Ilfracombe Atlantic rowing hero steps ashore to emotional welcome

Solo Atlantic rower Gary Hutchings from Ilfracombe stepped ashore in Antigua this afternoon (Wednesday) to emotional scenes as his family waited to greet him.

The scaffolder was taking part in the Atlantic Dash event and rowed his boat Pollyanne 3,200 miles singlehanded across the ocean in 53 days, 13 hours and 23 minutes to raise money for charity.

He officially completed the endurance event, which is not a race, last night at 11.23pm UK time, but came ashore this at just after 2pm GMT and 10am in the Caribbean, to a rapturous welcome.

Waiting to greet him was his father Dave Hutchings, who has not flown in 30 years and who was a complete surprise to Gary, as well as his children Nicole and Sonny plus his brothers Mark and Ryan.

Above: Gary's family look on as he nears the shore.

His first words as he stepped ashore were “does anyone want to buy a boat?”

Giving a short speech after as part of the welcome organised by the Atlantic Dash crew for the incoming boats, Gary said it had been the most amazing experience of his life, going from the highest highs to the lowest lows.

Clearly emotional he said “anyone that knows me knows I don’t do emotions” and added that the support he had received had been amazing.

Shortly after, Gary was able to enjoy his first real food after eating freeze dried rations for 50-plus days and when he stepped on the scales he had lost 18.8 kilos – in fact one of his welcome party was heard to ask “where’s the rest of you?!”

Above: His first real food in almost two months.

Gary has so far raised almost £17,000 for two Motor Neurone Disease charities, inspired by rugby stars Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir – the MND Association and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, plus Devon Air Ambulance.

There were four crews taking part in the 2025 Atlantic Dash, with Gary the only solo rower – he was lead boat for a long period before a spell of becalmed weather pushed him into second behind Waves 2 Awareness, a two person crew.

Above: Gary has lost almost 19 kilos in weight.

But he finished second ahead of two four-person boats.

Gary’s charity appeal is still running and if you would like to donate, please visit his Pollyanhutch25 page on JustGiving.

You can watch the full Facebook Live video of his arrival via the Pollyanhutch25 Facebook page.