Guy Watts and Andrew Delaney are determined set a new world record by rowing from Australia to Mauritius in less than 100 days, and be the first and youngest to cross the finishing line.

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"By completing it we will be the first to ever cross and the youngest as well," said Guy, 24, a trainee accountant

"No one's ever done this and the opportunity to do a first time race is very rare, so that's our motivation."

Using their purpose built ocean rowing boat, the 24-year-olds who have been great friends since being fellow pupils at Forest Boys School, will undertake one of the world's toughest nautical challenges in April next year.

The Woodvale Challenge Indian Ocean Race is the first ever ocean rowing race in the Southern Hemisphere.

The epic challenge will see teams compete for the highest accolade; finishing in the quickest possible time, when they set off from Geraldton, in Western Australia.

The Horsham team is aware of the major challenge and what is required of them.

"The temperature's going to be over 40 degrees, it's an open boat and there is no cover so it'll be seriously hot," said Guy.

"There are huge numbers of sharks in that ocean, and jellyfish swarms that can engulf the boat."

The pair will row in two hour shifts, but if when conditions are right, they will also be able to remove the boat's centreboard, and 'surf' it for miles on huge ocean waves.

Guy, an endurance sports enthusiast, and Andrew, who has been rowing both in the UK and internationally since the age of 12, will need to each make an estimated 1,300,000 strokes to get across the ocean.

Some historic ancestry adds a family twist to the record bid.

The Reeds Nautical Almanac, also know as The Yachtsman's Bible, who are sponsoring the team was founded by Guy's great uncle, Captain Oswald.M.Watts.

Watts' inspiration and dedication is said to have shaped the first issue of the almanac in January 1932.

They aim to raise awareness for Orchid, a charity that carries out work in male cancer research.

Once they have reached their £76,500 fundraising target, the amount needed to cover all the costs of the race, extra finance raised will go to Orchid.

The guys are still looking for sponsorship to reach the target, including a title sponsor to name their team and brand the boat.

On Saturday August 23, a fundraising boat launch is taking place at the Captain's Club Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset, where record-breaking long-distance skier, Ben Saunders, will break champagne over the boat's bow as it is launched into the River Stour.

Also featuring are a live swing band, a themed buffet and much more. Tickets are £20 each.

More information on this and other events, as well as the record attempt can be found on www.indianoceanrace.com, Guy and Andrew's website.


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