AFTER rowing across the Atlantic in a gruelling voyage that took almost two months, he could be forgiven for wanting to avoid anything nautical.

But 19-year-old Jude Massey - one half of the Ocean Brothers - has agreed to return to the world of sailing by opening the Beaulieu Boatjumble on April 22.

Jude and his half-brother, Greg Bailey, rowed from Gran Canaria to Barbados in a tiny 20ft boat.

The Lymington-based duo had to cope with a raft of problems including leaks, equipment failure and painful injuries caused by round-the-clock rowing.

They also suffered a dramatic capsize early in the voyage and at one stage were followed by a group of sharks.

After returning to Hampshire aboard the cruise ship Britannia, the two men were given a hero’s welcome as they sailed up the Lymington River.

Jude was later presented with a certificate for becoming the youngest person to row across an ocean as part of a two-man team.

The Ocean Brothers are bidding to raise £100,000 for the British Skin Foundation, which is funding vital research into skin cancer.

It follows the death of their father, Peter Massey, who battled the disease for many years.

Beaulieu Boatjumble is one of the biggest events held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

A museum spokesman said: “After their triumphant return to the New Forest the brothers have been sharing their story.

“Crossing the world’s second largest ocean was a massive challenge during which they endured bad weather, equipment failure and injuries.”

Beaulieu Boatjumble, said to be the largest outdoor sale of maritime items in Europe, boasts hundreds of stands packed with boating bargains.

Cartoonist Claudia Myatt is visiting this year’s event and will be passing on some of her skills.

Kass Schmitt has taken part in the Original Single-Handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) and will talk about the preparations that helped her survive one of the worst storms in the event’s history.

RNLI members will hold a lifejacket clinic with free equipment checks and advice.