Douglas Peres - Adventurer, Humanitarian, Fitness Expert

In 2015 I created the campaign called “Adventure Racing for a Good Reason”.

The proposal of the campaign was raising money for my first expedition race in Australia but also helping poor children from my hometown in Brazil. For the 2017 campaingn I’m comfident we can go further and help 30 families. 50% of the total amount raised will be directed to a poor community in Brazil. Being more specific, the community where I grew up.

aka donkey https://www.gofundme.com/adventureracingforagoodreason to help

douglas PERES Adventurer, Humanitarian, Fitness Expert THE Strongest adventure race man alive Douglas Peres - an enigma and adventurer hailing from Vitória, Brazil. A personal trainer, a lifesaver with a military background and some say with a heart of a lion he loves his XPD adventures.

Why are you excited about racing XPD Tassie 2018 When I first arrived in Australia in 2011, I heard the World Champs would be held in Tasmania.

With very poor English and no equipment, I missed the opportunity to race my first XPD. I have never been in Tasmania and XPD 2018 will be a great chance to explore this isolated island state of Australia’s south coast

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ou are affectionately known as Donkey. Why is that? Well it was known only in between a small group of racers, but it seems more people will know it now haha…

Donkey, you guys make me laugh.

It’s probably an extra addition for a packhorse as I’ve been carrying a few extra kgs in races. But I think it started in XPD 2013 doing a triple tow on the bike leg. Then dragging a few boats through sandbanks and have the pleasure to tow another Donkey in Expedition Africa (can’t revel who was the donkey, haha.. Sick Donkey tho haha). Despite “Donkey” doesn’t sound great, what can I do?

Friends are friends, and the ones adventure racing has given me, are on the top list.

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hat makes the basis of a good team for XPD? Putting a team together is one of the hardest things in adventure racing, especially expedition races.

All team members must be on the same page and know exactly what they want to achieve. XPD and all expedition races are not a walk in the park, and it needs to be very clear at the very start. Even if you commit to having fun only, it won’t be easy and will require training and preparation.

Building a successful team is not just about having the best navigator, and all the skilled athletes. A team is built in RESPECT, CAMARADERIE and COMMITMENT. Trust me, your team won’t last long if you deny any of these three pillars. Despite of the

A team is built in RESPECT, CAMARADERIE and COMMITMENT. Trust me, your team won’t last long if you deny any of these three pillars.

d e t r a t s it k in h t I t Bu in XPD 2013 doing a e ik b e h t n o w o t triple crucial pillars above cited, yeah you need a good Nav and skilled athletes. Having more than one navigator in the team can take the pressure off and keep the navigator fresh, minimizing errors caused by fatigue and sleep deprivation.

It’s also very important that all team members are selfsufficient. You can’t rely on team mates carrying your backpack, repacking food, refilling your water or towing you all the time. Not a problem at all doing any of the previous mentioned, and it’s part of the Camaraderie pillar, but knowing your needs and being self-sufficient is a huge advantage in expedition races.

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hat keeps bringing you back to adventure racing and particulary the XPD events?

What keeps bringing me back to adventure racing is the challenge of the unknown. Adventure race is unpredictable, which enhance the challenge and how you prepare your body for whatever happens. Every race you learn a bit more about your body, physically and emotionally, and also surprise yourself with the limits of the human being.

Every race is a different race, a new skill learned and new friend made. The atmosphere in adventure race events is phenomenal and XPD is the cherry on the top in Australia.

XPD is a remarkable race with an excellent set up and support. Of course Craig and Louise, are the crucial tool behind it, putting an exceptional effort to get better at each event. But also the camaraderie of the volunteers and kindness of locals and athletes, give it a special touch for XPD events.