An Exclusive Interview with Base Camp Food
At Base Camp Food, we’re proud to support some of the most inspiring adventurers pushing the limits of human endurance. Few fit that description more than The Maclean Brothers - three siblings currently rowing 9,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. That’s right: non-stop, unaided and all in the name of clean water.
We caught up with the team mid-ocean (yes, really) to hear more about what drives them, how they stay motivated and the critical role that nutrition and a good freeze-dried curry, plays in keeping them going.
Challenge and Preparation
What inspired you to take on this epic 9,000-mile row across the Pacific?
In a nutshell: passion and purpose. We’ve always been about living a full life while helping others. Back in 2019, we completed an Atlantic row and learned the value of tackling something that’s equal parts magical and hellish. It pushed us beyond our limits, but with a greater purpose. That experience led us to launch The Maclean Foundation, focused on bringing clean water to communities in need.
So when the adventurous itch returned, we knew we wanted to go even bigger and use the journey to raise £1 million for clean water. The answer? A full Pacific Ocean row: non-stop, unsupported, nearly halfway around the globe.
How are you preparing, both physically and mentally, for such a demanding expedition?
We’re giving this everything we’ve got. To truly prepare, we partnered with Chloë Lanthier, a sports performance scientist with experience at NASA, PSG and with Nadal. She’s built us a year-long bespoke programme that’s been game-changing.
Training averages 15–20 hours per week: roughly half in the gym (mobility, strength, elasticity) and half on the rowing machine (endurance, leg oxygenation). We’ve also incorporated open water swims, night-time rowing and exposure training to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
What are the biggest challenges you expect to face on this journey?
We’re already facing the usual suspects: salt sores, sea sickness, sleep deprivation and the constant strain of rowing 24/7. But beyond day 35 - our benchmark from the Atlantic - it’s uncharted territory. The psychological battle looms largest: staying positive through relentless sun, heat and salt takes a toll. Physically, we’re ready. Mentally, it’ll be a journey.
How will you stay motivated over more than 120 days at sea?
We break the day into small, manageable chunks. Treats like chocolates and sweets help keep morale high and we ration music so that listening to a favourite album becomes a reward.
We’ve even brought instruments onboard: a guitar, a mini accordion, a whistle - and, yes, a set of bagpipes. Playing at sunset when the weather allows? Pure magic.
But real motivation comes from our mission. Every donation to our Givestar page reminds us why we’re out here: raising £1m for clean water. That’s what keeps the oars moving.
Life at Sea and Nutrition
How important is nutrition in keeping your energy levels up during the row?
It’s absolutely vital. Hydration and nutrition are non-negotiable. Morale rises and falls with food and when morale’s high, we row better. Each meal fuels both the body and the spirit, packed with the micronutrients, protein, fibre and salt we need to keep going.
How many calories will you burn a day?
Currently, around 5,000–6,000 calories per day and we expect that to rise. Roughly 2,000 come from porridge and snacks, with the remaining 4,000 from freeze-dried meals.
Why did you choose Base Camp Food for your expedition meals?
Base Camp Food was an obvious choice. The team is friendly, super reliable and they stock a brilliant range of meals and brands. When you're eating the same thing for 100+ days, variety becomes essential.
What are the key factors you look for in expedition food?
First and foremost: taste. Calories are important, but if you can’t enjoy the food, it becomes a grind. After that, it’s about quality ingredients and nutritional value. We’d rather eat a few more meals that taste great and are good for us than choke down something high-calorie but miserable.
What’s your favourite meal so far?
Easy: LYO’s Chicken Tikka Masala. It’s our go-to morale booster and genuinely delicious.
How do you manage meal prep on a constantly moving boat?
It’s tricky. Ewan, our onboard engineer, 3D-printed brackets and a gimbal for our jet boil stove, but it didn’t go as planned. Right now, we’re strapping everything down with carabiners, but scalding is a real risk, so we take it slowly and carefully. We’re also working on refitting the gimbal to the outer cabin.
How do you make sure you're getting enough calories each day?
We don’t track every number, but we stay in tune with how our bodies feel. If someone’s flagging, it’s usually a fueling issue. For main meals, we always prep three, one each. No skipping. Then we snack as needed throughout the day.
Unexpected Moments
How do you plan to handle setbacks in the middle of the ocean?
They’re inevitable. Before even leaving port, we dealt with broken solar panels, dodgy batteries and a faulty water pump. At sea, it’s been autopilot issues, a burst water maker pipe; the list goes on.
Luckily, Ewan’s engineering background makes him our secret weapon. He’s like a pocket-sized Swiss Army knife, and not just because he’s small!
Looking Ahead and Advice
What will you miss most about life on land?
Top of the list? A bed. Right now, our cabins are cramped, hot and humid. Second is fresh food - fruit, veggies, bread - and third, a proper shower. Scrubbing off in the ocean just doesn’t compare.
What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Australia?
After a shower, fresh food and a good sleep, I’m heading to a café for pastries, bread, a flat white and a fruit smoothie. Then I’ll find a big tree, sit under its canopy with grass underfoot and just enjoy the stillness of land.
What advice would you give someone planning a similar expedition? Expose yourself to every element of the challenge in advance. If we’d had time, a 5-day ocean row with our actual kit in real conditions would’ve been invaluable. We prepared hard, but there’s always something you miss. And whatever you do, don’t underestimate the importance of good food. It can make or break your experience.
Any thoughts on your next adventure?
We've chatted about it while rowing, but the real focus is our £1 million goal for clean water projects. That’ll take months, maybe a year, of work post-expedition. Once we’ve hit it, we’ll rest, regroup… and then who knows what’s next?
Follow the Journey
To support The Maclean Brothers and their mission to raise £1 million for clean water projects, visit their Givestar page and follow their updates on social media.
Fueling world-class challenges like this one is why we do what we do at Base Camp Food!