| In the summer of 2000
he set out on the North Atlantic Kayak Challenge, paddling
by himself, with no back-up or support boat. He set off
from St John's, Newfoundland in a specially designed 27
foot kayak, with the intention of reaching Ireland several
months later. Unfortunately, a faulty valve caused his
boat to fill with water and sink, meaning that he was
forced to spend 33 hours in the near-freezing Atlantic
waters before being rescued.
Despite this obvious setback, Pete returned to Canada
the following year and this time completed the journey
across the North Atlantic without serious incident,
eventually arriving in Ireland 76 days after starting
out. In completing this challenge, he not only became
the first person ever to kayak across the Atlantic solo
and unsupported, but he also raised much-needed funds
for two separate children's hospices. Then in 2003 he
returned to the same area and this time circumnavigated
the whole of Newfoundland, once again by himself and
without support. He has also taken part in the Arctic
Canoe Race, a 700 km endurance event that sees competitors
race around Finland and Sweden.
Closer to home, Pete has completed the 125 mile Devizes
to Westminster race in both single and double kayaks
no less than 12 different times. On at least three of
these occasions he has ranked inside the top 10. He
has also twice taken part in the K4 Series, a competition
which involves racing 4-man kayaks around Southampton,
Worcester, Reading and Nottingham. On one of these occasions
he and his team secured first place.
In 1996 he circumnavigated mainland Britain, along
with a partially-sighted friend, in a 2-man kayak. The
expedition was totally self-sufficient with no external
support whatsoever. The route included all four corners
of the British mainland - Cape Wrath, John O'Groats,
Dover and Land's End - and took several months to complete.
When not embarking upon some improbable expedition,
Pete seems happy to embrace all manner of outdoor activities.
As well as being a keen kayaker and canoeist, he enjoys
rock climbing, mountain biking and skiing and is also
an accomplished microlight pilot. As if this is not
enough of an active lifestyle, his pre-departure training
schedule also includes 2½-3 hours worth of cardiovascular
exercise and weight training every day, as well as regular
overnight sessions on the water with the rest of the
crew.
Having spent long periods by himself on a number of
previous trips, Pete is looking forward to the security
of having others around him. "Last time I crossed
the Atlantic I was on my own and there was a lot of
sleep deprivation. I was only able to have power naps
of 15 minutes or so, and then the wind would pick up
or a wave would break over the bow of my kayak and I
would wake up. This time we are working as a team and
when you have a team around you, you sleep like a log,
because you have trust in the other guys looking after
the boat. So I'm looking forward to that". And
with 2100 miles of Atlantic nothingness in front of
them, one can not help feeling that the team is going
to need all of the rest that they can get.
Pete has a great affinity with Cornwall and many of
his relatives still live in the area. Consequently,
he can expect a large reception as he and the Pink Lady®
crew row triumphantly into Falmouth at the beginning
of August. However, his family and friends will have
to make the most of their time with him, as it will
not be long before he is off on yet another trip. For
the Pink Lady® Atlantic First project marks just
the first leg of a three-way epic for Pete. After conquering
the Atlantic, he then intends to attempt a solo crossing
of the Pacific, before tackling the Bering Strait.
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