This UAE expat wants to make history as first woman to row across Arctic ocean

first woman to row across the Arctic Ocean

A UAE resident, Orlagh Dempsey, is set to make history as the first woman to row across the Arctic Ocean. She will be part of a three-member team from the UAE, which also includes Toby Gregory and Andrew Savill. The team will embark on their journey from Tromsø, Norway, in late July, aiming to travel over 1,500 kilometers in an 8-meter boat without an engine, motor, or sails. This unassisted and unsupported expedition seeks to set three world records.

Beyond the records, the adventurers plan to use specialized equipment on their boat to contribute to scientific research in this remote and fragile region, and to promote gender equality. “The best part of being the first one to do something is that you will never be the last one,” Orlagh told Khaleej Times. “As the first woman to row open Arctic waters, I hope to inspire others to break barriers and pursue their dreams.”

Orlagh is no stranger to setting records. In 2021, she was part of a female trio that set the Guinness World Record for the fastest all-women team to row the Pacific Ocean, completing the journey in 60 days. The upcoming Arctic row was initiated by Toby Gregory, who previously organized the Row for Cop28 movement. Toby aims to impact and inspire the younger generation through his endeavors. “I do it for the impact it creates and the feedback we get,” he said. “When I first started, I gave a talk to 20 students. Now, we are speaking to five schools a week. The impact of this is tremendous.”

In preparation for the challenging journey, Orlagh spends more than two hours daily in the gym. However, she believes the mental challenge will be the toughest part. “Spending so many days at sea with just your fellow rowers can be quite daunting,” she noted. Orlagh’s introduction to ocean rowing was serendipitous. After moving to the UAE in 2017, she connected with a friend involved in endurance sports. This friend later asked Orlagh to join a Pacific rowing team when one member dropped out. Despite having no prior rowing experience, Orlagh agreed.

Their specially designed vessel, Ocean Guardian, relies entirely on the crew’s physical strength. It is equipped with solar panels for navigation and a desalination machine to provide drinking water. The team will follow a rigorous schedule, rowing non-stop from Tromsø to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, with shifts of two hours on and two hours off for 20 to 25 days. Their route includes the hazardous 'Devil’s Dancefloor' and the remote Arctic ice shelf, demanding extraordinary endurance and teamwork.

The Arctic Ocean is a critical yet delicate ecosystem, offering unique opportunities for studying climate dynamics, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. The team's voyage aims to advance scientific understanding and promote sustainable solutions in one of the world’s most remote and vulnerable environments. Through their groundbreaking journey, Orlagh and her team hope to inspire others and contribute to the preservation of the planet.