Club Pennant Rowed Across the Atlantic – in a World Record Time
Burnham on Crouch & Dengie Hundred Rotary Club’s pennant has completed a remarkable journey across the Atlantic.
Local ocean rower Dawn Smith BEM, founder of Row Aurora and a Burnham resident rowed the Club’s Rotary pennant across the Ocean with American Paul Lore on their expedition “Hometown Row.”
They set a new world record for the fastest mixed pair to row the Atlantic east to west, Canary Islands to Antigua.
They then travelled to Paul’s hometown Rotary Club of Fernandina Beach, Florida, where they exchanged pennants as a symbol of friendship and community spirit between the two coastal towns.
Paul, Suzanne Amos (President) and Dawn
Dawn said the life on the Atlantic crossing was a mighty challenge and unforgettable. She and Paul spent weeks
at sea in a 9-metre ocean boat, rowing in three-hour shifts around the clock. They encountered powerful trade winds, large Atlantic swells, intense heat, and the physical and mental challenge of living in a small boat far from land!
At night the ocean came alive with bioluminescence, dolphins visited the boat, and the star-filled sky reminded how small humans are in the middle of the ocean.
Much more than rowing, the venture connects communities on both sides of the Atlantic and shows the power of collaboration and shared purpose. It highlights the clubs’ values of service and support for those who have served their own communities.
The Burnham Club is doing this by making a donation to Colchester based “Phoenix Heroes CIC” to support veterans and emergency service families facing mental health challenges. The expedition also supports “K9s For Warriors” which trains service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD and trauma.
In June, Dawn and Paul plan to row the Fernandina pennant back to Burnham.
They will have completed a full transatlantic journey, strengthening the friendship between the two communities and supporting two worthy charities.
In 2025 we sponsored Dawn Smith, a local, internationally famed rower, in her challenge to row across the Atlantic and back again to Burnham quayside. Hence “Home Town Row”.
We support this venture through a donation to her chosen charity “Phoenix Heroes”. This is a charity based in Colchester providing vital services for Armed Forces Veterans and their families through a network of support for those who have served our country. See: Veteran Community Support
Dawn is rowing with Paul Lore.
They set off at 12.00 noon on 12th December in a Burnham-built Rannoch Adventure boat.
On board is our letter addressed to Paul’s club – the Fernandina Beach Rotary Club Rotary Club in Florida – together with our own Club pennant. Dawn expects to give this to them on arrival (via Antigua). in February 2026.
As she prepared to launch, Dawn said: “I will send you the odd message when I can. Then I will be sure to link you in everything when we deliver your pennant and letter.” She will row back with a present to us from the Fernandina club.
She flies back to the U.K. for a couple of months before starting the final leg in June 2026, rowing from Canada to Burnham on Crouch. We expect her back in August to meet her on the quayside in Burnham. The return gift from the Fernandina Rotary Club will be presented to us by her rowing partner Paul Lore.
Now a resident of Fernandina Beach, Paul served eight years in the Marines which explains why to quote, he “wants to make a difference in a veteran’s life because they make a difference in my life by protecting us every day.”
To find more about Home Town Row, and track her progress, see Dawn’s website: https://www.rowaurora.co.uk/
“Home Town Row – Pennant Arrives in Record Time”
Dawn Smith and rowing partner have arrived safely in Florida, in record time. They presented our Club pennant and letter to their host, Suzanne L Amos,President of the Fernandina Beach Rotary Club in Florida.
Here is the message sent Dawn on 5th March 2026 together with the photo of the President receiving our pennant from Dawn and her rowing partner Paul Lore.
Just a quick note to say that your flag and letter has been safely delivered.
We attended a meeting yesterday and had the honour of handing them directly to the president of Fernandina Beach Rotary Club Suzanne Amos.
Hopefully they will make contact with you very soon.
We have a flag to bring back across in June when we set off from Canada back to Burnham on crouch.
Let me know if you want me to write anything up for your newsletter.
Our row was record breaking. We now hold the Guinness world record for the fastest mixed pair to row the Atlantic E-W.
Kind regards,
Dawn
