Bristol rower taking on 'ultimate Atlantic row'

The team will set off from Boston in the USA on 1 June

A Bristol rower is getting ready to take on a route across the North Atlantic that has not been rowed before.

Klara Anstey, 51, is part of a crew of four planning to row 3,500 miles from Boston to London in what they have dubbed the 'London Calling' challenge.

They will be the first crew to attempt the route, which they expect to complete in 45 days.

Previous crews have rowed from New York to London, however skipper Bryan Fuller, from Boston, wanted to start the journey from his home city.

While that part of the North Atlantic is known for its marine wildlife, it also presents challenges such as extreme temperatures and the potential for huge waves and strong headwinds.

Ms Anstey said: "It will be the ultimate challenge, I've not done anything like this before."

The team will set off on 1 June and hope to arrive at London Bridge by mid July.

Klara Anstey will be joining Bryan Fuller, John Lowry and Elizabeth Gilmore in a specially-equipped Ocean rowing boat built

Ms Anstey, who is funding the trip herself, will be hoping to raise £10,000 through her JustGiving page for the charity London Youth Rowing (LYR) while completing the challenge.

The charity was founded in 2004 to help young people in the capital have access to what it describes an "otherwise traditionally niche sport".

It has also recently expanded its Active Row programme to Bristol.

Ms Anstey, an financial advisor, has only been rowing for five years.

She said she first heard about the challenge when a friend sent her a Facebook post about the crew in the USA looking for a fourth rower.

“I jumped at the chance to apply for the seat with no hesitation whatsoever even though its a lot more risky than the normal Talisker [UK to Caribbean] challenge."

'Have to be able to adapt'

Battling against high winds, waves, extreme tiredness and sea sickness, Ms Anstey, originally from South Wales, will be joining Bryan Fuller, John Lowry and Elizabeth Gilmore in a specially-equipped rowing boat.

Ms Anstey, who has two sons, said: "I won't be taking any risks and will have my lifeline attached at all times."

She met her crewmates in person for the first time last week on a trip to Boston where they did a 20-hour overnight row together.

The crew will be rowing 24 hours a day, taking turns with pairs rowing up to four hours at a time, while the other pair rest and refuel.

"It's a really tough schedule and doing that non-stop for 40 days is pretty rough," Ms Anstey said. "You just have to be able to adapt."

She has so far raised nearly £2,000 for LYR, and added she is looking forward to not seeing land for long periods.

"Some people dread it, and I think I read somewhere that the first thing you've got to be able to cope with is being able to row away and not see land and not panic," she said.

"I just find the ocean very, very peaceful - even with crashing waves."

Klara Anstey is hoping to raise £10,000 for London Youth Rowing