Scholars and pupils were treated to another unforgettable Masterclass this week, this time from adventurer Lukas Haitzmann, who is the youngest person ever to row solo and unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean. Lukas is an extreme adventurer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He has broken three Guinness World Records and set two world firsts in rowing and cross-country cycling, and we were delighted to welcome him to Shiplake!
At just 18 years old, fresh from completing his A levels, Lukas rowed 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua in 59 days, 8 hours and 22 minutes. Alone at sea, he faced towering 12-metre waves, constant equipment challenges, and an isolation few could imagine. At times, the closest people to him were astronauts aboard the International Space Station which truly highlighted the scope of his isolation.
The idea began, Lukas explained, when he searched online for ‘crazy things to do’ on Google. Having already cycled across Europe aged 17, run the London Marathon, and become the youngest person to complete 100 marathons, he decided to set his sights on the ocean. With only five months of preparation (a process that normally takes up to two years), he launched from La Gomera in 2018, determined to reach the Caribbean.
Life aboard his tiny boat was both brutal and beautiful. Lukas rowed up to 16 hours a day, consuming almost 10,000 calories through dehydrated ration packs and producing his own drinking water with a manual pump after his desalinator failed just two days into the crossing. He spoke about learning to read the clouds to forecast the weather, rowing through relentless five-metre swells, and enduring days of violent storms where waves dwarfed his boat.
Yet amidst the hardship came moments of joy. On Christmas morning, a pod of 30 to 40 dolphins surrounded his boat. providing him with the best present ever. And throughout much of his journey, he was joined by Alfred, a small seabird who crash-landed on his deck and stayed for weeks, becoming his unlikely companion through the vast emptiness of the Atlantic.
A journey like this came with its own personal challenges: severe blisters, nerve damage in one arm, and a frightening near-drift into circular currents that threatened to undo days of progress. But he pressed on - one stroke at a time - until he reached English Harbour, Antigua. Superyachts blasted their horns in celebration as he crossed the finish line, greeted by his family after nearly two months alone at sea.
Reflecting on the journey, Lukas shared what he considers his biggest lesson: trusting yourself. He said: ‘Crack on, prepare properly, and give it your best shot. If your grades aren’t the best; if you work hard and find your passion, you’ll get where you’re meant to be.’
The Masterclass concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where pupils quizzed Lukas on every aspect of the voyage from how he trained, what he ate, and whether he ever capsized, to what became of Alfred the bird, who took his drone photographs, and if he’d ever do it again. His thoughtful and humorous answers gave a deeper insight into both the physical realities and emotional highs and lows of his record-breaking row.
Thank you, Lukas, for visiting the College and for sharing your story!
