People settle in Tenerife for many reasons, and Costa Adeje lures many different nationalities for many reasons. It takes an adventurous spirit to relocate to another country but some are more adventurous than others, Peter Raab from Germany is a prime example. The long term resident of Tenerife owns Total Marine in Puerto Colon, boat brokers and marine experts, when it comes to practical experience he has the ultimate qualification, he has recently returned from a 3,000 mile two man rowing trip to Antigua.

Ocean rowing has a long proud tradition in the Canary Islands and Peter first got the itch when the 2001 Atlantic Rowing Challenge set off from Playa San Juan on the west coast. The idea simmered until Peter decided in late 2006, it was time to have a go himself, so he set about raising funds and finding a partner and a boat. Martha Dos was a sturdy 7.1 metre long and 1.9 metre wide row boat, that had made the crossing in 61 days in the 2001 race, and Peter managed to rent the boat from the Martha Dos hospice charity in the north of Tenerife, this was the first contribution to charity.

The original rowing partner had to pull out at a late stage but after chasing up his contacts, Peter found Tim Wilks, a semi pro rugby player and adventurer from Darlington, who was keen and willing to push himself to the limit to catch up fast on the gruelling training. As the December 8 2007 departure date raced towards them, the boat became a familiar site in Puerto Colon harbour as it went out on late evening training runs.

As if the sheer mental and physical challenge wasn’t enough, Peter and Tim pledged to raise funds for the Orobal charity, an organisation that supports the  mentally and physically handicapped from its Los Cristianos base. Local business’s and groups like Freebird Sailing and Santiago del Teide Lions Club rallied round with sponsorship, and on the morning of December 8, a large crowd packed the Puerto Colon marina to see them off.

Powerful waves, strong currents, hot sun, cramped conditions and basic food and drink were all hardships they had to bear but after 59 days, 3 hours and 30 minutes, they sailed into Antigua to a heroes welcome. Now 4 months on, Tim is back in England, Peter is back in Costa Adeje but the boat is still stuck in Antigua, much to their annoyance. “We have paid to have it shipped back” said Peter, “but are still waiting for the Ocean Rowing Society to make it happen. It’s rented till August, so if we don’t get it back soon, we will end up paying out more money.”

The boat will bring a financial bounty back with it, all the special equipment bought for the crossing will be sold and that money will go into the pot for the Orobal charity.  The total is currently nearly 9,000 euros but that will also be swelled by the DVD of the crossing that they have just brought out. All the trials and tribulations of life at sea are on there and the 14.99 euros price includes a 9 euro donation to Orobal, just pop into Total Marine on the first floor at Puerto Colon or make contact via the website.

As to the future, Peter isn’t about to take up the oars again but he does say, with a far away glint in his eye,  that he is looking for another challenge.