New Orleans rowers embark on 600-mile Arctic journey

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Over the weekend, two Tulane University alumni rowers, a retired Navy SEAL and former Saints player Jimmy Graham, embarked on an adventure of a lifetime by rowing the Arctic Ocean.

New Orleans rowers and married couple, John and Hannah Huppi, are taking on a new challenge, the Arctic Challenge 2025.

“I’ve always wanted to row across the ocean. It has always been a dream of mine, and the Arctic Ocean was calling,” said Hannah, champion rower.

The Arctic Challenge 2025 expedition is about 600 miles and will take between 10 to 20 days to complete.

The Huppis first met at Tulane University, where they both were on the rowing team together.

To join them on their journey, they got experienced Navy SEAL Andrew Tropp and former Saints Tight End Jimmy Graham.

“I reached out to Jimmy because of his sailing background,” Huppi said.

“Andrew has more than 22 years experience as Navy SEAL, and he has experience in the Arctic region,” Huppi said.

Although they are fulfilling a dream, this journey comes with many challenges.

“In case anything goes wrong, we have to know how to fix that. We are alone out there, completely unsupported. It is really just the four of us in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, so we have to troubleshoot everything,” Huppi said.

She went on to say, “I’ve never slept on a boat before, so that will be a fun and different challenge.”

These rowers aim to set several records, including the fastest four-person team to finish the crossing. The current record is 15 days.

“Never a woman to row in Arctic, that would be a record. Jimmy Graham would be the first Black man, and John and I would be the first married couple. Just to have all that written in history,” she said.

Huppi said with all the records they could set as they set sail, proving that one would mean the most.

“I’m a mom, we have a daughter, and I want to show her that moms can do anything,” she said.

That’s something she’s already proving!

John and Hannah Huppi own ErgoFit gym on Magazine Street.

Hannah Huppi was on the U.S. National team for coastal rowing, and her and her husband, John medaled in the World Championships in 2021.

John Huppi is currently Tulane University‘s rowing coach, and he was on three U.S. National teams, and won the bronze medal in the World Championships.

Their goal is to raise awareness of rowing in New Orleans and to raise $1 million for two nonprofit organizations: Laureus Sport For Good New Orleans, which supports youth sports, and Covenant House, which helps homeless youth.

To follow The Arctic Challenge.

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