DO IT NOW Magazine #11 - Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle

P SU - what the he

ck?

ADVENTURE

SPORT

• Mabuasehube, a Kalahari Gem • An African Experience, Malawi • Family Fun - Oar Rafting • 9 Provinces, 9 Peaks, 9 Days

• Darryl vs Dakar • The Secret’s out on Sailing • The Great Debate - MMA • Induna X-fest 2011, fantastic

LIFESTYLE • Paul’s River Pisces • Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine • Music, Movie and Game Reviews • SHOOT! An Off-road Expedition

www.doitnow.co.za Vol. 3 • Issue 3 • Jun/Jul 2011

SUBSCRIBE NOW - p.11

WIN!

Reader Competitions p.10 / p.12 / p.124

Max Knox and Adrien Niyonshuti 3rd overall at 9 day joBerg2c

2 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Congratulations to the Ghost-DO IT NOW riders that stepped on the podium recently!

Simone Vosloo 3rd at the Cross

Max Knox 1st at the

Country World Champs.

Karkloof Classic.

www.doitnow.co.za • 3

DINList

Adventure

JUNE 2011 S 5

M 6

T 7

& CALANDAR

Why not try out these adventure activities over next 3 months?  Gliding Aaerobatics // Worcester Airfield (Western Cape)

W

T

F

S

1

2

3

4

8

9

10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

       

Sandboarding // Cape Town (Western Cape) Riverboarding // Zambezi (Zambia) Abseiling // Magaliesburg (Gauteng) Aquarium Diving // Durban (KZN) Quad Biking // Oudtshoorn (Western Cape) Boat Whale Watching // Durban (KZN) Big Swing // Graskop (Limpopo) Cable Ski // Winelands (Cape Town)

Sport 

26 27 28 29 30

Trail Running // Gauteng Winter Trail Series 2011 - Pretoria (Gauteng): 5 June

JULY 2011 S 3

M

T

4

5

W 6

T 7

F

S

1

2

8

9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2011 S 7

M

T

W

T

F

S

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 4 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

       

MTB // Big Induna Hazyview MTB Classic - Hazyview (Mpumalanga): 11 June MTB // Freedom Challenge Start - Rhodes (Eastern Cape): 11 June Gravity Sport // King of the Fort - (Gauteng): 18-19 June Racing // Speedway Racing - Winter Challenge (Gauteng): 25 June MTB // 2011 Kouga MTB Challenge – Oyster Bay (Eastern Cape): 26 June Surf Ski // Dunlop SA Surf Ski World Cup (KZN): 26 June AR // Kinetic Sprint (Gauteng): 26 June MTB // Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour – Knysna (Western Cape): 2 July

  

Triathlon // DUESOUTH Xterra – Knysna (Western Cape): 7 July

   

AR // Senseless Winter Adventure (Gauteng): 30 July



Waterskiing // WP OPEN - Cape Town (Western Cape): 20 August

Beach Run // Cane 2 Coast Half Marathon- Salt Rock (KZN): 10 July Trail Run // Grootvadersbosch Double Trail Challenge – Swellendam (Western Cape): 23-24 July Polo // Inanda Africa Cup 2011 Polo Tournament – Sandton (Gauteng): 31 July Trail Running // Outeniqua Traverse – George (Western Cape): 6 August MTB // Trans Baviaans 24hr MTB Marathon Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape): 13-14 August

Lifestyle 

Exhibition // Outdoor, Sport and Adventure Exhibition 2011 Brackenfell (Cape Town): 4-7 June

  

Festival // Cape Town Marimba Festival - Rondebosch (Cape Town): 11 June

     

Fashion // Vodacom Durban July - Durban (KZN): 2 July

Festival // Adventure Festival - Durban (KZN): 1-3 July Festival // Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival 2011 Knysna (Western Cape): 1-10 July Gala // International Ballet Gala - Johannesburg (Gauteng): 7-10 July Festival // Ballito Prawn and Jazz Festival (KZN): 8-10 July Festival // George Cheese Festival - George (Western Cape): 29-31 July Festival // Oppikoppi Festival – Thabazimbi (Mpumalanga): 5-7 August Exhibition // Pretoria Show – Pretoria (Gauteng): 26 August - 4 September

NOW

FOUNDER’S LETTER

The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place

“

“

inTRO

With this quote the famous TV personality and author Barbara DeAngelis, I cannot help but relate DO IT NOW’s journey to this dance, and what a Tango it has been!

Over the last few months, DO IT NOW has celebrated a number of memorable achievements and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of them with you.

As a result of the positive feedback and interest we received, we are currently exploring the option of taking this exhibition on the road and sharing the experience with other like-minded individuals throughout South Africa. More details will be revealed in the next issue of DO IT NOW. In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of this dance with us and we look forward to many more incredible Rumba, Samba and Rock ‘n Roll moments with you, as the journey of DO IT NOW magazine continues to blaze its way onwards and upwards!

DON’T HESITATE! DON’T PROCRASTINATE! DO IT NOW! Francois Flamengo Founder

We have been in the fortunate position to employ several new and dynamic staff members, and start in-sourcing the work and services we offer our subscribers. Peet, our new Senior Designer, has jumped in at the deep end and been instrumental over the last two months in giving the magazine a makeover and totally overhauling the website!

Also new, Linda and Marieke, we look forward to seeing what you have in store for us. To Tracy, Keane, Terence and Elri, thanks for all the valuable hours you have put in to make DO IT NOW what it is today. Last, and by no means least, my thanks to our devoted contributors who keep the pages filled with new, interesting and edutainment-style local and international Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle articles and stunning photographs. I’m sure you, our readers, will find the new look and enhancements refreshing and add even further to your reading pleasure.

Last year we embarked on a massive drive to increase our subscriber numbers. Well, I am extremely proud to tell you that we have surpassed the 5,000 subscriber mark, a number we never dreamed of reaching in such a short time!

And the counter keeps ticking over daily. This milestone would not have been possible without your ongoing support and valuable feedback, and is what motivates and keeps the DO IT NOW team committed to delivering a product that is equal to no-other in South Africa, issue after issue.

Our amazing dance continues with the resounding success of the first DO IT NOW Adventure | Sport | Lifestyle Arena at the Rand Show, where we welcomed thousands of new visitors to our stand, and now to our subscriber base.

www.doitnow.co.za • 5

On the Cover - Photo by Margareta Engstrom Riders: Dan Gavere, Nikki Gregg Location: Pucon, Chile

NOW

meet the CREW

DIN TEAM

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

The DO IT NOW Team: FOUNDER Francois Flamengo MANAGING EDITOR Elri Flamengo | elri@doitnow.co.za SENIOR DESIGNER Peet Nieuwenhuizen | peet@doitnow.co.za TEXT EDITOR Tracy Knox ADVERTISING, SALES & MARKETING Keane Ludick | keane@doitnow.co.za ACCOUNTS, SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES Terence Mdluli | subscribe@doitnow.co.za WEB ADMINISTRATOR Marieke Viljoen | marieke@doitnow.co.za ADMIN & INVOICING Linda Wakeman | linda@doitnow.co.za PUBLISHER DO IT NOW CC DISTRIBUTION (Subscription only) The Tree House WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT DO IT NOW Interactive PRINTING Paarl Media

Please Recycle

HEAD OFFICE DO IT NOW CC Hammets Crossing Office Park, Building 805 No 2 Selbourne Ave Cnr Witkoppen Rd & Market Str Fourways, Johannesburg Tel: +27 (11) 462 1261 Fax: 086 517 0934 Website: www.doitnow.co.za DO IT NOW (ISSN 2074-6113) is published bi-monthly.

While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the contents of the DO IT NOW magazine are 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. DO IT NOW supports and encourages responsible practices with regards to all Adventure, Sport and Lifestyle activities. We also believe in the conservation and protection of all fauna and flora.

6 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

ADVERTISING AND SpONSORShIp OppORTUNITIES

For more information on Advertising and Sectional Sponsorship opportunities in the magazine and website, you can request the DO IT NOW Company Profile, Rate Card, Specs & Schedule Sheet via email at keane@doitnow.co.za or telephonically from the DO IT NOW office on +27 (011) 462 1261

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

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

1. Alan Hobson // inNATURE Paul’s River Pisces Alan has been fly fishing for more than 35 years and his passion for anything Pisces is contagious. He achieved his R.E.F.F.I.S. and THETA accreditation five years ago and is constantly developing the ultimate fly. He also collects malt whiskies, which are displayed in his pub in a century old church.

8. Michael Scholz // in THE HOLE 20 Questions with Andre Pretorius, Former Bok and Lions’ Fly-half , The 40 Year-Old Rookie … Broken A journeyman professional golfer and adrenalin junkie, Mike enjoys scuba diving and fly fishing, but mountain biking tops his list of activities.

He enjoys the fitness, the ‘burn’ of serious hills and the competitive nature of the sport.

2. Claire Barnes // inALTITUDE Skydiving Contributor Claire is a young thrill seeker who was bitten by the skydiving bug and now competes at a novice level. When she’s not jumping out of planes, she enjoys soccer, cricket and indoor climbing.

9. Neil Ross // inDULGE Recipes: Banana Soup & Flourless Light Chocolate Cake Neil has worked his way around the world enjoying every ‘foodie’ minute of it. Gentlemen’s clubs such as Brookes in London opened up many wonderful learning experiences, including cooking suppers for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. South Africa is now his home, and he couldn’t see it. Neil currently cooks up a storm of culinary delights at the Inanda Club.

3. Claire King // inALTITUDE Poetry in Motion: Selwyn Johnson, South African Canopy Piloting Champion Claire loves to try new stuff; if it’s outdoors and active, she’s game. Her main passion is skydiving and she is a PASA Coach, FAI Judge and has medalled at various SA National Championships. Most weekends Claire can be found team training, coaching or judging skydives.

4. Dawie du Plessis // inTRANSIT A True African Experience, Malawi Dawie is a self-taught photographer and writer with a passion for travelling and adventure. Many of his images can be found on the Getty Images and Gallo Images sites, and his work showcases many of SA’s major and international companies. He’s also a skydiving instructor and film-maker with numerous credits in the movie industry.

5. Deon Breytenbach // inACTION Induna X-fest 2011 – Wet, Muddy but Fantastic!

Deon has been paddling white water for the last 13 years and competed in both local and international freestyle competitions.

Currently based near the Blyde River Canyon, he spends as much time as possible introducing new faces to the world of white water paddling. “Have kayak, will smile.” Deon is supported by Fluid Kayaks.

6. Francois Steyn // inGEAR In Review: THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4 GLS EXEC, VW TOURAN 1.2TSi and SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D BOXER DIESEL Adventure rider, Chartered Accountant and Lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch. He’s happiest on two wheels and favours the dryer, barren regions of southern Africa.

7. Jacques Marais // inFOCUS SHOOT! An Off-road Expedition A professional photographer, author and columnist, Jacques photographs and articles grace the pages of too-many-to-count local and international newspapers, websites and premium magazines. You name it and he’ll capture the moment perfectly one way or another, be it extreme events or diverse action and adventure disciplines, receiving numerous prestigious awards for his efforts.

GUEST CONTRIBUTORS

10. Peter Fairbanks // inSURE Inheritances and Turmoil in the Financial Services Industry Peter is very passionate about his work and risk management in general. He feels that even the smallest contribution to the wealth creation and protection of his clients is what makes his job so rewarding. Peter loves sport in general, as long as it is on ‘terra firma’.

11. Richard Flamengo // inTERTAINMENT Music, Movie and Game Reviews Richard is a movie, music and games (MMG) enthusiast, who loves relaxing at home playing games or going to watch movies with a box of salt and vinegar popcorn. Richard enjoys all sorts of music ranging from lekker sakkie sakkie Afrikaans stuff through to hard-hitting rock.

12. Rikus Scheepers // inSHAPE Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain, The Chiropractic Approach Rikus is a Chiropractor by day in a private multi-disciplinary practice in Middelburg and Witbank. He enjoys being active and spending time outdoors, scuba diving, mountain biking, trail running and any kind of activity that gets the adrenalin flowing. He likes to challenge himself on all levels to achieve his goals and then celebrate them with a cold one!

13. Steve Adams // inDULGE Whisky Contributor Steve, the co-owner of Wild about Whisky, is passionate about whisky, photography and travel, and believes that life is too short to accept mediocrity. He believes in dreaming big.

14. Steven Yates // inCREDIBLE PLACES Pulau Weh … Pulau Where? Indonesia – Part 1 of 3 Steve works as a Business Consultant to pay for his extravagant lifestyle of travelling and adventure sports. He loves cycling, scuba diving, rock climbing and just about any sport.

(TO THIS ISSUE)

ADVENTURE ADVENTURE header page photograph by: John Hishin www.capetownsportphotography.co.za inGEAR: Len Nel, Xen and Adri Ludick and Charl Pieterse; inH2O: Andrew Kellet, Celliers Kruger, Dale Mckenzie and Chantelle Melzer; inALTITUDE: Kobus Bresler SPORT SPORT header page photograph by: John Hishin. inTERVIEW: Darryl Curtis, Iveta Zitkova and Angélique-Marie Pierry; inTRODUCING: Cathy Loder, Hennie de Beer, Elza Thiart, Chris Bright, Craig Millar and Pamela Booth; inACTION: Andre and Erna Meintjies, Patrick Cruywagen, Alison Cole, Gareth Evans and Rory Taylor; inPREPARATION: Tatum Prins, Hanlie Booysen and Mark Loftus; inSHAPE: Hilde-Mart Du Toit, Daniel Naude and Kim Esterhuizen LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE header page photograph by: Jurgen Vogt www.swissphotography.co.za in THE HOLE: Andre Pretorius; inDULGE: Jacoline Haasbroek and Tracy Knox; inVOLVED: John Strauss

www.doitnow.co.za • 7

NOW

inDEX

Vol 3 | Issue 3 | 2011 | www.doitnow.co.za

Base // DINList and CALENDAR: p. 4-5 An exciting three-month calendar on Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle. // inFO: p. 12-13 // Subscription page: p. 10-11 DO IT NOW Subscription form and competition. // inSTORE: p. 14-15 Exciting products and Subscriber discounts. // inFOCUS: Reader photo competition p. 124 Win R500 by entering the reader photo competition. // inVOLVED: p. 126-129 Incredible stories of involvement in the community, environment, marine, wildlife and other areas of life. // inCLOSING: p. 130 A sneak preview of upcoming features and articles.

Regulars

p. 20-30

inGEAR: Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle activities featuring vehicles with gears. p. 32-39 inTRANSIT: Exciting and entertaining travel stories from Africa and beyond. p. 40-50 inH2O: Water sports and adventures. p. 51-55 i nALTITUDE: Aerial / high altitude adventures. p. 58-63 inTERVIEW: Interviews with a variety of sport’s men and women. p. 64-74 inTRODUCING: Featuring informative articles on a number of sports and why athletes compete in them. p. 76-86 i nACTION: Information and feedback on various sporting events. p. 87-90 i nPREPARATION: Information, tips and or training programmes for various sporting activities and events. p. 91-97 inSHAPE: Important information on topics such as health, nutrition and exercise. p. 100-104 in THE HOLE: Golfing articles and celebrity interviews. p. 105-107 i nNATURE: Outdoor experiences and activities such as fishing and hiking. p. 108-110 inCREDIBLE PLACES: Articles about incredible and magical places. p. 112-114 inDULGE: A wine and dine section with a twist.

p. 115 inSURE: Valuable information about insurance and related topics. p. 116-117 inTERTAINMENT: Movie, music and game reviews. p. 118-124 inFOCUS: Photography section with a competition and event-specific photography tips.

Key: Adventure | Sport | Lifestyle

8 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

76

Adventure

p. 16-55

// inGEAR

20-22 Namibia from Orange to Kunene: A Technicolour Dreamscape, Part 2 24-26 Mabuasehube, a Kalahari Gem 28-30 In Review: THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4 GLS EXEC, VW TOURAN 1.2TSi & SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D BOXER DIESEL

// inTRANSIT 32-35 36-39

// inH2O 40-42 44-46 48-50 51-55

A True African Experience, Malawi Tip to Tip Through Taiwan ... on my Bicycle What the Heck is SUP? Family Fun - Oar Rafting on the Vaal Wall to Wall with Crocs, Hippos and Friends 9 Provinces, 9 Peaks and 9 Packs in 9 Days

Sport

p. 56-97

// inTERVIEW

58-60 Darryl Curtis’ Take on the Dakar Rally 61-63 Poetry in Motion: Selwyn Johnson, South African Canopy Piloting Champion

// inTRODUCING

40

64-65 The Secret’s out on Sailing 66-68 Let’s Go Racing, Supermoto Style 70-71 The Great Debate 72-74 Raise Funds. Raise Your Heart Rate. Raise Awareness. Eden to Addo Challenge 76-79 Rookie Realities - The Pitfalls and Triumphs

of an Epic Virgin 80-83 Induna X-fest 2011 – Wet, Muddy but FANTASTIC!

// inACTION

84-86 2011 Glacéau Vitamin Water SA Closed

Waveski Champs

// inPREPARATION

87-90

// inSHAPE

91-93 94-95 96-97

The Merrel Hobbit Trail Runs Rest and Recovery During a Multistage Event The Low Down on Lower Back Pain Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain, The Chiropractic Approach

Lifestyle

100

p. 98-129

// in THE HOLE

100-101 20 Questions with Andre Pretorius,

Former Bok and Lions’ Fly-half 102-104 The 40 Year-Old Rookie … Broken 105-107 Paul’s River Pisces

// inCREDIBLE PLACES 108-110

Pulau Weh … Pulau Where? Indonesia – Part 1 of 3

// inDULGE

112-113 Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine 114 Recipes: Banana Soup and Flourless Light Chocolate Cake

// inSURE

118

115 Inheritances and Turmoil in the Financial Services Industry

// inTERTAINMENT 116-117

Music, Movie and Game Reviews

// inFOCUS

118-123 SHOOT! An Off-road Expedition

// inVOLVED 126-129

2011 Springs to Cape Town Tour for Education

DON’T HESITATE! DON’T PROCRASTINATE! DO IT NOW! www.doitnow.co.za • 9

SUBSCRIBE AND WIN Three Lucky new subscribers to DO IT NOW Magazine will each WIN both of these Great Books worth R350 each.

WIN

WIN

FREE

FREE COpY

* Available at leading book stores

April/May WINNER Congratulation to LIzE DU pLESSIS for subscribing to DO IT NOW Magazine and winning the blue-5ive hart rate monitor WORTh R700!

10 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

COp

Y

SUP

- what the heck?

ADVENTURE - SPORT

SUBSCRIBE TO

- LIFESTYLE VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 3 • 2011

www.doitnow.co.za

ADVENTURE

• Mabuasehube, a Kalahari Gem • An African Experienc e, Malawi • Family Fun - Oar Rafting • 9 Provinces, 9 Peaks, 9 Days

11

Vol. 3 • Issue 3 • Jun/Jul

2011

SPORT

• Darryl vs Dakar • The Secret’s out on Sailing • The Great Debate - MMA • Induna X-fest 2011, fantastic

LIFESTYLE

• Paul’s River Pisces • Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine • Music, Movie and Game Reviews • SHOOT! An Off-road Expedition

www.doitnow.co.z SUBSCRIBE NOW -

p.11

a

WIN!

Reader Competitions p.10 / p.12 / p.124

Please thoroughly complete the form below. Email to subscribe@doitnow.co.za or Fax to 086 517 0934.

personal details: Title: ..........................................................................................

POSTAL ADDRESS (WHERE MAGAZINE WILL BE SENT)

Name: .......................................................................................

Postal 1: ..............................................................................

Surname: ..................................................................................

Postal 2: ..............................................................................

Email address: .........................................................................

Town/City: ............................................ Code: ...................

Phone no: .................................................................................

Date of birth: ............................................................................

Date of supscription aplication: .......................................

Demographic details:

General information:

Gender:  Male

Where did you hear about DO IT NOW?

 Female

Please specify if you select: My Club, Event, Advertisement or Other.

Age group:       

0 - 14 15 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 59 60 - 75 76+

Monthly income:

 My Club: .......................................................................

 R 1 000 – R 5 000  R 6 000 – R 10 000

 Event:.............................................................................

 R 11 000 – R 20 000

 Advertisement: ..............................................................

 R 21 000 – R 35 000

 Word of mouth ...............................................................

 R 36 000 – R 50 000  Above R 50 000 pm

 Other:.............................................................................

Refer to a friend:

Subscribe to newsletter:

Name: ......................................................................................

 Please subscribe me to the DO IT NOW Newsletter

Email address: ........................................................................

Interests: inH2O  Scuba Diving  Surfing / Paddle Surfing  Kite Surfing  Wind Surfing  Kayak / Canoeing  Paddling  Wakeboarding / Wakeskating  Waveski

inGEAR:  4x4  Biking  Mountain Biking  Road Cycling  Caravan/Camping inACTION  Adventure Racing  Triathlon

inALTITUDE  Climbing  Parachuting  Paragliding / Hangliding inTRAIL  Running  Trail Running  Hiking  Mountaineering

permisions: I hereby authorise DO IT NOW to contact me via email/sms for exciting promotions such as special offers, new product promotions and invitations to exclusive events:  Yes  No Do you want DO IT NOW to share your contact details with a third party, please tick here:  Yes  No

Subscription options:  1 Year (6 issues) - R250  2 Year (12 issues) - R500

inNATURE  Environmental awareness  Birding  Fishing  Fly fishing  Hunting

Other  Photography  Community involvement  Art / Photo Galleries  Touring overseas  Please specify

inDULGE  Whisky / Wine Tasting  Dining / Cooking

Banking details: DO IT NOW Adventures Bank: Standard Bank Bank name: Northcliff Branch code: 006305 Account no: 411405616 Ref: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Please forward proof of payment to subscribe@doitnow.co.za

Privacy Policy: DO IT NOW values its subscribers and respect their privacy. All your information is treated as strictly confidential and will not be distributed unless otherwise specified.

24.92’92.66”E

NOW

inFO

-34.05’85.62”S

Congratulations to Team MTN DO IT NOW

COMPETITIONS

I-KNOW-THE-PLACE !!!

WIN R250!

Well done to Ghost DO IT NOW MTB rider Max Knox and teammate Adrian Nyonshuti (MTN) for securing a well-deserved third place at this year’s joBerg2c MTB race. You rock!

Expedition Africa: Well done Merrell Adventure Addicts!

Do you know the place in this photo? Then email your answer (the name of this place) to iknowtheplace@doitnow.co.za an stand a chance to WIN a R250 voucher!

Entries for the competition close on 10 July 2011. The winner will be drawn from all the correct entries and announced in the August/ September 2011 issue and on the DO IT NOW Facebook Page.

••• Congratulations to Jeremy Dannheisser, who correctly identified Bourke’s Luck Potholes as the place in the DO IT NOW Issue 3, Volume 2 competition.

www.jacquesmarais.co.za

The MERRELL Adventure Addicts cemented their position as South Africa’s blue-chip AR team with a near flawless race at this week’s 500km Expedition Africa, presented by Kinetic. After more than 60hours of non-stop racing, they claimed top of the podium ahead of local rivals Cyanosis and a gutsy Team Accelerate from the UK. Congratulations on a brilliant performance and keep it up!

Our April / May Winners!!

Conrad Louw won a magical holiday worth R4 000 from Lightleys Holiday Houseboats for his photo of an exiting trip involving water at Rainbow gorge, Drakensberg.

Congratulations and enjoy!

12 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

‹

‹

For this creative photo, Jason Theunissen won himself and a partner an unforgettable two-night stay at the luxurious five-star Nambiti Plains Lodge worth R10 500!

http://www.facebook.com/DO-IT-NOW

Get

twitter.com/DOITNOWMag

nVOLVED

inVOLVED is the heart of DO IT NOW and it is our aim to give back to those less fortunate than us and protect our animals and planet! The concept behind inVOLVED is to do just that - get involved!

If you know of an institution or group in desperate need of help, please contact us at involved@doitnow.co.za and we will see how we can help bring their plight to the attention of our readers. Turn to pages 126-129 for more inVOLVED.

hAGRID ThE MAINE COON, OUR hERO

Hagrid, a fluffy and friendly Maine Coon cat, spent part of his life living in the cottage of a cat hoarder. The hoarder had about 40 cats living at her home, but was unable to take proper care of them. Inspectors from the SPCA Randburg were alerted and went to investigate. They found the cats in a very poor condition and confined to a one-bedroom cottage. Hygiene was also a problem, so the hoarder was persuaded to part with her cats so that new homes could be found for them.

Hagrid was about 10 years old when he was brought to the SPCA Randburg and it was decided to keep him there as one of our ‘Goodwill Ambassadors’. After receiving some tender loving care and nutritious food, he was a transformed

“passion is energy

Feel the power that comes from doing what excites you.” This is only one of the many motivational quotes you can find in your McNab’s energy enhancers sachets. For all day energy and motivation visit www.mcnabs.biz to order your free sample to try out.

kitty! With shiny fur and sparkling eyes Hagrid soon became incredibly popular with the public, some even popping in especially to see him!

For an old boy that has been through a lot in life, Hagrid has come a long way! But he is not the only one and each of the beautiful animals in our care has their own story, often sad, and are just looking for someone to love and care for them and be loved in return.

If you would like to adopt a pet and give one of the many special animals at the SPCA a chance to live out the rest of their lives in a happy home, please contact your local SPCA. For additional information please contact us at SPCA Randburg on fundraiser@spca-rbg.org.za

READER SUGGESTIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS



We’d love to hear from you. Your comments will help us to meet all your expectations and help us grow.

Information can be sent through to us: Email: info@doitnow.co.za Attention: DO IT NOW Mag Suggestions Website: www.doitnow.co.za

WhAT WE’RE Up TO ...

What’s happening in South Africa in the next two months?

Experience Soweto like never before - Head on over to the world famous Orlando Towers in Soweto for an experience of a lifetime. The 100m tall West tower offers you the opportunity to Bungee Jump, Power Swing between the two cooling towers, jump The Abyss into the cooling tower, Rap Jump into the cooling tower and BASE Jump if you have the experience! These activities are sure to get your heart racing. Oh, and the views are spectacular! For any bookings visit their website at www.orlandotowers.co.za.

Durban Boat & Lifestyle Show - Back in its normal timeslot for 2011 - the last weekend of the July holiday season when Durban is at its balmy best with clear days, bright sunshine a and gentle breezes – this show offers everything that’s new and exciting in the extraordinary world of boating. www.durbanboatshow.co.za.

The Vodacom George Cheese Festival – To be held in George from 29 to 31 July 2011, this well known and loved festival promises to treat your palate to a spectacular spread of culinary experiences like no other. For more information visit www.georgecheesefestival.co.za.

VISIT US TODAY ...

www.doitnow.co.za www.doitnow.co.za • 13

NOW

inSTORE

By Keane Luddick

EXCITING GEAR AND GIFTS FROM DO IT NOW

CALLAWAY

RAzR R X hYBRIDS “RAZR X Hybrids leverage Callaway’s new Zero Roll Design to help golfers hit higher and longer shots, even those shots struck low on the face. These inertia-driven clubs are highly playable and offer hot ball speeds with either standard or Tour models, so golfers can dial in ideal performance.”

RETAIL R1 500

BLACK DIAMOND STORM When you need bright, reliable light in the worst conditions, the fully waterproof Black Diamond Storm offers up 100 lumens of illumination for spotting rap anchors or lighting up the trail. In addition to versatile proximity, distance and strobe modes, the Storm’s 2 red LEDs preserve night vision and activate without cycling through white mode. They also included a lock mode to stop accidental battery drain when the lamp is stored in your pack.

RETAIL R499

EVIL EYE pRO S Whether you are on rugged trails or endless stretch of road, the right eyewear is essential. Exceptional vision, protection, fit and design is what makes Evil Eye pro, the ultimate in cycling eyewear. Lightweight and flexible SPX™ frame. Two sizes available.

RETAIL R2 000

14 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

ALL DIN SUBSCRIBERS QUALIFY FOR GREAT DISCOUNTS CONTACT sales@doitnow.co.za

STARBOARD

STAND Up pADDLEBOARD WhOppER Extremely stable at 34” wide, the Whopper provides stability to paddle through the most turbulent white water and other difficult conditions. Maneuvering the board is simple as it turns easily on the spot with its stability, making it a breeze to paddle into waves. Almost impossible to nose-dive, it catches even the smallest waves with ease, making SUP even more fun. The Whopper continues to surprise with amazingly good wave-riding characteristics for its width. To cement its place at the cutting edge of performance, Starboard has a highpaced development program. Only the very best of shapes continue for several seasons the Whopper is one of them.

RETAIL R8 595

BRYTON RIDER 30 To reach your full potential, Rider 30 is the ideal companion and guide for performance cycling.

Compete with My BuddyTM, record trips, monitor speed/ distance/elevation, and enhance your data with Ant+ heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensors.

DISTANCE FL/z-pOLE Built with durable lightweight aluminum and featuring both our compactable Z-Pole technology and FlickLock® adjustability, the Black Diamond Distance FL defines versatile support. Ideal for everything from backpacking to short day hikes, the Distance FL’s 20 cm of adjustability let you tweak the length for sidehilling and changing inclines. Much like the avalanche probes, speed cone deployment employs a coated inner cord and conical shaft ends for quick and strong alignment. Also included a lightweight EVA grip with mini extension for quick choke-ups on steep inclines and interchangeable tips for variable trail surfaces.

RETAIL R699

RETAIL R2 500

NOW 16 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Shutterstock Image

// inGEAR: Namibia from Orange to Kunene: A Technicolour Dreamscape, Part 2 * Mabuasehube, a Kalahari Gem * * In Review: THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4 GLS EXEC, VW TOURAN 1.2TSi & SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D BOXER DIESEL // inTRANSIT: A True African Experience, Malawi * Tip to Tip Through Taiwan ... on my Bicycle // inH2O: What the Heck is SUP? * Family Fun - Oar Rafting on the Vaal * Wall to Wall with Crocs, Hippos and Friends // inALTITUDE: 9 Provinces, 9 Peaks and 9 Packs in 9 Days

PHOTOGRAPH: John Hishin – www.capetownsportphotography.co.za DESCRIPTION: K1 Canoeist Navigates Dal Josephat Weir on the Berg River.

Adventure

MANUFACTURERS OF

HEAVY DUTY 4X4

ACCESSORIES

ONCA

❱❱ FITMENT CENTRE ❱❱ FOG LIGHTS - R1 650 ❱❱ BULL BAR - R10 175 ❱❱ TOW BAR - R6 588 ❱❱ TRIPPLE ROLL BAR - R5 786 ❱❱ SIDE TOOLBOX (SET) - R2 780 ❱❱ ROCK SLIDERS - R5 783 ❱❱ STONE GAURDS - R3 130 ❱❱ LED SPOTLIGHTS - R8 960 ❱❱ FRONT SKID PLATE - R1 480 ❱❱ TORQUE “17” x 8 RIMS - R2 445 - per rim

PRICES EXCLUDE FITMENT * LISTED PRICES APPLICABLE TO THIS MODEL AND CAN CHANGE FOR OTHER VEHICLE MODELS

CONTACT US

OFFICE: +27 (11) 979 2690 LEN NEL: 082 461 3997 LEE NEL: 072 796 5113 EMAIL: sales@onca4x4.co.za WEB: www.onca4x4.co.za

DO IT NOW | inGEAR: Words & Photos by Len Nel

Namibia from Orange to Kunene:

a Technicolour Dreamscape

Part 2

Torra bay

In the last issue, my friends and I left Gauteng for Walvis Bay on a 4 x 4 adventure of note.

Our journey saw us drive along the sandy tracks of the Orange River, take in the sights of the beautiful Fish River Canyon, watch magnificent wild horses roam the endless plains in Aus, explore the celebrated ghost town of Kolmansdorp, relish in the most amazing apple pie in Solitaire and conquer two beautiful passes; the Gaub and Kuseb, before reaching Swakopmund.

The second part of this trip takes us to our final destination, the mighty Kuene River.

For the last few days in Swakopmund we’d had awesome weather, so we booked a morning out on a catamaran to Pelican Point. On our way to Walvis Bay Harbour clouds started moving in from over the sea, but it didn’t look like it would rain and we boarded the boat as planned.

A seal joined us on the boat just minutes after we left dry land and was rewarded with fish from the captain. Seconds later, pelicans and seagulls started circling above to get their share too. Pelicans are amazing birds; they measure between 140cm and 178cm long, have a wing span of approximately three metres wide and weigh around nine kilogrammes. It was incredible to see how a bird of this size is able to catch fish in mid-air, turn it around so that the head goes first into its gullet and is devoured in a flash, and all so effortlessly. Pelicans can eat fish up to hefty four kilogrammes!

The boat turned in the direction of Pelican Point, a narrow strip of sand and clay that juts into the sea in a northerly direction over a length of about nine kilometres. It protects the bay from the Atlantic Ocean by forming a natural break water, making Walvis Bay Harbour one of the safest in the world. The lighthouse on Pelican Point was erected in 1915 and is 34 metres in height. It has an illuminating

20 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

capacity of 16.3-million lumen, which is discernible from a distance of 19km. The island is also home to thousands of seals and has an abundance of bird life. On our way back we were fortunate to see Sunfish and were entertained by a few dolphins that frolicked and swam next to the boat for a while. Apart from experiencing nature at its best, we were treated like kings on the boat; the seafood we enjoyed for lunch was first class. The oysters were freshly harvested in the Walvis Bay Harbour, where conditions for oyster farming are the best in the world.

We left Swakopmund at 04:00 the next morning and drove towards Henties Bay, where we met Francois Flamengo and friends. Our time in Swakopmund was limited, so we eagerly set out to catch ourselves some Bronzies. Now, before you can even think of catching a Bronze shark you need bait, but not the kind of bait you can buy at your local shop. What we needed was some freshly caught Sand sharks. Just after 09:00 we had two in the bag and Leon, the fundi when it comes to catching Bronzies, had caught two a little earlier. With Francois’ help, I set up my rod with the massive hooks and steel cable needed to prevent the shark from cutting through the line when taking the bait, and threw the bait into the waves.

The waiting game had begun. Suddenly there was tension on my line. I held on, but Leon thought I had lost it.

However, just seconds later, the shark ran with the line and the fight was on. Only a few minutes had passed and already my arms were taking strain. “Hey boet, this is just the beginning so prepare yourself for another hour of fighting,” came the not-so-soothing words from Leon, but the truth. An hour-and-a-half later, I was lucky enough to bring a massive 82kg Bronzie ashore. She was measured, weighed and tagged on shore before being released back into the ocean. My thanks to Leon and Francois for making this awesome experience possible.

After spending the day on the beach at Vlotskasbaken, with my good friends Johan and Leonie Swanepoel from Mondjila Adventures and their family, it was time to leave Swakopmund behind and complete the journey.

Relaxing on the boat trip Lighthouse in Swakopmund

Pelican in Walvis Bay harbour

On our way to Ongongo, we drove through the Skeleton Coast and spent some time at Torra Bay, where fishing is the main past time. The Skeleton Coast Park is a slender (40km at its widest) 600km strip of sand, gravel, jagged ravines, dolerite dykes and some of the world’s most desolated shores. The park stretches from the Ugab River in the south, to the Kunene River and Angolan border in the north. Although the Skeleton Coast may appear barren at first sight, it has a variety of fauna and flora that has radically adapted and is often unique to this unforgiving environment. Here, you will also find elephant, Black rhino, Mountain zebra, giraffe, lion, cheetah, jackal and a variety of buck.

We reached Ongongo in the late afternoon, a real oasis in this barren terrain. Even during the driest times there is always water in the natural pool to cool off in after a long day of hard driving. Driving on the gravel roads in this area requires a lot of concentration, so a swim was most welcome.

Our next stop was Epupa Falls via Opuwa. The gravel roads were in good condition and driving was a pleasure.

We refuelled in Opuwa as this was to be the last refuelling point for the next five days. We reached our campsite late in the afternoon and set up camp under the huge Makalani palms that frame the banks of the Kunene River. The next morning we took a walk to the falls, where the view was simply breathtaking, then cooled off with a swim in the pools next to the falls.

Francois and Len with the Bronzie

Epupa Waterfall Sceleton coast park

Braaing in the rain is quite a challenge, but is what makes life a little more interesting and something not easily forgotten on overland trips like these. The next morning we packed up our wet tents and headed out again.

The next 76km to the Kunene River Lodge is not a road, it’s an off-road track where low range is often required.

One of the benefits of having to travel so slowly is that you can really appreciate the fantastic plant and bird life

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 21

along the river. This area is known for its Commiphoras. My favourite is the Purple-stemmed Corked Wood (commiphora multijuga), which is indigenous to the area. The twigs and leaves are very aromatic, and in the Kaokoland the fragrant resin omuzumba, which means fragrant, is blended with fat as a perfume for the body.

From Epupa we travelled 54km to the big old Fig tree at Enyandi. As it was only 14:00, we decided not to pitch camp there and rather push on. However, about two kilometres from the tree we found the river in full flood and two bikers and a family of four from France waiting patiently for the river level to subside. Africa is not for sissies, so Gerald, Carel and I walked through the river and then decided to drive through. Gerald went first, but got stuck about halfway through. After an half an hour of winching, he reached the other side safely. With a recovery vehicle anchored on the opposite side of the river we were ready to get all the vehicles across, including those of our stranded fellow travellers. This was definitely the highlight of the day for the local Himba onlookers, who took great pleasure in watching us battle this raging river.

Later that day, we set up camp on the bank of the Kunene River under two large Ana trees, and were joined by our fellow travellers for a braai. The rain came down once again, but this time we were prepared and had Carel’s awning set up before the downpour.

Waking up in the bush after it has rained the whole night is one of those simple pleasures in life; the smell of the earth and the foliage glistening in the sunlight hits home just how privileged we are to live in Africa.

Back on the road again, we continued to Kunene River Lodge where the views from the track, as it wound alongside the river, were picture perfect.

We were warmly welcomed by Pete from the lodge, whom we had stayed with previously during a glass clean up project in the area. As usual he knew exactly where to find the Cinderella Waxbill and Grey Kestrel, two endemic birds

to the area, and pointed us in the right direction. After four years of visiting the area, I eventually managed to see the Grey Kestrel, an awesome sighting for any birder!

We spent two glorious days exploring the area, a birder’s paradise. On the morning before we left, Anina and I decided to raft the mighty Kunene. The river’s level was quite high due to the good rains in Angola and this gave new meaning to the term ‘white water rafting’. Apart from the adrenalin rush through the rapids, the whole trip was a fantastic experience. Some of the oldest rock formations in Namibia can be found on this stretch of river, and we were very pleased not to encounter any crocs, as they apparently don’t like fast running water. Lucky for us!

We met up with the rest of the convoy at Hobatere’s campsite, close to Etosha’s border, for our last night of camping. Here we were treated to a sighting of another endemic bird to the area, the Hartlaubs Francolin.

The Waterberg Plateau was our last stop in Namibia and we spent the night in chalets. The next morning we left at 05:00 to get across the border into Botswana and proceeded towards home.

It had rained the whole night and made driving on the gravel roads very difficult and dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you are doing. So we set out in high range 4 x 4, as it would give us more control over the vehicles. This stretch of road was definitely a highlight for the drivers – ‘heeltyd speel tyd’.

It is always sad to leave Namibia, but the memories of this incredible trip will long live on. •

DINfo box i The Ovahimba, on offshoot of the much larger Herero group, are semi-nomadic pastoralists who subsist on the milk of goats and cattle and the hardy plants of an ungenerous land. Their homes are simple and easy dismantled structures of saplings bound together using the leaves of the Makalani palm and sealed with dung.

Enyandi camp site

Road between Waterberg

22Plateau • DO IT NOW Juneborder | July 2011 and Botswana

COME DISCOVER OUR WORLD

CENTURION 012 643 0660 CLEARWATER 011 675 5852

ww ww ww . j .oj oddyyssttyyrree ss ..ccoo. z. za a

DO IT NOW | inGEAR:

Words & Photos by Xen & Adri Ludick

Mabuasehube, a Kalahari Gem In 1995, the Mabuasehube Game Reserve was amalgamated into the Gemsbok National Park to form the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Mabua, as we like to call it, is a gem for camping and seeing wildlife in the southern Kalahari, and is where we’ve experienced the most incredible encounters with animals and nature. It tops our list of favorite places to visit!

In the early years you didn’t need to book, as only a few people knew about this hidden treasure. More recently though, there has been a spate of articles about this Kalahari destination that has resulted in it becoming a major tourist attraction. Securing a campsite, especially during the school holidays, is almost impossible unless you book early. Our advice is to book a year in advance.

The first time I visited Mabua was also the first time I stayed in a roof tent, showered under a tree and used a pit toilet.

I can still clearly remember the first night Xen and I spent in the park, made all the more memorable after counting seven satellites pass over us in a clear African sky. Definitely not something you‘ll see in a concrete jungle!

Of the many highlights we’ve experienced at Mabua, we have enjoyed numerous cat encounters. We’ve had the rare privilege of watching a pack of lions; one male, two females and four gorgeous cubs grow into mature, majestic Kalahari lions during our follow up visits. We’ve also witnessed two lions mating on our designated campsite in Khiding. For two days the lions continued to mate, not more than 30

24 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

metres away from us, and when they finally moved on, their parting felt like family leaving home on a long trip, not knowing when you would meet again.

Leopard sightings are also high up on our list of memorable experiences, and one such occasion was at the Monamodi Pans. We had been sitting quietly around the fire and as Xen got up to move a stump on the fire (as men do), his headlight lamp picked up eyes in the track leading to the camp. It turned out to be a beautiful leopard licking its paws and lazily washing itself not more than 25 metres away from us. Within the safety of our roof tent, we marvelled at this beautiful creature circling below us for about 20 minutes.

On another trip, while driving from Khakea to Khokhotsa pan on the cut line, we also encountered a leopard in the middle of the day, which is quite an experience in itself, as they are generally nocturnal.

We’ve also seen cheetahs whilst camping at Mpaathutlwa Pan. Two huge cheetahs silently entered our camp, then casually sauntered up to a tree and had a good rub before disappearing into the secrecy of the foliage.

A disturbing pattern that’s starting to unfold though is that some of the animals, mainly jackals and hyena, are coming into the campsites for food, and is an indication that travellers are feeding them. Not only is this illegal, it’s very foolish. There was an article just recently about a leopard that caught a jackal in a Mabua campsite. For years we have enjoyed this jackal’s visits, but never feed him. Sadly, not all travellers share our views and now this jackal is no more because of the reckless feeding of animals.

No matter how cute, cuddly or docile these animals appear, one can never forget that they are wild animals. We were reminded of this one morning as we were leaving for Gauteng. Approaching the exit gate, a pride of lions had blocked our way. It was the same pride we had watched since they were cubs. Unable to get out and lift the boom, we decided to drive around and through the veld. The lions were unperturbed until we drove over a small drinking hole and then all mayhem broke loose. Without warning, the male started to chase us and the look in its eyes turned deadly. When we stopped it stopped and when we moved it came for us. It continued to chase us for about another 50 metres before giving up. That was pretty scary!

We’ve found that most people visiting the park only want to see the larger animals. So it breaks our hearts when we hear them say they saw nothing noteworthy because they were only on the lookout for the Big Five. Yet had they looked, they would have found a thriving community of ground squirrels, franklins, hornbills, scorpions, centipedes and much more; each special in their own unique way. How can one not thrill at the sight of a Khori Bustard as it puffs out its breast feathers in a magnificent display to attract several females and mate with them all, or ignore the mating call of a male ostrich. How many people run for shelter when the first lightning bolt strikes and forget to just sit and enjoy a majestic fireworks display that lights up the African sky for hundreds of miles? They also would have missed out on a family of bat-eared foxes walking slowly and quietly by with their noses to the ground and ears cocked forward as they listen for insects, or forgot to enjoy the playfulness of a newly born springbuck.

This said, the park is not only about the animals and birds; it is home to an amazing array of flora. Travelling from Mabua to Nossob on the access track during the rain season, we’ve seen the most beautiful flowers including Dune Lilies, Nerinas and Devil’s Thorn flowers, which painted the veld in a yellow canvas.

One of the main reasons we go to Mabua is to get away from it all; television, news, people, cellphones, bright lights and noise. Yet many of its visitors bring their high-powered lights that create a stadium effect in the wilderness, talk loudly and laugh raucously. No wonder the animals of the night don’t visit them!

Travelling in the bush also comes with its own challenges and being prepared for any eventuality, including vehicle breakdowns or problems, is essential. One such trip occurred when our twin sons and their two friends joined us for a long weekend at Mabua. With great excitement we left Gauteng; four young men in a Mazda Drifter and Xen and I in our trusty 80 Series Cruiser. We chose the McCarthy’s Rest route as it would be a special experience for the boys, offering lots of deep sand that required total concentration at all times. We’d been travelling for approximately 60km on a two spoor track when the Drifter came to a sudden halt.

Finding nothing we continued on only to stop again five kilometres down the road, with a flat tyre. Xen quickly sorted it out using the puncture repair kit and we were on our way once again. But alas, just two kilometres into the park and the Drifter broke down again. This time we discovered that the trailing arm holder had cracked – this was serious! The closest welder was more than 200km away and it was already getting dark, so the only hope of fixing the bracket was to be found at our campsite, 23km away. Travelling at 10km/h, we finally reached the campsite and decided the repair could wait until morning, as the thought of a chilled drink sounded like a much better option.

The next morning, the wheel and damaged part were removed and a loose piece of metal, removed from the vehicle and placed in the fire, would serve as a bracket.

Holes were then punched into the makeshift bracket for the bolts. Pratley steel, binding wire and the new bracket were employed and left to set for the rest of the day, as we went on a game drive and spotted a hyena and two cheetahs – just reward! So did the Drifter make it back to Gauteng? Of course it did. And when they went to replace the bush repair with a new unit back home, they were told that their makeshift bracket was much stronger than a new one would be. Special moments!

We could write volumes about our experiences at Mabua, but there are just too many. So we highly recommend that you experience it for yourself, and here’s how.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 25

Getting to Mabuasehube There are four route options:

OPTION 1: The easiest option. Travelling from Gauteng, enter Botswana at Lobatsi and travel to Sakoma on the Trans Kalahari Highway. You will need to fill up with petrol in Jwaneng. At Sakoma turn left (south) towards Kokotsha. Diesel is available at Sakoma. Approximately 45km past Khokhotsa, take the Mabuasehube turn off to the right (west). Go through the gate and remember to close it as you are entering private cattle ranches. This is also a good time to deflate your tyres to two bars. Mabuasehube is 135km further on a two track spoor.

OPTION 2: Challenging due to thick sand. Travel as described above and continue past Sakoma to Kang, where you will turn left (south) towards Hukuntsi and then Mabuasehube. Petrol and diesel are available at both Kang and Hukuntsi.

OPTION 3: Easy option. This alternative route from Gauteng is via Vryburg to Tosca and across the border at Werda towards Khokhotsa. Approximately 45km after Khokhotsa, you will find the Mabuasehube turn off on your left. Continue as described above.

OPTION 4: Challenging due to thick sand. You could enter from the south via the McCarthy’s Rest Border Post. From Gauteng travel to Vryburg and on to Vostershoop. This is where you could fill up with fuel, or overnight at the Malopo Nature Reserve (tell Gerald and Ina I sent you), before heading towards McCarthy’s Rest. From there continue to Tshabong where there is petrol and diesel, but be warned there are intermittent supply problems. From Tshabong follow the road signs to Mabuasehube.

Safe travels and enjoy the journey!

Where to stay

You can camp on any of the six pans at Mabua. Except for Mabuasehube Pan, the pans only have two camping areas and all the camps have an A-frame.

Camp (Pan)

Pit toilet

Shower

Running water

Bosobogolo GB1

No No No

GB2

Yes Yes No

Mpaathutlwa GMP1

Yes No Yes

GMP2

Yes Yes No

Khiding GK1

Yes Yes No

GK2

Yes Yes No

Mabuasehube GMA1

Yes Yes Yes

GMA2

Yes Yes No

GMA3

No No No

GMA4

Yes Yes No

Lesholoago GL1

Yes No No

GL2

Yes Yes Yes

Monamodi GMO1

Yes Yes No

GMO2

No No No

To book

Email: dwnp.parrogabs@gov.bw

Travel tips

1) Have enough water, fuel and food with you, as this is an isolated part of Botswana.

2) Watch out for ground squirrel and porcupine boroughs because you could destroy your vehicle’s suspension if you hit one.

3) A good map and GPS are essential.

4) A one- or two-million candle power spotlight is great at night on the pans.

5) Leave the generator at home, it’s not allowed in the park. Rather try a good solar system.

6) You may not collect firewood in the park and there is a hefty fine if caught.

7) Have a decent tool kit with you that includes binding wire, threaded rods with washers and nuts of various sizes, hacksaw, tie-ends of various sizes, radiator cement or eggs, hammer, punch for making holes, mirror to attract the attention of other travellers and a cordless drill with drill bits.

8) And most important - don’t forget a well-equipped medical kit.

26 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Our vehicle and accessories fitted

We kitted our 1996 Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser out with the following: OME suspension with steering damper, air dampers in the rear coils, dual battery with solar panel, long range fuel tank, two way radios + 29 MHz radio, roof rack with roof tent and awning for the rain, 2 x Engel 40-litre fridges, African Outback drawer system, 800 Watt inverter to charge cameras and satellite phone and changed the BF Goodrich All Terrain tyres to Mud Terrain (285/75/16).

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 27

DO IT NOW | inGEAR:

Words & Photos by Francois Steyn

IN REVIEW:

THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4 GLS EXEC The all new Hyundai Sonata is turning heads and can easily be mistaken for a more expensive car.

Some even say that it looks like a Mercedes C-class from certain angles. I agree on the looks, but more importantly Hyundai has been around long enough to bring peace of mind in the reliability and dealer backup stakes as well.

Both the standard GLS and GLS Exec feature a 2.4-litre petrol engine, matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Even though the 131 kW at 6 000 rpm and 228 Nm of torque might not sound mind blowing when compared to the modern European machines with smaller turbo engines (See VW 1.2TSi also tested as a perfect example), it doesn’t feel lethargic. As you depress the accelerator, the smooth gearbox downshifts a ratio or two and the vehicle moves forward with purpose. It also emits an enjoyable engine note that invites you to stomp on the accelerator.

Top speed is quoted at 208km/h. Under normal driving conditions, I averaged around 9km/l, which equates to a range of roughly 560km on the large 70-litre tank. The onboard display of 11-litres per 100km was spot on.

The interior is well sound proofed and everything is where you’d expect it to be. The comfortable front seats are electrically adjustable and the driver’s side has lumbar support and two memory settings. The steering wheel can be adjusted up or down and telescopically to attain the perfect driving position. The buttons on the multifunction steering wheel are very easy to operate and the instrument display has a premium feel to it, especially at night.

28 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

The Exec model has USB connectivity for your iPod or cellphone, cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and paddle shifts behind the steering wheel for manual gear changes.

The latter is the only niggle I had with an otherwise very well packaged car. The downshifting paddle on the left did not always engage and both paddle shifts felt as if they might not last forever. Luckily you have the option of manual shifting through the six-speed auto ‘box with the gear lever.

Safety features include ABS, EBD, ESP (traction control) and Active Yaw Control. It also has six airbags, doors that lock automatically when travelling above 20km/h and auto levelling Xenon headlights come standard. The 18-inch tyres grip well and the suspension is supple yet taut enough to keep you planted in tight bends. You might want to take it easy on dirt roads due to the low-profile rubber, but it has a full-sized spare wheel under the cavernous luggage compartment.

There’s ample leg room in the rear and you’ll struggle to fill the enormous boot, even on a weekend getaway with the whole family. The climate control works well in the summer heat and has vents in the rear to keep the kids cool.

Not only does the Sonata look like a top-class luxury car, it drives like one too. With Hyundai’s 5 year / 150 000km warranty and roadside assistance, plus a 5 year / 90 000km service plan, owning one makes even more sense. Competitors? At R279 900 for the standard GLS and R299 900 for the Exec: not many.

VW TOURAN 1.2TSi It’s been said that once a man reaches a certain age and settles down he might as well give up on life and buy an MPV. I am entering that stage of my life, so I decided to try VW’s mid-sized Touran to find out if it’s all that bad.

I tested the 1.2TSi, but you also get the 1.4TSi and 2.0 TDI Touran. This small engine delivers 77 kW of power and combined with the six-speed manual gearbox, it had no problem moving this car along. It amazed me at how steady (and slow) it felt cruising at 140km/h, especially considering the combi-like shape. The typical VW interior is so quiet and comfortable that you’ll cover vast distances without realising it.

The Touran has so many safety features that I won’t mention them all, but the ISOFix child seat anchors on the removable outer rear seats are a win for a family vehicle like this. The steering is direct and the car sticks in corners, yet the suspension is not harsh at all even on corrugated dirt.

The standard seating layout has three individually removable seats in the rear, making for a very flexible loading area.

With the rear seats removed and a rack fitted to the roof rails, you can easily take your mountain bike and a kayak or two on a weekend getaway.

Leg room in the rear is more than adequate and everyday you’ll find another little storage compartment hidden somewhere, like under the rear foot wells, in the roof and under the loading area. The cubby hole is cooled by the air conditioner, and the rear view mirror has a switch to tint it when your followers forget that their main beams are on.

A very handy feature on the model I drove was the bend lights that turn onto the side you are turning if you’re travelling slower than 35km/h, and turn on when indicating.

There are also lights under the side-view mirrors that shine onto the ground next to the car, as you disembark or unlock the doors via the remote.

I am always impressed by good value for money tied to functional practicality and the Touran offers both, with elegant VW styling to boot. Just look at that Golf-like nose.

With a base price of R260 300, it compares well to other much smaller vehicles. Just remember that if you add the Rear Park Distance Control, Bi-Xenon headlights and metallic paint this one had, it will add another R15 700 to the price tag. A 5 year / 90 000km service plan is included though. In conclusion, I was pleasantly surprised by the power of the 1.2-litre cruiser, and as a package this Touran makes a lot of sense.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 29

SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D BOXER DIESEL Subaru has produced diesel cars in the past, but they were powered by Toyota power plants. This new diesel however, has been completely designed and manufactured by Subaru in the traditional Subaru Boxer layout; a first. The Outback, like all other Subarus, also features symmetrical all-wheel drive. This is more for safety than for hard off-road driving and you can really feel it working in fast corners, with the traction control done out of a job by the huge amount of mechanical grip (grip from tyre friction, suspension layout and power distributed to all the wheels as needed).

When you get into a Subaru you know it. The interior is simplistic and functional, and everything has a purposeful feel to it. You know it was made for driving and to last while doing so. The multifunction steering wheel is perfectly weighted, offers superb feedback and the steering itself is spot on and direct. The suspension is a tad hard, but due to the 213mm ground clearance, dirt roads are no problem for the Outback. Although the Yokohama Geolander tyres will do fine on gravel, we had a flat and had to limp home on the emergency spare wheel. That said, I didn’t even notice the flat until I stopped for a quick break. This was probably due to the self-levelling rear suspension and perfect balance of the chassis. A full-sized spare would give more peace of mind when venturing far from the beaten track.

The 2-litre turbo diesel delivers 110 kW and a massive 350 Nm torque. Matched to a short shifting six-speed manual ‘box, it never feels out of breath. Thanks to the horizontally

opposed boxer design, this diesel is super smooth and very quiet. On the tar the Outback feels firmly planted and solid at any speed, and the brakes are sharp and have a positive feel to them. It never ceases to amaze me how involved a drive in any Subaru is.

Xenon headlights, cruise control and electrically adjustable seats are standard. The height of the driver’s seat can be adjusted from very low for a racy feel, to very high for a SUV posture. This, together with the reach adjustable steering wheel, will provide the perfect driving position for anyone.

Another handy feature is the electronic park brake. Press the button and the brakes engage. Pull off and it automatically disengages (but only if the driver’s seatbelt is fastened, clever). The hill hold assist button sits next to it and when activated, will automatically switch on the parking brake if you depress the brake pedal all the way, and releases it again when driving off.

The only small drawback, as far as I am concerned (and is not only applicable to Subaru), is the fact that you can only fill up with 50 ppm (parts per million) diesel, which is not yet available at all filling stations in South Africa. Subaru’s website has a printable list of all the filling stations in the country that do have it. The 65-litre tank, combined with an average consumption figure of around 7-litres per 100km, will make sure you never get stranded without clean diesel.

The Outback comes standard with Subaru’s 3 year / 60 000km maintenance plan and costs R399 000. •

VW Touran 1.2TSi

Hyundai Sonata 2.4 GLS Exec

Subaru Outback 2.0D Boxer Diesel

1 197

2 359

2-litre

Power (kW)

77 (5 000 rpm)

131 (6 000 rpm)

110 (3 600 rpm)

Torque (Nm)

175 (1 550 – 4 100 rpm)

228 (4 000 rpm)

350 (1 800 - 2 400 rpm)

Fuel consumption (claimed)

6.4 l/100km

N/A

6.4 l/100km

Fuel consumption (actual)

8.5 l/100km

11.0 l/100km

6.8 - 7.2 l/100km

Fuel tank capacity (l)

60

70

65

CO2 emissions (g/km)

149

195

168

695 / 1989

463 / 523

490 / 1 690

6-speed manual

6-speed auto

6-speed manual

5 yr / 90 000km (s)

5 yr / 90 000km (s)

3 yr / 60 000km (m)

3 yr / 120 000km

5 yr / 150 000km

3 yr / 100 000km

Service intervals

15 000km

15 000km

10 000km

Price

R260 300

R299 900

R399 000

Capacity (cc)

Boot capacity (l) Gearbox Service / maintenance plan Warranty

30 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

DO IT NOW | inTRANSIT: Words & Photos by Dawie du Plessis

i w a l a M

A True African Experience,

Ilala sunrise

32 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

My wife, Catt, and I were about three months into our trip across Africa when her parents, Pete and Annie, flew to Malawi to join us of three fun-filled weeks. Part of this time was to be whiled away at the Mango Drift Lodge, situated on the west side of Likoma Island, a small island in Lake Malawi that’s off the coast of Mozambique, and where we were headed.

I had not worn a watch since primary school, but on this day I had my dive computer on, doubling as a watch. I heard what sounded like a fog horn in the distance, and opened my eyes to see 04:38 staring back at me from my wrist. The ferry was four-and-a-half hours late.

The trusty night watchman knocked on our door about 15 minutes later and informed us that the ferry had indeed arrived, and that we should make our way to the beach. We got up, dressed and simulated pack mules while walking the 200m to the crowd line. The watchmen helped us to the front of the queue, pointed at some boats and said, “There you go.” The ferry was about 500 metres offshore at this time. We had been warned that some wading was likely, so this wasn’t a total surprise.

Boarding Beach

Some young men offered us a lift in their boat, giving us obvious and expressionistic preference over the locals. The charge was MK2,000 ($13) for the four of us, which we agreed on and climbed aboard without even getting our feet wet. About 15 seconds later we found ourselves side-by-side with a life raft from the MV Ilala, a 620-ton steamer, which we were ushered onto - a free service to get onto the ferry in the first place. I could only smile at the entrepreneurial skill of these young Africans at 04:50, and as we were still blissfully dry we didn’t really feel ripped off.

I counted 49 people getting into the life raft before loosing interest. The sign on the side clearly warned that it was a 22-person vessel. The ride to the ferry was dealt with in less than 10 minutes and after queuing for another 10 minutes, our raft docked along side the mighty MV Ilala and the people started filing off it and spilling onto the middle deck. There were another two informal vessels docked on our outside and those passengers simply traipsed across all the boats to get to the ladder. We eventually pushed in and found a ladder pointing to the first class deck upstairs. This all happened under the watchful eye of a musungu. We had discussed booking a cabin as we would spend the night onboard, but as there was only half an hour until sunrise, we decided to check out the top deck first.

Anyone who knows me will know how bad my memory is concerning names. I can meet someone at 14:00 and forget their name by 14:01, get reminded of it 20 times in the next half hour and still have no inkling as to what it might be at 14:32. I’m sure the Musungu on the deck told us her name, but I can only remember her as Florida Cuckoo. She looked like she heralded from Florida and was definitely a little insane. She told us about her life in China, her travels in Mozambique, the coldness of the night she had just had, when she took her 14-year-old son scuba diving and how the Ilala differed from the ferries between Seattle and Alaska before either one of us managed to say, “Good morning.” She then went on to explain the way the Ilala worked, where we could get food, find a seat, buy some beer and chill out before any of us had a chance to say, “What is your name?”

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 33

Boarding party

So here was the score: The top deck was pretty much where the Musungus hung out. A cabin would cost us $56 per person and the deck only $25 per person. We were offered breakfast, accepted and called to the first class dining room where it was being served from. We even managed to score some boiling water to make our own coffee. It was 08:42 when we set sail, only six hours and forty-two minutes behind schedule. Pretty good for Africa I thought, we must have left on the right day. Breakfast was $4 each, we hired mattresses for $1 each and after the sun came up, we found a comfortable place out of the wind and went back to sleep.

The constant drone of the big diesel engines was barely audible under the non-stop chatter from Florida Cuckoo.

swim at the ferry’s next stop. The one stop in-between us embarking and disembarking was on the Mozambique side of Lake Malawi. The timing was perfect, it was midday and lunchtime. We packed some bread and tinned meat, but the ride on the open water was so rough that eating was not an option. Not because the lake was rough, even though there was a bit of wind around, but because this tub was over loaded to the max and not equipped with stabilisers. I also didn’t think it was fast enough to break the surf without violently swaying from side-to-side. By now the sun was hiding behind some cloud and the temperature had dropped significantly by the time we made port, so swimming for me was out of the question.

By mid morning, the temperature had risen considerably and I was baking! I shed some clothing and worked on my suntan until I became uncomfortably hot. I then decided to go meet the other members of the ‘Top Deck Family’, as described by Florida Cuckoo. We had the Beach Boys, two bearded fellows in their mid twenties who were having an absolute ball and cracked open their first beers at 10:30.

They had very cleverly pitched their tents on deck and slept in their comfortable cocoons until an hour or so after sunrise.

I wished I had thought of that! Then there was Dutch Chick, I almost remembered her name, but alas … She was two months into a round the world backpacking trip and clearly enjoyed the African sun, a lot, and was loathe to get out of it despite her sunburn. Lastly I met California Man and his girlfriend.

California Man made good on his promise and, to the entertainment of the rest of the clan, he and one of the Beach Boys leapt into the water from the top deck. The drop must have been about 10 metres and you can imagine the surprise of the second class passengers as the two musungus flew past their balconies and into the clear blue below. They did get into a bit of trouble for jumping into Mozambique waters without clearing customs, but were back on board in no time.

Our Top Deck Family was joined by yet another musungu, a Dutch doctor who had been doing his thesis on Tuberculosis in some little Mozambican village. He was immediately attacked by a fresh bout of verbal diarrhoea from Florida Cuckoo and so adopted the name of ‘Fresh Bait’.

He was building low-cost housing for medical professionals in Malawi, while his girlfriend had done some teaching in Malawi and was on a short holiday before returning to Washington and starting Law School. I liked them and stuck around. Our discussions soon turned to going for a

34 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Just an hour and forty-five minutes later we set sail again, a rare 15 minutes shorter in port than planned. Our next stop was the isolated and beautiful Likoma Island, our planned abode for the next three nights. I was hoping that we’d still make it on the same day, as I was eager to experience the island’s delights. At 17:00 we were approached by the chef for dinner orders and on explaining that we were leaving the

Dawie & Cat

Boarding party

Ilala bar

vessel at Likoma, he agreed to have our supper ready half an hour earlier. The meal was of phenomenal quality and ridiculously cheap, which meant that we were four happy travellers with full tummies. By 19:00 we were back on the upper deck, admiring a star-studded sky as we waited for the fog horn to signal our arrival at the island.

The fog horn came at 20:20, a mere six hours later than the timetable’s scheduled arrival time. We quickly realised that disembarking was going to be as interesting as getting into the boat.

This crossing had turned into a true African experience, even though it only was about 15 hours and three meals later. We managed to squeeze our way past the hordes of people and into the lifeboat, with me having to stand as the seats were all taken. I didn’t bother counting the people on the 22-person certified craft, as I knew I would shudder at the total anyway. We made it to shore within 20 minutes and were met by masses of eager faces, who anticipated the end of their long wait and were desperate to make their way aboard. Our boat stopped some five metres offshore and passengers with rolled up trousers started climbing off. They were met by fervent helpers, carrying sacks of maize and bags of vegetables, cardboard boxes and all sorts of unexplainable shapes and objects. We patiently waited our turn, but soon realised that the boat was filling up again from the land. The new patrons from Ilala would not give us a second to get off before clambering into the limited spaces, so I simply rolled off the side and landed feet first in waist deep water, with my camera bag on my

head. I grabbed two bags from our group, was joined by Fresh Bait, and made my way to dry land in search of the Mango Drift vehicle we had booked to transport us to the lodge. My idea was to leave my bags with them, fight my way back through the rowdy crowd and help the family get to shore, with the minimum of moisture on their luggage and persons. Failing to find the booked vehicle, I had to return. This time I saw Catt standing in the water trying to help the folks down. Eventually, I got her to dry land and asked her to guard our belongings while I went back.

Pete had managed to get off the boat, but the crowds had blocked all viable exits for Annie. There was only one thing to do … I got her to sling an arm around my shoulders, slide sideways off the boat and I carried her like a knight, in shining armour to the great delight and applause of the watching fan club, until we reached our bags and reunited with the Top Deck Family of five, who were also heading in the same destination. There was still no sign of our transport and as it was dark, we had no idea where to go.

I walked to a few parked vehicles and loudly announced that we were in need of transport and was there a willing supplier. My request was answered by a friendly local who had a pickup. He offered to transport us to the lodge for half the price of what the lodge was charging. I saw this as a great success, as the island only had nine vehicles on it and we had managed to secure one in record time. We gladly accepted and hopped on with our luggage in tow.

Halfway to the lodge we came across the Mango vehicle on its way to port, with a full payload of customers. Josh, the one manager, explained that they’d had a hard time rounding up their passengers and then promptly hopped onto the pickup and accompanied us back to the lodge.

The end of our very long travel day was near and we could smell the ice cold beer waiting on the beach! •

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 35

DO IT NOW | inTRANSIT: Words & Photos by Charl Pieterse

Tip-to-Tip Through Taiwan

... on my Bicycle I recently had the privilege of experiencing something quite extraordinary; a challenging yet breathtakingly beautiful journey on my bicycle along one of the most underrated coastlines in the world; the east coast of Taiwan; a stunning little island country, 150km off the southeast coast of China. I did it for the fun and adventure of it, but also to raise money for underprivileged children in South Africa, through Distance for Difference (D4D), a non-profit organisation that generates funds for various children’s charities. When slogging your way up a never-ending mountain pass (and that’s most of the roads in Taiwan!), it’s really encouraging to know that your effort is helping to put a smile on a kid’s face.

While living in Taiwan, I regularly explored the island’s unmatched natural scenery on my bike and in a moment of inspiration I decided that I would cycle all the way along the east coast, from the most northern to the most southern tips, a distance of almost 600km. To make it a tad more challenging, I gave myself just three days to do it in. Hence I dubbed my new mission ‘Tip-to-Tip through Taiwan in Three Days’, or ‘MissionT2T’ in short.

But as with anything in life, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

On my first attempt a slow puncture saw me turning back after only 40km. I was bitterly disappointed, but came to see it as a blessing in disguise as I hadn’t slept at all the previous night. Having made my bed on a tiny beach under a beautiful starry sky, humid temperatures of 30°C plus huge, bloodthirsty mosquitoes, yapping beach dogs and the flood lights of a squid-fishing boat made it all but impossible to get some desperately needed shut eye!

However, the deal-breaker was the prospect of riding in scorching and humid temperatures of 35°C! So a little gutted, but relieved at the same time, I headed back to Taipei and to the proverbial drawing board.

DAY 1

After doing some thorough homework, fixing my bike and obtaining a ‘lekker’ tent to keep those annoying mozzies at bay, I embarked on my second attempt a week later.

Riding the 15km from my home in northern Taipei to the harbour town of Danshuei, I hopped onto a bus for the 25km journey to Fugeijiao, the most northern tip of Taiwan.

Arriving around 18:00, I did a little scouting before setting up my tent under a tree in the park and then going for a dip in the ocean. Shortly after dinner, a heavy down pour saw me snuggled up in my tent and ready for sleep by 20:00. Tomorrow would be a long day as I was planning to do around 180km. But how on earth do you sleep in a humid tent, in 30°C? As the hours ticked by, with me rolling around in my own sweat, I got a bit worried. How was I

36 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

going to ride 180km without a good night’s rest? Eventually I did fall asleep, but only for about three-and-a-half hours.

I woke just after 04:00, loaded my bike and rode for about one kilometre to the starting point of my journey, Fugeijiao Lighthouse. Despite the lack of sleep, my adrenalin was pumping. I was excited and ready for the big adventure that lay ahead! At exactly 05:45 I took a picture of myself and my bike in front of the lighthouse, jumped on my metal steed and took to the road. Man, was I in high spirits! I had such a good feeling about this adventure … everything felt so right. And so it was for about five kilometres.

After stopping for refreshments, I was ready to hit the road again. I gave my wheel the customary squeeze before getting on, and what a blow to the gut when I realised I had my first puncture just 15 minutes into my journey!

I thought, “Here we go again, dejavu.” Well I did what I had to do, fixed the tube and hoped that it would be my first and last one. I’m pleased to report that that piece of bad luck was my full share for the whole trip. I guess the ‘Adventure Gods’ were just testing my commitment in that first half hour.

On the road

Quaint Port town

Sunny last day along the south east coast

The Journey

Riding along east coast

Tunnel vision

After this little hiccup, the day went quite smoothly and even the weather played along. Although the temperature hovered around 30°C, the humidity was bearable and the constant cloud cover neutralised the scorching punch of the sun. It also rained at very welcoming times. For most of the day I hugged the beautiful coastline and was constantly surrounded by lush green and imposing mountainous landscapes on my right and the outstretched blue of the Pacific Ocean on my left. Peaceful and quaint little fishing villages greeted me along the way and reminded me of the different world I found myself in; a far cry away from the hustle and bustle that is Taipei.

Throughout the day I maintained an average speed of just over 20km/h and reached the harbour town of Su-ao around 14:15, with 145km behind me. Tiredness started to creep in and although I only had another 35km or so to go, there was still half of the day’s climbing - up two long and winding mountain passes - in front of me. Along the

38 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

way there were also a few tricky tunnels to negotiate, made even worse by all the heavy duty gravel trucks speeding past on shoulderless roads! Crazy! Well, I survived it and at around 17:00 my trusty steed and I galloped into the river valley town of Nan-ao. I had clocked 172km and eightand-a-half hours in the saddle (my gat was lekker seer!).

After a good meal, I rode on to find my overnight site a few kilometres up the river valley. It was a lovely little natural hot spring spot right next to the river, with a convenient soft and sandy bed for me to set up my tent on. I bathed in the cold river and then rewarded myself with an hour’s soak in the hot spring pool. It was just what the doctor ordered. I was content!

Day 1 in numbers: 179km completed; 3,800m total altitude gain; 12 hours on the road and 9 hours in the saddle.

DAY 2

After another restless night I got up at 04:15 and hit the road just before 06:00. I had to get an early start because if I had thought day one was a long day, I was in for a surprise on day two! Steep mountain passes were once again on the menu. However, the breathtaking views of the coastline, sometimes more than a hundred metres below me, made it all worthwhile. One of the great benefits of riding along the coast is the huge morale boost I got when I looked back at the distant coastline and realised just how far I had come … a concrete, visual confirmation of my progress.

At around 08:00, I stopped for a quick break after a big ‘up and down’ and it was here where I met a friendly Taiwanese guy on his bicycle, also on some crazy mission. He warned me about the long and dangerously narrow tunnels that were crowded with overloaded trucks, and which I would encounter for the next 30km or so. This stunningly rugged stretch of the coastline, which looked like Chapman’s Peak Drive on steroids, was hectic but memorable and boasted some of the most impressive views I’ve ever seen!

After some hair-raising moments along the infamous and mountainous coastal road, I reached the turnoff to Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s top tourist destination. From here, I slogged my way through the grimy city of Hualien for approximately 30km, with an acute pain in my hip. This was the first sign of discomfort so far on my journey, except, of course, for a ‘helse seer gat’. I tried not to focus on my hip and stretched regularly. Luckily it didn’t bother me too much for the rest of my journey. With Hualien City thankfully behind me I got onto Highway Nr. 11, excited about the prospect of eventually riding on a decent road, with proper shoulders.

It was noon and I had clocked up about 90km, but still had another 138km to go. I was a little concerned, but had no option other than to keep going. And so I did; one pedal stroke at a time. By 14:00 I had 106km to go, at 16:00 74km, at 18:00 38km and at 20:00 just 5km left!

It was truly a long and gruelling day, but a fantastic experience. I had subjected my body to extremes I hadn’t known it was capable of. For the last hour-and-a-half I rode in darkness before I eventually rolled into a little coastal town called Dulan, where I camped out for the night on an allocated spot adjacent to the police station. It had showers and the police officers were so helpful and friendly! Now, that’s what I call police service! Another highlight of the day was when I passed the Tropic of Cancer monument, which represents the most eastern land spot in the world through which this latitude runs (of course only when looking at a ‘western’ map of the world).

was characterised by monster mosquitoes attacking me! It was probably one of the most irritating 30 minutes of my life. They were huge! I hit the road just before 06:00 and this last day would be the shortest of the three, weighing in at around 160km. My route would take me through the coastal city of Taidong, along the south-east coast, past small fishing villages, over the southern central mountain range to the west coast, finishing it off with a nice gallop along the shoreline to Eluanbi, Kenting; the most southern tip of Taiwan and final destination of my ‘T2T’ journey. It was another great day of riding and I was amazed at how well my body held up. I experienced no pains or cramps in my legs, only some discomfort in a few overworked areas of my body. This day also saw the most rain of the three, so much so that I was bombarded with pellets of rain during the last 40km of my trip. The heavens opened up all its gates and I was totally drenched. I remember thinking, “Nice to end my wonderful journey on such a dramatic note!” I still felt strong during the last stretch and clocked an above average speed, adrenalin pushing me all the way. As I rolled into Kenting, my excitement rose as I saw the Eluanbi Lighthouse, my final destination, in the far distance getting closer and closer. I passed beautiful, sandy beaches and after a few more kilometres I was finally ‘there’ at exactly 16:30 in the afternoon, filled with elation and a great sense of achievement. I took a picture of myself in front of my bicycle, with the Eluanbi Lighthouse in the background, some 564km after my first photo in front of the Fugeijiao Lighthouse a few days back. Mission accomplished. Thank you Taiwan for one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Long live the spirit of adventure!

Day 3 in numbers: 158km completed; 2,200m total altitude gain; 10.5 hours on the road and 8 hours in the saddle.

Trip in numbers: 564km completed; 9,900m total altitude gain; 37 hours on the road; 28 hours in the saddle and R15,000 raised for the kids. •

Day 2 in numbers: 227km completed; 3,900m total altitude gain; 14.5 hours on the road and 11 hours in the saddle.

DAY 3

Day 3 started at an early 04:30 after another restless night!

Guess I was just too tired and excited about the whole trip to really let myself shut down completely for a good night’s rest. Packing up and getting ready for the last day

The end - Eluanbi Lighthouse in top left corner

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 39

ha

tt

he

P?

He

ck

is

Words by Andrew Kellett Photos website paddlezone-starbaord

SU

W

DO IT NOW | H2O:

I am by no means an expert surfer, but have used my 16 years of white water kayaking experience to help me get into and hooked on stand up paddle surfing (SUP). This surface water sport is a variant of surfing, where the surfer uses a paddle to move through water while standing on a surfboard.

One difference between surfing and SUP is that the latter does not need a wave and you can paddle anywhere; the open ocean, in harbours, on lakes, rivers or any large body of water. As you are standing, one of the advantages is better visibility of marine life or the incoming swells of the ocean marching across the horizon.

Where did SUP start?

The popularity of the modern sport of SUP has its origin in the Hawaiian islands, although there is evidence of similar activities in west Africa and elsewhere.

In the early 1960s, the ‘Beach Boys’ of Waikiki would stand on their long boards and paddle out with outrigger paddles to take pictures of tourists learning to surf.

This is where the term ‘Beach Boy Surfing’ originates and is another name for SUP. The sport later died out with the introduction of shorter, lighter fibreglass boards.

SUP started gaining in popularity again in the early 2000s, when legendary Hawaiian surfers such as Dave Kalama, Brian Keaulana, Rick Thomas, Archie Kalepa and Laird Hamilton used SUP as an alternative way to exercise, training their core and legs for tow-in surfing when the surf was down, and for the pure enjoyment of the sport. It also gave them a paddling advantage that allowed them to catch waves early, and the paddle could be used to help carve into turns, improving the manoeuvrability of the long boards they used. As the years went by, they found themselves entering events such as the Moloka’i to O’ahu Paddleboard Race and Mâkaha’s Big Board Surfing Classic. Now you can find SUP surfers in many of the Outrigger and Paddleboard races participating in their own division.

In the 10 years that the sport has existed, there have been many new developments.

There are different styles of SUP for racing, relaxing and family events, as well as a greater choice of boards and fashion wear.

The sport of SUP is categorised by the following basic disciplines: • Flat water/Touring – this discipline appeals to all skill levels on any body of water. Generally the boards are longer and wider, with extra volume to make them stable and easier to use. As you are looking down into the water you are able to take in all the ocean has to offer, whereas when sitting in a kayak the glare on the water prohibits this.

• Race – this is a relatively new development in the sport and like any other sport competitiveness has led to faster and sleeker boards specifically designed for racing conditions. Most race boards are still stable, but because of the waterline length they are less manoeuvrable and harder to turn. Events take place on the ocean with +10km downwind races, as well as on canals in fairly urban areas, such as harbours and waterfront developments, thus making it accessible to the general public • Surf – this is the fastest developing aspect of the sport. The designs of the boards are based on performance surf boards, which are shorter to allow for maximum performance on the wave. This can be quite tricky for beginners so choose your board carefully when entering the sport or you could be doing more swimming than surfing!

• River – this is a relatively new development in the sport using plastic and inflatable boards to handle the demands of the river environment.

Ultimately the sky is the limit in this discipline, but it is ideally suited to class 1 and 2 rivers for beginners to intermediate paddlers, and class 3 for the more advanced paddlers.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 41

10 good reasons

to get into S U P 1. Fun Paddle boarding is the most exciting sport you will ever try, guaranteed! It allows you to get out there and experience fun wherever you paddle and whatever your discipline.

2. Easy If you can stand up then you can definitely SUP, it’s that easy. The sport is aimed at all skill levels and there is scope for moving onto new challenges within the same sport!

3. Health and exercise It’s a great workout! It works the whole body, focusing on the core, and also offers an aerobic workout. So it has the benefits of Pilates and running at the same time.

What to look out for when buying equipment

All you need to get involved in SUP is a paddleboard and paddle. I would also suggest you invest in a board bag as it will extend the life of your board, protect it from knocks and scratches and, most importantly, from the harsh sun.

A leash and buoyancy aid is required for ocean, surf and river outings. You will also need a set of roof racks for your vehicle for transportation, as some of the longer boards are close on 14ft. These basic equipment requirements make SUP very easy to get into and inexpensive when comparing it to other water sports like windsurfing and kite boarding.

4. Relax and revitalise It’s one of the most relaxing and meditative sports you can do. On a calm day, the feeling of gliding across the glassy water is one of the most relaxing experiences ever.

5. For everyone Unlike other sports, SUP is ideal for all ages. Kids start off as passengers and before you know it, they will they be paddling on their own – and more than likely leaving you in their wake. Even poochie can ride along with you!

Second-hand equipment is also an option and easy to come by due to many of the original paddlers upgrading their boards.

6. Anywhere, anytime Because it’s so versatile, you can do it anywhere you find water – lakes, rivers and oceans, and in any weather condition as there’s no need to wait for a full swell.

But before you make any purchases, get some advice so that you choose the right board for the discipline you want to get into. When starting out, look for a more stable board as you can always upgrade as you progress.

7. Connect with nature You’ll get to see nature in action from the most perfect viewpoint; amazing sea life, beautiful sunsets and serene sunrises.

Where do I get the gear?

8. Solo or social With SUP you can spend some meditative time alone or share the fun with friends.

There are various importers of gear, but in general they are all manufactured in Thailand. The older, more established brands will ensure a state-of-the-art design, as well as a good resale value when upgrading at a later stage. Secondhand boards are entering the market and there are some great package deals to be found through the surf shops and second-hand sites on the internet.

Cape Town-based Paddlezone stocks a range of Starboard boards, as well as accessories including Werner paddles from the States. Lessons are available and you can try out the demo boards before purchasing. Other leading brands to look out for are Naish and Coreban.

42 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

9. Family and kids Because SUP is so child-friendly, it’s an awesome way to spend quality time as a family unit.

10. Addictive and effortless There’s something about the sense of freedom and power you get when you’re on a SUP board that will have you begging for more.

Good luck and get out there. •

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 43

DO IT NOW | H2O:

Words and Photos by Celliers Kruger

Family Fun - Oar Rafting on the Vaal

I hear the naysayers saying nay, the Vaal is boring, a substandard substitute for the real thing. Rest assured that your mighty river warriors haven’t lost the plot and I’ll let you in on a little secret: oar rafting on easy rivers is the next big thing. It is all about living the good life and sharing it with your loved ones. Read on for the details.

Three families, three oar rafts, seven days and one Orange; this was our basic recipe for the chillest trip ever. The rain gods had different plans though; 1,300 cumecs of water racing down the Orange River is not what I had in mind when the trip was planned.

Plan B; hit the Vaal!

The theme is all too common. Guy starts paddling, guy paddles every weekend, guy meets girl, guy gets married, wife gets pregnant, guy stops paddling, guy wishes he could still paddle but doesn’t dare raise the subject. The problem with kayaking and most other outdoor or extreme sports is that they are inherently selfish pursuits, and quite often male dominated. If you are a member of the sub culture and your better half isn’t absorbed in her own passion, you are bound to cut into your river time or risk the consequences.

There is an answer to this dilemma though. Share the good times and gain some brownie points, and you will be surprised by just how much fun it can be. All you need is a good raft, an oar rig and some river savvy. Be prepared for a good physical workout while your family is having a relaxing time, but they will thank you in many ways, guaranteed!

The ultimate river in South Africa for easy multiday trips is the Orange, but it’s a long drive unless you live in Kakamas or Springbok. If you live in Gauteng and have little time, the good old Vaal River hides a beautiful, little known section just below Parys. Forget about Big Daddy and Gatsien, I’m talking about a section even further downstream.

44 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 45

Hours of fun on and off the river!

The waters of the Vaal carved some big curves through the beautiful koppies of the Vredefort Dome, the remnant of an impact crater created millions of years ago (or less than 6,000 years ago if you ask some local yokels in Parys). A few very small rapids and wide channels between islands add some excitement, but the real draw of this section of river is the peacefulness. To tell you the truth, I paddled this section once before in 1994 and vowed never to return. All I wanted was rapids, and rapids were not to be found here.

However, 17 years later I couldn’t think of a better section to take my kids on for an enjoyable two-day trip.

We gathered at Vaal de Sioleh, a resort on the dirt road between Parys and Venterskroon, early Saturday morning and there was not a cloud to be seen. A variety of river craft assembled in loose formation as we prepared for our river launch. Our party of three families, with three oar rafts, were joined by relatives on our mini expedition.

By South African standards I’m a veteran of oar rafting, but my two friends, Jacques Holtzhausen and Andries Meyer, have never captained an oar raft before. In fact Jacques is not even a paddler, while Andries stopped kayaking a couple of years ago. Brand new oar rigs were made just in time for the trip, and this would be Jacques and Andries’ baptism of fire. A raft loaded with two adults, two kids, gear and enough food to feed an army can be a pig to manoeuvre if you don’t know what you’re doing.

A light breeze greeted us as we pushed into the river. Simple instructions followed on the art of oar rafting. Backwards, forwards, turn left, turn right. If you forget everything else, remember that the back ferry is king in a rapid. While I shouted instructions and demonstrated various techniques, the kids were already making themselves all too comfortable on the rafts. One thing is certain: an inflated floating platform is heaven on earth for a little kid.

Soon enough a small rapid appeared in the distance.

Andries and Jacques were already getting familiar with the oars, and we floated effortlessly through the rapid. Some beautiful vistas and small islands followed, then the noise of an approaching rapid became audible. I rowed closer for a proper scout. The rapid was certainly bigger than the first rapid, with some tight manoeuvring required to prevent getting stuck. I ran the rapid first to show the line and got my camera out. They followed, one at a time. It was hardly an acid test for my friends’ newfound skills, but both managed to get through the rapid safely despite some humorous interaction with a rock or two.

46 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Perfect weather, long swims and general relaxation rounded off a great day on the water. We found a suitable site on the riverbank to make camp for the night. Tents pitched, it didn’t take long for us adults to get comfy around the campfire and reflect on what was achieved during the day.

By adding Jacques and Andries to the clan, the number of oar rafters in the country was almost doubled. Yes, that’s right. The art is still in its infancy. For the past few years, there were literally only three or four of us river people piloting oar rafts down the veins of our country.

Taking an oar raft through serious rapids requires considerable skill and a lot of river time. I doubt that the extreme side of the sport will grow much in South Africa, but I can see a bright future for family-orientated oar rafting trips on easy river sections. Our short two-day excursion down the Vaal proved how accessible and fun it is to nonpaddlers. The wives loved it and the kids were having the best time ever. When they were not swimming or messing around on the boats, the kids were exploring the camp’s surroundings, tried their hand at fishing, practised kleilat gooi and generally made a nuisance of themselves like healthy kids do.

Our second and final day on the river was a repetition of the first day. Except for the wind. Indeed, on a river trip like this you experience the natural elements first hand. But being the brave captain of your own raft, with your kids cheering you on, a blister or two is taken in your stride. •

DINfo box i Fact file

Rafts used: ARK KN400 Nile series.

Oar rigs: Supplied by Fluid Kayaks.

Training: Contact Whitewater Training in Parys or Gravity Training in Cape Town.

Put-in: Vaal de Sioleh, 20km downstream of Parys on the Venterskroon Road.

Take-out: Schoemansdrift Bridge.

Best time of year to go is September to April.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 47

DO IT NOW | inH2O:

Words by Dale McKenzie Photos by Chantelle Melzer www.melzerc.smugmug.com

l l a W o t l Wal WITH CROCS, HIPPOS AND fRIENDS

Steve crossing the swing bridge at Dakaneni seconds before being attacked by wasps.

Steve Boofing into the warm waters of the Pongola Steve, Donovan, Dale and Gareth ignoring the warning sign

Bivane dam wall. Our boats ready to go.

Three months ago my friend Gareth walked into my office with a plan. His idea was to paddle from the Bivane Dam wall to Jozini Dam wall in north eastern KwaZulu-Natal; a six-day trip covering 200km. “I’m in,” I answered immediately.

The next three months of preparation saw us rounding up another two expeditioners, Donovan and Steve, and a support crew. Sponsors where found and we even managed to raise some money for charity.

With the leg-work over, we are finally ready to hit the water.

Starting early on day one, it doesn’t take long for the action to find us. As the Bivane Dam wall cascades torrents of water 175 metres down to the river bed, we shoot the weir in our Fluid play boats with no problems. Our friends and family, who joined us at the start, disappear around a corner as we make our way down a local stretch of river.

Ordinarily we would cover this section in a two-day social trip, taking time to surf waves and spend the night around a bush campfire. Today, however, we have a long way to go.

Donovan and Steve shoot the pour-over just after Kinky and our choice of Detox creek boats is proving to be a wise one. These boats are fast and punch holes with ease.

Rapid 3 is my favourite; an incredibly long technical run where we all find our own lines and stick to them. I make the eddy half way down and take a second to admire the valley that I love. The first time I ran this section was in 2009, as part of the safety crew. From my vantage point I count nine waterfalls slowly filtering over the adjacent cliffs, adding to our excitement.

Rapid 4 has a nasty surprise on the left. Rapid 5 has holes on the right and left, with a shoot in the middle that is fun to find at high levels. I have to roll to the correct side of horizontal after the much anticipated big drop shoot at Number 6. Next up is Mountain Blast, and its name does it justice.

The Ithala game fence predicts the upcoming confluence of the Bivane and Pongola Rivers. Paddling past antelope, we make it to camp already nursing blisters and bumps. It’s not long before we are greeted by a tent flattening thunder storm. I hold my tent down with one hand while taking advantage of the rain to shampoo my hair with the other.

Day two and I make my way to the ablution block where Gareth and Steve have taken refuge. Rudely is the only way to awaken teammates on this sort of expedition.

As we have never run this part of the river before, we scout often. ‘Never careless’ is our motto. This approach soon pays off when Steve is held in a hole and takes a beating as Mother Nature gives him a full cavity search. Luckily Gareth is close at hand to assist and Steve pops up looking quite refreshed.

Two rapids later we spot our first crocodile. Two more pools and four hatchlings appear. We stop to admire them just long enough for someone to comment, “Where’s the mother?”

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 49

In a long pool, a big four-metre beast crashes through the reeds and into the water on our right. Instead of submerging it powers straight towards us. I feel strangely out of place as I notice the menacing look in its eyes. I shout and the croc dives. We dig hard towards the next rapid, more than 600 metres away. I am so shook up that I don’t speak to any of the guys for more than an hour.

While most of this Pongola section proves to be flat, we stumble upon a fun rapid. We decide to run it without scouting as we have no indication of the distance we still need to cover today. Gareth takes the lead and aims right, and after the first drop he indicates to run river left in a panic. We all spend the remainder of the rapid picking our own lines, laughing and punching through various holes.

I choose my line intending to slide sideways across an outstretched rock, approximately three-metres long. It is the stunt of the trip! Unfortunately I lean towards the right and right I go, landing just before a hole. I expect to take a beating but somehow my creek boat punches through.

A small croc slides into the water as we spot our support crew making their way along the road at the water’s edge.

Our photographer Mash is hanging precariously out of the window in an attempt to get an action shot of one of us being eaten alive. We elude the croc and arrive at our overnight accommodation, Rondekop Farm. The Manager, Sweis, is a brilliant host and we are treated to some good old Pongola hospitality, a braai, soft double beds and hot showers.

The warm grip of my bed is holding me down on the morning of day three. However, the thought of the coldblooded critters that call the warm waters of the Pongola home has me up and rousing the rest of the crew, with my best imitation of the peacocks that roost next to the lodge.

Steve gets such a fright that he falls out of bed and doesn’t look at all prepared for the day ahead.

After talking croc tactics we put-in at a cannel system below the completely un-runnable concrete weir. Donovan asks an old Zulu man if he has spotted any crocs and he responds that he’s seen one a few weeks before. He enquires where we are heading and we tell him that we intend to make it to Jozini Dam in two days. He throws his hands over his head, falls to the floor and shouts his disbelief, causing us to chuckle as we paddle on.

After a lot of flat water we finally stop under a bridge. I feel finished, but someone has written ‘vasbyt’ on the bridge with an arrow pointing downstream. We hack only 30km of flat water before calling it a day. While waiting for the backup crew, we nap in our boats under the shade of a tree. A surprised looking farmer driving past stops to say, “Weet julle onnosels nie dat daar krokodille daar binne is nie?”

Our overnight accommodation is Mvubu Lodge’s picnic site, a picturesque river side spot that will be our base camp for the next two nights.

50 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

We change to glass fibre K2 canoes for day four. I’ve never paddled a K2 on a river before and the second rapid sees Donovan and I taking a swim. The K2’s added speed is a godsend through the long flat water bends between the sugarcane plantations, which are fed by the river.

The final stretch and beginning of the dam is the most anticipated section of the trip. Two prominent pieces of information given by local croc researchers are, “Ninety percent of the crocs in the whole area are in the first five kilometres of the delta,” and “I hope you have a fast boat.”

Leaving the shade of the N2 Bridge we tackle the last rapid of the trip. Halfway down I look across at Steve as a fair sized croc slips into the water right behind him. I comment, “Hey Steve, did you see that!” “No what?” asks Steve. “Never mind,” I reply. Just a few hundred metres away a massive croc crashes into the water on our right. Gareth, in a panic, throws his decoy (a plastic bottle half filled with water) way too early and not nearly far enough to have any effect on the approaching monster, which submerges and is never seen again. A few hundred metres further on, a congregation of crocs feed on the unlucky carcass of some poor creature.

Death-rolling crocs tearing off flesh does nothing good for our nerves. Our pace at this point is fast enough to outrun anything. A splash erupts under Donovan’s left paddle as a croc turns and takes flight, almost knocking us over in the process. We are paddling so fast now that we have to slow down to allow the fleeing croc time to move to deeper water on our right. A few crocs ahead on our left are now spooked and head for deeper water, which is very entertaining as it results in multiple wakes of water heading straight for us, as they duck under our boats close enough to feel the movement as they pass below.

Around the corner and with our camp in sight we witness a hippo popping its head out of the water. We size up the pod (calf included) for a long while before taking what seems like a chance and floating by. We hastily climb out of the water and make our way to where our support crew have set out camping chairs. I smack the first beer back, trying to force my heart back into place.

We expect to pass the same pod of hippos further downstream on day five, but thankfully they have moved on. Our support motor boats are here to accompany us across the dam and the open flat water makes our progress seem nonexistent. Stopping for lunch, I cast off the support boat and catch my first Tiger fish ever. We decide to push on and are rewarded with the sight of the dam wall. Rain slowly drifts across the water as we make our way forward.

The final push and Wall to Wall is in sight. We all break into song and power forward to the finish.

I climb out my boat, taking an offered ice cold beer in hand and look towards my three friends and support crew as warm soft rays of sun break through the clouds. We all turn to look at the dam wall and I’m reminded of why we choose to set out on such adventures. Take the time with good friends and just DO IT NOW. Special thanks to Fluid Kayaks, Umfolozi Canoe Club and an awesome support crew. •

DO IT NOW | inALTITUDE:

View from the summit of Seweweekspoort Peak

Words & Photos by Kobus Bresler

Chainladders heading up to Namahadi

Heading across the escarpment to Namahadi

9 Provinces, 9 Peaks and 9 Packs in

9

Days My love of mountains and less-explored places started at a young age. Growing up in Uniondale, in the Western Cape, it was unavoidable as the town is completely surrounded by beautiful mountains. Over the last 13 years I have been privileged to explore many of South Africa’s mountain ranges and the big-mountain bug bit a few years ago with a trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro (three summits to date). But when living in tough economic times, exploring the world’s big mountains is not always that simple and straightforward for an average guy with a daytime job. The solution was to search for affordable adventures locally while saving up for more foreign travel. As a result the 9 Provinces / 9 Peaks / 9 Packs / 9 Days trip became a reality.

Elands Falls (Mercury Backpack)

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 51

Summit of Seweweekspoort Peak

My employer, First Ascent Outdoor Apparel, launched a new range of backpacks and accessories at the start of this year and I wanted them to be involved. When I first mentioned my plan to our Sales Executive he looked at me with disbelief. As I continued explaining this novel concept, I saw more and more interest until his answer was simply, “YES, let’s do it.” At the time I had no idea whether it would be possible to ascend the highest point in each province of South Africa, with a different backpack, in nine days. The intention was never to do it solo either, but I couldn’t find anyone I trusted to go with me and so it became a solo trip, which required lots of research and planning. It is certainly never safe for anyone to head into the hills alone and I had so many people say to me, “Don’t do it,” or “You will not be able to do it.” Other common remarks were, “It isn’t safe,” and “You won’t have enough time,” or “When are you going to sleep?” I even had one person say to me, “You? Never! Not you.” At the same time many positive comments came my way, which completely overshadowed everything else.

From my research I gathered that a similar trip had been attempted only once before and was concluded just within nine days. The main difference was that it was by a group, who had logistical and driving support, as well as the necessary backup should something go wrong. I was going to be on my own, with no support team.

As the trip drew nearer I became increasingly nervous knowing that this had never been done solo before. What amazed me most from my research was how little South Africans understood this concept and what it entailed and meant.

Driving to Haenertsburg in the Limpopo the day before I was due to start, I made a decision to finish the trip successfully and share my story with everyone who cared to listen.

52 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Past Sentinel on the way to Namahadi

As South Africans we are truly blessed with amazing scenery and challenges, as long as we are willing to explore and look for them.

The 9 Peaks trip officially started at 05:30 on 22 March at the foot of peak one, Iron Crown in the Limpopo province.

The clock started at the foot of this first peak and would end at the summit of the last peak. The first four peaks of the trip were going to be straightforward while the remaining five would be more complicated, so I wanted to wrap up at least three on day one. Before I knew it the steep three-kilometre walk up to Iron Crown was over as I summited just before sunrise. It was stunning at the top, with Haenertsburg in the valley and swooping hills covered in plantations all the way to the horizon. The view totally inspired me and I knew then and there that I wanted to complete what I had set out to achieve. Resolutely I said to the camera, “One down and eight to go.”

Back in Akkedis, my trusted Corsa bakkie, I headed towards Mpumalanga. I knew there was a road to the top of De Berg in Mpumalanga and was definitely planning to use it. I arrived a few hours later only to find 13 different locks on the gate, which meant the eight kilometre stretch was to be done on foot after all. Jogging to the summit at pace, it was now two down and seven to go. With a massive thunderstorm on the way, the descent was even more rapid as Akkedis sped its way towards Gauteng.

On the way to Toringkop, in Gauteng’s Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, I was already starting to feel a bit tired, but the thought of big mountains from the next day onwards kept me going. Toringkop was accomplished just before

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 53

sunset and I spent some time enjoying the awesomeness of being there, before looking into the camera to say, “Three down and six to go.” The exquisite sunset gave me renewed energy and I decided to tackle one more for the day. The drive to the North-West was uneventful and a fairly good road took me to the top of Nooitgedacht West, which was now in darkness. Wow, what a day I thought. Exhausted but elated, I drove to my home in Centurion for a good night’s rest, knowing that it was four down and five to go.

An early start the next morning saw Akkedis heading to the Northern Drakensberg for an attempt at Namahadi, the highest peak in the Free State. Despite some traffic holdups I made it to Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge in good time.

After a disagreement with the GPS I found the peak the old fashioned way, by map and compass. The sun was setting as I reached the top, but there was no time to appreciate its beauty as I had to get back down to Witsieshoek. At this late hour it meant climbing down the chain ladders in the dark and against a strong crosswind. Not the safest activity to do when you are strolling around alone at night, and certainly not recommended! All went well though and by 23:00 I was snuggled up in bed, happy in the knowledge that it was five down and four to go, and the first big mountain of the trip was behind me.

I woke up the next morning feeling terrible. A head cold, blocked nose and sore throat meant that I was pretty much useless. Taking my time, I slowly cruised into Harrismith and decided to stop at the chemist to get some medicine.

The rest of the day was spent in town with old friends before venturing onwards to Injisuthi Camp, in the Central Drakensberg. Although I was still upset at losing almost a whole day, I was starting to feel better as I gulped down some tablets and set my alarm for 04:00. But I only woke up at 07:00 and very confused. I’m still not sure what was in those tablets as I was knocked out, but the cold remained.

Undeterred, packing happened quickly as I knew I had to make up lots of lost time.

Sneezing and coughing I started my hike up to Mafadi, the highest peak in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. The first seven kilometres was quite easy and passed quickly as I followed a good trail to Marble Baths Cave.

The trail to Leslie’s Pass is steep and having been up this monster before I knew there was a real challenge ahead.

Despite knowing that it wasn’t safe to be out there alone, I was loving it. Only the sounds and smells of the mountain and me; a small speck in the massif known as uKhahlambaDrakensberg. A feeling of contentment washed through me as I made my way in a late-afternoon downpour to the top of the escarpment. It is always a great feeling reaching the top of a mountain pass and I wanted to capture the

54 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

moment on video camera. This feeling of happiness turned to extreme disappointment when I couldn’t find it and knew I had lost it somewhere on the pass. Making my way back down Mafadi went pretty quickly and by 22:00 I was back at the top of Leslie’s Pass. I was feeling good, so instead of camping there as originally planned I decided to keep going to make up time. By 03:00 I had yet to reach Injisuthi and called it a day, pitching my tent in amongst the rocks.

It was not a clever idea to walk down Leslie’s Pass at night, especially when you are alone. But it was six down and three to go.

Walking out the mountain the next day I was feeling more confident having made up some time. But this new-found confidence was short lived when I discovered that my spare wheel had been stolen somewhere on the trip. As I only noticed this on Saturday afternoon, when nothing was open, I was forced to spend the night in Howick and more precious time was lost. After three unsuccessful hours of trying to purchase a wheel, I finally left Howick late on Sunday morning. It was only at Matatiele that I managed to get a wheel on loan, thanks to a friend of a friend, for use on the bad gravel road to the foot of KwaDuma.

I eventually arrived at KwaDuma, the highest peak in the Eastern Cape, at around 15:00. I left my car at a police station, in a village called Tabase, and asked if they would drop me where the road ends. They all thought I was crazy going up there alone and unarmed, and wrote ‘Potential High Risk’ next to my name in the counter book. They then proceeded to tell me about the man who had been killed by dogs in the area I was going to, not eight months before. But I was a man on a mission so up and up and, you guessed it, up some more. This peak was long and steep and I could understand why the policemen reckoned I was crazy. The words, “You are crazy,” rang in my head as I kept heading upwards. And then the ‘fun’ really started.

A few hours later, while sitting in the dark and mist on top of Kwaduma absolutely terrified, I realised why you should not go there alone. Rough and steep terrain, extremely thick mist, absolute isolation, a battle with a Berg Adder and an encounter with four big and angry woolly dogs that I stood no chance against, would pretty much sum it up. The dogs tracked me for at least three hours and I was terrified at the prospect of meeting them again in the dark on the way down. Time was of the essence so I decided to head down in the dark and thick mist, and much, much later I was ecstatic to be in the safe confines of Akkedis. KwaDuma is undoubtedly the scariest place I have ever been and is not to be taken on solo. I got lucky, and it was seven down and two to go.

Waking up in Matatiele the next morning, my confidence soared as I was alive to tell the tale and had made up good time. The plan was to drive to Nieu-Bethesda and summit Murch Point, the highest peak in the Northern Cape, that day. I purchased a new spare wheel and was just about to leave Kokstad when an unlicensed driver, without insurance, wounded Akkedis by removing his bumper at a fuel station. This resulted in a lengthy argument and a four-hour delay. After a nightmare drive, I managed to get to Nieu-Bethesda at 01:00 the next morning, once again way behind schedule.

Waking up in Nieu-Bethesda I knew it was going to be a good day. The Karoo has a way of relaxing you and it just felt right to be there. Although quite steep and rocky, Murch Point was conquered quickly and it was a beautiful and fun ascent. It’s an easy hill to underestimate, but I simply loved being back in the Karoo, with the majestic Compassberg in the background. I was now on my way to Ladysmith in the Western Cape, amped to wrap it up with eight down and just one to go. I was considering a night ascent of the last monster to try and finish in less than eight days, but decided against it once I got to Ladysmith.

experiences ever, and one that I hope will inspire others to explore the wild and secluded places of South Africa. I was forced to do things I wouldn’t normally consider, and as a result there is a new solo record to chase. My challenge to others is this: Chase it, go at it, break it and have fun with it.

It can be done faster with better luck and if you are willing to take a few risks on your own. I realised once again what a beautiful and diverse country we live in and that my 9 Peaks trip was a great way to explore a large part of it. If you are not one for these types of challenges, but love the hills, then go and do it on your own terms.

After spending the evening with some wonderful people in Ladysmith, I took on the last of my peaks, the Seweweekspoort Peak in the Swartberg, early the next day. It was steep and never ending, and about halfway up there was a moment when the whole trip got to me and I felt utterly exhausted. But then I looked at the mountain, manned-up and finally made it to the summit at 12:22. The weather was perfect and the views from this steep and rocky mountain were absolutely breathtaking. At that moment there was simply nowhere else I wanted to be. I felt overwhelmed and privileged to have done this and spent almost two hours just sitting on the peak not wanting to leave. Secretly I was dreading the steep descent as the knees were hurting. The trip was completed in exactly eight days, six hours and 52 minutes and is the first successful solo attempt in less than nine days. It was one of the best

Take a few friends, plan a three-week trip, do fun things along the way and make the 9 Peaks your goal. Whatever it takes, just get out and explore our scenic country and its majestic massifs. The rewards are well worth the challenge. •

DINfo box i For every peak on the trip a different backpack from the First Ascent range was used. Not all packs are designed for mountain travel, but part of the challenge was to test the versatility of the range. See the table below for how the packs and peaks were matched (peaks sourced from www.peakbagger.com).

Rank

Province

Peak

Elevetion-M

Backpack Used

1.

KwaZulu-Natal

Mafadi

3,451

Jupiter 65 + 5L Backpack

2.

Free State

Namahadi Peak

3,275

Mercury 35 + 5L Backpack

3.

Eastern Cape

KwaDuma

3,019

Venus 55 + 5L Backpack

4.

Mpumalanga

De Berg

2,331

Apollo 25L Daypack

5.

Western Cape

Seweweekspoort Peak

2,325

Orbit 35L Backpack

6.

Northern Cape

Murch Point

2,156

Light Year 22L Daypack

7.

Limpopo

Iron Crown

2,126

Artemis 3 + 9L Hydration

8.

Gauteng

Suikerbosrand-Toringkop

1,913

Aqueos 2L Hydration

9.

North-West

Nooitgedacht West

1,805

Orbit 60 + 15L Travel Backpack

Key features of the range include: • Terra-Hex 420D fabric provides lightweight durability, with 600D adding strength in high-wear areas.

• All the packs are hydration compatible. The Aqueos and Artemis come standard with a Nalgene bladder.

• YKK Zippers are used throughout the range.

• Most packs come standard with a rain cover where practical. Rain covers of different sizes are available separately if required. The Globe comes standard with a lockable flight duffle bag stored in the base for convenience and security.

• Unique and extremely comfortable harness designs.

• Very practical designs with no frills, which makes the whole range superb value for money.

Summit of Murch Point Compassberg in the back

For more information on item-specific information, visit the First Ascent website at www.firstascent.co.za or contact your nearest dealer.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 55

NOW 56 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

// inTERVIEW: Darryl Curtis’ Take on the Dakar Rally * Poetry in Motion: Selwyn Johnson, South African Canopy Piloting // inTRODUCING: The Secret’s out on Sailing * Let’s Go Racing, Supermoto Style * The Great Debate * Raise Funds. Raise Your Heart Rate. Raise Awareness. Eden to Addo Challenge // inACTION: Rookie Realities - The Pitfalls and Triumphs of an Epic Virgin * Induna X-fest 2011 – Wet, Muddy but FANTASTIC! * 2011 Glacéau Vitamin Water SA Closed Waveski Champs // inPREPARATION: The Merrel Hobbit Trail Runs // inSHAPE: Rest and Recovery During a Multistage Event * The Low Down on Lower Back Pain * Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain, The Chiropractic Approach

PHOTOGRAPH: John Hishin – www.capetownsportphotography.co.za DESCRIPTION: Reel Alarm – SA Life Saving Championships Camps Bay 2011. (Tayan Brittz).

Sport

DO IT NOW | inTERVIEW:

Words by Francois Flamengo Photos courtesy of Darryl Curtis

Darr yl Curtis’ Takes on the

Dakar Rally

Every sport has its legends … individuals who have given their all to take a sport to the next level and make it more popular, more spectacular and more aspirational. It is these individuals who have set new standards that drive their competitors and themselves to become the best they can be. International icons such as Michael Schumacher for F1 racing, Gary Player for golf, Lance Armstrong for road cycling, Travis Pastrana for FMX and Laird Hamilton for Big Wave Surfing are all great examples of these legends. When it comes to motorbike enduro, it is names like David Knight, Taddy Blazusiak and Chris Birch that have taken this sport to new heights.

On the local scene, those that have helped build and promote enduro over the last decade include the likes of Alfie Cox and Darryl Curtis. Any true enduro enthusiast that’s seen them in action, either in one of the many DVDs they’ve featured in or at an event they have competed in, will have witnessed the significant role they’ve played in raising the sport’s profile.

Alfie Cox must be one of greatest racing talents SA has ever produced and has been racing motorbikes since 1988.

He has also successfully competed in the world’s biggest enduro event, The Dakar Rally. Since 1999, he has taken part in seven Dakars on a motorbike and claimed three podium finishes against the world’s finest, with a personal best of second during the 2002 event.

Darryl Curtis has just announced his intention to enter the Dakar and add this prestigious event to his long list of races and accolades. So it is with great excitement that DO IT NOW will be featuring exclusive articles on Darryl’s preparation for the 2012 Dakar and eventually feedback from his race.

So what are his chances? Well, Darryl has been racing motorcycles for the last 23 years and competed in most of the hardest enduro events around the world including the

58 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Redbull Romaniacs, Erzberg and Roof of Africa. His career highlights include winning the SA Off-road Championship five times, becoming the SA Enduro Champion twice and claiming the Roof of Africa title on two occasions. With this impressive track record, we are confident that Darryl will make his presence felt at the Dakar.

DO IT NOW met with Darryl to find out more about this champion and his plans for the Dakar.

Q: Can you still remember that first day when you threw a leg over a motorbike?

A: Yeah it was at a friend’s house when I was about ten.

I hit my first jump and it was the wildest save I ever made.

Q: What was your first bike?

A: It was a really tired Suzuki ... a 1980 RM 80cc.

Q: When you started competing, what defining moment on two wheels will forever be a part of your life?

A: Watching legends like Alfie Cox, Jeremy Davies and Willy Ireland were my main inspiration, but winning my first Roof in 1996 jump started my career.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 59

Q: Having ridden for so many years, has technology played a role in the sport of hard enduro?

A: Yeah for sure. Today’s bikes are so much better than they were way back when. You just can’t compare modern suspension to twin shockers of the past. The new engines are super smooth and torquey giving you maximum traction. Together with the super-soft Pirellis it’s a huge advantage.

Q: Of all the international hard enduro events, what do you reckon is the hardest to compete in and why?

A: The hardest one day race has to be Erzberg, with 1700 starters and just 20 finishers it is technically almost impossible and riders push themselves way over the top just to make the finish. The hardest stage race has to be Romaniacs. Last year it rained for five days and turned the track into a sloshy mud pit, it nearly finished me.

Q: Having competed with so many international athletes in hard enduro, who do you think is the ultimate enduro rider currently and of all time?

A: There are so many legends in our sport, but the most talented riders in extreme enduro have to be Taddy Blazusiak and Graham Jarvis. Taddy is the Erzberg King and Graham is the silent assassin who has been plagued with bad luck. But when he gets his act together it will be hard to stop him.

Q: What sparked your interest to compete in the Dakar?

A: I’ve always been intrigued by the Dakar, but when Alfie Cox started competing, I knew that I had to do it one day.

Q: What bike will you use for this race?

A: The new 2012 KTM 450 RALLY. Q: Who are your sponsors for the Dakar?

A: Broadlink, a broadband internet solution company, will be my title sponsor and there’s KTM and SA Event Decor, but I’m still way short so any help would be welcome.

Q: What are you looking forward to most during the Dakar?

A: To live my dream and experience this epic race, meet all the legends and be a part of the world’s biggest road show. The adventure is what it’s all about.

Don’t miss the next issue of DO IT NOW when Darryl will take us through his training preparations for the big event and tell us more about the physical and mental toughness a rider needs to have, to take part in this ultimate of enduro races; the Dakar Rally. •

DINfo box i If you would like to make a contribution to help Darryl along, the banking details are as follows: ABSA Acc No: 9091147828 Acc Name: Flatout Marketing Branch Code: 515005

DO IT NOW | inTERVIEW:

Words by Claire King Photos by Angélique-Marie Pierry

Selwyn Johnson, South African Canopy Piloting Champion Besides Selwyn Johnson’s proven skills as a top canopy pilot: calm, relaxed and level-headed whilst calculating inches at breakneck speeds, he is known in our rainbow nation’s skydiving circles for his easy going, friendly and approachable nature. Respected by jumpers at all levels, Selwyn’s contribution to local and international education, growth and safety in sport skydiving has been far reaching.

Seeing Selwyn in action is like poetry in motion, and his swoops are a pleasure to observe. Anyone watching canopy piloting, regardless of their knowledge level, would’ve experienced having to look away from a swoop because a pilot’s turn just doesn’t look right, seems to be cut too fine or doesn’t look like the pilot is in control. I am sure Selwyn has been through that learning curve, but I have never had to look away from one of his swoops. Perhaps he makes the safety decision earlier than others or perhaps it’s

a result of all the persistent training, calculating, academics and technical approach. I don’t have the experience or knowledge to know exactly what it is, but watching Selwyn swoop is exhilarating, inspiring and never scary.

I caught up with Selwyn during the recent Dubai Parachuting Championships to find out more our local hero, whose passion lies in competing in 4-way and 8-way Formation Skydiving.

SelWyn JoHnSon PeRSonAl PRofIle: Pe From:

I was born in Pretoria and grew up in Centurion.

Age:

40

Family:

I am married to Anna-Marie, who also skydives and is great support, and I have a gorgeous daughter.

Best achievements:

My best achievements in life are finding my wonderful wife, having a daughter and being a Christian.

Q: When not competing what do you do?

A: I’m an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Instructor and teach people to skydive. I also coach Formation Skydiving (FS) and Canopy Piloting (CP).

Q: How many jumps have you done?

A: 2,800.

Q: How long have you been participating in the sport?

A: Nine years.

Q: Gear of choice?

A: Velocity 96 (accuracy and distance) and Velocity 90 (speed).

Q: What is the high point of your skydiving career so far?

A: My first jump. What an amazing feeling of freedom and the sheer exhilaration of falling towards the planet at 200km/h!

Q: Who are your mentors in CP? A: Ian Bobo, Michael Vaughn and Jay Moledski.

Q: Any low points?

A: There are no real low points, I’m just disappointed when I miss the gates. But I guess a low point was the self-inflicted pain when I ‘femored’ myself.

Q: How did you get into skydiving?

A: I suppose I was looking for adventure. A friend of mine, who I’d lost contact with and met again, took me skydiving and I’ve never looked back.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Dubai Meet and the 2012 Mondial that’s been awarded to them?

A: It is an absolutely stunning setting and the course is well set up. They will be great hosts for the 2012 Mondial.

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I’m a business owner. We have just sold our company a few months ago and I am working there until the handover is complete.

Q: What other sports are you involved in?

A: I like to play golf, cycle and water ski. Pretty much anything active.

62 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Q: What advice can you give to newcomers to CP competition in South Africa?

A: Seek knowledge and get coaching. Swooping is a very unforgiving discipline and you can really hurt yourself, or worse. The knowledge is out there and available; there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

Q: Is there a single most important factor or tip for succeeding in competitive CP? A: For me it was just perseverance. We have two very talented, world-class pilots that I compete against in local competitions on a regular basis. They keep me focused and on top of my game.

Q: What are your plans and goals for the coming year?

A: I always try to work on consistency and power.

Then it’s a case of reading the conditions correctly and putting together the best runs I can.

Q: What are your SA and international competition plans?

A: There are a couple of big competitions coming up, including the World Cup in the Czech Republic in the middle of the year. All-in-all, I plan to do three competitions this year and I’m aiming for good positions in all these upcoming events.

Q: What coaching opportunities are there for keen local canopy pilots?

A: We offer personal one-on-one or group instruction, which can be arranged through the Sport Skydiving Association.

Q: What do you think needs to be looked at in CP competition?

A: We are in a good space at the moment. But there are so many aspects to CP, so I would have to say that the most challenges come with the judging.

Because of the speed we travel at, we really need to have video cameras on all gates written into the rules, to try and eliminate errors.

Q: Have you identified any newcomers coming through the local and international ranks?

A: In South Africa it would be Andre ‘Attie’ Fourie.

Internationally, there are so many new faces at this competition (Dubai Championships) that are coming through the ranks. It’s great to see CP so healthy and growing.

6th fAI World Cup of Canopy Piloting and 2nd european Canopy Piloting Championships at Skydive Pink Klatovy, Czech Republic

Calling all Swoopers

By Iveta Zitkova, Assistant to the meet director of the WCCP/representing International Pink Parachute Club

This year sees the 6th FAI World Cup of Canopy Piloting (WCCP) taking place at Klatovy, in the Czech Republic, from 22 - 27 August 2011.

Canopy Piloting event organiser Skydive Pink Klatovy has been given the right to manage the event, having successfully organised many CP events to date, as well as the biggest; the Pink Canopy Piloting Open 2010. The 2010 Open was a fiercely-fought battle amongst 47 skydivers from all over the world and we can expect no less at the 2011 WCCP. For videos see www.pink.at/cpcomp2010.htm The WCCP will consist of three events: • Speed: The competitor navigates his parachute through a course as fast as possible.

• Distance: The competitor navigates his parachute through a course for the longest distance possible.

Distance competitors can look forward to an exciting course in which the swoop pond is to be modified, with the removal of the surrounding trees, and extended to 250m.

• Accuracy: The competitor navigates his parachute through a course collecting points for contacting the surface of the water and for a precision landing.

As important as it is for the competitors to be at this event, so too is the presence of the staff organising it.

It is with great pride that this elite team will be joined by four South Africans; IPC Controller Jacqui Bruwer, Chief Judge Ettienne Bosch and Samantha Schook and Agnieszka Solomon as two of the panel judges.

As the first-ever South African FAI Controller in a 1st Category Canopy Piloting event Jacqui will be responsible for ensuring that the organiser follows all the FAI standards, rules and procedures correctly, and that all facilities are correct and safe before the meet

is officially declared open. The buck stops with Jacqui as the FAI Controller has the final word on safety at the competition.

Ettienne has also become the first-ever South African Chief Judge at a 1st Category Canopy Piloting event, and his role is a significant one. In addition to the main task of appointing the other judges to their positions, he will also need to keep a watchful eye over them and the overall proceedings in the area, hand out the yellow and red cards, and although it’s not written in the rules, keep the scores. Ettienne has also been selected as the Chief Judge Canopy Piloting for 2012, a well-deserved honour.

With Jacqui, Ettienne, Samantha and Agnieszka’s outstanding reputation in the CP world, we have no doubt that they will make South Africa incredibly proud.

So to all the swoopers reading this, you could be there too! It is going to be a really fantastic event and we hope to see you there. For more information see www.pinkskyvan.com/cp/. •

DINfo box i Who will be Flying the SA Flag at the World Cup? The suspense is building as the full list of SA representatives to take part in the World Cup has yet to be finalised and revealed. For Selwyn the wait is over though, as his place in the team is already confirmed; a tribute to his CP prowess.

Although there are eight spots on the ‘Dream Team’, the cost to participate is high so it will come down to the pilots’ performance at the Nationals and qualifying events, but budget will ultimately determine who gets the nod. Due to the stringent safety aspects of the sport, only those pilots who prove their worth, skill and, just as importantly, consistency will be considered for the meet.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 63

DO IT NOW | inTRODUCING:

Words by Craig Millar, Director of Sail Africa Photos courtesy of Sail Africa

The Secret’s out

on Sailing

To many, sailing is a mysterious pastime enjoyed by the rich as it is generally unavailable to most. This probably stems from the early days when sailing was a sport enjoyed only by kings and the very wealthy.

Not being a mainstream sport, there is little coverage in the media apart from the major events, and most viewers are perplexed by the manoeuvres of the boats and find it hard to understand who is leading the race, never mind what they have done right to achieve this position.

The reason often tendered for the limited participation in sailing is that it is very expensive. If you are the owner of a big yacht, this may be true for you. But for every say 40 foot yacht, there is normally one owner and eight to 10 crew members who get to sail in each race, and this costs them no more than their packed lunch for the day. Sometimes refreshments are even provided by the owner. A small sailing dinghy that can be sailed by one or two adults or children will cost no more than a set of golf clubs and less than a dirt bike or jet ski, and it’s far cheaper to run. I believe that sailing is one of the best kept secrets in the world and I think that it needs to change.

Sailing is so many things to so many people. It is an adrenaline rush from a thunderous charge across a mountainous sea in an ocean race, or a romantic cocktail on a yacht anchored in a transparent lagoon. It is a floating home during the exploration of the planet with your family or friends. It is a mobile classroom with nature providing the education, or a working boat providing employment for people with skills ranging from engineering to cooking, navigating to sail making. It is an Olympic gold medal following an intense competition that tests your athleticism, as well as your brain, in an environment with many variables in the wind, waves, current, your boat tuning and competitors’ positioning. It is a day spent at the dam with the whole family enjoying the sun, an exhilarating sail on a dinghy and a braai.

Sailing is available to everyone, no matter their size, shape, strength, age, sex, colour or disability. It is a pastime that is healthy and the wind is free once you have a boat.

I have had the privilege of enjoying a life in sailing from a very young age. From racing model yachts to dinghies, from inshore keelboat racing to major ocean-crossing voyages, sailing has been my sport, hobby, leisure and passion. Sailing has provided me with an education and experience, and for long periods it has employed me.

I have experienced its highs and lows, exhilaration and

fear, complete happiness and extreme exhaustion. I have watched the timid transform into leaders and the insecure find a new confidence and belief in themselves through being challenged by nature and becoming empowered by the experience it provides. In sailing, I have made lifelong friends and seen others bond for life. It has been a common thread through my life that has woven my human experiences together.

In 1998, I put my first ideas on paper for what was to become a Durban-based sailing development project aimed at our youth and designed to uplift and empower through sailing.

In 2007, Sail Africa was born. To date Sail Africa has taught over 400 young people and enhanced many young lives. I am even more convinced today of the enormous benefits that sailing provides. Sail Africa currently runs courses for any age group on dinghies or bigger boats, depending on what you are looking for.

If you want to experience sailing, contact Sail Africa in Durban. Alternatively, you can experience sailing in any other centre by contacting South African Sailing (SAS), the administers of this sport, and they will guide you to your nearest sailing centre.

Now that you know the secret, you can tell everyone you know! •

It is extraordinary that roughly 75% of the earth is covered by water and yet less than 0.1% of South Africans sail. www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 65

DO IT NOW | inTRODUCING:

66 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Words by Cathy Loder Photos by Hennie de Beer & Elza Thiart

SUPERMOTO STYLE

LET’S GO RACING,

Supermoto is the phrase used when referring to Super Motard Motorcycle Racing, a form of motorcycle racing that combines aspects of both tar and dirt circuits. Unlike normal motorcycle racing, the emphasis is on slower speeds, typically less than 160km/h, and short technical tracks as rider skill matters more than outright machine performance.

The motorcycles used are (generally) converted motocross bikes fitted with slick tyres, and riders wear a combination of road racing and off-road gear. Circuits are made up of approximately 30% dirt and 70% tar. The dirt sections are usually constructed out of packed clay and feature motocross style obstacles such as bermed corners and jumps. A huge advantage of this type of racing is that it’s also very portable; an entire track can be constructed wherever there is a large area of open asphalt and lots of dirt. Races are also successfully held in busy urban centres utilising closed city streets for the road course and vacant parking lots for the dirt sections. Regardless of where it is held, Supermoto is one of the most exciting forms of motorcycling to watch as you can see the entire race from start to finish, and is therefore very spectator friendly.

Supermoto has its origins in the 1970s where ABC’s Wide World of Sports was the highest-rated sports show in the USA. In 1979, ABC commissioned a made-for-TV event called ‘Superbikers’ created by motorcycling journalist and promoter Gavin Trippe. Its purpose was to find the ultimate all-round motorcycle racer by putting the best riders from different genres of racing on a single track that combined dirt and tarmac sections. As a result of its huge appeal Superbikers became an annual event held at southern California’s Carlsbad Raceway, attracting World and National Championship-winning motorcycling greats such as Kenny Roberts (road racing) and Jeff Ward (motocross).

The show’s meteoric rise soon saw it becoming a serious Nielsen rating’s contender, but in 1985 ABC was forced to cancel Superbikers due to new management and cuts.

Its cancellation also led to a long sabbatical of the sport in America. However, the European racers, who had participated at Carlsbad, took the sport to Europe where it quickly gained popularity in countries such as France, Italy and later South Africa.

Supermoto has been active in South Africa for eight years now and is recognised by Motorsport South Africa. It’s controlled by a Sub-committee under the Motocross Commission, as per Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM), and all the major classes carry full National Championship status. To race, one needs to join an affiliated club to obtain an MSA Supermoto License. Juniors, from the age of eight, up to Grand Masters, of 45 and older, can participate.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 67

The majority of riders are based in Gauteng, but racing takes place in all the major centres. The main event on the calendar is the 2011 National Supermoto Championship, to which Universal Transport Components (UTC) has acquired the naming and broadcasting rights. It will consist of seven rounds and take competitors from Polokwane to Cape Town, Vereeniging and East London. Rapid Motion Dirt Worx will be at each national event to capture all the action for viewing on DSTV’s SuperSport channel on Friday nights.

Regardless of where it is held, Supermoto is one of the most exciting forms of motorcycling to watch as you can see the entire race from start to finish, and is therefore very spectator friendly.

Although a relatively young form of racing in South Africa, it has established itself as a major TV attraction. Audited reports confirm that of all the motorcycle riding disciplines, Super Motard has the highest coverage attracting between 102 000 and 120 000 viewers per broadcast!

In addition to promoting the sport, Supermoto SA recognises the importance of preserving the natural environment that we live in, and is proud of its social responsibility strategy that is firmly in place. One cause its members feels particularly strongly about is the current epidemic of rhino poaching that is so prevalent in southern Africa. The senseless killing of these magnificent creatures is seriously threatening an animal species already under the threat of extinction, and it needs to stop! To this end Supermoto SA has aligned itself with stoprhinopoaching.com and is committed to making every effort to genuinely make a difference by being actively involved in this project, creating awareness, assisting financially and ‘giving something back’. For more information please visit www.stoprhinopoaching.com •

DINfo box i For more information: cathy@supermotosa.co.za or www.supermotosa.co.za

68 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

• •

• •

•

•

•

• •

•

•

DO IT NOW | inTRODUCING:

Words by Chris Bright Photos by Carmen Stevens

The Great Debate Ever since Martial Arts’ humble beginnings, the question as to which art form is more effective has been raised time and time again. Even within the various art forms or styles there has always been much debate about the factions within each art, or value derived from training with one club or instructor as opposed to another.

Those of you who are fans of the old Kung Fu movies will have noticed that the ‘My Dragon’ style is portrayed as more powerful than the ‘Kung Fu’ style. And whilst this has become a standing joke among students of the arts, this debate continues to rage on in Martial Arts circles today, and no doubt for a long time to come.

Generally speaking, and in my opinion, the more traditional the art form that is shrouded in mystery and folklore, the less practical it is in the real world.

That nevertheless does not detract from the art itself.

Practical Martial Arts disciplines are often not as graceful or flowing as its less-useful counterparts, nor is the sought-after effectiveness very pretty to watch. So whilst it is possible to convert the approach of the more traditional arts to become more fight-ready orientated, the form will gravitate towards the hard-contact styles of boxing or Muay Thai.

But what does this all mean for someone wanting to get into Martial Arts? It pretty much comes down to personal choice and what you want to get out of it. To solve this conundrum you first need to clarify your training goals.

Do you want to compete in Mixed Martial Arts, use it for self-defense, get fit or are you just looking to learn an art form?

With your goal in mind finding the right club and or instructor, by establishing what their approach is and if it’s for you, is the next step. If the club you’re interested in is completely focused on point competition and abiding by certain rules, then the physical approach will invariably mirror that. Similarly, if the focus is on selfdefense in class, then the training will inadvertently become more self-defense minded. Therefore, surround yourself with like-minded training partners.

70 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

A good rule of thumb is that contact is necessary for preparing for full-contact situations. Don’t be fooled into thinking that hours of forms and kata will prepare you to react correctly under life-threatening situations.

While drilling to hone motor skills is essential, it doesn’t replace live sparring. So the closer the training emulates the situation that you want to prepare for, the better. This doesn’t necessarily mean sporting a black eye or bruised face, but it does require stretching your comfort zone until you become familiar with the slightly heightened feeling of being in a combat situation.

There is a saying in Mixed Martial Arts that, ‘You punch a BJJ Black Belt (a grappling exponent) in the face once and he becomes a Brown Belt. You punch him again and he becomes a Purple Belt, and so on’. This is quite true and is aimed directly at competitors with a high-level skill set, who are not training under the correct circumstances.

DINfo box i Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) BJJ teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique — most notably by applying jointlocks and chokeholds to defeat the other person.

Brazilian Jiujitsu training can be used for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition or self defense.

(Wikipedia.org)

When it comes to choosing the right instructor, it’s a bit like choosing a car mechanic when you don’t know a thing about cars. It’s a minefield out there. Although there is no guaranteed formula, I’d recommend that you watch a class or two from the sidelines, meet the coach and talk to the students. Have a look at the level of the students; do they seem proficient in what they do? I guess this could be difficult to determine if you don’t have an understanding of the Martial Art. Try to get some background on the instructor, as well as opinions from other coaches. Where I live there are coaches that range from a very high level all the way down to some scam artists, who claim hundreds of underground bare-knuckle fights. Don’t believe the hype, but rather go in with your eyes wide open and do your homework! Old competition footage is available on YouTube and it’s definitely worth a Google. Also watch social networking sites like Facebook.

As a Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioner and a lover of ground fighting, I’m probably slightly biased in my opinions. But over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing first hand what works and doesn’t work, as well as come into contact with a huge variety of Martial Arts schools and coaches. The reality is (as highlighted by the early Ultimate Fighting Championships) that most real fights end on the ground. So if you’re looking at an art that’s

more combat orientated, I’d suggest spending more than a little time there. If only to gain a better understanding of what you don’t know. Here are a few things I’ve learned: ›› Ignorance in this field is not bliss. ›› Awareness is key in any conflict, so you need to know your own strengths and weaknesses and play to them. ›› Ego is the biggest hindrance in Martial Arts and this dates back to the really early days. ›› Open mindedness in itself is a useful learning tool.

I’ve learned from the most unlikely sources and continue to do so, but you have to be open to this and filter the useful tips from the not so useful, as you’ll get both.

So in a nutshell, if you’re not sweating in training, taking the odd knock or two and working in situations that make you a little uncomfortable, you’re quite probably off the mark.

Bruce Lee once said that the participant in a fight was a more important factor than the style of fighting. I agree with this statement 100%. If the playing fields are level, and with the wildfire spread of MMA and grappling styles, anyone without a basic understanding of the ground game begins this scrap with a real disadvantage. •

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 71

DO IT NOW | inTRODUCING:

Words by Pamela Booth, Director of the NGO organising the event Photos by various photographers

Raise Funds. Raise Your Heart Rate.

Raise Awareness.

Eden to Addo

Challenge

The Eden to Addo Challenge is not a race and it’s not a tour, it’s a bit of a hybrid. We’re challenging people who love mountain biking, kloofing, trekking and trail running to come and do it for conservation.

The Eden to Addo Corridor initiative was established in 2003 to link the Garden Route National Park, Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park through privately-owned conservation corridors. And it’s through these corridors that participants will ride, run and trek. The event will take place from 7 October and there are three challenges to choose from: the full 550km Eden to Addo Challenge, also affectionately known as the ‘horny bastard’, is over 11 days; the 300km Addo Challenge is over six days and the 250km Eden Challenge is over five days.

The route was quite tricky to agree on as we wanted to offer an experience that is unique and not readily available to everyone, but still showcased our corridor work. So going through privately-owned land that’s been committed to conservation was a must. We also wanted something challenging, but not punishing. At the end of the day, participants must be able to walk, unassisted, to the mobile bar to get a beer. Striking a balance between the disciplines was equally important. Mountain biking gets you wherever you’re going quickest, so 80% of the entire distance is in the saddle. But the days where you’re on foot are some of the most spectacular. With trail running growing in popularity, we also wanted to give entrants the opportunity to run a section or two. So although the ‘on foot’ distances can be walked in a day, the fitter trail runners will just do it more quickly.

THE ROUTE

Day 1 starts at the Diepwalle Forest Station in Knysna and riders will make their way through an indigenous forest to the old Prince Alfred Pass Road. From here, they head east towards the newlydeclared Keurbooms Corridor Protected Environment to Takama, David and Pauline Mostert’s farm.

Day 2 begins with an incredible hike down into the Klein Palmiet River, considered a category ‘A’ river in the Western Cape because of its pristine condition and the presence of indigenous fish species. The kloofing section is about four hour’s long and the day ends off with a spectacular downhill ride into the Soetkraal wilderness area.

72 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

The Route

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 73

NOSH For those doing the Addo Challenge, Day 1 starts in the heart of the Kouga Mountains at Baviaans Lodge. Participants then join the rest of the group in the evening and ride into the Baviaanskloof the next day (DSCF4186). On the old Osseberg Wagon Trail, deep in the Baviaanskloof, the route crosses the Groot River seven or eight times on the 23km trek and is followed by a short mountain bike ride to a back-country camping site.

ENTRY FEE The The The The

fee per person is as follows: 11 day, 550km Eden to Addo Challenge R13 750 six day, 300km Addo Challenge R 7 950 five day, 250km Eden Challenge R 6 850

Now here’s some great news for you. As the Eden to Addo Challenge is a registered Non-Profit Organisation event, the entry fee is considered a tax-deductible donation! So regardless of the route you choose, your participation donation can be deducted from your taxable income.

BACKUP

This is a fully-catered event and we’ve made every effort to make this event as easy and hassle-free as possible for you, so that you can concentrate on the important things; enjoying and giving the experience your all.

So you need only bring your bike and some basic spares.

All camping equipment and catering will be provided by us. We will also send you a comprehensive list of what you must bring, from sleeping bag to sunscreen, along with a recommended training schedule. You will only be required to carry your lunch, water, snacks and accessories, such as a camera or notebook, and we’ll take care of the rest for you. And the best part is that by the time you get into camp in the evening, your tent will be pitched and dinner waiting.

74 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

We decided early on that we only wanted to offer really good food that is nourishing, tasty and preferably local and organic. On the reconnaissance ride in October last year, we found predator-friendly sheep farmers that don’t kill predators, such as caracal and leopard, and have arranged to pick up what’s required for our potjies and braais along the way. Most of the produce, from beef to just-picked fruit and vegetables, will come directly from the farmers within the greater Eden to Addo Corridor.

This will also help us to considerably reduce the carbon footprint of the event, while supporting local producers.

THE OFFER

An additional challenge is for participants to raise funds for every kilometre they traverse. If you choose to do the full 550km challenge, for example, and you can get your company or colleagues to sponsor you R10/km, you will have raised a whopping R5 500, which will bring your entrance fee down to just R8 250! Your sponsors get to write off their contribution because it goes to a Non Profit Organisation and everybody’s happy!

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

I think what’s really special about this event is that we’re combining something that’s physically and mentally challenging with an element of philanthropy. By taking part, you get the opportunity to experience a beautiful part of the world that’s rapidly changing because of development and climate change, while making a contribution towards protecting it – all monies raised go directly towards conserving the Eden to Addo Corridor. •

TO ENTER

To book your place at the starting line and contribute towards conserving this precious place, visit www.edentoaddo.co.za NOW.

Ghost RT Lector 7700 Black 2011

The Ultimate Trail Seeker

With our RT lector 7700 the dream of a perfect all-rounder has become reality! With this Ghost you are up for the most demanding tours, hard marathons or complicated downhills. The innovative needle bearings reduce friction to a minimum, resulting in the most sensitive chainstay of all time! The pm-and E-type direct and many other technological innovations make your Ghost lighter and shifting gears faster and that means more fun for you.

The RT Lector 7700 will be your perfect companion in any scenario: steep uphills, speedy downhills or longer tours alike.

Just some of the awesome features: • R. Derailleur: Shimano XT 10-Speed • Shifter: Shimano XT SL • Shock: FOX Float RP23 100 mm Boost Valve • Fork: Rock Shox Reba RL Air PopLoc 100 mm Tapered • Saddle: Selle Italia SL • F. Derailleur: Shimano XT • Cassette Sprocket: Shimano XT 10-Speed 11-34 Whatever you do, do it with Ghost!

Exclusive Importers and Distributors of Ghost Bikes.

Office: +27 11 023 4478; Email: info@bbtrading.co.za Website: www.ballisticbiketrading.co.za

BALLISTIC BIKE T

R

A

D

I

N

G

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 75

DO IT NOW | inACTION:

Words by Patrick Cruywagen Photos by Alison Cole (ali@storyboardphotos.com)

Rookie

Realities

- The Pitfalls and Triumphs of an Epic Virgin The Cape Epic is undoubtedly one of the toughest MTB stage races in the world. To meet the challenge takes dedication, lots of training, guts and a bit of luck. This is the story of rookie rider Patrick Cruywagen.

76 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

I am no mountain biker, actually I hail from a running background and have done ok in the Comrades Marathon. That was 10 years and 10 kilogrammes ago. Then in November last year a phone call changed my life. No, I did not win the lottery; it was a call from one of the big bosses at Toyota who wanted to know if I would ride the Cape Epic for Team Toyota as the team journalist. I said yes without giving it much thought. The race was less than five months away. Now I stand proudly with a Cape Epic finisher’s medal around my neck, and some of my riding partners and mates still can’t believe it. Epic teammate Duncan Vos, a motorsport champion, and I finished 143rd out of 600 teams.

This placed us in the top quarter of the field, an achievement I am immensely proud of considering that a couple of months ago I didn’t even own a mountain bike! It has not come easy though, as the training, build-up and race impacted massively on my girlfriend, work, friends and general wellbeing.

Read on for the realities of being a rookie in the Cape Epic.

The race started with a 27km Prologue in the Tokai Forest, which lies in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. This is where I work and train, something which gave me a distinct advantage We did not exactly set the course alight, but this was the first day of an eight day endurance event.

In the Prologue, we finished in the top third of the field and it was great to get going after all the months of preparation and nerves. The race proper got underway the following day with a tough 89km stage from Saronsberg in Tulbagh. After 12km of gentle ups and downs we hit the first big climb of the day. The descents were rock and dust strewn.

On one of these I saw several smiling farmers standing at the bottom and I knew there was big cow poo coming. I could have unclipped but decided to ride it. Due to the dust and roughness of the track I lost control and ended up in the adjacent orchards where a tree halted my progress. The farmers burst out laughing, while I took a bite of humble pie. In the race briefing we were told that the backmarkers would take five hours to do the first 50km of today’s stage. Some of the hills were so brutal that Duncan carried both our bikes up them, as I just didn’t have the energy I was that tired.

At 60km we hit a descent so severe that it would put the fear of God into Satan. I unclipped and ran sections of it, but once at the bottom it was easy going gravel travel till the end of the stage. I was shell shocked; I could not believe what we had just gone up and down. You can’t train for terrain like this because no one in their right mind rides stuff like this for fun.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 77

Things went from bad to worse on the second 104km stage, which included a 6km climb before making our way into the Witzenberg Valley. We climbed over 1,000 metres in the first 20km, and once again I was gob smacked by the terrain we were traversing. Getting up and into the valley was just mad stuff. Except for the pro riders, most of the field pushed their bikes up this crazy climb. But once in the valley the race came alive with the smells of grapes, apples and onions. We had started the day in batch B, just behind the pro riders, and by the 45km mark I was a spent force. My legs had simply stopped working. Just like the previous day my teammate Duncan was magnificent, carrying my bike up the rough stuff and pushing me when the terrain allowed for it. I just tried to hang in and eventually after 87km we climbed out of the valley. Now we could fly down the same mountain we had climbed up this morning. I took a massive tumble on the descent, flying off the bike at about 40km/h. It was almost 40 degrees now and I was not a happy chappie by the time we eventually reached the camp. The organisers had given us great value for our expensive entry fee, as they made the day’s stage a few kilometres longer than advertised.

I was at an all time low, my body ached from all the falls and I could not sleep at night as my sore legs made this impossible. We needed to change the way we were riding the race. Stage 3 was a watershed moment for me. We had encountered some pretty rough stuff and survived; now we changed tactics to riding within ourselves and trying to feed off others. Lots of people claim this was the hardest stage of the race, but not to me as we held it together superbly. It was also our highest placed stage for the event, which is rather significant. Going out hard in this type of event is suicide, instead you need to hold back and ride within yourself as this way should get you to the finish line faster and in better shape!

By now we were over the worst and in a good space mentally; the race was not going to break us. Stage 4 was a short time trial and we did have some drama when Duncan broke his chain, but the gods were smiling on us as it happened right at the only technical assistance point for the stage. This was to be our only technical drama for the race. It’s amazing how two bikes can be pounded over 707km of the toughest MTB tracks in Africa and all you have to show for it is one chain break and no punctures!

Everyone thought the longest day of the race (143km) would be hard, but the first 30km was flat, then came a hard rocky climb followed by rolling hills and another tough climb at 60km. Before we knew it we were halfway

78 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

for the day. Ahead of us lay the much spoken about Groenlandberg, but even this was tame compared to some of the climbs we had in the first few stages. The last few kilometres for the day were along the famous single track of Oak Valley, and suddenly the ‘5km to go’ sign appeared. The longest day was not the toughest, as we had ridden some of the previous shorter stages in longer times than the long stage.

The mind and body is a wonderful thing. I was starting to enjoy the riding now and our changed tactics were definitely a massive contributing factor. The race did not relent and on the second last day we did the most climbing so far; 2,700 metres. Once again we headed over Groenlandberg to a terrible sandy climb they call ‘The Beeeatch’. This sapped the strength from my calves and as the day progressed the climbing continued. Fortunately we were rewarded for all our hard work with some long single-track sections though Lebanon and Oak Valley.

Twice I lost it and fell hard during these sections, and at such a late stage of the race the last thing I needed was to break something. It had been a tough day and I was struggling to find the mental strength to focus, as eight days in the saddle is a long time.

When the hooter sounded for the short 68km final stage, my body just went into shutdown mode. Everyone seemed to fly past me and no matter how hard I pedalled I did not have anything left to give. They still pounded us with the hills; my strategy had now changed to one of simple survival. Poor old Duncan continued to pull and push me along; I don’t know where he got his strength from? After about 35km some life seeped back into my weary body as I wanted to get to the finish, and so I pushed on leaving Duncan in my wake. Eventually he caught up with me and we did the last section together.

In my mind I had visualised an emotional finish, with me kissing the finish line and giving all the spectators high fives. I could not do any of this as I was buggered, my body tired from all the constant pushing. All I wanted to do was sit in the Toyota VIP section and drink beer, which is what I did. In the ABSA VIP tent, I saw Hein Wagner, the blind rider who amazingly had somehow finished the race on a tandem. I walked over to Hein, put my arm firmly around him and introduced myself. I told him how proud I was of him and how humbling it was for us other riders to see him on his tandem. Just like when Hein finished the race, I too had tears in my eyes.

Although he could not see them, I am sure he knew. It was then that the words of talented Epic photographer Karin Schermbrucker came back to me. She once said: “I have never seen so many grown men cry.” The Epic had just claimed another crying victim. •

tips for the rookie 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Start training early. I entered in November, then went to West Africa for three weeks so actually only started training in late December.

That is too late.

Get to Tulbagh. The race has a three-year contract with Saronsberg, the scene of some of the toughest stages of this year’s event. Ride the crazy Stage 1 descent and the even crazier Stage 2 climb because you need to know what you are in for.

Get the right partner. I was the victim of a corporate sponsor match up. I wanted a finish and my partner wanted a top 100 finish. In the end we compromised or else he might have ridden me to a standstill. So synchronise your goals and abilities if possible. You will have tough days and support from your partner during these is vital.

Technical training. I got some training from the Irish downhill champion while on holiday in the UK (not sure if it helped) and then just after buying my bike I had lessons in Tokai, the scene of the Prologue.

Time in the saddle. There is no substitute for this! I used to do a two-hour early morning ride to work and back again. Most of this was along the scenic Argus route and it helped me to clock up the hours for the week.

On your mountain bike. Unless you are Burry Stander you need to do as much of your riding on your MTB, as this improves skill levels that are vital for the Epic. To always jump on your road bike is a cop out and you will pay for it.

7.

rider

Have a training programme. I used www.fittrack.co.za and it is this programme that made sure I arrived at the race in a ready state.

8. Long weekend rides. You have to do backto-back long rides on the weekends. This is probably the biggest criticism of my training, as I did not always have the time to do this.

9. Know your bike. I did not know how to fix a puncture, change my suspension settings or how a bomb works when I started out. Now I’m in love with my Trek Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Pro 29.

10. The all-important planning. The time it takes to train and recover is like nothing you would ever have done. Don’t forget about your friends and partner as they have a vital role to play in trying to get you to the finish.

11. Do tough races. The Epic will break you on certain stages so you need to do the same to yourself in training. The Attakwas in January is a good fitness tester. I did the Cape Town to Sea race and a good chunk of the field, including Epic hopefuls, dropped out on the first day due to the heat and sand.

12. Preparation. During the Epic all you want to do is ride, eat, toilet and sleep. Good preparation will give you maximum rest time. We were on a Premium Package deal, which meant we slept in hotels, got massaged and were driven about.

Our bikes were taken care of so all we had to do was ride.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 79

DO IT NOW | inACTION:

Words by Deon Breytenbach Photos by Deon Breytenbach & Andre and Erna Meintjies

It was with great excitement that Ruby, MJ and I set off towards Hazyview to take part in the Induna X-fest 2011, an extreme lifestyle festival consisting of four sub events; kayaking, cycling, running and mountain biking. We were taking part in the kayaking competition on 26 March and this action-packed event on the Sabie River promised a weekend of great competition and an abundance of fun.

Arriving at the Induna camp site on Friday afternoon, and after finding a good spot to call home for the next few days, we unpacked our kayaks and enjoyed a deliciously-cool swim in the little stream that flows through the campsite. We shared this stream with a thriving population of Minnow, small silvery fish, which promptly started nibbling away on our submerged body parts. Whilst enjoying our little ‘cleansing’ spa session, we speculated on the rain we had danced for and what effect the rising levels would have on race sections. That evening we watched the Sabie premiere of the multi-

Induna X-fest 2011 – Wet, Muddy but fantastIC!

80 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

award winning extreme kayak film ‘Halo Effect’, from local brothers Steve and Dave Fisher. It was impressive and inspirational to say the least!

Waking early on Saturday morning, our trail running and MTB buddies were not as happy as us kayakers, as the rain gods had delivered 50mm of rain just two hours before the athletes were let loose, and ensured that no matter what your event, mud would be on the menu.

Even heading out just a couple of hundred metres from the campsite to the start of the MTB and trail run was

a wet and muddy affair, with a light drizzle tickling your face. One mountain biker thought he’d get clever and drive to the start, but try as he may, he failed to make it up the first little uphill in his small car. He eventually gave up and cycled to the start instead.

The 40km riders had to a tackle a mud-filled technical single track and the further back you were in the group, the more mud you had to wade through. As with any mountain bike event ridden in wet conditions there where numerous tumbles, especially on the slick downhills.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 81

Many of the riders, regardless of their proficiency, had to dismount to navigate the more slippery sections. However, most competitors made it home unassisted and bearing huge smiles, and the rest caught a lift back with the safety crew, still smiling though, either as a result of rider error or because their bikes, now caked in the beautiful red earth of the Sabie area, simply refused to go any further. Chatting with some of the riders after the race, the most often heard words were, “The mud bru, it was epic and awesome.”

The 10km and 20km mountain bikers had a slightly easier ride, but it was still packed full of awesome winding roads, amazing scenery and more red mud, thus ensuring equal fun for everybody. Although the mud was not everyone’s idea of fun, a great time was had by the riders and talk about what the mud levels would be like next year and how to better prepare themselves and equipment for it swept through the camp.

82 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

The next batch to go off was the clean and chipper trail runners. It was a mass start with a fine drizzle to remind everybody that like most things in life, wet is better. After a quick start over the grass, the red earth over the little bridge soon had runners doing their first ‘ice skating without skates’ impression.

Everyone knew that to claim a podium spot or just make it to the finish today, you would have to select the right sections for pace, and forget about speed for the rest of the trail and rather focus on the placement of your steps in the varying and muddy terrain. Focus and not speed was especially true of the first half of the trail that followed the beautiful Mac Mac River, as there was no shortage of rocks,

roots, branches and mud to keep the fun-factor high.

But this is what trail running is all about, isn’t it? The Induna boys always try to ensure that everyone gets a bit of what they crave, so after a nice technical start, the trail run finished with a fast plantation road section that allowed the speed lovers to pick up their pace all the way to the finish line.

The Duathlon competitors, who had just finished their MTB stage, now turned their attention to the trail run section. Plastered in mud and resembling a bunch of freshly-wallowed bush pigs in the transition area, these outdoor athletes were also getting their fair share of muddy fun. After donning a fresh pair of shoes and socks it was time to get the legs going again on the freshly squelched-up section, which the trail runners had passed through just a short while ago. Any event held in the Sabie Valley area boasts fantastic scenery everywhere you look; it’s top notch. Had the scenery been dull and boring, I think we would have seen faster times in general. But this was most definitely not the case and one couldn’t help but take a couple of seconds here and there to sneak a peek and soak up the awesomeness of the surrounding environs. For most competitors the DO IT NOW arch was a very welcome sight, as they could see the end was near and knew there would be refreshments and a severe lack of mud on the other side of the finish line.

With most of the land lubbers having completed their wet, muddy and slippery race, 18 or so paddlers and some spectators filed into the waiting vehicles that would take us down to the drop off. The five-minute walk to scout the bottom of the last race rapid turned into a 40-minute slide and scramble. Luckily our kayaks would be waiting at the first race rapid. We eventually made it to the spectator’s section, and from there it was a short hike up to the first race section, which ended with Jeff’s rapid. We would be racing one at a time, against the clock, on the first two race rapids and then it would be an elimination run of two paddlers at a time on the second race rapid. The final would also be against the clock, over Siphon Falls.

The first section started out with a bit of flat water, whilst dodging floating trees, some small drops and then Jeff’s; a big slide with a retentive hole at the bottom that provided us with some great humor as we watched our friends getting worked over at the base of the drop. Even those that took some punishment were smiling after they had been rescued and helped to the side. Next up was Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels, a deceptive rapid with a narrow ledge drop entry that pushes you up against the river’s right wall if you don’t stay in control. It was immediately followed by a small hole with a calm but huge suck-back just waiting to eat you up (in slow motion) if you didn’t have enough speed and power to make it over the boil line, then another retentive hole at the end and a final short sprint to the finish line. One of my favorite things about this rapid is that it’s in the middle of the spectator area, thus allowing friends and family to get in on some of the action; and the action was good! The first competitor,

my friend Zane, got worked upside down against the rock wall in the first drop and had to be rescued. This did not do much for the nerves of the less experienced paddlers. Daniel and I found a sneak line underneath some branches, which we reckoned would save us a couple of seconds. I misjudged a branch and took it in the face, and from there on in the river had my full attention. Fortunately there were no further mishaps and the rest of my run down Lock Stock was smooth sailing. I was now in the lead by 12 seconds.

On the second run we were down to 10 paddlers running Lock Stock, and the winner would progress through to the finals. Some of the paddlers decided to pull out after seeing how things went at the time trial, and with my huge lead I didn’t have to paddle the elimination round and enjoyed being a spectator for a while. The final was not going to be easy, as you had to slide off a rock ledge that was about one-metre high, then line up for the four-metre high Siphon Falls whilst making sure you got your boof in, sprint about 30 metres, run another one-and-a-half metre drop and sprint the last 10 metres to the finish line. We drew straws and I got to go first. I was happy with my plan of action, but trouble struck when I launched myself off the ledge and my Detox’s nose didn’t go quite where I wanted it to. A quick recovery stroke and I was on the lip of the falls, but once again not exactly where I wanted to be. I managed to get in a very late boof stroke, which lined me up nicely. However, as I hit the bottom I felt my kayak going too deep and I lost precious seconds resurfacing.

Finding myself slightly more to the right than planned, I hauled ass to the finish. The other guys saw why my launch didn’t go so well and corrected their spots.

They all had great lines, especially Robin Kock. His nerves amped him up and he came flying off the lip of the waterfall with such a great boof that he didn’t even get his hair wet. As a result of my deep diving, I ended up in third place with a time of 32 seconds. Second place went to Shane Raw with 30 seconds, and Daniel Barnard took top honours with a supersonic time of 28 seconds.

The Induna X-fest 2011 was wet, muddy and totally fantastic. Well done to the organisers, Induna Adventures, and everyone who was involved in the running and mountain biking events. My thanks to the sponsors; DO IT NOW, First Ascent, Fluid Kayaks, Whitewater Training and Enduren for making it all possible! •

DINfo box i A boof stroke is a stroke that launches your kayak in the air and keeps your bow high so that you land flatter and further than where gravity wants you to land. It’s like a ramp without a launch pad.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 83

DO IT NOW | inACTION:

Words by Gareth Evans Photos by Rory Taylor

2011 Glacéau V itam in Water

SA Closed Waveski Ch amps

84 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

It was with great excitement that the Border Waveski Association and sponsors witnessed the 2011 GlacĂŠau Vitamin Water SA Closed Waveski Championship unfold at Nahoon Reef in East London (EL) over the last three days of April. Any chance to host all the top waveskiers in South Africa, in a clash for a place on the SA Waveski team, at a brilliant break such as Nahoon Reef was well worth the effort, cost and considerable organisation.

The competition began with the event briefing, AGM and social get together on Wednesday night. With a huge swell and howling gale there was talk of postponing the start until Friday. This menacing swell had travelled up the coast from the Cape and had already claimed and snapped a waveski, as well as delivered a thorough hiding to a couple of unsuspecting Western Cape waveskiers on their way to the Eastern Cape, on the rocks at Jeffreys Bay.

Thursday dawned and the rising sun back-lit big barrels whipped into perfection by the wind as it tore the tops from the waves. With the big sets breaking out deep on the point at well over six foot and the wind whistling up the face making for impossibly difficult drop-ins, the first few waveski surfers made the sensible decision to surf the smaller, more sheltered inside break. But safe was not an option for local waveski surfer Doug Copeland, who paddled out and up the point, pivoted

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 85

Thursday d awned and the rising sun back-lit big bar rels whipped into perfecti on by the w ind as it tore the top s from the w aves

and dropped recklessly into a huge blue barrel. Doug had done the unthinkable and as a result easily won his heat.

Until that point the top judging panel of surfboarders had probably resigned themselves to a slow day, but then the testosterone kicked in and what followed was a mix of amazing rides and sometimes funny, sometimes scary carnage as riders tackled the big peaks off the point. After a morning of heats and unrelenting wind, it was decided to postpone the competition until the next day.

At the 8am briefing on Friday morning, the reef had become a different, more affable beast. The wind died to a light breeze, caressing the ocean surface into a glassy finish. The waves were wrapping round the rocks and peeling down the reef, and the sets were pulsing from medium to large. EL local shaper, surfer and watercameraman Lampeez braved the biggest waves clutching his water-cam and occasionally getting tossed like a rag doll from the lip, in search of the perfect footage for SuperSport.

Risk/reward was the judging criteria and some of the waveski surfers were taking it to heart. Deep drops into big vertical faces looming high above the waveskier provided some breathtaking rides and a few bone-shaking mishaps.

Mike Cowan from Border easily clinched his first heat of the day with a mid-heat drop into a towering wave, a sharp bottom turn and a smashing aerial up through the heavy lip, landing it and then carving turn after turn almost to Mermaids Pool. It was a sensational ride.

As the competition progressed and the ranks of competitors thinned, the heats got more furious and the moves bigger and more critical, as the top waveskiers fought hard for podium finishes. Daniel Nel and Willie Graser, both from Western Province, worked tirelessly to hold the Border waveski surfers at bay and clinched the Grand Masters and Veterans titles respectively.

In the Ladies division, Mary-Ann MacSherry from Border was surfing out of her skin to seriously worry the eventual winner, Sandra Pienaar from the Eastern Province.

The Border Juniors dominated but Duran Martin, the only KZN representative, put his body on the line to keep them honest and took a long swim without his waveski in the process. However, his heroic efforts were just not enough to keep Tian Podges of Border from becoming the eventual winner.

86 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

There was no stopping Mike Cowan, at his home break, from taking the Senior finals title, while Doug Copeland never hesitated regardless of what the surf threw his way and fully deserved his win in the Masters division.

The New Age division is the link between Junior and Senior level surfing and is often the source of the next generation’s new moves. These ‘we’ll try anything ‘cause we’re bullet proof’ young guns fought hard to make their mark, but it was Max Eckhoff of Border who showed his superiority to take top honours.

Competition between clubs extends right back to waveski’s humble beginnings in the late 1970s. With the KwaZuluNatal team rebuilding itself, Border and Western Cape the more dominant and fiercely competitive, this show down was no exception. With the home advantage going to Border, Western Cape gave it their all but were narrowly beaten to the great satisfaction of Border, who will no doubt enjoy their bragging rights.

After three tough days of sizzling competition in big, powerful waves, the reef had woven its magic over the competitors to create a truly awesome event. Concluding with prize-giving on Saturday 30 April, the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the SA Waveski Team to compete against the world’s best at the 2011 World Waveski Championships in Portugal, in August 2011.

The SA team will be: Ruan Brand (Border, Junior), Andre Burger (Border, New Age), Mike Cowan (Border, Senior), Ian MacLeod (Eastern Province, Senior), Doug Copeland (Border Master and Team Captain), Percy Louw (Western Province, Master), Gerard Wilke (Western Province, Grand Master), Charl du Plessis (Western Province, Grand Master), Willy Graser (Western Province, Veteran) and Sandra Pienaar (Eastern Province, Ladies). Jan Brand (Border) has been appointed as Team Coach and Tubby Wills (EP) as Team Manager.

Well done to you all and we look forward to seeing you make your mark at the World Champs. •

DINfo box i For more information about wakeski surfing, please refer to the “What is Waveski Surfing?” article in DO IT NOW magazine Vol 3, Issue 2!

DO IT NOW | inPREPARATION:

Words by Tatum Prins Photos by Hanlie Booysen and Mark Loftus

THE MERRELL HOBBIT TRAIL RUNS (Previously known as Amatola Trail Run/ Big Baffer)

“

sts, Imagine majestic mountains, enchanted fore that’s burbling streams and cascading waterfalls – It is The Hobbit Trail Runs in the Amatola Mountains. your a mystical and magical place that will awaken s.” imagination and heighten your love for the trail The Hobbit

The iconic Amatola hiking trail is a 106km, six day and five-night experience through the Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Cape.

The trail starts at Maden Dam, north-west of King Williams Town, and finishes just outside the village of Hogsback, high in the Amatola Mountains. I can’t begin to explain to you how incredibly beautiful this trail is, but it’s mind blowing stuff!

Little did I know then that this trail and my path would cross and become entwined.

It all happened last year when I heard that Dave Gazner, the founder of various ‘Bafer’ trail runs, was calling it a day on the organising front. Taking over the organisation of the Amatola trail hikes and runs would be an opportunity of a lifetime, so I jumped at the chance. I called Dave and just one meeting later it was a done deal! Imagine my delight and excitement; I had a new challenge on my hands and I was actually going to run it in more ways than one. With the December holidays just around the corner, the timing was perfect for Lofty, Hanlie, Ester and I to set off on a two-day trail running adventure to check out the route, which is now called The Merrell Hobbit Trail Run.

Day 1

Having navigated our way through livestock and taxis to reach the starting point at Maden Dam, we were all incredibly eager to hit the trail. And what a start it was! The dam and its surrounds are just simply breathtaking. From the outset, the Amatola trail throws you into a wonderland of indigenous forest, translucent streams, an abundance of waterfalls and fantastic trails.

88 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Our plan was to run and hike the route a day at a time and take a short break at each of the two overnight Huts between Maden Dam and our overnight spot, Cara Hut. The distance for day one was roughly 56km and we anticipated that it would take us around 10 hours to complete the three stages of this route. However, the information on the map supplied by DWAF suggested we would need about 24 hours!

Stage one was from Maden Dam to Gwili-Gwili Hut, a distance of approximately 15km. The bulk of the route was along the forested slopes of the Amatola Mountain range.

Armed with a map and GPS we took off at a steady pace following the ‘yellow foot’ markers that are painted on the trees and rocks en route. We soon realised that the thick vegetation, slippery underfoot conditions and additional weight of our packs made for easy speed hiking, but not the easiest running. All was going well until we reached an ominous sign indicating ‘Bees – No Entry!’ So we opted to follow a very overgrown path, which we felt was heading in the right direction. The GPS coverage was proving to be sporadic due to the thick forest canopy. Fortunately the odd ‘yellow foot’ was still visible for us to follow and we pressed on in the hope of finding some recognisable feature, and were relieved to find MacNaughton Krans. We weren’t lost after all! The first leg took us just over three hours, as opposed to the six or seven hours suggested in the hiking trail narrative. After a quick snack stop at GwiliGwili Hut we were back on the trail.

Stage two was a long leg of about 20km, stretching from Gwili-Gwili Hut to Dontsa Hut. It was also a non-stop sensory overload of indigenous forest, thick undergrowth, pristine waterfalls and stunning views overlooking the distant landscape.

The third and final stage took us from Dontsa Hut to Cata Hut, a distance of about 19km. This section was predominantly through lush indigenous forests, and then a few kilometres alongside a pine forest plantation that

“ Merrell Adventure Addicts rely on Black Diamond trekking poles to lead the way ” Optimized for Adventure Racers, Endurance runners and Hikers.This ultra distance trekking pole is the ultimate in lightweight Z-pole technology.

• Featuring compactable Z-pole technology & Flicklock adjustability

Photo by www.jacquesmarais.co.za

• 3-section, ultra-compactible foldable shaft • speed cone deployment • weight per pair: 445g

www.blackdiamondequipment.com Ram Mountaineering • 021 532 0549 • www.rammountain.co.za

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 89

allowed for some awesome free-flowing running.

After almost 12 long hours we finally arrived at Cata Hut. Once again the view that greeted us was spectacular, but our weary bodies were demanding sleep so we bedded down in our hut for a good night’s rest. Or so we thought.

Day 2

We were woken by one of the most terrific thunder storms that any of us had ever witnessed! The window panes in the hut were shuddering with every thunder clap! At about 06:30 we finally saw a break in the cloud cover and decided to make a break for it. What followed was the most amazing stretch on the trail; waterfalls, gorges and mountains. The beauty was endless ...

As on day one, day two was also broken up into three stages. The first stage was from Cata Hut to Mnyameni Hut, a distance of roughly 13km. It started with a solid climb cresting the highest point of the trail at Geju Peak before descending into an amazing boulder garden. This section proved very tricky underfoot, but quite spectacular. We continued to descend into the Mnyameni River gorge, which boasted waterfall after waterfall tumbling through the forest; the concentration of so many waterfalls in one area was a definite highlight of the trail.

Stage two was another long leg of about 20km.

It stretched from Mnyameni Hut to Zingcuka Hut and included a sharp climb out of the Mnyameni Valley before we traversed the highland plateau on the eastern side of Hogsback Mountain. Then a steep decent into the Schwarzwald Forest Valley and more fast-flowing forest trail all the way to the very picturesque Zingucka Hut. The final stage was from Zingcuka Hut to the finish just outside Hogsback, some 15km away. The last few kilometres followed a jeep track before the trail headed up to Hogsback. This section provided the best panoramic views of the area, made all the more memorable by the great feeling of achievement as we passed over the finish.

We had been so absorbed and completely captured by the Amatolas that the two magical days on the trail had felt like we’d been away from civilisation for weeks! I can’t wait to return to this wonderland for the race on 15-16 October. In addition to the 106km route, there will also be a 38km and 16km trail run on Sunday 16 October.

I invite everyone to come and run here, and experience what we did. I can assure you that you won’t regret it! For more information, go to www.mountainrunner. co.za or contact Tatum aka ‘the Hobbit’ on 083 4490 760. See you on the trail •

90 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

DO IT NOW | inSHAPE:

Words by Hilde-Mart Du Toit Photos by Daniel Naude

y r e v R e c o nt

e d v E n e a g t a t s s i e t l u R M a g n Duri

our vent. Y e e g a ours ultist ut in h our m p y f e v o ’ is not g line n! You e i n r i e t p r h e a T t e cr e s o ent. nerves his ev g at th than t t , n r i t d e d a e h n l e t a p sp e st st, o essfu You ar our be g at to e succ y n b i t t o a a t e ing orm is b g train o perf heart t n o l w o d do n d an ell! of har u can o y re s t w e d r n o a m r cove much s e l f , re r u o y pace

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 91

“The beauty of the human body is its ability to recover itself.”

Mehmet Oz, M.D

In this article I’ll discuss what is meant by rest and recovery, and how to incorporate them into your multistage event. So let’s take look at the definition of these terms and what they mean, and the differences between rest and recovery.

According to the English dictionary rest is, “To cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself or recover strength.”

Recovery is defined as, “The process to return to a normal state of health, mind or strength.”

Returning to our multistage event, the amount of rest and recovery you need will be determined by the event itself and certain preferences that will differ from athlete to athlete.

92 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Recovery

The aim of recovery is to put back into your body what’s been taken out or used during the day’s event. It’s the process to get you ready for the next day. The following is a guideline of what we’ve seen that works for athletes.

Once you’ve crossed the finish line, give your supporters a hug and let them know you appreciate them. After everyone has congratulated you on your performance, drink a recovery drink as soon as possible. Recovery drinks restore the nutrient and chemical levels in your body that have been used during the event. There are many recovery drinks available in the market, so you need to find out which one works best for you. Your best option is to consult a sports nutritionist that specialises in this area.

Now that you’ve had your recovery drink, take a few minutes to sit down and stretch. Find a comfortable spot and stretch the muscles that have worked the hardest on the day! These will generally be the quadriceps, hamstrings, back and shoulders.

Your next step is to get clean! Take a nice warm shower (if possible) and put on a clean set of clothes! You will be amazed what a refreshing feeling this will bring!

It’s now time to eat something. You might not be very hungry at this stage, but try and eat something small but solid like a small sandwich, a wrap or even a pancake.

Whatever you can stomach at this time will help.

It’s equally important to rehydrate, so drink lots of water and refreshing drinks from the moment you cross that finish line! Keep a water bottle close by during the recovery process and take small sips all the time.

After you have refreshed yourself and had a bite to eat, it’s very helpful to go for a massage. The purpose of the massage is not to get rid of all the knots in the muscles that have been there for the last few months, but rather to ‘flush’ the muscles and improve the lymphatic flow and circulation. This will help remove lactic acid that’s built up in your muscles during the day’s event. Beware of a massage that’s too soft. The massage should be deep enough to reach the muscles and connective tissues, so it will hurt a bit but you will feel great afterwards! If you feel there are extremely tight muscles, ask the therapist to help you with a stretch or two.

If possible, get into an ice bath after the massage.

This will cause the blood vessels to constrict and force the deoxygenated blood out of the muscles and back into the circulatory system. The moment you get out of the ice bath, ‘fresher’ oxygenated blood flows into the muscular system, as the blood vessels dilate. In this way nutrients and oxygen reach the muscular system faster, thus further aiding the recovery process. A black bin filled with ice and water works a treat for tired legs!

Or if you are close to the sea or a dam, jump in and stay there for two minutes, get out and wait for two minutes.

Repeat this four to five times, and then put on some warm comfortable clothes!

Another aid in recovery is the use of compression garments. They are becoming increasingly popular amongst athletes and are worn after an ice bath, massage and shower. There are many brands available and each athlete should determine what brand works best for them.

The last step to optimise your recovery is to have a proper meal or two! Eat lots and eat healthy! Fresh veggies, meat, chicken, fish, rice, pasta and fruit will all help replace carbohydrates, protein and fat used during the day. Make sure the food is fresh and simply cooked!

Rest

After you have gone through your recovery regime, it’s time for a well-earned rest! The best way to rest is to put your feet up, and if you can lie down doing that even better! Take a nap if you can or chat to friends, laugh a bit and just relax.

Before hitting the sack, plan for your next day’s race by having everything ready. Put out your clothes, shoes and accessories, and prepare and pack your food and drinks. Good planning and preparation will help you to have a peaceful night’s sleep and a better rest.

Go to bed at a decent time. Going to bed too early will only cause you to lie awake for hours. Going to bed too late will leave you feeling tired the next morning.

Eight hours sleep should do wonders for you.

This is a basic recipe for optimal rest and recovery during a multistage event. From my experience of working at events like the ABSA Cape Epic, it does work. Each of us is different though and as long as you stick to the basics, you can adapt this recipe to suit your needs. If you have trained and prepared well, then with proper rest and recovery you will perform well too. •

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 93

DO IT NOW | iinSHAPE:

Words by Kim Esterhuizen, Biokineticist

The Low Down on

Lower Back Pain

94 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Almost everyone will experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their lives. This pain can vary from mild to severe. It can be short-lived or longlasting. However it happens, low back pain can make many everyday activities difficult to do.

Many factors that cause sprain or strain injuries to the lower back are from: • Incorrect posture while training or competing.

• The frequency, intensity and type of sporting activity.

• Inadequate conditioning, fitness and flexibility required for the correct execution of the sporting activity.

• Age, which increases the chance of sustaining injuries during sporting or daily activities that form part of one’s life.

• Previous sporting injuries that were not rehabilitated correctly or returning to activity too soon.

For athletes, injuries of an acute or chronic nature are not only painful and disabling, but can also be very frustrating when LBP interferes with their sporting performance. Usually these LBP injuries are caused by excessive rotation, twisting, flexion and or extension. However, with the correct rehabilitation programme an athlete can be assisted with exercise-specific therapy to improve and maintain performance and prevent injuries from recurring.

A good programme should focus on the following: Flexibility & increased ROM (range of motion)

Warming up and gentle stretching has been promoted for years as an essential part of a fitness programme to decrease the risk of injury, prevent soreness and improve performance. The goal of stretching is to develop and maintain an appropriate range of motion around specific joints. Customise your routine to fit your needs by assessing your body and sport, and make sure you stretch (and strengthen) to reduce muscle imbalances. When stretching don’t bounce, but rather hold the stretch at a point where it is tolerated, but not painful, for at least 30 seconds and then repeat twice more.

progressions one should follow regarding stabilisation exercises before introducing weight bearing activities.

Russian twists incorporate core strength and rotation that will assist with lower back support. To execute a Russian twist correctly, sit on the floor with your knees together in a 90° position and bring them towards your chest. Hold a Medicine ball or weight in your hand in the centre of your body. Contract the stomach muscles, while the legs are elevated, and place the Medicine ball or weight on the floor next to your body and then move to the other side. One can move from right to left or left to right, but remember to keep your feet off the floor and to contract your core stomach muscles.

Muscular strength

General body conditioning

Muscular strength plays an important role in regaining lumbar motion. Exercises that prevent pain during movement and incorporate the correct postural stability should be incorporated into the programme. Any exercise that causes pain must be avoided. Strengthening exercises should focus on the upper and lower limbs, as well as core stability for spinal rotation and stabilisation to assist with the lower back, hamstrings, quads and glutes.

A good exercise for this is Superman. To do this, lie face down over a Swiss ball so that your body is parallel with the floor. Lift your right arm to shoulder height and lift your left leg in line with the spine at the same time, and then alternate. One can progress this exercise by placing ankle weights around the ankles and holding a dumbbell in each hand to increase the resistance.

Neuromuscular control

The athlete would need to learn how to contract the appropriate muscles in a controlled manner and in a desired sequence to obtain optimal results. Stabilisation exercises for the core and spine can minimise the effects of repetitive trauma to the spine. There are certain

Cardio respiratory endurance is important and activities to increase it would include walking, jogging, riding a bicycle or rowing. Water rehabilitation is one of the best and most effective means to improve fitness and reduce pain if weight bearing cannot be tolerated.

Sport-specific exercises to return to activity An athlete can return to full activity after specific requirements have been met regarding flexibility, full range of motion and strength, progressions have been followed correctly and the athlete is in the right frame of mind. However, all the caution and careful rehabilitation in the world cannot account for what will actually take place out on the field, court or water, so being as conditioned and responsive as possible will help in your safe return.

Athletes need to make sure that they are exercising correctly not only for postural purposes, but to prevent injuries from occurring or reoccurring. For any assistance, please don’t hesitate to email me on kimesterhuizen@ hotmail.com. •

* Prentice, William E. Arnheim’s principle of athletic training: a competency – based approached/William E. Prentice – 12th ed.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 95

DO IT NOW | iinSHAPE:

Words by Dr Rikus Scheepers, Chiropractor

tis) is a lantar fascii (p in a p l e e H eel that ition of the h d n o c l fu in a p rs (10%), mong runne a n o m m o c letes. is durance ath n e r e th o d n hose walkers a and those w le p o e p t h Overweig ding and a lot of stan e ir u q re s b jo also at risk. walking are

The Chiropractic approach

Plantar fasciitis /

heel pain It is caused by overuse of the plantar fascia (arch tendon) of the foot. The tendon is a broad thick band of tissue running from under the heel to the front of the foot. This tendon helps to maintain the arches of your feet and allows a degree of flattening of these arches to absorb shock during walking and running. Excessive, repeated stretching or increased pulling on this tendon causes damage near its insertion onto the calcaneus (heel bone). Plantar fasciitis has traditionally been thought to be an inflammatory condition. This is now believed to be incorrect due to the absence of inflammatory cells within the fascia (connective tissue). The cause of pain and dysfunction is currently thought to be degeneration of the collagen fibres close to the insertion.

96 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Signs and symptoms

A sharp pain under the heel, which is usually worse during the first few steps in the morning, is experienced at first. The pain is present when pressing on the inner aspect of the heel and sometimes under the arch of the foot. As the condition progresses it becomes a permanent pain under the heel that is present all day and makes walking on the heel very painful. Stretching of the foot increases the pain and can prevent you from running or even weight bearing on the foot at all. The condition can mistakenly also be known as a heel spur, which is more a symptom than a cause. Excessive pulling of the tendon can cause growths or bone wear if it tears loose from the heel bone. These growths are known as heel spurs and are visible on x-ray examination, but is however not a prediction of the outcome of treatment, or the severity of the problem.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis?

The pain is caused by repeated trauma to the arch tendon at its origin from the heel bone. This results in micro tearing and damage to the collagen at the insertion of the tendon, causing pain, swelling and inflammation. A review of the literature reveals that a person displaying either a lower- or higherarched foot can experience heel pain. Patients with lower arches have conditions resulting from too much motion, which will result in over pronation (the inward rolling and flattening of the foot) or supination (the up and outward rolling and elevation of the arch), thus causing increased shearing and pulling on the tendon. Whereas patients with higher arches have conditions resulting from too little motion, which reduces the ability to dissipate the ground reaction forces during heel strike and increases the load on the origin of the arch tendon.

Therefore, people with different foot types experience heel pain resulting from different biomechanical stresses.

Tight calf muscles can cause a posterior (backward) slide of the heel bone to its supporting position, in relation to the ankle joint, and increases the stretching on the facia.

In my practice I have found that tight calf muscles and a malpositioned (out of position) heel bone are one of the major causes of heel pain. Due to the wide variety of biomechanical dysfunctions that can lead to heel pain, it is important that you are thoroughly examined to accurately identify the cause.

Here are some tips of what can you do at home if you experience heel pain:

• Decrease your activity or change the type of exercise to keep weight of the feet as much as possible, such as swimming and cycling. This must be done for several weeks and once the symptoms improve, gradually increase activity.

• Reduce the inflammation and swelling by regularly icing the foot. This can be done by freezing a 500ml plastic cooldrink bottle filled with water, and placing it under the heel. Roll the foot over it repeatedly for 15 to 20 minutes. This will not only reduce the inflammation, but help to stretch the tendon.

+

• Taping the foot to reduce the stress on the insertion is a helpful way to allow you to perform your daily activities without pain. Done daily, it will help with recovery and allow you to walk again.

• M assaging the foot daily and using soft tissue modalities, such as ultra sound and infra red light, are also very helpful.

• S tretch the calf muscle every day by gently straightening and bending the knee.

What to do if the pain doesn’t reduce by 50% in two to three weeks with home care:

• Make an appointment with a chiropractor or other medical professional so that they can determine the cause of the problem. The examination will include gate analyses, physical examination and assessing wear patterns on your running shoes to detect over pronation or supination.

• The malpositioned heel bone may need to be corrected by manipulation.

• Night splints can be prescribed to help stretch and maintain an elongated position of the heel.

• Get custom-made orthotics, with arch support and elevated soft heel lifts, to reduce the over pronation or supination.

• In the case where the damage to the tendon is severe, it might require more invasive surgical procedures to recover. This route is rare if a proper conservative treatment programme was followed.

If the tendon is damaged, it can take up to a few months to completely recover. So be patient while your plantar fasciitis is recovering! •

SPINAL WELLNESS CLINIC

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 97

NOW 98 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

// in THE HOLE: 20 Questions with Andre Pretorius, Former Bok and Lions’ Fly-half * The 40 Year-Old Rookie … Broken // inNATURE: Paul’s River Pisces // inCREDIBLE PLACES: Pulau Weh … Pulau Where? Indonesia – Part 1 of 3 // inDULGE: Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine * Recipes: Banana Soup and Flourless Light Chocolate Cake // inSURE: Inheritances and Turmoil in the Financial Services Industry // inTERTAINMENT: Music, Movie and Game Reviews // inFOCUS: SHOOT! An Off-road Expedition // inVOLVED: 2011 Springs to Cape Town Tour for Education

PHOTOGRAPH: Jurgen Vogt – www.swissphotography.co.za DESCRIPTION: Going for a swim in Lake Malawi.

Lifestyle

DO IT NOW | in THE HOLE:

Words by Michael Scholz Photos Courtesy of Andre Pretorius

Q&A

, s Iu r O T e r p e r D N A h IT W 20 QuesTIONs

f l A h y l f ’ s N IO l D N A k O b fOrmer

DO IT NOW hAD The OppOrTuNITy TO plAy A rOuND AT The GArDeNer rOss GOlf esTATe WITh sOuTh AfrIcAN ruGby leGeND, AND A superb GOlfer, ANDre preTOrIus WhO shAreD sOme Of hIs INNer-mOsT GOlfING secreTs (As Well As sOme OTher INTeresTING sTuff) WITh us: 1) You are quite a handy golfer with a handicap of 4.

What is the lowest you have been?

I have been down to a 2 handicap and hover around there at the moment.

2) Ever given any thoughts to turning pro when the legs will no longer carry you around the rugger field?

I think a lot of people out there have no idea how difficult it is to become a professional golfer and even if you did

100 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

make it, there are no guarantees! Back to your question … NO, I can't see myself turning pro after rugby. My bets will have to stay at R10, R10, R20, R10 ...

3) You hit the golf ball obscene distances for a ‘shorter’ lad. Do you visualise any specific Aussie rugby player’s face before smashing it!

Matt Giteau would be the first! He is like a little girl on the rugby field.

4) That ‘sneary-eyed’ look that you give the posts before hoofing that leather goon over the cross bar has become quite a trademark. Do you have a trademark look when you swing a golf club?

Not really during my swing, but perhaps after my swing. A look of complete and utter disgust is probably a better way to describe it!

5) You have had your fair share of bench time with injuries over the past few seasons. How is your condition and how do you keep motivated to get back out there?

I still have the hunger to play this game at a top level and I love to compete. You never get through those types of injuries alone and I have had really good people around me to motivate and prepare me for my next challenge.

6) Who is the best golfer you have ever played with? Did you beat him and how many yards did you ‘give him’ on the drives?

Well Mike … to be honest, it was you. No, I didn't beat you as you shot a 62 that day and left a 12ft putt short for a 29 on the back 9, but I did give you a few yards on the drives.

You still have a little work to do little fella!

13)

Have you had a hole in one? How many? Where?

What did you hit?

Yes, it was at Royal Joburg's East Course on the 16th hole. I hit a 9 iron with a slight fade. It pitched twice, spun right, hit the pin and dropped ... ok no, I haven’t had one, but it felt great to tell you about it.

14)

Have you ever broken a club?

I broke a 60 degree lob wedge once to ensure that I could never chip with it again ... it worked!

15)

Andries Bekker running at you … full speed. What part do you aim for?

Well, again as a ‘shorter’ lad, I am lucky that I can’t reach too high up so I have no option but to go for his lumpy knees.

16)

Who would make up your dream four ball?

Tiger Woods, my late Dad and Cheryl Cole (although Tiger would probably enjoy that more than I would!).

17)

You are an avid Chelsea supporter and even have a branded putter grip and wood cover. Why? I have always been a Lions supporter and as I had no reference to English soccer except my FIFA 2001 game, I chose Chelsea because all my mates were Man United supporters. The Chelsea emblem also resembled what looked like a lion to me. Since then I have read up on the team, its history and I’m now proud to say I am a full-blooded Chelsea supporter.

18)

Describe your funniest golfing moment ever?

It has got to be when I was swimming around in a water hazard at the 16th at the Wild Coast looking for a club that my mate threw in after a crappy approach shot. The Japanese golfers behind us couldn’t resist this photo moment so there are probably photos on the internet somewhere of two idiots diving for an 8 iron.

We never found it!

19)

Who do you think will be the next South African major winner and when?

These types of questions I usually answer with my heart and as a HUGE Ernie Els fan, I am hoping he could come through and win another major or two. I also expect great things of Charl after his Masters win.

His swing is unbelievable under pressure. I would also love to see Tim Clark win a major. I have never met him but he looks like a great guy to have a couple of beers with. We like that!

20)

What lies ahead for you both in rugby and golf?

I would love to go into coaching when my playing career comes to an end, but for now I just love being on the park again. With regards to my golf, I will keep swinging away trying to make my answer to question 13 a reality.

7) Of the rugby players, who is the best golfer? Do you beat him?

Fourie du Preez is one of the best golfers in rugby circles. He plays off a 2, but over the many times we have played whilst on tour things have worked out quite evenly.

8) Ever tackled any other rugby player on the golf course?

You ask this question like you know the answer! Yes, I have tackled Jacques Fourie into a bunker.

Which course, hole and bunker?

It was at Pecanwood, the 7th hole and into the big greenside bunker. He didn’t even rake it when he got out!

9) What is your greatest-ever moment in your rugby career?

Winning the World Cup was really special, but the moment I will always cherish is when we took the All Blacks off their winning streak in Rustenburg and I got to kick the winning kick.

10) What is your greatest-ever golfing moment?

When I broke 70 for the first time at Reading Country Club. I shot 68 off a 6, but still didn't win the comp.

11) Describe the best tackle you have ever made (a bone cruncher)? Who was it and did he stay down?

The tackle I hit Jacques into the bunker with is right up there.

But being a ‘shorter’ lad I have not had many of those bone crunchers myself, but have rather been at the wrong end of quite a few. One of them was by Matt Dunning in my first year of Super Rugby. He got up and said, “Welcome to the big time mate!” We are good mates now and he is a thief off an 8 handicap.

12) Which is your favourite golf course both internationally and in SA? There can't be a better course to play on than Pebble Beach, or maybe Augusta. In SA we are spoilt for choice, but the course I really love is the Montague Course at Fancourt.

Thank you for a great game, a belly-full of laughs and for making me feel like a really short hitter! All the best for the remaining Super Rugby season and we look forward to seeing you ‘skeef’ those uprights for a long time to come. • www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 101

DO IT NOW | in THE HOLE:

Words by Michael Scholz Photos courtesy of Michael Scholz

The 40 Year-Old Rookie ...

k o r en …B

102 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

I have spent the past six weeks in recovery after sustaining a ‘limp wrist’ injury of the right wrist, whilst climbing a wall. Hmmm, why would a 40-year-old professional golfer be climbing a wall you ask?

Many speculatory rumours have extended from this and the story has been covered by most of the world’s leading media sources. A story as big a Tiger Wood’s sexual indiscretions, if not bigger?

Well, truth be told, I was in a rush exiting my home only to realise that the paparazzi were outside waiting to take snapshots of me in one of my new Cutter & Buck shirts and cover the story of the 40 YearOld Rookie jumping into the water on SuperGolf to rescue his prized Titleist. Actually, now that I think about it, it couldn’t have been the paparazzi because they don’t wear white coats and travel around in ambulances with padded interiors! Goodness, my injury was well worth my diverted exit!

Anyway, after much deliberation and procrastination I met with South Africa’s leading specialist sports physician Dr. Jon Patricios for his professional opinion. After a few squeezes and a little manipulation he confirmed that I am nothing more than a severe hypochondriac, with a wincing scream like a schoolgirl on a rollercoaster. And all this time I suspected that I’d broken every bone in my hand when it was actually ‘nothing serious’. I was told that I could put away my arm sling, titanium cast, prosthetic hand, spandex wrist guard and lay off the 42 different painkillers that I had come to love so much. All those rainbow colours and people talking really slowly ... Wow man! A lousy sprained wrist!

How disappointing!

With my life-threatening ailment well on its way to full recovery, I was very appreciative when the Sunshine Tour conveniently placed a six week gap in the schedule, to accommodate the 40 Year-Old Rookie’s recuperation process.

Unfortunately though, my primary (in fact, only) source of income derives from entertaining the struggling corporate golfing masses at golf days, with trick shot displays and anecdotes from my golfing career made up of ‘could haves, would haves and should haves’. So my wrist would simply have to withstand a little swing manipulation and I’d have to grind through the gut-wrenching pain. Well … a little pain anyway!

DO IT NOW is a private Callaway ® Reseller.

Special discount to all subscribers.

callawaygolf.com | info@doitnow.co.zawww.doitnow.co.za

| Lifestyle • 103

Now I’d have to stand up in front of a gallery of a hundred weary corporate golfers sporting a wrist brace, over a wrist guard, over a concoction of Tiger Balm, Reparil Gel, Arnica Oil with horse chestnut and the most amazing product I’ve ever used … that magic spray you’ve seen on TV that gets a rugby player, who has been broken in half by a charging ton of flesh and bones called Bakkies Botha, to miraculously jump up, do 200 push-ups and then run the ball right out of the stadium! It’s called Reparil Ice Spray and I’m addicted! It totally paralyses the affected area. No pain, nothing! A few other uses spring to mind, but we won’t go there!

Anyway, back to my trick shot shows. After all 80-odd balls have been swept away with my repertoire of shots and stories, and once those demoralised golfers start to feel inspired and motivated to accept their next golf day invitation, I make my way to the ‘interrogation session’ … the prize-giving function, for which I am usually the Master of Ceremonies.

After the proceedings, the same question that passes my ‘sticky outtie ears’ (thanks for that Dad) is: “With ball striking like that, how come you don’t play on the professional circuits?” Fume … fume … breathe deeply! “Well, I am actually on the Sunshine Tour after a long lay-off.” Knowing full well what the next statement is going to be I add, “Still finding my feet, so you probably haven’t heard of me.

I’m called the 40 Year-Old Rookie.” “Oh, of course! I’ve heard of you! You’re the guy who presents on SuperGolf! I thought you were much bigger though? Have you lost a lot of weight? You’re Dale Hayes, right?” That’s it! I’ve got to get a real job!

Till the next issue, keep the passion and, more importantly, have fun!

The 40 Year-Old Rookie •

Follow the “40 Year-Old Rookie” on Facebook or email 40yearoldrookie@gmail.com to subscribe to regular blogs and madness.

104 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

DO IT NOW | inNATURE:

Words by Alan Hobson Photos courtesy of Angler & Antelope Guesthouse

’ ’ r e v i R s l u a P

Pisces

The Great Fish River system receives a constant flow of water from the Gariep Dam, which is pumped via an underground concrete tunnel into the Brak River about 30km north of Cradock. Further downstream fountain fed water flows from the catchment of the Paul’s River, a tributary of the Great Fish River.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 105

The confluence of the Paul’s and Great Fish Rivers is like a KFC drive through, as Yellowfish, Moggel, Orange River Mudfish, Barbel and Carp charter the chocolate brown water of the Great Fish and discover this oasis of clean fountain water from the Paul’s River an irresistible haven.

And so it was this pisces-rich location that Guy, Martin and I were eagerly headed to on a fishing trip. Their silence gave away their intrigue as we drove through Acacia thickets, next to cultivated mielie fields, to get to the river. Bundu bashing through the thorns, we carefully manoeuvred our fly rods as we slid down the river bank. In the river bed the sounds of nature resonate from the cutaway banks on either side of us and are where starlings, swallows and occasionally bee-eaters nest.

The path of the river is clearly marked by the reeds jostling for position on either side of the water. We walked over what seemed like a cobbled pathway of soft sand and rounded stones before we parted the reeds to access the river. Standing in a riffle of gurgling water I bent down to pick up a stone, turning it over to reveal the entomology menu for the day. This is always a good way to see what insects are inhabiting that particular river system, and we found Mayfly nymphs and Caddis larvae in abundance.

Wherever you are fly fishing you need to observe and make use of all the clues Mother Nature provides. Find the food and you will find the fish! We saw that the Caddis larvae were yellow in colour and the Mayfly very small. We also noticed there were several Dragonflies hastily moving between the vegetation.

Our strategy was simple; we set up a 10 foot leader with our tippet being 3X or 8lb, attached a Dragonfly imitation to the end of the leader as the point fly and fastened, in New Zealand style, a mustard caddis #14 as a dropper, one foot off the Dragonfly nymph. Halfway up the leader we fixed another dropper, a #18 unweighted PTN (Pheasant Tail Nymph). Where the leader joins the fly line, we attached a

106 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

strike indicator, in this case it was a small piece of sheep’s wool dyed pink and treated with Hydrostop to ensure it was waterproof. There are many strike indicators available on the market, so use the indicator to check the depth and speed at which your flies are drifting and, most importantly, when the fish takes your fly.

If your flies are constantly being hooked up on the bottom of the river bed and your indicator is being pulled underwater, then move the indicator to keep the flies just off the bottom. A good rule of thumb is to have the strike indicator distanced one-and-a-half times the depth of the water from the fly. For example, if the water is one metre deep, then your indicator must be one-and-a-half metres from the point fly. The crux of using an indicator is to watch it like a hawk, as it drifts at the same speed as the water.

If it pauses, moves to one side or bobs underwater, strike!

Often fish will pick up the fly and drift with it, so any unusual pauses or movements by the indicator could mean the fish is mouthing or tasting your fly.

Moving very slowly and quietly, begin working the water closest to you. Don’t brag to your fishing companions that you can cast a full fly line to the furthest bank; rather begin by casting two metres in front of you.

Work the water by casting left, middle and then right at the same distance, and then do the same again two metres further. Don’t cast too far, as the further your indicator is away from you the more difficult it is to detect any takes and manage your line. In faster flowing water, you need to strip line in to keep pace with the flow of the water, and mend your line continuously to facilitate a drag-free drift for as long as possible.

Guy and Martin positioned themselves on either side of the river bed and worked the water in front of them. It wasn’t long before the pink wool indicator was plucked below. Martin struck ... he was into a good 1,2kg Yellowfish. The tone of Martin’s voice clearly showed his surprise, as he was not expecting such a strong fighter.

Guy, in the meantime, acted as the perfect fishing buddy by retrieving his fly line and grabbing the net, while I snapped away with the camera. Martin and Guy caught several fish, however I was the biggest winner of the day as the pleasure and enjoyment of their successes was enormously gratifying. •

www.wildflyfishinginthekaroo.co.za

Tel: 042 243 3440 Fax: 086 671 6146 Cell: 082 375 4720

WILD FLY FISHING IN THE KAROO SOMERSET EAST

DO IT NOW | inCREDIBLE PLACES:

Words & Photos by Steven Yates

Pulau Weh …

Pulau Where?

Indonesia – Part 1 of 3

Indonesia is a strange place to say the least. On one hand it has the fourth largest population and the largest Muslim population in the world, which makes it essentially an alcohol-free society (but it’s not really). It is also a member of the G-20, the 18th largest economy in the world, with an estimated GDP at around $700 billion. Then on the other hand, around 60% of the population live on the island of Java, leaving a rural rainforest jungle ripe for exploration across the other 17,507 islands, of which only 6,000 are populated. This vast dichotomy has resulted in Indonesia being an unexplored paradise, and one that Laura and I were about to experience from land and sea.

Our first destination was the most western island in Indonesia, a small island off the north west coast of Sumatra called Pulau Weh. The reason for our foray to this tiny spec of land resting in the Andaman Sea was quite simply the diving. Pulau Weh is not a traditional diving spot, but is really for adventure divers wanting to experience reefs where few have bubbled before.

Getting to Pulau Weh is another kind of experience, but essentially it’s a flight into Banda Aceh, the very same Banda Aceh that was the epicentre of the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami, a night in Banda and then a ferry across to Pulau Weh. The trip from the airport to the ferry, with our super cool taxi driver who wanted to show us his beautiful island, was incredible. The devastation was still evident in the lack of trees, buildings and occasional boat resting in a field some 15 kilometres from the sea.

We had not booked accommodation as the island is really off the beaten track. We thought we would just wonder through some of the villages until we found what looked reasonable. Unbeknown to us, the weekend we arrived was a Sumatra public holiday and Pulau Weh is a popular destination for the locals. With everything booked up, we took what we could get and settled in a little village called Iboih. To say our accommodation was rustic would be an understatement. A tiny single-room shack on stilts over the sea just big enough for a three quarter bed, a mosquito net and the resident cat, was to be our home for the next week.

Water came from a well and we shared one of two long drop toilets with the whole village. Laura was not impressed with the ablution facilities, but such is the price we paid for great diving. The good news is that the week’s accommodation only cost us a mere R110.

108 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

There was only one dive operator in Iboih, so our choice was limited. However, they seemed like good guys and we booked for our first dive, a double dive, the very next morning. The first dive site was off the western point of the island and pretty much in the open ocean. We dropped into a canyon, which ran parallel to the island and the drop-off to the ocean. A world of crystal blue opened up to us as the azure horizon hid the treasures of the Andaman. A ceiling of plate coral covered our heads as we drifted with the current deeper into the canyon. A vibrant array of hard and soft corals in sparkling yellows, reds and oranges house a mass of micro life, trying to find some protection from the ocean current. From Fire Gobies, Juvenile Emperor Angles and Juvenile Harlequin Sweetlips, to three of the five variations of Lionfish, there was a wonderland of life to be enjoyed.

A right turn down a short alley called ‘The Canyon’, took us to the edge of the island drop-off, but not before we saw a magnificent ornate Ghost Pipefish, expertly spotted by my amazing wife. As we approached the drop-off, the nature of the dive changed radically with the current really picking up and washing us along the island’s edge. The fast current and upwelling of deep ocean water was the perfect environment for big game fish and we saw a school of hunting Kingfish smashing into the bait fish along the islands. As a finale to an amazing experience, two of the biggest tuna I have ever seen came cruising past us like a pair of male lions surveying their pride lands.

We surfaced full of excitement and chatted madly about the wonderful dive. Moments past and we began to look around for our boat. It was nowhere to be seen. We waited patiently in a hot tub as time ticked by and the crazy current swept us further along the island’s coastline. About half an hour passed and there was still no sign of the boat.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 109

We were all very worried at this point and some of the more inexperience divers were beginning to panic, as visions of the movie ‘Deep Blue’ started to materialise. What was especially of concern was the fact that we were approaching the end of the island and who knew what lay beyond. As the most experienced diver on the dive, local dive guide included, I decided to swim for the shore some 500 metres away. At this point I would like to mention to anyone reading this that this is NOT advised and is NOT the correct safety procedure!

Do NOT do this and always listen to your instructor. But we were out of choices and had no idea of what had happened to our boat. I was also not about to let 10 divers get swept out into the open ocean. Another 40 minutes had me panting for breath in waste deep water. Thankfully, I could still see the hot tub. At this point, both the divers in hot tub and I spotted the boat, which was round the bend of the bay and far from where we had started the dive over two hours ago. We all started screaming, waving fins and emergency buoys in the air. We were saved!

Needless to say we cancelled the second dive and were all overly ecstatic to get back to shore. Extremely unimpressed with the dive operation, Laura and I decided to hire a scooter and ride to the nearby Gapang beach where we signed up with the Lumba Lumba Dive Centre, run by a retired Dutch couple, for the remainder of our trip. Luckily for us, they collected us from Iboih beach each morning, armed with the most delicious avocado and tuna sandwiches, which we devoured between dives.

The remainder of the diving was magnificent, with the majority of the sites having steep drop-offs from the island’s edge into the deep blue yonder. Batee Meuduro and Arus Balee provided an opportunity to spot sharks and rays, which are common to the area, although the rare Megamouth shark remained elusive. But beware of the ‘bastard current’ after which Arus Balee is named. It was at this site, as we were preparing to launch yet another underwater exploration that we were treated to the most precious and rare sighting of a Black Marlin jumping from the water only a hundred metres from the boat. Unfortunately it did not hang around long enough for us to see it underwater. Sites such as Batee Tokong and the Gapang house reef are no less wonderful, as magical coral gardens filled with countless Gorgonians cover the walls and plateaus alike. Home to vast numbers of eels and frequented by curious Reef sharks, these reefs are wonderful to ferret around in when looking for hidden Paperfish, Leaffish, Mantis shrimps and nudi branches.

The coral gardens are also home to the many Lionfish and Scorpionfish that hide in this colourful world. Keep an eye out for these delights, but always remember to keep your hands to yourself and off the reef … even in strong current.

We managed to get in a dusk dive on the Gapang house reef where the sea bed writhed with different Sea Pipes emerging from their hiding places to look for food. Fifteen minutes later, with the last of the light dripping over the horizon, the Sea Pipes disappeared back into the protection of their rocky homes and the ocean floor was empty but for a few Hermit crabs and Lizardfish. As the dusk dive became a night dive, we appreciated the vastly different experience of this underwater world between the daylight hours and those of darkness. Tiny shrimps and Cowries started to appear along with an abundance of crabs. Then the fish life vanished into the shelter of coral, the reef becoming quiet and peaceful, but for a lone hunting Potato Bass.

110 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

DINfo box i The Megamouth shark is extremely rare and characterised by its large mouth (surprise) and short snout. There have been only 36 sightings of this shark species since its discovery in 1976.

Pulau Weh is not only a great dive location, but a wonderful island to visit if you don’t mind the shared toilets and cold water bucket shower. So Laura and I decided to take a day’s break from diving to experience it all. We hired a scooter and went exploring the recommended small active volcano (it really is tiny) and waterfall. The volcano is actually more like a sulphur pit of bubbling yellow mud. The smell was horrendous and yellow-stained rock was not nearly as exciting as rivers of molten lava, but there again we are still alive to tell the tale. We could not find the waterfall, but we did manage to spend the most wonderful day going from one glorious white sandy beach to the next, snacking on all sorts of local fruits. We enjoyed a lazy picnic lunch under the shade of a palm-lined sandy cove and watched the locals toil away with their fishing nets from brightly coloured boats.

Island life was idyllic and once more we live to experience the wonders of our magnificent world! Read more about our incredible Indonesian adventures in the next issue of DO IT NOW.

DINfo box i Lumba Lumba Dive Centre is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Pulau Weh, so make sure you book, www.lumbalumba.com Pulau Weh is an advanced dive location and although the dive operators accept an Open Water certification, the strong currents and deep waters make it imperative that you have at least an Advanced certification before venturing to this diving gem.

Getting there: Air Asia flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh for about R700 return. This is definitely the way to go rather than flying into Medan and then catching a bus to Banda Aceh.

There is only one flight per day and only on certain days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).

Make sure to book early to get a good price, but then confirm flight details one month and again one week before, as flights can change or be cancelled without notice.

South Africans passport holders do require an Indonesian visa. You can get a visa on arrival at some Indonesian ports. Banda Aceh is NOT one of these ports, so make sure you get your visa before departing. Details are available on www.indonesiapretoria.org.za •

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 111

DO IT NOW | inDULGE:

Photos courtesy of www.shutterstock.com

Indulge in the Pleasure of Wine

by Jacoline Haasbroek

Wine has been an essential part of living for centuries. Its use has brought elements of good living, pleasure and appreciation since time immemorial. From Mesopotamia to Egypt, from Greece to Persia, kings and noblemen have consumed wine at festivals and to relieve pain and anxiety.

Wine is more than just another kind of produce; more than anything it is a custom into which each person can infuse individuality. It follows then that personal preference is the most important norm for the good or bad of any wine. It is also dynamic as your taste may develop and change over time. Wine unlocks a world of experimentation and discovery, an exciting journey in which you share your experiences with other wine lovers.

Appreciating wine is a sensory experience Look at the wine in the glass; is it clear or murky? What you see predicts something of what you will taste or smell. It creates a sense of anticipation and excitement.

112 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Smell. By swirling the wine in the glass, some of it evaporates and fills the glass with volatiles. Stick your nose into the glass and inhale. Don’t fill the glass more than a quarter so there’s room for the aromas to collect above the wine … and keeps your nose dry, of course! Experience the aromatic sensation as it begins, how it changes and lingers in your nose. Think of all the familiar smells you are reminded of.

Taste a modest mouthful, roll it around your mouth, swallow and exhale through the nose. Some of the aromas ascend into your nose and you experience aromatic sensations.

Concentrate on the immediate taste of the wine on your tongue and in your mouth, and the tastes and aromas that linger there and for how long. Communicating a preference is always done in terms of personally-familiar things. It is for this reason that wine tasting is such a wonderful learning experience, with no wrong answers. Bye-bye wine snobs, ta-ta wine slobs (drinkers for the effect) because: When the wine is in the man, wisdom stays in the can.

Your very good health!

"Wine, like life, is a journey of brief trips and elaborate meanders."- John Platter

Wine Tours for Devotees of the Grape Compiled by Tracy Knox

If you are a seasoned sommelier or a first timer, exploring the many wine routes of the Cape winelands on foot, by car, bicycle or on a tour, is a varied and unforgettable experience that is not easily forgotten.

STeLLeNbOSch WINe ROuTe

FRaNSchhOek WINe ROuTe

PaaRL VINTNeRS

cONSTaNTIa WINe ROuTe

Home to more than 300 wineries, the Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest in the country, dating back to 1971 when the first official wine route was founded by Frans Malan of Simonsig, Spatz Sperling of Delheim, and Niel Joubert of Spier. Boasting the largest concentration and variety of wine tasting venues and cellars, the region produces some of the country's most acclaimed wines. With its oak lined streets and a holiday atmosphere, this quiet ‘old world’ town is the perfect base for wine and culture lovers alike.

For the serious wine buyer and connoisseur, Paarl offers the experience of sampling products across a full spectrum of winemaking. Wines range from delicate whites to full-bodied reds, nutty sherries, glowing ports, unforgettable sparkling wines (MCC), well-matured brandies and renowned Kosher wines. In fact, its Cabernet Sauvignon, Port and Shiraz wines have placed Paarl on the global wine map and the region has repeatedly received international awards for these wines. It is also the world’s first ‘Red Route’ because of its legendary red wines and has released the first Braille wine route guide to assist blind wine lovers.

Breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, SA’s gourmet capital, fine wines and small village atmosphere are the hallmarks of the French Huguenot town of Franschhoek.

There are over 30 wine farms that produce all the classic styles and noble cultivars from whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chenin Blanc through to the reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Pinot Noir. In addition to producing some of the country’s top wines, the valley offers a Cap Classique Route that includes nine cellars.

The name Constantia is linked with some of the oldest wine estates and homesteads, and several awardwinning wines. The Constantia Wine Route was one of the first wine-producing areas of the Western Cape and is made up of three famous wine estates, namely Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Aside from the reputation Constantia initially earned for producing world-famous dessert wines, its more recent claim to fame has come from its fine quality white wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, and classically styled red wines.

Enjoy, and remember to drink responsibly! •

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 113

DO IT NOW | inDULGE:

Words by Executive Chef Neil Ross

FLOURLESS LIGHT CHOCOLATE CAKE – AN ANYTIME TREAT!

This is pure chocolate deliciousness on a plate, and it’s so easy to make. Chocolate lovers will adore this dessert as the edges and top develop a delicately crisp crust, while the center remains moist and fudgy.

INGREDIENTS

BANANA SOUP

– A FUSION OF FLAVOURS If you consider yourself to be a cook with an adventurous spirit, then this recipe will be just up your alley. This soup boasts a fusion of flavours and is perfect for hot and cold days.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 3 bananas, peeled 1 leak finely sliced 1 carrot finely diced 1 Stick lemon grass 1 teaspoon cumin 1 onion diced 1 litre of chicken stock ½ litre orange juice 1 can coconut milk Handful of prawns, grilled and chopped up Handful of coriander, chopped up

METHOD

1.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and add the garlic, onion, leaks and carrot and cook until soft.

2.

Add the orange juice and reduce by half.

3.

Now add the chicken stock and lemon grass stick, and cook for a further 20 minutes.

4.

Remove the lemon grass stick.

5.

Blend the ingredients together in a blender and add half a tin of coconut milk to the mixture.

6.

Check seasoning and add salt and pepper as desired.

7.

Place the grilled, chopped prawns into the bowl and add a drizzle of olive oil and the chopped coriander.

8.

Pour the mixture over and serve either hot or cold.

114 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

125g castor sugar 125g unsalted butter 220g dark chocolate, broken into small pieces 4 eggs, separated 2 rounded tablespoons corn flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla essence ¼ cup small dried cranberries

METHOD

1.

Preheat the oven to 170˚C. Grease and line a 20cm cake tin, spring-form preferably.

2.

Melt the butter, either in a bowl in the microwave or in a bowl over a saucepan of water brought to the boil, then remove from the heat. Add sugar and chocolate.

3.

When the chocolate is melted, but not too hot (below 50˚C) gently beat the egg yolks, add to the chocolate and butter and mix together well. Add the corn flour, baking powder and vanilla essence. Mix well.

4.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the chocolate mix to soften the mixture, then gradually and gently fold through the remaining stiff egg whites. Lastly add the cranberries.

5.

Pour batter into the cake tin and bake for 20 minutes.

Reduce the temperature to 160˚C and bake for a further 15 minutes or until a skewer, when inserted into the cake, comes out clean. Remove from the oven, leave to rest for 10 minutes, then turn out of the tin to cool on a wire rack.

Cover with butter icing or whipped cream. For the 6. healthy option, decorate with strawberries, sprinkled with icing sugar.

Bon appétit!

DO IT NOW | inSURE: Words by Peter Fairbanks

DO IT NOW FINANCIAL TIMES JUNE - JULY 2011

Inheritances and Turmoil in the Financial Services Industry

In this issue I would like to touch on a couple of topics, namely protecting inheritances after your demise and the effect of the new Financial Services Board exams on you.

Firstly, I had two very contrasting experiences lately that reinforced the fact that although we may have provided for our family after we have passed, there is often no plan in place to take care of and protect that inheritance. Let me explain: A couple of months ago I met with a client, whom we’ll call Mrs. Y for confidentiality reasons, who lost her husband a few years back. Thankfully, the family was well taken care of as the money had been well invested and Mrs. Y kept to the income plan as discussed after the funeral. Then just last week I saw Mrs. X who lost her husband about a year ago, and was also well taken care of. We had discussed various investment options, but I lost her along the way to the ‘wise wisdom’ of a family friend. Sadly, our meeting was to discuss her financial woes. It soon became evident that most of her inheritance was gone and she now needed to start a pension of some sort, at the age of 51. From these two cases, I came to the following conclusion: It is great to plan for the unforeseen, but in most cases husbands and wives don’t have a plan in place, or if they do it’s not revised, on what to do after the funeral. Unfortunately nine out of 10 times it is the wife and children who are left behind, with no plan or idea of what to do to ensure their inheritance is properly looked after and sustainable, or who to listen too when everyone starts telling them what they should be doing with their money.

So I urge you to sit down tonight with your spouse or partner and discuss the following: • Should the house be kept or would it need to be sold and a smaller place acquired?

• Will there be funds left for something like the children’s education, and if so, how should it be invested and in what financial vehicle?

• Are there certain liabilities, expenses, assets and share options that should be kept or sold?

Then take your discussion to the next level and meet with you advisor so that everyone is kept in the loop and the future is clearly mapped out.

Believe me, these may sound like minor details, but I can promise you that as important as it is to plan to provide sufficient funds for your family to live on when you are no longer there to take care of them, a spouse is more in need

of financial guidance from someone they can totally trust after the funeral. In this vulnerable state, they are more likely to do the wrong thing if left without a clear set of guidelines.

Secondly, the Financial Services Board is currently busy with what is known as the RE exams. These exams are imposed on everyone who falls under the FAIS Act of 2002 and its amendments in 2008. So what has this got to do with the average fun loving South African? Your long standing relationship with your financial or short term advisor could come to a sudden end. Not because he or she has given you bad advice or service, but rather due to the fact that yet another department in our wonderful country has clearly lost the plot. In the past decade or so, the Board has been claiming to cleanse the industry by enforcing legislation to protect peoples’ monies or investments from bad practices; which I fully support. However, the FSB’s latest approach is to make the RE exams extremely difficult, and a pass rate of 65% is required. Apply this pass rate to a tertiary degree and a great many professionals would never have made it into practice.

Of the people to have completed the exam, only an estimated 30% or so have passed on the first round and this includes highly qualified legal advisors in the trade. Don’t get me wrong, to educate and uplift people is the best way to guarantee a better tomorrow. But if your financial or short term advisor does not hold this qualification by next year, they may not practice their profession and will be joining the unemployment queues outside the UIF offices. And so it comes as no surprise that there has been a huge outcry from the industry, but to no avail.

Hopefully the FSB will change their stand on this issue.

I have to confess though that the FSB has been gracious in its approach and you can write the exam as many times as you like, for the nominal fee of around R900. But the feeling around town from those affected is that this initiative has nothing to do with qualifying people, but is rather a money spinner for those involved. According to the FSB, it only receives R20 of this fee, as the balance goes to the four exam facilitators involved. But let’s not go there! What comes to my mind on this topic is, “Quis Custodiet ipsos custodies,” who shall keep watch over the guardians?

Until the next time, remember that it’s never too early or too late to start planning for your tomorrow. •

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 115

DO IT NOW | inTERTAINMENT:

Words by Richard Flamengo

MOVIE TITLE

HIGHLIGHTS

THOR (3D)

Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman.

Recommended for: Superhero fans.

Director: Kenneth Branagh Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Hopkins

VERDICT

This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the centre of the story is the mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose recklessness reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once there, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to Earth.

The movie weaves together an epic fantasy world (Asgard) with that of reality (Earth) brilliantly, and is complimented by sharp humour and fantastic acting. A definite must see especially in 3D, which in this case adds that extra something special to round off your action-filled movie experience.

Thor marks the beginning of a superhero fest of movies through to 2012; Green Lantern, Captain America, X-Men Prequel, the reboots of Superman and Spiderman, and the conclusion of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Thor and Captain America however form the building blocks to the much-anticipated Avengers. The movie features a couple of relatively unknowns in Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, but they blend together perfectly with well known Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman, to form the perfect cast.

MOVIE TITLE

MORTAL KOMBAT Platform: PS3/X-BOX 360 Genre: Fighting

HIGHLIGHTS 2D gameplay FATALITIES

VERDICT

The franchise that redefined the fighting game category started out with only a handful of characters that we have all come to know over the years from the movies and TV shows, but is mostly loved by the gaming fans. You can mention the names ‘Scorpion’, ‘Sub-zero’ or ‘Lui Kang’ in almost any conversation and someone will turn to you and start talking Mortal Kombat.

The ninth main entry into the Mortal Kombat series to date, new features include a metre that builds as you dish out or receive a beating. This metre can be used to either enhance your special ability moves to inflict more damage, break out of a opponents combo move or, my personal favourite, inflict the X-Ray damage move that is tailor-made for each character and will leave you flinching. For the first time in a fighting game, it also offers stereoscopic 3D, which promises to take this fighting game to the next level for the lucky ones with a 3D TV. Mortal Kombat fans will be happy to know that a collector's edition is available and includes Scorpion harpooning a Sub-zero figurine. The Playstation version of the game also features an extra bonus character in Kratos, from the God Of War series, which fits into the gruesome tradition of Mortal Kombat perfectly.

All and all it is a brilliant fantasy fighting game with lasting appeal and lots of hidden gems to unlock, and will keep you glued to your gaming console for hours. A definite must have!

116 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

COMING SOON...

CONCERT TITLE

THE SCRIPT

by Tarryne Rautenbach

Irish band The Script will be performing in South Africa for the first time when they play at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, on 24 June and Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town, on 26 June 2011, as part of their world tour.

Leading vocalist Danny O'Donaghue, guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power have taken on the world with music fashioned out of their own emotional trials in life. Described as poetically articulate, sincere and highly passionate, The Script has fielded numerous requests to write for other artists preferring instead to focus on each other. They’ve caught the eye of Paul McCartney, who personally asked the band to support him on a series of American stadium shows. They recently won Best Live Performance at the Meteor Awards beating their legendary mentors U2, who they have also supported on their stadium shows.

Their story has been one of rags to riches. In two years they’ve notched up a handful of hit singles including ‘We Cry’, ‘Breakeven’, and ‘The Man Who Can't Be Moved’. Their 2008 debut album ‘The Script’ went to number one in the UK and Ireland, and has sold over two million copies worldwide.

The Irish trio released their new single ‘If You Ever Come Back’ in February and it’s already hitting the charts on South African radio stations. Their latest album ‘Science & Faith’ is out now and listeners won’t be disappointed.

So if you haven’t got your tickets from Computicket yet I suggest that you do as soon as possible, as these lads are going to rock SA music fans!

MOVIES TO LOOK OUT FOR: Movies to look out for (Release dates as per Sterkinekor.com) X-MEN First Class Genre: Action, Adventure Director: Matthew Vaughn Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon Release date: 3 June

Source Code Genre: Sci-Fi, Action Director: Duncan Jones Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright Release date: 16 June

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Genre: Sci-Fi, Action adventure Director: Michael Bay Starring: Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel Release date: 1 July

Scream 4 Genre: Thriller Director: Wes Craven Starring: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere Release date: 8 July

The Green Lantern Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Director: Martin Campbell Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong and Tim Robbins Release date: 22 June Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Director: Rob Marshall Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Ralph Fiennes Release date: 15 July

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 117

DO IT NOW | inFOCUS:

Words and Photos by Jacques Marais

PhOTOGRaPhIc chRONIcLeS

ShOOT! aN OFF-ROaD

exPeDITION

Shooting vehicles is an art in itself, but when you have to do it in the dust, mud and heat of the african continent, you can bet on a few challenges for both you and your equipment.

118 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Cameras generally do not like heat, dust and humidity, but if you’re in a Land Rover following Kingsley Holgate into what most sane people would rate as a war zone, your equipment has no choice but to bear the full brunt of Mama Africa’s elemental onslaught.

Crossing flooded rivers, negotiating potholes the size of swimming pools, jarring and jolting along jungle tracks, and dealing with 100% humidity and temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius, is all part of the off-road expedition game. It’s no wonder the Holgates have a range of bomb-proof Nikons as their cameras of choice.

Whichever brand you choose, always make sure you take a backup body as you won’t find either a dealer or repair agency in 99% of the African towns you travel through.

Your choice of lenses should cover all eventualities, from wideangle zooms to capture landscapes through to telephoto zooms to isolate your subject. Minimise the swapping of lenses as much as you can to avoid dust and moisture entering the camera body, and protect your lenses with polarising or UV filters. You’ll need these to cut through the glare of the African sun anyway!

Double bag your bodies, use quality padded camera bags to soften the knocks and, most of all, keep a low profile when you head into the thronged city streets.

Bottom line, Africa brims with beauty and if you keep your eyes open and your shutter finger at the ready, the light and landscape will combine to deliver dramatic imagery. Oh yeah, best of luck!

Image 1: Landscape with Llamas The Action: Cruising the Altiplano at an altitude in excess of 4 000m, Bolivia.

The Shot: When capturing a vehicle within a natural setting, try to convey the character of the country you are in by including animals, plants or people specific to the region.

In this case, the llamas willingly obliged.

The Technique: Straightforward landscape image, with polarising filter used to accentuate the colours in the vehicle and sky.

The Specifications: 1/125th sec @ f8; 5D MkI with a 17-40mm lens; ISO 100; WB Setting - Sunlight.

More Information: www.jacquesmarais.co.za

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 119

120 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Image 2: Into the Painted Desert

Image 3: Mud Games

The Action: A Defender navigating the savage beauty of Mongolia’s remote desert landscape during the Land Rover G4 Challenge reconnaissance.

The Action: Missing the turn-off in Mozambique’s rainy season drops you deep in the ahh … mire!

The Shot: Even Land Rovers get stuck every now and then, The Shot: Isolating the vehicle within the rugged natural setting accentuates the subject within the vastness of its environment.

especially when journalists are driving. In this case, we were bogged down right to the axles and it took hard and dirty work before we could get back on track.

The Technique: I used my telephoto zoom lens at full extension to ensure sharp focus on the vehicle, and composed the shot using the natural division of thirds provided by the desert.

The Technique: The flooded tyre tracks provide a great line to lead your eyes to the vehicles, positioned on the line of thirds in this image.

The Specifications: 1/60th sec @ 5.6; 5D MkII + 17-40mm The Specifications: 1/400th sec @ f4.5; 7D with 100400mm zoom; no flash; ISO 250; WB Setting - Sunlight.

lens; fill-in flash from Speedlite unit; ISO 50; WB Setting: Auto; AE Setting: 1 stop under-exposed.

More Information: www.nikon.co.za

More Information: www.kingsleyholgate.net

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 121

Image 4: Get Down and Dirty The Action: Fording a river in luxury.

In a Range Rover of course.

The Shot: Kingsley promised me there were no crocodiles in this part of the Transfrontier Park.

He had a twinkle in his eye, but I really wanted that photo.

The Technique: Position, position, position!

Pick your spot, get down low and shoot wide for kick-ass composition. I banged in some flash to chase away the shadows, and voila!

The Specifications: 1/250th sec @ f9; 5D MkII with 17-40mm zoom set wide; full flash from Speedlite unit; ISO 50; WB Setting: Sunlight; AE Setting:1 stop under-exposed.

More Information: www.landrover.co.za

Image 5: bolivian bravado The Action: The competitors line up during the Bolivian leg of the Land Rover G4 Challenge.

The Shot: The Latin American landscape upon the Altiplano proffered an incredible arena for the world’s top adventure athletes to take on the elements and each other. Driving constituted a small part of the overall challenge, with running, mountain biking, climbing, rope work and navigating making up the rest of the tasks.

The Technique: To maximise the depth of field, I shot at as high an aperture as possible. This, combined with a wide-angle zoom, ensured sharpness throughout the image. I used the conversion facility in Lightroom to change the image into a monochrome photograph.

The Specifications: 1/40th sec @ f22; 5DMkI with 17-40mm zoom; no flash; ISO 125; WB Setting: Auto.

More Information: www.adobe.com/lightroom

122 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 123

NOW

inFOCUS

Reader Photo Competition

Winner Photographer: Morgan Trimble

Runner-up Photographer: MJ Kühn

Photograph: Young Mountain Gorilla Camera Type: Canon 40D Camera Settings: 310 mm, ISO 500, F 6.3, 1/80 sec Place: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Category: Adventure

Name of photo: Vinesnake Camera: Canon powershot A 720 IS Settings: Foliage Place: Blyde adventure camp Category: Lifestyle

WIN R500!

Competition Information

This is your opportunity to showcase your photographic skills and stand a chance to WIN R500 for the best image in DO IT NOW’s inFOCUS competition, which features in every issue of the magazine. So get clicking and send us your photographs – you never know, you could just be our next WINNER! When submitting your images, please also include the following information: • Name of photographer.

• Name of photograph.

• Camera type.

• Camera settings.

• Place where the photograph was taken.

• Which category you are submitting your photo under – Adventure, Sport or Lifestyle.

Competition Rules (1) The closing date for the next competition is 10 July 2011 and the winning photo will be featured and credited in the August/ September issue of DO IT NOW. (2) The image entered must include the information requested above and any entry received without the requested information, will not be considered. Digitally manipulated images will not be accepted. (3) Only amateur photographers may enter. (4) Email your 1-3mb compressed .jpg image to infocus@doitnow.co.za (5) There is a maximum of one entry per person, per issue. (6) The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. (7) Please note that your images may be published in the DO IT NOW magazine and on the DO IT NOW website. (8) By entering the competition, you agree to abide by these rules.

124 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

NOW

inVOLVED

Words by John Strauss, Captain of the Rhodium Team

2011 Springs to Cape Town

Tour for Education

Following on from the huge success of the inaugural Springs to Cape Town cycle tour in 2009, 22 big-hearted cyclists from the Impala Platinum Cycling Club took up the challenge of doing it all over again in March 2011. Their aim, to raise funds for the upliftment of education at two needy schools in the Ekurhuleni East school area; the Protea School for children with learning problems and the Muriel Brand School for children with physical and specific learning disabilities.

126 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Starting from the offices of Impala Refineries in Springs on Friday 4 March, the tour ended just six days later at Cape Town’s Waterfront; a distance of 1,730km of which 110km was on sand roads and mountain bikes. Reducing the 2009 tour length of 11 days to six completely changed the event, making the two tours incomparable. The only commonality was starting in Springs and ending in Cape Town.

The 22 cyclists and five support-team members were divided into three groups according to cycling strengths; the Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium teams. Each cyclist in the group was expected to complete their allocated ±100km for the day. Many riders had a personal goal of completing 1 000km in the six days. These riders would need to average 180km for the first five days and 100km on the last day to complete the tour in the time set.

Day-after-day, these distances were only achievable by working together as a team and understanding the dynamics of long distance cycling. This challenge was made all the more difficult as the elements were against us; unrelenting rain on the second and fourth day and very strong head winds on the last three days. However, the constant encouragement amongst the team members and sometimes the pure social pressure to keep going is what pushed all of us to do those extra few kilometres each day, all the way to the finish.

To put the tour into perspective, each team spent between seven-and-a-half to 10 hours a day on their bikes, and then a further hour-and-a-half travelling by vehicle to the stay-over towns. Suddenly, the days became very short and teamwork off the road ensured that chores, such as

cleaning and servicing each other’s bicycles and washing, were done in super-quick time to allow for a decent night’s sleep. A mere five hours a day was the norm. This teamwork extended to the many volunteers who willingly prepared sandwiches for the next day, and everyone pitching in to pack and prepare the team and support vehicles in the mornings so that we all left together, and on time.

In the respective teams, everyone understood each other’s strong and weak points and made use of them to bring out the maximum in their teammates, and ultimately their team. When hitting an uphill the strong climbers went to the front and in the strong wind it was the steady riders who took their turn leading. On the second day, when rain was our constant companion on the 140km route, team members gladly shared their dry clothing during the

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 127

pit stops. When some of the Platinum team cycled the mountain bike stages, the Palladium team volunteered a few of their members to help the remaining Platinum riders achieve their allotted 200km a day. It was teamwork at its best and a vast improvement over the 2009 tour!

vehicles having to take a 150km detour to Carnarvon, due to road works and to protect the bikes by staying on the tar, so we only arrived after sunset. The Platinum team was exhausted after riding 150km on the mountain bikes, and so we were soft on them for duties that evening.

Day one was typical of a first day on a tour; attending to last-minute arrangements and making sure the departure ceremony went off without a hitch. The start went according to plan, except for the non-arrival of the Metro Police to escort us through Springs. Our thanks to Sister Rene for stepping in and escorting us safely through the town. The first day is always a bit more difficult in terms of finding your rhythm, but once past Vereeniging all the teams worked like a well-oiled machine. It was a long day and we only arrived in Bothaville just before dark, a trend that was to repeat itself until the end of the tour.

The fourth day from Carnarvon to Calvinia (245km) turned out to be the second most difficult day of the route as the Karoo is not flat, contrary to popular belief, and we were once again faced with strong head winds and extreme heat. Ben Jager led the Palladium team into Calvinia where his parents, who farm in the district, treated us to the most amazing Karoo lamb braai that evening, finished off with ‘roosterkoek’ and fig jam; a meal well-worth the effort of the day’s ride.

A clear blue sky greeted us on day two, but just 80km out of Bothaville the heaven’s opened and the Palladium and Rhodium teams cycled more than 140km to Kimberly (293km) A clear blue sky greeted us on day two, but just 80km out of Bothaville the heaven’s opened and the Palladium and Rhodium teams cycled more than 140km to Kimberly (293km) in miserable, wet conditions. The road was full of rain-filled potholes, making them invisible to the riders and resulting in a couple of flat tyres for the day. We stayed over in Kimberley and made use of the time to wash our clothes that were now brown from the dirty water sprayed on us by the passing traffic.

Day three saw the Palladium and Rhodium teams’ cycle from Kimberley to Carnarvon (398km) in good weather.

The Platinum team did the section with a 65km sand road portion on their mountain bikes and had an absolute ball.

They even took a skinny dip in a farm dam to cool off. The wind decided to give us a break and gently pushing us from the back, everyone achieved their day’s kilometres.

The only low to an otherwise fantastic day was the escort

128 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

Day five from Calvinia to Lamberts Bay (235km) was the scariest and most difficult day. We left the higher Karoo (±1,100m above sea level) and headed down to Namaqualand (±300m above sea level) along the Van Reins Pass (840m above sea level). It was cold and misty at the top of the pass, but it warmed up as we flew down to arrive safely at the bottom, with a lot less rubber on the brake pads and shaking hands. The temperatures soared as we continued on to Doringbaai and a strong headwind reduced the average speed to below 20km/h.

The steep hills sapped what little energy we had left and the teams only arrived in Lamberts Bay at 19:30. However, the mouth-watering aroma of a Crayfish braai, arranged by the support team, soon had us forgetting about the hardships of this gruelling day.

Finally, the last day arrived and Bloubergstrand (267km) beckoned. The Rhodium team left Lamberts Bay at 05:00 to get to the start, and as the sun began to rise the team set off on their allocated 100km route for the day. The Platinum team, who had left just after them, got lost in Lamberts Bay and wasted precious time in an already tight-for-time day. The Palladium team had drawn the short straw and would do the first very hilly section from Lamberts Bay to just after Elandsbaai. To make matters worse we had to do battle against a very strong south easter wind, which started blowing just after sunrise.

Cycling against time, we struggled to reach 20km/h as the legs were not as strong as they had been when we left Springs six days ago. But we all did our earmarked kilometres for the day, with some of us just stopping dead on the spot once achieving the 1,000km target.

On the outskirts of Bloubergstrand the three teams congregated and donned their respective sponsor vests before proudly riding into town behind the matching branded support vehicle. It was very quiet within the bunches; each cyclist very emotional in his or her own way.

The last 15km from Bloubergstrand to the V&A Waterfront was cycled in single file, with a police escort that attracted a lot of attention from the Cape Town residents. Francois Naude, the acting Financial Director of Implats, met us at the Waterfront and handed a trophy to each cyclist in honour of their incredible achievement.

spirit and discipline, to name a few. Mathys also received a sought-after full Assos kit, generously sponsored by Bidvest Magnum. The entire team then went on to complete the Argus in very good times. Two members did it in less than three hours and one in just over the magic three hours!

Another incredible achievement.

The highlight of the tour was that we were able to raise enough money to fund both projects at the two schools. Our target was R150 000, but we managed to raise R220 000.

On 23 March we handed over a cheque of R110 000 to the Protea School. The original project was to purchase a hearing testing station, but with the extra funds we were able to purchase additional testing and evaluation equipment and material.

Final kilometres cycled:

Platinum team Palladium team Rhodium team Total on tour Argus (considered part of the tour) Grand Total

8,700km 5,300km 7,900km 21,900km 2 200km 24 100km

Mishaps:

• Seven flat tyres.

• One spoke snapped.

• Only one person fell sustaining minor injuries, but he continued to cycle a bit later.

Looking at these stats, the number of injuries and mishaps experienced en route were nothing compared to the distances covered and hours spent in the saddle, and we can only thank God for protecting us throughout the tour.

Prize-giving on the last evening was a grand affair, with various fun awards being handed out. The main prize, ‘Cyclist of the Tour’, was awarded to Mathys Basson, who exceeded all the criteria used to measure each cyclist. The criteria included categories such as the strongest rider, team

On 25 March we handed over the same amount to the Muriel Brand School, which will be used to replace all the computers and printers in their computer room. To show their appreciation, the children sang some songs from their revue that will take place later in the year, and we all had tears in our eyes. Again we felt grateful to God for the health we have.

The Implats Social Development Department will manage the two projects and ensure they are well executed.

We would once again like to thank all our sponsors for opening their hearts to this worthy cause! •

DINfo box i Sponsors:

Auto Alpina Springs, Bidvest Magnum, Berchecor Fabrications, C3, Caseys Auto Springs, Chemical Initiative, CST Technoligies, Digicore, East Rand Stereo, E.R. Signs, FNB, Fashionique, GB Electrical, Gijima, Inbabala, Kellogs, KFC, Mica Springs, MZ Security, Novare, NCP, Pat Hinde Toyota, Protea Coin, Ridgeback Machinery, Robson Savage Rockys Radio, RustGold, Sasol Chemicals, SAP, Standard Bank, Stuarts Coal, Tracker, Xscann Technologies and Venter Trailers Boksburg.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 129

NOW

incLOSING inside the next issue ...

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. Leon J. Suenes

Don’t miss our August/September issue to find out more about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Here’s a sneak preview of what you can look forward to.

Street Luge – A Speed Sensation

Read about the thrill of reaching 100km/h while lying two inches off the ground, maneuvering your way through hairpin bends, chicanes and long winding hills on a street luge. If you love the sensation of speed, then this story is for you!

Max Knox on the joBerg2c

The Fairbairn Capital joBerg2c is part race and part adventure. It is a mountain biking journey where the destination is less important than the experience along the way. Max Knox tells us about his experience at this epic 920km race from Johannesburg to the beach of Scottburgh – a race many would never consider.

Funnies 11 people were clinging precariously to a wildly swinging rope suspended from a crumbling outcropping on Mount Everest. Ten were blonde, one was a brunette.

Outfitting Your Kayak

A kayak is a good thing, but a fully-outfitted and well set-up kayak is the ultimate get-wet pleasure vehicle.

Deon Breytenbach will share some great tips on how to get the most out of your kayak, be it a white water, sit-on-top or fishing kayak.

As a group they decided that one of the party should let go. If that didn't happen the rope would break and everyone would perish. For an agonizing few moments no one volunteered.

Finally the brunette gave a truly touching speech saying she would sacrifice herself to save the lives of the others. The blondes all applauded.

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 and Team 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. DO IT NOW supports and encourages responsible practices with regards to all Adventure, Sport and Lifestyle activities. We also believe in the conservation and protection of all fauna and flora.

130 • DO IT NOW June | July 2011

R1 500

Only available to DO IT NOW Subscribers - includes postage

Contact DO IT NOW Magazine at 011 462 1261, orders at doitnow.co.za