RecPak is proud to support Range Oars Row, a veteran-led nonprofit taking on the World's Toughest Row Pacific challenge. This remarkable team of five former special operations veterans is rowing 2,700 nautical miles from Monterey, California to Kauai, Hawaii – not for glory, but to raise awareness and funds for veteran mental health and suicide prevention.

A Mission Beyond the Horizon

"We thrive in that environment of doing hard shit for good causes," explains Roy Emerson, one of the original three team members of Range Oars Row. The team name, a play on the word "Rangers" combined with rowing terminology, represents their military backgrounds – three served in the 1st Ranger Battalion – and their current mission.

The sobering reality is that while "22 a day" has become the common statistic for veteran suicides, studies suggest the actual number could be double that – as many as 44 veterans lost daily. This urgent crisis demands bold action, which is exactly what Range Oars Row is undertaking.

More Than Just a Row

Getting to the starting line has been a monumental challenge. Most teams spend 2-3 years preparing for this race, but Range Oars Row has accomplished it in just over a year. Along the way, they've built powerful connections, secured vital sponsorships, and navigated countless administrative hurdles.

The race requirements are extensive. Each team member needed maritime safety training, survival at sea certification, first aid at sea, CPR, navigation and seamanship classes, and FCC marine radio licensing. The team must log at least 120 documented hours on their boat with all crew members present, including overnight sessions.

What's remarkable is that, unlike many UK teams who live near each other and can practice regularly, Range Oars Row's members are scattered across New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas. This geographic challenge has meant consolidating training into intensive 10-day sessions in Florida each month, while managing boat maintenance, nonprofit administration, and fundraising remotely.

Fueling the Journey

RecPak is honored to be part of this mission, providing nutritional support for the team's 35-40 day journey. Each rower must arrive with 55 days of food at 6,000 calories per day – all subject to inspection before departure.

"What we really loved about RecPak is one, it's easy, it's compact, and it's really high calorie in one pack," notes Emerson. "It actually saved us money and reduced the amount of food we bought from other vendors."

The logistical aspects of packing sufficient nutrition while conserving limited space makes RecPak's lightweight, high-calorie meal packs an ideal solution. The team is focusing on creating variety throughout their expedition, with RecPak serving as a core nutritional component.

The Team and Their Cause

The Range Oars Row team has evolved since its inception. The original three members; Roy Emerson, Jerry, and Michael – were later joined by two members from another veteran team called Rangers Row in a collaborative effort after one of their original members was injured.

They're raising funds for four foundations close to their hearts: Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, Three Rangers Foundation, and HardRock Charlie Foundation. Each organization provides unique support systems for veterans struggling with mental health challenges.

What sets Brothers Keeper apart, as Roy explains, is their personalized approach: "If somebody reaches out, they'll determine in that phone call whether that person needs immediate assistance... He's got somebody on the way to your house right now. That's how he works."

The Final Countdown

Just days away from launching, Range Oars Row has completed final preparations – boat maintenance, meal packing, and gear checks. Family and friends will gather in Monterey for safety briefings, boat inspections, and emotional farewells.

Once they launch, the mission becomes beautifully simple: "Eat, sleep, row, repeat," as Emerson puts it. Five souls on a tiny vessel with nothing but ocean surrounding them for over a month, pushing their physical and mental limits to raise awareness for an issue that has touched all their lives.

RecPak is proud to support these heroes as they take on this extraordinary challenge. We'll be following their journey closely and sharing updates along the way.

 

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Follow Range Oars Row on Instagram @rangeorsrow to track their progress and learn more about their mission.