About Angela
Angela Madsen was a record-breaking Paralympian, Marine veteran, and fearless ocean rower whose grit and resilience inspired the world. Paralyzed from the waist down after a spinal injury, she defied the odds to become a fourteen-time Guinness World Record holder, including being the first paraplegic woman to row solo across the Atlantic. She was a three-time Paralympian and bronze medalist in shot put, known for her advocacy for adaptive sports and veterans. Angela’s final expedition—a solo row from California to Hawaii—was both her boldest and most heartbreaking, cementing her legacy as a pioneering adventurer, a relentless force of nature, and true American Hero.
“I do know that whatever my purpose is in this life, my differently-abled, physically-challenged, broken-down, beaten-up body seems to be the vehicle required for me to achieve it. . . I am purpose driven; I may suffer pain and not walk upright in this life, but when I go home, I will not suffer the walk through the gate. I can live with that. If I could go back and change things, I would not. It would be nice not to have to suffer so much pain but, hey, that’s just the way it is. . . In the beginning, I was angry. But now, I completely understand.”
— excerpt from Angela's memoir, Rowing Against the Wind
Angela’s Rowing Career
2007: Atlantic Ocean Crossing
66 days at sea. Rowed with one other man, Frank Fester, an amputee who spoke only French.
2008: Beijing Paralympics
Angela placed 7th for rowing.
2009: Indian Ocean Crossing
Dubbed the “pirate row”, Angela rowed for 58 days at sea with eight other rowers.
2010: Circumnavigation of Great Britain
51 days with three other women.
2011: Second Atlantic Ocean Crossing
47 days with crew of 16— very first ocean-rowing catamaran.
2012: London Paralympics
Awarded Bronze medal for shot put and Paralympic record.
2013: First solo attempt across Pacific Ocean
Rescued at sea day 8.
2014: Pacific Ocean Crossing (II)
Rowed from California to Hawaii in 60 days with Tara Remington.
2016: Rio de Janerio Paralympics
7th and 8th place for shot put and javelin.
2020: Second solo attempt across Pacific Ocean
Launched Friday, April 24th 2020 at 12:46AM from Marina del Rey.