Aussie rower tackles Atlantic crossing

A doggedly determined Australian rower is set to tackle sleep deprivation, sunburn and hostile storms in a bid to cross the Atlantic.

Perth-born Shane Chadwick was among 62 rowers who left La Gomera in the Canary Islands on Sunday, destined for the finish line in Antigua in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

For about two months Chadwick and British teammate Theo Jones will row day and night as they attempt the 3000 nautical mile crossing in one of the toughest endurance races in the world.

Rowing two hours on, two hours off, the pair will survive on freeze-dried food alone as they confront enormous swells and ravaging storms.

Chadwick, a trained plumber who jumped ship to a career in super yachts after moving to the UK, is the only Aussie among the 26 crews competing in the gruelling race.

He will be up against a team of four working mums from Yorkshire, a 20-year-old aerospace engineering student attempting the crossing solo, and a team of wounded military veterans who've each suffered life-changing injuries.

All teams are raising money for chosen charities.

Their progress is being documented on the official race website: www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com