Keynote Speaker Presentation – Sponsored by Endpoint Clinical

Debra Searle MVO MBE has an extraordinary story of resilience and determination. She first captured global attention when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband, a 6’5” international oarsman. Just days into the journey, he had to be rescued, leaving Debra (a novice rower) alone in the middle of the ocean.
With no support boat and limited experience, she made the bold decision to continue. Over the next 3½ months, Debra rowed 3,300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados, facing 30-foot waves, sharks, and powerful storms in a 23-foot plywood boat. What was meant to be a six-week challenge became a remarkable solo endurance feat that redefined what she believed was possible.