Home - Sea Battical

The World's Toughest Pedal

Launching in...

On October 30, 2025—weather permitting—Vaquita II and I will set off on an epic voyage to pedal around the world. But this isn’t just any ocean expedition—this is a journey powered by grit, heart, and human strength.

What makes it truly extraordinary is Vaquita II herself—a one-of-a-kind, human-powered pedal boat engineered for the high seas. With no engine and no sails, she relies solely on my legs to push us across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Neels Terblanche

Owner - Vaquita II

About Vaquita II the boat

Vaquita II is an exceptional pedal boat that was designed by Dudley Dix, a well-known yacht designer & Architect from South Africa now residing in the United States, and built by Tertius Du Plessis, based in Rheenendal, Knysna South Africa.

– Dry Weight of 450kg

– Wet Weight and loaded 1500kg

– Ribbed for stability

– Only 3 known ocean pedal boats in existence.

– Slow rotation propeller with soft blades to reduce the risk to harm to marine life.

– Low drag design – both air and water.

– Self-righting capabilities.

I know that I’ll encounter bad weather many times on my voyages, so it’s designed to be resistant to breaking waves and to roll back upright when (rather than if) it capsizes. The shape of the boat is optimized for low resistance to breaking waves, and the design ensures that it can roll back upright even when I’m in rough waters. To help maintain stability, the tankage and stowage compartments was placed low down in the hull to lower the center of gravity.

To further ensure that the boat remains stable, the deck and cabin are shaped to float the boat high if inverted with the hatches and ports closed. I can also use my own weight inside the boat to help it roll back to upright if needed. This is important to me because I know that I’ll encounter a variety of conditions on my voyages, and I want to be prepared for anything.

Proposed Route

The Captain

I’m a lifelong adventurer with global travel experience and a passion for pushing physical and mental boundaries. From skydiving and sailing to micro-light flying, endurance cycling, and lifeguarding, I’ve always sought out challenges that test resilience and spark growth.

After years in the corporate world left me unfulfilled, I chose to pursue a life of purpose through adventure. Inspired by pioneers like Kingsley Holgate, Pete van Kets, Richard Kohler and Gerhard Moolman, I now aim to become the first to circumnavigate the globe—45,000 km across seven oceans—in a human-powered pedal boat.

Motivated by my deep connection to the ocean and a desire to inspire others, I believe ordinary people can achieve the extraordinary. My journey isn’t just about exploration—it’s about encouraging others to break free from comfort zones, pursue their true purpose, and live life to the fullest.

From saving lives as a young lifeguard to earning my pilot and yacht licenses, every step has led to this moment. Now, through this world-first expedition, I hope to inspire individuals, teams, and organizations to dream bigger and believe in what’s possible.

By sharing my own immense and sometimes daunting path, I hope to inspire others to take those initial steps towards their true calling, avoiding a life spent wandering down paths chosen by others or dictated by chance. If everyone were to live out their true purpose, the world would undoubtedly be a better place.

After a career in the corporate environment that left me feeling unsatisfied and uninspired, I have come to realize that time is our most valuable resource. It is time to step out of my comfort zone and pursue a life of adventure. By giving up societal expectations and my previous career, I am fully committed to embracing the unknown and pursuing a life of pure adventure.

Living at sea is a simple yet challenging way of life that should never be taken for granted. Just as Kingsley Holgate traveled the length of the African continent in a Land Rover, and Riaan Manser and Davey Du Plessis circumnavigated Africa on their bicycles, I now aim to paddle the 28,000 kilometers around the continent of Africa, crossing seven oceans and navigating the pirate-infested waters of West and East Africa. While numerous individuals have rowed across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans in rowing boats, fewer people have accomplished the feat of crossing oceans in human-powered vessels than those who have stood atop Mount Everest.

Driven by my deep passion for the ocean and its inhabitants, I have followed the journeys of many ocean rowers and sailors. I have always dreamt of sailing, rowing, or paddling the vastness of the ocean, experiencing its solitude and testing my resilience and ability to adapt to isolation.

I firmly believe that ordinary individuals possess the extraordinary capacity to achieve great things. It is my hope that through my own endeavors, I can inspire others to push their limits, break free from their comfort zones, and embark on their own remarkable journeys of self-discovery and accomplishment. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world by embracing our true purpose and living life to its fullest potential.

Donate to the cause

If you wish to contribute directly to the voyage, follow the Takealot Wishlist by clicking on the button below.

The Cause

The South African Hall of Fame is a registered Non-Profit and Level 1 B-BBEE Organisation dedicated to empowering South Africa's youth.As the country's official platform for honouring our national heroes, we focus on three core pillars:

CELEBRATE

We recognize the achievements of extraordinary South Africans through our inductions, highlighting figures like Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Gary Player, the 1995 and 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok teams, and soccer legend Dr. Kaizer Motaung.

INSPIRE

By showcasing these achievements, we inspire our nation to strive for greatness, reflecting on the legacy of our heroes.

EMPOWER

OUR VISION & PURPOSE

Our vision is to empower the youth of South Africa through sustainable initiatives that help raise funds for children without financial resources.

Our purpose is to inspire and transform the lives of ordinary South Africans, empowering our youth to reach their full potential holistically.

SUPPORTING VUSSI MARENENE

Supporting Vussi Marenene in his quest to compete in the 2028 Paralympics is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. As a paraplegic cyclist, Vussi’s journey embodies determination and hope, inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite adversity. By providing resources such as adaptive cycling equipment, training support, and mentorship, we can help him overcome barriers and achieve his goal, showcasing the impact of community support in empowering athletes with disabilities.

OPERATION SMILE SOUTH AFRICA

Operation Smile South Africa plays a pivotal role in changing the lives of children born with cleft lips and palates through access to crucial surgeries. These procedures not only restore physical appearance but also promote healthier development and social integration, allowing children to thrive in their communities. By supporting this organization, we contribute to a brighter future for these children, ensuring they receive the medical care they need to lead fulfilling lives, free from the stigma often associated with facial deformities.

MISSION 5 MILLION

Mission 5 Million is an urgent initiative focused on providing essential nutrients to 5 million malnourished children worldwide. Malnutrition has devastating effects on health, growth, and cognitive development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and suffering. By contributing to this mission, we can help deliver life-saving interventions that nourish young bodies and minds, giving them the chance to grow, learn, and contribute to their communities. Supporting this cause is an investment in the future, fostering healthier generations across the globe.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Raising awareness and funds for the Sea Shepherd Foundation is critical in the fight to save the critically endangered Vaquita porpoise. With only about 30 individuals left, this unique species faces extinction primarily due to illegal fishing practices and habitat destruction. By supporting conservation efforts, we can play a part in protecting marine ecosystems and advocating for sustainable practices. This mission underscores our collective responsibility to preserve biodiversity and ensure that future generations inherit a healthy planet.

It takes deliberate effort. Let’s do it, because we can.

CARBON NETT ZERO

I am embarking on this carbon net zero journey around the world in a human powered pedal boat, because I believe in the importance of exploring our world without contributing to its environmental degradation. We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint, and this journey is my way of aligning adventure with sustainability. I am privileged to have the support of CDM Africa Climate Solutions, who are generously donating carbon offsets to ensure my journey remains carbon net zero. Their contribution helps balance the emissions from my expedition, allowing me to enjoy this incredible experience while staying committed to preserving the planet for future generations. Visit their website here.

Vussi Marenene Biography

To adequately pre-pare for this challenging expedition, over the course of the next 18 months, my partner Vusi and I have planned to undertake a rigorous cycling regimen covering 20,000 kilometers on the road. Our chosen mode of transportation will be bicycles, with me utilizing a mountain bike and Vussi employing a handcycle, showcasing his indomitable spirit despite his physical limitations.

Where am I?

Track my progress

I’m set to start my 44,000 km journey in June 2025.

Brand Ambassador

We are actively seeking brand partners who can offer mutual support by providing me with kit, food, products, or services for this project. While we welcome all types of equipment or products, it is important that they align with the ethics of the expedition and complement the other sponsors.

As a brand partner, we will ensure that your support is widely publicized on our social media channels and website, with the volume of coverage being proportional to the scale of your product or service offering. We are willing to negotiate this in advance with you to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership.

If you have any products or services that you can supply, please feel free to contact me directly to discuss this opportunity further.

Boat Branding

A Human Powered boat is quite a sight! Not only will Vaquita II be crossing several oceans, as part of a world first and world record attempt monitoring by the Ocean Rowing Society in the UK with the big media coverage of any ocean event, but for 18 months prior, will be wheeled out to charity fundraisers and boat shows regularly.

Partnering with the Sea-Battical voyage will cement your logo on one of the world’s more unique billboards; with access via all media platforms to over 3 billion people across the globe!

Funding and support

If you wish to contribute directly to the voyage, follow the Takealot Wishlist by clicking on the button below.

The central objective of the Campaign is to overcome the most crucial obstacle that lies ahead of me: arriving at the starting line in Mosselbay fully prepared to face the challenge ahead. This demands a comprehensive array of medical, safety equipment, food, training gear, and a strong dose of determination.

However, achieving this goal is only possible with the support of sponsors like you. By joining forces with us throughout the Campaign, our partners will gain significant exposure to a vast audience, along with tailor-made sponsorship packages and brand activations.

The boat will be adorned with highly visible logos upon reaching Mossel Bay, potentially reaching over 10 million individuals during the voyage, including 1 million+ media impressions, 5 million global viewers via television coverage, and 50 million in online readership, providing an exceptional return on your investment.

Sponsorship Packages

Available from R25,000 – R500,000

The benefits that can be offered are subject to negotiation but may include the following:

A customized marketing strategy tailored to your business, using my campaign to enhance your brand further.
Opportunities for cross-collaboration between sponsors to generate mutually beneficial sales.
Your logo displayed on the boat, with the size proportional to your percentage of engagement.
Your logo prominently displayed on the front or back of expedition-branded clothing (available only for contributions of R50,000 or more).
Exposure on our website, social media, and mentions in all radio and television interviews.
Regular posts across all our social media platforms, with the volume of posts relative to the level of support provided.
Meet-and-greet events with your company prior to the expedition.
The option to spread the cost of your donation over multiple payments.
The ability to donate any amount from R25,000 to R500,000.
Access to all expedition photography and videography.
The boat will be displayed at the Johannesburg and Cape Town Boat show with your brand logo on it.

Donate to my
expedition

Embarking on a 5 year long journey, I’ve explored the far corners of the world and the sprawling landscapes of the world, driven by an unyielding thirst for change and challenge. My adventurous spirit has led me to bungee jumping, skydiving, sabbaticals in the Kalahari, and the rigors of endurance cycle tours and races. I’ve soared through the skies in micro-light aircraft and sailed the enchanting African coast. Life, to me, is a grand adventure—a canvas awaiting the brushstrokes of constant change and creative living. With an innate willingness to embrace the evolving tapestry of life, I believe that seizing every moment is the key to truly living.

In my quest for a life well-lived, I’ve undertaken a voyage with a purpose. This journey serves as a vessel for various noble causes close to my heart. Firstly, it is dedicated to Operation Smile, aiming to bring smiles back to the faces of children born with deformities. Additionally, it seeks to address the issue of malnourished children worldwide, advocating for good nutrition for those in need. In honor of my dear friend Vussi Marenene, a former top fitness sportsman turned quadriplegic after a tragic cycling accident, the journey aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those with disabilities.

Pedal for smiles Fundraiser

I intend using this expedition to raise funds for good causes and therefore would love to be considered for raising funds for a worthy cause such as Operation Smile. In fact, along with the personal achievement of completing this challenge, nothing would give me greater pleasure than knowing that children will benefit in the way those who are being assisted by Operation Smile do.

Ordinary people have the ability to do great things…….. so, join me as my virtual crew as I traverse the seas that surround Africa raising funds to help a child smile with confidence. For every R5,500 raised another child can receive a 45 min operation and a new smile!

By donating R35 per kilometer we will help a child smile every 160 km’s paddled of the 28000 total km’s. A total of 175 new smiles around Africa.

Donate to the cause

If you wish to contribute directly to the voyage, follow the Takealot Wishlist by clicking on the button below.

By purchasing one or more kilometers at R250 per kilometer, you will directly support the acquisition of vital equipment and cover necessary medical expenses. These funds will facilitate boat construction, sea trials, boat transport to shows, and the procurement of essential on-board equipment and sustenance. In gratitude for your support, your name will be prominently displayed inside my cabin, and you will be acknowledged on our social media and website. Join me on this remarkable expedition and become an integral part of this extraordinary endeavor.