A WOMAN who rowed solo across the Atlantic is hoping to break new records in her latest expedition.

Dawn Wood, of Burnham, completed the 3,000-mile voyage last year to raise awareness of plastic pollution.

Now the Aurora Sea School owner has announced she will row the Arctic circle with hubby Jamie in August.

The 1,000-mile voyage from Tromso in Norway will include the most northerly point an open water rowing expedition has ever reached and end in Svalbard.

Dawn said: “Exactly this time last year I was just entering my fourth week at sea.

“Since then it’s been a whirlwind of spreading the word about plastic pollution and hoping to inspire others to set their own goals.

“I still have to pinch myself to realise it was actually me that completed such a mammoth task.

“More people have been into space than have rowed an ocean solo, so it’s such an incredible feeling to know I can say I’ve done it.”

Dawn says she has missed life at sea.

“Out in the ocean it’s a completely life-changing experience,” she said.

“I feel very much at home with just me and the sound of the sea.

“Now I have the bug for the ocean, so pretty soon after returning I began to study the world’s oceans and decide on my next challenge.

“I was really looking for something completely different to anything most people have done.

“Then I looked at the Arctic and how very few people have ever taken it on as a rowing expedition.

“No female has ever rowed open ocean in the Arctic. I quickly realised this was going to be my next challenge.”

Dawn is happy to have company this time.

She said: “Some advantages mean there will always be someone rowing and someone on lookout.

“On days when there is a headwind, we can get two of us rowing. Bouncing ideas for problem-solving is also better with two.

“On my Atlantic row I did have days when it was cold, wet and miserable, but I always knew there would be some hot days coming so I could dry kit out.

“This won’t be the case in the Arctic. Even in August we will be lucky to reach temperatures of six degree.

“There will be almost 24 hours of daylight, which will be good for keeping watch but could really put our body clocks out of sync.

“My main goals are to experience wildlife that I have never before seen, inspire others to get out and try something new and to continue my work raising awareness about plastic pollution.”

To sponsor the team, visit RowAurora.co.uk.