All-Gurkha Team Takes on the Challenge of the World's Toughest Row

The latest iteration of the Salty Sappers is preparing to take on the World’s Toughest Row once again — and for the first time, the entire crew is made up of serving Gurkha soldiers.

This year’s team comprises Lance Corporal Dilip Singh Pun Magar and Sappers Tek Bahadur Karki, Surya Pariyar and Sagar Hamar of The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers. Together, they will row unsupported for approximately 40 days, covering more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. The race begins on 12 December in San Sebastián de la Gomera, Canary Islands, and will conclude upon their arrival in Antigua.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Sapper Surya Pariyar said: “When I first heard about this challenge, I was a little bit shocked at the distance and the route. But later on, I knew that we would be the first Gurkhas or Nepalese citizens to compete across the Atlantic Ocean. So I felt really proud.”

The Salty Sappers are rowing to raise funds and awareness for the Sapper Charity, the Royal Engineers Association, and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

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