Naked firemen to tackle Atlantic

The two firefighters are desperate to get on the open sea

Two firefighters are limbering up to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, in a race where all competitors take part totally naked.

Dean Jagger, from Merseyside and Neil Gyllenship, from West Yorkshire, use scrubbing brushes on their bottoms to prepare for the effect of chafing.

Battling against scorching heat, they will have only sun cream and nappy rash ointment for protection.

They hope to raise £100,000 for Claire House and charity, Childflight.

"Team Heatwave" as they have named themselves, will battle it out against other competitors in the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009 in December.

The competition will start in Tenerife and finish in Antigua two months later and is billed as "the world's toughest rowing race".

'Open waves'

Mr Jagger, 40, said: "We have been training really hard. We have been running, rowing in the gym and mentally preparing for the challenge.

"We haven't rowed together properly yet, but our boat is nearly finished and we are planning to fight the open waves over at Colwyn Bay as part of our training."

The pair are being supported by Manchester Airport where they are based.

Watch manager Mr Gyllenship, 34, said: "One of the main concerns will be dehydration, but we are going to make sure we consume plenty of water throughout.

"We're just desperate to get out there and hit the open sea."

Once aboard, they will eat boil in the bag food and drink seawater purified by a special on-board pump.

They will use GPS satellite technology to navigate and keep in contact with their families via satellite phone.