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Since Erden Eruc left California in a 7-meter-long boat, he has been rowing across the Pacific Ocean, heading for Australia with only birds, fish, and sharks for company. As if that isn’t amazing enough, crossing the Pacific 1s only a part of his journey. Eruc has decided to go all the way around the world using only his own energy. Oh, and his plan includes climbing the tallest peak on six continents along the way. Eruc will row, bike, walk, and climb the world without the help from any motors at all.

Why would he try to complete a difficult goal like this? He explains that he wants to inspire children to dream their dreams and reach their own goals. He wants to show kids that there might be tough parts along the way, and sometimes they might not even reach that final goal. But they can have great adventures and learn a lot along the way.

Eruc has already faced some disappointments and challenges. For example, because he has to row about 10 hours a day, he brought along an MP3 player to listen to music, audiobooks, and study Spanish to pass the time. Unfortunately, the nearly daily tropical rain for several months has forced him to keep his player packed away where it’s safe and dry.

Not only that, but wind and waves keep pushing him westward when he wants to go south toward the Solomon Islands. Unlike big ships with powerful engines, his rowboat and arm power are no match for the winds. Fortunately, Eruc has a dry little cabin to crawl into when the daily rowing is done. He can use his little palm computer to connect to the Internet by way of a satellite phone. “For fun, I do emails and phone calls, read, and write in my journal a lot,” he says.

Protein bars give him energy, and he boils water to heat freeze-dried beef on a one-burner stove. A solar-powered machine removes salt from ocean water so he can drink it, but only when the sun shines.

He’s not bothered by the hard work or even being blown the wrong direction. Eruc sees the world as a laboratory where there is much to learn. For example, when his trip takes him across land, he enjoys meeting people — especially children. He has already visited dozens of schools and shared his story.