Private Kian Helm has become the youngest person to row across the Atlantic as part of a team aged 18.
As part of the first Army boat to row the Atlantic, Kian along with 3 other serving soldiers, Lt Col Richard Hall MBE (Skipper), Capt Chris Hames and Capt Alex Walsh, have rowed 3,000 miles unsupported across the North Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2019. They completed the race in 37 days, 13 hours and 53 minutes making them the 9th placed team to finish the race.
Billed as the world’s toughest row, this is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance and one which aligns directly to the Army’s ethos of challenge, adventure, teamwork and leadership. Over 37 days, the team of 4 rowed in shifts throughout the day and night as they battled their way from the Canary Islands to Antigua. Fewer people have rowed the Atlantic than climb Mount Everest in one season and rowers race, not just against the other crews, but against the deterioration of their bodies and minds.
We did it. We rowed the terrifying majestic Atlantic. Lt Col Richard Hall
Lt Col Richard Hall said on finishing; “We did it. We rowed the terrifying majestic Atlantic. We achieved everything we set out to do and I am so grateful and proud to represent the Army and to show what our young soldiers, fresh from training, are capable of. Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support.”
The team’s success in this momentous feat showcases the quality of young people who continue to join up and the transformative effect of military training, the resilience of recruits and the level of expectation of soldiers graduating from basic training. In addition, the team wanted to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund setting themselves a target of £100k.