Rowers will have to dig deep

[caption id="attachment_34612" align="alignright" width="405"] ALL ON BOARD: Atlantic rowers and their support team, from left, Francois de Klerk, Caroline Bedford and Christelle and Stuart Connacher with the hull of their training boat, which is nearing completion. Picture: MIKE HOLMES[/caption]

PUNISHING physical and mental fatigue, salt sores and hallucinations, sea sickness, sleep deprivation and constant danger are among the many certain risks facing two intrepid Port Elizabeth men who have signed up for what is arguably the world's toughest ocean endurance challenge.

Stuart Connacher, 48, and Francois de Klerk, 49, both of Summerstrand, will be pitting their wits, skills and endurance against themselves, the elements and 3000 nautical miles of open ocean when they compete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2015 – an unmatched rowing race which will see them cross the world's second largest ocean under oar.

The international race, which launches in December from the Canary Islands port of San Sebastian on La Gomera island and ends at Nelson's Dockyard English Harbour, in Antigua in Latin America, is contested between 40 and 90 days and fields competitors in a number of classes ranging from solo contestants to pairs and fours. - Shaun Gillham