The Eighth Summit: Row the Atlantic. Race to the South Pole. Conquer Yourself.

by Peter van Kets

The word “adventure” is deeply entrenched in the soul of man. Nations have been built, wars have been won, and discoveries have been made all in its name. The great challenge of the modern age is the Seven Summits, scaling the highest peak on all seven continents, but The Eighth Summit is about inspiring the human spirit. In his memoir, Peter van Kets takes readers on three of his greatest expeditions—incredible, unsupported adventures across the Atlantic in rowing boats and across the icy high plateau of Antarctica on foot and sled—with the goal of lifting their spirits and motivating them in whatever they do. As a passionate speaker and conservationist, Peter does all he can to inspire people and change their lives, and he has addressed thousands of people since being awarded the SA OutThere Adventurer of the Year in 2011. Typical topics of discussion are vision, planning, teamwork, strategy, conflict management, working in a dynamic environment, self-discipline, and perseverance. The Eighth Summit is his story.

223 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2014

Reviews

[Rob Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventurer Peter Van Kets’ inspiring story and the techniques he adopted in order to complete three gruelling physical feats - rowing across the Atlantic (twice) and skiing to the South Pole. Most of the techniques were psychological and relate to targeting success elsewhere in life wherever challenges present themselves. An easy and undemanding read. Likely enjoyable for those who enjoy adventure and self-improvement techniques. The style wasn't horrific but it's not a masterpiece either. 

Caring, Commitment and Positivity

Before his pairs rowing expedition he and his partner promised each other two things: 1) that they would look after each other more than they looked after themselves and 2) that they would prepare to win.

In high-stress conditions, people can become insular and selfish yet they don’t necessarily take very good care of themselves because they can become so consumed by the problem at hand. Actively deciding to care for the other person more than oneself creates a much more powerful partnership, where each person is honestly depending on the other for survival and is a concept that relates to all important life partnerships – a degree of selflessness is required.

So many people fail to strive for their goals because they are paralysed by the fear of failure. Deciding to win creates a self-reinforcing cycle of positivity and confidence where it becomes easier to suppress the fear of failure.

Routine, rewards and delayed gratification

During his solo race across the Atlantic (against a limited number of similarly nut-cased contestants), Peter rowed in alternating 90-minute rowing and 90-minute rest intervals for 76 days. This is incredibly monotonous and boring. Routine was, however, critical in order for him to achieve his goal. Chunking the race allowed him to create manageable sections and sticking to the routine created daily confidence that the final goal will be achieved if one merely takes the same steps again. Peter refused to sleep late at almost any stage in case complacency set in, which may have lessened his resolve. In order to persist with his monotonous journey, Peter earmarked rewards and delayed gratification by revelling in these rewards after difficult shifts. The rewards were usually something as insignificant as a snack but reinforcing the psychological association between effort and delayed gratification was powerful.

Dedications dissolve self-pity

Another method to scale the personal self-pity and physical pain of difficult challenges were dedications. Peter used to dedicate his daily efforts to a loved family member or friend, calling them via his satellite phone before the shift to tell them why he respected them and that he would be rowing for them for the next session/day. The conversations were often quite emotional and profound, leaving Peter with powerful motivation for the sessions to come as well as a distraction from his continual pain and exhaustion.

[Zahed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventurers aren't cut of the same cloth as us mortals.

Eighth summit is Peter van Kets' memoirs on some of his expeditions.

Here's a guy that together with a teammate, rowed (as in with oars) across the Atlantic (some 5500km's) unassisted. They achieved this by rowing non stop for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for approx 55days. While one rested the other would row and vice Versa.

As if that wasn't hard enough he returned to do it again giving it a solo attempt

Later he took part in race across Antarctica to the South Pole - 800km's + of trekking through extreme weather.

Eighth summit is an easy, inspiring read.

[Terry Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Unlike so many explorer / adventurer talks I've heard over the years, Peter VanKets' message emphasizes the importance of caring for one's partner & building a strong, supportive team more than most. His feat of solo-rowing across the Atlantic is unbelievable- as is his race to the South Pole. At the end of each chapter VanKets shares insights on how aspects of each expedition can be applied to daily life, goal-setting, achievement, and the business world. This is an engrossing, fast read with great photo insets, too.

[Nicolette Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring.

[Alison Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating tale of endurance athlete's accomplishments - he rowed across the Atlantic TWICE, once with a partner, second time around was solo.Kets' message is "you can accomplish anything you choose to put your mind to". Amazing story.