SA Ocean Mavericks tell of world's toughest row

With fewer than 200 nautical miles remaining, the Ocean Mavericks are closing in on the finish of the World's Toughest Row, a gruelling 4 800km journey across the Atlantic Ocean that has tested their endurance, discipline and resolve.

- Kayla Shaw

Rowing from West Africa towards Antigua, the team of four - Martin Hall, Jean-Paul Briner, Angelo Wilkie-Page and Matt Botha, all from Pietermaritzburg and the KZN Midlands - said the lessons learned since leaving land have been hard-earned, with consistency the key to survival at sea.

"Consistency is king out here. You can't emphasise it enough it beats brute force every time," said Botha.

Looking back to the start of the crossing, the team said smooth changeovers, steady pacing and recovery have mattered more than raw power.