Who are the crew aboard yacht Rocket?

Pictured here aboard their Vessel just before they set sail are (left to

right) Pieter Brink (Vaalie), Volker Domres (German), Rex Anderson (Vaalie), Gareth Elias (Durban), Gerrie Boshoff (Skipper and Vaalie), Johan Brink (Vaalie), Shin Terasawa (Japanese), Johan Brits (Vaalie), Mike le Plastrier (ex Vaalie). 

Stop Rhino Poaching is born of the same mould as sister-ship Prodigy - the line honors winner in the 2011 Cape to Rio race. She was launched in June 2006 and built in accordance with the European CE-certification. Stop Rhino Poaching was bought by her current owners in Nov 2013 with the initial goal of sailing the Cape to Rio race.

"We want to raise awareness of the plight of the rhino at the hands of unscrupulous poachers world wide. This is our way of making the world aware." says Gerrie Boshoff

More about Team Rocket:

Gerrie Boshoff (Skipper) 

Gerrie started sailing in 1987,  lives on the Vaal river, near the Vaaldam, where he does most of his sailing.  He has amassed over 60 000 nautical miles since then, which includes:

·         9 Atlantic crossings & 1 Circumnavigation

And the following races:

·         5 Cape to Rio's

·         17 Vasco Da Gama's

·         3 Inhacha Island

·         2 Mauritius to Durban

·         Tahiti Pearl Regatta

·         Round the Canary Island race

Why is he doing this for the 6th time?

For the love of the Colour of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and to give some friends the opportunity to empty their BUCKET list. On the Vaal Dam, we were waiting for wind to continue racing in one of the provincial championship races. We had rafted up with one of the other boats and Rex Anderson mentioned that the Cape to Rio yacht race was on his bucket list. Next day I phoned and said if they want it out of the bucket list , I will assist in making their dream a reality, AND THAT IS WHY! Sourcing a yacht, putting the campaign together, sail training on the Vaal, and making the START LINE, in limited time is a "Hell of a Race" in itself. Ask the crew!

See you on the start line!

Johan Brits

Johan is a Vaal Triangle based business man whose wife (Susan) and 10 year old twin daughters (Annanieke and Deone) questioned his sanity when he said he was going to sail the 2014 Cape to Rio Yacht Race. Johan has immersed himself completely in preparation for the race – and, in his three most recent races, has managed to garner a 3rd place (from last), 2nd place (from last) and “did not finish” (the yacht ran aground). Together with his rapidly developing sailing skills, Johan brings excellent organisational skills, enthusiasm and friendship to the yacht.

Rex Anderson

Rex originates from the Orkney Islands so has wind and sea inbred into his veins (along with a dram of whisky).Rex is married to wife Rosemary and they have three children John (23), Storm (21) and Sarah-Stone (11). Rex came out to South Africa and in 1994 opened a resort, with his wife Rosemary, “Stonehaven On Vaal” – on the banks of the Vaal River. 19 years later Stonehaven on Vaal is still thriving . Rex is a certified day skipper and has sailed in the Mediterranean and Seychelles – and is a regular on the Vaal Dam.

Johan Brink

Johan is a businessman from the Vaal Triangle that works in the Computer industry. He loves the outdoors and adventures like trial running, cycling and adventure racing. Johan is married to Corne and has three sons, Hanno(21), Jan-Hendrik(9) and Christiaan(6). Johan did the sailing course with Austin Daily and is training on the Vaal Dam.

Pieter Brink

Pieter is born and bred on the banks of the Vaal River and is always looking for a nice adventure.  He has done various water sports and only recently took up sailing.  He is married to Isabel and have two daughters, Alissa (9) and Christelle (7).  Pieter regularly competes in sailing events on the Vaal dam aboard ‘Baleka’ – the winning boat of the Cape 2 Rio in 2003.

“What we lack in experience, we make up in enthusiasm …”

Shin Terasawa    寺澤 真一

Shin is single and lives in his home town Nagano,  Japan Is arriving in South Africa, 17th December for the Race. While doing a circumnavigation he befriended Gerrie Boshoff and sailed together for thousands of miles. He is a Dive Master with a kind heart! On one occasion while crewing on a catamaran, they caught a Dolphin on a lure while trawling, which the owner wanted to kill and eat! He dived into the ocean and freed the Dolphin to the annoyance of the owner/ skipper!

Mike le Plastrier

Mike le Plastrier is a Johannesburg businessman who has spent countless hours water skiing and wind surfing – and has turned to yachting in his advanced years. Mike is married to Cheryl and they have a daughter Jade (24) and Ryan (20). Mike has limited sailing experience in the Mediterranean and on the Vaal Dam – but says he is a fast learner…

Gareth Elias

Gareth a seasoned talented youth sailor and sailing instructor based on Natal, although he is the youngest aboard yacht Rocket he certainly is is a valuable crew member!