Inside look at boat used for Arctic Challenge by New Orleans rowers

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Two Tulane University alumni rowers, a retired Navy seal and former Saints player Jimmy Graham continue to row in the Arctic Ocean for the Arctic Challenge.

Their journey is about 600 miles. Today they completed about 200 miles of it.

Before they set sail, WGNO’s Kenny Lopez found out more about the boat they are using for their trek.

World Champion rower and Tulane University’s rowing coach, John Huppi knows his way around a boat.

“I’d say I’m the mechanic of the boat with my background of years and years of handling rowing equipment, making sure that I deal with anything that goes wrong,” Huppi said.

He’s the guy you want on your boat, like this one.

“This all-carbon fiber boat is a hybrid between a sailboat and a rowing boat. There are three rowing positions. Mechanically it looks like what you would see on a river or flat-water boat,” he said.

On the boat with him for this journey is his wife and champion rower, Hannah Huppi, and retired Navy Seal Andrew Tropp, along with former Saints Tight End Jimmy Graham.

“It’s always a pleasure being around those people because it elevates your own game,” Huppi said.

In order to make this trek, the boat must be top of the line.

“This boat has the typical rowing set up with the slide-up seat, just like you’d see at the erg of the gym. It has the basic foot structures where you tie your feet,” he said.

He said that two people will be rowing at all times, while the other two rest up and they will rotate.

A common question being asked is what happens if too much water gets in the boat?

“There are multiple systems to get the water out. Even if this thing was completely submerged by a wave or we flipped over, the water would be out in a few minutes. Everything is meant for speed, but also safety,” Huppi said.

Huppi was on three U.S. National teams and won the bronze medal in the World Championships.

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

John and Hannah Huppi own ErgoFit gym on Magazine Street.

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

To follow The Arctic Challenge, visit the website.

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