No man, or woman for that matter, is an island and more especially so when you’re embarking on the kind of race that Pete is undertaking. Pete has a great team behind him, including of course, his family and friends.

Kim van Kets is Pete’s wife, and mother of his daughter Hannah. Although Kim trained and practised as an attorney, she has found her niche in training (industrial relations). Kim is an extreme athlete herself, and her love for her man and her ability to endure, while remaining upbeat and resilient, makes her the perfect partner for Pete as he sets off on his race.

Cliff Coombe is Pete’s shore manager - he’s there to make ‘sure’ that Pete gets to the shore, both in La Gomera and English Harbour Canaries and Antigua. Cliff and Pete go back many years - Cliff taught him how to paddle, and now look what Pete has gotten himself into! Cliff runs his own business as an agent for outdoor and sport items and is also a business coach. Combine his natural mentoring skills, his sporting prowess (he’s a former lifesaver, and has paddled the PE to East London Surfski Challenge twice) with his irrepressible optimism, ability to think laterally and can-do approach to just about anything, and it’s no surprise that Pete selected him as his ideal ‘go-to’ guy for this event.

Pete has once again commissioned Nic ‘Moose’ Good of the Fresh Air Crew to record the preparations for the race, and the actual event itself. Nic is cameraman, editor and director and, most importantly, Pete’s friend. Nic started Fresh Air Crew in 1995 to create and record adventure activites around the globe. A decade later FAC has produced aware winning documentaries, contributed stock footage to productions and inserts, developed and filmed numerous prestigious international adventure events and documentaries and produced various corporate and training video programmes.

Tjaart ‘TJ’ van der Walt is Pete’s weather confidante. Each day he delves into weather data and delivers a report and outline for tactics for Pete to follow. See Tjaart’s Charts in the Ship’s Blog.

Niels Andersen is an East London-based friend who has proved to be a steadfast supporter of Pete’s race endeavours - both the last time Pete rowed with Bill, and this time too. He’s put an enormous amount of time and effort into helping Pete prepare Nyamezela after she arrived in East London.

Bill Godfrey, Pete’s partner in the 2007/8 race, has been especially supportive of the latest campaign and has helped with technical preparation, including the design and setting of the row locks.

Pete has again consulted with Professor Tim Noakes from the Sports Sicence Institute about training and eating in preparation for the race. He has been working on a special training programme under the supervision of Caron Williams, Australian strength and conditioning coach and multi-sport athlete.