Being a water lover and fervent mountain biker and enthousiastic as always I answered yes to the question if I would like to bike along on this 'short' trip. This question followed after I taught Gerrit and Alex survival training at Falck Nutec. At this maritime training institute at Maasvlakte I teach people to survive at sea and escape from capsized and sunk helicopters. Of course I hope I will not have to use this knowledge and experience.
This expedition certainly fitts my life since birth. I came to earth with a swim stroke and shortly after my father taught me swimming at a local pool. I received several rescue certificates and since 15 years I volunteer as a lifeguard at the beautiful beaches in Zeeland, where the sea became a familiar surrounding for me.
Since 2002 I flew many times to Latin America to guide tourists on tours and expeditions and I have worked for local foundations on sustainability issues in the tourism industry. From the airplane I wondered how it would be like to be a small dot in an empty sea. After my recent height record of 20177 feet in the Andes I now stay at sea level to train hard. In my new home in Vlaardingen, 24 hours a day I have a hometrainer available for this goal.
During the crossing I will be 31 years old, at top strenght of my life. That asks for a new challenge! 4039 miles in a 4 person boat will be a great survival lesson for me. To discover how much power I have in my body and especially my mind is one of my motivations. To be different than most people and go where not many have been before is my way to be an example to others. Give up and turn around is not an option. Because of this I wish for a lot of support from many people, which ever way possible. Eventually, after we come back, we want to hand Villa Pardoes a beautiful cheque and one of my old dreams as adventurer comes with this to life; crossing the Atlantic Ocean. All the way on healthy muscle power. This is something other than our western energy addiction!
Pura vida!