Shirebrook dentist’s ‘bucket list’ encounter with whales on gruelling charity row across Atlantic
A Shirebrook dentist is halfway through a gruelling challenge to row across the Atlantic Ocean in a tiny rowing boat.
Phil Johns, who has been a dentist in Shirebrook for 10 years, is taking on The World’s Toughest Row challenge along with rowing partner Julian (Jules) Galliven.
Their two-man team is called The Entrepreneur Ship 2025, and they are crossing the ocean in a tiny rowing boat named Lucy.
Rowing in two-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, they are dealing with sleep deprivation, harsh sea conditions, and the realities of life on board.
Despite the gruelling routine, the journey has also delivered remarkable moments, including encounters with minke whales, pilot whales, and dolphins.
Alongside the physical challenge, Phil (62) and Jules (60) are raising funds and awareness for UnLtd, a UK charity that supports social entrepreneurs working on issues such as mental health, homelessness, education, and sustainability.
The intrepid duo set off on December 14 and are now just over halfway across the Atlantic, with roughly 1,200 nautical miles remaining and currently due to arrive on the last day of January.
Part-way through their 60-day, 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic, intrepid fundraisers Phil and Jules gave us a flavour of their adventure, with an incredible marine encounter.
“We had a visit late yesterday from a Minke whale and a pod of Pilot whales. An amazing experience! The Pilot whales stayed for over an hour, but the Minke was with us well into the dark. A real bucket list experience for sure!”
Despite being out on the open ocean over Christmas, Phil and Jules didn’t let the distance dampen the festive spirit on day 11. To make the day special, they shared: “We had some reindeer soup and Christmas cake and a small drink of Jamieson’s whiskey”.
As for the motivation for taking on the challenge, Phil said: "Myself, I have not rowed before !! Between myself and my partner we have five boys ranging in age 15-34. I wanted to do something that would show them that anything is possible in life as long as you put your mind to it and persevere. Julian was an excellent rower in his youth - junior international but finished “too early”. He wished to do the row as he hit 60 years old last year and if not now when?”
To sponsor the duo’s efforts and support UnLtd, visit the GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/3dc32d0c5