The Antigua Island Girls are no strangers to making waves. They’re experts, really.
After becoming the first all-female, all-black rowing team to cross an ocean in 2018, they pushed the boundaries again in 2023, when they crossed the Pacific in less than 40 days.
In doing so, they became local and regional heroes. The team has become global ambassadors for their Caribbean home of Antigua and Barbuda, where most of the population cannot swim, let alone row.
Just last week, Christal Clashing and Kevinia Francis of the Island Girls dipped their oars in Canadian waters. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Canadian Office supported their trip to Canada as they were invited by the Okanagan Nation to participate as honoured guests in the Pulling Together Canoe Journey. This week-long event saw the pair traverse Vancouver Island’s WSÁNEĆ, Malahat, and Cowichan territory in traditional West Coast canoes.
We caught up with the Island Girls on dry land and asked them some of our most pressing questions. Below, Clashing and Francis dive into their own story, discuss their experience at the Canoe Journey, and offer an inspiring take on Caribbean-First Nations solidarity.
Q: What motivated you to start your rowing journey? You both have accomplished so much now; have you found that your motivation has grown or evolved at all?
A: At first, it was about challenging ourselves and showing that Caribbean women could take on something as extreme and daring as rowing across an ocean. None of us came from a rowing background, and one of us didn’t even know how to swim at the start – so this was a leap of faith. But as the journey unfolded, it became bigger than us. We started hearing from others – young girls, mothers, women, teachers – people who saw themselves in our story. That changed everything. Our motivation evolved from personal growth to purpose. Now we row, speak, and show up not just for us but for everyone who needs to see that impossible is merely a starting point.
Q: What does the story of the Antigua Island Girls mean to Antigua and Barbuda?
A: It’s been such a beautiful journey watching our story ripple through the community. For many, it’s a reminder that we as a people are capable of extraordinary things. It’s not every day you see women from a small island take on the world’s toughest rows and finish strong. We think our story has helped shift the narrative of what’s possible from the Caribbean, especially for young people. It’s given our country a new kind of spotlight, and we carry that with pride.
Q: What did it mean to you to be invited to participate in the Canoe Journey?
A: We’re honoured. The Canoe Journey is more than just an event. It’s a sacred experience rooted in culture, history, and healing. Being invited into that space is deeply meaningful to us. As women who’ve crossed oceans, we know that water carries stories, memories, and spirit. This journey feels like a continuation of our own, and we’re showing up ready to listen, to learn, and to walk – or paddle – in deep respect for the people and the traditions we’re joining.
Q How does the story of the Okanagan Nation—their values, their history—resonate with you?
A: During the Pulling Together journey, we interacted with both interior First Nations (like the Okanagan) and coastal First Nations peoples (like the Pauquachin Nation). So much of their story resonates with ours. The way they hold space for their ancestors, the way they protect their traditions, and the deep connection they have to land and water. In some ways, it mirrors what we hold dear in our own culture. In other ways, it reminds us of an ancestral connection that we’ve lost but once had. In Antigua and Barbuda, community, respect, and honouring those who came before are very much part of who we are. So hearing the Okanagan story feels familiar, even though we come from different parts of the world. It reminds us that while our waters may be different, the values that guide us are often similar.
Q: Do you have a message for young women who may need a little inspiration to break their own barriers?
A: Absolutely. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. We sure didn’t! Don’t wait until you feel “ready” – because ready is a moving target. Just begin. Step into the unknown and surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, even when you doubt it yourself. Your dreams are valid. Your voice matters. And even if no one’s done it before, especially if no one has done it before – that’s your sign to do it. Make Waves. The barriers you face may be real, but so is your power to break them. You are capable.
