A mum plans to row across the Atlantic Ocean with pals she met online.

Andrena McShane-Kerr, from the Southside, is taking on the brutal challenge this year after becoming “obsessed” with the World’s Toughest Row.

This gruelling race spans over 3,000 miles, undertaken in a seven metre ocean rowing boat without any external assistance.

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Left to right Fiona, Nicky, Heather and Andrena again in La Gomera in December watching the race start. (Image: Sourced)

Despite the 41-year-old previously having no experience rowing she became infatuated with the sport and decided to assemble a team of four to take part.

She put a call out on Facebook and eventually got in touch with Heather McCallum, Fiona Deakin and Nicky Matthews, who now feel like “family” to her.

They plan to make history as the first all-female team from Scotland to attempt an ocean row.

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Left to Right: Fiona, Heather, Nicky, Andrena raining funds in our race night held at The Nia Roo, Glasgow - November 2024 (Image: Sourced)

Andrena explained: “I discovered the race three years ago and became obsessed right away.

"I had never done any sort of rowing but I thought it was amazing and wanted to be a part of it.

“It felt impossible at first but I just thought if other people can do it why not me? That is when I put it on social media to try and get a team together.

“We found each other and got talking then met up. Now they feel like family, they are sisters to me which has been amazing.

“My wife Kerry thought I was crazy when I told her what I was doing but she has been so supportive.

“The challenge will be brutal and painful but it will also be amazing, beautiful, and wonderful.”

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Left to right: Heather, Andrena, Fiona and Nicky an early start as the row kicks off in La Gomera. (Image: Sourced)

The team, known as Scotland the Wave, will set off on the challenge this December and Andrena is determined to return by the middle of February - so she can celebrate her daughter’s third birthday.

Meanwhile Nicky and Fiona will each be marking their 60th birthdays at sea.

While both seasoned in coastal rowing and no strangers to the unpredictable nature of the ocean, they admitted that the prospect of facing waves as high as double-decker buses is daunting.

The mission will see them row hard every two hours for around 50 days straight, while eating and sleeping in between sessions.

Andrena said: “We feel half nervous and half excited, there is so much to be prepared for and we still have a lot of training to do.

“I get on with the women so well which is so important especially because we will be working together and living so closely on the boat.

“I want to get back in time for my daughter Romy’s birthday, but we aren’t putting too much pressure on being the fastest team. It isn’t about that for us.

“We are just four ordinary working class women who have a dream to pull this off and are trying very hard to do it, I am really looking forward to it.”

The team is raising funds for four meaningful charities close to their hearts which include Breast Cancer UK, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, and SIMBA, which supports families affected by baby loss.

You can donate to their cause here.