Peter van Kets

Motivation

Go2 Websites — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:34:33 +0000

Having just completed this incredible race/journey to the South Pole and with many requests coming through for motivational talks, I have put together my new presentation entitled “Cold Sweat – Impossible in Nothing”. Braam and I had such an incredible experience in the toughest endurance race I have ever participated in. Much tougher than both of my rows across the Atlantic. The lessons that I learned are so applicable to the business environment that we find ourselves in at the moment. I look forward to sharing it!

As part of a two man South African team we made South African history becoming the first Africans to ever race to the pole. The race was unsupported and covered a total distance of 888km’s in one of the most hostile environments known to man – Antarctica; the highest driest and coldest place on the planet. My story is one of survival, courage, perseverance, passion, tenacity, amazing team work and the will to win. In my new talk “Cold Sweat – Impossible is Nothing” I takes the lessons that I learned learned from the expedition and relate them to the business environment. It is totally inspirational!

In 2010 I spent 76 days alone in a 7 meter rowing boat crossing the Atlantic. This epic 5438 Km unsupported row across the Atlantic was a first for any African. With this I was awarded the S.A. OutThere Adventurer of the Year 2011.
In 2008 I accidently made my name known in the world of extreme adventure by winning the unsupported Woodvale Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race together with friend Bill Godfrey. With this I was awarded the South African Premiers Award and the Eastern Cape Sports Star of the year (2008) Award.

I currently write an inspirational column for the Leadership Magazines – Leadership in Sport as well as a business oriented inspirational column for the business magazine “Blue Chip”.

“Peter is a very popular guest speaker both on the South African and international speaking circuit. His presentations are powerful and inspiring receiving rave reviews everywhere. In his latest talk, Peter relates his lessons learned / critical success factors to the business world by using his Race to the Pole, solo rowing and other expeditions as real/true life examples of achieving success. He is a passionate speaker and is totally devoted to inspiring people and changing their lives. He addresses the issues of (to name but a few) great vision, planning, team work, strategy, conflict management, working in a dynamic environment, self-discipline and perseverance.”

Mission Accomplished

Go2 Websites — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:31:24 +0000

Braam and I have just returned from our …… how should I say ….. EPIC Race to the Pole. It was an expedition that had a life of it’s own and was something that I personally had not quite expected. It was a great success and now we have become the first South Africans to have ever raced unsupported to the South Pole. My frostbitten cheeks have recovered, my fingers and toes are still a bit numb and I look like a skinny Whippet, but all is good and I managed not to lose any bits. Braam and I had a humbling experience in Antarctica and we feel totally privileged to have been given this opportunity exactly 100 years after Scott and Amundsen’s impromptu race. I have gained another brother and true friend in Braam. We endured incredible pain and hardship together and never once had any misgivings towards each other.

We had the great fortune of being able to help the British Team, Centre Point, get to the Pole by carrying one of their team members equipment for 9 days. Andrew had broken his arm and was determined to continue and needed help. They in turn helped us by keeping us company. More about that in the 4 part television series and in the book Braam and I will write together.

Some race stats:
> Antarctica is the highest driest and coldest continent on the planet!
> Antarctica’s plateau is bigger than the United States of America
> The plateau averages at 3000m above sea level and the air density at that hight is equivalent to 4700m here in S.A. (baie hoog)
> 7 teams took part in the race
> 3 teams officially finished the race – us being the third
> Total distance of trek 888km’s
> Acclimatisation trek – 120km’s
> Race distance – 768km’s
> The Norweigian team won the race by 7 days – phenomenal effort
> The Welsh team was second – one day ahead of us

I would like to thank EWR and Urban Brew for their involvement and support as well as my personal sponsors, New Balance, Rudy Project and Cape Storm. Our SUUNTO Core watches were also a huge asset to us as the Barometer was exact and enabled us to totally predict the weather within minutes.

Latest News and Updates from the Pole

Go2 Websites — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:13:13 +0000

Boys are better. woke up feeling worst ever but had a good day of skiing despite hectic uphills that slowed them down a lot. horrible sores on Pete’s face but all good.

Very interesting news – the have been communicating with team Centrepoint (Brit Green team) and one of the guys (Andy?) has got a fractured arm and has been advised to stop. Pete and Braam have offered to team up with Centrepoint and split the weight of his pulk between the 4 of them rather than just his 2 remaining teammates so Andy can continue to the pole skiing without a pulk. I think this is totally awesome. The Centrepoint team is behind them now but they will probably ski together from tomorrow.

Some pictures have been added to the this Gallery, with more coming soon…

Some past updates:

Tuesday 17th 2012
Team SA had a good rest at Checkpoint 1 and left the halfway mark at 19:00 last night for the second and final leg of this epic race to the South Pole. From now on they will travel through the night. This wont be a problem as it will be 24 hours of sunlight in the Antarctic until middle March.

Braam said that the Centenary Race to the South Pole is much tougher then his Great Wall of China and Smile SA run. “The terrain is like a frozen choppy sea and its very tough pulling the pulk over this terrain”. Photo by Henri van Schalkwyk, a Urban Brew Studios crew member in Antarctica

Sunday 15th 2012
Team SA arrived at the half way checkpoint just after 17h00 (GMT) on Sunday, 15 January. Braam and Pete now have a mandatory 24 hour rest and recovery period before they start walking the remaining 330 km of the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole.

Friday 13th 2012
Dr Ian Davis and the boys from SA, Mission Possible!! We are happy to announce that Braam and Pete are feeling much better. Urban Brew Studios, MyPlanet and Pete and Braam’s families would like to thank you all for your messages of encouragement. Remember to follow Team SA on www.coldsweat.tv and also read Paul van Schalkwyk’s blog, BELOW ZERO, for very interesting updates from Antarctica. Photo by Extreme World Races

Thursday 12th 2012
On 11 January the Norwegian team reached the halfway checkpoint of the Centenary Race to the South Pole. They were the first team to get there and are two days ahead of the other teams. Peter van Kets said in a previous interview, “The Norwegians are like machines”. This seems to be true. If they keep the pace at which they have been moving since the start of the race, they will definitely win.

In Antarctica the race observers all agree that the South Africans are putting in a remarkable performance, especially since they are absolute strangers to snow environments. Tomorrow the temperature will be –25˚Celsius and in the evening it is forecast at –31˚Celsius.

In the photo the Urban Brew Studios film crew in Antarctica is interviewing a member of the Norwegian team.

Wednesday 11th 2012
An update on Team SA: They are getting back into form again, still coughing and tough going, but definitely getting into the new routine. They had a good night and covered 30km today in good weather – sun shining at -25 for the first half and very poor visibility later.

Tuesday 10th 2012
Marc Woods was evacuated from the Antarctic Plateau on Sunday night. He is now being checked out at the Novo Russian Science base by their doctor and will fly out to Cape Town later this week. We are glad that Marc is doing ok. Now Team SA must just keep on going strong. Peter has also started coughing and wheezing, so please keep them in your thoughts.

Peter and Braam in a world first by over-striking commemorative coins at the South Pole

Go2 Websites — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:38:38 +0000

The South African Mint is in the business of conserving and commemorating History. Through the ages coins were used to portray the spirit of the times of countries and leaders. Coins represent specific countries and specific eras and will represent contemporary themes and issues for thousands of years. The most pressing challenge our era face is climate change and all the challenges that spread from it. The main aim of the proposed project is to create awareness to the massive climate change challenge that the world is facing. The South African Mint would like to play a leading role in highlighting the Climate Change challenge.

Awareness will be created by Peter and Braam when they over strike the first ever coin depicting the challenge of Climate Change at the South Pole – they will then over strike 1000 of these collectors items. The Coin overstrike and medallion launch would take place during December 2011 and January 2012 and will coincide with the centenary celebration of the “ Race to the South Pole” as well as the United Nations “COP 17” Conference focussing on Climate Change, hosted by South Africa in Durban during December 2011.

Tinges le Lac – French Alps 3200m – South Pole Training

Go2 Websites — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:21:59 +0000

I am sitting here at the foot of the Grande Motte glacier warm and energised after a great day of trekking with ski’s. As I look out over the mountains and wonder at their beauty I can’t help but think what Scott and Amundsen were doing this day 100 years ago and how different it is to this. Those guys were hard. We have exactly one month left before we head out to the great feezer – the highest driest coldest place on the planet. Our time is coming and we are very excited!

Scott’s Diary entry for today 100 years ago – 16 November 1911

“Camp 12. Resting. A stiff little southerly breeze all day, dropping towards evening. The temperature -15º. Ponies pretty comfortable in rugs and behind good walls. We have reorganised the loads, taking on about 580 lbs. with the stronger ponies, 400 odd with the others.”

So the question you may ask is what are we doing in France 1 month before the start of the hardest race and expedition i will probably ever take part in. Braam and I desperately needed some time to ski – trekking! We battled to find a place with the right conditions at this time of the year – between the seasons. The place we found was Tignes le Lac high up in the French Alps and it is perfect! We have had the most beautiful weather and plenty of snow. Every day we head up to the Glacier Grande Motte which is at 3200m. The South Pole is also 3000m so its great. Our confidence has been boosted substantially.You can follow this race on facebook page Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race to the Pole.