Two Friends Halfway Through Atlantic Charity Row

Two friends say they are just over halfway through a 3,500-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean.

George Nelson and Russell Davis, 56 and 55 respectively, decided to take on the monumental challenge to raise money for dementia support.

Setting off from Portugal in December, the “Oar Blimey” team aim to reach Sint Maarten in the Caribbean by March.

The pair have witnessed whales, sharks and eight-metre waves, which have caused the boat to capsize twice.

After an emergency stop in Gran Canaria for Christmas to change a solar panel and battery, the two brothers-in-law, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, are now about 1,200 miles from their finishing point.

Mr Nelson said: “We’ve seen the Atlantic in all its guises and it’s been absolutely incredible. Physically for us, it’s been totally exhausting. What we’re doing is literally eat, sleep, row, repeat.

“Sometimes it’s really exciting, it’s beautiful, then there are other times when it’s scary and I would say downright dangerous.

“If we get four hours of sleep a day, it’s a really good day, so we are a bit sleep-deprived.”

He described “a very humbling experience” when their boat was followed by a minke whale.

“We’ve also had sharks, fish, sea birds. To see them all in their natural habitat was just absolutely awesome,” Mr Nelson added.

The pair have battled 35mph (56km/h) winds, and at one point were finishing a day of rowing miles behind their starting point, which they described as “really disheartening”.

They recently had to re-portion and ration their food, but are confident they have enough to last them.

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