4800 Kilometres. One Ocean. One Mindset.
The World’s Toughest Row Atlantic 2025 has begun and Kiwi Fondue are on the ocean. Over 4,800 kilometres of open water now define the challenge ahead.
Meet Kiwi Fondue: Contenders in the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic 2025
Finally, Monday, December 15, Kiwi Fondue pushed off from the volcanic shores of San Sebastián de La Gomera, beginning their Atlantic crossing toward Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. A one-day delay caused by weather only sharpened the focus. When the window opened, they went.
This is the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic
4,800 km of heat, salt, wind, darkness and repetition. A race that strips everything back to rhythm, resilience and decision-making. From the moment teams gather in the race village on La Gomera, something shifts. Rivals help rivals. Boats become homes. Strangers become allies. Everyone shares the same objective: cross an ocean under human power alone.
A mindset built offshore
Kiwi Fondue are no strangers to this environment. They are World Record holders, fastest team across the Pacific in World’s Toughest Row Pacific 2023.
“A happy boat is a fast boat. And wind makes us stronger.” Night is where they apply pressure. “We were nightriders. When others slowed down, we went harder. Music up. Focus in. Push.”
CHEESEEE
Their mission statement says everything about how this team functions offshore:
C-H-E-E-S-E-E-E
Courage. Honesty. Empathy. Effort. Safety.
And An Epic Experience for Everyone.
They operate by their CHEESEEE principles even when conditions are unstable, rest is limited and days blur into repetition.
Life between strokes
Life onboard follows a strict rhythm: two hours rowing, two hours resting, repeated around the clock. Night shifts are long and quiet, often carried by music and brief conversations. Once a day, Kiwi Coffee Time marks a small pause, a moment to reset and reconnect.
Physical maintenance is treated as seriously as rowing itself, with regular onboard physio and dry-needling support ensuring the crew remain functional and moving.
And then there is nature.
Sunrises and sunsets so intense they reset perspective. Moonrises that feel unreal. Meteorites cutting through the night sky.
Kiwi Fondue in numbers
• 4,800 km across the Atlantic
• ~1.5 million strokes per team
• ~29.8 days on the ocean
• 20+ ft swells
• 6,000 kcal burned per rower, per day
• 10 litres of water consumed per rower, per day
• ~13 kg average weight loss
The team
The name Kiwi Fondue sounds light-hearted but there is a serious mix of experience and precision behind it:
• Alex Brooker, The Visionary
• Lorenz Gammeter, The Technician
• Alex Gammeter, The Mountain Guide
• Mark Slats, The Gentle Giant. He is the winner of WTR Atlantic, multiple world records and one of the most accomplished ocean rowers ever.
This race rewards patience, control and persistence. Kiwi Fondue are fully committed to the process ahead.
We wish the team steady seas, sound decisions and strength for every mile of the crossing.
Useful Links
Follow live how Kiwi Fondue are doing: https://www.worldstoughestrow.com/
Learn more about Kiwi Fondue on their own website: https://www.kiwifondue.com/
