About Us
Nick Histon
nick@beyondendurance.co.uk
Nick Histon is a 28 year old Charge Nurse currently working on the General Intensive Care Unit at Southampton General Hospital. He was born and raised in Cornwall, it was here that he found his passion for sporting activities and outdoor living. Nick achieved several County titles in various sports including football, cricket and Gig rowing. It was his enthusiasm for rowing and the sea that led him to the Atlantic Rowing Race 2007/08.
Nick Histon would ultimately row the Atlantic with his lifelong best friend Jon Csehi in a very impressive time of just over 50 days. The Cornish rowers put together a project on a shoestring budget, including building their own boat, but through their meticulous training and preparation made themselves serious contenders in the race. They finished only 5 hours behind the eventual pairs winners, an accomplished South African crew. Their overall time is 15th in the fastest ever crossings of approximately 170 pairs attempts. They are in the top 5 of British recorded pairs times.
Since rowing the Atlantic, Nick remains enthusiastic about endurance activities. In 2009 Nick organised and took part in the John O'Groats to Lands End cycle with David Phillips. The route they took saw them cycle 1000 miles in 10 days. Most days were spent cycling into wind and rain, but ultimately the cycle was a privilege and a great way to see our country.
Nick has also completed the 3 peaks challenge twice, most recently in 2011 with Jon Csehi, David Phillips and Brent Harvey. They completed the challenge in only 21 hours and 50 minutes.
Nick specialises in meticulous preparation and considers all angles for every expedition or endurance event. He utilises experts to gain greater insight into areas where he may meet limitations. He also takes his extensive knowledge of critical care onto expeditions with him and can utilise this for preventative and curative strategies.
Joe Keith was the reserve rower for our Atlantic Rowing Race and is an obvious choice for a person to traverse Greenland with. He has been one of my closest friends for years and he has always had a keen interest in outdoor living. His fitness levels have always been exceptional and I know he will be able to adapt well to the extreme conditions of a polar environment.
Joe Keith
joe@beyondendurance.co.uk
Joe is a 28 year old graduate of the University of Southampton working as a marine geophysicist in Perth, Western Australia. Joe was born a raised in South Wales before moving with his family to Cornwall where he met his good friend Nick Histon. Cornwall provided the perfect base for Joe to explore his interest in sports and extreme adventures with the utmost support of his family who made Cornwall their home.
Now living in the desert environment of Perth, Joe has adapted from playing rugby for Cornwall to new interests including surfing and ocean swimming racing. The main focus since moving to Australia has undoubtedly been surfing, leading Joe to explore the oceans throughout the world from the South of France and the Canary Islands to the Maldives, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. A passion for water sports led Joe into competing two years running in the Rottnest Channel Swim: a 20 km open ocean swim race across shark infected waters. With great times achieved the aim is to train for the 2012 race alongside preparations for the Greenland Traverse across the ice caps (you never know when the training may come in handy).
Joe remains enthusiastic about marathon races and has competed in the 2 day, 124 km kayak race through the hills of Western Australia. Water levels were high leading to a maze of water ways over grade 4-5 rapids, thick bush and large rocky canyons. Through the final 40 km the race passes through the flood plains of the Swan Valley where Joe excelled in the monotonous slugging match across motionless waters. His mind set and dedication during harsh times are a great strength which will soon be tested to the limits.
Greenland leans Joe away from his comfort zone of the sea in the desert environment of Australia. Temperature differences upon reaching the polar ice cap will be in excess of 70C. The challenge of new climes and a new approach to endurance will be best embraced with the expert preparations and support of Nick and his commitment to the venture.
