In the country of Senegal, Ben Hooper hopefully touched land for the last time in five months. The 38-year-old Briton set off Sunday for a record setting attempt as he aims to become the first person to swim across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America.

Hooper won't be completely alone in his journey. He will have a support boat in which he will sleep and eat. The plan is to swim for at least eight hours a day and then during the night, the boat will be kept in position, ensuring that it does not drift in Hooper's favour while he is asleep. If the former police officer succeeds, he will have covered approximately 3,200 kilometers.

A bout of depression three years ago led Hooper to the biggest challenge of his life. Inspired by British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, he decided to turn his life around with this Atlantic adventure.

Much of his training has taken place in a swimming pool, but he has also practiced in open water in Florida and the Mediterranean, notching up 12,000 kilometres in training.

If all goes to plan, Hooper won't set foot on land again until March.

Hooper said, "We should arrive in Brazil by March, 3,000 kilometres approximately, swimming twice a day up to eight hours per day, but almost every day for the five months."