Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Husband and wife rowers begin new challenge sailing around Britain

Charlie Fleury and Adam Baker – known as the Emergensea Duo – are navigating the 2,000-mile British coastline.

Rod Minchin
Wednesday 01 June 2022 09:27 BST
Adam Baker and Charlie Fleury who navigating the 2,000 mile British coastline (PA)
Adam Baker and Charlie Fleury who navigating the 2,000 mile British coastline (PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Married doctors have begun a new challenge rowing around the UK just three months after completing an epic 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic.

Charlie Fleury and Adam Baker – known as the Emergensea Duo – are navigating the 2,000-mile British coastline, having started at Tower Bridge in London on May 22. They are now off the Dorset coast near Portland.

The couple, from Devon, will burn 5,000 calories and consume more than six litres of water a day during the 2,000-mile feat, which has never been completed by a mixed pairs team.

The row is independent and unsupported, meaning essentials will be made and kept on board.

In February they became the first husband and wife to complete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and raised more than £25,000 for frontline medical charities.

The couple, who work as A&E doctors at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, have set a fundraising target of £100,000 and the money will be donated to the Devon Air Ambulance, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Charity, the RNLI and Mind.

Mr Baker said: “The row itself has been incredibly challenging so far.

“We have to strategically plot each leg taking into consideration the wind speed and direction and the tidal streams.

“There’s also a lot more to hit. It’s such an incredible way to see the UK coastline and we’re looking forward to some sunnier days.”

Ms Fleury added: “The extremes in pace are challenging, one minute you’re sprinting to get to your waypoint in time and the next you’re waiting on anchor for days with no option but to be patient.”

The pair are graduates of the University of Exeter extreme medicine masters degree programme.

To donate and track the couple’s progress, go to https://www.emergenseaduo.com/

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in