Walking on water: The 'human hamster wheel' begins two-day attempt to cross the Irish Sea in homemade 'tredalo'

Chris Todd, 35, will walk non-stop from Trearddur Bay, North Wales to Greystones harbour in Ireland
DIY craft made from wire mesh, with two floats either side to act as stabilisers
Remarkable feat equivalent to running ten back to back marathons

By Leon Watson

PUBLISHED: 03:25 GMT, 8 October 2012 | UPDATED: 08:50 GMT, 8 October 2012

A British engineer has set off on his attempt to walk 66 miles across the Irish Sea on a 'human hamster wheel'.

Daredevil Chris Todd, 35, hopes to cross the open sea in two days on a homemade water wheel called a Tredalo to raise money for charity.

Chris, from Bromham, Wiltshire, set out on a calm sea from Trearddur Bay, North Wales, at 1.45pm yesterday heading for Greystones harbour in Ireland.

Chris Todd sets out on his 66 mile self-powered voyage across the Irish Sea on a craft that looks more hamster wheel than boat

Mr Todd, who had been waiting for optimum conditions before attempting the stunt, launched his craft beneath bright clear skies before a crowd of well wishers.

He said: 'Conditions are perfect - although I'm still quite nervous about how I will fare. The real critical point will be overnight Monday into Tuesday when the wind is supposed to be strong.

'If all goes according to plan I will arrive into Greystones harbour at midday on Tuesday.

'It is going to be one of the toughest things I've ever done. Imagine spending 48-hours on a stepping machine in the gym without getting any sleep.

'Some people say I am mad but I'm hoping my madness will inspire generosity for two charities close to my heart.'

Mr Todd, who hopes to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Wiltshire Blind Association, will burn around 36,000 calories - almost three weeks worth - during the endurance feat.

The engineer, from Bromham, Wiltshire, set out on a calm sea from Trearddur Bay, North Wales, at 1.45pm yesterday heading for Greystones harbour in Ireland

Chris, who had been waiting for optimum conditions before attempting the stunt, launched his craft beneath clear skies before a crowd of well wishers

Mr Todd said: 'Conditions are perfect - although I'm still quite nervous about how I will fare. The real critical point will be overnight Monday into Tuesday when the wind is supposed to be strong.'

He will consume a whopping 30 litres of water and munch the equivalent of 60 Mars bars to keep energy levels up and stay awake for 48 hours.
Mr Todd will also be accompanied on his journey by a safety boat with a two-man crew, should he get into difficulty.

He said: 'I'm trying to figure out how I'm so anxious about heading off into a calm sea when the RNLI launch into much worse stuff all the time

'It will be like running 10 back-to-back marathons. This crossing is on the very edge of what I believe is possible - but I am looking forward to a cold Guinness on arrival.'