THE unforgettable sight of British ocean rower Jim Shekhdar wading ashore in Australia thrilled millions of people around the world.

Through nine eventful months at sea, the 54-year-old had travelled more than 10,000 miles from South America to Queensland, and became the first person ever to row single-handed across the Pacific Ocean.

In the tradition of great, and maybe eccentric travellers, he overcame endless obstacles in reaching his goal, from the blank refusal of Chilean officials to let him start because they believed he had no chance of success, to forgetting a can opener and taking only two towels. His journey grew more hazardous: he had to fend off sharks with a makeshift harpoon; most of his navigation and communication equipment failed; he came within 10 metres of being crushed by an oil tanker; Hurricane Paula threatened to overwhelm him.

A deeply charismatic man with a spectacular story of tenacity and adventure, Jim Shekhdar has emerged as an inspiration for our times.

Jim Shekhdar Bold Man of the Sea -- My Epic Journey, is published by Hodder & Stoughton at £17.99.