Lymington-born Lawrence Walters has had less than a month to prepare for the epic challenge

Lymington-born Lawrence Walters has had less than a month to prepare for the epic challenge that will see him row as part of a two-man team across the Atlantic from New York to Salcombe in Devon.

In doing so he hopes to be part of the youngest pair ever to complete the treacherous journey and beat the current record that was set in 1896.

Lawrence is a late call up to the pair after original crew member Sam Coombs damaged his back during training.

It left remaining rower Tom Rainey, whose idea it was to attempt the challenge, without a partner, so he turned to Lawrence, whom he knew from their time training with the Team GB Laser Dinghy squad.

Lawrence, 23, said he is delighted to be part of the Ocean Valour Challenge and aims to take it a day at a time.

The former Southampton University student told the Daily Echo: “I’m not concentrating on the record too much at the moment.

The age of the record shows how hard it will be to beat but the aim is to row across the Atlantic. If with some weeks to go the record is in sight and we’re feeling like we can do it, we can push. Going out hard will only burn us out far too early in such a long challenge.”

The pair are now waiting for prevailing weather conditions to enable them to set off from New York in their boat named Yves. They were due to start today but that has been delayed owing to the bad weather.

Awareness When they do set off the pair will row unsupported for up to three months, travelling 3,800 miles to Salcombe.

They aim to beat the world record as the youngest pair and in the fastest time.

The current record was set in 1896 by Norwegians George Harbo and Frank Samuelsen (pictured above), who made the journey in 55 days and 13 hours. The voyage has since been attempted by 60 crews and completed by only 22.

Following his studies in ship science at university and having a lifelong affinity for the environment, Lawrence also hopes to raise awareness of the North Atlantic rubbish patch – an area of man-made debris stretching hundreds of miles – by recording its position.

Tom and Lawrence, who is now based in Bristol, will also be raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity, after Tom’s dad Luke died from a brain tumour in 2012.

Their goal is to raise £250,000 for the cause. To support the fundraising effort visit justgiving.com/ OceanValour.