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Bill Godfrey,
36 father of 2, organic self-sufficienist and on top of that top level
athlete. Previously South African National squad and now looking for
his next big challenge, the Atlantic Ocean.
Bill started rowing at the age of 12. At 5” 11’ and 72kg he regularly
beat competitors much bigger than him. As his school coach said, “He
has the biggest b***s in the sport and I would select him over any
larger rower”. Bill rapidly made it into the top school crews.
After leaving school he made it into the Leander (South Africa) top crew.
He then left for cooler climes and joined London Rowing Club, competed
at Henley and numerous other events. But South Africa beckoned and he
returned to become part of the national squad and winning numerous top
events. He still rows competitively and is still winning open events
on a national level.
While he was doing all this he managed to get married, have 2 boys and
buy a farm. He believes in organic farming and grows his own
vegetables, fruit, eggs, chickens, mutton and beef.
When asked why the Atlantic calls he said that it was difficult to put
into words but “Life without adventure would merely be existence.”
When not rowing, Bill has spent a lot of his time in and around the
sea, surfing, diving, beachcombing etc. giving him the ideal
background to make him a serious contender in a race across the ocean.
His commitment and dedication to the task is unwavering, and given the
opportunity, he will do everything in his power to prove his worth |
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Peter van
Kets, 40, (to his
intense surprise and disbelief) adrenaline seeking adventurer par
excellence is relatively new to rowing.
Peter has, however, spent the last 40 years either in or on the ocean
in his capacity as diver, surfer, beachcomber, yachtsman and paddler.
He is a certified yachtsmaster, highly competent navigator, has
completed many ocean crossings as skipper and has competed in most
major SA yachting events winning South African titles and Offshore
Series.
His major sport is kayaking and surf ski racing and he has
participated in countless races winning a silver medal at the SA
Marathon Champs and enduring the grueling 255km P.E. to East London
Surf Ski Challenge.
Peter is a qualified teacher and Adventure Instructor (certified to
instruct in rock climbing, abseiling, adventure racing, white water
kayaking etc) has organized a number of major sporting events in the
Eastern Cape (including 5 SA Interschool and Corporate Adventure
Races), owns and operates a paddling school known as 33’ South and now
aspires to become a property magnate.
With his 218th freefall parachute jump failing to produce more than a mild
buzz of excitement and having overcome his prejudice against rowers
(why don’t they look where they are going?) the Atlantic has become
his new frontier.
The challenge presented by the race has completely captured his
imagination and effectively harnessed his considerable energy.
There is no doubt that (with the help of a well padded seat) he has
the physical and mental stamina, skill, and sheer insanity to help
make him and Bill serious contenders in the race. |
