Hugo TurnerFRGS and Ross Turner FRGS, better known as The Turner Twins, are British adventurers best known for their world first expeditions.
Biography
The twins grew up near Christow, Devon, England. They attended Wolborough Hill School in Newton Abbot before attending King's Hall and later King's College, Taunton. They both graduated with degrees in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University in 2011. They hold two world records; for being part of the youngest four-man crew to row the Atlantic and the first twins to row any of the world's oceans, after successfully rowing the Atlantic Ocean in 2011–12 as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Hugo broke his neck aged 17, resulting in a neck reconstruction. Following this accident the twins have supported spinal research charities. During their expeditions the twins support and actively take part in medical research studies at King's College London's, Department of Twin Research. They are also known as the 'Adventure Guinea Pigs'.
Expeditions
Atlantic row
In 2011 Hugo and Ross rowed across the Atlantic Ocean with team mates Adam Wolley and Greg Symondson. Starting on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands they rowed to the Caribbean island of Barbados, arriving at Port St Charles 41 days, 23 hours, 34 minutes later setting two world records – the youngest four-man crew and the first twins to have rowed any of the world oceans.
In 2014 the twins attempted to trek across the polar ice cap of Greenland under the guidance of record breaking explorer George Bullard. The expedition set out to support research programs at King's College London's, Department of Twin Research while also comparing old and new clothing – Ross wore replica clothing which Sir Ernest Shackleton used 100 years ago on his famous 'Endurance' expedition, while Hugo used modern clothing. Hugo sustained a knee injury which resulted in a helicopter evacuation after two weeks.
In 2015 the twins climbed Mt Elbrus in the Caucasus mountain range. The twins tested the traditional clothing and equipment used by mountaineers 100 years ago and compared it against today’s modern mountaineering equivalent.
In 2016 the twins reached one of the centre points of Australia, otherwise known as the Continental Pole of Inaccessibility, using paramotors. The twins started near Adelaide and eventually reached an area of Australia known as the Red Centre near the town of Papunya.
In September 2018, the twins successfully reached the North American Continental Pole of Inaccessibility using bicycles.
Medical research
The twins work with King's College London's Department of Twin Research to help better understand the genetic and physical make-up. During their various expeditions the medical research conducted on the twins has focused on a number of key areas, including the gut microbiome, cortisol levels and daily fasting blood glucose levels.
