The World's Toughest Pedal
Launching in...
The Vaquita porpoise on the brink of extinction
The Vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s most endangered marine mammal, found only in the northern part of the Gulf of California, Mexico. It has a small, shy appearance, with a grey body, a dark ring around its eyes, and a finless back. The main threat to the Vaquita is accidental entanglement in illegal gillnets used to catch another endangered species, the totoaba fish, whose swim bladders are highly valued on the black market. As of recent estimates, fewer than 10 Vaquitas remain, making their conservation efforts extremely urgent.
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.
The Challenge
The Challenges and Adaptations of a Global Circumnavigation Attempt:
For months, the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the volatile situation in the Gulf of Aden, particularly in Yemen, have been at the forefront of my concerns. The Houthi militia’s persistent attacks on vessels with ties to Israel and allied nations have made maritime navigation increasingly dangerous. As I prepare for my world record attempt to circumnavigate Africa in a human-powered pedal boat, I have been closely monitoring developments in the region, receiving monthly updates from various port authorities in the Red Sea. These reports underscore the complexities and risks of attempting such a passage in a vessel that is relatively unfamiliar to the broader boating community.
Route Plan for Global Circumnavigation
Embarking on a groundbreaking journey, I aim to set a new world record with a full global circumnavigation, starting from Cape Town South Africa. This ambitious expedition will span approximately 45,000 kilometers over five years, leveraging trade winds and ocean currents to optimize the route. Below is a detailed outline of the journey:
Departure and Initial Leg: Cape Town South Africa
- Start Date: June or July 2025
- Route: From Cape Town, I will travel to St. Helena Island, Ascension Island, and Ilha Fernando Noronha along Brazil’s east coast. This leg will be crucial for acclimatizing to ocean conditions and preparing for the Atlantic crossing.
Crossing the Atlantic
- Destination: Barbados and Aruba
- Route: After resupplying in Brazil, I will cross the Atlantic Ocean, stopping in Barbados and Aruba to rest and gather supplies. These stops are strategic for maintaining the vessel and my endurance.
Panama Canal Passage
- Destination: Panama City
- Route: I will navigate through the Panama Canal, a vital point in the journey, allowing access to the Pacific Ocean. Resupplying here is essential before embarking on the next leg.
Pacific Ocean Expedition
- Distance: Approximately 8,000 kilometers
- Route: This leg will take me across the Pacific, with planned stops in the Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia. I also hope to visit my son, Jean, in Auckland, New Zealand, weather, currents and trade winds permitting. Otherwise, I will head to Cairns, Australia.
Northern Australian Coast
- Route: From Cairns, I will navigate through the Coral Sea, Arafura Sea, and Timor Sea. Key stops include Darwin, Broome, and Exmouth, where I can rest and resupply.
Indian Ocean Journey
- Route: Crossing the Indian Ocean towards Madagascar. This segment is critical for testing my resilience and adaptability to changing conditions.
Mozambique Channel to Return
- Route: After Madagascar, I will navigate down the Mozambique Channel, passing through the Natal Strait, before making the final leg back to Cape Town. This route will offer a chance to reflect on the journey and celebrate the completion of this extraordinary expedition.
A Five-Year Odyssey
This journey is not just a test of endurance and determination but also an opportunity to inspire others to pursue their dreams. With careful planning, unwavering resolve, and a commitment to sustainability, I am poised to navigate the challenges ahead. Join me as I embark on this remarkable adventure, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in human-powered exploration!
The Captain
A born explorer with extensive travel experience across the world and the African continent, I have constantly sought change and challenge, both physically and mentally. From bungee jumping and skydiving to taking sabbaticals in the Kalahari, participating in endurance cycle tours and races, flying micro-light aircraft, and sailing yachts along the African coast, including competing in yacht races, I have embraced a life of adventure.
Driven by an innate sense of curiosity and a desire to live life to the fullest, I firmly believe that embracing constant change is the key to a fulfilling existence. I approach life as an adventure, constantly seeking new experiences and opportunities to grow and evolve. I firmly believe that we have only one chance to live life, and it should be lived to its fullest potential.
At the age of 16, I joined the Hermanus See & Sand Lifeguarding as a volunteer, and during the following two years, I found immense reward in helping people along the way. As a lifeguard, I had the privilege of saving 14 individuals from the surf, an experience that further solidified my passion for assisting and inspiring others.
In 2004, I obtained both my Private Pilot’s License (PPL) and Yacht License, further fueling my thirst for adventure and exploration. I have derived great joy from leading tour groups to remote and seldom-visited places, sharing the wonders of these hidden gems with fellow adventurers.
Although I had to abandon an extreme expedition eight years ago before its launch, I now have the opportunity to undertake a new challenge at the perfect time. Combining my love for cycling and my desire to push the boundaries, I have decided to embark on this journey in a pedal boat, relying solely on human power.
My motivation for undertaking these adventures goes beyond personal fulfillment. I aspire to use the stories and lessons from my experiences to inspire individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve things they never believed possible. It is my deepest wish to encourage individuals to reflect on their own lives, their dreams, and their unique purpose. I firmly believe that each person has a reason for their existence and a vision that is meant to be pursued.
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
Combating Malnutrition: A Call for Effective Solutions
Introduction
Every six seconds, a child loses their life due to malnutrition-related causes, resulting in a staggering daily toll of five million children and accounting for between one-third and one-half of all childhood deaths globally. Despite the allocation of billions of dollars towards enriched grain-based cereals and relief food, this approach has proven ineffective. The key lies in understanding the difference between merely feeding children and providing them with proper nourishment. Doctors Without Borders has shed light on this challenge, urging the industry to collaborate in search of new solutions.
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.
Vusi 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 Vusi 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
Raffle Ticket Rules:
1. Eligibility: Participation is open to individuals of all ages. However persons below the age of 18 must be under adult supervision during their stay at Louvain Guest Farm.
2. Ticket Sales: Tickets will be available for purchase online starting April 1, 2024. There is no limit to the number of tickets a single person may buy. Each ticket is priced at R150 and can only be purchased online.
3. Prize Description: The prize includes accommodation for 8 people at “Fiela se Huis”, Louvain Guest Farm, subject to availability after the ticket draw. Additionally, the prize comprises micro-lite flights for 4 individuals (weather permitting) and an Ostrich steak Braai demonstration. The total prize value is estimated at R12000. It should be noted that the prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Booking should be direct wit Louvain guest farm. guestfarm@louvain.co.za or 067 475 8547
4. Drawing Date and Location: The raffle draw is scheduled for November 30, 2024.
5. Winner Notification: Winners will be announced on various social media platforms. A grace period of one week will be allotted for winners to contact the organizers. Failure to do so within this timeframe will result in the next name drawn being awarded the prize. To qualify for the prize, participants must like the Sea-Battical Facebook page, use their name as a reference in the electronic funds transfer (EFT), and send proof of payment and name via WhatsApp to 0837272908.
6. Publicity: Winners will be notified across all social media platforms, and images of the prize presentation will be shared publicly.
7. Legal Compliance: The raffle bank account is managed by Lumenrock Accountants located at Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn, specifically in the Jan Lotz Huis building. The raffle draw will be overseen by Lumenrock to ensure legal compliance.
8. Proceeds: Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Operation Smile, the M5M Foundation, Vussi Marenene Para-Cyclist, the Sea-Battical around Africa project, and administrative costs. The objectives include supporting Operation Smile in providing cleft lip surgeries for children, raising awareness for para-cyclists, feeding malnourished children worldwide through the M5M Foundation, the Sea-Battical Around Africa Project and aiding in the conservation efforts to save the critically endangered Vaquita Porpoise from extinction.
Disclaimers: The prize cannot be exchanged for cash. The organizers cannot be held liable for any incidents or accidents occurring during the visit to Louvain Guest Farm or during any related activities. The decision of the organizers is final, and no disputes will be entertained.
Modification or Cancellation: The organizers reserve the right to modify or cancel the raffle if deemed necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, acts of God, or insufficient participation.
Should you have any further inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. info@sea-battical.co.za
Gallery
My Blog
Embarking on the Sea-Battical Para-Cycle Tour: Pedaling for Dreams and a Greener Future
If War prevails. Navigating Challenges: Finding New Horizons – Plan B
An Epic Day with Balancell Intelligent Batteries
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