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From breaking world records to competitive ocean-rowing, Taylor Winyard is no stranger to pushing her limits. Hailing from Peebles, Taylor has taken on some of the world's toughest endurance challenges; including becoming part of the world's fastest mixed trio to row the Atlantic ocean. Then, despite vowing never to set foot on a boat again, going on to conquer the Pacific too, breaking the world record for the fastest overall trio for crossing the mid-Pacific with her teammates. We were lucky enough to chat to Taylor and get the low-down on her journey from the Scottish Borders to the open ocean. Read on to find out more about what drives Taylor's pursuit of adventure, the lessons she's learned along the way, the importance of teamwork, and what it's like as a woman in the extreme sport field.
Since a young age, I've always loved sport and been very competitive. While I explored nearly every sport growing up, my primary focus was on Pony Club tetrathlon (horse-riding, running, swimming and shooting) and hockey. My journey on the water began after University when I was selected as one of 12 athletes fast-tracked onto the UK Sport Girls4Gold talent identification programme, launched by British Canoeing in 2014. After hanging up my paddles in 2019, I took on the challenge of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro - an adventure that, in hindsight, probably ignited my love for extreme endurance challenges.
I had been following the Atlantic row for years, and after Kilimanjaro, I knew I needed something that would test me further. I also fell out of love with competitive sport after calling it time with kayaking, so I guess there was a sense of redemption in taking on the Atlantic - a way to prove something to myself. I wanted to push myself to the absolute limits - both mentally and physically. Growing up in the Scottish Borders, I was always involved in land-based sports, but it wasn’t until university that I found my love for being on the water – and the idea of escaping, experiencing freedom and pure adventure hooked me immediately.
I’m incredibly proud to be Scottish, and the support I’ve received from back home throughout my sports career has been nothing short of amazing. Growing up in Scotland, the sports community may be small, but it's tight-knit and incredibly supportive. That sense of community and encouragement has been a huge part of what’s driven me forward, and I’m so grateful for the sporting connections and experiences it’s given me.
Breaking the world record with Tom and James was truly incredible – the cherry on top of an unbelievable row. I think it’s fair to say we went into it as underdogs, setting off into the unknown, and while we trained relentlessly and prepared as best as we could, you never truly know how you'll handle the challenges until you're out there. The Atlantic crossing certainly added a bit of pressure for the Pacific, but at the same time, I’ve learned that anything can happen in ocean rowing. It’s all about staying humble, respecting the sea, and adapting to whatever is in front of you. It’s more than a rowing race.
After the Atlantic, I promised everyone I’d never set foot on a boat again - and here we are! Each crossing is so different, but for me, the two were worlds apart. The Atlantic felt like a proper rowing race - the more we put in, the more we got out. The Pacific, on the other hand, was wild. We expected it to be tough, but the conditions were even more challenging than I had ever imagined. If something could have gone wrong for us, it did. Within the first week, we’d capsized twice, broken parts of our steering system, snapped an oar, and my only pair of shoes had gone overboard! Strong start!
Our speaker was an absolute godsend! Music was our ultimate morale booster - there’s nothing quite like belting out Celine Dion or the theme tune to Brave while surfing down waves. We were also sponsored by Walker’s Shortbread, so my daily biscuit supply became a total game changer. Honestly, sugar helps everything!
We all met during the Atlantic race - we were part of the same fleet but in different teams. Turns out, we were all crazy enough to want to take on one more ocean together!
Both rows were completely unsupported, meaning you have to be self-sufficient and prepared for every scenario. So, on top of the rigorous physical training, we undertook training in first aid, sea survival, navigation, and seamanship to best prepare us. Unless you’re cleaning the hull or it's a rescue situation, you never get off the boat. We followed a gruelling shift pattern of 2 hours on, 1 hour off around the clock. The daily routine on the ocean strips life back right to the basics - eat, sleep, row, and repeat. Actually, you can take the sleep part out of that equation on the Pacific. That said, it’s not all about the rowing - when you’re not on the oars, you also have plenty of chores and navigation to manage. I would say, from the severe sleep deprivation and seasickness to hallucinations and salt sores, it truly lives up to its reputation as the world’s toughest row. Every day is relentless - it’s a constant battle against Mother Nature, and you have to stay adaptable to the ever-changing weather and conditions. There’s no room for complacency in ocean rowing - it’s about digging deep and pushing through, no matter how tough it gets.
Teamwork is everything out there. I trusted the girls with my life, and hopefully they felt the same about me. One small mistake can have serious consequences at sea, so you’re constantly putting your body - and your trust - on the line for the team. Of course, there were tough moments. Living on a 8.5-meter long rowing boat for five and a half weeks can definitely test your limits, and naturally tensions did run high at times. But when you’re in that kind of environment, you learn to rely on each other, work through the tough moments, and keep your focus on the bigger picture.
Our boat was named ‘Weird Barbie’ by Charlotte’s sister, Aisling, who thought it perfectly captured the boat’s personality and everything we wanted to represent. If you haven’t seen the recent Barbie film, Weird Barbie is the doll who’s been a bit mishandled, played with a little too hard over time, and ended up wearing Birkenstocks instead of the stereotypical Barbie heels. She’s a bit of a wise rebel - and we felt that it really resonated with us and our journey.
Historically, yes - ocean rowing has been a male-dominated sport, but I’d say that’s changing, and I’m proud to be part of that shift. The tides are definitely turning! During the Atlantic crossing, I was in a mixed team with Tom and James, and they were incredible. They treated me no differently, and I’ll be forever grateful that they considered me as a teammate and gave me the opportunity to join the team. I vividly remember shaking hands with an all-male team at the finish line in Antigua (who we beat), and it was incredibly satisfying - they had completely written us off at the start line because I was on the team, so it felt like a real point to prove! On the Pacific, I was part of an all-female crew, which brought a different dynamic, but was equally empowering. Honestly, I feel incredibly fortunate with both my experiences - the ocean rowing community is hugely supportive of one another, regardless of gender.
Balancing work with both campaigns was definitely a challenge, and without the unwavering support of my family and friends, would have been impossible. That said, there are definitely transferable skills. Running a business requires adaptability, the ability to navigate difficult conversations, and the willingness to go above and beyond when needed - all of which are crucial when you're out on the ocean. Whether you’re managing a team or pushing through your physical limits, it’s about resilience, staying focused, and being prepared to overcome obstacles - the rest takes care of itself.
I would say - life is short, and you’re capable of so much more than you think! I never want to look back with any sort of regret, so if an opportunity comes your way - grab it!
We hope you guys enjoyed this week's article and feel inspired to take on some adventures of your own. Remember to tag us @meanderapparel or use #everydayadventures so we can see what you're getting up to!
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