Ananya Prasad, a 34-year-old, made history as the first woman of colour to complete a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. She finished the demanding World’s Toughest Row in 52 days, 5 hours, and 44 minutes, securing second place in the solo category. Ananya set off from Spain’s La Gomera on December 11, 2024, and reached Antigua on February 1, 2025.
Speaking to Asian Voice about making history as the first woman of colour to solo row across the Atlantic, Ananya said, “For me, it was never about holding the title of being a woman of colour. It was more about creating representation, showing that your background shouldn’t limit your ability to pursue something. The focus was on encouraging others and breaking down the invisible barriers that often hold people back. Representation itself is a complex topic. There are many reasons why people hesitate to take certain paths, but seeing someone you relate to can make all the difference. That was my motivation, to show that it’s possible, and to make the path a little easier for those who come next.”
Ananya emphasised that preparing for the challenge involved three key areas: physical, mental, and technical. “Physically, around 80% of my training was steady-state rowing on a machine—two to three hours at low to medium intensity. The other 20% focused on strength work, like barbell squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and resistance training,” she said. “For mental prep, I worked with a performance coach on breathing exercises and visualisation techniques to stay calm and focused under pressure.”
She added, “The technical side was just as important. It’s not just about rowing—you have to learn to manage the boat, use radio navigation, and fix things when they break. You’re required to complete a certain number of training hours and meet strict technical standards before you can even attempt the crossing.”
Speaking about the biggest challenge she faced, Ananya said, “One of the hardest parts was overcoming my fear of deep water. Every 10 days, I had to get into the ocean to clean the hull—terrifying, but necessary, as barnacles slow the boat down. I had to stay calm and rationalise the fear. Another tough moment was when the rudder broke off in rough conditions. Fixing it in huge waves and strong winds was incredibly technical. In those moments, it came down to grit, you do what needs to be done because quitting isn’t an option. On the most draining days, I reminded myself why I was out there: fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation and breaking barriers as the first woman of colour to take on this challenge. It wasn’t just about me—it was about what it could mean for others.”
“Even in the hardest moments, there was magic—the night sky, bioluminescence, whales, orcas. On bad days, remembering that rare beauty and privilege kept me going,” she added.
Emphasising how institutions and communities can better support and empower women to take on challenges like hers, Ananya said, “It really depends on the challenge, but in general, the more people who participate in something, the more normalised and accessible it becomes, and that can be incredibly encouraging. Seeing people from diverse backgrounds take on big goals helps break down stereotypes and inspire others. That’s why representation is so important. It sends the message that your background doesn’t have to define your potential. Sometimes the first and most powerful step is simply deciding to try, to say, ‘I can do this, regardless of where I come from.’”
Ananya said her journey is a reminder that we’re all capable of far more, mentally and physically—than we often realise. “I didn’t come from a sailing, nautical, or even sporty background. I had never rowed before this,” she shared. “So if I can take on a challenge like this and succeed, anyone can. That’s really the message: your gender or background shouldn’t be a barrier. I was the only woman in the solo category, and I came second. It surprised a lot of people, but it shows what’s possible.”
