Ananya Prasad: The First Woman of Colour to Row Solo Across the Atlantic
11 FEB 2025
Ananya Prasad, a 34-year-old adventurer from Bengaluru, has made history as the first woman of colour to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Completing the grueling 52-day journey, she not only secured second place in the solo category of the World’s Toughest Row but also shattered barriers in adventure sports.
PC: World's Toughest Row
Ananya Prasad, a Bengaluru-born adventurer, has etched her name in history as the first woman of colour to complete a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. At 34, she took on one of the most extreme endurance challenges in the world, finishing the journey in 52 days, 5 hours, and 44 minutes. Her achievement secured her second place in the solo category of the World’s Toughest Row, a race that tests the limits of human strength, resilience, and endurance.
Born to doctor parents, Ananya moved to the United Kingdom when she was five. Though she was exposed to nature and outdoor activities growing up, adventure sports were never part of her life. She had no background in ocean rowing, yet her curiosity and willingness to push boundaries led her to take on a challenge that few would dare to attempt. Her interest in extreme sports began with biking and kayaking, but her fascination with ocean rowing only emerged in 2018 when she first learned about the Atlantic rowing event. The thought of being alone on an open sea for weeks, battling unpredictable conditions, was both terrifying and thrilling.
Her decision to participate in the race was driven by more than just personal ambition. She wanted to challenge the underrepresentation of women, particularly women of colour, in adventure sports. She also wanted to raise awareness about mental health and dedicate her journey to supporting two causes close to her heart: the Deenabandhu Trust, a children’s home and school in Mysore, and a UK-based mental health charity. By taking on an unimaginable feat, she hoped to inspire women to break barriers and step into spaces they often believed were beyond their reach.
PC: World's Toughest Row
Ananya began her journey on December 11, as part of the Atlantic Campaigns’ World’s Toughest Row. This race is considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding challenges, requiring rowers to cross thousands of kilometres of open water, entirely alone. Over nearly two months, she battled relentless ocean currents, fluctuating weather conditions, and extreme exhaustion.
Her daily routine was a grueling test of endurance. She rowed between 10 to 15 hours a day, took short breaks to eat, and managed to get around five hours of sleep. The physical toll was immense, with every muscle in her body pushed to its absolute limit. At times, she faced towering 25-foot waves that threatened to capsize her boat. The isolation was another significant challenge. Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone in the middle of the ocean was a surreal experience. She marked the occasion with traditional UK holiday treats—mince pies and mulled wine—finding solace in small comforts amid the vast, empty waters.
One of the most terrifying moments of her journey occurred when the rudder of her boat broke unexpectedly, leaving her adrift without control. For an entire day, she was at the mercy of the ocean. To fix it, she had to dive into the deep, retrieve the broken part, and install a new rudder, all while battling rough waters. It was a moment that demanded every ounce of courage and skill she had developed over years of training.
Preparing for this journey took more than three years of rigorous training. She had to build the physical strength required to row for hours on end, develop endurance to withstand prolonged exertion, and learn the technical aspects of ocean navigation. Having no prior experience with nautical sports, she had to master skills such as equipment handling, emergency protocols, and weather prediction from scratch. Despite her fear of deep water, she pushed through, proving that fear does not have to be an obstacle to achieving great things.
Her victory was more than just crossing a finish line. She was the only woman in the solo category of the race, highlighting the gender gap in extreme endurance sports. This realization only fueled her desire to encourage more women to step into the world of adventure sports.
Now that she has conquered the Atlantic, she is already setting her sights on her next challenge. Whether it be through rowing, mountaineering, or other endurance feats, she wants to continue breaking barriers and inspiring people to take on challenges they never imagined possible. Her story is a reminder that representation matters. Women belong in every space, including the toughest races in the world, and every journey begins with the courage to take the first step.
Through her remarkable achievement, she has created a path for future adventurers who dream of pushing past limitations. Her experience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. In crossing the Atlantic, she has opened the door for countless others to follow, proving that no challenge is insurmountable.
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