‘ANTIGUA ISLAND GIRLS’ TRIUMPH IN  AN ALL-FEMALE ROWING EVENT  

St. Johns, Antigua, (July  2023) – In an extraordinary feat of courage, Team Antigua Island Girls, an all-female rowing team from Antigua and Barbuda, and the first all-female, black team to row across the Atlantic Ocean, have achieved another momentous victory. On July 23, 2023, Team Antigua Island Girls successfully rowed across the Pacific Ocean in support of a noble cause. Their awe-inspiring endeavor saw the girls spend forty-one days at sea for the inaugural 2023 Pacific Challenge. To learn more about Team Antigua Island Girls or contribute to their cause, visit their GoFundMe page https://bit.ly/island-girls  or contribute to the Caribbean Union Bank account #20004631 in St. John’s, Antigua.  Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority,  celebrated the Island Girls’ efforts, “we applaud their commitment to supporting young girls in difficult circumstances and admire their determination to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the international stage”.

Comprising remarkable athletes Christal Clashing, Kevinia Francis, and Samara Emmanuel, Team Antigua Island Girls set forth on their mission to make a profound impact on young lives. Their unwavering spirit aimed to raise funds for a charitable cause: building a home for women in conflict with the law, providing them with a second chance in life, and fostering women’s empowerment.    Rowing an astonishing distance of approximately 2,800 nautical miles across the Pacific, in ‘the world’s toughest row’, their journey began in Monterey Bay, California, and culminated in Kauai, Hawaii.   “Through our efforts, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of women empowerment and provide a brighter future for young girls who deserve a second chance in life,” said Kevinia Francis, representing the Team Antigua Island Girls.