AN EXTRAORDINARY team of novice rowers say they are “thrilled and relieved” after completing 45 days at sea in a mammoth 3,000-mile mission across the Atlantic.

The Bucks Buoys battled treacherous conditions, including 40-foot waves, complete loss of power and terrifying storms, to finish the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge on an extreme journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The team taking on the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ was made up of High Wycombe father and son Kev and Rhys Luff, aged 51 and 21 respectively, Paul ‘Frankie’ Smith, 60, from Princes Risborough, and Nic Parslow, 57, from Wycombe.

Bucks Free Press:

Kev, a director of Loudwater-based plumbing and heating firm H2O, said: “It was a crazy, breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime experience we’ll never forget.

“It’s an understatement to say we were all pushed to our limits, but we got through it as a team.”

The incredible challenge was amplified when the Buoys lost all power - needed for navigation, water-purifying and all equipment onboard - less than two weeks in.

The small Rossiter boat was battered during horrendous storms with the team left with limited communication to safety officers and worried family members back home.

Bucks Free Press:

Mr Smith said: “Two years ago, none of us had ever been in a rowing boat and, despite countless hours of training every day, nothing could prepare us for the challenge ahead.

“Killer whales, sharks, dolphins, storms, small food supplies and no power - it didn’t take long to realise we were a world away from the Thames.

“One day we would be surrounded by calm water and dolphins, the next we were struggling in the dark with nothing but a compass and the oars to guide us.

“We lost all our power on Boxing Day - it was our lowest point.”

Bucks Free Press:

The elated Buoys were greeted by a huge crowd at the finish line in English Harbour on Sunday with more than 40 supporters making the journey from the UK.

They’ve also received thousands of comments from well-wishers on social media and backing from community groups and local companies in their bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and IN-vision.

Kev said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amazing support and are so thankful to all our sponsors and the Bucks Free Press for the coverage.

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“The wall of noise which hit us as we came into the harbour was unbelievable.”

To find out more information, or to donate, visit www.bucksbuoys.com