Cotswold MP Roz Savage Reflects on Pioneering Atlantic Crossing
Cotswold MP Roz Savage Reflects on Pioneering Atlantic Crossing, 20 Years On
Twenty years after embarking on her historic solo row across the Atlantic Ocean, Cotswold Member of Parliament Roz Savage has reflected on the transformative experience that shaped her career and environmental advocacy.
Details
In 2006, Savage, then a corporate business consultant, made the bold decision to leave her desk job and take on the challenge of rowing solo from the Canary Islands to Antigua, a journey covering over 3,000 miles of open water.
“It was quite daunting just realising that there’s 3,000 miles of open ocean lying ahead of me,” Savage recalled. “I’d never rowed more than a mile or two before, let alone across an entire ocean.”
Despite the immense physical and mental demands, Savage persevered, enduring months of solitude, adverse weather conditions and equipment malfunctions. Her determination and resourcefulness were put to the test daily as she battled fatigue and homesickness to reach her destination.
Savage’s historic accomplishment not only challenged perceptions of what a woman could achieve, but also sparked her passion for environmental conservation. The experience of crossing the vast expanse of the Atlantic under her own power instilled in her a deep appreciation for the fragility of our planet’s ecosystems.
What You Need to Know
Roz Savage will be speaking about her transformative Atlantic crossing at a special event organised by the Cheltenham Environmental Network on 20 March 2026. The event, titled “Lessons from the Ocean: An Evening with Roz Savage”, will be held at the Cheltenham Town Hall from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are available for purchase on the Cheltenham Environmental Network’s website.