ROWERS planning a 3,000 mile expedition to raise money for a cystic fibrosis charity took to the water at Christchurch Quay.

The four fundraisers launched the boat, which was made by Christchurch’s Rossiter Yachts, on Saturday ahead of attempting the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge next year.

Billed as the ‘world’s toughest rowing race’, the crew will head west from San Sebastiean in Law Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour in Antigua.

Team member Stuart Markland, 30, is raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and said he was inspired to take on the challenge to help people like his nephew, Lewis Daly, who suffers with the debilitating genetic condition.

“We really enjoyed getting out and onto the water at Christchurch and it was an excellent opportunity to start getting used to the boat,” he added. “Physically I will be ready for this and training has already begun. I think 70 per cent of this challenge is going to be mental.

“While I might not have the rowing experience to date, I’ve been captain on sports teams all my life. “We will get sea sickness but overcoming that will be part of the challenge. I am really excited about taking the challenge on.”

The team also includes James Timbs-Harrison, Liam Browning and James Kendall. All of them will have to endure extreme sleep deprivation as they row 24 hours a day.

Their regime will comprise of splitting into two groups with one group rowing while the other group sleeps.

The team will aim to beat 39 days – the shortest time anyone has taken to row across the water.

To sponsor them, visit allbeansnomonkeys.com