A NORTH Craven woman is defying the menopause in a bid to row 3,000 miles solo across the Atlantic and, at 59, become the oldest women in history to do this.

The World’s Toughest Row is an annual race that starts in La Gomera in The Canaries and finishes in English Harbour in Antigua.

Taking roughly 60 days, Vivienne (ViV) Barclay will sleep and eat on board and will take everything she needs with her. She will be in touch with the organiser’s safety team daily.

Originally from Langcliffe she moved to London via Liverpool when she was 18. After many years in London, Viv lived and worked in Spain for eight years and returned to the UK in 2010 to her home in Bentham.

She now runs a business making beeswax wraps, based in Hellifield, and apart from sporadic periods of aerobics and running, Viv has not done anything like this before and is a novice when it comes to rowing.

She said: "I was inspired by The Yorkshire Rows when they did it in 2016. They were all middle-aged women like me and I thought if they could do that then so could I."

Her mission is to raise money for The Menopause Charity whose work includes the provision of evidence-based information for women, accredited training for medical professionals and supporting women in the workplace by creating and implementing a menopause policy.

She also hopes to gain an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Viv has already done the mandatory courses needed in navigation, sea-survival and first-aid and, although the start date isn’t until December 12, 2024, she is already training hard and visits CrossFitCirca in Settle 3-4 times a week. In June, Viv will also be swimming at the outdoor pool in Ingleton and she does yoga at home. She is being supported by the Sports Science Dept of the University of Salford who intend to publish a paper about the effects of the row on Viv physically, nutritionally and psychologically. ‘All the previous rowers will tell you, the hardest part is getting to the start line. After that, you just have to row and keep on rowing. Apart from doing the training, I’m actively raising awareness and encouraging donations big and small to my campaign. I’m also looking for corporate sponsors who would like to explore a unique marketing opportunity help me attain a Guinness World Record and raise money for a cause that will help thousands of women in the UK.’

To donate to Viv’s campaign: https://www.mumentous.com/

To follow Viv’s journey: https://www.instagram.com/mumentous.atlantic.row/