Andres Käosaar, a doctoral candidate in industrial and organizational psychology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), is preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean as part of Team Rowtalia. Käosaar, whose research focuses on teamwork in isolated and extreme environments, will join three teammates from diverse professional backgrounds: a wood chemist, a geneticist, and a banker. None had rowing experience before committing to this challenge three years ago.
The team will participate in the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic competition, which begins December 11 in San Sebastian de la Gomera, Canary Islands. Their goal is to reach English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda after covering roughly 3,000 nautical miles over an estimated 40 days.
Käosaar describes his motivation for taking on such challenges as rooted in his belief that “We are capable of doing more than we think we can.” He added: “We just have one life. We have to allow ourselves to dream, even if they seem wild. If someone asks me if I would like to do something extraordinary, I can’t say no.”
According to the Ocean Rowing Society, only 1,736 people had successfully rowed across an ocean by November 2025—a number far lower than those who have climbed Mount Everest.
Team Rowtalia’s preparation included raising $163,000 toward their $184,000 goal for equipment and expenses. Most training took place on indoor rowing machines or during sessions on the Baltic Sea; they also completed a five-day practice session and participated in team-building exercises such as camping together in harsh Arctic conditions.
For the journey itself, each pair of teammates will row for two-hour shifts around the clock—totaling about 12 hours per person daily—with limited breaks between shifts. The boat must be self-sustaining with enough provisions for high-calorie diets throughout the trip; emergencies requiring them to leave would mean forfeiting their attempt.
Käosaar links this experience directly with his academic work at UCF’s Institute of Simulation and Training under Research Professor Shawn Burke. He has contributed to NASA-funded projects focused on team leadership and resilience—skills he expects will be tested during the crossing.
He explained: “I think a better way of looking at it is to think about this concept of team viability; do we think that in the future we could work again successfully? Our ultimate goal is that we hope to cross the ocean such that we are willing and able to do that again in the next few years with the same team.”
Käosaar sees parallels between ocean rowing teams and groups working under extreme conditions such as astronauts or Antarctic researchers. He believes firsthand experience will enhance his understanding of how isolation affects performance: “I don’t think I would be able to fully understand the participants of the studies or the subjects we’re studying without putting myself in that situation and really being like, ‘OK, that’s what you guys feel.’”
As he approaches graduation from UCF next spring, Käosaar hopes insights gained from this expedition will inform future research into human sustainability beyond Earth: “I don’t want to use the cliche words of becoming interplanetary species, but that’s basically what we are thinking about. I think this could have huge implications for the sustainability of humans in space,” he said. “I think being able to support those endeavors and support this development of humanity, that’s a big part of why I do it, and I’m passionate about it.”
Team Rowtalia plans to document their progress online using solar-powered internet connectivity throughout their voyage.
