The Cape-to-Rio Yacht Race, which takes place every 3 years, is known as one of the toughest yacht races in the world.

In January 2017, two well-known professional adventurers and highly respected inspirational speakers, Peter Van Kets and Braam Malherbe, will be doing the seemingly impossible: rowing from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro during the Cape to Rio Yacht Race.

This will be a totally unassisted row covering a distance of 6,700kms. If they achieve their goal it will be a massive South African sporting accomplishment and a world first.

Braam and Pete, both passionate conservationists, have a big purpose behind the row. They will be focussing on the vital importance of protecting our Earth and its biodiversity, including highlighting the plight of marine life and the oceans. Most significantly, they will be inviting all 7, 2 billion of us humans to participate. This will be via a free App to be launched next year, to ‘DOT’ (Do One Thing) to be an asset to the Earth. Their goal is to get an ambitious 1 billion people to show their asset value on the App…and become true Earth Citizens.

“A mere 20 years ago you could not easily reach a million people in a few short months, let alone call them to action and have that actions available for all to see. But today, through the many social media platforms, we can indeed reach a billion people. This means, in our planets stressful time, we, the perpetrators of the stress, can turn things around more rapidly than we ever believed possible”, says Malherbe.

The expeditions main theme will be ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’. “We easily forget and dismiss important things in life when it is not in our direct view. The burning of the rain forests are but one land example. We do not see and are generally unaware that 100 million sharks are butchered every year (that’s 11, 000 every hour!). We are unaware that the cattle industry is directly responsible for more than half of all green-house gases on Earth and also the main reason for the destruction of the Amazon rain forest.

It is only when we understand what is going on, that we can contribute to being part of the solution”, says Van Kets.

“Oceans play a major role in climate changes effecting Earth’s connected eco systems. From ocean acidification, ‘dead zones’ and sea water rise,” continues Van Kets. Another important expedition focus is that of ‘zero carbon emissions’ and what each one of us can do to contribute to a sustainable future.

Sun International have proudly sponsored the rowing boat which will be delivered in Cape Town later this month.

In the mean time, Braam and Pete start to train for this epic world first. ‘How?’ one might well ask! “We did the race to the South Pole together in 2011, and since then we are best friends. We are both very excited to be doing this mission together as we both share the same values and passion to be assets mother Nature,” concludes Malherbe. “The training for this king of missions is critical and very important. It is not Braam and me that will make this expedition a success, it is the participation of everyone that will ensure a sustainable future,” said Van Ketz.