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 (left middle) – Wilco is a top class mountain climber who has topped several mountains over 8000m and is 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.
Paul Heerema (right) – Paul previously rowed the Atlantic in 2018 and enjoys a challenge or two. His passion for the sea stems from the fact that he is an offshore marine engineer.
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 climate change. 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. By rowing the Pacific it is our mission to raise awareness and change behaviours when it comes to climate change and making impact.
Sitting back is not an option. Let’s row this ocean together
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