A group of best friends are one step closer to sub-zero temperatures and frozen waters as they prepare for a gruelling rowing challenge.
Luca Feser, of Norwich, Cutu Serruys, of Wymondham, and Norfolk-born Matt Siely, of Bournemouth, are embarking on the challenge of a lifetime.
The 28-year-olds' will be rowing 2,800 miles across the Pacific Ocean, from California to Hawaii, to raise money and awareness for The Ocean Cleanup Charity.
Throughout the journey, they will be documenting all the rubbish they come across to help with society’s understanding of the damage plastic is doing to the environment.
Mr Feser said: “It’s been a gruelling few months, but we’re happy with where we are all fitness-wise and looking forward to warmer weather to train in.
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“The winter weather has certainly brought challenges. We had planned a three-day row, but we couldn't launch because the winds were so strong.
“Instead, we wanted to do 24 hours on Oulton Broads, but then at midnight, temperatures hit -3 degrees and the lake started freezing over while we are out on the boat, so we had to stop and moor up.”
The challenge will start from the historic harbour of Monterey before reaching the finishing line in Nawiliwili Bay on the island of Kauai.
Once they launch, they will row non-stop for around 45 days, each putting in four hours on the oars and two hours off.
The trio, rowing under the team name HODL, will sleep in cramped quarters, cross two time zones, consume 850,000 calories, and experience all the weather and waves the Pacific throws at them.
The challenge will include the area known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world.
- Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/pacific-ocean-row-for-ocean-plastic-pollution to donate towards the £10,000 target
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