SAHETIANS MAKING HEADLINES

Theresa Patricios

Class of 1994

Rowing across the Pacific Ocean

If I had to choose another life form to live through, it would be a fish. Despite being born and raised in Johannesburg, from a young age I had a yearning for the sea. That is perhaps one of the reasons why I have taken on this incredible adventure of rowing across the Pacific Ocean with three intrepid teammates. The journey, which will take place in June 2023, is part of an organised race campaign and will take us from Monterey, south of San Francisco, to Hawaii.

We estimate that the journey will take us approximately 40 days, with two people alternating the rowing with two hours on, two hours off constantly throughout the day and night.

Another strong inspiration behind my desire to undertake this adventure was to know myself in a deeper way as the SAHETI motto so wisely states. The drive to know myself in a more fundamental way as I experience challenges beyond the day to day. To be in a place where my limits are stretched, and my physical, mental and spiritual resilience will be tested.

And the third reason - to experience the beauty and serenity of being in the moment - amidst Mother Nature. A speck in the vast ocean, with the infinite stars above us and expanse of ocean around us. A unique opportunity to experience being one with nature. Away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

There will no doubt be days which are difficult and trying and many encounters which we cannot truly prepare for. But there will be days of joy and pleasure, where time will stand still, where we will experience simply being present and whole. Four comrades in one boat, with one goal of reaching our destination.

With the knowledge that it is the journey and all the experiences that we will encounter along the way that will give us our true insight. As the Greek poet Cavafy once wrote, 'As you set out for Ithaka, hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery.'

I'm very grateful for having been given this opportunity and am looking forward to sharing both beautiful and tough moments with my team.

To give more meaning and a broader benefit to our challenge ahead, we are raising funds for a charity that we have selected as being important to us. Our chosen charity is MIND, which is a UK-based charity supporting people with mental health difficulties. We would be hugely grateful for any donation to our cause.

You can find more information by subscribing to our newsletter on www.pacific-discovery.com, following us on LinkedIn or simply reaching out to me at tpatricios@gmail.com.