Three pilots. One boat. 3,000 miles.
Rowing across the Atlantic for cancer charities.

The Coastal Commanders Atlantic Rowing Team 2026

We are the Coastal Commanders – a team of three commercial pilots rowing unsupported across the Atlantic in 2026. Fuelled by personal stories, professional grit and a commitment to the cancer community.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

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All proceeds support campaign costs and our two amazing cancer charities.

THE CHALLENGE

We are rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

The current world trio record is 35 days - challenge accepted!

JOIN OUR MISSION

We're on a mission to inspire and motivate people to lead active lives and overcome life’s challenges.

Help us raise £150,000 for our charity partners—donate now!

PARTNERS

We offer potential partners the opportunity to support our campaign and access to a huge global audience.

Become a part of our exciting journey.

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Another Apex session in the bag 💥
@jon.reilly grinding out 7 reps of Western Beacon on Dartmoor - 1,500m of climbing in under 4 hours. That’s 17% of an Everest 🏔️

Quads definitely felt that one… and this is just a small taste of how brutal the Apex challenge is going to be. 8848m of climbing in less than 48 hours.

Our donation page goes live soon — and to be honest, we’re a little scared about what’s ahead. ⛰️⛰️⛰️

Cancer Comeback of the Month: Laura

In April 2020, at just 34 years old and in the middle of lockdown, Laura was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. What followed was five months of chemotherapy, surgery, and four weeks of radiotherapy - finishing active treatment just before Christmas that year.

Throughout it all, Laura kept moving. With the guidance of a specialist oncology physiotherapist, she was able to maintain an exercise routine that helped her cope with the brutal side effects of chemo and keep a sense of normality in the hardest of times.

A lifelong competitive swimmer, Laura made it back to the pool a year after diagnosis and raced again just one year after surgery. It took another year to rebuild her pre-cancer fitness, but five years on, she’s swimming faster than she has in over a decade.

This summer, she claimed silver at the Masters Open Water National Championships. And later this month, she’s taking on her biggest challenge yet: the 10km Dart Marathon Swim.

As Laura puts it: “Chemo was the most brutal journey of my life — but I’m really proud of how I navigated it. I’ve come back stronger and fitter than ever. I’m so grateful for this second chance at life, and I try to make every day count.”

We’re sharing stories like Laura’s epic comeback to inspire, to raise awareness, and to remind anyone going through their own battle that strength can be found on the other side.

We’re rowing in support of @younglivesvscancer and @moveagainstcancercharity and for everyone writing their own comeback story.

Follow our journey: Share. Follow. Support.

#CancerComeback #WhyWeRow #checkyourboobs #CoastalCommanders #AtlanticRow2026

Martin and Jon putting a shift in at @dlcworcester .
Strength sessions like this are about more than just gym time - they’re how we prepare our bodies to handle 14 hours of rowing a day when we take on the Atlantic in 2026.

Consistency now = resilience later.

#CoastalCommanders #AtlanticRow2026 #StrengthTraining #BuildingDurability

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

‘A clean boat is a fast boat’

Getting FREEDOM ready for our 3 day training row out of Plymouth.

#coastalcommanders #worldstoughestrow

Still flying high up here ✈️ Contrails and clear skies - counting down to our next adventure on FREEDOM next week!

#boeing #737 #aviation

From the 737 sim to the Atlantic… the skills overlap more than you’d think.
✔️ Discipline under pressure
✔️ Working as a crew
✔️ Making decisions when tired
✔️ Trusting the person next to you

Every year we check our proficiency in the simulator. Before we row the Atlantic, we’ll face the scrutiny of the World’s Toughest Row safety team. We’re preparing well ahead of time, making sure we’ve trained as rigorously as possible for this epic challenge. 🌊✈️

#CoastalCommanders #AtlanticRow2026 #737Sim #Teamwork #Preparation

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

Dreamy Yes Tor session on the commute back to Cornwall. Just over half a Helvellyn in the legs - reps coming next time. ⛰️

Loving the training for @apex.officialuk

Jon and Martin hit the stair master today. Great to get together for a session at @dlcworcester. We’ve got plenty more of these leg-burners lined up over the next 4 weeks to get primed for Apex Everest ⛰️

#everesting #stairmaster #fitness

Post-work trails on Ilkley Moor 🏃‍♂️
32°C, Yorkshire trails, endless views… Apex training in full swing.

Only managed half of a Helvellyn ascent, but gotta start somewhere. 4 weeks to go…

Freeze-dried never looked so good. 🍽️
Can’t wait to be back on Freedom with more DOM-fuelled sunsets soon.

Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday… except maybe training for 40 days at sea in an ocean rowing boat!

@jon.reilly filmed this stunning @jet2pics 737 arrival into Funchal Airport - a Category C airfield known for its short runway, unpredictable winds, and dramatic approach. Only specially trained pilots are cleared to land there… naturally, Jon is one of them.

#Jet2 #Jet2Holidays #AtlanticRow #FunchalApproach #PilotLife #CoastalCommanders #FromJetsToOars
@pilotstuff @aviationdaily @captainchris

#jet2
#jet2holidays

Great to get out and support @roddersroutes this morning on the first 10k of his weekly marathon - he’s running a marathon in EVERY city in England! 💥 Awesome to have him here in Truro with the Trelissick 5k Your Way crew — we tried to find the flattest trails we could…Truro doesn’t do flat! 😅 Best of luck smashing the rest of today’s miles and the rest of your epic challenge for @moveagainstcancercharity 🏃‍♂️💪

5 weeks until the Apex Everest Challenge 😱
8848m of elevation.
9 back-to-back ascents of Helvellyn in the Lake District. 🗻
We may have underestimated this…
Hill training has officially begun.
#EverestChallenge #Helvellyn #LakeDistrict

Not every rep goes up.

Scott hit his limit on this brutally heavy front squat - and that’s the point.

We’re training to find the edge. To push past it. To stay calm when things don’t go our way.

On the Atlantic, we’ll face setbacks daily. What matters is how we respond.

#CoastalCommanders #AtlanticRow

The landing gear on our @boeing 737 carries the full weight at touchdown. It’s built to absorb impact and keep the aircraft steady. Our training is the same - focused on building the resilience and reliability we’ll need when conditions get tough out on the ocean.

#737
#boeing
#aviation

Cancer Comeback of the Month: Jon

We’re starting a new monthly series to share the stories behind our campaign - stories of people who’ve faced cancer and found a way back.

But not every comeback is from cancer. Over the coming months, we’ll also feature people who’ve overcome other forms of adversity - illness, loss, injury, or anything that knocked them off course and demanded a fight back.

If you’ve got a story to share, we’d love to hear from you.

After sharing Soraya and Luiz’s story recently, it felt right to kick off our ‘Comeback of the Month’ series with one that’s personal. This is Jon’s story- the one that started it all.

In 2019, Jon was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer. He went through nine weeks of chemotherapy but never stopped moving. Staying active during treatment helped him manage side effects, recover faster, and return to triathlon training and racing not long after.

More than physical strength, exercise helped break the feeling of being trapped after days in the chemo ward. As Jon says, “Chemo was grim. But getting out in the woods - walking, running, feeling the sun on my face - it made everything feel better.”

Today, he’s rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic with the Coastal Commanders - a reminder that setbacks don’t have to hold us back.

We share these stories to inspire, raise awareness, and remind everyone facing challenges that they’re not alone.

We’re rowing in support of @younglivesvscancer and @moveagainstcancercharity — and for everyone finding strength in their own comeback.

Follow our journey: Share. Follow. Support.

#CancerComeback #WhyWeRow #CoastalCommanders #AtlanticRow2026

This is Soraya - we used to coach triathlon together, running brutal Zoom gym sessions during lockdown to keep people going.

Now, she’s facing something far tougher. Her husband Luiz has stage 4 kidney cancer. They’ve tried every treatment - immunotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy and are now turning to alternative options that offer hope, but aren’t covered by insurance.

To support him, Soraya is walking or running 3.1km every single day for a year - the full distance of five Ironmans. Not for a medal, but for love, for hope and for more time together.

They need help covering the cost of these therapies, travel, and supportive care.

Whether it’s £5, a share, or a few steps walked in solidarity - it all helps.

💛 Donate or read their story: http://gofund.me/3c8e5c89

This isn’t about getting stronger in the gym - it’s about holding up under pressure at sea. Repeating the same movement for thousands of hours takes a toll. Strength work like this is about resilience, joint stability, and injury prevention. We’re building a body that can keep going out on the ocean, not just push hard. Big gains still coming in across the team thanks to @ocean_ready_ 💪

Fantastic to make it to another 5k Your Way Parkrun at Trelissick this morning. Always a boost to get moving, especially alongside the incredible cancer community 💙

Did you make it to your parkrun today?

📍Ocean Rowing Training Camp | May 2025

In May, we spent five intensive days on the water with one of the world’s top ocean rowing coaches - @duncroy1. From launching drills and offshore navigation to para anchor deployment and passage planning, this was our first real test as a crew.

We rowed 12 miles offshore to Eddystone Lighthouse, battled the basics, and made the kind of mistakes you only learn from by doing.

Read the full story on our blog:
🔗 Link in bio

#AtlanticRowing #OceanRow2026 #CoastalCommanders

We’re signed up for BATTLE CANCER LONDON – OCTOBER 2025 💥
9 stations. 90 minutes. One brutal test of fitness, grit, and teamwork.

This is another big step on our journey to the Atlantic in 2026 – raising funds for two cancer charities close to our hearts.

We’ve been putting in serious graft with @ocean_ready_ for the last 6 months, there’s plenty more to come before October. Let’s see what we’re made of 💪

Event announcement - APEX EVEREST - SEPTEMBER 2025

9 brutal rounds up and down Helvellyn, Lake District. No sleep, no shortcuts - just one goal: climb the height of Everest (8,848m) in a single, non-stop push.
We’ll be slogging it out as a team, digging deep and pushing each other to the edge. Joining us is our resilience coach Andy Long of Impact2, who’ll be climbing alongside us and keeping us in check when things get dark.
This marks the launch of our charity fundraising campaign for two incredible cancer charities. Big challenges ahead - this is just the start. Stay tuned for the launch.

🚨 Big news coming soon! 🚨

We’ve got some amazing fundraising events on the horizon as we officially launch the charity fundraising side of our campaign in support of @moveagainstcancercharity and @younglivesvscancer.

These events are going to push us to our limits — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and we’re doing it all for two incredible causes 💪

Six months on the erg and I’m still not the biggest fan. Yet.

I’ve been hitting the rowing machine for half a year now, and I still find myself putting off every session. But I’m slowly getting into it.

Today was a good one:
3 x 10 minutes, close to threshold, it felt good to suffer a bit and hit the numbers 💪

There’s still a long way to go, but I’m starting to see where this might be heading. 18 months to go!

#WorldsToughestRow #ErgTraining

Performance under pressure starts before we hit the water.

We’re incredibly fortunate to be working with two experts in high-performance teamwork:

• Andy Long of Impact2, supporting us with performance mindset coaching — helping us build the focus, resilience, and cohesion we’ll need throughout the entire campaign, not just on the oars. @andy_long_impact2

• Jon Peck of Tiger Teams, sharpening our mental performance and teamwork as we prepare for the realities of ocean rowing. From elite sport to high-pressure environments, Jon brings experience that’s already helping us stay calm, connected, and focused — even when sleep-deprived, salt-soaked, and deep into the Atlantic.

This is more than training. It’s the foundation of how we’ll function as a crew.

#TigerTeams #Impact2 #OceanRowing #HighPerformanceTeams

Want some Kyloe sunglasses too? Use our exclusive code COASTALCOMMANDERS15 for 15% off – that’s on top of their current buy one get one free deal!

We’ve been using Kyloe’s Hero Nebula sunglasses on all of our training rows, and they’ve genuinely impressed us. The polarised lenses cut the glare, the non-slip frames stay put in tough conditions, and they’re just seriously comfortable. Built for performance – and it shows.

Even better? They’re made with sustainability in mind – responsibly designed gear that matches the values we’re taking with us across the Atlantic.

Massive thanks to our product sponsor @kyloeinthewild for donating three pairs to support our campaign. We’re proud to put their kit to the test as we train for the @worlds.toughest.row

#sunglasses #kyloe #sea #atlantic

Freedom at Plymouth Boat Fest 25!

What an incredible weekend having our ocean rowing boat, Freedom, on display at Plymouth Boat Fest! It was great to chat with local boat lovers about our 2026 Atlantic crossing - from 2-hour rowing shifts and freeze-dried meals to the tiny amount of sleep we’ll get… and yes, the toilet situation too! 🚽

We also loved meeting some of Plymouth’s brilliant marine companies, the innovation coming out of this city is seriously impressive. A highlight was watching the RNLI and autonomous vessel demos in action on the water 👏

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by, donated, or simply shared some words of encouragement. You can still support us and help us fund the kit, equipment and nutrition we will need to be ready for the start line in 26 — and help raise vital funds for our partner cancer charities @moveagainstcancercharity and @younglivesvscancer 💙

#PlymouthBoatFest #AtlanticRow #OceanRowing #CoastalCommanders #RowForCharity

Highlights from our first solo trip on Freedom: Plymouth to Salcombe 🚣‍♂️

6 hours there, 4.5 hours back.
Windy, rough and choppy on the way out 🤢
Smooth and fast coming home 😎

Treated ourselves to a burger and a shower in Salcombe before sleeping on the boat on the mooring. Got to break ourselves in gently to this ocean rowing malarkey! 🌊

Dive scores from our stunning morning swim in Salcombe Harbour last week: Martin 5/10 (decent commitment), Jon 2/10 (for a self-proclaimed swimmer?!) and Scott smashing it with a solid 9/10. Crystal-clear water, epic anchorage, a few jelly fish and some questionable diving technique.

Agree with those scores?

#CoastalCommanders #RowPrep #DivingDisasters

We rowed out to anchor at Cawsand Bay the night before our big day out to Salcombe earlier this week.

Flat water, quiet evening and a beautiful sunset to go with it. 🌅

#OceanRowTraining #CawsandBay #PlymouthSound #CoastalCommanders

La Gomera fly-by! 🛩️

Looking forward to experiencing this incredible island from sea level next year. Hoping to swing by in December too, to visit the 2025 fleet before they set off across the Atlantic. 🌊💪

#AtlanticRow #canaries

DOUBLE OAR SPONSOR - PENNON GROUP PLC

The team proudly holding our Pennon Group oar.

We’re thrilled to have the Pennon Group (@southwestwater) on board for our Atlantic row. Their support is helping power this journey and it’s great to be aligned with a company that shares our values around sustainability, resilience, and doing things that matter.

📸 @dvpuk

OAR SPONSOR - IPA Independent Pilots Association

@jon.reilly getting our Independent Pilots Association oar ready for its first outing.

Massive thanks to the IPA for backing our row and helping to spread the word throughout the pilot community. It means a lot to have the support of our fellow aviators as we prepare to take on the Atlantic.

📸 @dvpuk

Unboxing adventure-ready gear from @kyloeinthewild!

A big thank you to Kyloe in the Wild for kitting us out with their Hero Nebula sunglasses and Primal water-repellent hats - the perfect combo for our Atlantic Rowing campaign. We’ve already been putting the sunnies through their paces on the water: incredible clarity, non-slip frames and made from recycled plastic - supporting our sustainable mission.

Another standout company backing our campaign - we’re truly grateful for the support.

More shots of our fresh kit coming soon!

OAR SPONSOR - LITHGOW PERKINS LLP
Here’s our first official photograph from @dvpuk — featuring our Lithgow Perkins oar in all its glory. (Jon took the second one!)

A massive thank you to our go to chartered accountants Lithgow Perkins, not only are they sponsoring our campaign, but they’ve also been a huge help behind the scenes. From getting our finances in order to assisting with some of the campaign admin, they’ve gone above and beyond to support the mission.

Behind the scenes with @dvpuk, capturing headshots for the campaign — with @duncroy1 stepping in as glamorous assistant for the day.

Full photo reveal landing soon.

#AtlanticRow #CoastalCommanders

The finishing touches being applied to our sponsored oars.

Fresh from the team at @signsexpressplymouth , these custom blades proudly carry the names of our first campaign sponsors - the organisations powering our Atlantic crossing and helping us give back to the cancer community.

You may have already seen them out on the water, but the full reveal is coming soon, with professional photography by @dvpuk capturing the detail and meaning behind these epic blades.

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group (@southwestwater)

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

Soaked but smiling after a brilliant day on Plymouth Hoe, sharing our 2026 Atlantic rowing adventure with runners and supporters at the Plymouth Running Festival. Huge respect to everyone who powered through the rain this morning to cross that finish line!

Missed us today? Head to the link in our bio to find out more about our mission and how you can support the row.

#atlanticrow #adventure #plymouth #running

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

Blasting around the Eddystone Lighthouse on Day 2 of our @duncroy1 training camp in Plymouth. Just over 10 hours, a solid first trip for FREEDOM and the team.

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

FREEDOM is on the water!
Time to kick off our training camp with ocean rowing coach Duncan Roy as he takes us through our drills as part of The Ocean Rowing Academy programme.

#oceanrowingboat #atlantic #worldstoughestrow

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group (@southwestwater)

OAR SPONSORS
Lithgow Perkins LLP
IPA - Independent Pilots Association

Big day at Coastal Commanders HQ! Freedom now proudly sports her first set of team graphics thanks to the brilliant team at @signsexpressplymouth. She’s almost ready to hit the water for our first training camp with @duncroy1 💪

Behind the scenes at @signsexpressplymouth as Freedom gets her first set of team graphics! Huge thanks to Simon and Sam for their skill and precision, she’s looking the part now. Big moment for the campaign!

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT – Pennon Group PLC

We’re proud to announce Pennon Group have sponsored a pair of our ocean rowing oars, helping to power us 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in support of Young Lives vs Cancer and Move Against Cancer.

Through their WaterFit programme, Pennon is investing in cleaner, healthier seas, making them a perfect partner for our ocean challenge.

Thank you for supporting the journey.

#CoastalCommanders #AtlanticCampaign #OceanRowing #PennonGroup #WaterFit

PAIR OF OARS SPONSOR
Pennon Group

First time on an eFoil for @jon.reilly and his surfing buddy Alan… not quite pros, but definitely hooked.

Massive thanks to @efoilcornwall for an epic session (with plenty of epic falls) and for donating an awesome prize to our charity raffle in support of our cancer charities.

The raffle’s not launching ‘til spring 2026 - but this prize is seriously one to watch.

#efoil #cornwall #newskill #wipeout #watersports

🌱 We’re pleased to announce that we’ve started offsetting all unavoidable carbon linked to our campaign – with the help of the brilliant team at @forestcarbon_uk .

First up: our recent trip from Plymouth to Rannoch HQ and back (towing Freedom home on the return leg!). We’ve offset 1 tonne of CO₂ by planting native trees – more than enough to cover the van emissions for that journey (approximately 0.18 tonnes of CO₂)

Given how much we pump out in the day job, offsetting feels like the very least we can do. We’re committed to treading as lightly as we can while preparing for the World’s Toughest Row.

#CoastalCommanders #WorldsToughestRow #CarbonOffset #CarbonForest

It’s Earth Day 2025 - what action will you take?

We’ve recently shared our pledge to make our ocean rowing campaign as sustainable as possible. From kit choices to travel, we’re doing what we can to reduce our impact. You can check out what we’re doing via the link in our bio.

Now it’s your turn - make a pledge for the planet. Need inspiration? Here are a few ideas:

•Cycle, walk or take public transport instead of driving
•Try a meat-free day once a week
•Carry a reusable bottle or coffee cup
•Buy second-hand or swap clothes with friends
•Donate clothes to local charities

Small changes, big impact. Let us know your Earth Day pledge in the comments.

Back to work for @jon.reilly this week after a very leisurely winter of rowing admin, gym sessions, and hours on the erg.
Let’s see if he remembers what all these buttons do… 🫣

#PilotLife #OceanRowPrep #CoastalCommanders #backtothedayjob #737

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Three pilots. One boat. 3,000 miles. Rowing across the Atlantic for cancer charities.

THE CHALLENGE

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PARTNERS

FOLLOW.

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COASTAL COMMANDERS

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FOLLOW OUR OCEAN ADVENTURE:

Three pilots. One boat. 3,000 miles.
Rowing across the Atlantic for cancer charities.