Watch: Kilkenny solo rower makes history by successfully crossing the Atlantic

Kilkenny native Dr Karen Weekes made history yesterday evening when she became the first Irish woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Karen began her journey in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands on December 6 of last year and she was welcomed into Barbados yesterday evening as crowds gathered to cheer her arrival into port.

The vessel arrives at the Shallow Draught in Bridgetown. Dr Karen Weekes’ arrival in #Barbados was delayed by several hours because of wind. She prepares to step on land for the first time in several weeks. (Video by Reco Moore) #Barbados #BarbadosNews #YourNewsYourTimeYourWay pic.twitter.com/Ua9HW3Eypd

— NationBarbados (@NationBarbados) February 24, 2022

Karen was greeted on arrival by Barbados Minister for Sport, Charles Griffith, and Jens Thraenhart, the CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., who then presented her with a gift of Bajan rum to acknowledge her astonishing achievement. 

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After officially becoming the first Irish woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Dr Karen Weekes said, "I'm really not into records but I love that fact that I'm making a little of bit of history. I love the fact that I'm making a bit of history for my family name, which is Weekes. So Irish history and Weekes history is a big thing."

Across the Atlantic in 80 days and then there’s paperwork!! Huge congratulations to Karen Weekes ⁦@shecando2021⁩ Everyone ⁦@MTU_ie⁩ is immensely proud of you! ⁦@EDIMTU⁩ pic.twitter.com/RhYgZY8zHn

— Maggie Cusack (@Maggie_Cusack) February 24, 2022

Commenting on her incredible achievement, Karen said, "I’ve done a lot of endurance journeys before this, so this was really the next logical step for me - a feat of endurance to try and push myself mentally and physically further."

In true Bajan style, a welcome party will be organised to celebrate Karen’s arrival and her achievement of becoming the first Irish female to row any ocean solo and the 20th female in the world to row an ocean solo.

Thirty of Karen’s friends, family and colleagues flew over to Barbados with Aer Lingus at the weekend to witness and celebrate the achievement.

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#SHECANDO2021

Karen launched the #SHECANDO2021 campaign in conjunction with her record-breaking voyage.

The campaign aims to provide a platform for encouraging women, and girls, to push themselves outside their current comfort zone and to believe in their abilities to succeed both in their work and everyday lives.

In addition, the #SHECANDO2021 ethos aims to bring more females into the realm of adventure sports.

#SHECANDO2021 is a statement that anything is possible when you have self-belief, determination, strategic planning and the setting of progressive goals.

Further to that, Karen is using the mission as an opportunity to raise awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically those around gender equality and ocean conservation and sustainability.

You can show support for the #SHECANDO2021 campaign by donating to a recently set up GoFundMe page at the bottom of the ‘shecando2021.org’ homepage.

The GoFundMe was set up to cover the costs associated with Karen’s mission but now all money raised will be donated to charitable organisations Laura Lynn and the RNLI.

Karen and her team would like to thank all the sponsors including Hanley Energy, Somex Automation, Munster Technological University, Kinvara Natural Skincare, Rowing Ireland, Jim McKee, Collin’s Campers and many more for helping to make this mission possible.

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