Simon Chalk has been rowing in temperatures of 40C

Simon Chalk has been battling to get clear of Australia on his 3,210 nautical mile marathon to Reunion Island, for which he packed food for 100 days.

Since setting off from Kalbarri, Western Australia, the 30-year-old from Newton Abbot, Devon, has paddled a total of 153 nautical miles.

Writing on his website, he said he did not know whether his target to complete the trip in a record 64 days was now realistic.

The property developer said he was feeling the effects of a cyclone to the north, which was blowing him back towards the coast.

It is like running a marathon every day Simon Chalk, record bid rower

"I have had the sea anchor out for the last 16 hours trying to hold position," said Mr Chalk, who has already rowed the Atlantic.

But he hoped that once the trade winds were in his favour he could make up to 70 nautical miles a day.

Mr Chalk has been rowing in temperatures of 40C and had been using factor 30 sun block to counteract the effects of the sun.

"It's a waiting game. The heat is absolutely horrendous. I couldn't stand on the deck in bare feet.

"The sun was actually penetrating the top I had on and my back's all blistered."

"It is like running a marathon every day," he said of his battle with the elements.

Record bid

He is rowing the route on his own because his Welsh rowing partner, Rob Munslow, pulled out of the attempt.

Mr Chalk is bidding to become the first Briton to row the ocean and the youngest person to do so.

The only time the Indian Ocean route has been completed was in 1971 by Swede Anders Svedlund.

Mr Chalk is making his attempt in the self-righting craft True Spirit.

His last attempt on the Indian Ocean last May ended with he and his partner clinging to their capsized boat for 15 hours in shark-infested waters before being rescued.