David Mans
David Mans
Not my words but who wouldn’t want to row to the pole?
Dave Mans is a 28-year-old Army Officer currently serving with The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment in London. Eight years in the Military have seen Dave serve in some diverse locations including Afghanistan, Nigeria and Norway. He is therefore no stranger to working with a close-knit team in some extremely challenging situations. Dave is originally from Lymington in Hampshire and this is where he first developed his passion for open water rowing.
Dave continued to row at Southampton University where he studied Oceanography, focusing on climate change. The environmental aspect of the expedition is a big part of what attracted Dave to the expedition and is where he feels he will be able to contribute a great deal.
Dave’s determination, fitness and stamina won him the life-changing prize as the final crew member for the Row to the Pole expedition. He beat a list of 47 international competitors who were invited to compete head-to-head in a Pole Position Challenge Day in November last year. Their physical and mental abilities were tested to the limits with a two and a half hour endurance row, group interviews and psychometric tests.
His rowing experience at both coastal and river clubs combined with his career as an army officer will put him in good stead to overcome the many obstacles he will face during the arduous voyage. David is no stranger to cold, monotony and exhaustion and the effect it can have on a team of people. He credits his sense of humour in the face of adversity and strong determination to succeed as the key attributes he will bring to the team.
To reach the magnetic North Pole, David will row with the rest of the crew members in three-hour shifts, and will have to overcome challenging weather and subzero temperatures with little chance of rest or shelter.
Dave is relishing the challenge Row to the Pole will undoubtedly provide; a true maritime and rowing first.