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Local transatlantic rowing duo get their oars out at Bristol Zoo for world record attempt.

A local transatlantic rowing duo get their oars out at Bristol Zoo for world record attempt.

In April this year, local boys Niall McCann and James Burge unveiled 'Komale', the boat they will row across the Atlantic to raise money for Bristol Zoo's international primate projects. This Friday, 24th August, as part of their preparation for this mammoth undertaking, they are getting their oars out at the zoo again to try and break the world record for rowing one million metres.

The current record stands at 72 hours, 17 minutes and 5 seconds, so to beat this, Niall and James will take turns rowing for 1 hours each, throughout the day and night until the goal of a million metres is reached. By early afternoon on bank holiday Monday, they hope to have set a new world record!

Although they will be rowing naked during the Atlantic Rowing Race in December, to avoid chafing, they will be slightly more modestly-attired for their world-record attempt. The boys' first major challenge has been learning to row, as neither has any previous experience of rowing. Still, the Atlantic Ocean is as good a place as any to start!

Traditionally, the holders of the 1,000,000 metres world record have gone on to take the race by storm. The current record-holder finished 4th in 2005 and the 2003 record-holder went on to win the race outright!!

Funds raised by the boys will contribute to Bristol Zoo's international primate projects. The projects, run in conjunction with organisations on the ground in Cameroon, focus on the conservation and welfare of primates that are affected by the illegal bushmeat trade.

For more information on the Atlantic Rowing Race or to support via a donation, please visit the boys' website www.panatlantic.org.