A RETIRED policeman will be tackling the high seas when he takes on one of the world's toughest endurance challenges.
Nick Bush, 52, will be taking part in this year's Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which starts on Sunday (September 1).
The Horley resident, who retired from Surrey Police two years ago after 31 years of service, first heard about the Clipper Race while attending the London Boat Show in 2011.
And after years of serving his local community, the Field Walk resident decided the time was right to do something for himself.
He said: "When I saw the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race stand at the London Boat Show, I started talking to someone from their recruitment team, who had competed in the 2002 race, and what he said captured my imagination."
The 40,000-mile race is broken up into eight legs, consisting of 15 races, and visits 13 countries over 11 months.
It allows ordinary people, under the guidance of a professional skipper, to pit themselves against the challenge of circumnavigating the globe as part of the world's longest yacht race.
The race will start from St Katharine's Dock, London, on Sunday, taking in a short sprint to Brest, in north-western France, before racing to Brazil, South America.
The fleet will then race across the South Atlantic to Cape Town, South Africa, from where, after a short stay, they will take on one of the biggest challenges a sailor can face, the Southern Ocean, before arriving in Western Australia.
"I am particularly looking forward to the challenge of sailing all the way to Australia," added Mr Bush.
"There are going to be some very hard and difficult times on board when I am tired, wet and uncomfortable, but I'm really looking forward to it."
During his 11 month adventure, Mr Bush will be raising money for The Matt Hampson Foundation, which aims to provide advice, support, relief and treatment for anyone suffering serious sporting injury.
Mr Bush will also be supporting the Children's Trust, based in Tadworth, a national charity providing rehabilitation, care and education to children with acquired brain injury, multiple disabilities and complex health needs. Mr Bush has set up a blog for his journey. To read how he is preparing, visit bushysails someoftheworld.blogspot.co.uk and to sponsor him visit http://tinyurl.com/kopp4w6
