Doctor’s Atlantic rowing challenge

The 26-year-old doctor, from Sheffield, who works at Rotherham District General Hospital, will set off from Puerto Morgan in Gran Canaria on January 17 destined for Port St Charles in Barbados.

The group will row in two teams of four with each team rowing for two hours on and two hours off non-stop for the duration of the challenge.

Dr Robins, a University of Sheffield medicine graduate, who is raising money for charity Neurocare, based at the city’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital, will battle predicted 10m-high waves in carbon kevlar monohull boat Avalon as he and his team try and break several world records.

The existing record for the crossing, is 32 days and the team hope not only to break the current record but also complete the punishing, unsupported challenge in less than 30 days – considered the four-minute mile of ocean rowing.

They also hope to break the record for the longest distance rowed in 24 hours, which currently stands at 115 miles, as well as surpassing the 12-day world record for the most consecutive days rowing more than 100 miles.

Dr Robins a captain in the British Army Reserve (Royal Army Medical Corps), said: “We’re going to face waves as high as houses.”

The marathon crossing is approximately 2,550 nautical miles – equivalent to 2,930 miles or 4,700km. For more information visit: www.atlanticfantastic.com or to sponsor him visit: www.justgiving.com/atlanticfantastic