A Basford fireman is aiming to set a world record when he and three others take on one of the toughest endurance challenges next year.
Matt Knight of Stockhill Fire Station and the team will attempt to row the 2,400 mile Great Pacific Ocean race in between Monterey, California and Honolulu, Hawaii in June within 43 days to beat the world record.
The 38-year-old, who lives in Arnold, is no stranger to endurance events after taking part in the Jungle Ultra Marathon last year, when he ran 155 miles over six days in the Amazon jungle and the mountains of Peru.
“You would probably think the biggest worry would be waves or sharks but for me it is sea sickness because I have had it before and it is awful,” he said.
“But people have come to expect that I will put myself through a new challenge every year and this time it turned out to involve rowing, something none of us have done before.”
Video: Fire fighter Matt Knight explains what he and his team are aiming to achieve next summer
With the crew set to be at sea for over 40 days during the race, a number of courses have to be completed before it begins on June 4.
They include sea survival and boat safety but for the moment the training for Matt is focused on the indoor rowing machine.
“There is a lot to do before heading to that start line in June and for me it is about getting on the rowing machine as much as possible to develop that type of fitness,” he said.
“I have only met one of the other guys before but I know the type of athletes I will be working with and I am sure that they will be as fit as they can be on the start line next year.”
Meet the team and what they are trying to achieve
Matt Knight will be joining the Endurance Limits team – a not for profit organisation that raises money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
The team consists of Darren Clawson, from Luton, Dong Jin Lee, of Korea, and Raf Schildermans, of Belgium and Matt who will be looking to beat the world record set by the Uniting Nations team of 43 days five hours and 30 minutes.
Between them they have competed in most of the hardest endurance races across the world and the founder of the team, Darren has one of the most impressive endurance CV’s.
His career has seen him complete three Ultra Multi-Stage marathons, two Ultra marathons, three marathons and one half marathon.
An Ultra marathon is a staggering 155 miles!
The reason behind the fundraising ambitions of the team
What Matt’s colleagues think of his adventures
