James Ketchell is taking on the Atlantic Ocean next month in the 2009 version of the Atlantic Rowing Race. In row2k's first Ocean Rowing feature, we chat with James about some of the challenges of rowing the Atlantic, and some of the hurdles he's had to overcome to get to where is is today.

row2k - You were injured two years ago in a motorcycle accident, describe the accident and just how badly you were hurt.
James Ketchell - I was thrown off my motorbike at 75 mph coming out of a corner which resulted in a broken hand, leg and ankle. The worst injury was my ankle which was dislocated and smashed into 15 pieces. Doctors managed to save the ankle by bolting it back together. (photo of x-ray at right) Had the accident happened 100 yards further up the road, I would have probably been a lot worse off as there were barriers and a lamp post that I would of most likely hit.

row2k - What was the rehabilitation like?
James Ketchell - The rehabilitation was long and painful but worth it. I first started walking on crouches and had physiotherapy every other day. At first progress was slow but the more I did the exercises, the stronger and more movement I got back in my ankle. Since having the accident I have run two half marathons, just to prove I could do it really as I had ran a lot prior to the accident.

row2k - You are competing in the Atlantic Rowing Race for charity next month. How did you come about deciding to do this and what are the general details of the race?
James Ketchell - I have wanted to row the Atlantic for quite a few years but never really gotten around to it. Having my accident got me motivated to get fit again and I started planning and preparing for the race when I got out of the hospital. It’s something that is quite different and there are not many people who have rowed solo across the Atlantic; fewer than 20 people to my knowledge. The race starts from la Gomera and finishes in Antigua just under 3000 miles to the west. I am one of five boats that are rowing solo, the rest are made up of pairs and fours. My boat is called Speedo. For more info on the race can be found here.

row2k - How have you been training for your row across the Atlantic?
James Ketchell - My training consists of 1 – 2 hours of ergo training a day. Also plenty of weights sessions to maintain strength and size. I have also done small training rows in my boat Speedo. The most important part of getting ready is not necessarily the rowing side of things, understanding the boat and how everything works is a vital part of the preparation also.

row2k - Can you walk us through what a typical day will be like on the water?
James Ketchell - A typical day will be around 12-14 hours of rowing per day, most likely at 40 minutes on, 20 minutes off per hour. I will likely be resting during the height of the day due to the heat for a few hours, and will be consuming upwards of 7000 calories per day to keep my energy levels up.

row2k - Describe the boat you will be in. What kind of technology do you take with you?
James Ketchell - The boat is 23 feet long and made out of fiberglass and plywood. One large cabin at the back for sleeping and another cabin at the front for storage. The middle deck is where I will spend my time rowing. In terms of essential technology, I will have radar to worn me of other boats, a water maker to turn salt water into drinking water, a GPS for navigating, and a VHF radio for communicating with other boats. I will also have smaller electrical items such as an Ipod and a laptop. All of this will all be charged by solar panels on the boat.

row2k - Once you leave the Canary Islands, how much contact with other people will you have?
James Ketchell - Physically I will have no contact with anyone. I will have a satellite phone to make phone calls that doubles up as a modem so I can send and receive emails. I will be updating a dairy on my website whilst at sea, which can be found at www.atlanticadventurer.com. Also, the website has the ability to send text messages to me free of charge. I am raising money for the NSPCC and this is my just giving link for that.

row2k - Good luck from row2k!