A TEIGNMOUTH man is preparing to take part in 3,000 nautical mile Atlantic Challenge.

Matt Stowers, now in the RAF Regiment, is only 10 months away from beginning an epic row from the Canary Islands to Barbados.

Matt will not be alone – his friend of 11 years, Mark Jacklin, from Portsmouth, has agreed to join him on the challenge.

Both men are novice rowers and had never tried the sport until a year ago when they decided to take up the task.

'We are not rowers, but that will not be a problem as only 10 per cent of the race is rowing; the rest in preparation and mental strength.'

As part of the RAF Regiment, both men feel they have the mental strength to accomplish the challenge.

'We both have been put through some testing things and we both know how we will react to these things,' said Matt.

The RAF Regiment goes wherever the RAF goes, so Matt and Mark have been to many of the places which have become household names due to misfortune and war such as Bosnia, Kosovo and the Gulf.

The boat, which will be their home for between 40 to 50 days, is only 23ft long and 6ft wide and will be facing waves up to 50ft high.

It will be fitted out with a kettle, GPS guidance system, de-salinizer, dried food, 150 litres of fresh water – which act as a ballast to turn the boat back on its bottom should it capsize, a Sat phone and digital camera.

Electrical appliances will be powered by solar panels at the stern.

There is a sleeping cavity large enough for one, they will take turns in sleeping and rowing – two hours rowing then two hours sleep. The race is organised by Sir Chay Blyth and is only the third of its kind – the first being held in 1997.

There will be 30 identical boats from all over the world but Matt and Mark will be the only British military entry.

The entrance fee is around £13,000 and both men have been raising the cash needed.

The boat, made of marine plywood, is worth between £20,000 and £30,000 and is owned by the RAF, which is sponsoring the effort.

The race starts on October 19 from Tenerife and the current record is 41 days 2 hrs.