OUR CREW
Get to know our crew & dedicated support team.
Sean Geiser
Born, raised, schooled & educated in South Africa, I have always been a waterman, from surfing, spearfishing, diving, boating & my time in the Navy, my life has always been centered around the ocean. In 2012, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, & through the treatment, care & subsequent triumph over this battle, I realized that no matter how insurmountable a situation may seem to a person in that specific given moment of crisis, anything is possible with belief, perseverance & determination. My wife taught me what pure grit & mental fortitude were & are. Having lived in Antigua between late 2017 to early 2021, I have been intrigued & exposed to The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge event finish, culminating in hosting Grant Blakeway (who was one of the solo entrants in the 2020 event) & his wife Adri. Not only have they become dear friends, but also allowed me to purchase Grant’s boat & the rest is history, as they say.
Why am I doing the TWAC? Today my wife lives cancer-free, & because of this triumph, along with my passion for the ocean I decided to embark on this epic voyage and challenge, not only in honor of her, but to challenge myself in an environment which I love, but for which I also have the utmost respect, & to raise awareness of the daily plight that normal families like you & I are forced to live with when affected by this terrible disease.
Darryl Thole
When I was 16 years old I fractured my back in two places while playing rugby. Ever since I have been challenged with back pain, which over the years has gotten progressively worse to the point where it became debilitating and general day to day activities were extremely challenging. I have had to build up enormous mental strength to deal with the constant pain. After trying every treatment under the sun, short of surgery, I took up exercise. I found that by exercising and strengthening my core it helped ease the pain and since then I have found myself constantly pushing my limits to prove I can do things, no matter the obstacle. This determination and focus on goals has provided some pretty special challenges to me. In 2016 I challenged myself to get my pilots license. Which I completed in 2017. After having never run a day in my life, in 2017 I challenged myself to run a marathon, and in 2018 I completed the Paris Marathon. Not happy with my time I decided to do it again in 2019. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is my next test.
Why am I doing the TWAC? Its not often you get offered an opportunity to do something as incredible as this, so when Sean suggested the ultimate physical and mental challenge, I just couldn’t say no. The chance to test yourself to the limit and beyond was just too tempting
OUR SUPPORT TEAM
Cindy – Campaign Manager UK
“As the wife of Darryl and very close friend to Sean, we are delighted to have Cindy as one of the TWO-INNA-ROW crew. We have been lucky enough to convince, bribe and flatter Cindy into being our UK based campaign manager. Cindy is onboard to manage all the fundraising and sponsorship funds as well as to drive our Social Media campaign, pre, during and post the race. With the help of Chili, Cindy will play a vital role for the team from a PR and marketing perspective promoting our sponsors and partners whilst we are on the water. Cindy is working towards her full CIMA qualification, as well as works for a financial software company. So she has lots of experience in ‘the money’. As for social media world, she loves a bit of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so will be more than happy to post all our video / photo updates as we work our way to the start and finish line.”
Charlene – Campaign Manager USA & Bahamas
“I’m Charlene Geiser but my friends all call me “Chilli” and this includes you! My husband has been wanting to be a part of this race since 2017. As crazy as I think he is for wanting to do this. I love him and will miss him so much. Sean and his cousin Darryl have my committed support in whatever way I can. I hope that you will help me make sure that they receive the best send off and welcome back that we can give them! I had cancer in 2012 but thankfully am 9 years clear. My husband and family helped me through one of the hardest times of my life…that was until 2020 when I found out that my youngest daughter was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which broke my heart. She has since had it successfully removed and I am so grateful for this. So helping others with cancer is near and dear to my heart. I hope you all will help us support our cancer charities! “
Elizabeth – Team Physio UK.
Elizabeth is a highly skilled and experienced Physiotherapist. She spent a number of years in local NHS hospitals working with both elderly mentally ill patients and on a children’s burns and plastics ward. She also spent 7 years as the Physiotherapist to Bracknell Rugby Club.
She worked at Wexham Park Hospital on the elderly and oncology wards and then on the orthopaedic wards at Heatherwood Hospital before moving to Frimley Park Hospital in 1996 to work in a more senior role in outpatients. She is qualified in acupuncture and also has experience as an orthopaedic practitioner specialising in knees and hips as well as facial conditions such as Bell’s Palsy, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, post acoustic neuroma removal and sports injuries.
Digital Partner: Euphoria Software
Our website developer Euphoria Software boasts over 2000 projects ranging from online stores to toll management systems. With our detailed understanding of the latest business technologies, our focus is to design and develop systems of the highest quality that enable our customers to communicate effectively and efficiently with customers, suppliers and employees alike.
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If you would like your name & personal message in a spot on the boat, to remind us of who has made this epic voyage possible please look at our donation options. Your contribution will go directly towards the costs of our challenge and getting us to the start line, allowing us to raise as much as possible for our charities.