Amazon Row 2015

In November 2015 five amateur rowers from Shropshire in the UK will embark on an epic journey of adventure that has only ever been attempted once before. The challenge? To row the navigable length of the Amazon River, from Nauta in Peru to Macapá in Brazil – a total distance of 2077 miles – totally unsupported and completely self-funded. We are not athletes, just five ambitious but otherwise ordinary men in our 40s. We are determined to stretch ourselves, achieve something extraordinary and raise awareness and funds for some exceptional charities. For most of us, our first experience in a rowing boat of any kind was in late 2011 when we decided to row across the Irish Sea. Two Irish Sea crossings later, and with a host of other coastal and inland rowing adventures and races under our belts, we’ve decided to raise the bar.

The Team

Simon Furnival

Simon is a progressive dairy farmer from the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. Having completed his agricultural qualifications, in 1992 he returned aged 22 to take over the running of the family farm ably assisted by his soon to be wife, Jennie. After a few tough years in the industry, the couple expanded the dairy herd, bought another farm and in 2005 diversified by opening a successful children’s day nursery. Simon took up rowing only a couple of years ago and Shropshire Adventure Rowing has unleashed his latent adventurer spirit. His enthusiasm and interest in rowing the Amazon has come from a visit to the Malaysian rainforest and recent UK coastal and Irish Sea expeditions.

Martin Berry

Martin is a Chartered Surveyor and Director of LandScope Engineering. Being a keen proponent of adventure rowing, an enthusiasm for the Amazon row has been fuelled by recent UK coastal rowing and Irish Sea crossings in Celtic longboats. Previous living and work experience in Latin America – including Peru, Colombia and Brasil – has been enjoyed by Martin through his involvement in the international oil and gas survey industry. Martin will be supported on the journey by wife, Sarah, and his most wonderful children – Ana, Jake and Giles.

Stuart Manley

Stuart is 42 years old and lives on the Wenlock Edge with his wife Marianne and son William. Together they run a number of barn conversions as a holiday let business. Stuart is also director of his own construction business, Manley Design and Construction. His adventurous spirit has never ebbed since travelling extensively throughout South East Asia , Australia, New Zealand and North America. South America was the one that got away, so now having rowed across the Irish Sea twice, the Caledonian Canal and to the pub on the River Severn, the opportunity to row the mighty Amazon seems like a progressive thing to do. Stuart wishes to thank his family and friends in advance for their support in enabling him to endeavour to go on such a great voyage.

Stephen Harpin

Stephen is a Shrewsbury based entrepreneur having previously pursued a career in Strategy Consulting, Marketing and as a Seaman Officer in the Royal Navy. Stephen helped set up Shropshire Adventure Rowing Club, where he served as club Commodore, and where he rows Pembroke and Celtic Longboats on the Welsh coast. He has rowed the Irish Sea a couple of times and in January 2015 successfully completed the 13th fastest row across the Atlantic in 39 days, 23 hours and 21 minutes. Stephen holds the 24 hour Ocean rowing boat distance-speed record of 103.88nm in 24 hours. Stephen is supported by his wife, Nikki, and their four fantastic Children – Charlie, George, Cordelia and Isabella.

Andy Griffiths

Andy is the Director of Wonderland Midlands Ltd, a children’s attraction within the Telford Town Park which will also be helping to support his fundraising adventure. As a novice rower, Andy is looking forward to the challenge and hopes to raise as much money as possible for his chosen charity. Andy will be supported on the journey by his partner Karen and his two very proud children, Florence and Tom.