Mike Arnold 40 and Simon Evans 38, two Swansea fire fighters from Mid and West Wales Fire And Rescue Service who are competing in the world’s toughest rowing challenge to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. The fundraising event will see them face huge seas, wild weather and months away from their families on dry land, however both men feel this once in a lifetime opportunity is the challenge they have been waiting for.

Starting on Sunday 6th December 2009 The course will take competitors the 2,951 statute miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera,Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua and for the pair is expected to take somewhere between 50 and 80 days, depending on weather conditions and fitness. Mike and Simon are competing with over 40 other competitors from around the world.

Mike and Simon have been friends for 15 years and have attempted various challenges before but nothing on this scale. They are aware that it is a huge race and that they are competing for a great cause. The triathlon events and the three peaks challenges they competed in over the past years have demonstrated they have the potential and the stamina to push themselves even further and the Atlantic Row seemed the perfect opportunity to increase their strength and general fitness. It ticked all the boxes!

However, this challenge of a life time does not come without its downsides. Due to the dates scheduled for the event, it means that family men Mike and Simon will be away from their families over Christmas. Mike has two daughters Lauren and Caitlin, and Simon has 4 children who will miss him on Christmas day, Ben, Poppy, Thomas and Billy will all receive a call from Daddy on the day, depending on where in the Atlantic he will be. Mike said “ It will be the hardest time and will give us a reason to row faster, to see our families sooner, although we have always sometimes had to work over Christmas we have never been too far away, this is not so local!”

Mike was inspired for this challenge by Jim Shekdhar who rowed with a fire fighter from Plymouth on to do solo along the pacific in the 90’s. It took him 6-8 months. Mike’s wife bought him Jim’s autobiography which inspired Mike to take part in something similar and he called on his mate Simon to join him. Simon had the opportunity to take part in a similar challenge like this a few years back with four in the team, but gradually each member dropped out and so it never materialised. Simon was gutted so when Mike approached him he was really keen to get involved.

To train for this ultimate challenge they are enduring rigorous gym sessions which focus on Concept Specific Exercises tailored to rowers and the muscles and stamina it requires. Before they made their decision to compete they didn’t have a great deal of rowing experience therefore they joined the Mumbles Rowing Club to get tips and guidance on specific skills etc and build their stamina. They now feel that they are fully prepared and trained in first aid at sea, as well as having all medical equipment necessary for the trip.

Obviously their wives are giving them 100% support, however when they were first told, their wives agreed as they didn’t think they would actually carry it through, but now they have come so far, they are beginning to believe them!

Mike’s wife Alison will not be looking forward to preparing Christmas on her own. Their children Caitlin and Lauren are still very young to understand what Daddy is doing but he will call them from wherever he will be in the Atlantic, hopefully there will be some signal. Simon’s wife Michelle who also thought the boy’s plans were just a pipe dream says that she is just looking forward to a really nice holiday in Antigua, where she will greet them after their trip! Michelle said: “The children will understand and as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity it wont happen every year, one Christmas without dad will be forgiven.”

Mike is really excited to take part in the race. He said “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if anything else like this ever came up again I would possibly be open to persuasion…. depending on how well this challenge goes and if Simon and I still come out of it as friends!!

When Simon was asked whether he would participate in something similar in the future he said, “Ill see how this goes, ask me that when I have done it and I will probably say no!’

When asked about how they fancied their chances at winning the race, Mike said “It hasn’t even entered my mind about winning that would be a mistake to think about it. Some teams entering, their goal is to win, and ours is to cross safely and remain friends, whilst taking in the wonderful scenery along the way. “