A 67-YEAR-OLD Islander has completed a solo row across the Atlantic and raised over £75,000 for the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust.

In 2021, Simon Howes attempted to become the third oldest person in history to row unassisted across the ocean as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Rowing Challenge.

Following an injury on deck, he was forced to withdraw from the event, saying at the time, "For all the people that are supporting the red squirrels, I couldn’t be more disappointed. Maybe I will try again in a year or two’s time."

For his second attempt, Simon left Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria on January 16 and travelled over 3,000 miles across 72 days, arriving in Rodney Bay in the Caribbean island of St Lucia on March 29 at the crack of dawn, where he was surprised to find his wife and children waiting.

Isle of Wight County Press: Simon in St Lucia after completing his solo Atlantic Ocean rowSimon in St Lucia after completing his solo Atlantic Ocean row (Image: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority)

Simon told St Lucia TV station DBSTV: “I’m a very unsporty sort of guy, you can see, I’m not some big muscle man or anything like that, I’m Mr Normal.

"I went through a few storms off the coast of Africa where there really were 40ft waves – and that caused a few problems – on two occasions the boat overturned, 175 degrees and then very slowly popped back up again with me hanging on for grim life to the rails."

Simon described these experiences as "a bit scary."

Watch his interview below

He also explained that one of his oars snapped in half during a storm and that all the hatches on the deck smashed, which flooded his food stores.

So far, Simon has raised just over £76,000 on his JustGiving page to help the Island’s Red Squirrel Trust raise the money it needs to create a sanctuary for our favourite furry friends.

A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust said: “We could not be more delighted for him and can't wait to hear all about his adventures upon his return!

“Huge congratulations to Simon Howes!!!”

Simon and his family will remain in St Lucia until Saturday before returning home to the Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight County Press: Simon with his family on St Lucia after completing his 3,000 mile rowSimon with his family on St Lucia after completing his 3,000 mile row (Image: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority)