The paddler
Welcome to my journey!
An adventure that will push me to my physical and mental limits.
My name is Roger, and I have the brilliant idea of rowing almost 5'000 kilometers across the Atlantic in a rowing boat.
I am committed to a good cause: the Swiss Sports Aid, which supports young talents and inspires them to pursue their dreams.
"Why not?"
- my usual answer to the question "Why?"
Who I am
I am 39 years old, work as an accountant in a trading company and have been a passionate CrossFitter since 2018.
During this journey I learned that big challenges sometimes just need a small first step to get the ball rolling.
I've never embarked on such an adventure before. I am neither an adrenaline junkie nor an ultra-marathon runner, nor anything like that; I actually consider myself a completely normal, average guy.
My "advantage": I'm stubborn. When I set my mind to something, I see it through. For example, I was supposed to participate in the World's Toughest Row in 2024 as part of a four-person team, but several members unexpectedly dropped out of the team shortly before the race started. So I decided to simply do it on my own.
Night training on Lake Zug (without sound)
Why I do this challenge
Honest answer? I saw a video about this race on social media, and it's been on my mind ever since. Like I said, when I set my mind to something, I do it properly. And the idea of crossing the Atlantic in a rowing boat is simply fascinating to me.
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But why? Ultimately, the challenge is appealing to me. I think it's human nature to face challenges that, at first glance, seem insurmountable. Whether someone - to stay in the sports context - is competing at the Olympics, runs their first 5K as a beginner, complets their first bar muscle-up, or rows across an ocean - it's the urge to explore one's own limits and discover what one is truly capable of. In both small and large ways.
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For me, the Atlantic Ocean symbolizes this personal challenge. It's an incomparable stage on which I compete not only against external circumstances, but also against myself. It's about more than the destination; it's about the experience. About the encounters with people who accompany you on the journey. About experiencing the beauty and power of nature. About respecting its greatness and also about growing beyond oneself.
How I prepare
This adventure requires intensive and long-term preparation, be it physically, logistically and mentally.
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Physically
Physical training currently consists of two sessions per day during the week: a basic endurance session in the morning, followed by additional strength, interval, and accessory sessions in the evening. Further, longer endurance sessions follow on the weekend, primarily - who would have guessed it - on the rowing machine.
Typical 2-hour basic endurance session on the row erg (without sound)
Logistical
In addition, there are mandatory courses prescribed by the race director that prepare me for the basics of ocean rowing, such as the "Short Range Radio Licence," "First Aid at Sea," "Sea Survival," and "Essential Navigation & Seamanship." I also have to know the boat inside and out and be able to carry out repairs if necessary, whether it's the water desalination system, the electronic wiring, the rudder, the steering wheel, or many other things.
Training with the life raft
Technical training on Lake Zurich (without sound)
with the former team for WTR 2024
By the way, the boat visible above is the D34 model and, so to speak, the "big sister" of my future boat. I'm racing a D12, which, unlike the D34, is made of carbon fiber instead of aluminum and is built for two people instead of four.
Mental
Last but not least: the mental preparation. This is what I have the most respect for. The longest solo crossing in a World's Toughest Row took 113 days, 4 hours, and 50 minutes. That's more than 3½ months at sea. Alone! Even though my personal goal is to reach the finish line in under 50 days, it is still an enormous task. I have no illusions that I can do this just like that without appropriate preparation and professional support. Therefore, from 2026 onwards, I will be working with Matrix Performance , who will be coaching me. Luke and Tom's team not only trains Royal Air Force (UK) pilots, but also has specific experience in ocean rowing and the extreme isolation and mental demands that such a crossing entails.
Less action-packed, but just as important - mental preparation
