Introducing rowing foursome and Weleda Arnica Ambassadors, Scotland The Wave

Weleda has recently welcomed new rowing foursome ‘Scotland The Wave’ as Arnica Ambassadors. Heather McCallum, Andrena McShane-Kerr, Fiona Deakin and Nicky Matthews have come together to form an all-female Scottish team to row one the world’s toughest sports challenges: rowing non-stop for 3,000 nautical miles through the most challenging of waters of the Atlantic ocean. Each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes - potentially rowing for a couple of months (the record of nearly 30 days is held by a men’s foursome) - living off rehydrated foods, coping with salt sores, sleep deprivation, sea sickness and 20-foot waves!

We chatted to the four Scottish rowers about their upcoming challenge and how they plan to stay fit and well during the coming months ahead of their Atlantic adventure.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?


Andrena: I'm a 41-year-old accountant, wife and proud mother of two, and happily married. Although I only started rowing in 2021, I've always been obsessed with endurance sports, pushing myself to my limits. I’m constantly looking for new ways to challenge myself and grow, both in my personal life and through sports.
 
Fiona: I live in a great little place called Cromarty, a beautiful historic wee town on the coast in the Highlands. I run a B&B and make and sell soap for a living, help to run our community development trust (which creates opportunity for local employment and business growth). I am a member of 2 coastal rowing clubs and getting out on the sea is my happy place.

Nicky: I am a 58-year-old mother of four daughters and a grandmother. I moved to Scotland over 27 years ago where I have worked in front line children’s services for over 23 years which is at times a challenging role. I enjoy the total contrast of sports challenges such as the London Marathon, Tough Mudder or Cycle Vietnam. I am dyslexic and found that taking part in sport has helped me feel equal to others and not at a disadvantage, it’s your mind set that can hold you back.


Who or what inspired you all to start rowing?

Heather: I first heard about the World’s Toughest Row in 2021 and loved the sound of this challenge as less than 400 women have ever rowed an ocean. As mentally and physically demanding as it will be, I knew I’d regret not taking the opportunity given the chance. Prior to signing up, I had no rowing experience, so I’ve started from scratch. Considering we only met four years ago, I couldn’t have asked for a better team to do this with.

Nicky: I started to row in my early twenties. There was a local club where I lived in Plymouth. I love being on the water and found rowing to be very relaxing and calming. This is where I first heard of the World’s Toughest Row. On hearing about this challenge, I knew it was something I wanted to do but at that time I had a young family.

Andrena: I started rowing in 2021, with the goal of taking part in the World’s Toughest Row. The challenge of such an intense and demanding event inspired me to push beyond my comfort zone and try something new. Rowing, with its focus on endurance and teamwork, seemed like the perfect way to test my limits. The physical and mental demands of rowing, along with the camaraderie it fosters, have kept me completely engaged in the sport.

Fiona: I moved to Cromarty from Glasgow 12 years ago and saw a note in the post office looking for rowers for a community boat. It seemed a great way to meet people and keep fit, and I got the bug!

Given that you all live in different parts of Scotland and are not part of the same rowing club, how did you form a foursome?

Andrena began assembling the team in late 2020, and Nicky, having heard about the project, reached out to her to arrange a meeting. Around the same time, Heather was also introduced to Andrena through a work colleague. After meeting them both within the same week, we decided to move forward and form the team. Later, we posted on social media looking for a fourth rower and that's when we welcomed Fiona. This was the first time all four of us were in the same room, and the energy was incredible. We knew this was our team. We were all so driven by the anticipation of this upcoming challenge, and it felt like an instant bond was formed. Only Fiona and Nicky were members of rowing clubs, whilst Andrena and Heather had no prior rowing experience but shared a strong passion for adventure and sports.


Do you also enjoy other sports?

Heather: I was a member of Giffnock North Athletics Club when I was younger and took part in sprints, cross country, long jump and shot put. I’ve always enjoyed hiking and have recently started getting into running again. I love kayaking and getting out on my paddleboard when I can.

Andrena: Growing up, I was actively involved in football and volleyball teams. As I got older, I took a step back from these sports but stayed active by participating in 10k runs, half marathons, and sprint triathlons. I plan to take on more endurance events in the near future as I continue to push my limits.

Fiona: Living in this amazing part of Scotland, I am lucky enough to be able to sea swim a few mornings a week - occasionally with dolphins, quite often with seals, and hiking on local trails. I do yoga and go to the gym, but much prefer being outdoors.

Nicky: When I was younger I joined the local rowing club and we rowed all through the summer and in the winter, plus land-based training, running and weight training. I was a member of the club until my 30s and rowed and trained throughout pregnancy. But when I moved to Scotland, the children were still young and the local rowing club was over an hour away, so I joined a local running club. But I returned to rowing seven years ago. I love being part of a part of a team and taking on challenges or regattas.    

What is your training programme over the next few months and how are you all keeping fit and healthy and building your strength?

Our training program for the next few months follows a 12-month plan that’s structured in phases, with each phase becoming progressively more challenging every three months leading up to the row. The program includes a combination of strength training, mobility work, and cardio exercises, along with a lot of long rowing sessions to build endurance. A few ice baths will be thrown in, as well as yoga and Pilates.
We’re also incorporating multiple day training rows to simulate the conditions we’ll face during the event. As we get closer to the race, we’ll add psychological and resilience training to ensure we’re mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. This comprehensive approach will keep us fit, build strength, and help to improve our overall performance.


What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of the row?

We believe the most challenging aspect of the row will be maintaining our physical and mental endurance over such a long period. The physical strain of rowing for prolonged periods of time, day after day, combined with the mental fatigue, will be tough.

On top of that, knowing that we’ll be away from our families and friends for such a long time adds another layer to the challenge. The uncertainty of what might happen - whether it’s unpredictable weather conditions, equipment issues, or moments of extreme exhaustion all add to the unknown factors we’ll have to navigate. We’ll need to push through those moments of discomfort and self-doubt, but we have confidence that the bond we’ve built as a team will help carry us through.

When does the World’s Toughest Row take place, and what is the route?

Along with 30 other teams from around the globe, we will set off in December to row 3,000 nautical miles from San Sebastian de La Gomera, Canary Islands, to the finish line at Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua. It is predicted we will be at sea for approximately 45 days. There are no stops along the way, so we will carry everything we need on the boat for the duration of the challenge including all of our food, toiletries and medical supplies.

What are common injuries with this kind of endurance challenge and how are you preparing?

Common injuries in such a challenge often include overuse injuries such as tendonitis, muscle strains and joint issues, particularly in the shoulders, back, and knees due to the repetitive nature of rowing. Blisters, open sores and skin chafing are also common due to constant rubbing and exposure to salt water. We plan to pack a good range of Weleda solutions!
Sea sickness is suffered by over 90% of ocean rowers, so we’re not looking forward to that.
To prepare, we’ve been focusing on injury prevention through a well-rounded training program. We also do a lot of work on improving our technique to reduce unnecessary strain. Additionally, we’re paying close attention to recovery practices - such as rest, proper nutrition, and hydration - as well as using tools like foam rollers and massage to keep our muscles in good condition. Our goal is to stay ahead of potential injuries and ensure we’re at peak condition for the challenge ahead.


How will you relax, sleep and recover after each day on the water?

There won’t be much relaxing as we will be rowing 24/7 - the normal pattern is 2 hours on 2 off but we are playing about with this to see if we can row longer during the night and sleep longer too. We will be on the boat over Christmas and New year so we will have some fun stuff planned for that.
After each day on the water, recovery will be key to ensuring we stay in top shape for the next day. We’ll make sure to prioritize proper sleep, which will be essential for muscle recovery and mental rest. To help with this, we’ll maintain a consistent sleep routine, even with the time zone changes.
We’ll use stretching, foam rolling, and maybe even some light yoga to release tension and keep our muscles flexible. We’ll also stay on top of hydration and nutrition, making sure our bodies get the fuel and recovery they need.

What will keep you going during the challenge crossing the Atlantic?

The sense of purpose as we work together to achieve our goal! We have a great sense of camaraderie and supporting each other every step of the way will be a huge motivator. The anticipation of reaching our goal and the drive to push our limits will keep us focused, even during the toughest moments. We’ll also draw strength from the people who are supporting us from home. It’s we’ve been working toward for years, and the thought of overcoming such an incredible feat will be a constant source of inspiration. Even when it gets difficult, we’ll remind ourselves that each stroke brings us closer to the finish line.

Which are your chosen charities?

Nicky: I chose RNLI as my father served on the Plymouth lifeboat throughout most of my childhood. I have many clear memories of him going out when the weather was rough. As a child this was frightening, and I was often worried he wouldn’t return home to us. The RNLI do an amazing job keeping our waters safe.

Fiona: My charity is Breast Cancer UK as it’s a disease that still affects so many. Two friends, my cousin and my uncle have all suffered from this disease.

Heather: I am supporting Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance as my friend’s son was airlifted to hospital when he was just over a year old. The SCAA are amazing volunteers, and rely on regular donations from the public.

Andrena: I chose SIMBA charity, honouring baby loss. During lockdown, my wife and I discovered we had lost our baby during a routine pregnancy scan. The weeks and months that followed were a blur and SIMBA helped us in so many ways.

Who are your sporting heroes?

Heather: Jodey Hughes (who I’m lucky to call family), the first female Scottish weightlifter to compete at two Commonwealth Games. She won two silver medals at the British Championships and has since taken on a new role as Athlete Director of Commonwealth Games Scotland.

Andrena: One of my sporting heroes is Sally Gunnell. Her achievements in athletics, particularly in the 400m hurdles, are incredibly inspiring. I admire her determination, work ethic, and how she handled the pressures of being at the top of her sport.

Fiona: My sporting hero has to be Sir Chris Hoy. His resilience and determination to achieve his goal is totally inspirational, and the way he reacted to his terminal illness shows him to be a true hero.

Nicky: The Searle brothers, British Olympic rowers, who I was lucky enough to meet in person. I really enjoyed their discussion on reaching the Olympics, their hard work to achieve their dreams, and this conversation has stuck with me.

Do you have a favourite Weleda product and what do you like about it? 

Andrena: Arnica Massage Balm. I love it because it’s so soothing and helps with muscle soreness.

Fiona: Arnica Muscle Soak. I love a bath after a gruelling and often cold rowing training session, and this is definitely my go-to for relaxing.

Heather: Skin Food Lip Balm. Ideal for anyone, I can’t go without it!

Nicky: I love Weleda Skin Food as it’s very soothing for my dry skin.
 

Quick-fire Quiz
Favourite season? 
HM - spring
NM - summer
FD - autumn
AMK – autumn

Preferred relaxation? 
HM – road trip or a long walk
NM – sports
FD - bath
AMK –bath

Food craving after rowing? 
HM – pizza or pasta
NM - pasta 
FD - hot chocolate
AMK - Ceaser salad

Current book or podcast you’re enjoying? 
HM – The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters
NM - Rowing The Pacific by Mick Dawson
FD - The Rest Is Politics podcast with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart
AMK - The North Pole by Erling Kagge

Bath or shower? 
HM - bath
NM - shower
FD - love them both!
AMK – bath

Spectator sport? 
HM - athletics
NM - rugby
FD - rugby
AMK - rugby

Guilty pleasure? 
HM – retail therapy
NM - white wine and chocolate 
FD - cheese and wine in front of the fire
AMK - red wine

Daily mantra? 
HM – if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you
NM - you can overcome
FD - what you put into life, you get out of it
AMK - collect moments, not things