The 3,000-mile cross-Atlantic rowing challenge got just that bit tougher for Jon Lakin and his pals over the past few days.

It’s tough enough, of course – four lads rowing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean in a small boat where comfort is bottom of the priority list!

The organisers call it ‘the world’s toughest row’ and they won’t get any argument from Jon and his mates – Mark Gibson, Steve Baker and Dan Baker – particularly after their autohelm broke last week.

For those not in the know, the autohelm is the equipment which steers the boat… and it broke last Thursday morning.

“It’s meant that they have been steering the boat manually for the past five days,” said Emily Atkinson, the girlfriend of Jon Lakin. “It’s been a 24-hour job and they’ve found it very tough. It’s not left much time for sleeping or eating.

“I think Jon’s fallen asleep a couple of times at the oars!”

Before the autohelm broke, the quartet were rowing in pairs for two hours at a time, with the two not rowing retiring to the tiny cabins at each end of the boat for a quick kip.

Happily, Emily was able to report that the boys managed to fix the autohelm today, but it means their expected arrival in Antigua has been put back three days to Monday 5th February.

“They’re looking forward to the finish,” said Emily, who is in regular contact with ex-Cleeve School pupil Jon. “They’re making steady progress although the problem with the autohelm has obviously delayed them.

“That got them down a bit, but they’re really pleased it’s all fixed now and they’re looking forward to the final week.”

And while it’s obviously been hard going, there have been some highlights along the way.

“They saw two whales on Saturday,” said Cheltenham born and bred Emily who is an ex-Balcarras School pupil. “They were really close to them and they were as big as the boat. That was quite spectacular and they enjoyed that.”

Jon and his team – Nuts Over The Atlantic – have been planning this voyage, considered to be the premier event in ocean rowing, for two years. And while it has been a great experience for them, they are not just doing it for themselves because they are raising money for the Movember Foundation – a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier and longer lives.

It’s a very good cause and they’ll have earned every penny they raise. Jon, 30, plans to have a week in Antigua when he finally hits terra firma – Emily will be waiting for him in the Caribbean when he’s back on dry land.

Jon and his three mates will have to leave the boat that has become their second home for the past few weeks in Antigua, but ultimately they want to bring it back to Bristol where they all live.

That costs money, of course – about £6,000 – and the boys are looking for financial help to do that. Anyone who would like to support the Movember Foundation or their bid to bring the boat home, should visit
https://www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/nuts-over-the-atlantic-movember-foundation