James and Oliver first met at the Norwich School back in 1995, and at the time they could have never imagined that some 14 years later they'd be on the verge taking on an entire ocean in what is commonly termed "The World's Toughest Rowing Race".
Coincidentally, after they left Norwich School they both gained places to study at University College London, and having spent their first year together in Hughes Parry Hall they decided to remain flatmates throughout their final two years in a house they shared with friends in North London. So fingers crossed that after three years of living together as penniless, soap-dodging students they should be as prepared as anyone when it comes to the rigours of being cooped up together for 2 months on a 25 foot rowing boat and nothing a but the endless Atlantic for company.
James Croome - Age 26
Born and raised in the somewhat wilds of rural Norfolk James has always enjoyed the great outdoors. Nevertheless his adolescence and early adult life has been marred by the attraction of bright lights and city living. Thankfully, however, since experiencing the stifling claustrophobia of a London lifestyle during his university and subsequent professional careers, the desire for wide open spaces has returned in abundance, and they don't come much bigger than the 41.1 million square miles that is the Atlantic Ocean.
James is no stranger to the water, however. Having sailed with his father from a young age and having dabbled in ocean kayaking, the challenge of a self propelled ocean crossing was not too great a leap for this young man to comprehend. Admittedly it did require a little gentle persuasion from his crewmate Olli, but at the end of the day the decision was easy. Like the slogan says, you've only got one life so LIVE IT!
James was born in the golden summer of 1983, the second child of his loving and eternally supportive parents Karen and Andrew. Having spent his childhood relentlessly tormenting his elder sister, Lucy, he spent his formative years half studying and half playing at the finest school in Norfolk before matriculating at UCL where he furthered his love of all things historical. Upon graduation he proceeded to pay the bills through a career in underwriting and is currently an Assistant Specie Underwriter for a syndicate at Lloyd's.
Oliver Back - Age 26
Olli, like James, was also born in the summer of 1983 and will be 26 at the start of the race with 14 days' worth of worldly experience on his rowing buddy.
Always having had a keen interest in all sports, Olli pursued his passion mainly through hockey in playing for his School, County, University (UCL) where he captained the 1st XI and spent his final year as Club Captain, and has since continued his pursuits through the UCL old boys club, UCL Academicals. However as the training programme has taken shape, this is taking somewhat of a back seat for now.
By day he is a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in
He is a great believer that everyone owes themselves at least one big adventure, and rowing an ocean is his, and even though his previous rowing experience from his school days is limited to freshwater rivers and lakes he is relishing the challenge.
Olli first took an interest in ocean rowing whilst following intently the progress of the All Relative crew during the 2005 Atlantic Rowing Race. Although in unmitigated awe of their achievement it was not until he saw their video diary that he truly appreciated what it takes to achieve such a feat and what it means to accomplish it. With this in mind he set about trying to convince James to sign-up. Fortunately he has known James since 1995 and has got his persuasion techniques down to a fine art, anything starting with the words "Jimbo I bet you can't ...." usually does the trick. So all Olli had to do was ensure that the drinks kept coming one night in their local, the Hemmingford Arms, use a little gentle coaxing and the Old Norvicensian Atlantic Rowing Team was born.