David Knaggs and Richard Larking Rowing The Atlantic For A 60th Birthday

Most people planning their 60th birthday might choose a fancy meal, a party with friends, or a relaxing holiday somewhere warm. But Yorkshire lawyer David Knaggs has gone for something a bit different. Instead of blowing out candles, he and his close friend Richard Larking are preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. On 6 December, David’s actual birthday, the pair will not be celebrating at home.

They will be in the Canary Islands making final checks before taking on what is known as the World’s Toughest Row. Their journey from La Gomera to Antigua is all in aid of two Yorkshire charities, and it is a story of determination, friendship, and an unforgettable way to mark a milestone birthday.

From the golf course to the open ocean

The whole idea began during a casual round of golf three years ago. It shows how a simple chat between friends can turn into something extraordinary. One moment they were talking about their game, and the next they were planning a trans Atlantic rowing challenge. David admits it is hardly a standard way to celebrate turning 60.

He said, “Richard and I were golfing together three years ago when we came up with our plan to take on the Atlantic, and I suppose rowing an ocean is an unusual way to mark your 60th birthday. A lunch with close friends at our favourite restaurant in Leeds, Sous Le Nez, might have been a more typical way to celebrate the day.”

Their team name, Greens2Blue, captures this journey perfectly, from golf greens to the deep blue ocean. It is an adventure that has taken years of planning before they even get close to the starting line.

The monumental task ahead

The race they are entering is one of the most demanding physical challenges on the planet. Competitors row 3,000 miles without support across the Atlantic, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. At 59 and 60 years old, David and Richard will be one of the oldest teams in the race, showing that age is no barrier when determination is involved.

Their home for up to two months will be a seven metre rowing boat named Brizo. Life on board will be extremely tough. They are likely to face violent storms, waves that can reach 40 feet, sea sickness, and extreme sleep deprivation. Their routine will involve rowing for two hours, then resting for two hours, around the clock. They also have to be prepared for unexpected dangers such as marlin strikes. It is a challenge that demands strength, resilience, and mental toughness.

Training, training, and more training

A challenge this intense requires serious preparation. Since March 2024, David and Richard have been training with endurance coach Gus Barton, following a demanding programme of six training sessions every week. They have also spent nearly 200 hours rowing on the North Sea, gaining essential experience in unpredictable waters.

Their training will continue right up until the race begins. They will fly to La Gomera on 30 November, where race organisers provide rowing machines to help teams maintain peak fitness before the starting gun on 12 December.

A birthday celebration in La Gomera

David will not spend his birthday entirely without celebration. It just happens that the race organisers are hosting their official competitor fiesta on 6 December, the same day he turns 60. Richard has promised to keep him out of mischief on the night.

He joked, “By a strange quirk of fate there is actually an official party and fiesta hosted by the race organisers on David’s birthday. Rest assured I will do what all good wing men do and keep him safe from getting carried away.”

It will be a birthday he will never forget, surrounded by fellow competitors who are all preparing for the same enormous challenge.

An amazing fundraising effort for a great cause

At the heart of this journey is a major fundraising mission to support two charities: Maggie’s Home of Cancer Care and Friends of Alfie Martin. The team has already raised more than £160,000, beating their original target of £150,000. They now hope to reach £200,000, which works out at roughly £60 for every mile they will row.

Local and national support has been incredible. A long list of businesses have stepped in to sponsor the Greens2Blue team.

• Headline Sponsor: Begbies Traynor Group
• Key Sponsor: Sentio Partners (Leeds corporate finance boutique)
• Additional supporters: Ginetta, Happy Drains, Optivet Referrals, Cellular Pathology Services, Macintosh James and Partners Wealth Management, El Gato Negro Tapas, Middleton Law, Richard Fahey Racing, Springfield Healthcare, Waterer’s Services Limited, Walker Morris, SBFM Ltd

David’s wife Jackie Knaggs has played a crucial role too, helping organise many of the fundraising events. She said, “Not many people would choose a gruelling 3,000 mile row across the ocean to mark their 60th birthday, but it has been amazing watching them prepare for this odyssey for the last three years. We have all admired the discipline and dedication the training has involved. I am sure we will celebrate David’s 60th with a few glasses of fizz when they reach the finish line in Antigua in 2026.”

It is a remarkable adventure, fuelled by determination, teamwork, and a passion for making a difference. Their 60th birthday challenge is set to become a story they, and their supporters, will remember for the rest of their lives.