3,000 Miles of
Atlantic Ocean.
In a rowboat.

ROW4ALS-logo-horizontal

The ROW4ALS team is training to do something that has never been done before–cross the Atlantic Ocean with a rower living with ALS.

The race is the 2018 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Complete self support, 3,000 miles, in a carbon-fiber rowboat.

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We are raising sponsorship funds and donations to support ALS research and we need your help.

Sponsorship information ›

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ROW4ALS TEAM TRAILER

TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE 2017 RACE SUMMARY

THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW

SPONSORS

We are currently seeking sponsors to support the Row4ALS team’s efforts. Your brand can be part of our journey. Beyond logo placement and media mentions, you can be part of a compelling story with your allocated funds. Be one of the first to come aboard and make history sponsoring Row4ALS, the first team with an ALS-diagnosed rower to participate in the 2018 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, a 3,000-mile rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean.

Thank you to our sponsors. These companies and individuals believe in the power of the human spirit and have chosen to be part of the ROW4ALS journey.

LEARN ABOUT THIS UNIQUE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

  • MEET THE ROWER

    Tim Ryan Team Leader

    What do owning a chain of sports bars and the Atlantic Challenge have in common?  Well, for one thing, they both end in Talisker Whiskey.  Or perhaps they start there.  Or both.

    Tim Ryan has been busy the 10 last years building Bout Time Pub & Grub, which is a small chain of sports bars in Utah and Colorado. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and later, the school of life, Tim and his business partner started the business with a single, tiny pub that has today grown to 13 locations with over 300 employees serving thousands of guests.

    While away from work, Tim is active with his local gym, 212 fitness, where he enjoys insane workouts and the opportunity to participate in many athletic and social endeavors.  Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Envis Race and others are all under his belt. But the most rewarding events are Push to the Finish, Hunstman Cancer 5k and National Veterans Wheelchair Games that assist others in completing their own race.

    Tim is supported in this great adventure by his wife of 25 years, Crista and their 19-year-old twins Mallory and TJ.

    “What began as a personal challenge to complete the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge has grown to an epic adventure by a group of friends to find a cure for ALS in a most unconventional manner.”

  • MEET THE ROWER

    Alan Alderman Chief Inspiration Officer

    Alan is a Utah native.  Born in Salt Lake City, he grew up in the Northern Utah town of Logan.  He was active growing up and lettered in Football, Wrestling, and Track in high school.  He attended Utah State University graduating with a B.A. in Business with an emphasis in Finance.  After graduation Alan moved to Orange County, California and pursued a career in Banking and Consumer Finance.  In 2000 he returned to Utah to raise his young family.

    One year after returning to Utah he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  After his diagnosis he determined that ALS might take his life, but it would not destroy it!  For the past 16 years he has been fighting against ALS.  He has been active in fundraising, advocacy, and raising awareness for ALS.

    A father and grandfather, Alan’s joy comes from his three children, Breanna, Justin, Jessica, his granddaughter Kayleigh, his parents and sisters, and close friends.  Alan tries to live by four F’s; Faith, Family, Friends, and Finding a cure for ALS.

    “I row to raise funds for ALS research and to raise awareness about ALS!  I row for all of my fellow persons with ALS who have bravely faced this disease!  I row for all of my friends who have completed their journey with ALS!  I row for all of those people that have been robbed of their ability to walk, talk, eat, or move at all!  I row because I can!  I may be disabled, but that does not mean I am unable!“

  • MEET THE ROWER

    Dale Smith

    I was born and raised in Southern California but moved to Utah to ski bum in 1975.  When the snow melted I enrolled at the University of Utah for my undergraduate studies and then onto Colorado State University for veterinary school.  I have had a veterinary orthopedic surgery practice in Salt Lake City since 1991.  I stay fit by running and enjoying the many adventures that Utah has to offer.  I met Tim Ryan 5 years ago at our gym, 212 Fitness.  I was approached by Tim at a party with the question “If you could have the adventure of a lifetime but needed to take 3 months off work, would you do it?”  Without pause I said “yes!”  After receiving an email the next day with links to the Talisker Whisky Challenge I must admit I had some reservations.  However, after meeting Alan Alderman all hesitation vanished.  Alan is a remarkable individual with boundless enthusiasm and an infectious smile.  Oh yeah, he also happens to have ALS.  I am proud and privileged to be part of the ROW4ALS crew.
  • MEET THE ROWER

    Ted Waldo

    William "Teddy" Waldo has been sailing the waters of the BVI's since the early 1990s when he was three. He became a first mate at age 11 and completed his keel boat training at 16. He graduated High School as Valedictorian at 17 and attended both Middlebury College and Northern Arizona University but his passion for both the sea and the friendly culture and people of the British Virgin Islands brought him back to the Islands. He began his captaining career in early 2012 when he began work for a prominent BVI based charter company . He was able to exponentially expand both his sailing experience and practical knowledge of the Voyage boats by working in many different capacities for the company for over four years. When not on charter, Teddy worked with the maintenance team as well as did briefings for clients chartering vessels as bareboat captains. He currently has a 200 ton commercial license, is a PADI certified Advanced Open Water Diver and has completed his Marine Safety STCW 10 in addition to his training in First Aid and Security.

    While on charter, Teddy's easy going nature, patience and sense of balancing both safety, and fun allow guests to fully enjoy their vacation. His mastery of the boat systems makes guests feel at ease and his expert knowledge of the islands and their waters adds something special to each voyage. The eldest of five, Ted is excellent with children and enjoys opening their eyes to the wonders of the ocean. Whether guests enjoy lounging in a secluded bay, snorkeling a beautiful coral reef or a shipwreck, sailing fast on a beam reach, lazily traveling downwind or finding the best place to enjoy a cocktail, Teddy knows just how to help guests realize their ideal vacation.

  • MEET THE ROWER

    Brian Armstrong

    Brian Armstrong has been an adventure seeking entrepreneur since a young age. Brian grew up in Taylorsville, Utah where he played football for 10 years. While in his last year of high school at just 17, he started his first landscaping company that he ran for 9 years. Brian currently runs and online marketing agency and is a partner in a real estate company called 5050Agents. Brian has always had a competitive attitude and has a desire to push himself to mentally and physically.

    Brian first heard about the race from Tim Ryan at a meeting that he was attending with a Bout Time Pub & Grub. Brian remembers Tim saying "I am going to row across the Atlantic Ocean with Alan and some guys from my gym." Brian thought that these guys were completely nuts to take on such an adventure. As time went on he became more and more intrigued by the idea of pushing his own body and mind to the limits as this race would be doing to the members on this team. Brian traveled with the Row4ALS team to a few of the training rows in Florida and at Bear Lake. In late June there became and opportunity for him to join the team just 5 months from the start of the race and he decided to join in on the adventure of a lifetime.

    "I have known Alan for about 5 years through his Annual Golf Tournament. I have always looked up to Alan for his amazing outlook on life and for his commitment to raising awareness for ALS. I am honored that I am able to join this team and row with these selfless individuals in a cause that we hope will impact the world."

    Brian is supported in this grand adventure by his 12 year old son Hunter and network of friends and family.

Tim RyanAlan AldermanDale SmithTed WaldoBrian Armstrong

2018/19 RACE TRACKER

LATEST NEWS

Row-A-Thon with 212 Fitness

Join us at 212 Fitness on September 29th starting at 7am and see who can row the longest distance in 50 minutes. Rowers will compete in multiple waves and competition is open to solo contestants or pairs. You can sign up for a wave on our Row-A-Thon page. This will also be one of the last chances […]

READ ARTICLE

SPECIAL THANKS

We couldn’t do this without the moral and in-kind support
of the following people and companies.

Steve Sawaya

Amber Sawaya

Crista Ryan

Lynn Keough

Cynthia Swan

Andrea Davis

Skip Renza

Seth Christensen

Amy Christensen

Jennifer Ahlstrom

Kim Love

JOIN THE JOURNEY

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