Battered and bruised but with smiles on their faces, former Canterbury schoolboys Dan Parsons and Olly Clark embrace after triumphing in one of the world’s toughest challenges.

The pair had just rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, spending 42 days at sea battling waves the size of houses, a terrifying capsize and nightmarish hallucinations.

The intrepid oarsmen aboard Atlantic Challenge gratefully cruised into English Harbour in Antigua on Sunday night to a heroes’ welcome from their families and friends.

Their massive effort saw them scoop first place in the pairs category of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, but has also so far raised £80,000 for ABF the Soldiers’ Charity and Prostate Cancer UK.

Expected to make land on Monday or Tuesday are another Canterbury pair Charlie Hayward and Matt Townsend who are in the four man boat, Atlantic Lions.

“We experienced big storms, a near-miss with a cargo ship, a night capsize, horrific hallucinations from sleep deprivation, regular power failures that meant no water and auto-helm, and the most horrendous bottom sores.” - Dan Parsons

Already safely in port and recovering from their body-sapping effort , skipper Dan – an ex-Langton schoolboy from Whitstable – said: “Before signing up to the challenge, neither of us had ever rowed before but took to it like ducks to water.

“This is the first time I’ve taken on a challenge of this scale.

“We experienced big storms, a near-miss with a cargo ship, a night capsize, horrific hallucinations from sleep deprivation, regular power failures that meant no water and auto-helm, and the most horrendous bottom sores.”

Dan, 30, and former St Edmund’s schoolboy Olly, 31, met on their first day at Loughborough University and became firm friends.

They lost a quarter of their bodyweight during the challenge, but still made an inspired push for the finish line.

But even after all this adversity they still had the determination to push themselves further.

Deciding to forego a daylight arrival, they agreed on a sprint to the end, changing their two hours on, two hours off routine to 90-minute shifts.

Accomplished sailor Dan, who works for electric bike company GoCycle, said: “To come through with a win and to have raised a huge amount of money for charity has made the sweat and tears worthwhile.

“I’m also so proud of our achievement to come third in the race overall and win the pairs class.”

Soldier Olly, who is a captain in the Royal Engineers, said his military and endurance training helped see him through the challenge.

He said: “During our darkest times, we maintained morale by reading messages from our family and friends.

“We could not have completed this challenge without the constant support we’ve received from our sponsors and friends before the challenge started and while we were in the middle of the Atlantic.”

Dan chose to support Prostate Cancer UK because his father Pip suffered with and beat the disease.

Olly is backing the Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers’ Charity, which has supported some of his friends injured on operations. To support them visit www.atlantic-row.com.

Aboard Atlantic Lions, Charlie Hayward, 26, from Wickhambreaux and Matt Townsend, 25, from Bekesbourne, are both ex-Kent College pupils who played for Canterbury Hockey Club for 12 years.

They continued their love of the sport at Birmingham University, where their Atlantic rowing challenge was planned with two uni friends.

Together with team mates David Middleton and Joe Mile they have so far raised £62,000 towards their £100,000 target for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

In a blog on Monday, Matt described being hit on the head and dazed by a flying fish and their boat being battered by heavy seas. They also talk of the word games they play to pass the less dramatic hours.

The team are closing in on the finishing line, where their families will be waiting to give them a huge welcome.

To support them visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AtlanticLions