The World’s Toughest Row is an extraordinary annual event that tests the physical and mental limits of participants as they row across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Starting from San Sebastián de La Gomera in the Canary Islands and concluding in English Harbour, Antigua, the race covers approximately 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 kilometers) of treacherous waters.
Teams of two, three, or four individuals, both amateurs and professionals, take on the challenge, battling fierce waves, unpredictable weather conditions, and extreme physical exhaustion. The race demands relentless determination, teamwork, and unwavering resilience. Participants row day and night, maintaining a grueling schedule of rowing, resting, and navigating, often for several weeks.
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is renowned for being one of the toughest rowing races in the world, attracting adventurers from around the globe who seek to push their limits and achieve extraordinary feats. It is an ultimate test of human endurance and an incredible opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.
Beyond the personal achievements, the race also serves as a platform to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes. Many teams participate with a mission to make a positive impact, supporting various organizations and initiatives that address important social and environmental issues. The race creates a sense of unity and purpose as participants row together, sharing stories, challenges, and triumphs while making a difference in the world.
Bush Ways Foundation is passionate about Botswana’s people and wilderness, we continuously strive to ensure our activities have a positive impact and contribute to a sustainable development of our natural wonders.
Following Peter Van Kets Atlantic races completely captivated me many years ago. It seemed like the pinnacle of adventure sport testing man’s ability to the fullest, on every level. This event has always been in the background of a must do challenge.
During the covid pandemic, my Tourism Business was devastated, the idea of partaking in the World’s Toughest Row, to bring awareness to the effects of what Covid has done to businesses, as well as to try and raise funds for our now hamstrung Foundation (www.bushwaysfoundation.com) was born.
With an entry into the 2024 Atlantic race this dream has now become a reality. Through the foundation we would like to continue the work that we have been doing in rural communities focusing on early childhood learning. These communities live in rural wildlife areas that we visit on our safaris. The main aim of the campaign will be to try and raise enough funds to build a new Pre-primary school.
Coming from a completely land locked country I will be the first person from Botswana attempting to Row across any ocean. This will be by far the biggest physical and mental challenge I have undertaken and it will be a true test of Determination, Strength of Body and Mind. I hope that my participation in many previous adventure events, will in some way help me, as I prepare for the World’s Toughest Row.
I am very excited about this challenge since I found out about the event in 2020 haven’t stopped dreaming about crossing the Atlantic, I heard about Marc who I’ve know for many years through our canoeing background was interested in doing the event and just by chance was looking for a partner, so here I am all fired up and ready to take on the challenge of my life.
I come from a background of endurance events. I think it all start with my military training as a South African Navy Diver in 1989 after basic training on the west coast I was sent to Simons Town to do some intense diver training in the middle of a Cape winter after this everything else came relatively easy.
I discovered that I could run far without too much training so I ran for a charity dressed in a rhino suit, The 2 Oceans marathon in Cape Town, Comrades marathon in Durban up then down the following year without the suit, I did the Argus cycle tour with the suit too. Soon the canoeing and ocean paddling bug bit and I haven’t stopped paddling for over 30yrs. I have completed 25 Duzi canoe marathons, 18 nonstop Duzi canoe marathons these are both ultra events over 120km, 15 fish river canoe marathons, 10 Umkomaas river marathons. On the ocean I have done 9 port Elizabeth to East London races 264km and the list goes on. Last year I did a race across South Africa from Petermaritsburg to Cape in 24 days on a Mountain bike with my wife who got injured after 21 days and had to pullout. The year before I broke the world record for the farthest distance in 24hrs on a 2 man ocean kayak the year before that I broke the Guinness world record in a single kayak for the farthest distance paddled in 24hrs
I am married with 2 girls and a stepson in Aus.
I do have a day job as an owner of a plumbing business and a BnB, which my wife runs
