Mediterranean Ocean Rowing Races | Barcelona - Ibiza

The boats

The NOMEN will be taking on the Mediterranean in 24-foot ocean rowing boats designed by Justin Adkin. The boats are designed to self-right if they capsize and to withstand the worst weather that the ocean can throw at them. Each boat has 2 water-tight cabins on each end with the rowing cockpit in the middle. Crew can rest in the cabins at the stern and bow while they are not rowing. Solar panels placed over each of the cabins power the onboard navigation system and the onboard watermaker converts seawater into drinking water. 

The safety of the rowers is of paramount; crews are followed by a support vessel throughout.

Preparation

These are the world’s premier ocean rowing races with all the training tailored to individual abilities and conducted by expert ocean rowers. Since 2013, events have featured crews from Goldman Sachs, TP ICAP, Tradition, Corona, Peakside Capital and Monex Europe; Olympic gold medallists Mark Hunter and Alex Gregory; in addition to students, teachers and doctors, battle it out on the waves to be crowned champions of the Mediterranean.

No prior ocean rowing or rowing experience required. Participants can sign up individually, as a full crew of 5, or anywhere in between.

Training

People are surprised when they learn that the majority of participants who take part in the Mediterranean races had no rowing experience before deciding to row an ocean. The boats are far more stable and technique is less important than for crew boats which are much thinner. Anyone can jump in and row an ocean rowing boat, but naturally, those with better technique or who are stronger will make the boat go faster. Nonetheless, rowing for days on end takes determination and the ability to look after yourself during your time on the water.

Each member of each crew will be completing the following courses:

1. RYA VHF Radio course – Correct use of VHF radio
2. RYA First Aid at Sea – First aid to take care of knocks and bumps at sea
3. RYA Sea Survival – Detailed knowledge and practical competence in sea survival techniques and equipment.
4. RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship – Teaching you about boat handling and navigation

In addition, participants will be invited to:

• A training session in the ‘tank’ at London docklands to work on rowing technique
• Sea Trials weekend in the ocean rowing boats on the South Coast which includes an overnight row.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Barcelona
Barcelona
Spain

Included

• A seat, and use of, an ocean rowing boat for the race as part of your crew
• Access to ocean rowing experts
• RYA Qualifications
• Rowing equipment
• Safety equipment
• Communications equipment
• Freeze-dried meals, supplemented by snack packs filled with treats
• Training tailored to individual abilities and conducted by expert rowers 
• Rowing technique training session in London
• Sea Trials Weekend in ocean rowing boats, including overnight row
• Video and photography highlights
• Kit from NOMAN partner Castore
• Invitations to Ibiza celebration event at Cipriani

Not Included

• Flights to/from Spain at the start/finish of the race
• Accommodation and meals onshore prior to/after the race
• Accommodation, travel and meals during the UK training sessions

Help prevent 5% of cancers

Funds raised by participants support NOMAN's programmes to eliminate 5% of cancers.

NOMAN is more than a race, it’s a call to action. 

HPV is the causal agent of 5% of cancers. Cancers which can be prevented by vaccinating both boys and girls against this devastating virus. NOMAN challenges participants to row the Mediterranean in order to spread the message about HPV, and to support the charity’s education and advocacy programmes to ensure that both boys and girls are protected against HPV.

The ultimate goal as a charity is to become obsolete. That goal is realised once every country around the world is protecting both its sons and daughters against HPV.

In 2013 the Barcelona-Ibiza: Row to End HPV was NOMAN’s inaugural rowing challenge and an outstanding success, raising over $1 million and attaining press on an international scale. This was the beginning of the NOMAN Mediterranean races which have continued to grow and expand, now consisting of 2 separate legs: Barcelona to Ibiza and Ibiza to Barcelona - with 12 crews taking on these races in the most recent edition.

Throughout the years, rowers have faced the blistering sun, combated fierce winds and rising sea swells, and beaten fatigue and sea sickness. All in the name of preventing 5% of cancer.

Take on the adventure of a lifetime. Take on the Med!

Costs shown are per person.

Costs

As for the actual race, it was as hard, and challenging as I’d expected it to be, and then some. Apart from the sense of achievement, and overcoming my own demons, it has introduced me to the sport of ocean rowing. I am now planning to do the Atlantic one with a team of Ukrainian war veterans. It has reinforced this idea that a mental change can be realised through a physical challenge, that the brain is just a tool that tends to give up well before the body does. It is very important to push through right through that moment to get to the place where the rewards are. Most people just give up too early. That’s my main advice to those who have decided to take up a physical challenge of this calibre - continue pushing through when the going gets tough, and your brain starts telling you to pack it up, and go back home. It means that the victory over yourself is just around the corner. Leo Krivskiy

These events are phenomenal and being part of NOMAN is one of those unique experiences. It's the buzz and atmosphere that you get from working with people from different walks of life but all united towards a cause which you're pushing yourself to the limit in aid of; mentally, physically and emotionally. I love being part of Team NOMAN. Mark Hunter, Olympic Gold Medallist, World Champion and NOMAN Ambassador