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Home » 2025 April » Sally Crabb: Saying “yes” to the World’s Toughest Row

Sally Crabb: Saying “yes” to the World’s Toughest Row

Sally Crabb, Group Financial Controller at the University of Southampton, took on an immense challenge last December with her three crew mates – rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the RNLI. The team – Oars of Thunder – achieved outstanding results by placing 1st in mixed class, 5th in the four rower boats and 6th overall out of 38 boats.

‘The annual race begins in early December, attracting teams from around the world. The race structure brings together an environment where teams from across the globe gather in the race village, San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands.’

World’s Toughest Row

A map shows Africa and Spain in blue on the right hand side and then a dotted line to represent the route of 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.
The route taken by Sally and team mates
Sally and crew mates standing on their boat and holding flares celebrating the end of the row
Sally and crew mates
Sally is pictured wearing a white t-shirt and bandana and standing in the arms of three young members of her family who look excited to see her.
Sally reuniting with her family after the row.

Oars of Thunder aim to raise £100,000 to be shared between the RNLI and the chosen charity of their platinum sponsor. They not only dedicated years of their time planning the row, but they also parted from their friends and family over Christmas and New Years to carry out the challenge. Despite being back in Looe, Cornwall, the team are still raising funds – support the cause and donate.

Staff Matters spoke to Sally about her inspiring story. Watch the interview to find out what the experience was like and what’s next for Sally:

Sally Crabb, Group Financial Controller at the University of Southampton, took on an immense challenge last December with her three crew mates – rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the RNLI. The team - Oars of Thunder - achieved outstanding results by placing 1st in mixed class, 5th in the four rower boats and 6th overall out of 38 boats. ‘The annual race begins in early December, attracting teams from around the world. The race structure brings together an environment where teams from across the globe gather in the race village, San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands.’ World’s Toughest Row The route taken by Sally and team mates Sally and crew mates standing on their boat and holding flares celebrating the end of the row Sally and crew mates Sally is pictured wearing a white t-shirt and bandana and standing in the arms of three young members of her family who look excited to see her. Sally reuniting with her family after the row. Oars of Thunder aim to raise £100,000 to be shared between the RNLI and the chosen charity of their platinum sponsor. They not only dedicated years of their time planning the row, but they also parted from their friends and family over Christmas and New Years to carry out the challenge. Despite being back in Looe, Cornwall, the team are still raising funds – support the cause and donate. Staff Matters spoke to Sally about her inspiring story. Watch the interview to find out what the experience was like and what’s next for Sally: On the left Sally is pictured wearing her hair in two plaits which fall down across her shoulders, she is unsmiling. On the right, she is pictured with her hair loose all over her shoulders, with a tan and a wide smile.
Sally before the row (left) and after (right)

Running the Southampton Marathon

Sally’s next venture, the Southampton Marathon, is on Sunday 6 April 2025. Having signed up before the row, this will be her 21st Marathon. Running alongside many others, including UoS colleagues, Sally will be raising money for one of the University’s Charities.

Donate to Sally’s fundraiser for the UoS Cancer Immunology Fund

The last 10 years for Sally have been full of amazing opportunities. As she continues to say “yes” to more challenges, she advises her University of Southampton colleagues to do the same, saying: “You will be surprised what you are capable of.”

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