Ben Towill and Charlie Layton completed what is known as one of the world’s toughest rows - the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - a 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean. They crossed the finish line after 40 days, 8 hours, and 59 minutes. Known around town as “The Dreamboats,” Ben and Charlie began training for this journey over two years ago.

Last December, they packed up their boat (also known as Polly Anne which, was named after combining their grandmother’s first names) and left the docks of La Gomera, Canary Islands to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Race participants are prepared to experience at least one of the following: 40-foot seas, a snapped Rudder (the primary control needed to steer a boat), capsizing, or encounters with large sea animals.

Over the course of the six weeks, Ben and Charlie somehow managed to experience all of these obstacles. To support their journey, Charlie and Ben have raised over $150K for @greenheartchs, a local non-profit dedicated to building state-of-the-art teaching gardens in public schools across Charleston.

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