Meet the team
Team Ocean – a mixed team of four adventurers,
preparing to take on the challenge to row the Pacific in 2024!
Bela Evers (left) – Bela, is a keen all-round sporter, who loves adventure and endurance sports. She rowed across the Atlantic in December 2020 which has been an experience never to forget, igniting a passion for the sea.
Wilco van Rooijen (right) – Wilco is a top class mountain climber who has topped several mountains over 8000m and without the use of oxygen. Besides that he is also the holder of The Explorers Grand Slam. Now he’s having a go on Sea.
Sara Eenhoorn (right middle) – a mountain enthusiast having climbed 10 mountains of 6000 meters +, becoming the first Dutch woman to do so. In her daily life, she organizes mountain trips and connects with charities. Her passion for extreme challenges made this adventure a natural next step.
Bram Mayer (left middle) – Bram is an outdoor adventurer who loves climbing and tour on his motorbike. As a policeman he is both mentally and physically strong. He thought of sailing an ocean, but now he’s rowing it!
THE PACIFIC CHALLENGE
What we will be doing: Starting in May 2024, Team Ocean will row unaided from Western USA to the magical backdrop of Hawaii.
A total of 4,500 km rowing in shifts of 2 hours on and 2 hours off non-stop. Facing sores, blisters, massive waves, seasickness, fatigue and a confronting mental challenge. We’ll be rowing to raise awareness for water. Read more on our mission.
OUR MISSION
As a team of dedicated outdoor adventurers, we are grateful to be so close and ‘as one’ with nature.
But it’s saddening to see what is happening on the front of climate change and the impact it is having on our water supply. By rowing the Pacific it is our mission to raise awareness and change behaviours when it comes to water consumption and having access to fresh drink water. We will be a living lab just surviving on 10 liters a day per person – showing it can be done and igniting a call to action on water awareness.
Sitting back is not an option. Let’s row this ocean together
COMMUNITY
ORDER YOUR TEAM OCEAN TSHIRT & HOODY
We have some great merchandise that is available in our webshop. We have Team Ocean Hoody’s of great Nike quality, as well as cotton or sports T-Shirt. By purchasing a product, you not only support our water mission indirectly, but you are part of the community and have a great quality piece of kit. See it as a souvenier
WHOLE HOLLAND ROWS FOR WATER
On 3rd February 2024, Team Ocean in cooperation with CrossFit Netherlands, will be organising a fundraiser day to help support their mission around water awareness. You can participate as an individual or part of a team to row as many kilometers in a day, with the goal of matching the 4500km that Team Ocean will be rowing in 6-8 weeks. You don’t have to be a top sporter just a mindset of participating for a good cause.
FACTS
- The Pacific is the world's deepest ocean
- The sea level is rising worldwide and on the coast of Hawaii its rising 1 inch every 4 years. Around 13 miles of beaches have already gone.
- Just 80 people in 31 boats have successfully rowed to one of the Hawaiian Islands from mainland USA
- Of the 31 crews, 10 were all female, 18 all male and just 3 mixed
- Never have a Dutch mixed double team rowed this route - a Première
- The word Pacific means peaceful