Two years ago, Gareth Reynolds felt he was ‘stuck in a rut’ – so he came up with an incredible plan to get out of it.

This December, the 31-year-old from Dale will attempt to row solo for 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

And in doing so, he aims to raise vital funds for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, a charity close to his heart.

It will be a brutal test of both physical and mental endurance for Gareth, who will row unsupported and will have to take his own food supplies. It is estimated he will need to do in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes.

“I’m excited,” he told Telegraph Sport on Tuesday.

“If anything, with all that’s going on at the moment I couldn’t think of a better time to be away for the winter.”

Indeed, the average finishing time for individuals tends to be around two months, and Gareth has targeted completing the monumental challenge in less than 60 days.

He’s no stranger to water sports, especially given his work as a managing director in the family business at Dale Sailing Company Ltd, but ironically rowing is something he’s only taken up in recent times.

“It was a couple of years ago when I came up with the idea.

“I was stuck in a rut and wanted an adventure, so I was trawling through YouTube and came across this.

“At that point I’d only tried rowing a couple of times when I was young so it seemed like a mad idea - but for some reason it stuck in my head.”

Two years of intense training later, that has included a 24-hour rowing event in Henley, and the former Milford Haven School pupil is counting down to December 12th when he will set off from La Gomera with the goal of reaching Antigua.

“I’m currently training six days a week and as well as being out at sea, am spending a lot of time in the B-Fit Health and Fitness Centre in Milford to work on my strength.

“I’ve never been an endurance athlete and this will be something very different, but I feel ready.”

There will be little chance of decent sleep during his challenge, although the boat is fitted with small cabins at either end which will allow him to get his head down occasionally while drifting with the current.

“I’ll have a sea anchor as well to stop me going backwards but sleeping will all depend on the sea conditions. That’s something I can’t control.”

As well as the personal challenge though, there is a poignant motivation for Gareth.

“My big aim is to raise a huge amount for the MS Society,” he admitted.

“It’s something that is close to home for me. I have close family members and friends who have it and the more I learnt, the more I’ve realised that it’s really common.

“Unfortunately I’ve had to cancel the fundraising events I had planned this year but the GoFundMe page is up and running so I’m on track, and the plan is now hold events when I’m back.”

Gareth will be able to give updates on his progress at sea, as he’s permitted to take a satellite phone and has pledged to do regular social media updates - and will also travel with a live tracker. He will take part under the banner of ‘Team Atlantic Dragon’.

And he expressed gratitude to everyone who has helped and supported him so far, including some important sponsors.

“B-Fit have been excellent with their help, as have Puffin Produce, Pembrokeshire Building and Plumbing Supplies, and The Griffin Inn Pub.

“I’ll be alone when I’m out there but will know I’m being supported.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Gareth, or finding out more about his challenge, can visit

www.atlanticdragonrow.com or visit the Atlantic Dragon Facebook page.

Anyone wanting to donate to his fundraising for the MS Society can do so here.