Former South coaster to solo row North Atlantic ocean

Peter Harley (60), formerly from Southbroom, will solo row 4000 miles or 6437km, unsupported, across the North Atlantic Ocean, from Virginia Beach in the USA to France in May next year.

Peter now lives in North Carolina, having moved there about two years ago to be closer to his daughter Bonnie. She moved to the States in 2003 and lives there with her husband Duncan and daughter Norah.

If successful in this crossing he would become the first South African to solo row the North Atlantic Ocean.

This challenge has never been done before and it’s to raise awareness of three charities, namely 5 Gyres, Paediatric Brain Tumour Foundation and Best Friends Animal Society.

The charities have a special connection for Peter and Bonnie.

“Losing my mom, Helen to breast cancer was a devastating moment in both my dad’s and my life. Her life and the person she is to us, has driven and motivated both of us to keep honouring her in many different ways throughout our lives,” said Bonnie.

She added that Helen is a big part of this journey.

“She not only fought through her battle with grace, determination and resilience, she fought for others. She was a huge advocate for the Reach for A Dream Foundation, and while undergoing her own treatment for breast cancer she organised and ran a charity fun run, raising funds to help children with cancer.

“It is in her honour we chose the Paediatric Brain Tumour Foundation as one of our beneficiaries. They are one of the leading charities directly supporting children and families through their cancer journey.”

According to Peter, planet health is a serious problem that’s not going away any time soon.

“More awareness leads to gradual change. Cancer has played a part in our family and we both also adore animals, so there is a very strong connection to all these charities,” said Peter.

Bonnie said they need all the support they can get, by spreading the word and donating.

“We would also love to proudly showcase South African businesses who might want to sponsor the event or be involved in some way,” she added.

Peter’s row will be a totally unsupported crossing, with no support vessels or craft of any kind. He will launch from Norfolk Harbour in early May next year, once an optimum weather and tide window is identified.

“I expect the crossing to take between three to four months but due to the unpredictable weather systems in the North Atlantic I’m mentally prepared for a longer period at sea,” he said.

Bonnie, meanwhile, will be handling the onshore communications and ‘tech’ side of things, tracking the weather, as well as updating their website, dealing with the media and gathering sponsors.

Training for Peter, with his boat purchased in the UK, began in January last year and he will keep at it, right up until launch.

“It’s intense and relentless. It’s seven days a week, to include strength, cardio and rowing training. This can be anything from five to nine hours per session, covering 15 to 30 miles.”

For about the last 25 years of Peter’s life in SA, he ran his own construction business on the South Coast.

“I’ve been physically active all my life and have been motivated by many things sporting. An extreme endurance event such as this, really is living life to the fullest. It will be an incredible adventure and an opportunity to inspire, help and motivate others,” he said.

Peter, who has no intention of slowing down, but rather doing whatever he can to leave a positive, meaningful imprint in this world.

He hopes to inspire others in some way through this journey, because we are all ultimately navigating our own ocean in some way.

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