Two golfers row across Atlantic for charity challenge

Two golfing friends are rowing 3,000 miles (4,830km) across the Atlantic for charity after challenging each other at a 60th birthday party.

David Knaggs and Richard Larking set off on the epic journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua on 12 December and are taking it in turns doing two-hour shifts in their 22ft (7m) rowing boat.

The pair, from Leeds, have so far raised more than £150,000 for two Yorkshire charities and hope to complete the voyage in 55 days.

Larking, 59, told the BBC the journey to date had included being hit in the ribs by flying fish and "blisters upon blisters" on their hands.

Knaggs, who turned 60 just before they set off, added that he hoped he had the "strength of character" to cross the finish line.

Dubbed the World's Toughest Row, it is expected each team will complete more than 1.5 million strokes over the course of the journey.

Larking said the pair "did not have the greatest of starts".

"We had 40ft (12m) swells bearing down on us - but on day 31, the state of the sea is better", he added.

He and Knagg, who are both solicitors, have spent the days and nights talking about their family and friends and planning what they will have for lunch at their favourite restaurant in Harrogate when they get back.

The duo trained six times a week for nearly nine months before setting off, spending nearly 200 hours rowing on the North Sea to gain essential experience in unpredictable waters.

Larking said: "We understood it would be very tough for the first seven days, which it was, while we got into a routine.

"Then you make progress and lose sight of land then you're in the open Atlantic."

The pair said they had countered some "interesting visitors" on the voyage, including flying fish and inquisitive fishermen.

"The fish launch themselves into the boat and I have been hit a few times in the ribs and chin. We try and throw them back," Larking said.

"The saltwater also acts like sandpaper so it's blisters on top of blisters - we won't be doing any hand modelling for a while."

He added: "It's also very wet around the seating area so we need options for that, you're always getting soaked and it's like sandpaper on your backside."

The two men are raising money for neonatal equipment charity Friends of Alfie Martin and cancer charity Maggie's.

Larking and Knagg said they hope to top £200,000.

They added: "We're on the homeward stretch. It's been a a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

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