Riaan Manser has more than earned the moniker of adventurer, having spent much of the past two decades ticking the kinds of boxes that most of us can only dream about.

His first really high profile achievement saw him become the first person to cycle around the perimeter of Africa, where he pedalled more than 37 000 kilometres through 34 countries.

According to his website, that journey saw him imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea, and held captive by drugged teenage rebels in Liberia.

Thankfully, his latest adventure involved less prison time, although it’s still a remarkable achievement.

This write-up via Carte Blanche:

Two complete strangers, one small boat and the adventure of a lifetime. Born in QwaQwa and raised in Soweto, amateur adventurer Fanafikile Lephakha couldn’t have imagined that he would be chosen from 15 000 contestants to join renowned expeditioner Riaan Manser on the gruelling quest to row across the Atlantic Ocean in just 45 days.

But for a man who couldn’t even swim, Lephakha prepared to take on mission impossible.

Yup, you read right. Fana, who planned on rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, couldn’t swim.

A lesson in overcoming obstacles and perseverance awaits:

[source:carteblanche]