Profile: Wave Vidmar

True Citrus caught up with Wave Vidmar, who holds the record for longest Arctic swim made during a solo North Pole expedition in 2004. In summer 2012, Wave plans to row from the U.S. to England in a 24-foot ocean rowboat, alone. The only other American who tried this perished. Wave's goals are to share his research and to inspire people around the world through his Science Education Adventure Program.

So why the name “Wave”? Did your mother experience seasickness while you were on board?

Ha ha! I was born to a surfing, pro- waterskier-turned-rocket scientist father in Southern California. My mom was equally adventurous and capable. I dropped my first name after my college years. My last name, Vidmar, means to look at the sea.

Your e-mail sign off is "Envision - Inspire - Accomplish". Why not "Eat - Sleep - Drink?"

You True Citrus people make me smile! We are on this planet such a short time, there's so much to do, explore, experience. I want to inspire people to make their dreams reality! Often what we think is beyond our reach is much closer than we realize. How would you live your life if you could not fail? Just think of the positive differences you would make in other peoples’ worlds, your own. Phenomenal!

You went solo to the North Pole and now you're planning 140-day trip across the Atlantic. What should people learn from your expeditions?

The number one thing I hope people take away is that we are so much more capable than we realize. I want people to say, “if one person can row across an ocean, what can I do?” If I get you to take action on your own dreams and goals I've done my job!

I also hope people will experience my adventures with me. Wouldn't you rather be home by the fireplace while I'm out in extreme cold, battling sharks and everything else that comes my way?

What's this about welcoming great white shark attacks?

Why, you don't?! Sure, sharks have nasty cutting teeth, are nearly as long as my boat and will taste-test just about anything. In all seriousness though, we learn a lot from these expeditions. For instance about great white sharks. Other rowers have been attacked rowing this same route - attacked is kind of a strong word. Basically sharks 17 to 20 feet long follow you and eventually take bites out of the back of your boat. Researchers had never heard of this before.

You're certainly devoted to exploration that often puts you in danger. Why not get a nice, safe desk job?

You think a desk job is safe? I'd rather take my chances with polar bears! Just look at the numbers; you're more likely to die driving to or from work than being eaten by a bear or shark.

Out in the wild it's real. No pretenses. There's a certain honesty that gets lost when we put on clothes and work in square buildings.

We read on your blog that you'll burn 8 to 12 thousand calories a day on your ocean voyage. How will the True Citrus you’re brining along fit in?

I feel lucky to have found True Citrus. True Citrus' products are natural and taste great! I keep True Lemon and True Lime shakers handy for cooking since they add a fresh taste to different foods and meals. True Orange is also a favorite. The light and natural tasting lemonades are a treat during a long day of rowing or training.

Great-tasting food is one of my secret weapons for expeditions. More comfort equals better performance. The little things in life can mean so much!

So your favorite True Citrus flavor is ... ?

True Lime. No, True Lemon. No, True Orange! If you try to make me choose, there's going to be trouble! ; ) I love citrus! Perhaps it's from growing up around orange and lemon trees, dreaming of wrestling polar bears and racing camels. Now that I think of it, I bet True Lemon would taste great on BBQ'd grasshoppers! Can't wait to try that!

How do your adventures help others tackle something they’re maybe scared to attempt?

From early on my parents encouraged me to find my own path, to not do as everyone else does. That principal is part of my core. I've learned another simple concept: if we just try we can go far.

It's natural to have fear, and as humans we typically fear what we don't know. Fear is okay. In fact, fear is good. It's what you do with that fear that makes the difference. I embrace fear. I turn my fears into strength and push through them. I make fear fuel my fire.

Keep in touch with Wave’s adventures at oceanrowsolo.com.

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