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Extreme sport
Solo canoeist, adventurer and and motivational speaker: Peter van Kets
When Peter first announced he would row across the Atlantic Ocean for the 2007/08 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race, people firstly called him mad. Then people said it could never be done. Not by someone who was not as seasoned a rower as other competitors.
Peter proved them wrong when he and Gquma Challenger team mate, Bill Godfrey, crossed the finish line and became the first South African team to win the Pairs Class of the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.
And in the race’s history no one person has ever completed the race and gone on to return to compete again. And once again Peter will do the impossible. Well impossible to mere mortals, just an average day for Peter van Kets. Peter intends to row the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race once more, as a solo competitor!
Before everyone starts calling the men in the white coats, you have to realize that Peter van Kets doesn’t see problems, he sees possibility. Where ordinary people see challenges Peter sees adventure. Peter sees an opportunity to do what many believe cannot be done. Having proved everyone wrong before, there is no doubt that Peter will conquer the Atlantic Ocean once again.
His 2009 Challenge is more than just conquering the Atlantic. Peter wants to use this as a chance to make a difference. This race is important because not only will it establish a new world record, making Peter the first person to have rowed the Atlantic Ocean twice and completed the races, it will be the start of a legacy that will benefit thousands of people in the Eastern Cape province.
Part of Peter’s plans for this race is to use the massive opportunity and extensive media coverage, measured in the millions of dollars, to raise funds for the local chapter of the Community Chest.
The Community Chest of Buffalo City incorporating King Williamstown, the provincial capital, Bhisho and East London, performs important work in supporting recognised charities in the area. It is hoped through the use of the extensive media coverage of Peter’s rowing race, funds raised will establish sufficient resources to keep the Community Chest on sound financial footing for years to come. Peter calls it rowing with a purpose and this reflects his commitment to his community.
Written by Hamish Pillay. Click here to read more
