Zara Lachlan is no stranger to pushing herself beyond limits. From competing internationally in cycling to rowing intensely since the age of 16, she has always thrived on challenging herself both physically and mentally.
However, nothing could compare to the scale of her most recent adventure — a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean.
Picture: Team Forces
The 3,600 nautical mile journey from Europe to South America was gruelling, to say the least. Zara – a 21-year-old Loughborough University graduate – faced brutal weather conditions, encounters with sharks and orcas, a broken oar, injuries, and even a near- collision with a much larger vessel during her 97 days at sea. Yet, through it all, she remained undeterred, becoming only the second person in history to complete such a feat – the only woman and the youngest in history…
The Road to the Atlantic
Zara’s training began in earnest in August of the previous year, but her passion for rowing started much earlier. “I’ve been rowing since I was 16,” she shares. “I thought it would be fun, and I just got sponsorship to make it happen.”
Despite being just 21 years old, Zara had already built a solid foundation in endurance sports. But this particular challenge was unlike anything she had ever faced.
Picture credit: Team Forces
“I was free for the winter, and the idea of rowing across the Atlantic seemed like an exciting challenge,” she says. “I was also raising money for Team Forces and Women in Sport — two causes that are close to my heart.
“I wanted to inspire women and girls to step out of their comfort zones and get involved in sport, especially when a lack of confidence can be a barrier.“
A Near Miss and the Perils of the Ocean
The ocean, while beautiful, proved to be an unforgiving environment. Zara faced moments of sheer terror, one of which occurred when a large ship came perilously close to her boat at night. “It missed me by just 0.1 miles,” she recalls. “If the ship had hit me, it could have broken my boat, and that would have been much worse than a shark following me.”
Despite these scary moments, Zara never seriously considered quitting. “I thought about giving up at times, but no one actually offered it to me, and if they had, I would have said no,” she says. Instead, she pushed through the fear and uncertainty, focusing on the task at hand.
Picture credit: Team Forces
Finding Peace in Solitude
As much as the journey tested her, Zara also found unexpected peace during the 97 days at sea. “I thought being alone would be the biggest challenge, but I actually enjoy my own company more than I thought,” she admits. “I had great communication with my boyfriend, and speaking with him every day brought a sense of normality to my routine. It was comforting.”
Despite the isolation, Zara found the physical act of rowing to be meditative.
“I didn’t think too much about things. It was a long journey, and I kind of went into a meditative state while rowing. It was really peaceful, and I really enjoyed it.”
The Hardest Month
Looking back on the journey, Zara points to the first month as the hardest part. “When I left Portugal and headed towards the Canary Islands, the weather was so difficult,” she says. “If you look at my tracker, you’ll see that I did a lot of circles because I was fighting the weather, trying to make progress.”
However, once she passed the Canaries and reached about day 40, Zara knew that she could complete the journey. “It was hard at times, knowing I had 3,000 miles to go and only making 15 miles in a day,” she reflects. “But I pushed on, and even though I thought about giving up, I never seriously considered it.”
Lessons Learned
Beyond the physical challenge, Zara learned valuable life lessons during her journey. “It taught me to be kinder to myself,” she says. “Every day, I’d put in maximum effort, but sometimes I didn’t meet my goals because of things like the weather, which I couldn’t control. It helped me be more understanding and patient with myself.”
Zara also learned more about her connection with the ocean. “I used to be scared of it,” she admits. “I didn’t
like swimming and was never a fan of getting my face wet in the water. But during this trip, I had to get in the ocean every few days to clean the boat, and I actually started to love it. I saw dolphins and other cool things in the water, which made it even more special.”
Returning Home and Reflecting on the Experience
Now that Zara is back in England, she’s taken some time to reflect on the adventure that changed her life. “It feels nice to have achieved this, but it hasn’t really hit me yet,” she says with a smile.
As for advice to others considering taking on big challenges? “Don’t overthink it,” Zara advises. “If you want to do something, go for it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment because you can always talk yourself out of it. It’s okay to feel a little scared or uncomfortable— those are the moments that you’ll look back on and feel proud of.”
To find out more, visit: www.teamforces.org/zara-lachlan
