Crew
 
 
Volunteers
 
 
Association
Dominique Görlitz

name: Dominique Görlitz, project manager / expedition leader
profession: Botanist & experimental archeologist.
nationality: Chemnitz, Germany
age: 41
background: Experimental archeology, botanies and botanical geographer, currently concluding a Ph.D. at the University of Bonn on intercontinental seed-spreading in cooperation with the IPK Gatersleben.
sailing experience: Probably the most experienced reed-boats-man alive. Started sailing as a kid and has skippered a large number of boats apart from reed-boats.
web: www.abora3.com
motivational quote: "I hope to collect the ultimate evidence that advanced navigation took place during pre-historic times."

Peter Schmolke

name: Peter Schmolke
profession: Retired C.E.O/owner of a software development company, dedicated to help the insurance industry.
nationality: Gotha, Germany
age: 53
background: Peter earned his degree on math and was a successful entrepreneur in the software development market of Europe.
sailing experience: Peter is fairly new to sailing.
motivational quote: "When I was young I dreamed of sailing adventures. During my career I wanted to inspire others to thrive, by setting an example when building up my business, and now I want do it again on a very different arena."

Ingo Isensee

name: Ingo Isensee, cinematographer
profession: Media technician.
nationality: Dresden, Germany
age: 39
background: Studied media technology and works with news-, event- and sports shooting and editing, often in outdoor broadcast environments.
sailing experience: Has a long-time history with the Abora Team.
web: www.ingo-isensee.de
motivational quote: After learning a lot during the previous voyages with Abora 1 and Abora 2, I'm exited to get to know the large Atlantic Ocean, and see how the new vessel perform at The Big Blue."

Tormod Granheim

name: Tormod Granheim, photographer
profession: Adventurer & motivational speaker
nationality: Norwegian, sharing his time between Chamonix, France and Oslo, Norway.
age: 32
background: Professional adventurer who 06' made the 1.st ski descent of Mount Everest North Face by the Norton Couloir. Extensive climbing, skiing and expedition experience from the Himalayas and the Alps.
sailing experience: Captained and crewed on small boats throughout the coast of Norway and Scandinavia.
web: www.tormodgranheim.com
motivational quote: "After skiing off Everest I wanted to try something completely different. Sailing the craft will be a challenge, but I'm even more curios of how the multicultural crew will perform."

Sabrina Lorenz

name: Sabrina Lorenz
profession: Archaeometry Student
nationality: Dresden, Germany
age: 26
background: Scientific scuba diver and tourist guide in France.
sailing experience: Sabrina is fairly new to sailing.
motivational quote: "I'm drawn to the ocean, because of it many secrets yet to be discovered. The voyage will be a once in a lifetime experience."

José Valmana

name: José "Joe" Valmana
profession: Mortgage and real estate broker.
nationality: Cuban, living in Miami.
age: 39
background: Born in Slovakia, raised on Cuba, educated in Russia, defected to USA via Canada, currently resides in Miami.
sailing experience: Joe is new to sailing
web: www.valmana.com
motivational quote: "I love history, and grew up reading Thor Heyerdahl behind the iron curtain. I'm willing to accept hardship to prove historical truth ignored by many."

Markus Ulhig

name: Markus Ulhig
profession: Forrest maintenance student.
nationality: Chemnitz, Germany
age: 23
background: Has been with the project for two years.
sailing experience: After getting to know Mr. Görlitz, Ulhig built a two meter reed-boat of his own. He canoed it on a 14-day trip, and then decided to apply for the real thing.
motivational quote: "It's a true adventure!"

Mike Polzin

name: Mike Polzin
profession: Retired sailing instructor.
nationality: Bad Hindelang, Germany
age: 63
background: Lived 20 years on the island of Corsica where he worked as a sailing instructor in the tourism industry.
sailing experience: Extensive experience, has been with the project since the days of Abora 1.
motivational quote: "I've been increasingly attracted to reed-boats since my first contact with Dominique in '99. I just had to come along!"

Thomas Wittka

name: Thomas "Banner-Man" Wittka
profession: automotive engineer
nationality: Munich, Germany
age: 25
background: As diver and rower he was always attracted to water and he isalways looking for individual challenges.
sailing experience: Thomas is working together with Dominique since 1996. He took part in most of our expeditions since and is one of our most experienced volunteers.
motivational quote: "I am always fascinated how technical developed prehistoric people have been. Now I am able to prove their knowledge and get a chance in a lifetime for experience and adventure."

Mark Hobert

name: Mark Hobert
profession: Biologist
nationality: Bovenden, Germany
age: 35
background: Mark is biologist and always fascinated about the ocean. Reed, water and adventure are exactly what he was looking for.
sailing experience: Mark got some sailing experiences on our test drives along the Hudson.
motivational quote: "This is a chance of a live time to be part of this great adventure"

Andrea Müller

name: Andrea Müller
profession: Student
nationality: Chemnitz, Germany
age: 21
background: Andrea lived and worked for two years in France. Now she is studying language, literature and art in Dresden.
sailing experience: Andrea got her first sailing experiences on the Hudson.
motivational quote: "I go on board. My adventure just started."