Embarking on a daring solo adventure, Omaha’s Taryn Smith is currently navigating the formidable Atlantic Ocean in one of the most challenging endurance competitions on the globe. Her endeavor, however, is not just about crossing a vast body of water; it’s a testament to personal growth and advocacy.
Smith is a participant in the World’s Toughest Row, a grueling 3,000-mile journey that extends from the Canary Islands to the shores of Antigua. The race, which began on December 14th, features forty-three teams hailing from 20 different countries, all setting out from La Gomera in the Canary Islands with the expectation of a 40 to 60-day voyage.
Her inspiration to take up ocean rowing was sparked by an article in Vogue magazine about the Latitude 35 women’s team, renowned for setting a world record rowing from Monterey, California, to Honolulu across the Pacific Ocean.
Although Smith’s familiarity with boats dates back to her childhood—thanks to her grandfathers who were sailors—she had never rowed before committing to this race. Lacking the experience to join a team, she resolved to compete solo, dedicating nearly three years to rigorous training primarily in the United Kingdom, and extensively practicing with her R25 ocean rowing boat from Rannoch Adventure.
“Taryn and her adventurous spirit seem to know no fear,” Shelly Smith, Taryn’s mother, remarked. “She has always been a kid that thrives on adventure. She just really likes that challenge.”
Following her graduation from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Smith sought a life filled with travel and adventure. Her current endeavor also serves a greater purpose, as she represents Girls on the Run—a nonprofit that empowers young girls through physical activity and confidence-building programs—during her Atlantic crossing.
“Part of the reason that she partnered with Girls on the Run is that female empowerment,” Shelly Smith explained. “You can do hard things. You don’t have to be the best at something to still have that experience.”
The organization, Girls on the Run, utilizes a curriculum centered around running to impart critical social, emotional, and physical skills, fostering confidence and healthy habits in young girls.
For Smith, this partnership mirrors the essence of her journey, which she describes in her biography as a bold leap into the unknown, embracing risk-taking, skill acquisition, and adventurous living.
For further details on The World’s Toughest Row and its participants, visit worldstoughestrow.com.
