Rower 1: Pete Staples
Age: 38
Education: School of Life
Nickname: Rex
Key strengths: Has the ability to keep a positive attitude regardless of any situation. Also Fancy Dress skills (Dora is upset that his title has gone!)
Interests: Downhill cycling, Kabadee and Ambrosia Rice Pudding.
Key influences: Tom, Matt & Billy
After leaving this formidable school, Pete joined the Royal Navy as a Junior Seaman. On completing basic training he went onto specialise in Electronic Warfare. He can't comment on this as he'll have to kill you as it is secret! After 7 years stuck in a dark room looking at lights on a screen Pete decided to change track and become a Physical Training Instuctor. For the next 10 years he produced much sweat and tears not only from himself but the poor trainees he took. Pete also competed in the Royal Navy's Field Gun Competition in 1998 and 1999 at the Royal Tournament, he ran for Portsmouth Command as a Slat number.
Pete emigrated to New Zealand with Michelle and Beth in January 2004 and lives in Greenhithe on the North Shore of Auckland. He currently works at the Ports of Auckland as a Stevedore and he can say with hand on heart he is the most productive individual the Port has ever seen!
The biggest motivation that will keep Pete going throughout this immense challenge is proving the doubters wrong and his biggest fear is not completing the task.
