Ocean Rowing Training
TESTIMONIALS
Photo credits (unless specified otherwise): World’s Toughest Row
Photo Credit: The Arctic Challenge 2025
“Simply put, we could not have done it without him.
Our team set an ambitious goal of breaking a world record – a challenge that demanded more than physical endurance — it required strategic preparation, grit, and a resilient mindset to make decisions in one of the planet’s most unforgiving environments. None of that would have been possible without the exceptional coaching and guidance of Duncan.
Duncan tailored a program that was specific not only to the demands of the Arctic, but to the strengths and weaknesses of our crew. He helped us develop a level of mental and physical preparedness that I genuinely believe gave us the edge to break the record. His coaching drilled home the reality that ocean rowing is more than just “knowing” how to row and stroke technique; he taught us how to lead under pressure, how to communicate effectively in crisis, and how to maintain morale when nature did its best to break us.
Duncan’s influence was deeply woven into every aspect of our success – from candidly sharing his personal lessons learned to showing the team the nautical skills & drills to make life easy during critical moments of the expedition. His experience as a world-class ocean rower brings a rare level of credibility and insight — he doesn’t just coach from a theoretical standpoint, he has lived it. And that authenticity permeates his approach.
What sets Duncan apart is his no-nonsense approach balanced with unwavering support and positivity. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges — instead, he equips you to meet them head-on with clarity and confidence. You could most certainly feel the good vibes from Dunc’s when you were sleep deprived and facing 35+ knot headwinds!
The Ocean Rowing Academy is more than just a training platform — it’s a launchpad for world-class expeditions, forged through hard-earned knowledge and a deep passion for the ocean. If you're serious about pushing your limits and doing something extraordinary, there is no better coach than Duncan.”
~ Andrew Tropp, Skipper, Arctic Challenge 2025 World Record Fastest Crossing
Photo Credit: The Arctic Challenge 2025
“We worked with Duncan through The Ocean Rowing Academy in preparation for The Arctic Challenge, completing his intensive 5-day course in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our team came in with very different athletic backgrounds and varying levels of experience on the water, but none of us had ever rowed an ocean. Duncan was exactly the coach we needed.
He shaped the training around our team, bringing both deep expertise and practical strategies that worked for the unique challenges of our independent ocean crossing. By the end of the camp, we had the skills, systems, and confidence to take on an unsupported row across the Arctic Ocean. When the time came, we broke the speed record by 5 days.
The training materials, guides, and resources were excellent, and we relied on them from the first day of preparation to the last day of the expedition. The entire experience was professional, thorough, and top quality, yet still personal and fun. From start to finish, Duncan was direct, clear, and a great teacher. His communication was always quick and detailed. His passion for the sport and commitment to high-performance teams stood out, and his ability to make everyone feel safe, comfortable, and motivated kept us pushing forward even when the learning curve was steep.
We cannot recommend The Ocean Rowing Academy enough. Our success came directly from Duncan’s coaching, and we would tell anyone preparing for an ocean row to work with him if they want to make their crossing as safe, successful, and well-prepared as possible.”
~ Hannah Huppi, Arctic Challenge 2025 World Record Fastest Crossing
“Working with Duncan and Aaron was one of the greatest assets for our mid-Pacific crossing. From the very beginning of our nearly three-year campaign, their guidance, expertise, and commitment to our success were unwavering. Duncan’s hands-on instruction during our training camp helped us feel prepared to handle any situation that we might encounter with confidence. Both he and Aaron were consistently available to answer questions, ease our anxieties, and guide us through every phase of our campaign.
During the race, having their support was immensely helpful and comforting. When our steering broke, they were available to help us brainstorm potential solutions so we could get it fixed and keep moving forward. The daily updates we got from them helped us stay on track and was a source of consistent support. Their deep knowledge, passion for ocean rowing, and genuine care for their athletes were evident in everything they did. Thanks to their tireless support, we not only completed our journey safely but also broke the world record for the fastest trio to row across the mid-Pacific. We’re endlessly grateful to have had two such exceptional coaches guiding us every step of the way.”
~ Taylan Stulting, Skipper, Oar The Rainbow, World Record Fastest Trio, WTR Pacific 2025
“Facts first: SwissRaw won the Atlantic Row formerly Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2021/22 with one day lead to the second placed team. Soon after the announcement of the new Pacific rowing race the opportunity to be the first and only winner of both races opened up.
Thoughts now: Due to little wind and a strong team, we hadn’t been using lots if any of drills, like deploying drogues or the para-anchor, trained beforehand. With a new team-member and high expectations we didn’t want to leave any stone unturned.
That’s why we contacted Duncan to give us a thorough update on drills and manoeuvres. He helped us with wargaming and visualisation for emergency events as well as race tactics, which ended up being helpful during the race.
He was also physically present in in the pre-race period and the race start to discuss last bits and pieces.
SwissRaw’s verdict: would highly recommend!”
~ Ingvar Groza, Swiss Raw, World Record Fastest Crossing, WTR Pacific 2025
Photo Credit: Lunova Studios
“Planning an ocean row in under 12 months for a solo, unsupported and independent crossing, I knew I was asking a lot and needed a world class coach. Duncan Roy and The Ocean Rowing Academy stepped up in every way possible and was the catalyst to the success of the Ocean Survivoar Challenge.
There was dedication, curiosity and pure professionalism delivered by Duncan in every training session and phone call. From the very start, Duncan went in depth with understanding my needs and goals and every time he came back to me with an extremely well executed and detailed plan for how to achieve it together.
What makes Duncan a top tier coach is the the structure and layout in his phases of training. It is both clear and methodical, which built my confidence not just in my ability, but also the knowledge and skills required to be able to row across an ocean safely. He pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of, held me accountable and most of all encouraged me to rememeber what the bigger picture was in moments where things got tough. He celebrates not just the big mile stones, but also the small things that you might look over. And it is in these moments, that makes the whole journey memorable.
Without Duncan and the support from the Ocean Rowing Academy, I can truly say that I would not have been prepared as well as I was mentally, physically and emotionally. He helped me get to the start line, was at the end of the phone every day during my crossing and beyond the finish line. From every part of me, I am deeply honoured to have worked with Duncan. For those who are looking at tackling an extroardinary expedition at the highest level, I certainly would recommend having Duncan Roy in your court.”
~ Annasley Park, Ocean Survivoar, Independent Atlantic Crossing 2025
“Duncan was introduced to me by a fellow ocean rower as a key part of their campaign’s success — and it’s easy to see why.
As skipper of the Deep Blue Crew, a team of four who rowed the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row 2024/25, I reached out to Duncan early in our campaign. It was immediately clear that he ran an incredibly efficient, professional program, backed by vast experience. His communication was clear, concise, and consistent from start to finish.
We had the pleasure of working with both Duncan and Aaron, with Aaron serving as our main point of contact throughout. Over two intensive three-day training weekends, Aaron took us through thorough skills and drills sessions that prepared us more than sufficiently for the Atlantic — and made the process genuinely enjoyable.
In La Gomera, where the race began, Aaron’s guidance was invaluable. He ensured every box was ticked as we prepped our boat, and his calm expertise gave us huge confidence heading into the start line. During the race, the incredible TORA team continued to support us with fantastic communication that kept morale high and reassured our families back home.
We achieved everything we set out to do — performing competitively while having an unforgettable experience. As skipper, I can say without hesitation that the support from TORA was integral to our campaign’s success.
I cannot recommend Duncan, Aaron, and the TORA team highly enough. They are true professionals — and great friends.”
~ Patrick Ronan, Skipper, Deep Blue Crew, 2nd Place WTR Atlantic 2024
“Working with the TORA pairing of Aaron and Duncan was the highlight of our Atlantic campaign. Preparing for such an undertaking can be scary and overwhelming, however the professionalism, compassion and know how of the team enabled us to get the very best out of ourselves, whilst having the safest crossing possible.
They are more than a coaching team, they are a pair that deeply cares for the sport and wants to see all their crews not only survive but flourish on the ocean. A pair of salty sea dogs and our friends for life!”
~ Gus Knott, Deep Blue Crew, 2nd Place WTR Atlantic 2024
“I rowed solo in the Atlantic 2024 race, and despite starting training with Duncan quite late in the year, he made sure everything was covered, well beyond the requirements of the training camp. He’s a fountain of knowledge on ocean rowing, covering details you’d never think to consider, but that make a huge difference out at sea and I benefitted so much from the mix of theory and practical training. For example, I lost my rudder in rough seas, but thanks to practising that exact scenario with Duncan, I managed it solo. Without that training, it would’ve been a much more serious challenge. As a coach, Duncan is a great mix of professional, personable and tough when it necessary. I’m incredibly grateful to have trained with him, and this ultimately helped me secure 2nd place in the solo category. If you're planning an ocean row and want to do it safely and competently, I’d highly recommend training with Duncan. And cheers for the boat beers!”
~ Ananya Prasad, Atlantic Odyssey, 1st Solo Female WTR Atlantic 2024
“We as a team felt that the investment in Duncan's time was the best decision we made in our training choices. Duncan's knowledge and experience is second to none and we have no idea how anyone could face the enormity of an ocean row without that level of help. Duncan is approachable and friendly and deserves all of the praise that he receives throughout the ocean rowing community. We would recommend him without hesitation to any future ocean rowers.”
~ Karl Austen, 2 Stroke, WTR Atlantic 2024
“Rowing an ocean is no small feat and takes careful planning and preparation. Engaging Duncan should be in a team's top priorities, due to the wealth of experience, knowledge and support he can provide to teams. For us, investing in Rowing Roy support was the best investment we made towards our campaign and the largest contributor to the comfort that we felt in training and our ability to overcome adversity during the row itself! Partner with Duncan to maximise your path to a successful row!”
~ Ed Shaw, 2 Stroke, WTR Atlantic 2024
“In the early days of establishing our team for the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic, Duncan came highly recommended and I’m so grateful we trained with him! Duncan’s training course was at the core of our campaign and was a crucial step in developing a firm understanding of ocean rowing. This allowed us to develop our experiences confidently and grow our knowledge base in preparation for crossing the Atlantic. With unwavering energy, Duncan goes the extra mile in supporting his teams. His depth of knowledge, dedication and passion for the sport is admirable and is a very safe pair of hands to take a team from the start to beyond the finish line.”
~ Nia Bayliss, The Lightship, WTR Atlantic 2024
“I knew I'd made the right choice from the very first zoom call. Duncan's knowledge and expertise in safe and effective ocean rowing made ALL the difference to our own relationship to the race. It gave is the certainty we needed. Certainty in what we are doing. What is required and, more importantly, certainty we can not only do this but smash it. His level of mastery is only eclipsed by his clear and overwhelming sense of commitment to wanting his clients to succeed. If you are lucky enough to be considered for training or are able to get a space on his calendar, grab it with both hands.”
~ Peter Sage, Team Cheerfulness, WTR Atlantic 2024
“We had heard about duncan through word of mouth, expressing how great he was at getting rowers ready for the adventure of rowing an ocean and opted for his 5 day course. Despite have some last minute crew changes, duncan made every effort to educate and develop all members of the crew to the same level. He was approachable, friendly and amenable to our own needs and at the end of the course, we felt confident that we had the necessary skills to complete the event.”
~ Gian Luc, Oarsome Army Educators, WTR Atlantic 2024
“The Ocean Rowing Academy Training Course is a no brainier for first time Ocean rowers. It gave us the confidence we needed to tackle the open sea and provided us with so many skills we wouldn’t have known about. Duncan's tuition enabled us to row safely and efficiently.”
~ Andy Purvis, Oar Mighty Mates, WTR Atlantic 2024
“Working with Duncan was one of the most transformative parts of my journey as a solo ocean rower.
When I first started training, I knew the challenge ahead was enormous & needed to build my confidence, resilience & discipline to be able to face not only the realities' of being at sea for days on end, but most importantly, being able to thrive in this environment. Duncan’s depth of knowledge along with his tried and tested approaches were invaluable to me achieving this.
Running the drills with Duncan truly paid dividends when on the Atlantic, preparing me for the unpredictable reality of the ocean and being able to intuitively perform safely.
Every session was insightful, tailored, grounded in real experience & fun! Not to mention, I am now hooked on Rice Crispy squares and humming tunes from his playlist! and ..even the chocolate Orange present he gave me to unwrap on Christmas day was just an amazing gesture of support.
If you’re considering an ocean rowing challenge, especially as a solo rower, I cannot recommend Duncan highly enough. The impact of what he taught me was enormous. He is the coach you want in your corner.”
~ Andrew Major, Atlantic Rocketman, WTR Atlantic 2024
Photo credit: The Ocean Rowing Academy
“Honestly could not have asked for any more. We had an amazing training course with Duncan that started with an introductory call, which instituted a lot of discipline into our campaign and set us on the right track. We were all novices to ocean rowing and the sea, and there is really just no way to know how much you don't know. The 4-day course was excellent, which took us through everything we needed to know about the technical elements of the boat, rowing technique, navigation, managing life on the boat, and putting the right systems in place for safety and success. It was very practical and all nestled in real examples. When we got out on the water for our expedition, and during training, we were very glad we had done a thorough course. Managing those boats in a coastal environment is hard work and takes proper planning and understanding of risk. Can't imagine how we would have done it without Dunc. He is incredibly accomplished himself and a top bloke, but also carries the experience of coaching so many teams through different challenges. The weekend itself was great craic, which was an added bonus, and it was the best value for money we spent during our prep.”
~ Jack Norris, The Emerald Expedition, World Record Circumnavigation of Ireland 2024
Photo credit: The Emerald Expedition
“The quality and enthusiasm of the teacher is essential for effective learning at any level. For a team of ocean rowing novices, Duncan's enthusiasm and professionalism ensured we left his training course feeling confident and capable to embark on our own adventures. His attention to detail and deep-knowledge of the skills required to safely row an ocean made the training course invaluable as we were able to absorb and learn so much from him. I would recommend The Ocean Rowing Academy to anyone. Thanks again Duncan!”
~ Aidan O’Reilly, The Emerald Expedition, World Record Circumnavigation of Ireland 2024
“Our team ‘Pacific Triow’ met while rowing the Atlantic three years prior, so heading into the World’s Toughest Row - Pacific 2024, we were looking for a focused refresher tailored to the Pacific. Duncan’s ‘Pacific Specifics’ Training Course in Hartlepool couldn’t have come at a better time for us - just a few weeks before the race start. After shipping our boat in March, we faced a long gap before seeing her again in early June, making this the perfect opportunity to build confidence and sharpen our ocean rowing skills before heading out to California.
Over the weekend, Duncan ran us through a full seamanship and navigation refresher - from theory and land-based drills to practical on-water execution. In the classroom, he challenged our knowledge and key Pacific specifics, helped refine our mission statement, and honed our goals for the crossing. Then it was time to take it all onto the boat (the famous Fortitude!) and out on the open water, putting everything into practice - all capped off by a 10/10 Hartlepool sunset. Naturally, Duncan made the weekend both educational and fun - the perfect mix of expert guidance and humour! By the end, we felt confident, prepared, and totally fired up for whatever the Pacific threw at us.
Duncan continued to support us with a pre-race check-in call in Monterey and stayed in contact throughout the race - always there with encouragement, advice, and a listening ear. Having also worked with him closely during my Atlantic campaign, I can say without hesitation: I would not attempt to row an ocean without Duncan Roy in my corner. He is a friend for life and one of the most incredible coaches I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”
~ Taylor Winyard, Pacific Triow, World Record Fastest Trio, WTR Pacific 2024
“Duncan's rowing academy was a vitally important role part of our preparation to row the Atlantic. Along with knowledge, skills, key checklists and information it gave us a confidence boost at the perfect time in our campaign to move our training forward.
Duncan gave us the platform to become strong and efficient ocean rowers while remaining calm, organised and level-headed driving us to achieve our goals we set from the start.
We can only thank Duncan for his help and continued openness to questions throughout our campaign.
Duncan = an honorary Atlantic Bro for life”
~ Eamon Breen, Atlantic Broing, WTR Atlantic 2023
“When you say ‘yes’ to an adventure like this, it’s easy to underestimate the sheer volume of skills and training that you’ll need to stay safe, let alone thrive. From the moment we met Duncan, he simplified it. Where a trio of girls with zero rowing experience have developed from and to, is testament to the training and strategies Duncan shared with us. His humility and genuine passion for people and the sport is profound. He is tough when he needs to be, always kind and his sense of humour makes you double take. He’s our coach and has become our mentor and friend. Thank you Duncs.”
~ Maddie Difazio-Wright, Vibe The Wave, WTR Atlantic 2023
“Learning the skills you need to a row an ocean can be incredibly daunting. Duncan has created a course that will equip you with all the skills for a safe and enjoyable crossing. Learning these skills in a safe and positive environment means you won't just survive at sea, you will thrive at sea!”
~ Louise Cox, The Tidewaves, WTR Atlantic 2023
Photo credit: Adlington Ltd
“We took up the services from Dunc Roy in preparation for our Atlantic row in 2024. His enthusiasm and knowledge knows no bounds, and his training was crucial to our preparation and confidence needed to take on this massive, life changing challenge. His advice literally made the difference between success or fail. I couldn’t recommend highly enough. (Quality is remembered , long after price is forgotten)”
~ Rod Adlington, The Brightsides, Atlantic Ocean Crossing 2024
Photo credit: The Ocean Rowing Academy
“Duncan was able to put me at ease straight away without overwhelming me with the amount of information I had to take on. I always said I wanted an adventure as well as to learn and on Day 1 we were rowing out of the safe harbour into the night and anchored under the stars. He gave me the confidence to do so myself just a few days after and I haven’t looked back since. I would highly recommend Duncan’s coaching and training.
~ Adam Jones, Adventure2Inspire
Photo credits (unless specified otherwise): World’s Toughest Row