A SUFFOLK adventurer has told of his elation at completing a gruelling 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Adam Wolley, 23, from Saxtead, near Framlingham, was part of a four-man crew that set out from the Canary Islands at the beginning of December for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2011.

Forty-one days, 23 hours and 34 minutes later, the Atlantic 4 – completed by Greg Symondson, 22, from Buckinghamshire, and twins Ross and Hugo Turner, 23, from Exeter – arrived at the finishing line in Barbados.

They finished third in the race overall, but were first in the four-man crew class and they also become the youngest four-man crew to cross any ocean.

The quartet also raised �250,000 for the Spinal Research charity in the process.

Speaking from Barbados yesterday, Mr Wolley said: “I feel absolutely fantastic. I’m just enjoying the little things again – like being able to walk in a straight line!

“It was an incredible experience and to reach our fundraising target just as we reached the shore was amazing.”

The four friends – who met at Loughborough University – spent the entire trip in a 29-foot long (8.8m) boat that is just 6ft (1.8m) across at its widest point.

They rowed for 24 hours a day, taking it in turns to sleep and eat. They had packed 60 days’ worth of dehydrated rations, but did not need that much, particularly as Mr Wolley found it difficult to eat the food – he lost 16 kilos over the course of the journey.

“It was strange that the things I thought would get me down actually didn’t. I thought lack of sleep would really destroy me, but you just have to get on with it. The food was horrible too, but there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said.

“I remember the lowest point being about two weeks in. I was in consistent pain from my hamstrings, my hands were blistered and and bleeding and I was absolutely exhausted. We all realised it would only get worse over the next month – and all I wanted was a break.”

But the team’s determination drove them on and, with weather conditions largely staying favourable, they made excellent progress.

“The night before last we were about 30-40 miles away and we could see the glow of the lights from the coastline – it was really magical after seeing nothing but sea for six weeks. For all we knew we could have been going round in circles.”

Mr Wolley’s parents, Hugh and Mary, made the trip to Barbados to greet the team as they arrived. Hugh Wolley said: “We have found out what it might feel like to be the parents of an Olympic medal winner. There have been tears of joy, relief, pride and excitement. We are so proud.”

The team decided to raise money for Spinal Research due to crew member Hugo Turner having broken his neck in a freak accident when he was 17. Although he made a full recovery, he said he realised how different life could have been for him.

Mr Wolley’s achievement follows a 10,000-mile cycle ride from Suffolk to South Africa in 2010, which raised money for the Malaria Consortium.

He said he had some ideas for further fundraising challenges, but added it was now “probably time to get a job”.

To donate to the team’s fundraising drive, go to www.theatlantic4.com