16 NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 6, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | to compete in the Atlantic Challenge, the countless things that had gone wrong on his fi rst ocean expedition, his heart attack, his mother’s death — once the initial shock wore off, he realized that he had choices. If he couldn’t control what life threw at him, he could stop himself from being controlled by anger and fear and then decide what to do next. This took discipline, which he had in abundance, as he’d proven on the 2,700-mile row. The more he worked at self-control and refusing to see himself as a victim, the bet- ter he got at it. On both land and sea, where he’d had more than enough time to think, he hadn’t just studied the ocean, but himself. “Rather than let an event sweep me away,” he says, “I try to notice whatever emotion I’m experiencing and then choose how I want to respond and what story I tell myself. Easier said than done! But this ‘training’ is not only great for ocean rowing. It helps with any challenge.” Less than six months after his heart at- tack, he fi nished a 28-mile marathon. By late summer 2023, he was in full prep mode to take on the ocean in the same vessel as before. This row would last approximately 125 days and be almost twice as long as the fi rst one. On September 25, Tez made a “global an- nouncement” about the upcoming mission, setting a November launch date (weather and readiness permitting) and a target of completing the trip in either March or April 2024. He’d lined up nearly twenty corporate sponsors to help pay the bills, while retrofi t- ting his boat for the grueling journey ahead. One sponsor was Sungai Watch, the world’s leader in creating river barriers to catch plas- tics trying to enter the oceans. The company had installed more than 180 such barriers and collected over 1.1 kilograms of plastic. Tez’s crew replaced the old decals on Moderation with new logos, made repairs on the boat, installed audio and visual equip- ment to record more of his experiences at sea, and handled the endless logistical details leading up to the launch. He was packing enough food for at least four months and would be able to use ocean water by putting it through a desalinization machine. “This is daunting,” he said during prepa- rations, “but I’m excited. In this time of struggle in so many places around the world, I want to inspire others who believe in taking on ‘impossible causes.’” His group was set to chart his progress and offer regular reports to the public via social media. They’d created a campaign to receive donations and put together a video about Tez’s upcoming row. A technical crew had installed Artifi cial Intelligence sensors on his boat to gather ocean health data. Both high tech (AI experts standing by to interpret the data) and low tech (pulling oars all day and sometimes all night) would be needed to fulfi ll the goal. The summer of 2022 was behind Tez; he believed that he was physically and mentally ready, trusting that his heart would hold up. He was steeling himself to be alone at sea, rowing as many as twelve hours a day. Would he get lonely crossing the Pacifi c? “I’m an equal mixture of introvert and extrovert,” he says. “I’m not close to a lot of people, but really enjoy being around my friends. I’m not in a relationship — one of the many sacrifi ces I’ve made to plan and execute something like the expedition to Australia. It’s a complication I don’t have.” Five weeks before launch, he left Neder- land for Hawaii and fi nal preparations. As he went through an inventory check to make sure everything was in place, what message was he trying to send to others? “I want people to know,” he said, “how important the ocean is for everyone.” His website, unitedworldchallenge.org, provides statistics to back this up: “The ocean supplies 50% of Earth’s oxygen. Absorbs 25% of our excess carbon. Regulates our climate by absorbing 90% of excess heat from global warming. Provides a livelihood for 12% of the world’s population. Generates vital renewable energy.” “The ocean,” he says, “is our greatest ally in fi ghting climate change, but we treat it like a dumpster. I’m doing what I’m doing not only so people can see that they can make a difference in their own lives, but they can have an impact on the world itself. I hope this is a catalyst for seeing the ocean in a more caring way.” After some unexpected last-minute repairs, the mission’s launch was rescheduled. “Target to begin looking for weather window for departure is dec. 16,” Tez texted from Hawaii. “Launch date after that weather depending.” . Testing the Waters continued from page 14 The fi rst United World Challenge stretched for 2,700 miles across the Pacifi c Ocean. UNITEDWORLDCHALLENGE.ORG Call Elaine Lustig, PhD .......................................................... at 303-369-7770 Needing Your Emotional ....... Animal W/ You? For eligible people who need their emotional support animal to accompany them at/or away from home, I am available to provide the documentation and counseling. CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED ®
