The Turner Twins

{{Short description|British adventurers}} {{Use British English|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Hugo and Ross Turner | image = MG press conference GIMS 2024 1X7A2143.jpg | caption = The Turner Twins in 2024 | honorific_suffix = | alt = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name =  | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|10|22}} | birth_place = [[Christow]], [[Exeter]], England | disappeared_date =  | disappeared_place = | disappeared_status = | death_date =  | death_place = | death_cause = | body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | monuments = | other_names = The Turner Twins | citizenship = | education = [[Loughborough University]] | alma_mater = | occupation = Adventurers | years_active = 2010–present | era = | employer = | organization = | agent =  | known_for = Reaching the poles of inaccessibility | notable_works =  | style = | net_worth =  | height =  | television = | title = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | movement = | opponents = | boards = | criminal_charge =  | criminal_penalty = | criminal_status = | spouse =  | partner =  | children = | parents = | relatives = | callsign = | awards = | website = {{URL|theturnertwins.co.uk}} | module = | module2 = | module3 = | module4 = | module5 = | module6 = | signature = | signature_alt = | signature_size = | footnotes = }}

'''Hugo Turner''' [[FRGS]] and '''Ross Turner''' [[FRGS]] (born 22 October 1988), better known as '''The Turner Twins''', are British [[adventurers]] best known for their pioneering expeditions.

==Biography== The twins were born in [[Exeter]] and grew up near [[Christow]] in [[Devon]]. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-27355280|title=Twins Ross and Hugo Abandon Polar Trek|work=BBC News |date=10 May 2014 }}</ref> They attended [[King's College, Taunton]].

They both graduated with degrees in industrial design and technology from [[Loughborough University]] in 2011. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/theredbulletin/turner-twins-feature-2022|title=Turner Twins Double Jeopardy|website=redbull.com}}</ref>

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 [[Atlantic Rowing Race|Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/|title=Talisker Whisky Atlantic Rowing Challenge – The World's Toughest Row|website=Taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref>

Hugo broke his neck aged 17, resulting in a neck reconstruction. Following this accident the twins have supported spinal research charities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/rowing-atlantic-flying-across-outback-meet-unstoppable-turner/|title = From rowing the Atlantic to flying across the outback, meet the unstoppable Turner twins|newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]]|date = June 2017|last1 = Bailey|first1 = Mark}}</ref>

During their expeditions, the twins support and actively take part in medical research studies at [[King's College London]]'s Department of Twin Research.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.twinsuk.ac.uk/twins/explorer-twins/ |title=Explorer twins {{!}} TwinsUK |website=Twinsuk.ac.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118183401/http://www.twinsuk.ac.uk/twins/explorer-twins/ |archive-date=2015-11-18}}</ref> They are also known as the "Adventure Guinea Pigs".{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

They have climbed [[Mount Elbrus]], allowing [[King's College London]]'s Department of Twin Research and GlaxoSmithKline's Human Performance Lab to conduct research to better understand the effects of high altitude on the human body and the performance of different clothing systems by having one twin wear the replica clothing from [[George Mallory]]'s [[1924 British Mount Everest expedition]] and the other wear a modern mountaineering equivalent.

They have reached several centre points known as [[poles of inaccessibility]].

==Expeditions== ===Atlantic row=== In 2011, Hugo and Ross rowed across the Atlantic Ocean with teammates 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 Saint Charles|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 across any of the world's oceans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-16580002|title=Atlantic 4 set record for youngest rowers|work=BBC News|date=16 January 2012}}</ref> Along the route they battled 40 foot seas, lightning storms, fatigue, jelly fish stings, swollen prostates, hallucinations, salt sores, limited sleep and sea sickness.

===Greenland ice cap=== In 2014, the twins attempted to trek across the polar ice cap of [[Greenland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.georgebullard.co.uk/|title=George Bullard - Explorer, Adventurer & Public Speaker|website=Georgebullard.co.uk|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2022}} The expedition set out to support research programmes 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 "Endurance" expedition,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greenland/10780642/Twins-to-embark-on-Greenland-trek-with-Shackletons-equipment.html|title = Twins to embark on Greenland trek with Shackleton's equipment|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> while Hugo used modern clothing. The 555 km trek had the twins dragging 100 kg sledges, skirting crevasses and avoiding teetering 6m ice structures. Hugo sustained a knee injury which resulted in a helicopter evacuation after two weeks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-27355280|title = Twins Ross and Hugo Turner abandon polar trek|work = BBC News|date = 10 May 2014}}</ref>

===Elbrus=== In 2015, the twins climbed [[Mount Elbrus]] in the [[Caucasus Mountains]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/culture/longform/a34497/turner-twins-adventurers-explorers/|title = Everybody Meet the Turner Twins: The Badass Adventurers Taking on the World's Most Dangerous Feats|website=Elleuk.com|date = 13 March 2017}}</ref> The twins tested the traditional clothing and equipment used by mountaineers 100 years ago and compared it against today's modern [[mountaineering]] equivalent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.berghaus.com/blog/|title=Berghaus Latest Advice, People, Gear & Adventures|website=Berghaus-en|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref>

===Australian pole of inaccessibility=== In 2016, the twins reached one of the centre points of Australia, otherwise known as the [[Pole of inaccessibility#Australia|Australian pole of inaccessibility]], using [[paramotors]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/au-en/turner-twins-*interview*-red-pole-expedition|title=These twins flew to the middle of Australia & back|website=Red Bull|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref> Adventurers have journeyed to the pole before, but never by paramotor. Having had 6 months worth of training and learning to experience heights of 500–1000 feet, the twins started near [[Adelaide]] and eventually reached an area of Australia known as the Red Centre near the town of [[Papunya]].

=== South American pole of inaccessibility === In 2017, the twins reached the [[Pole of inaccessibility#South America|South American pole of inaccessibility]]. Starting from the Chilean coastal town of [[Arica]], they cycled across [[Bolivia]] into the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportindustry.biz/tv/turner-twins-tackle-charity-adventure-green-pole|title=Turner Twins TACKLE CHARITY Adventure to the Green Pole|website=Sportindustry.biz|date=December 2017}}</ref> near the city of [[Cuiabá]]. They achieved this expedition on bike and cycled 2500 km and taking a time of 5 weeks. They experienced four very different environments: desert, high-altitude plateau, jungle and Brazil with 45 °C heat.

=== North American pole of inaccessibility === In September 2018, the twins successfully reached the [[Pole of inaccessibility#North America|North American pole of inaccessibility]] using bicycles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/turner-twins-poles-inaccessibility|title=Meet the twins on a mission to reach the most inaccessible points on earth|website=Red Bull|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref> Covering a distance of 2600 km and temperatures ranging between 51 °C and -5 °C this expedition took them four weeks. Starting from [[Los Angeles]], the route crossed the [[Mojave Desert]], [[Monument Valley]], [[Grand Canyon]], [[Rocky Mountains]], [[Grasslands]] and eventually the [[Badlands National Park]].

=== Iberian pole of inaccessibility=== In 2019 the twins successfully reached the Iberian pole carrying out a fully electric motorcycle expedition. Their mission was to discover the capabilities of fully electric vehicles. Beginning in central [[London]], the route journeyed across [[France]], over the [[Pyrenees]] and into central [[Spain]]. Covering a total distance of 2,534 kms, it took 7 days to reach the Pole of Inaccessibility with the motorcycles requiring 59 hours of charging.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tempusmagazine.co.uk/news/turner-twins-electric-expedition-to-the-iberian-pole | title=Tempus News - Turner Twins Electric Expedition to the Iberian Pole | date=27 August 2019 }}</ref>

===Atlantic pole of inaccessibility=== In 2022 the twins set out to reach the Atlantic pole of inaccessibility, supporting a plastic research survey for [[Plymouth University]]'s, International Marine Litter Research Unit, and also testing hydrogen fuel cell technology in a subsequent nationwide tour of the UK. The team missed out on reaching the pole of inaccessibility due to unfavourable weather and engine limitations.<ref>https://www.redbull.com/int-en/theredbulletin/turner-twins-atlantic-adventure</ref>

==Medical research== The twins work with King's College London's Department of Twin Research<ref name="auto"/> to help better understand the genetic and physical make-up.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twinsuk.ac.uk/|title=TwinsUK – The biggest twin registry in the UK for the study of ageing related diseases|website=Twinsuk.ac.uk|access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref> During their various expeditions, the medical research conducted on the twins has focused on a number of key areas, including the [[Gut flora|gut microbiome]], [[cortisol]] levels and daily fasting [[Blood sugar|blood glucose]] levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twinsuk.ac.uk/research-areas/|title = Research Areas|website=Twinsuk.ac.uk}}</ref>

===Vegan versus meat diets=== The twins embarked on a trial of a vegan diet versus a typical omnivorous one, with their body composition monitored and their biomarkers tested by [[King's College London]]'s Department of Twin Research. Hugo's [[Cholesterol|cholesterol level]] went down on the vegan diet, while Ross's cholesterol level remained high. Hugo also reported that his energy levels whilst training were better and maintained for longer on the vegan diet, along with higher fat loss and more consistent glucose levels. Both Twins wore continuous glucose monitors to test this finding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/nutrition/a32449942/veganism-meat-eating-test/ | title=One Twin Went Vegan. The Other Didn't. Here's What Happened to Their Bodies | date=18 May 2020 }}</ref>

==Filmography== ;Television {| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;" |- style="text-align:center;" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Channel |- | 2016 | ''The Turner Twins: Red Pole Expedition'' | Presenter | ''[[Red Bull TV]]'' |- | 2019 | ''The Twinstitute (TV series)'' | Participant (Episode 5: Sleep Deprivation) | ''[[BBC Two]]'' |- | 2022 | ''Double or Nothing'' | Presenter | ''[[Red Bull TV]] / WaterBear Network'' |- | 2022 | ''The pole of inaccessibility: a photographer's perspective'' | Co-presenter | ''WaterBear Network'' |- |2025 |High Energy: Time Is Up |Presenter |''Waterbear Network/ Ananda TV'' |- |2026 |Mallory Reimagined: Climbing Back In Time |Presenter |''Pre Production'' |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.theturnertwins.co.uk Official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner Twins}} [[Category:1988 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century British explorers]] [[Category:People from Teignbridge]] [[Category:English twins]] [[Category:Twin studies]] [[Category:People educated at King's College, Taunton]] [[Category:Alumni of Loughborough University]] [[Category:British motivational speakers]] [[Category:Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society]]