to energy drinks and gels filled with additives. They set out to develop a product that tasted great, performed well and minimised digestive issues common among athletes.
Drawing inspiration from Colombian bocadillos, Luchos are made from natural guava pulp, a superfruit known for its nutritional benefits. These energy blocks have long been a secret among Colombian cyclists, who have used them in competitive events like the Tour de France for over 50 years.
Jenks Brands: Sustainable Wellness for the Modern Adventurer
Jess was fortunate to have also been sponsored by Jenks Brands during her Atlantic row and let’s just say she and her team couldn't get enough of their delicious N’eat and Grab bars. These energy bars not only fueled their crossing but also provided a satisfying and nutritious option for their demanding days at sea.
Jenks Brands set out to create energy bars that stood apart from what was available at the time. Their mission was to craft a more delicious and nutritious vegan bar made with only natural ingredients, free from added sugars and palm oil. The result is a bar designed to fuel anyone with an active lifestyle, offering both flavour and sustainability.
At Jenks Brands, sustainability guides every decision that is made, which is why they refuse to use palm oil in their products. Palm oil production is a leading cause of deforestation, with 20 million acres of forest disappearing annually. To give that some scale, this is equivalent to losing a forested area the size of 24,000 tennis courts every single day. In Indonesia and Malaysia alone, over 3.5 million hectares of forest have been destroyed in the last 20 years to make room for palm oil plantations, often through harmful methods like slash-and-burn clearing.
By choosing not to use palm oil, they’re taking a stand for the planet and promoting responsible, sustainable practices. For more details on the environmental impact of palm oil, visitwww.saynotopalmoil.org.
Dryrobe: Staying Warm with a Sustainable Impact
We began our training on the water at Hartlepool Marina in April, and our Dryrobes quickly became essential gear for braving the harsh conditions of the North Sea. Even when cooking on deck, they kept us warm and shielded us from the wind.
Dryrobe is making strides toward sustainability with several key initiatives. Their products, particularly the dryrobe® Advance, are designed with longevity and durability in mind, reducing the need for frequent replacements and thereby minimising waste. The inner lining of the dryrobe® is made from 100% recycled polyester, a move aimed at lowering the environmental footprint of their garments. This recycled material is sourced from used plastic bottles, giving the waste a second life while promoting the circular economy.
Dryrobe also partners with various environmental initiatives, such as "2 Minute Foundation," which focuses on encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to take just two minutes to clean up litter and protect natural spaces. This partnership reflects their commitment to preserving the outdoors, a core aspect of their brand identity, which is grounded in surfing and outdoor activities.
Their shipping practices also aim for efficiency and reduced environmental impact, as they actively work to minimise excess packaging and avoid single-use plastics
ThreePeaks: Adventure Gear That Cares for the Planet
We chose ThreePeaks as our everyday bags as well as for team building days hiking in Yorkshire and for future outdoor days once our boat has been shipped. These durable bags help us carry our equipment while promoting eco-friendly practices for our ocean rowing adventure. We also opted for Three Peaks camera bags to protect our cameras on the water.
Using sustainable gear reflects our commitment to preserving the natural spaces we explore and reinforces our identity as eco-conscious adventurers.
ThreePeaks is a contemporary eco-friendly apparel brand dedicated to creating products from recycled plastic bottles (PET) and 100% organic materials. Their mission is to provide fashionable, affordable items that benefit the environment without straining your budget.
By collaborating closely with a limited number of factories, they ensure ethical manufacturing and high environmental standards, conducting thorough audits to verify compliance. Committed to minimising their carbon footprint, they sometimes face product shortages due to limited imports.
This dedication to sustainability aligns perfectly with our Pacific adventure and shared values of preserving natural spaces, making ThreePeaks a fitting partner in our journey.
Remigo: Powering Change with Eco-Friendly Energy Solutions
The regulations at Chichester Marina required us to have an outboard engine. This is also due to the narrow lock gates, which make it nearly impossible to pass through by rowing alone.
When we found this out, we made it our mission to see if we could borrow an outboard engine for our training sessions. Nathan from Remigo went above and beyond, travelling all the way from Bath to Chichester to deliver one just in time for our training—what a hero! It has been wonderful getting to know Nathan, and we really appreciate his enthusiasm and support for our ambitious challenge.
Remigo is transforming the outdoor adventure landscape with its eco-friendly energy solutions. Their flagship product, the RemigoOne, is the world’s first fully integrated electric outboard motor, designed for small boats and tenders. This innovative technology provides the same power as a 3 HP gasoline outboard while being incredibly lightweight and user-friendly, weighing only about 12 kg. It offers a reliable range of up to 14 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 3 knots, ensuring that adventurers like us, can navigate with ease and sustainability in mind.
SURI: Eco-Conscious Oral Care for a Healthier Planet
We’ve seen SURI toothbrushes successfully make the journey across the Atlantic with Team Vibe the Wave and we’re excited to have them onboard for our adventure as well. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial, especially since we’ll be consuming a lot of sugary snacks to keep our energy up.
SURI is redefining the personal care landscape with its eco-friendly approach to oral hygiene. Their sustainable toothbrushes are crafted with recyclable plant-based heads and aluminium bodies designed for easy repair, minimising waste in the process. The toothbrush offers impressive features like a battery life of over 40 days, a UV self-cleaning case and a subscription service for head replacements that promotes a circular economy.
By choosing products that prioritize sustainability, we hope to inspire others to make more conscious choices in their own adventures. We’re deeply grateful to these amazing companies for their support, and together, we aim to enjoy the great outdoors while making a positive impact on our planet. While it may be impossible to eliminate our environmental footprint entirely, we believe that every small step counts. If you have any advice or recommendations on how we can improve, we’d love to hear from you.