2010/03/25
EAST London rower Peter van Kets sat down to a hearty English breakfast on Sunday in the safety of the English Harbour, Antigua.
Earlier, Van Kets had warmly embraced his wife Kim, and daughter Hannah, who were part of a large crowd who had gathered to welcome him home following his epic solo voyage across the Atlantic.
Many in the welcome party blew vuvuzelas, waved South African flags while boats in the harbour let off celebratory flares.
Van Kets became the first African to row across any ocean solo in his hi-tech rowing boat, Liberty Nyamezela after completing the 2009/2010 Woodvale Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am and how nice it feels not to be doing another three-hour shift. Being back on land is heaven.
“Seeing Kim and Hannah was like a dream come true. Hannah did not recognise me at first. I will put that down to my Paul Kruger type beard,’’ a tired Van Kets said from Antigua yesterday.
He described his voyage as one of deprivation and loneliness and one he would not want to do again.
Van Kets added: “Since being back on land I've been spoilt so far. Big English breakfast, burger and chips for lunch and steak, egg and chips for dinner.
“I cannot get enough of greasy food for now. I look pretty skeletal, so I need to fatten up and this is the perfect excuse.’’
Van Kets, who lost 14kg at sea, said he was exhausted as it had been a long, hard row.
He planned to spend 10 days in Antigua regaining his strength.
“At the moment I am in no condition to fly,’’ he said.
Van Kets’ shore manager Cliff Coombe said yesterday Van Kets would be arriving in South Africa between April 5 and April 8.
“We are planning a big bash for him at the OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and another when he arrives in East London.’’
Van Kets left the port of San Sebastian in the Canary Islands on January 4, 2010. He was the only entrant from Africa and was competing against British, European and US individuals and teams.
The solo class was won by Briton Charlie Pitcher in his boat, JJ.
Pitcher also took overall line honours when he crossed the line on February 25.
Van Kets and Liberty Nyamezela came second in the solo class and placed 13th overall out of a fleet of 30 boats.
The other solo entrants were lying in 24th, 26th, 27th and 28th position respectively with 15 yet to cross the finish line.
Two years ago Van Kets and fellow East London rower Bill Godfrey won the Woodvale race in the pairs section on Gquma Challenger. Their crossing took 50 days. This time Van Kets was at sea for 76 days and also made history as the first rower to compete in the pairs class and return to row it solo.
The crossing is rated as the toughest race in the world.
Although relieved to be able to touch and see Kim and Hannah, Van Kets said he had been privileged to be able to celebrate the uniqueness of his situation.
“The rich beauty of the ocean, its creatures, the majesty of the starlit heavens, magical moon- rises and sunsets and phosphorescence in the water are special memories.’’ - By BRIAN McLEAN
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