IT is the world’s toughest rowing race – so tough that more people have dared to venture into space rather than row across the ocean.

Faced with 35ft waves, sleep deprivation, sunstroke, salt sores and blisters in the most horrendous places, not to mention the threat of sharks and no Christmas, it is the ultimate challenge.

But despite all that one Hampshire man is jumping in a boat with three strangers in a bid to become the first mixed four to row an ocean.

Jake Frith from Hamble will take to the water in December after applying to an advertisement in a sailing magazine asking for two men to join two women on a 29ft boat for the ultimate rowing challenge.

If successful and the quartet complete the 3,000 miles from the Canaries to Antigua, they will have secured a new world record.

Having been made redundant in March, the web editor saw this as the perfect opportunity to turn that negative into a positive that would see him achieve his dream.

The 35-year-old was instantly snapped up by race instigators Annie Junuszewski and Melanie King, due to his wealth of sea knowledge, having already sailed around Britain single-handedly.

With Rob Henderson selected as the final crew member, the four are now preparing for their epic journey which will see them on the water for at least 40 days, rowing in pairs for two hours on and off, day and night, continuously.

But before they can set sail they are on the hunt for £80,000 sponsorship needed to lease the boat and enter the race.

Jake, who has been a member of Southampton Amateur Rowing Club for six years, said: “My ultimate dream is to be the first person to ocean row around the world, but perhaps I’d better see how I fare against the Atlantic first.

“Some of my friends and family have expressed some concern, especially because I have only met these people for a couple of hours yet I am prepared to literally put my life at risk with them.

“But this is something I really wanted to do so, although I do often wonder if men and women should be allowed to live on the same planet, let alone a small boat.

“I am really excited but the toughest part for me will be the repetitiveness of the rowing, because I become quite bored and have a strong urge to stop and do something else, so I’m not looking forward to that.”

If you would like to sponsor the team contact Annie on 01179 020352 or visit dailyecho.co.uk for more information.