A week ago, we made landfall on the shores of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i after rowing more than 2,133 nautical miles from Monterey, California — a journey that tested us physically, mentally, and emotionally every single day.
Our team, GROHE Team Ocean, set out on this expedition not simply to cross an ocean, but to raise awareness for something we believe in deeply: the preciousness of clean drinking water and the urgent need for water sustainability.
Now that we’ve completed the row, we want to reflect on what this journey taught us — and why it matters for all of us.
An Ocean of Water, But Only 6 Liters a Day
Throughout our crossing, surrounded by nothing but endless water, we lived under a strict rule: no more than 6 liters of water per person per day, all of it made using our watermaker from seawater.
We did this deliberately — to experience for ourselves, in a direct and tangible way, the reality of living with limited water resources. Every liter mattered. We rationed it carefully for drinking, cooking, and minimal washing.
It was a stark contrast to life on land, where clean water flows from taps, toilets, and showers without a second thought. Out there, with every drop hard-earned, we couldn’t help but think about how much we all waste, simply because water feels so abundant at home.
Why We Rowed: Inspiring the Next Generation
We took on this extreme challenge to highlight a global one: ensuring sustainable access to clean water for future generations. And we believe that future begins with education for children.
Older generations — ours included — have grown up with water on demand. Changing deeply ingrained habits around water use is difficult. That’s why we’re now focused on creating an educational program for young children, teaching them from an early age:
• The importance of not wasting water
• The impact of pollution on freshwater sources
• Why protecting clean drinking water is a responsibility we all share
We rowed across an ocean, but that challenge pales in comparison to the collective challenge we face as a society to protect and sustain freshwater for the future.
The Parallels: Extreme Rowing and Water Stewardship
Looking back, our row demanded:
• Careful planning: just as communities must plan for sustainable water use.
• Discipline: as we must exercise discipline in daily water habits.
• Teamwork: because water sustainability requires all of us — individuals, communities, governments — to work together.
Our time at sea made one thing clear: every drop counts. And just as we depended on our watermaker and careful rationing to survive this journey, we all depend on responsible management of freshwater resources to sustain life on this planet.
What’s Next: Our Mission Continues
Our crossing may be over, but our mission isn’t. We’re asking you — everyone who followed our journey — to help us take the next step:
👉 Support the creation of our educational program about water sustainability for schools around the world.
Every donation we receive will go directly toward developing and distributing engaging, accessible materials that will help the next generation understand why water matters and how they can help protect it.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey.
Your encouragement and support carried us across the Pacific — and now, we hope you’ll join us in carrying this message forward.
Let’s row together toward a future where water is respected, valued, and protected.
— GROHE Team Ocean
Wilco van Rooijen, Bela Evers, Ruurd Dasselaar, Joost Schutte, Bartel Scheers