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The fifth member of a quartet, the first reserve – however it is
described – if all things go to plan, Peet will get no closer to the
Woodvale Atlantic Ocean Rowing Race than the start line in La Gomera,
Canary Islands. And she will still be as rightly proud as any of the
four – Sarah Day, Paula Evemy, Lois Rawlins-Duquemin and Kathy
Tracey.
‘They are a team and I am part of that team. When they are on that start
line, I am going to be right there with them rooting for them. I am as
dedicated as anyone else,’ said Peet.
‘It is the right decision because it is the opportunity of a lifetime. I
will find out a lot about myself. I want to be able to push myself to my
optimum level. And I hope it’s going to be a lot of fun.’
The challenge of months of heavy physical training, dietary
restrictions, fund-raising and studying for the same first-aid and
survival qualifications as the other four will have an added mental
test. Peet will have to prepare as if she is starting the race on 27
November, all the while knowing that it is unlikely she will. |
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However, she will not be
sure that she is staying on dry land until the moment the boats pull
away from the start line. And then if anything happens to the crew on
the sea, Peet will not be able to step in – Woodvale rules forbid any
change of personnel once the race is under way.
‘It is a huge mental challenge. Of course I don’t want anything to
happen to any one of them, but if it does and I have to step in, then I
will and I will be ready. That could happen at any time.’
Peet’s love of a challenge began during her school days in Guernsey when
she became a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, which
eventually saw her climb Mount Kenya at the age of 17 as part of
achieving her gold award.
After years of listening to her father, Tim’s, misty-eyed rowing
stories, she decided to see what all the fuss was about and took up the
sport at university. She rowed in eights and fours, intent on learning
technique and enjoying being part of a team, although her enthusiasm for
rowing was not matched by that for 6am starts.
On completing her degree, she headed off on a solo travelling adventure
in the southern hemisphere, sky-diving in New Zealand and learning to
scuba dive in Australia.
When Peet returned to Guernsey in 2003, she was introduced to the world
of offshore rowing by a Guernsey Rowing Club fixed-seat stalwart.
Suddenly, rowing took on some serious new challenges – rocks and tides
for starters, as well as keeping up with the GRC social calendar.
In 2004, Peet was delighted to join the all-conquering Ship & Crown
women’s fours crew in their first season. This produced a haul of eight
trophies for Peet and her team-mates in a competitive class which
included rowing the daunting around-Guernsey race with only three crew
members.
She said that their climactic push to the finish line in that race was
the defining moment of the season.
Outside rowing, Peet, 24, completed her first half-marathon in September
last year, running for charity in the Bupa Great North Run. She is
determined to improve on her time in the coming year.
The States employee – on the junior executive graduate-training scheme –
is thrilled to be part of the Guernsey Women’s Atlantic team and is
looking forward to all the physical and mental challenges that training
for this unique event will bring her. |
