LIGHTWEIGHT TANDEM INDOOR ROWING WORLD RECORD
LONGEST CONTINUAL ROW ON AN INDOOR ROWING MACHINE In a tandem
The record attempt took place during World Autism Awareness Week (28th March - 3rd April 2022) and World Autism Awareness Day (2nd April 2022). Previously I have broken the world record for the solo male 20-29 longest continual indoor row, read about it here. This time I did a similar challenge but in tandem with my good friend Jordan Williams.
Our row dates were 1st-3rd April 2022.
The location of the row, was at: Anytime Fitness Studio Room, The Howard Centre, Unit 54, Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6HA. We will be in the 'studio room' within the gym.
Key Metrics / Stats
Distance rowed was the equivalent of rowing from London to Paris!
Duration: 48 hours and 43 seconds
Tandem: 2 rowers switching every 2 hours → each rower rows half the time. Rest/sleep: 24 hours total per rower, broken into 2-hour chunks
Distance equivalent: 240km per rower = total (480km)
Calories burned: Each rower: 24 hours × 450 kcal/hour = 10,800 kcal (easy rowing pace) - equivalent of 5 large pizzas or 108 bananas each!
Sleep Deprivation: hallucinations, microsleeps, severe cognitive and physical impairment, coordination issues, and a high risk of injury. Brief rest periods were only partially restorative
Total rowing strokes: ~36,000 strokes each = total ~72,000 strokes
Average stroke rate: 22–28 strokes/min
Environmental considerations:
Venue: Local gym → no travel emissions from flights or remote locations
Equipment: Used existing rowing machines → no additional manufacturing footprint
Clothing: Own gym clothes → no new clothing purchases, reuse
Nutrition: Local produce for fuel → reduces food miles and packaging
Waste: Zero single-use plastics → bottles, packaging, utensils. Also, recycled leftover food and packaging
Visitor transportation: Encourage bike or walk or train to gym for anyone supporting the event
Why National Autistic Society as the CAUSE
Both I and teammate Jordan chose to raise vital funds for a charity that supports their family members, both of our rowers have close family who has autism.
TO DONATE CLICK THE GOFUNDME LOGO
All funds go to the National Autistic Society
Our World Record Partners
Press and Chris Packham Endorsement!
We have had an article from British Rowing a few shoutouts from wildlife conservationist celebrity Chris Packham and have had some releases locally so far (Luton Today, HertsLive, Welwyn & Hatfield Times and The Herts Advertiser) and been on BBC Three Counties Radio.
