A Salisbury man will push himself to the limit to fight skin cancer by sailing the Atlantic to world record breaking time.

Kyle Meredith, 33, a Salisbury-based civil servant and adventurer, is preparing for a historic and perilous journey to cross the Atlantic.

The 4,000-mile crossing, from Morocco to Miami, will test Kyle’s physical and mental endurance in a challenge that has never been completed by a solo rower.

Thee Guinness World Record attempt, backed by the Civil Service Sports Club (CSSC), will raise vital funds for the British Skin Foundation to support its mission of advancing skin cancer research. 

Kyle is rowing to fight skin cancer, a deadly disease which took his late-grandfather's life (Image: Kyle Meredith) "Skin cancer is something that’s not talked about enough, especially among men," Kyle said.

Kyle, who is a redhead and carries the MC1R gene that increases his own risk of skin cancer, has a deeply personal connection to the cause.

The challenge is dedicated to his partner’s grandfather, Grandad Michael, who passed away from stage 4 melanoma in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. 

The adventurer said: "The British Skin Foundation does incredible work, not just in raising awareness, but in funding life-saving research.

"This row is as much about pushing my personal limits as it is about raising awareness and supporting a cause that’s so close to my heart."

Kyle will only have his boat for company for the voyage (Image: Kyle Meredith) Kyle will face extreme challenges throughout the four-month row, from severe sleep deprivation to isolation, and potentially life-threatening encounters with marine life, including sharks.

Navigating international shipping lanes and dealing with unpredictable weather will add to the pressure.

His purpose-built ocean rowing boat, the Rannoch R25 Solo, will serve as both his sanctuary and his biggest asset throughout the journey.

Equipped for the roughest of ocean conditions, the boat offers minimal space and no luxury—just a small cabin for sleeping and storage. 

As he rows across the Atlantic, he’ll burn more than 6,000 calories a day and rely on calorie-dense freeze-dried meals, protein bars, and cereals to keep him going.

The crossing from Morocco to Miami will be 4,000 miles (Image: Kyle Meredith) The mental challenge may prove even tougher, Kyle admitted: "I’ve prepared for the physical toll, but dealing with the isolation and vastness of the ocean for months on end will be the real test.

"I’ll miss my dogs the most... though I should probably say my better half!"

Kyle’s expedition is not just about setting a record. He is also using his journey to advocate for the removal of VAT from sunscreen in the UK.

To support Kyle, follow his updates on Instagram (@TheOARburnRower), where he’ll be sharing content before and during the row.

Donations can be made through his JustGiving page, with all proceeds going directly to the British Skin Foundation to support skin cancer research.