OUR MISSION
Mission
We are GROHE Team Ocean with a mission to row across the mid-Pacific in order to raise awareness the impact climate change is having on our water availability. We, Bela Evers (Transformation Consultant & Ocean Rower), Joost Schutte (Youth Social Worker and Ex Marine), Ruurd Dasselaar (Dentist) and Wilco van Rooijen (Professional mountain climber and polar explorer), will set out in May 2025 from California and row non-stop 4500km in shifts of 2 hours on and 2 hours off to Hawaii. Following this we will hike to Mount Kea the highest peak in Hawaii – literally going from Sea to Summit. It’s going to be tough to say the least but the mission is clear. In preparation for this tour and to create more awareness around water in Europe, we will row along the Rhine from Summit base to the North Sea (Rotterdam).
Our Story
Being outdoor adventurers, we are grateful to be so close and ‘as one’ with nature. Climate change, behaviours and infrastructure will have an impact on our water supply, and we want to create positive awareness for this growing challenge.
The world holds only 2.5% of fresh water and we as human beings consist of 60% of water, yet there is no alternative to this much needed resource. Already more than 40% of the world’s population live in water-stressed areas, and water demand is expected to rise 55% over the next 30 years (source: OECD). By rowing the Pacific it is our mission to raise awareness and change behaviours when it comes to how we go about using and treating water.
We will use our expedition as a ‘living lab’ to highlight the need of being self-sufficient on water usage, making our own drinking water using minimum energy. We will use less than 8 liters of water per day (per person) while the average Dutch citizen uses 129 liters (Source: CBS). So every drop counts, literally. As part of the mission, we will create awareness, school programs, citizen initiatives and company programs, but we can’t do this without the support of partners and sponsors, so hop on board. Sitting back is NOT an option.
Let’s row this ocean together and create #AQUAWARENESS.
OUR MISSION FOR EDUCATION
It is our mission to have a cirriculum about water in schools. See how we are working towards making this a reality, by offering primary schools in Holland a guest lesson about our water. Read more (in Dutch)
Our Core Values
Our Values as a Team
- Work together
- Respect for nature and each other
- No room for ego's
Extraordinary Experiences
Adventure frees the heart and brings with it extraordinary experiences. Between the team we have climbed mountains, rowed an ocean, crossed the polars and more… being outdoor adventurers has magnified the superiority of nature.
We are nothing compared to the mighty elements around us and it is the art of being ‘as one’ with mother nature that tests us as humans. The extraordinary experience is not what you do but how you come out of it the other side.