Rowers ready to bare all for charity ocean odyssey

That's what Nick Rowe and Al Howard will be doing in a charity fundraising mission across the dangerous Atlantic waters.

But rowing naked is not a bizarre attempt to attract the ladies, rather a practical measure as the salt and sea turns clothes into sandpaper.

To get in shape for the race, Mr Rowe has been training along the Wandsworth and Putney stretch of the Thames.

The pair could encounter some big hazards during the Transatlantic Rowing Race 2005, which starts at the Canary Islands on November 27 and finishes about 70 days later in Antigua.

They also face tough competition, including Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.
 

Naked ambition: Al Howard, left,
and Nick Rowe.

Mr Rowe, a bank project manager, said: "There are some real dangers involved. There are some big tankers which use that route because we are so small and low we are difficult to spot.

"If this happens, we have to try and call them up and get them to veer their course, but it takes them miles.

"Another danger is the weather. You expect to roll under in big waves and we have to be strapped in."

There will be a safety yacht to bail them out from danger, but that could be up to 1,000 miles away.

Athletes have died attempting similar treks, so why bother?

The pair hope to raise £50,000 for ex-Ghurkas and for people who have lost their sight through malnutrition.

Mr Rowe said: "Many people think we're mad undertaking such a challenge, but there are many thousands of people out there less fortunate than us and the opportunity to help others through this event is what will keep us going during some of the more difficult times we are likely to experience at sea."

Anyone who would like to keep track of their progress or donate money to their cause can visit www.adventure4charity.com.

They have been sponsored by Palm, which specialises in handheld computer systems.