Matt  was taught to row by an ex merchant seaman, whilst on a sailing holiday on the Norfolk Broads as a child.  He soon discovered rowing was a great way of getting from the bank to the boat (and there are some great boats in the West Indies). During 2002-2003, Matt was stroke for the UEA rowing team.

Atlantic Rowing

In 1995 Matt entered the Atlantic Rowing Race organised by Sir Chay Blyth and the Challenge Business.  Matt and his partner (his brother Ed Boreham) in boat no.10 "Spirit of Spelthorne", started the race in October 1997.  After 32 days and having completed around half of the 3000 miles between Tenerife and Barbados, Matt had to call for emergency assistance.  Ed had become ill as a result of a watermaker system infection, caused by a total electrical systems failure which had occured on day 14.  Although Matt was unaffected he made the decision to stay with his brother on the rescue boat, rather than continue solo.  Due to the boat not appearing on the tracking system for 4/5 days, as sea search was already underway, and was ideally poised to respond to their unrelated emergancy.  The rescue generated huge press (tv, newspapers and radio) coverage on a national level. A second attempt in 1998 was thwarted due to gear failure.  A third attempt in 1999 was abandoned due to delays in shipping.

A  Record row- Ocean Rowing Regatta 2004

On the 20th January 2004, Matt Boreham took part in the Ocean Rowing Society's Ocean Rowing Regatta.  Setting off from La Gomera in the Canaries, solo, 2man and 4 man boats raced to Barbados. A distance of approx 3000 miles. Matt raced in boat no.6 "The Alison May" , which was a 16ft solo entry, Matt had built himself.

The crossing took 83 days 18 hours and 27 minutes, and made Matt Boreham a Guiness Book of Records , record holder, for rowing the smallest rowing boat to be successfully rowed across any ocean.

Matt's chosen charity  for the race was the Nationl Blood Service. Raising awareness for this vital service, to which he and others owe their lives.  Matt continues to raise awareness for the Blood Service whenever he can, and continues to give blood regularly.

2008

Matt has teamed up with ex-naval officer, Alan Lock, to row the Atlantic once again.  They plan to start from The Canary Islands in January, and row to Antigua.  They are raising money and awareness for the charity  "Sense" which supports those who are deaf/blind. 

Alan and Matt can be sponsored on www.justgiving.com/row4sense

Please sponsor them and help those who are deaf/blind.