The challenge
Black Forest to Black Sea
Danube 2026
Rowing the Danube on Polly will be a six-week odyssey of grit, discomfort, and awe-inspiring discovery. Beginning in Ulm, Germany—where the mighty Danube is born from the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers—the journey will trace the river’s winding path from its source in the Black Forest to its final destination at Constanța, Romania, on the shores of the Black Sea. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald), a vast, forested mountain range in southwest Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state, is famed for its dense fir woods, folklore, and as the birthplace of both the Danube and Neckar rivers. The Black Sea, meanwhile, is a large inland sea bordered by Eastern Europe and Western Asia, connecting to the Mediterranean via the Bosporus Strait. Its shores mark the end of the Danube’s long descent, where fresh water meets salt and the river’s story concludes.
10 Countries
The river flows through or borders the following ten countries from its source to its mouth:
Germany
Austria
Slovakia
Hungary
Croatia
Serbia
Bulgaria
Romania
Moldova
Ukraine (We will avoid due to the ongoing conflict)
Four capital cities
Vienna
Bratislava
Budapest
Belgrade
Stronger Twogether's Aims
To inspire more women, men and children to push their boundaries, step out their comfort zones and DREAM and ACHIEVE BIG things.
To explore Europe in a unique way using just manpower.
To have a safe and enjoyable row and to make the most of every moment this opportunity offers.
To raise significant amounts of money for our charities.
To share the challenges of this journey as a story of resilience, love and respect.
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." - Heraclitus