TWO Islanders are seeking to become the latest additions to a proud line of Jersey ocean rowers when they embark on a 3,000-mile crossing of the Atlantic in a few weeks’ time.
On 12 December, Jenna Volpert and Scott Dingle will set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands as part of three-person crews on two of the 40 boats heading west to Antigua in the event dubbed “the World’s Toughest Row”.
Miss Volpert, a former head girl at JCG, and Mr Dingle, who attended De La Salle College, will be aiming to join other Islanders to have completed the challenge. The roll-of-honour stretches back to Rob Cassin, Ian Blandin and John Searson in the inaugural Atlantic rowing race in 1997, and includes recent crossings by Rufus Scholefield, who was part of a four-man team in 2020, Pete Wright and Steve Hayes (DragonFish) in 2023 and the four-woman Intrepid 232 team of Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit, Rosemary Satchwell and Alison Smithurst the following year.
Speaking to the JEP during a trip back to the Island to see her parents Curt and Pam, brother Nick and sister Emily, and celebrate her 30th birthday at the same time, Miss Volpert said she was itching to get started alongside former flatmates Ellen Clark and Lauren Wilde-Arnold.
Collectively making up Saltire Tides, the trio were novices who had not rowed until April of this year. But they have since completed a full summer of training, including a 50-hour period at sea, as well as taking courses in electrical skills and water making.
Miss Volpert had initially signed up as part of a four-person crew alongside three South Africans she met on a cycling trip, but when the logistics became too challenging she recruited Miss Clark and Miss Wilde-Arnold. The trio lived together in Dundee, although Miss Volpert has since moved to Edinburgh where she works as a trainee surgeon.
“Having got a place for 2026, I didn’t want to put it off, and we had the Saltire Tides team confirmed by August 2025,” she said. “Most crews seem to take two or three years for their preparation, so we’ve been doing the express version.
“It’s been quite full-on, getting up at 5am for a gym session and then doing a full day’s work before heading back to the gym or sending lots of emails about sponsorship in the evening, but we’ve got our heads down and been really focused.
“We don’t know what will happen once we get going, but that’s part of the adventure, and I feel we are as well prepared as we can be.”
Mr Dingle, a 38-year-old commercial pilot based at London Stansted, will be part of the Coastal Commanders team with work colleagues Jon Reilly and Martin Mead.
“The start date [12 December] is coming up fast and time seems to go quicker the nearer it gets,” he said. “We had a very busy spell packing up the boat with all the food and equipment, but now it’s on its way and the next time we see it will be when we get to La Gomera at the end of November.”
The Coastal Commanders completed around 300 hours of sea training – the majority of it was off the Devon coast during last winter, which the crew hope will leave them ready for whatever the Atlantic may have in store.
Training has had to fit around the demands of work and a young family – Mr Dingle has a son (Ethan) aged five as well as 22-month-old daughter Thea and he acknowledged the support of his wife Suzanne as he prepares to take up the oars.
Both crews are seeking to raise funds for their chosen charities as a key element of the challenge. The causes chosen by the Coastal Commanders reflects Mr Reilly’s 2019 diagnosis, and subsequent recovery from, testicular cancer: the OddBalls Foundation, MOVE Against Cancer and Young Lives vs Cancer. More details can be found at coastalcommanders.com
Saltire Tides are fundraising for the Archie Foundation, which aims to improve healthcare and bereavement outcomes for children and families across Scotland. The crew’s website is saltiretides.co.uk
