DO IT NOW Magazine #1 - Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle

DO T NOW DO IT

Volume 1 Issue 1 2009 R24.95 Vat Incl.

www.doitnow.co.za

CONQUERING SANDY BEASTS West Coast 4x4

Speed Performance Precision

Audi High Performance Driving

Introducing ...

Fly Fishing Girls can also play ... > Adventure

> Sport

> Lifestyle

Map - Travelling SA p 34-35 9 772074 611000

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Harley Talk // Risk Management // Hunter’s Breakfast Why We Fly // Strengthen Your Core & much much more

H

non stop

DO IT

inTRO A warm hello to you all, It has been to the bottom of the oceans and through the Namibian desert. It's travelled up mountains and through valleys, sat around camp fires and watched unbelievable sunsets. It has crossed borders and travelled many kilometres. It's sat down in a bar for a drink, met many people and has been called many names. It's been many years in the making...

IT IS DO IT NOW Magazine, here at last!

After all the talk and all the dreaming, the first edition has made its way to you, the first of many to come.

My thanks to everyone for their valuable input that has resulted in the birth of a magazine that will push boundaries. As the Founder of the magazine, here are my responses to some of the more commonly asked questions, which should give you a better idea of what DO IT NOW is all about. So here goes…

What does DO IT NOW aim to be?

DO IT NOW is an information portal to a community of readers who enjoy “ADVENTURE-SPORT-LIFESTYLE” experiences. All the information featured in the magazine comes from a thoroughly “tried and tested” background, and every contributor to the magazine is personally involved in the lifestyle featured. The aim of DO IT NOW is to provide a quality magazine that covers the very best of a wide variety of adventure, sport and lifestyle experiences.

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Where is the “eye-candy”?

DO IT NOW Magazine won't be focusing on hot girls in small bikini's often, sorry guys. Instead we will be featuring action photos to get you 'involved' in the activities promoted throughout the magazine.

Who should read this magazine?

This title is targeted at any person, young or old, who is passionate about “Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle” activities. It will expose them to many new possibilities, resulting in our readers saving money by buying one magazine rather than many for various categories e.g. sport, health, diving, 4x4ing, boating, hunting, fishing, cycling, running, paddling, entertainment and the like.

And there you have it. If you have any other questions or would like to contribute to this magazine, we'd love to hear from you either by contacting myself or the magazine today. We measure our success on our reader's feedback, so have your say and together we can take this magazine to new heights.

In closing, for this first inTRO letter I want to say ... I'm looking forward to the challenge of ensuring we give you a quality magazine with every edition.

Until the next time …

DIN regards, Francois

FOUNDER

doitnow.co.za >>

7

DO IT

inDEX Regulars

Vol 1 | Issue 1 | 2009 | www.doitnow.co.za

// inFASHION - p. 76

// inFO - p. 12-13 Information page, note our competitions and event dates.

DO IT NOW clothing range.

// MAP - p. 34-35

// inCONTACT - p. 77

The DIN Map will be available in every edition on the centre page.

// CALENDAR - p. 36 A two month calendar with all the dates to remember including public holidays.

Suppliers and Brands DO IT NOW supports.

// inCLOSING - p. 78 Sneak preview on upcoming features and articles.

// inVOLVED - p. 32

// inCOMING - p. 38-39 Information on upcoming DO IT NOW activities and visits.

Feedback on DO IT NOW’s involvement in the community.

Regulars p. 16-20 p. 22-27 p. 30-31 p. 32 p. 44-51 p. 54-55 p. 60-61 p. 64-69 p. 70-71 p. 72-73 p. 74

inDETAIL: Main feature article from any of the three pillars “Adventure - Sport - Lifestyle”. inGEAR: “Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle” activities featuring vehicles with gears. inALTITUDE: Aerial adventure and sport activities. inH2O: Water sport and adventure activities. inACTION: Tracking the DIN Action Team in their cycling events and information on other types of sport. inTHEHOLE: Golfing articles. inSHAPE: Strengthening your core as well as other sport-related exercises. inNATURE: Outdoor activities e.g. hiking, birding and fly fishing. inDULGE: Recipes for delicious meals. inFOCUS: Photography section with discussions, competitions and event-specific photography tips. inSURE: Valuable information about insurance and related topics.

Key: Adventure | Sport | Lifestyle

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Featured Articles >

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26

ADVENTURE p. 14 to 41 inDETAIL

30

16

The Sandy Beasts of the West Coast

inGEAR 22 24 26

Africa Bike Week A Journey to the “Gateway to the Universe” High Performance Driving

inALTITUDE 30

Why We Fly

inH2O 32

Mid Winter Madness

>

44

p. 42 to 61

SPORT inACTION 44 50

Subaru non stop sani2c Girls can also play ...

inSHAPE 53 54

Sport Specific Training Core Training

inTHEHOLE

50 68

56 58

56

Golf Swing PowerPlay Golf

>

72

LIFESTYLE

p. 62 to 74

inNATURE 65 68

Fly Fishing Enchantment of the Otter

inDULDGE 70

Hunter’s Breakfast

inFOCUS 72

65

Photography 101

inSURE 74

Public Liability

If you are interested in advertising in the DO IT NOW Magazine, please request the DO IT NOW Company Profile, Rate Card and Specs and Schedules Sheet via email at sales@doitnow.co.za or phone Rhys on +27 71 898 2888.

doitnow.co.za >>

9

DO IT

the TEAM

On the COVER

inDETAIL // The Sandy Beasts of the West Coast p.16-20

The DO IT NOW Team

comprises of the following individuals:

FOUNDER Francois Flamengo MANAGING EDITOR Elri Martins SALES and MARKETING MANAGER Rhys Foster SALES TEAM Sunette Kotze, Gert Janse van Rensburg & Chris Jooste CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tessa Dreyer GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ilzé Basson & Hayley Cameron TEXT EDITOR Tracy Knox

(to this issue)

Thank you to all our contributors who helped make this magazine such an exciting adventure!

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Top left to right << Francois Steyn // inGEAR - A Journey to the “Gateway to the Universe Adventure rider, Chartered Accountant and lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch. Happiest on two wheels and favours the dryer, barren regions of Southern Africa.

< Rocco le Roux // inGEAR - Harley Talk “Too much energy to sit still. Can't be bothered to watch TV as I can't do it while running, cycling, swimming, Kayaking, paragliding, diving, driving ... My classic Porsche & Harley are part of my family.

Comfort is for other people. I would rather rough it. Challenging myself physically keeps me alive.”

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<< Villiers Steyn // inFOCUS Photographing sports and wildlife since 1998 and recently started his own company, Vision Photography. Villiers is an expert in photographing people in their environment, be it in the city or in nature, and always manages to capture all those unforgettable moments on camera! He is also an expert Ornithologist in his own right!

< Rhys Foster // inACTION - non stop sani2c

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68

“I played all sports but mainly canoeing and represented Natal and South Africa as a junior paddler. I still love tackling the rivers around the country and my favorite race is the Non Stop Dusi which is one of the toughest paddling races around. I believe: pain is for now, regret is forever”

<< Mike Scholz // inTHEHOLE - Swing / Powerplay Golf A journeyman professional golfer and adrenalin junkie, Mike enjoys scuba diving and fly fishing, but mountain biking tops his list of activities. A passionate but relative new-comer to mountain biking, Mike enjoys the fitness, the "burn" of serious hills and the competitive nature of mountain biking.

< Christine van der Westhuizen // inNATURE - The Enchantment of the Otter

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“I am passionate about real things in life, whether it's my family, friends, nature, adventures or my work as an audiologist and I strive to see the lighter side of things in life.”

<< Cheryl Whelan // inACTION - Girls can also play …

Cheryl plays Provincial softball, action netball, national softball and touch rugby and loves to teach spinning classes. She studied Sports Management and Marketing at Wits Technicon and is currently working as a Corporate Event Manager.

< Pietré Smit // inACTTION - Iron Man

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64

Pietré is a 28-year old Geologist who lives in Pretoria with her husband of two years. She loves the outdoors and tries to escape from the city noise as much as possible. Her favourite pastime is rockclimbing although anything exciting will do!!”

<<John Murray // inALTITUDE - Why We Fly John Murray is a passionate thrill seeker, nature lover, scuba diver and 4x4 enthusiast. He spends his workdays as an engineer, but is always busy planning the next adventure!

< Jonathan Boulton // inNATURE - Fly Fishing

Is a qualified Zoologist and internationally certified Instructor. He has guided and fished throughout the world’s most remote fly fishing destinations including Russia, the Seychelles, Alaska and the Amazon Jungle. He owns the Mavungana Fly Fishing Centre in Dullstroom where everything from equipment, lessons and excellent river and stillwater fishing can be organised.

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>

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inFO

-22.1326°S,

Words by Elri Martins

I-KNOW-THE-PLACE ...

If you know the place featured on the photosubmit your answer to iknowtheplace@doitnow.co.za and stand a chance to win a bi-monthly R500 voucher.

IT NOW website as Winners will be announced bi-monthly on the DO well as in the DO IT NOW Magazine.

Spot the Truck Readers stand a chance to win great photographs of the DO IT NOW truck!

prizes if you send us

Think outside the box for this one!

Take your best creative photo when you see the DO IT NOW Truck in traffic or the “gramadulas” and you could win the annual prize worth more than R5 000! Only the most striking and creative images will be considered and remember to have the DO IT NOW logo clearly visible!

Here are a few tips: Try to capture the truck in action with sand or mud flying through the air, or photograph it in a unique or scenic landscape.

“Our aim is to give back to those who are less fortunate, as well as protect our animals and planet! A DIN inVOLVED bank account will be set up and DO IT NOW has committed to donate a percentage of its monthly earnings to this fund. Our ultimate goal is to encourage our readers, coworkers and service providers to do the same”, says Elri Martins, Managing Editor.

Proceeds from the inVOLVED fund will be donated to these organisations to help them meet their own needs. Thereafter, they will become part of the DIN network and their details will be published in the DO IT NOW Magazine. Feedback on and photographs of these experiences will be featured in either the DO IT NOW Magazine or DO IT NOW E-Mag.

The concept behind inVOLVED is to do just “We don’t want our involvement to stop that - become involved! As such, the DO IT there, so we will endeavour to make followNOW team will kick off this journey by up visits to these groups, so that we can becoming actively involved with various continue to build up a relationship with charities, church, animal and environmental them and see how they are faring”, says Elri DO IT NOW is excited to announce conservation organisations and institutions. Martins. the launch of its new socialIf you know of an institution or group that is in desperate need of help, please contact us at responsibility initiative known as involved@doitnow.co.za. inVOLVED!

Get

DO IT

nVOLVED

Our aim is to expand the DO IT NOW brand in a variety of directions in the coming years. DO IT NOW Magazine is only one of these directions, but also our main focus at this moment.

For this reason we would like to encourage all our readers to please give their suggestions as to what information they would like to see in the DO IT NOW Magazine.

These topics can fall in any of the DO IT NOW pillars: Adventure-SportLifestyle. This will assist us in meeting all your reading expectations and more in terms of community support, services and networking.

12 >> doitnow.co.za

We are excited to see what YOU have in mind for the DO IT NOW Magazine!!

Please send us your suggestions via one of the following methods: Email: mag@doitnow.co.za Fax: 086 517 0934 Attention: DO IT NOW Mag Suggestions Website: www.doitnow.co.za

Be a part of it all - visit www.doitnow.co.za

Readers are welcome to submit their experiences

The “Sport” section covers sport-related articles. Currently, the main focus is on mountain biking as it specifically relates to the DO IT NOW Action Team and their activities. In due time, this section will be expanded to cover other sporting activities that are relevant to our readers, such as Touch Rugby, Ironman and Dusi.

The “Lifestyle” section aims to provide valuable information on the DO IT NOW lifestyle. The magazine and website features experiences, valuable information and contact details about various categories and will be expanded over the next few issues. The current categories include hiking, birding, fly fishing, photography, insurance, exercise routines, recipes and competitions.

DO IT NOW EVENTS inPLACE

SPORT

This section is dedicated to “Adventure” and a wide variety of related topics. These articles and the website share experiences and provide answers to questions about training, what equipment is required to enjoy it safely and advice on popular destinations. Some of the categories covered in this section includes scuba diving, high performance driving, kayaking, rafting, boating, off-road driving, Big Dune driving, dirt biking, Bronze Shark fishing, hunting and paragliding.

LIFESTYLE

ADVENTURE

The DO IT NOW Magazine (and website) is divided into three pillars:

inNOVEMBER

mag@doitnow.co.za

Go to www.doitnow.co.za to check out our monthly polls where we can get to know our readers and found out what appeals to them, their interests and lifestyle preferences.

These results will also appear in each issue of the DO IT NOW Magazine.

What new adventure would you like to experience this year?

8% White Water Rafting 22% Sky Diving 70% Scuba Diving

inJANUARY

Don’t miss out on the

Blyde River Rafting 27-29 November 2009

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

RDING WAKEBOA @ Bronkies 30 / 31 January 2010

For more on these and other events go to www.doitnow.co.za

doitnow.co.za >> 13

14.2275°E

and photos to:

DO IT

Performance // [inCOMING] Upcoming DO IT NOW Events

Africa Bike Week Journey to the Universe // [inSHORT] Audi High

// [inDETAIL] The Sandy Beasts of the West Coast // [inGEAR] Harley Talk -

ADVENTURE

> DO IT NOW | inDETAIL: Words by Francois Flamengo | Photos by Nelda Murray & Elri Martins

The Sandy Beasts of the West Coast

If you visit the small town of Lamberts Bay on the West Coast, sooner or later you will end up having dinner at the well know restaurant 'MUISBOSSKERM' just south of the town as you head towards Elands Bay. This was no different for us, a few friends on holiday looking for a relaxing evening, whilst witnessing another one of Africa’s incredible sunsets. Little did we know that this evening would be the spark to a new adventure ...

-32°6"3.92' 18°18"14.28'

16 >> doitnow.co.za

Our host welcomed everyone and explained all the ‘house rules’ before seating us at our table that overlooked the ocean – PERFECT! We treated ourselves to some excellent West Coast cuisine … and what a treat it was! The evening was a great success – the ambiance, the fantastic food, our gracious hosts – we highly recommend this restaurant, definitely ‘Bucket List’ material.

But enough said about the venue and food, because the reason that inspired this article was one that came by surprise during the many conversations that took place that night.

“So Francois, I believe you have driven up some big dunes in the past?” enquired John. I casually replied that I had visited Namibia a few times and asked why the interest in big dunes. John explained to me that he was experimenting with his new Pajero and building up experience in LOW RANGE driving. Wynand, a mate of John’s who I met for the first time that evening, was also quick to participate in the conversation about dune driving and throw in some questions about what gear to use, when to engage the diff lock and so on.

Some three and a half hours later, with fresh ocean fish and crayfish having satisfied our hunger, I offered to join them the following day and help them conquer a BIG DUNE they had encountered earlier on their holiday. By this time, the dune had grown in stature and was now as big as ‘Mount Everest’ - perfect to test our 4X4 vehicles and driving skills on.

The next day started early with all of us eagerly anticipating our climb up ‘Mount Everest’ to the highest possible beacon.

After breakfast, we headed out to go and play. Wynand was leading the way in his new four door 2.8l CRD Diesel Jeep Wrangler, followed by John in his four door 3.5l V6 Petrol Pajero and myself in my 4.5l Toyota Land Cruiser pickup.

We had been driving for about 20 minutes when Wynand stopped and pointed to a ‘Sandy Beast’ on his left and excitedly shouted: “That’s the one!” Like most 4X4 obstacles, looks can be very deceiving and the little windy track up the dune created an interesting hurdle for the vehicles to overcome, as we would need to keep momentum whilst running the vehicles in the power zone. We discussed what happened on John and Wynand’s previous attempts, as they pointed out where they had fallen victim to the beast.

I told my fellow ’Gladiators’ that I would go first and use more 4X4 techniques and gadgets with every attempt, to try and illustrate what low range and diff locks do for you when faced with different challenges. doitnow.co.za >> 17

>

... “That’s the one!” Like most 4X4 obstacles, looks can be every deceiving ...

Telephone +27 (0) 27 432 1017

Fax: +27 (0) 27 432 1017 - Tertius: + 27 (0) 83 270 9530 - Ian: +27 (0) 83 370 0440 18 >> doitnow.co.za

Strike one:

I started the DIN Truck and in two wheel drive, without locking or deflating the tires, I attempted to drive up the dune. No surprises here - I barely made five meters from where I started.

Strike two:

This time I locked my hubs as the Cruiser required manual intervention here, and used the tire gauge to deflate the tyres to one bar, the best pressure for operating on sand. I explained to John and Wynand that a flat-shape tire has more traction in the sand than a hard round one with little road-surface contact. Wynand was quick to query about the tire coming of the rim because it was running at such low pressure. I was in total agreement about this risk, but told them on obstacles such as the one we were facing, it becomes the driver’s responsibility to ensure no sharp turns are taken and that one should keep the tires as straight as possible.

... So, with the vehicle better prepared, I was ready to attack again.

This time I made significantly more ground but ran out of power ...

Strike three:

I changed my gearing to low range and used second gear to get the vehicle moving, quickly changing into third to keep the momentum going. I reminded John and Wynand to look after their clutch once operating in this mode, to avoid damaging it. With the engine roaring like an African lion, I was convinced I would make it up the dune but the relentless sand deprived me of this goal and I once again had to throw in the towel.

Strike four:

Engage diff lock. I explained that the vehicle was losing traction on the sand as it was moving through the cross axle’s area of the dune. This obviously was no good if your mission was to get to the top. With my tail up and confidence high, I gave it another go. As I slowly progressed to the top, I was caught by surprise when I stopped just short of where I should have stopped. Now I was down to my final button to help me gain a few more inches and conquer the ‘Sandy Beast’. Front diff lock. So with all the buttons in the vehicle engaged, I gently increased the power and finally made it to the top. What a ride! Feeling like the king of the mountain, I headed back down to smooth the track for my eager fellow drivers below so they could follow my tracks.

... With the engine roaring like

an African lion, I was convinced I would make it up the dune ...

WESTCOAST 4X4 TOURS: NAMIBIA We specialise in 4X4 tours through the oldest desert in the world - the Namib Desert.

Saddle Hill 550km. 5 day tour, includes 3 meals per day.

Lüderitz to Walvisbay through the dunes. 750 km. 6 day tour includes 3 meals per day.

Faces of the Namib - East to West through the dunes. 650 km. 6 day tour includes 3 meals per

For more information: www.westcoast4x4.co.za •Email: don@westcoast4x4.co.za Fax: 086 6629 583 • Don: 082 570 7486 doitnow.co.za >> 19

John, who was feeling a lot more confident now that he had seen how it was done, now got his turn to battle the beast. I offered to co-pilot and assist where I could. He was quick to get to within the last few inches of the top of the dune, but as he did not have the option of the front diff lock, just couldn’t get past this point despite giving it everything he had in his arsenal.

Next, it was Wynand's turn. I was pleasantly surprised by his Jeep's performance. The automatic gearbox and diesel combination turned out to be a very powerful package. The Jeep was also quick to pass the previous mark and if it had a front diff lock, would have made easy work of what was now considered an ant hill!

For the remainder of the afternoon we explored Saldanha Bay’s ‘back yard’ and found a few other challenges to pit our skills against. Eventually our stomachs started to remind us that we had neglected them and we reluctantly called it a day. We made our way back to our accommodation, where we talked non-stop about the day’s events, how exciting it was to challenge the dunes and the hunger to look for more.

This enthusiasm triggered me to call a very good friend of mine, Don from Wes Coast 4x4 Tours that specialises in dune excursions. Anyone who has seen him in action will agree that he is a legend when it comes to big dune driving. I told him about our day and before I could even ask if he would help us find some more BIG DUNES, he invited us to join him on a special excursion the next day.

... Life just couldn’t get better!

So early the next morning our convoy was off again to tackle the ‘Sandy Beasts’, this time in a northerly direction. Don told us about how he started his company in these dunes and what we had to look forward to during the course of the day. He also indicated that there might even be a few surprises along the way. With our confidence high from the previous day’s outing, we drove up our first ‘warm-up dune’ like it was a downhill. We conquered obstacle after obstacle until we got to a section where we were surrounded by some seriously high dunes. The only description for this scenic location was, unbelievable!

Don quickly plotted a track for us to tackle and shared some advice on how to drive in these dunes. Like any good master of deception and true to his nature, Don played a nice trick on me that resulted in the DIN Truck getting stuck. All I will say here is that I needed the assistance of my fellow adventurers to get me out of this pickle … and I’m sure you all understand why I don’t need to elaborate. This situation highlights one of the golden rules of 4x4ing: Always walk through your obstacles first if they are unfamiliar to you, to avoid getting stuck.

John also learned a lesson about putting a tire back on the rim when he came short on a turn that left the Pajero stranded and unable to go anywhere. Don explained that this is the most common mistake drivers make in dune terrain, as the tires normally run at low pressures and a sharp turn on the sand can easily push the tire over the rim.

The process to fix it was very interesting: One: Jack the car up to free the wheel.

Two: Get all the sand off the rim by using a little bit of water.

Three: Use a normal wheel pump and by applying constant pressure to the wheel on the rim, it pops back on with a very loud pop sound.

Four: Pump the tire to well over one bar, to press any remaining sand out, and once the vehicle is free, drive it for about 10 minutes and make sure the tire does not lose pressure anymore.

20 >> doitnow.co.za

So with the vehicles all mobile again, we continued on our adventure and reached a few very nice, challenging high dunes. Don gave us some more advice on low range and how to attack the dunes. As the first vehicle reached the top, everyone was rearing to give it a go. After half an hour of playing and testing different approach lines and gears, we headed off to the beach for a spectacular view and something cold to take care of our thirst. We were all surprised at how quickly the day had flown by and as we headed back to Vredenburg we were smiling from ear to ear.

Don invited everyone to his house for a traditional West Coast braai to finish off this awesome day. As per tradition, next to a roaring camp fire, stories and advice on how to drive in dune terrain were shared by all (now experts!). By the end of a very pleasant evening, everyone was ampt to join Don in October to give the big dunes in Namibia another go!!

doitnow.co.za >> 21

> DO IT NOW | inGEAR: Words by Rocco le Roux | Photos by Rocco & Angeline It was a crisp Thursday morning when I dropped my son at school. Angeline was at home doing the last preparations for our 700 km trip to Margate.

We mounted my heavily loaded 1200 Sportster and headed off to our meeting point where fellow rider, Leon was already waiting for us. The pack had left an hour or so before us and we had to catch up. Once on the open road the going would be easy, but first we have to brave the Jo'burg traffic.

Picture the scene: Two Harleys heading down a quiet N3 on a crystal clear April morning. You can see for miles ahead of you and the steady hum of the motor is the only sound you hear. Occasionally I would check my mirror to make sure that Leon was still with us, but apart from that, there is nothing to distract your mind from roaming free across the stretched out Highveld plains. Isn’t this what life is all about?

It was about two o’clock when we caught up with our pack just outside of Durban. By now we had come across many Harley riders

heading towards Margate for the first ever Africa Bike Week Rally and the spirit of what was to come, started to dawn on us. As we pulled into the Ultra City, we noticed a couple of bewildered motorists amongst the hoards of Harleys that had swarmed in. The sound of vtwin motors ruled and you could feel the excitement in the air. You can’t help it - your heart just beats faster when you hear a whole pack of these 1600cc v-twins start up and rumble away into the distance.

The air was thick and moist as our pack got into formation on the N2 for the last stretch to Margate. When the bikes compact behind

a slow moving truck, it was as if the air became dense, thickened by the harmonious rumble of 14 v-twin motors, poised to overtake. Fatigue, instantly replaced by excitement.

www.xfactorsport.co.za

Cell : 084 851 7656

E-mail : oz@xfactorsport.co.za

We also do trailer repairs and refurbs

22 >> doitnow.co.za

Africa Bike Week a roaring success ...

Arriving in Margate we found Panorama Avenue closed off - bikes only. We headed straight to the most popular watering hole on the beachfront and the atmosphere was amazing. Hundreds of bikers were standing around, not showing any sign of fatigue as the social high took over. Looking down at the road, you could see more and more bikes pulling in.

After a quick shower and something to eat, we were back at the main beach for the evening festivities. There was not a moment of

boredom as the bands battled it out on two stages, and the clubs and pubs provided the necessary refreshments.

Standing on my balcony on Friday morning, I could hear the festivities starting up again some five kilometers away and by the time we got there, the streets were overflowing with bikers and enthusiasts alike.

We spent the day admiring the ‘works of art’ on wheels while browsing all the interesting stalls and finishing off our daytime activities with a long relaxed drive down the South Coast, followed by a biker party that evening.

Saturday was the big day! Every rally has a mass ride and the Africa Bike Week was no exception. Of the 3 400 odd bikes that attended the rally, about 1 800 assembled at the Shelly Centre rooftop parking.

Bikers from all over South Africa attended and there were even a couple of Europeans that flew in just for this occasion. Cruisers, sport bikes, scramblers and even Chinese scooters were seen in the assembly area. The place was overflowing with curious holiday makers, trying to get a glimpse of what it’s like in the biker world.

Young and old enjoyed the opportunity to let their minds run free, imagining what it would be like to actually ride one of these ‘Iron Horses’ and to live a carefree life, like those bikers in the movies.

Finally, the sign was given: “We’re rolling out”. As 1 800 motors started up almost in unison, I could feel my skin tingle as the hair on my legs and arms stood up. You could barely hear the 100cc scooters as the big bore 1.8L choppers and 2.3L cruisers started to rev up. My 1.2L Sportster’s growl was also soaked up by the steady rumble of the big bikes!

Heading down Marine Drive under police escort, everything came to a standstill as there was quite simply no space for anything other than bikes. People got out of their cars to take photos, children would point and stare, as moms and dads waved at the passing parade. It was truly a sight to behold!

After the mass ride out, our group of friends took a lazy cruise down to Pistols Saloon for an authentic cowboy experience. Complete with swing doors and a resident donkey, Pistols set the stage for another enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. At dawn tomorrow, we will

have to brave the cold and wet again as we head back to Gauteng and reality, and the end of a break away well worth repeating. doitnow.co.za >> 23

> DO IT NOW | inGEAR: Words by Tracy Knox | Photos by Francois Steyn

A Journey to the

‘Gateway to the Universe’ DO IT NOW caught up with Francois Steyn to find out about his biking weekend with his wife Tania and a group of friends to the little town of Sutherland, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Universe’, some 350 km from Cape Town in the Northern Cape.

In high spirits and eagerly anticipating their two-wheeled adventure, the group left Paarl on their KTM990 Adventures, a BMW GS1200 and a Kawasaki KLE500 with a loud roar.

The journey took these intrepid bikers over Du Toit’s Kloof Pass, past Rawsonville and Slanghoek to Ceres. After a short ride on the CeresKaroo R355, they turned right towards Sutherland.

Although Sutherland is small in size, it is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist attraction. Established in 1855, the focus of the town was around the Dutch Reformed Church. By 1872 there were 19 houses and a community of 138. Today, the town is home to over 2 700 inhabitants and has two large shops, a café, one service station, two butcheries, a Farmers Co-op, two schools and one bank. The newspaper of the day is only available in the late afternoon due to Sutherland’s distance from the cities. Sheep farming is the main activity in the area, and its excellent mutton is highly sought-after throughout South Africa.

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... It is also said that the air here is fresher than anywhere else in the world ...

average maximum is 20.5º C. Reasons given for the cold are the topography of the land and altitude. It is also said that the air here is fresher than anywhere else in the world.

So what makes this town such a draw card? Well, a number of reasons actually. Firstly, it’s renowned for having some of the clearest and darkest nights in the world due to its remote and arid location, and altitude of 1.458 meters (4 780 ft) above sea level. For this reason, it hosts the South African Astronomical Observatory and the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere - a telescope so powerful that one would be able to see a candle flame on the moon.

Sutherland is also known as being one of the coldest towns in South Africa and winter snow is a common occurrence.

The average minimum yearly temperature is 3.4°C and the

Upon reaching their destination, the high-spirited group stopped over at the Sutherland Hotel to have a couple of well-deserved cold ones and a braai. The rest of the evening was spent on bike banter and a recap of the day’s events Vincent on his KLE who almost over-shot a blind lefthander and ended up leaving the road for the rockies; Gary on his GS1200 Adventure going around a bend too quickly and having to purposely lock the rear brake to slow him down, and then ending up in a ditch only to discover that he had run out of fuel due to a faulty gauge; and Andre, who is as tall as heaven and crazy as hell, performing a few stoppies for the group. Awesome! Having ridden more than 350 km with a great bunch of free-spirited, yet humble and laid-back guys, the trip was turning out to be everything they had hoped for and more.

The next morning after a huge breakfast, Francois took Andre's 990 Adventure S for a spin and what an experience that turned out to be. Francois, who is used to being two-up on an old KLR, was blown away by the ease and stability of this machine and commented that it made crossing cattle grids feel like riding over white lines on tar!

The time had finally come for our adventure-seekers to bid their farewells and head for home. It had been an amazing trip for everyone. The journey, the town, but most especially the feeling of invincibility and camaraderie one experiences riding in a big group of bikes that just can't be beat.

doitnow.co.za >> 25

> DO IT NOW | inGEAR: Words by Francois Flamengo

4rings

High Performance Driving Vorsprung Durch Technik Anyone that has participated in (and completed) the Audi Driving Experience will agree that the ‘4rings’ team effectively lives up to the well known Audi slogan, Vorsprung Durch Technik - and for those of us who don’t speak the lingo, a literal translation is ‘advancement through technique’. Every minute of the day is thoroughly planned and perfectly executed to ensure that everyone on the course experiences a day well worth remembering. So what can someone that has never had this experience before expect?

Held at Gerotek, the day starts around 08h30 and after registration the course kicks off with a very informative 30minute slide show hosted by Marc, the lead “4rings” instructor. Thereafter, the participants are divided into groups, each with a dedicated instructor to guide them through the exercises for the remainder of the day. After sorting out these logistics, it’s off to the playground - ready or not!

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Breaking distances is the first demonstration covered by the instructors. This gives one a whole new perspective on what distance is covered by your car after it has come to a standstill from speeds ranging from 60km/h to 160km/h.

Marc explained that most drivers will know the specs for their vehicle from 0km/h to 100km/h, but almost no one knows their vehicle’s 100km/h to 0km/h time. This realisation was eye opening to say the least!

Next, you get a chance to learn correct seating positions in the driver seat and how to minimise getting tired behind the wheel when driving long distances.

With all the important stuff covered, it’s time for us to get behind the wheel of a VERY SEXY Audi vehicle and test our skills. First up is a basic steering exercise, where the goal is to increase your confidence. The aim is to drive between various cones without touching them and each person gets two chances. The level of difficulty is increased with the next set of exercises: ESP, Aquaplaning and ABS Breaking.

The first time the instructor asks you to take your feet off the pedals and swerve the car from left to right and back again whilst travelling at 90km/h, you can’t help thinking: “I hope this guy knows what he is talking about!” This exercise demonstrates ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) in the vehicle and how it helps the driver avoid a collision situation.

In theory, if the ESP works you won’t end up in an out of control spin or in the bushes next to the road. I recall being slightly cautious on the first try and VERY surprised at how in control the car was when put to the test. Amazing!

When you see a car weighing in at two tons ‘floating’ over 8mm of water with no control, you get a much better understanding of how easy it is to lose control in rainy or wet weather conditions. Marc and the other instructors show you why the best way to recover from this is to straighten up your wheels and break when you regain traction. Again the Audi vehicles were flawless in helping everyone complete this exercise.

The groups then broke for a great lunch. After ‘refuelling’ you’re ready to take on the afternoon high performance driving exercises. This time with a little more confidence!

When driving around a track at high speed, you can’t help feel like the next Top Gear ‘STIG’ or a new Formula 1 Michael Schumacher in the making! Each driver gets three turns to go around the flat track to build confidence. The instructors guide and assist you during this practical exercise by ensuring you drive on the best lines on the track and keep the momentum up through the corners, thus making the whole experience feel as smooth as possible. Once everyone is comfortable with this exercise, you get to tackle the more demanding Gerotek track. This track challenges the drivers through a hilly terrain and a variety of tight corners. Again, each driver gets three laps to build their skills and before you can say fifth gear, the day is drawing to a close and there is only time left for one last speedy showpiece.

The high-speed Oval Track! Here, everyone starts to feel the excitement as the instructors wind-up the German vehicles and before you know it, you have reached 240km/h and know EXACTLY what is meant by ‘G-Force’ whilst going for two very quick laps around the track. This is what I call A TRUE ADRENALIN RUSH!!!

Then, like all good things in life … the day is over and each participant receives a certificate as proof of participation.

Left only with a slightly elevated heart rate and fantastic stories about this exhilarating day, you’re ready to hit the road again with your new-found skills, this time in your own car. Good bye for now to the awesome Audis!

For more detail or bookings on the Audi Driving Experience, please contact Irmi on 011 466 0607 or email irmi@4rings.co.za. doitnow.co.za >> 25

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DO IT

Photo by Craig Dutton

Do you dare to run? doitnow.co.za >> 29

> DO IT NOW | inALTITUDE: Words by John Murray

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re standing waiting to takeoff with a magnificent view of the valley below, surrounded by green majestic mountains. In the distance you see two dams and the valley floor below you 400 meters below you stretches out to embrace them - Your GOAL. High above a Jackal Buzzard is slowly circling below a puffy cumulus cloud. The light wind up the mountain stirs the grass at your feet as another thermal cycle passes through. You count the seconds to the next one. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dreamt about this flight the whole week!

Today you will achieve your goal!

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As the next cycle approaches, the 12 meter inflatable wing builds up into a wall behind you. A gentle tug on the risers lifts the wing into the wind and air is rammed into the openings at the front edge of your paraglider to inflate the parafoil. Leaning hard into the wind as the wing pushes up and through the powerzone, you just know this wing wants to fly – and so do you! It takes no more than three paces forward and the raw power of nature lifts you clear of the ground.

Coaxing the toggles to steer left and right in the ridge lift in front of the mountain, you wait for that big thermal to release. It happens with stunning power, pushing you into the seat of your harness as you accelerate upwards at four meters per second or more!

You tighten your turning circle, desperately searching for the core of the column of heated air where the thermal’s strength is at its best. It takes you no more than a minute or two of tight turning to hit cloud base. You leave the thermal and take off in the direction your goal – this is cross country flying at is best!

Some do it for the rush, some for the adventure, and some for the love of the sound of lines cutting through the air. For many, it is a way to switch off, be alone and at peace.

... For me it is all of this but even more so the love of the raw energy of being lifted, unpowered, as high as the clouds and as far as the wind will take you ...

And then there is the camaraderie between pilots, the socialising on the mountains and the parties in the evenings where the day’s stories are shared, and often exaggerated!

In South Africa paragliding is governed by the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA). SAHPA is also the licensing authority for these forms of flight. On their website (www.sahpa.co.za) one can find all the information and links required to get started on this journey.

Before you go out and buy the gear though,contact a licensed paragliding school. They will provide you with the required equipment and knowledge to complete your license. Licensing includes an academic portion on which you will be tested, as well as at least 35 flights during which a number of skills need to be mastered. Some schools, such as Wild Sky Paragliding in Bulwer, provide you the opportunity to stay on site for the time it takes you to complete your training. With Bulwer’s flying-friendly weather conditions I completed it in 10 days!

Now, if I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times. If you really want to do it, don’t just dream about it, don’t just read up on it, don’t just talk about it ...

...Turn your eyes skyward and just DO IT NOW! doitnow.co.za >> 31

>

DO IT NOW | inH2O: Words by Francois Flamengo

Mid Winter If someone told you they wanted to dive into 14°C water, at night and in the middle of the winter, you would probably reply: “YOU MUST BE MAD” - an acceptable answer by anyone’s standards.

But if you where one of the 80 willing divers that signed up at The Dive Shop for the annual Mid Winter Madness Dive, you would probably reply: “Sure, let’s do it,” and in the back of your mind you would be making a BIG mental note to make sure you have all the necessary neoprene with you for this dive!

The 2009 Mid Winter Madness Dive, held at Miracle Waters just outside of Brits in the North West on 4 July, was a great success. Now into its second year, Thomas and his crew from The Dive Shop ensured that all the divers had a memorable time. To get the evening rolling, divers received a briefing that was followed by a ritual war cry to get everyone psyched up and ready for their plunge into madness.

Diving in dark waters, armed with just a torch and adrenalin rushing through your veins is always an exceptional experience - and this dive was no different. The water visibility for the first few groups was surprisingly clear with viz of about eight meters. The thermo clines were very evident and when you hit them, you got an extra boost that helped you swim a little faster, to keep the blood circulating.

Thereafter, the divers broke up into groups to plan and agree on a route for their dive, which included staying in the water for at least 20-30 minutes. After everyone had kitted up and carefully checked their equipment, the groups made their way down to the water’s edge. For those first few seconds as you entered the water, you think to yourself … is it cold? By the time the water level had reached your waist, you had your answer … Brrrrrrrrrrrr, yip it’s a little frisky.

As the minutes ticked by and you had been down for the required time, everyone high tailed it back to land and the warmth of their clothing and a huge bon fire to thaw out. After dinner, the highlight of the evening was the chance to win some really cool prizes including quality dive equipment and the grand prize, a dive weekend breakaway for two at Sodwana Bay Lodge!

This is a must for any adventure diver!

It’s definitely a cool way to chill out in the winter!

Words by Elri Martins

Get inVOLVED

DO IT

nVOLVED

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Part of the Mid Winter Madness Diving event was for each participant to donate a blanket.

The blankets were distributed by The Dive Shop to the needy, who don’t have any other choice than to face and try to survive yet another bitterly cold winter without the shelter of a roof over their head or a blanket to warm themselves. DO IT NOW has proudly kicked off its inVOLVED social responsibility campaign, albeit with baby steps, by donating 30 blankets to this worthy cause.

To find out more about our inVOLVED initiative, refer to the inFO section on page 12.

DO IT

Copyright © MapStudio 2009 BM/JHB/ARC/18/2/22

DO IT

DO IT DO IT

DO IT

DO T NOW DO IT

Adventure Sport Lifestyle

DO IT

Calendar

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DO IT

Photo by Craig Dutton

Do you dare to cycle ? doitnow.co.za >>

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> DO IT NOW | inCOMING: Upcoming Event Information

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inFashion

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DO IT

Specific Exercise

[inTHEHOLE] Golf Swing PowerPlay Golf // [IinSHAPE] Core & Sport

// [inACTION] Subaru non stop sani2c Iron Man Girls can also Play //

SPORT

> DO IT NOW | inACTION: Words by Rhys Forster | Photos by Elri Martins

Non stop Action at the

SUBARU Non stop sani2c g of consistin l in , s m a e o t g Scho in bike mounta he Underber l town of 0 8 s a t t a y from e coast te citemen with ex night on Frida m race to th day to comple d e g n i k r t d i u s t m 10 a a 2 t w S a e g f o, to set off punishin ght and most o world. mospher Umzint e i The at ers per team, i Valley, on a d h n n t e a n i h e t v e id n gh ac Reser s of three r hills of the Sa to cycle throu ing one -day r ral area rookes Nature local council. u r t ik e d o b o h a t f h in C rs ta gh the the d throu ngvale, Vernon he support of gh. Ride toughest moun e r r u e nd the b t d t n o i t a Sc Race a mous ugh e me , Spr y the o l c t s r t u ib i2 h o s a l n s t r o f a e s e p l h fa e ssib , th Hig what is with th ter than the s the erberg a, Inhlamvini, tting made po g d n o n l a U s e r t rea ho en g in th Lufaf ular se iking ev ute is a little s ifferent. Whe rs. b n i Startin , Donnybrook, ch, a spectac a t n e d u r a this ro heir rid t is also y of mo y, Bulwe urgh Be a trilog rch. Although en. The forma nder to assist t f o t Pevense line at Scottb r a a o p h dging and wom ar in M race is sory sec the finis ru just e m, in on stop arlier this ye se tough men e and a compul a n b u c S 2 i n m lace e for the baru sa f thre th Tea ixed tea The Su , which took p st as gruelling op has teams o vent, wi nd the first m e s i h t t f e u a s j r Titus spirit o aru non s, it was Adventu friendly place was team sani2c y stage event of two, the Sub t e y e iv d it s da r the compet inutes. In thir three- nts have team g it. Fo ive, e in h n t in d w m e ve tually rspect and 20 epitomis stage e than ac put this into pe ers, this ish line ime of 9 hours e in c f a e r h e t o t r T th a to p id inishing by a long shot. rk. For the to e field has ht dash y 20 seconds in eep Two. f g i t t u o e b h a a J T b e entir hour m one day s more he m Jeep as Team that it' ever ridden in around the 14- d time that th rmination of t out Tea lace overall, w is t n e r r e i s d e t p h a f m e t h a h if d t e e y d n d h o seve the 80 t nce the guts an is only t event s es this e longest dista erage time for s year’s event timony to the k a m t s Wha it up the av ow. Thi this is th te is te summed d I e field, t 19 hours with e Argus in a r 0% success ra the way. , h t t n f e o v y e e e s an majorit eam came in a to racing thr eption. This 10 enance along t for th er the 210 km Haw r o p t t p s c d u t u n s s s e i the la r Glen limbs ov compar ace, since its ed them with ack up ould be vided b rs and steep c events, Farme rld. These r id o r p o h event c d the 210 km ders, who prov w bike wo the rive non stop zburg, n to e ermarit o get through Subaru sani2c the mountain men who want complet and their seco t e i P u o t r s in w a r e l e a b e v d a h i h u d t n n r i S o r h ey ve ti lD na tie from aru All-Whee r legs.” Throug ething excep rk! It’s for me day is over, th with a s i r h C m b the pa ted so he long Howard : “I had a Su r days) ve thei only ha ce again crea a gentle ride in g that when t p (probably fo y e h nicely T . in n e d o e w le was tire his team have r people who lik own limits, kno nge and can s r i e o l l e f a . h t s t h o and n i n c d a l p on re ta events a themselves bey ther monumen the aches and atnick o e t n i a p raig W s push t C e e d y , n d o e i v t survi satisfac smile of

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non stop

Conquering Enduros We chatted to DO IT NOW Action Team member, Rhys Foster to find out what it is about enduros that draws such a dedicated and loyal following and keeps them coming back for more – ‘cause let’s face it, they just ain’t no Sunday afternoon picnic!

This is what Rhys had to say: Question:

What is so great about big enduro races?

The beauty about enduro racing is that it pushes your body, mind and abilities to places they have never been before. Being out in nature with a great DO IT NOW Team of mates and supporters, and pushing our bodies and bikes to new limits is a very humbling, yet hugely satisfying experience.

doitnow.co.za >>

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Remember: Pain is for now, but regret is forever!

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non stop

When taking part in a race like the non stop sani2c, you need to rely on more than just pure cycling ability. Factors such as teamwork, nutrition and hydration during the race, pacing yourself, technical know-how, lots of ‘vasbyt’, having fun and staying positive for long periods of time are critical, and are also what makes the race extremely challenging.

The DO IT NOW Team worked really well together over the 13 hours that it took us to complete the race. All our bodies are wired differently, which meant that we hit walls or felt good at different times. So it’s very important to help your mates when they are battling, because there will be a time when you will be in need of a push!

Question:

How does it feel just before you start a 205 km race at midnight for the first time in your life?

I felt that something was missing (most probably my bed and sleep) and that we had forgotten to do some important bit of preparation.

You are always a bit nervous and unsure of what may lie ahead. It was very cold and a light drizzle and mist made it even more miserable.

All I was thinking of at the start was that I just wanted to get the start over with and get a few hours into the race, so that we could find our rhythm and give our nerves a chance to settle. Preparation is one of the most important aspects of a race like this. Make sure that you are well rested and your equipment is serviced and ready before you get to the race venue.

Question:

What role do seconds play during the race?

Seconds are extremely important. They are like a parent to a child, making sure that you drink enough fluids, eat enough food, as well as sort out any bike problems we may have. Our seconding team, consisting of Francois, Elri, Allison and Julie, did such an incredible job; the cheering, encouragement and pit stops were amazing. We would indicate to them that we would stop soon, and they would shoot ahead and be waiting like a F1 pit crew with all our top-up drinks, potatoes and rolls, cramp pills, and Fit Gels and bars. This was invaluable because wasting time is frustrating, as it causes your muscles to cool down.

Our seconds also had their hands full with technical problems; we had some unforeseen bike problems with my saddle … After some expert craftsmanship, Francois had us back on the road again in no time. Your seconds should always have a kit of spares for the specific bikes that the team rides - and don’t ignore the small parts of the bike that you think nothing can go wrong with!

Other than that, the DO IT NOW seconds managed to draw a crowd at all times with their red overalls and loud music, which created a great buzz in the valley.

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Question:

What role does good navigation play throughout the race?

Good navigation is crucial, as racing in the wrong direction can blow your mind. You can use a GPS or map cards that the organisers provide, along with your odometer. A GPS is the best option as it wastes very little time and is continuous. The map cards also work well, but you have to keep stopping to read the cards and this wastes precious time. Our seconds did a great job by giving us directions from the DO IT NOW Truck or via radio or cellphone. When they were not in range and we went off the beaten track, we followed other riders who had GPS’s with them. This is fine but dangerous, as we followed the wrong group of guys down a few paths. The result was that we had to backtrack for 45 minutes to get back to the correct route. This can really mess with your mind, so I strongly urge riders to take their own GPS’s and spend a bit of extra time to ensure that you are always on the correct track.

Question:

How important is it to stay focused as a team during the race?

Mountain biking is a sport that requires your full-time concentration, as you never know what may appear in your path. And if you fall off your bike, even at the slowest of speeds, it can result in an injury. As a team, we encouraged and spoke words of affirmation to each other to keep ourselves focused. Our seconds also played loud music at times, which helped get us into the groove!

Question:

How does it feel to finish the non stop sani2c?

It was incredible to look back at the race and reflect on all the thrills, spills and challenges that faced the team, and how we pushed through to finish yet another great challenge for the DO IT NOW Team. I just thank God for giving us the opportunity and ability to do such an incredible race. There is no greater feeling than taking up a challenge and conquering it with a group of mates!

Question:

What advice do you have for new teams wanting to enter next year’s race?

Make sure that you have done your training, together if possible, and spend a lot of time in the saddle and on hills. The hills are enormous, so be prepared. Once your training has been taken care of, ensure that as a team you all sit together and plan your strategy for the race. Make sure that you are used to eating and drinking regularly while riding - and that the food agrees with you. Ensure that your bike and lights are well serviced and you have all the spares you could ever imagine. Next, get some good sleep in the few days leading up to the race. If possible, get to the race the day before it starts, so that the travelling is out of your system and you can rest up before the start.

Ideally, the only prep you want to do on the day of the race is any final checks, stay positive and expect the unexpected.

doitnow.co.za >>

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> DO IT NOW | inACTION: Words by PietrĂŠ Smit | Photos by Marathon Photos & Wynand Smit

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The Dare ...

I’m not particularly sporty, nor am I particularly averse to exercise. I enjoy a run every now and then, and a brisk ride on my mountain bike every other Saturday gives me great pleasure. It was therefore in a moment of madness that I accepted a dare thrown at me by a colleague: I am going to do the Iron Man.

For those of you who, like myself at the time, are a bit ignorant about what the Iron Man entails, let me give you a bit of background. You have 17 hours in which to complete a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and 42 km run.

The Training

Trying to fit a full training programme into your already jam-packed work and social life is not easy. So I downloaded a 16-week training programme from the official Iron Man website, which is great if you can stick to it! I ended up running, cycling and swimming whenever my conscience got the better of me, which wasn’t very often. Slowly I managed to build my fitness level up to running a 21 km and cycling about 70 km at least once a week.

So this Iron Man experience you are about to read is from a grossly under trained, but very enthusiastic point of view.

The Race Weekend

PE during the Iron Man resembles Plett over peak season! It’s packed to capacity with buff athletes and their proud supporters. And just like all the other big sporting events, the Iron Man had an Expo where I bought my obligatory T-shirt, stocked up on fast-fuel bars and bought extra tubes and inflation bombs just in case! I was starting to feel nervous.

The evening before the race, we ate pasta made by our loyal supporters and had an early night. The hollow nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach made it really hard for me to fall asleep.

The Day

Race Day dawned and thousands of athletes and spectators watched the sun rise over Nelson Mandela Bay. I couldn’t really appreciate the beauty of it all, as I just wanted to get it over and done with – or at least just get started. I kissed my husband goodbye (maybe for the last time …) and took my place in the throngs of seallike bodies waiting to dash into the icy waters.

The Swim

At 7am sharp the siren sounded and off we went. The water was cold, but after the first couple of strokes I fell into a rhythm and all my anxieties disappeared. I could do this! I told myself to just take one event at a time and concentrate on the here and now. Two laps of 1.9 km each and I was out of the water running for the changing area.

This wasn’t too bad and I actually enjoyed the swim very much!

The Cycle

Quickly changing into my cycling gear, with the help of a friendly assistant who lathered me in sunscreen, I took to the road. I silently thanked her as the sun rose higher and tried to beat me off my bike with its deadly rays. Only three laps of 80 km each: the first was relatively easy, the second torture as my neck and back rebelled against the unusual amount of time spent in this position, and the third was absolute anguish and completely mind over matter. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of the red carpet finish line and the announcer shouting “YOU are an IRON MAN!” as I crossed the finish line.

The Run

Taking my time on the bike meant that it was late afternoon when I started the run, or what was supposed to be a run. Mine was more of an awkward shuffle than a run. After spending nine hours on a bike, I could not seem to bring my legs to put one foot in front of the other. It took about four kilometers for my mind to complete the transition from bike to run, but after that I must admit I felt fine. Better than fine, I loved the run! About half-way through the three loops of 15 km, I took a couple of Myprodol to ease the pain in my knees and set of through the rain and wind to finish this thing.

The Finish

I could hear the announcer from a distance. Despite the wet and cold, the hard core spectators who were still there 15 hours into the day shouted encouragement and in slow motion, I saw myself entering the chute. The red carpet stretched out in front of me and as I crossed the finish line I heard the announcer:

“Pietré, YOU are an IRON MAN!” The Afterthought This challenge was one of the greatest experiences of my life and one I would definitely like to repeat next year. If I can give any future Iron Man some amateur advice: train harder than I did, you’ll enjoy it even more!

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> DO IT NOW | inACTION: Words by Cheryl Whelan

For those not familiar with this growing sport, Touch Rugby or Touch, as it is known, is a minimal contact sport that is played worldwide by men, women and children of all ages. It is similar to rugby, but without the tackling, scrumming, mauling, lineouts and kicking.

While Touch Rugby is still a developing sport in South Africa, it is becoming increasingly popular in high schools where most of the development takes place. What is encouraging to note is that there is a massive growth in girls playing and excelling at the sport.

But before you start thinking the game is all a bed of roses, it’s not. The game emphasizes strategic planning, running, fitness, agility, pace and ball handling skills such as passing and catching. Touch is also extremely fast, so a player needs to be able to think on their feet and adapt in a split second.

Although played to a wider extent on a social level, Provincial and National colours can be achieved by those looking for something more competitive. Provincial tournaments are held throughout the year and National tournaments at least every four years at the Touch Rugby World Cup.

About the Game Touch is played on a flat surface that is half the size of a conventional sports field and the aim of the game is to score tries.

A Touch Rugby team consists of a minimum of six and a maximum of 14 players, with six players on the field at all times. It works on a rolling substitution system, so whenever you get tired you can leave the field and “sub” with another player.

There are two 20-minute halves in the game, with a three-minute half-time. There are three divisions to play in: Men’s, Ladies and Mixed. In a mixed game, you have three guys and three girls on the field at one time.

Attack: A simple touch keeps the game going forward. Each team has six touches, where the defending team has to touch the player with the ball to advance to their score line and score a try. Once those six touches are used up or an offence is committed, then a turnover will take place and the opposition will in turn get six touches. Once a touch is made, the attacking person has to put the ball down on the ground and step over it so that the closest fellow player, called the dummy/scrum half, can pick up the ball and keep the game moving forward.

Defense: When a touch is made, the defending team has to move back five meters from the point of the touch, before they can advance again for another touch. If this is not done, that team will be offside. If a penalty is awarded, the defending team has to move back 10 meters from the infringement.

General Offences: Loss of control and ball out of play.

Penalty Offences: Forward pass, touch and pass, over the mark and off-sides.

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TIP: Some advice for women who would like to start playing Touch Rugby. Touch is a sport for everyone. It is an awesome way to get fit as well as enjoy the company of friends. Don’t associate Touch Rugby with rugby. It’s definitely not as rough and it will just take one game to get you hooked.

To start off, you don’t need to be quick or fit, but you will find that after a few games, your pace, fitness and skills will have improved tremendously. The only equipment you need is a pair of running or hockey shoes.

GET THE RIGHT CORPORATE IMAGE

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Velotex specialises in the design of personalised club, team and corporate orders. All custom designs are created in-house and we work closely with the client in order to achieve the exact effect required, with the client in whether for a small club team, professional team, or large corporation.

Profile on Cheryl Whelan

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Official cycle apparel supplier to:

Plays Touch Rugby for various teams in three leagues around Gauteng.

Has over 80 Provincial caps.

24 Caps for South Africa including Japan in 2003 for the SA Ladies at the World Cup, England in their 1999 tour to South Africa and in 2007 for the SA Mixed at the World Cup in South Africa.

VELOTEX The Champions Choice

To order your cycle apparel contact

VELOTEX at info@velotex.co.za Tel: 021 447 9973 | Fax: 021 447 2214 www.velotex.com doitnow.co.za >>

51

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> DO IT NOW | inSHAPE: Core & Sport Specific Training

Sport Specific

wakeboarding

Exercise 1: Bosu Ball Squat [Reps: 10-15 | Sets: 2-3] Preparation Use two Bosu Balls next to each other on the floor with the flat side facing down.

Stand with your legs next to each other - one foot on the centre of each ball - get your balance.

Movement

Position

Move down into the squat position.

Contract your abs and gluts (stomach & buttock muscles).

Breath in when moving down into a squat.

Stop at a 90% angle to isolate your quads and gluteus muscles.

Breathe out as you come up.

Note: You may also add dumbels to this exercise.

Exercise 2: Bosu Ball Lunges [Reps: 10-15 | Sets: 2-3] Preparation Use two Bosu Balls next to each other on the floor with the flat side facing down.

Stand with your legs in front each other -one foot on the centre of each ball - get your balance.

Movement

Position

Move down into the lunge position.

Contract your abs and gluts (stomach & buttock muscles).

Breath in when moving down into a lunge.

Stop at a 90% angle to isolate your quads and gluteus muscles - don't lock your knees.

Breathe out as you come up.

Note: You may also add dumbels to this exercise.

Exercise 3 & 4: Inverted Bosu Ball Squat & Lunge [Reps: 10-15 | Sets: 2-3] Preparation

Position 1 (Squat)

Position 2 (Lunges)

Invert two Bosu Balls so the round sides touch the floor.

Stand on the Bosu Balls, placing each foot on one.

Note: Be careful, let someone hold the balls for you if this is your first time.

Movement Position 1(Squat) - Refer to Exercise 1 - Movement Position 2 (Lunges) - Refer to Exercise 2 - Movement

Contact

Samuel Sithole - Personal Trainer

Neo M - Personal Trafatle ainer

Sam on 084 308 5757

inshape@doitnow.co.za Neo on 073 073 0224

Planet Fitness Fourways

doitnow.co.za >>

53

DO IT NOW | inSHAPE: Core & Sport Specific Training

core training Exercise 1: Bridge Preparation Lie down flat on your stomach on the floor or mat.

Movement

Position

Workout Hold: 20-30 seconds

Push yourself up onto your elbows and toes.

Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Sets: 2-3

Exercise 2: Bridge on Bosu Ball Preparation Lie down flat on your stomach on the floor or mat.

Movement

Position

Workout Hold: 20-30 seconds

Place your elbows on the Bosu Ball and push yourself up onto your elbows and toes.

Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Sets: 2-3

Exercise 3: Bridge and Push-Up Preparation Lie down flat on your stomach on the floor or mat.

Get into the bridge position (exercise 1).

Movement

Position

Workout Reps: 10-15

Push up, one arm at a time, pushing your whole body up as if doing a push-up.

Go back down to the bridge position, one arm at a time.

Sets: 2-3

TRAIN SMART, NOT HARD

Exercise 4: Bosu Ball Lateral Tilt Preparation Place the Bosu Ball inverted on the round side onto the floor.

Place your hands on each side of the Bosu Ball.

Feet placed on the floor, slightly apart.

Movement Lift yourself up, arms straight, legs straight, onto your toes.

Keeping your whole body tight/solid tilt sideways using the Bosu Ball.

Hold on each side for 1-3 seconds.

Workout Reps: 10-15 Sets: 2-3

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Position

DO IT

Photo by Craig Dutton

Do you dare to row?

Adventure Challenges coming soon ...

> DO IT NOW | inTHEHOLE:

Words by Michael Scholz, Professional and Trick Shot Golfer

GOLF SWING Welcome to inTHEHOLE, a new bi-monthly feature will focus on

the various aspects of golf, to help you perfect your game. Over the next few months, we will work towards simplifying the game and its complexities. This month, the spotlight is on simplifying your golf swing!

Michael Scholz, professional golfer and trick shot artist, will share some of the secrets of the golf swing, as well as introduce some new theories and food-for-thought to help you play better golf.

Swing Easy As the margins for error in the game of golf are so small, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to break the golf swing down into little bite-sized pieces to simplify the process.

I like to teach using a 3-step process flow called 1, 2 and 3.

No variations, no inclusions such as 2 and a half - simply 1, 2 and 3!

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FACT Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to think of more than one thing at any given time, so remember this when playing golf.

Keep it simple and on what you are doing (or attempting to do).

1: Stand strong It is unlikely that you are going to be able to make a strong or positive swing (or any other action for that matter) with a weak stance. Try stand on the tiptoe of your left foot and hit a golf shot … unlikely?

Your stance is the foundation of a good golf swing and it is vital that you feel like you are capable of maintaining a good balance throughout the swing. Tiger Woods, for example, looks like he is about to punch someone when he addresses the golf ball.

The easiest way to do this is to ensure that your weight is evenly distributed between your left and right side and not on your heels or toes.

Stand strong!

Think about how you would need to stand if you are on a skateboard and swinging a golf club? Keep it strong!

2: Swing through the ball and not at it Very simply, most golfers have the perception that the golf ball is the objective of the golf swing. It isn’t! The golf ball merely gets in the way of your golf swing. It is the golf swing that determines what happens to the golf ball and not the other way around. Focus on the action and not the intention!

… A good tip is to make sure that you finish your follow through.

This is the full stop at the end of the golf swing.

Without it, your swing is not a swing at all ...

Pretend that the ball is resting on a bottle and you don’t want to hit down into it as the glass will shatter and probably inflict injury.

Swing through the ball!

3: Finish your follow through If you can finish your swing with the same follow-through position every time, you would have had to have done something the same every time to achieve this. It is good practice and discipline (called conditioning) to do this, even if you hit a poor golf shot. The top golfers in the world do it and they should know.

Pretend that someone is taking a photograph of your follow-through position. The camera can’t see where the ball went, so you may as well make it look like you hit a good shot. Hold the follow through!

Did he hit a good shot? The follow through will tell you I did, but

did I? Hold that follow through position!

I hope this will help you simplify your game.

Till the next inTHEHOLE feature, keep it simple. doitnow.co.za >>

57

More information and directions to this superb golfing event is available on www.doitnow.co.za

Annual Golf Day Date: 11 November 2009 Cost: R2 000 (per fourball) Venue: Woodhill Golf Estate, Pretoria

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WHAT TO EXPECT This golf day is one of the highlights on the DO IT NOW calendar and is guaranteed to be packed with fun. We will be running special competitions with exciting prizes to be won throughout the day and also keep an eye out for the two refreshing watering holes on the 7th and 15th. To equip all the players for this exciting golf experience, each player will receive a FREE DO IT NOW hamper including a unique golf cap, shirt and towel.

More about the venue Designed by Peter Matkovich, this 18-hole championship course features stunning scenery and dramatic natural features. It is shaped and strategically positioned around more than 700 residential stands. The club house is the focal point of the estate and golf course. It overlooks the 9th and 18th greens and has a panoramic view over the estate and course. The golf course, currently ranked in the top 100 courses in South Africa, is maintained at a level to challenge all aspects of a golfer's game, yet at the same time provides a distinctly different and enjoyable golfing experience. The course has gained recognition as host to a number of prestigious events such as the South African PGA Championship for four years, the second oldest professional golf tournament in the country, as well as President Thabo Mbeki's Inaugural Golf Day.

For more information contact Rhys on 071 898 2888 or rhys@doitnow.co.za

> DO IT NOW | inFOCUS: Photography 101 [refer to page 72] EQUIPMENT: There is so much to photograph on and around a golf course, so bring all the camera equipment you have! Wide angle lenses are great to capture the scenery, whilst a good zoom lens will allow you to capture the satisfaction of a birdie on the faces of all aspiring Tigers!

TIP: Always give the player enough space in the direction that he or she is hitting, and try to add the particular hole in the background. Select your camera's rapid fire function and select a fast shutter speed. This should allow you to take at least three or four photos during the swing, and hopefully you will end up with a shot similar to this example, with a solid pose and the ball frozen in the air! Always make sure you are not disturbing the player when you take your photographs as you might just get a 3 iron thrown at you!

doitnow.co.za >>

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DO IT

> DO IT NOW | inTHEHOLE: Words by Michael Scholz – Professional & Trick Shot Golfer

PowerPlay Golf The New Way to Play Golf

The game of golf has turned a page in the history books with the introduction of PowerPlay Golf – and it has been widely received around the globe.

For those of you not yet familiar with this new variation to the game, it’s like the Twenty20 version of golf - and it brings a fresh and exciting new element to the way the game is played. There are the traditionalists who don’t embrace the change, but the good news is that there are enough of us in the golfing fraternity who welcome it and feel that PowerPlay Golf will soon become to golf, what the cellphone is to telephony.

black flag borderline ridiculous! The white flag option offers fewer points for the participant’s respective score, whilst the black flag offers bigger rewards as the risk factor is drastically increased.

Typically played over 9holes, it’s perfect for those who want to catch a golf game, but can’t afford to spend the entire day out of the office.

The PowerPlay Golf format offers participants a risk and reward element. This is achieved by using two pin positions at each of the nine greens, with a white flag placed in an easy location and the

The PowerPlay Golf format is available at most of South Africa’s leading golf clubs and is being utilised by the PGA of South Africa for the PowerPlay PGA Championship, which was won by seasoned professional Wayne Bradley in last year’s event.

The golfer nominates which color they are going to play for and the score is recorded accordingly. So no fancy tricks, just easy or tough.

The choice is yours!

With a format such as this, I look forward to seeing South African golfers of all ages and abilities enjoying some added excitement in a sport steeped in tradition.

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DO IT

Breakfast // [IinFOCUS] Photography 101 // [inSURE] Public Liability

// [inNATURE] Fly Fishing Enchantment of the Otter // [inDULGE] Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

LIFESTYLE

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> DO IT NOW | inNATURE: Words by Jonathan Boulton

g n i h s i F y Fl in South

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e. ie ty â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s e lit in o f s o c a m o d e ly to n c e th t s e c re ti v e g was o s who me F ly fi s h in w llo fe g n a ri c o m p a re tw e e d w e te s a n d a ic d n y E c c e n tr ic s tro u t g le m a lt . e ir p ri v a te a g o o d s in r e d i s c u s s th v o s d fl y ro , im p o rt e d e x p e n s iv e moder n re s t o f th e e th h it w â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lls in lin e e c o u n t ry ic a n o w fa n is e d a s th g o S o u t h A fr c re g g b e in e rme n h f l y fi s h in in g fl y fi s h w o rl d , w it o rt . B u d d p s t n a ip ic o w in g p a rt fa s te s t g r

Africa

e a huge at we hav th in te a n r e ry f o rt u arm wate fr ic a a re v uch as w s i n S o u th A le b ila a th e s av fi s h a n d o f s p e c ie d i v e rs it y n g y e llo w i d lu c n i s fi s h a n d s s p e c ie ater game w lt a s f in d i g e n o u o d a myria

T i g e r fi s h , ly fi s h in g . re p u t a b l e quar ry o f f ic s s la c e tro u t, th o f c o u rs e

doitnow.co.za >>

65

DO IT NOW | inNATURE: Words by Jonathan Boulton These regal fish are only found in the highest, clearest and coolest waters. They were introduced to South Africa over a hundred years ago by British colonists who clearly pined over everything that reminded them of home, from cricket to croquet, to tea and trout.

Those pioneers advancing from Cape Town would have been confronted with the impressive scenery of the Western Cape Mountains, bisected by pristine gurgling streams. Then gin clear water ways would have reminded them of their trout waters back home on Dartmoor, the Scottish Highlands or Welsh Mountains.

These enterprising sportsmen ordered fertilised ova from Britain, which made the perilous journey by ship, packed in boxes with ice.

Mortality was obviously huge and the hardy survivors were then trekked up the mountain passes on the backs of donkeys and planted in their new homes. Trout were systematically introduced into the high altitude regions of the country and are now well established throughout the Natal Midlands, the Eastern and Western Cape Mountains, Lesotho and Mpumalanga Highlands.

The village of Dullstroom is situated in the Steenkampsberg Mountain range at 2100 m above sea level, between Belfast and Lydenburg, and is arguably the country’s fly fishing capital. The town’s name is derived from the Chairman of the original Dutch immigrants, Wolterus Dull, who arrived in the early 1880s. Trout thrived after introduction into the now very well known river systems of the Crocodile, Elands and Lunsklip. Numerous dams

66 >> doitnow.co.za

were built and stocked by private syndicates, clubs and corporates and for a long time, a secluded weekend away fly fishing in Dullstroom was for the privileged and well connected few. The building of the now well known Crithchley Hackle Lodge, put the little village on the map. It really was once the epitome of the one horse town, with the petrol station and Inn being the center of the universe. It undoubtedly possessed a lot of charm, just as Aspen in Colorado was once the haunt of gold diggers, trappers and cattle rustlers, and has now evolved into the vogue skiing and fly fishing hangout of the American rich and famous.

Similarly, Dullstroom has developed into a bustling weekend getaway. Day fishing is now accessible at reasonable prices and there is a huge choice of accommodation and excellent eateries.

Twenty pubs and restaurants at the last count – not bad for a tiny village!

Many of Dullstroom’s reputable trout waters have to be prebooked via email or phone and not just a hand shake and a bottle of whisky passed over the gate to the farmer, as in the past. There are arguably more pristine places to fly fish in South Africa other than Dullstroom. One could hike up to the streams in the Lesotho Highlands, casting a dry fly to wild rainbows all day and never see another angler. The point is, it would be a major expedition and not a quick, easy two-hour drive on a Friday afternoon, joining part of

what is now known as the ‘Dullstroom dash!’ Possibly some of the romanticism has gone, but then I think it’s just the evolution of a weekend fishing town keeping pace with its sophisticated big city visitors.

After a cold misty morning’s fishing, you can dry out by your fire at the farm house or take a drive into the village and choose between a skinny or decaf Cappuccino in a slick Tuscan-styled coffee shop.

There is a certain charm of being able to walk everywhere, whether it’s to the local fishing shop to pick up some flies and free advice, the local pub for a homemade pie and a pint of the good stuff, or to browse through the local studio and watch the artist at work.

A huge appeal is the fact that there is plenty to do for the not so serious angler and the fisherman’s wife. Typically, she has been confined to the 4x4, shivering with cold over a book while the husband fervently thrashes the water in pursuit of that illusive rainbow. Thank goodness those days are over, the fog of mysticism and expense that has often gone hand in hand with fly fishing is slowly lifting. Not only are the waters readily available, but so is excellent instruction and well priced equipment.

a vague sense of coordination and a few valuable pointers will cast with the same degree of distance and accuracy with a five hundred Rand entry level outfit or a seven thousand Rand imported brand name rod. As for the reel, in most freshwater conditions it serves little more than to store the line at the end of a day’s fishing. It would be unnecessary to spend a lot of money on a freshwater reel. If you wanted a choice of a different line, all one needs is a spare interchangeable spool that comes in at less than half the price of the reel. A floating line to start with will suffice as the fly can be presented on the surface and then at any depth, depending upon the length of the leader and the weight of the fly. The vast array of flies available is also somewhat overwhelming. The satisfaction of applying a little thought to what the fish might be feeding on and then choosing or even making your own fly that resembles it and fooling a fish is quite indescribable.

So get into your car on Friday afternoon, drive out into the country and pit your skills against the greatest opponent of all, Mother Nature.

Fly fishing is the one sport where a bad workman cannot blame his tools. Casting a fly line is about timing and finesse and any one with

... The point is, it would be a major expedition and not a quick, easy two-hour drive on a Friday afternoon, joining part of what is now known as the “Dullstroom dash!” ...

nd the sou o t n e “List u will and yo r e v i r of the rout." get a t roverb - Irish p

doitnow.co.za >>

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> DO IT NOW | inNATURE: Hiking Words by - Words Christine by van Christine der Westhuizen van der Westhuizen

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“Shy and playful; yet sturdy and cheeky.”

This is the description of the Aonyx Capensis, more commonly known as the otter, which resides near perennial rivers close to the Tsitsikamma coastline. After experiencing the amazing Otter Trail, I wondered what its resemblance was, if any, to an otter (the mammal). Although I did not have the pleasure of personally encountering an otter, its name sake impressed me in a unique way.

Just as this fish-eating mammal plays hide and seek and keeps you guessing where it is, this hiking trail, which follows the spectacular Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park, plays its own guessing game by teasing you in a subtle way with climbing rocks, intimidating inclines, daring declines and a freezing shower (with a superb sea view) at the end of a long day. Maybe it is this subtle mockery that is responsible for the feeling that the hiking trail is “sturdy and cheeky” and leaves hikers in awe and humbled. It might be just speculation, but I think that the formidable characteristics of the trail are only a façade, because when you conquer its sturdiness and cheekiness, it shyly rewards you with its breathtaking and picturesque nature scenes.

I must admit that although I had some preconceived thoughts about this adventure, based on other people’s perceptions, I was actually unsure about what the five-day hiking trail would ask of me. But on the 25th of May 2009, a group of 12 hikers - myself included - were ready for action: backpacks loaded, MacGyver tools at the ready and low-and high GI snacks within arm’s reach. Needless to say, the mutual feeling was: “Bring it on”.

of the Knysna Loerie, and flora such as beautiful arum lilies sandwiched between the cliffs. It is this enchantment that reminded me of the well-known hymn: “How great Thou art…”.

I always try to emphasize the highlights following an expedition. Now, I am facing a dilemma … when considering the awesomeness of Blue Bay/Bloubaai, my bluish and bruised legs (oh yeah!) and the feared Bloukrans River crossing, it is impossible to exclude anything.

Perhaps the 5-star locations of the different log huts we slept in each night? Or maybe the exquisite sun sets? Or was it the incredibly clear blue sky we were blessed with four out of the five days? Or the special camaraderie we were a part of, from dusk till dawn? Eish! I honestly don’t know. But I do know that the exquisite rainbow that bid us farewell on day five, completed our amazing journey in an extraordinary way.

Like a patient guide, the Otter trail slowly uncovered the secrets of nature’s enchanting elements day by day – mountains, valleys, different rock formations, crystal clear water, fairy tale fauna the likes

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> DO IT NOW | inDULGE: Recipe - Words by Francois Wessels

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It’s hunting season and you and a mate have decided to take some well-deserved time out and head for the bush. You get to your destination and as you start to unpack, you realise that in all the excitement to hit the road, you have only packed one flatbed pot (No 1) on which to prepare a decent breakfast that needs to last you the whole day. So what do you do?

No problem, this easy and very tasty breakfast will leave you energised for the whole day.

Ingredients: 3 cups water

2 smallish onions

1 cup mealie meal

2 smallish tomatoes

1 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

2 pieces of raw boerewors Mix the mealie meal (pap), water and salt and put it on the fire and keep stirring until it boils. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3 minutes. Stir thoroughly. Add the onions and tomatoes. Add the sausages around the side to form a circle around the pap. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Once the pap is cooked, add the 4 eggs on top and bake for another 5 minutes.

Serve and enjoy – eat-up to make sure your energy doesn’t run out before that buck’s does!

Tip

To remove the burnt pap from the bottom of the pot, add water up to the ¾ mark to cool the pot and the burnt bits will come off easily.

doitnow.co.za >>

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> DO IT NOW | inFOCUS: Words by Villiers Steyn

inFocus Photographer, Villiers Steyn, has been photographing sports and wildlife since 1998

and recently started his own company, Vision Photography, after conducting leopard research in Botswana for three years.

Vision Photography covers every type of event imaginable including sports and outdoor events, corporate functions, weddings and wildlife. Villiers is an expert in photographing people in their environment, be it in the city or in nature, and always manages to capture all those unforgettable moments on camera!

Reader photo winner Comments: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow, this is a very striking image! The photographer used a great composition technique known as the rule of thirds by placing the horizon and the angler with his rod, not in the middle of the image, but rather in the bottom third and right-hand third respectively.

The angler has a lot of space in front of him and the rod was not cut off, which often happens when anglers are photographed!

On top of great composition, the sharp contrast between the desert and fishing leaves one with a sense of wonder!â&#x20AC;?

Angler in the desert.

Tip: When applying the rule of thirds, you basically draw four imaginary lines across the photo frame, two horizontally and two vertically, all on third lines. This leaves you with nine blocks of equal size. By placing horizons and subjects on these lines, you will more often than not increase the composition of your image!

Always remember to leave space in front of the subject in the, direction that he/she/it is looking, just like in the example.

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Event photos DO IT NOW visits some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in southern Africa, providing adventurers with an opportunity to take stunning photographs! In this section we will give you some tips on how to photograph specific events and scenarios, and how to avoid a few common photographic mistakes.

River Rafting - Blyde River Canyon River rafting, and all other adventure activities in and on the water, presents one big challenge to photographers - keeping your camera dry! Your best bet is to keep your camera in a waterproof bag whilst going through the rapids, and to only risk taking it out once you have reached calmer waters. Even then it is important to make sure your rowing partner knows you have taken it out so that they can help you keep the raft stable and dry.

Rafters on the banks.

Also use opportunities to photograph other rafters from the banks.

The biggest challenge is to get action shots of rafts coming down the rapids, but remember to take a few wide-angle shots of the magnificent landscapes that generally surround large rivers.

Comment: “I love this specific image because the line of colourful rafts leads you into the photograph. The little bit of sky and the person looking up in amazement also gives you a great sense of scale.”

Wakeboarding Wakeboarding provides great opportunities for action shots - water spraying through the air and people tumbling into the water, often with great expressions on their faces! To capture this action, it is best to zoom in on the wakeboarder, but sometimes a wide angle shot can work just as well.

Comment: “I like the fact that the photographer zoomed all the way out to capture not only the wakeboarder, but also the surroundings and an onlooker! The photograph has beautiful lines and a solid composition. It tells so much more of a story than a close-up of the action. Just a pity about that tower in the background! Always try to minimise clutter or other background objects that might spoil a great adventure photograph.”

Water spraying through the air.

West Coast 4x4 When I think of photographing the West Coast, I think of glare. The sand there is very white, making it difficult to get good exposures. If your compact digital camera has a scene selection function (yes, those little pictures of flowers, little running men and a snow-capped mountain), select the one that resembles a beach. It generally has a palm tree as well. This tells the camera that the scene is very bright and it will do the rest! If you manually choose your settings, make sure you use a fast shutter speed. On a sunny day, that might be 1/500th of a second or faster.

West Coast 4x4

Comment: “I think Pajero might like this one - it looks like a typical marketing shot!

The cloud formations are stunning, the horizon is well placed and the 4x4 really looks like it belongs in the sand! The two things that would make a great photo an excellent one would be to have the driver look at the camera and to give the vehicle a bit more space on the right.”

doitnow.co.za >>

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> DO IT NOW | inSURE: Words by Peter Fairbanks, Financial Advisor for Life and Short Term Insurance

ow ly realise just h al tu ac s u f o w fe purchase, but en as a grudge se en ft o is d about an er nine we rarely talk ly protected. surance for ov , by It’s something ce is and if we are adequate Short Term In ent nd m a ge fe i a L an or f m ran n risk ith FSB) (registered w ctive in your ow important insu

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R2million for ould cost you R1million or ple accident c m i s a t ha t s i and means ing a sporting South Africa be a British tourist d an 0 01 2 r zz ove t with With all the bu shop attendan putting e, replace the pound claim, s i d on li a l r i a m p a t s i r ith u w to p u d n e y l n e sudd and you could ol R12million! o c a k c ba u yo have serious ument can oc d y ic h this ol p s do not pus rint on your most insurer type The small p is gh th ou of th s s n e ne . Ev rious read consequences eluctant to discuss the se to e are r take the tim product and end that you m om c e r y l high of product, I ents. policy docum through your

74 >> doitnow.co.za

s above are pu *The example

* tive purposes rely for illustra

DO IT

inCONTACT Get in touch with all the DIN contacts for training, equipment or destinations to enjoy every Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle event.

>

Adventure

CONTACT INFO

DESCRIPTION

HONEYDEW TOYOTA Home of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Visit us today for unbelievable deals on all Toyota models.

We sell the lifestyle.

Tel: 011-801-6500 Email: jaco@honeydew-toyota.co.za

M. MEANO & SONS M. Meano & Sons have been converting 4 x 4 vehicles for the private and safari industry for the last 35 years. All our conversions are manufactured from steel and therefore are extremely strong and safe. All conversions have a 12 months guarantee.

Tel: (011) 664 7506 | Fax: (011) 664 6751 Email: meanocon@mweb.co.za | www.meanoconversions.co.za

WEST COAST 4X4 TOURS We also offer 4x4 training , especially sand and dune driving , cater for small and big groups , companies , launches of new 4x4 vehicles and products , exclusive trips etc.

Tel: 082-570-7486 Email: don@westcoast4x4.co.za

Tel/Fax: (011) 794-9300/1 clint@alsembroidery.co.za 23 Kajak Street, Unit 1 Laser Park, Honeydew Ck.91/25503/23 Vat No:4580189019 76 >> doitnow.co.za

doitnow.co.za >>

77

DO IT

inCLOSING

A beginner’s take on the ...

Nando’s

DO T NOW

Magalies Adventu

DO IT

re

Adventure Sport Lifestyle

Most scuba divers and sport fishermen will agree that Sodwana on the Northern KwaZulNatal coastline is a wonderful gem. The unspoilt wildlife and great weather all year round are hard to beat. On a recent trip to the area we discovered some great new eco locations.

Sodwana is one of the

rld where you ... few places in the wo

... can dive with the ocean’s Big 5 in the morning ... and enjoy a sundowner watching Africa’s Big 5 in the

afternoon.

The long way round to “It was a decision between right and left. On the map it looked like the correct choice was left. Nine hours later and trapped on a path of mud and rock, we knew we should have gone right”.

Find out more about three friends who took the long way round to Katse Dam and survived the trip armed ...

... with only their guts

DIN

s.

ke and trusty BMW GS bi

An Amish boy and his father were visiting a mall. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and back together again. The boy asked his father, "What is this, Father?" The father [never having seen an elevator] responded "Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don't know what it is."

While the boy and his father were watching wide-eyed, an old lady in a wheel chair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights with numbers above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened up again and a beautiful 24-year-old woman stepped out. The father said to his son, "Go get your mother."

To think about…

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind - William James

78 >> doitnow.co.za

While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the content of the DO IT NOW magazine is accurate at the time of going to press, the Founder cannot except responsibility for any errors that may appear, or for any consequence of using the information contained herein. Statements by contributors are not always representative of the Founder’s opinion. Copyright 2009 DO IT NOW (Pty) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored on a retrieval system without the prior permission of the Founder.