Former student, Ellie Reynolds who graduated in 2020/2021, is about to head off on the challenge of a lifetime: a 3000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. She is one of There She Rows, a team of four women rowing from La Gomera to Antigua, hoping to inspire girls and women to take part in sport. Ellie was a very active member of Cardiff University Triathlon Club and says she credits the experiences she had there for a lot of her success. "I came to university as a shy and unhappy teenager with an eating disorder; I left happy and healthy with several podium races, a slot in the Ironman World Championship, and a bunch of lifelong friends. I have so much gratitude for the people I crossed paths with there - I truly believe that club-shaped me into who I am."
But Ellie believes the importance of sport is more than just the physical and mental health benefits. "It goes far beyond the obvious. You can't underestimate how much employers value the skills you develop through sport, whether that's teamwork, resilience, confidence, or the diverse experiences of being on a club committee."
The four team members will be rowing in shifts of 2 hours on 2 hours off, living on dehydrated meals and desalinated seawater, facing sleep deprivation, and ocean wildlife, and navigating all the storms the Atlantic might throw at them. They leave land on 12th December and are hoping to finish in less than 40 days. Having never rowed before joining the team, Ellie says it's been a "monumental commitment and a steep learning curve"!
She hopes their journey will encourage others to take on their challenges and reap the opportunities that sport brings. "Don't be afraid to try things that scare you... who knows where you might end up!" You can follow the team on Instagram @theresherows.