TCD Student to Row Atlantic Challenge Race

Posted on: 11 October 2005

Gearoid Towey, a TCD student who competed at the last Olympic games, and his teammate Ciaran Lewis have set out to become the first Irish crew to win the Atlantic Rowing Race in November this year.  The Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race is a 40 day, 2795 mile epic of endurance and determination, from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua in the Carribean. Through the race, Towey and Lewis will be raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society and Merchant’s Quay Ireland. The two Irish rowers will compete against crews from all over the world in their 7-metre boat, Digicel Atlantic Challenge.

Gearoid Towey from Fermoy in Co. Cork is one of Ireland’s most successful International rowers.  A World Champion in 2001 and 1996, Bronze medals in 2003 and 1999 and Olympic semi-finalist in 2004, he was also the recipient of a Texaco Sports Award in 2003.  Ciaran Lewis from Phibsboro in Dublin is one of Ireland’s most accomplished domestic oarsmen. With seven Irish Championships to his name, he has formed the engine of some of Ireland’s strongest domestic crews since he started rowing in 1990.