When does the rowing race start in San Sebastián de La Gomera?
The race begins on Saturday 12 December 2026, according to the organiser. The World's Toughest Row – Atlantic leaves from San Sebastián de La Gomera, and that date is just under a month away.
The teams then row west, more than 3,000 miles to English Harbour on Antigua and Barbuda, the organiser says. It describes the race as a tough test with sleep deprivation, blisters and hallucinations.
The start day can move. The weather can shift it.
Anyone who wants to see the departure should therefore allow a few days of leeway. The organiser has not named a fixed start time.
What about the gospel concert on 12 December?
The gospel concert linked to the race start appears in the programme “Brilla San Sebastián 2025 – 2026” from the Ayuntamiento (town council). On Friday 12 December at 20:00, the XX Gospel Canarias Festival presents “Volney Morgan & New-Ye” at the Auditorio Insular de La Gomera (the island auditorium).
The calendar reveals the catch. 12 December 2026 is a Saturday, while 12 December 2025 was a Friday, so the programme belongs to the previous year's Christmas season.
Nobody has confirmed a concert on La Gomera for 2026. Date, venue and line-up of the 21st edition have not been published for the island.
According to reports on the series, the festival tours several islands, each with its own dates and venues. Anyone who wants to attend a concert must check each island separately.
What does entry cost, and how do you get there?
The Ayuntamiento gives no ticket price for any of its more than forty events. It does not mention free entry or booking either.
The race is similar. The organiser mentions a “Race Village” in San Sebastián de La Gomera where the teams gather, but it gives no opening times, public programme or entry details.
How to reach the start remains open, as nobody has published travel rules or bus links. Nobody says whether the teams' send-off is open to the public either.
The previous year's Christmas programme appeared on 1 December 2025. Anyone looking for dates and prices should check the Ayuntamiento's page and the official website in the first days of December.
Who organises the race, and since when does it exist?
Atlantic Campaigns SL has run the race since 2012. The company says so on its website.
Sir Chay Blyth founded the regatta in 1997, according to the published race history. It used to be called the Woodvale and Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
The organiser has published no official total of teams and rowers for 2026. That figure is still missing.
The record belongs to The Four Oarsmen from 2017: 29 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes. In 2021, team SWISS RAW won after 34 days, 23 hours and 42 minutes.
One safety rule applies on the water. Anyone on deck must be clipped to the boat's safety line with a three-point harness, the organiser states on its site.
What is still open?
The end date of 1 February 2027 does not appear on the organiser's page. The research also found no time limit for the crossing.
Team numbers for 2026 and costs for spectators are also open. There is no information on permits or harbour questions.
The organiser lists the next Atlantic start for 12 December 2027. The 2026 Christmas programme from San Sebastián de La Gomera should show whether a gospel concert is included.