DO IT NOW Magazine #30 - Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle

ADVENTURE | SPORT | LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

VOL 5•10 2013 #30

Where body

meets

mind

Jordy

SHOOT!

The Otter

African

Trail Run

on fire

plus In review:

GPS Watches Competition p. 5 & 201 facebook & twitter www.doitnow.co.za

On the Cover - Action from this year’s African Otter Run. Photo by - Jacques Marais | www.jacquesmarais.co.za

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

DO IT NOW Team CEO / FOUNDER Francois Flamengo

Alan Hobson Fly Fishing

Andrea Kellerman Sport Psychologist

Susan Sloan Running

Francois Steyn Vehicle Reviews

André Troost Various

Jacques Marais Photography

Xen & Adri Ludick Travel

Hannele Steyn MTB / Nutrition

Sam Bradley Travel

Neil Ross Recipes

Peter Fairbanks Insurance

Francois Flamengo Various

MANAGING DIRECTOR Elri Flamengo | elri@doitnow.co.za CREATIVE DIRECTOR Peet Nieuwenhuizen | peet@doitnow.co.za SALES DIRECTOR Morné Labuschagne | sales@doitnow.co.za | +27 (0)71 292 9953 CONTENT PRODUCTION MANAGER Tracy Knox | tracy@doitnow.co.za | competitions@doitnow.co.za WEB PRODUCTION MANAGER Marieke Viljoen | media@doitnow.co.za | listings@doitnow.co.za video & media production Warwick Soar | warwick@doitnow.co.za SOCIAL MEDIA & Junior Designer Sarah Kobal | sarah@doitnow.co.za FINANCIAL & OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Liezel de Lange | invoices@doitnow.co.za Operations Nick Makhubelu | nick@doitnow.co.za GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@doitnow.co.za | +27 (0)11 100 0941 PUBLISHER DO IT NOW CC APP AVAILABLE ON iTunes | Amazon (Kindle Fire) | Android (Magzter) PDF READER AVAILABLE FROM ISSUU HEAD OFFICE

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Disclaimer

While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the content of the DO IT NOW website and magazine is accurate, DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may appear, or for any consequence of utilising the information contained herein. Statements by contributors and media submissions are not always representative of DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd opinion. Copyright 2009 DO IT NOW Magazine (Pty) Ltd. No part of this website and magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored on a retrieval system without the prior permission of DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd. DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd supports and encourages responsible practices with regards to all Adventure, Sport and Lifestyle activities. We also believe in the conservation and protection of our environment.

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Digital Advertising

Opportunities For more information on advertising opportunities and customised campaigns, please email sales@doitnow.co.za or call Morné Labuschagne on +27 (0) 71 292 9953.

CALENDAR OCTOBER 2013 S

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dinFO Here are some great activities and events to look out for this month: Entertainment // Hobby X Gallagher Convention Centre - Midrand (Gauteng): 3-6 October Climbing // Abseil Table Mountain Cape Town (WC) Entertainment // Rage Gaming Expo 2013 Coca-Cola Dome - Jhb (Gauteng): 4-6 October Running // The TOUGH-MAN Trail Run Series - Botha’s Hill (KZN): 5 October Bicycling // Nissan TrailSeeker #4 Hakahana 2013 - Hartbeespoort (Gauteng): 5 October Running // Highveld Summer Trail Challenge Race 1 - Skeerpoort (NW): 6 October Water Sports // Cape Town Summer Surf Ski Series Race 1 - Dunlop (WC): 6 October Hiking // Walks in Gauteng (Gauteng) Martial Arts // EFC AFRICA 24 Carnival City - Brakpan (Gauteng): 10 October Aerial Sports // Sky diving Bicycling // MTN National MTB Series, XCM #8 - Parys (FS): 12-13 October Water Sports // Summer Surf Ski Series Race 2 - Hout Bay (WC): 13 October Running // The Color Run - Cape Town (WC) 19 October Water Sports // Shark Diving - Cape Point (WC) Multi Sports // Warrior Race #7 - Hartbeespoort Dam (NW): 19-20 October Motoring // International Motor Show 2013 - Johannesburg (Gauteng) 19-27 October

FIND OUT MORE For a more comprehensive list of events and activities taking place throughout the year, refer to the Calendar on www.doitnow. co.za/events

www.doitnow.co.za • 3

inDEX

Vol 5•10 2013 #30 | www.doitnow.co.za

// Team & Contributors: p. 2 DO IT NOW Magazine’s team and regular contributors. // Calendar: p. 3 Calendar featuring Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle events. // inDEX: p. 4 Contents for DO IT NOW Magazine #30. // Enter & Win: p. 5 Enter our new website competition and stand to win great prizes. // inFOCUS Reader Competion: p. 201

Articles RUNNING

6 SHOOT! The Otter African Trail Run 20 In review: GPS watches

Martial Arts

27 Garreth ‘Soldierboy’ McLellan is fighting fit and battle ready

Ball Sports

33 Growing South Africa’s baseball talent

Bicycling

43 Cycling the world’s highest roads for a purpose 53 Saddle sores and surfboards 62 Our Trans Baviaans experience 72 Jozi2Kozi - an adventure of a lifetime 83 Stellar line-up of Tour of Britain 2013

MOTORBIKING

90 Bucket lists & bike dreams (Part 1)

WIND Sports

101 Taking on Alaçati

Water Sports

109 Jordy on fire 115 Development team to compete in African Canoe Polo Champs

Health & Fitness

125 135 140 145

Aerial dance - creativity meets functional fitness Where body meets mind Nuts and things The pension game

72

Travel

148 Authentic Africa: (Part 2) Magical Mumbo Island 159 Authentic Africa: (Part 3) Heading back home 169 Lucerne - a city of contrasts

NATURE

179 Goats and giant trout

ENTERTAINMENT

187 Recipes: Three-course meal that is sure to impress 190 Movie and game reviews

Involved

195 South African beauty in Miss Deaf World Key: Adventure

Sport

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Lifestyle

INVOLVED

159

ENTER & WIN Visit www.doitnow.co.za during OCTOBER and enter your details in the Enter & Win Competition to stand a chance to WIN a Virb or Virb Elite.

Virb & Virb Elite

worth R3,999.00 & R5,199.00 each!

VIRB - Life. Camera. Action! The Virb is the ultimate outdoor action camera, with true-HD 1080 p video mode and 16 MP still image capturing, you will never miss out on capturing that perfect moment again.

148

VIRB ELITE - The Virb Elite has built in GPS, accelerometer and altimeter sensors, and is compatible with ANT+ enabled accessories like heart rate, which is then incorporated into your video. The Virb Elite doesn’t just show people what you did, it helps them relive it with you.

Congratulations to Willem van Aswegen and Sharon Esterhuizen, the winners of the September 2013 competition. Sharon and Willem each win a pair of INOV-8 F-LITE™ 195 worth R1,095 each!

New look

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DO IT NOW Magazine is pleased to announce that it has launched a new and improved website.

The website has been designed to provide the ultimate visual and user-friendly experience, with action-packed content, stunning photographs, videos and improved navigation and functionality throughout. Compatible with today's browsers and mobile devices, users can share content with others across Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Visit www.doitnow.co.za where South Africa’s #1 adventure, sport and lifestyle magazine takes publishing to the next level: • Latest news • Fascinating and informative articles • Up-to-date calendar, events, and feedback • Stunning photo galleries • Action-packed videos • 20 different adventure, sport and lifestyle categories

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Adventure, sport & lifestyle news, articles and events never looked this good! www.doitnow.co.za • 5

RUNNING

Words & Photos: Jacques Marais

SHOOT!

The Otter African Trail Run The Otter African Trail Run – presented

by GU and Salomon, and organised by Magnetic South -

is unarguably South Africa’s ‘unofficial national trail rW$unning championships’.

Shooting it is an experience of a life time, even after five years of covering this amazing event.

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EQUIPMENT FOR

EVERY ROUTE

We don’t just design equipment. We build it. For more than 50 years we’ve been building the tools you need.

We have always built our gear using the latest in technology and materials, and that unrelenting commitment has resulted in the most widely used, widely acclaimed line of mountain equipment in the world.

BlackDiamondEquipment.com Visit www.rammountain.co.za/Catalogue/BDCatalogue.html for more products.

THE EVENT

Nowhere else in the world will you find so much concentrated natural beauty distilled into 42.2 km of trail, and that is no lie. I’ve hiked, trekked, and done trail runs on so many routes around the world - from Patagonia, Greenland National Park, and Borneo to Outer Mongolia - and nothing quite compares to the Otter.

Ancient montane forest, plunging sea cliffs, boulder-strewn beaches, hidden bays, coastal promontories, and fynbos ridges combine along this legendary hiking trail, making it South Africa’s favourite multi-day trail.

Getting a spot on this popular hike may take a year or more, but even that does not come close to the desirability of running the route in a single day. As Mark Collins - one of the passionate organisers from Magnetic South - says: “It is a place where you can release your soul to dance free within one of the most beautiful natural spaces on Planet Earth.”

He is absolutely right, but the 200-plus athletes who annually compete in the Otter African Trail Run race (there is a Challenge Event as well), don’t come here to dance … they come to face off against one of the toughest trail challenges in the world.

There are longer runs and runs with more altitude gain, but the Otter combines the classic 42.2 km marathon distance with relentless ups and downs, constantly changing terrain - think slippery tree roots, knife-edged striated rocks, ankle-snapping boulder fields, and more than 7,000 steps - plus one of the strongest running fields ever assembled in Africa.

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300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2), 1/4000 sec., F5.6, ISO 400, AF-D mode

never miss the moment

full detail

α99 with 300mm F2.8 G SSM II

Experience the evolution of Translucent Mirror Technology. 35mm full-frame Exmor® CMOS sensor, newly developed BIONZ image processor, the world’s first* Dual AF System capable of 19+102 AF points and 60p/24p full HD movies.

Capture any moment with a wide array of lenses for high contrast, rich gradation, and high resolution images. *The world’s first AF system in a 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens digital camera to feature two phase detection sensors as of September 12, 2012, according to Sony’s internal survey.

‘Sony’, ‘make.believe’, ‘ ’, ‘Exmor’, ‘BIONZ’ and their logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation 2012.

www.sony.co.za/product/slt-a99v

THE ATHLETES

World Trail Running Champion Ricky Lightfoot was one of the athletes who lined up at the start this year. This Salomonsponsored speedster came to South Africa with a mission, and that mission was to destroy the record for this iconic race.

This he did, in the most emphatic fashion imaginable and despite going against the cream of SA's 'generation trail' heroes. Lightfoot's new record of 4 hours 15 minutes seems just about impossible for an event that, at inception, nobody thought could be run in under five hours.

This year, the top three men broke the previous record set up Ryan Sandes, with a further twenty-plus athletes managing to finish in under five hours. Lightfoot was followed over the Bay Port floating bridge by the indefatigable Iain Don-Wauchope in 4 hours 25 minutes, and AJ Calitz claimed the final podium space in 4 hours 27 minutes.

The Otter, however, is certainly not only about the men.

The Women's race proved a hotly contested event, with the ladies breaking the 5 hour barrier for the first time ever. Ruby Muir from New Zealand ran impeccably (and seemingly effortlessly) in 4 hours 55 minutes, while SA’s ‘Darling of Trail’, Landie Greyling, claimed second place in 4 hours 58 minutes. Nicolette Griffioen managed a hard-fought third place in her first Otter.

Noteworthy was an amazing performance by Noel Ernstzen, who became the first Master (yup, that’s the over 50's category!) to smash the 5 hour barrier. The winners are certainly not the only heroes though; any athlete who finishes the ‘Grail of Trail’ is a hero in their own right.

This certainly holds true for the backmarkers who suffer for 11 hours during the Challenge Event, held two days after race day. Huge respect therefore goes out to each and every competitor who came, experienced, and conquered the incredible Otter African Trail Run.

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www.doitnow.co.za • 17

seize more light

more light, more color, finer detail.

The NEX-6 with a large Exmor ® APS-C size CMOS sensor is capable of capturing more light to deliver photos like never before. Along with Wi-Fi for effortless transfers, ultra-fast phase-detection AF and a superb XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, you will get everything you'll need from a camera that won't weigh you down.

18 DO IT NOW Magazine

‘Sony’, ‘make.believe’, ‘ ’, ‘Exmor’ and their logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation 2012.

• | #30

www.sony.co.za/product/nex-6l

THE EQUIPMENT

No other trail race ever generates this kind of excitement, and shooting this Magnetic South event comes with a huge responsibility. As photographers, you

need to cover the majority of the course on foot, while carrying all the camera equipment required for the job.

This was the first year I shot the Otter with my new Sony equipment, and I knew it would be a major test for both the ALPHA-SLT and NEX Systems. The latter bridge cameras proved a massive boon, as their lightweight lenses and bodies, combined with an impressive DX-Format sensor, meant a substantial weight saving.

The NEX-7 also fits perfectly into a small Digipac waterproof housing, which meant I could shoot the Bloukrans River crossing without fear of losing my equipment in the treacherous surge pumping through the mouth. As always, the A99-SLT’s full frame capabilities pumped out eye-popping colour and crisp landscapes, but that is exactly what you would expect from their range of immaculate Carl Zeiss lenses.

The beauty of Sony is that it is a cross-platform system.

What exactly does this mean, you ask? Well, my waterproof Xperia phone communicates on NFC (Near Field Communication) with my camera, allowing me immediate sharing on social media platforms, while I can control my Action Cam using the phone as an interface as well.

And NOTHING can touch the speed, lightness, and rugged aluminium gorgeousness of my Sony Ultrabook. A Core i7-processor, intuitive touch screen display, and seamless synching with my full system make for total compatibility, and at a weight of less than a weekly magazine.

After four days on the Otter, all I can say is 'another perfect day in the office'. The Magnetic South team are like family; sponsors Salomon and GU are the best brands in the business; the Garden Route National Park is truly glorious; and the athletes themselves are some of the most inspiring people I have ever met in my life. Kudos, to each and every one of you! •

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Words: Susan Sloan, SA Triathlete and Trail runner.

In review:

GPS watches It is the era of accessible information and as an athlete, we can't ignore the advantages that current technology offers us in terms of improving our training and performance.

We have to embrace it and use it. Time is of the essence! And yet it is no longer only about time! We now have distance, speed, altitude, and temperature, amongst others, at our fingertips. And since time really is of the essence, we need to make the most of it!

Having been asked to review four GPS watches, and as a bit of a technophobe, my first priority was to find the unit that was the most user-friendly. But, it also had to give me as much data as possible and data that was accurate! These were my findings.

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REVIEW

RATING:

4.5 5

Garmin fenix Truly a GPS on your wrist!

At first glance:

• It’s very rugged in appearance.

• The strap of the watch is soft and moulds easily and comfortably around my skinny wrist.

• It has a huge display that reads well during activity. Although the watch is quite large, it doesn’t feel big, heavy or bulky when running.

However, when cycling, the face of the watch bruised my wrist/hand, especially over bumpy terrain. A bike mount would help a lot, but it would not be ideal for triathlons if you want to wear the watch throughout the race.

• Using the stopwatch and GPS were fairly simple to figure out, even before reading the instruction manual.

• One key feature that I enjoyed was the lap mode, which signals (sound) and displays a ‘lap time’, and gives your time for the completed distance.

• The orange button, or mode button, is strategically placed on the left side of the unit so that it doesn’t accidentally get pressed while cycling or running.

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Navigation:

• Altitude is a great feature to have on a wristwatch, especially when you go off road and do a lot of climbing. It tells you how much altitude you have gained and how much there’s still to go!

Using barometric measurement, the altitude displayed is also more accurate than a unit that uses only GPS for altitude values.

• The trackback and waypoint functions mean you can explore unknown territory without the worry of not finding your way back.

• Waypoints also help to navigate an unmarked route, like in a Skyrun or Wartrail, where GPS coordinates are given for certain checkpoints.

• Various adjustments can be made to tweak the unit settings to your liking while on the run.

• The unit is waterproof, but the GPS won’t pick up satellite signal, which means you are not able to measure your distance in an indoor swimming pool.

Connection:

• Connection, data download, and analysis via garminconnect.com.

• Exercise records can be easily compared on the website.

• However, downloading the records from the unit to the website is more of a process than some of the other units.

REVIEW

RATING:

4 5

Bryton Cardio 60 An easy to use, compact watch.

At first glance:

• It is lightweight, but a bit less robust than bigger and heavier models.

• The strap is soft and mouldable.

• This flat and square watch isn’t as visually appealing as some of the other models.

• It is easier to use than the Garmin.

• It’s a simple and quick process to start exercise recording.

• It was comfortable on my wrist while riding, but it does come with a bike bracket.

• Adjustments to the units displayed can be done via the wristwatch and without having to connect to a PC. • This unit has at triathlon feature, which is great news for us trail runners! It has transition timing, so you are able to get an accurate ‘run time’ as opposed to a time that includes your transition time.

Furthermore, you will be able to see how much time you’re taking or wasting in transitions. This setting can be changed if you prefer not to have transition times.

Navigation:

• Satellites are picked up quickly and easily.

• Altitude is a feature, but unfortunately uses GPS, which is considered inadequate for trail or off-road racing or navigation.

CONNECTION:

• You connect to your PC via a crocodile clip.

• You can view and analyse your exercise data by logging onto www.brytonsport.com.

• When you are not online, data files can be saved to your PC to view online at a later stage.

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RATING:

3 5

Nike - TomTom Runner For runners who want to track their performance.

At first glance:

• The appearance is very different to the other models. The rectangular face shape, which may be less popular, it’s more comfortable on the wrist and causes less restriction or bruising, especially while mountain biking, than some of the other models.

• Surprisingly, it is more comfortable than it looks.

• The limited, adjustable settings can only be done while the watch is connected to a PC. • A foot pod is included, which fits into specific Nike trainers and is of added benefit when the GPS signal is low or running indoors.

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Navigation:

• TomTom GPS navigation.

CONNECTION:

• Connects to a PC via USB. • A nice feature is that the USB connection is built into the end of the watchstrap, so you don’t need to worry about not being able to connect or charge your watch!

REVIEW

RATING:

5 5

Suunto S2

A user-friendly watch for explorers and athletes.

At first glance:

• I may be slightly biased here because this watch has been specifically designed with triathlon in mind. Triathlon is a ‘sport type option’ on this unit and has already been programmed in, which means that during a triathlon you don’t need to worry about changing modes after your swim, cycle, and run.

Pressing the lap button after your swim changes the watch and settings to the bike settings, for example, and gives you speed in km/hr and then on the run in min/km.

• This unit was the most user-friendly and I didn’t have to study the manual to figure out how to do a simple run or cycle.

• Robust design, but also smart looking. This is a watch that can be used as an all-round watch you wear while training and at work.

• The strap is surprisingly comfortable.

• The watch is, however, quite large and can be uncomfortable on your wrist, especially when mountain biking. At gym, a simple push-up was uncomfortable, so I had to try to loosen the strap to get it higher up my arm so it wouldn’t hurt my hand.

• An additional feature for us triathletes is that the Ambit 2S can measure indoor swimming, enabled by a 3D accelerometer, which other GPS units don’t have.

Navigation:

• This unit has a magnetic compass that will give you a compass (straight line) direction to a selected point of interest.

• Routes can be created on the Movescount website.

• The GPS-based altimeter is considered to be less accurate than barometric measurment, but it does prove to be fairly accurate nonetheless.

Connection:

• Connection, data downloads, and analysis is via movescount.com.

• Uploading data is a quick and simple process.

• Data can be shared with other Movescount users and posted on various media fields, such as Twitter. •

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MARTIAL ARTS

Words: Bronwen Blunden | Photos: Hendrick Steytler

Garreth ‘SoldierBoy’ McLellan is ready to come out with his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) guns blazing

when he battles Jeremy ‘Pitbull’ Smith in the EFC Africa 24 Fight Card to reclaim his Middleweight Championship title in their bout at The Big Top Arena at Carnival City on Thursday, 10 October.

Garreth ‘SoldierBoy’ McLellan is

fighting fit& battle ready www.doitnow.co.za • 27

Heading back into the Hexagon, McLellan is a seasoned athlete

who has been working with a team of fitness professionals and specialist coaches to make sure that he is fully prepared to put on the best possible display for his legions of fans.

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“My team has been working with EFC Africa to set up this encounter for a while now, and despite the various obstacles that we’ve had to overcome, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to win back the belt and title,” McLellan says. “I lost the title to Smith in 2012 in a titanic battle that ended my undefeated streak, but I’ve invested my body, mind, and soul in getting ready to win it back.”

EFC Africa is the biggest MMA tournament in Africa, with more than 100 of the continent’s toughest athletes from South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Nigeria and Egypt, among others, showcasing their multidisciplinary skills in eight events per year, each of which gives fans at least 12 explosive bouts of action.

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With his principal fight disciplines being kickboxing and jujitsu, McLellan is one

of the first athletes to turn professional in this sport in South Africa, and supports his fight training with cardio fitness, strength training, Pilates, and swimming to make sure that his body is a finely tuned, supremely strong battle machine.

He took up MMA after a career in rugby in KwaZulu-Natal, turning professional in 2008, and started competing in EFC Africa events in 2009. He quickly built a reputation for being a determined and dedicated fighter in the Hexagon, while being a true gentleman outside of it, earning the respect of opponents and fans alike. He competes in the Middleweight category, which is for contenders in the 77-84kg weight range.

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“I am a professional athlete, and every minute I spend training is an investment in my future success,” “My commitment to this sport is absolute, and I make every physical and mental effort to make sure that I am at the top of my game.”

He adds, "The sport has grown so much in the last few years, and I would not be able to work this hard, or achieve my goals, if it wasn’t for the support of my fans.” My trainer, Richard Quan of Fight Fit Militia, and I both know that no matter how hard we work to hone my skills and my fitness, I would not be able to take on the likes of Smith without my fans cheering me on.”

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When he enters the Hexagon on 10 October to his signature “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, McLellan will surely complete his journey from defeat and injury to re-establish his place in the EFC Africa record books, as one of the world’s most talented MMA fighters. • To keep up with the action in build-up to the fight, follow @SoldierboyInc or become a fan on Facebook.

BALL SPORTS

Words & Photos: Patrick Stark

Growing South Africa’s

baseball

www.shutterstock.com

talent Baseball is a sport that we, as South Africans, aren’t generally accustomed to, but it’s played by thousands countrywide.

So let’s take a closer look at what this exciting, action-packed sport is all about.

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Growing South Africa’s

baseball

talent 34 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #30

Baseball was introduced to South Africa in 1898 by American gold miners who worked on the Crown Mines and City Deep shafts, in Witwatersrand (Gauteng). These miners were true baseball ambassadors: they brought equipment, constructed playing fields, and established the Giants Baseball Club in 1904. In line with the growing popularity of the sport, the Transvaal Baseball Association was formed in 1905.

Although the Americans brought baseball to the Transvaal, it was the Japanese who captivated the people of Port Elizabeth with this new ball game in 1934. Shortly thereafter, the South African Baseball Federation was formed in 1935 with the Western Province, Eastern Province, Border, Northern Transvaal, and Transvaal.

Following Prime Minister J. B. Vorster's relaxed sports policy, a committee of the IOC visited SA in September 1967 to examine the situation. The committee presented a favourable report and stated that SA had undertaken to send a multi-racial team, selected on merit, to the next Olympic Games. On the strength of this report, SA was invited to the 1968 games in Mexico, but this elicited such sharp protests from black African countries, who threatened to withdraw if SA participated, that the IOC was obliged to withdraw its invitation in April 1969. The ban was only lifted prior to the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, when the international community was convinced that SA was irrevocably on the road to political transformation and democracy.

www.shutterstock.com

Looking back

During the Second World War, baseball entered a quiet period, but resumed in earnest after 1945. Then in 1955, South Africa stepped onto the international stage when an all-American All Stars team toured South Africa. But this was short lived because in October 1963, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that South Africa had to eliminate racial discrimination in sport before 31 December 1963 or the country would not be permitted to send a team to the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Though the deadline was later extended to allow SA more time, the government was not prepared to permit multi-racial sports. As a result, the IOC did not invite SA to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. This was a heavy blow for South African sporting circles and the sport loving community.

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Impressive record Since the fall of the apartheid government in 1994 and South Africa’s return to international baseball, we have built up an impressive record.

In 1999, we were undefeated in the Africa-Oceania Olympic qualifier; we finished 8th in the 2000 Olympics (3-2, in 10 innings, beating the current European Champions); played in two out of three Baseball World Classics (2006 and 2009); and are currently ranked 29th out of 79 countries.

During this time, the game has also spread to the nation’s capital, Tshwane (Pretoria), Natal, and many other areas, including rural townships. Today, participation in adult and youth leagues is estimated at more than 250,000 players. That’s about a third of what rugby claims.

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Challenges faced Although South Africa has a baseball history that spans more than 100 years, the sport remains in the shadow of rugby, soccer, and cricket. In fact, most South Africans are not even aware that baseball is played in their country. The baseball community is very much like our hockey community; both struggle with financial backing, they are constantly hampered by politics and infighting, and are in the shadow of traditional sports like rugby, cricket, and football.

As a result of these challenges, developing baseball in South Africa has proved challenging. However, it is not all doom and gloom.

Africa was recently identified as the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) next major development project. The MLB currently run and sponsor the African Baseball Academy in Cape Town, where local, national, and club coaches get to meet and be trained by some of the world’s best coaches. The MLB also invites many of Africa’s top players to this academy to be trained and possibly even scouted by the international coaches. In addition, we have a group of wonderfully talented players, who are committed to putting our country and this sport on the map again, and dipping into their pockets to see this happen. But they cannot do it alone. With support from government and corporates, as well as ordinary South Africans, we can take baseball to a whole new level. And who knows, it might even give our traditional sports a run for their money.

Growing South Africa’s

baseball

www.shutterstock.com

talent

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BACK LEFT TO RIGHT: City of Cape Town Council Alderman James Vos and Bothasig Baseball Club’s Chairman Tommie Norman. (Front l-r) Keenan Clarke, Darren Boltman, Tyrone Milne, Jordan King, and Dylan Stark.

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The game Baseball in South Africa is played under the direction of the South African Baseball Union and at club level. The clubs are affiliated to provincial/regional governing bodies, for example, Cape Town clubs are affiliated to the Baseball Association of the Western Province. Currently, the hot spots, in terms of baseball talent, lie in the Eastern Cape, Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

Leagues The 10-team wooden bat league (top leagues that make use of wooden bats, as seen on TV (ESPN Major League Baseball), whilst some of the lower leagues make use of metal bats), which has produced numerous players who have gone on to play professional baseball in the United States and Europe. Additionally, more than three-quarters of the players from the South African National Team, who competed in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, were products of the Western Province Major League.

Competitiveness Locally, the annual National Inter-Provincial Tournament is where all the National Provincial teams compete to become the National Champions. This tournament is for participants in the age groups of Under 14, 16, 18, and Seniors. In addition to competing for top honours, the selection of players for international tournaments is conducted throughout the tournament by selectors.

South Africa is a notoriously athletic and competitive nation and remains the only African nation to have competed in international events, such as the World Baseball Classics and 2000 Olympics. More recently, a 20-man strong SA U18 team faced the United Kingdom in a five-game series, which was held in Johannesburg from 23 to 25 August 2013. They won the series 4-0. Included in this team were five Bothasig Baseball Club members: Darren Boltman (first base), Keenan Clarke (catcher), Jordan King (pitcher), Tyrone Milne (catcher), and Dylan Stark (pitcher). These five men were also part of the WP U18 A Team that won Gold in the Inter-Provincial Tournament held in Cape Town, in April 2013.

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When asked how they felt about being included in the SA National Team, this is what they had to say.

Keenan Clarke said, “This has been my dream since the age of four when my dad introduced me to this wonderful game called baseball. Being included in the SA National Team is such an honour and thus far, the greatest achievement in my life.”

Darren Boltman said, “I could not have done this without the support of my coaches, senior players, and my parents. I will wear the colours with pride and passion and proudly represent it to the best of my ability.”

Jordan King said, “It has always a dream of mine to represent my country in baseball. I would not have been selected if it was not for my coaches and parents encouragement, and working hard for what I love most - the game of baseball!”

Dylan Stark concluded, “I am over the moon!

It's such an amazing accomplishment to be told that you are one of the top 20 players in the country; it does wonders for your confidence. It also proves to yourself that all the hard work and effort has paid off and that we can only get better."

Join the club Established in 1974, the Bothasig Baseball Club is a fine example of a club that has a vested interest in the development of baseball in South Africa.

With a long and proud heritage, the club boasts a history of international achievements, as well as fantastic community involvement and participation.

It's affiliated to the Baseball Association of the Western Province, with additional accreditation to the South African Baseball Union. Currently the largest player-attending baseball club in South Africa, its success can be attributed to the parents’ involvement, a dynamic team of coaches, and dedicated committee members, managers, and scorers.

Growing South Africa’s

baseball

talent Growing the youth Youngsters aged between 5 and 16 are well supported by accredited coaches and can be seen hard at training during the week evenings and playing matches on Saturdays, as early as 08h00! With baseball glove in hand and cap on heart, they recite the Players Pledge of Baseballers. The club tasks its senior players, many of them current and past South African team members, to umpire these games so that the youngsters can see what is achievable in the long term, through dedication, teamwork, and a sense of pride in their club. Once a month, these youngsters are put through their paces by the Major League and Major League Reserve Teams, who help with additional fieldwork, pitching, hitting, and specialised training. www.shutterstock.com

Stars in the making Senior teams train under the diligent and vastly experienced guidance of numerous advanced and qualified coaches. The 2013/14 senior pre-season fitness training is progressing well and we foresee a focused and determined effort from our young men to achieve success in this year’s league. With many of our current senior players having played for South Africa on the international stage, we continue to guide, mentor, and share baseball expertise with the younger men joining these ranks.

Sports development In August 2013, the City of Cape Town Award was presented to Bothasig Baseball Club in recognition of the club’s dedication to sports development within the community, the fantastic ambassadorship shown by the club and its members. Further acknowledgement was given in view of the major representation of club members that were recently selected into the Western Province baseball teams, and took part in the Inter-Provincial Tournament held in April 2013.

If you would lik find out more abe to baseball in your out visit www.bawp area, .co.za.

To find ou t more about Bothasig Baseb all Club, contac t elanimorton@gm ail.com or patrickstark@te lkomsa.net

If this article has sparked an interest, why not join the baseball community of South Africa and help put this exciting sport firmly on the map. •

www.doitnow.co.za • 41

MAKES HOT COOL. LITERALLY.

© 2013 Columbia Sportswear Company. All rights reserved.

SWEAT-ACTIVATED COOLING Sweat smarter with Omni-Freeze® ZERO. Sweat reacts with blue rings to lower the temperature of the material.

Others will feel heat. You’ll feel an arctic blast.

CO LU M B I AS P O R TS W E A R . CO. Z A

BICYCLING

Words & Photos: Raimondo De Simone | Video: Hugh Fraser

Cycling purpose the world’s highest roads for a

Enjoying a break just before the top of the Khardung La.

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The weather soon turned icy, and we headed off the pass.

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1:1,000 babies throughout Africa are born with a cleft palate or cleft lip.

Operation Smile is a non-profit, volunteer medical services organisation that has provided more than 200,000 free reconstructive surgery procedures in over 60 countries (13 in Africa) worldwide since 1982. Their mission is simple: No child should have to live with the pain and isolation caused by a correctable facial deformity.

1:10 BABIES die before their first birthday from the inability to feed and infections.

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Those who survive grow up with significant speech abnormalities and breathing problems. Many suffer from burst eardrums and progressive deafness. Perhaps the most debilitating for these patients is the huge stigma attached to living with a facial deformity.

Forty-five percent of Operation Smile’s patients are aged between 0 and 4 years, which represents the most delicate age for survival from clefts. I was born with this deformity, but was lucky enough to have parents who could afford the best medical attention available.

So this raises the question: What can be done to raise awareness and much needed funding for this organisation?

After much soul searching and brain storming, Willie Bronkhorst and I decided to start a campaign for the organisation by cycling the highest roads in the world on a mountain bike. We agreed that we'd finance the trip ourselves, so that all monies raised would go directly toward Operation Smile SA. Span African Adventures, an owner-operated adventure company, offers such a cycling trip from Manali to Leh and includes the Kardung La in the Himalayas, northern India. The distance covered is 610 km (11,060 vertical metres ascent) in 11 days, and includes six high passes, three of which are in excess of 5,000 m above sea level.

He’ll be coming round the mountain ...

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Arriving in India

Acclimatisation ride

Our arrival in Mumbai proved tricky after we were almost fined for ‘importing’ our mountain bikes into the country. Thankfully, a more senior official come to our rescue and said, “Rather let them through to enjoy the beauty that the Himalayas has to offer.” He saved us a few thousand rand each, and was not wrong. The Himalayas is a truly magical experience!

Manali to Manali, 28 km & 800 m vertical ascent

From Mumbai, we caught a domestic flight into Delhi. What a crazy place! You have to deal with dogs, cattle, elephants, cars, taxis, busses, tuk-tuks, bicycle rickshaws, motorbikes, and people all competing for space on the over crowded roads. One of the local drivers summed it up well, “If you are a driver in Delhi, it’s a prerequisite to have a good brake, a good hooter, and good luck.”

This craziness seems to work, as we didn’t see a single accident.

After spending two days in Delhi, it was time to leave the heat and humidity behind us and make our way to the town of Manali, at the foothills of the Himalaya Mountain range. The 14-hour bus trip proved interesting, with little sleep, as all Indian drivers believe in the power of the hooter.

Situated at approximately 2,000 m above sea level, Manali is a beautiful town surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges and cascading waterfalls. We unpacked and assembled the mountain bikes, ready to do our acclimatisation ride and test the mountain bikes, as well as get rid of any cobwebs that might be lingering in the lungs.

Day 1 Manali to Marhi, 36 km & 1,350 m vertical ascent We started early and soon after the rain gods decided to send their product our way. Not knowing what to wear or take with us in our backpacks, we had left wearing very little rainproof clothing. But rain was not going to dampen our high spirits, so we continued to Marhi on the Manali-Leh Highway, the only road that exists between these two towns.

With this in mind, we knew the road would be full of trucks, cars, motorbikes, and road workers.

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1

2

3 FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1.

Yes, this really does happen in Delhi.

2.

Arriving in Leh. 3.

Every piece of land is productively used.

4.

Along the Sarchu Plains.

5.

To infinity and beyond.

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The first day was uphill for the entire 36 km. Towards the top of the climb, the clouds lifted and what lay before us was truly remarkable; mountains, mountains, and more mountains. We arrived in Marhi, at

Day 4 Patsio to Sarchu, 68 km & 1,305 m vertical ascent During the days, we would climb high and sleep low to acclimatise to the altitude. Patsio Campsite was at 3,800 m above sea level, our highest camping spot to date. It was a daunting task knowing that we would climb to 4,800 m, the highest altitude to date, in the first 30 km of the ride.

approximately 3,300 m above sea level, after about 5 hours, which included a few roadside stops for lunch and photos. We set up our tents near the small village of Marhi, and after a good lunch, a lazy afternoon, and dinner, we turned in for the night. It had been a successful first day.

After the uphill, we once again enjoyed a marvellous downhill and flat section known as the Sarchu Plains. The Plains are spectacular and boast many rocky outcrops. If I had to compare it to anything, I would imagine the top of the moon to look similar.

We camped at 4,200 m above sea level.

Day 2

Day 5

Marhi to Keylong, 83 km & 1,330 m vertical ascent

Rest day

We could see the pass that needed to be conquered and it wasn’t very appealing. It was 700 vertical metres in 16 km to the top of Rohtang (meaning ‘the pile of corpses’, due to people dying in bad weather trying to cross the pass) Pass, and it was tough. A small cup of tea from the Aun'tea' at the top was so rewarding and worth every pedal stroke required to get there. At 3,980 m above sea level, the 20 km downhill was indeed a treat after 52 km (including day one) of uphill at altitude.

The clouds opened as we descended and more magnificent views greeted us.

Day five brought with it our first rest day. The sleep in did us wonders and we were able to do some washing of both clothes and bodies. We hiked to a local Buddhist village, where a local lady (another Aun'tea') kindly invited us in for tea. Although we couldn't communicate, we managed and the tea was refreshing.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing in camp.

After an undulating remainder of the day, we arrived in Keylong in the afternoon and stayed in a simple, but comfortable guest house.

Day 3 Keylong to Patsio, 45 km & 1,100 m vertical ascent After two days in the saddle, a bit of fatigue had set in and it was difficult leaving the comfort of the guest house’s bed. However, after a good night’s rest and with only 45 km to cover, we set out in high spirits. The first 20 km was once again uphill, but we knocked the ascent off kilometre by kilometre at a leisurely pace.

Our home for the night was Patsio Campsite, which was situated in a riverbed. As we entered the campsite, it began to rain. The rain continued for several hours and we were worried about the possibility of flooding, but our concerns were washed away when the rained suddenly stopped and the sun came out to play.

Day 6 Sarchu to Pang, 72 km & 1,200m vertical ascent This would be another tough day, as we had to ride up two high passes. We ascended to 4,800 m, and then 7 kilometres later we rode up our first 5,000 m pass. After climbing to 5,065 m, the downhill into Pang was *29er mountain bike country and our bikes were put through their paces. It was a great day out on the bike, the best day so far.

Day 7 Pang to Tsokar, 46 km & 385 m vertical ascent Day seven was a relaxed and chilled day on the bike. The road to Tsokar was mostly tarred and flat, so we arrived at our campsite early in the afternoon, leaving us with the remainder of the day to rest up.

Day 8 Tsokar to Rumtse, 65 km & 815 m vertical ascent We cycled up the highest pass yet, at 5,385m above sea level, and the second highest motorable pass in the world, the Lachulungla. The climb was extremely long and tedious, and the weather changed from bearable to cold often during the ascent. I was extremely thankful for my K-Way Kilimanjaro '12 Shell Jacket, especially when sleet and rain began to fall. The 30 km descent to Rumtse was extremely cold, but the warm waterproof jacket was my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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On arrival in Rumste, it took a few minutes for our bodies to thaw out.

After a few chai teas at the local dhabba, tented rest stops along the Manali-Leh Highway for travellers, we found a place that offered warm-water bucket showers. It set us back Rs100 (R16) each and was the best R16 we've ever spent!

Day 9 Rumtse to Leh, 84 km & 826 m vertical ascent This was our second last day on the bicycles. The route to Leh was an easy 84 km and only 825 m of climbing. After settling into the guest house, we headed into Leh for a meal and were looking forward to something more substantial than fruit and vegetables, our diet for the last two weeks. We knew we wouldn't find any beef, but chicken was available and it was finger licking good!

Day 10 rest day in Leh The day was spent taking in the local markets, doing some gift shopping, drinking good coffee, eating chocolate cake, and resting up.

Day 11 Leh to Kardung La, 80 km & 1,950m vertical ascent Day eleven was all about ascending from Leh, at 3,700 m, to 5,602 m above sea level. We ascended 1,900 m in 40 km to the top of the Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable pass. The last 5 km were the most difficult, but also the most rewarding of the entire trip.

Once we reached the top of the pass, a massive sense of relief and accomplishment engulfed us. We headed back to Leh enjoying the massive 40 km downhill, but as we flew down, we had to be careful not to lose concentration so close to the end.

It had been a truly remarkable and life-changing experience for both Willie and I. There were a lot more positives than negatives, and to date, we have managed to raise almost R75,000. From now on, we plan to ride other mountain bike events and races for Operation Smile, hoping to raise more funds and awareness.

A special word of thanks goes to our generous sponsors that donated towards the cause: ARQ Consulting Engineers, Stefanutti Stocks Civils, Group 5 Housing, Trail Surveys, Arrow Motors, and De Simone Building and Civil Engineering Contractors. Thanks also go to Hugh Fraser for putting together two video clips of the adventure, and Penny Parker and her team at Cape Union Mart and K-Way for providing some warm winter apparel for the trip. To all our other private donators, we salute you and Operation Smile thanks you. •

FAST FACTS • 29er mountain bike country - 29er refers to the size the wheels on the mountain bike 29 inches.

• Check out www.operationsmile.org.za for more information on how to donate to this amazing cause.

• Also see http://youtu.be/01aTvJSsA68 (enable sound) to see exactly what Operation Smile can do for these children.

• For more photos of the trip, visit ww.facebook.com/rideforapurpose • If you would like to do this trip, visit Span African Adventures on www.spanafrican-adventures.co.za

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Saddle & Sores surfboards

BICYCLING

Words & Photos: Sean Fraenkel

Unfit and unprepared, I cycled from Jeffreys to Cape Town, a distance of approximately 750 km, towing a surfboard, fishing rod, and camping gear. I went in search of adventure, but experienced more than I’d hoped for. www.doitnow.co.za • 53

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Saddle & Sores surfboards I crave adventure, like a lost explorer in the Sahara craves water.

I needed one badly, but it had to combine my three passions: surfing, cycling, and fishing. After some deep thought, I had my ‘Eureka’ moment: cycle from Jeffreys Bay to Cape Town.

Behind my bicycle, I towed a twowheeled trailer, camping gear, fishing rod, and surfboard. I’m not a streamlined cyclist and carry more spare tyres around my waist than on my trailer. Plus, the idea of towing 30 kg behind my bicycle left me feeling rather nervous, but eager nonetheless.

Tracy, my girlfriend, gave me a lift to Cristal Cove Backpackers in Jeffreys Bay, a whisper away from the world-class surf break, Supertubes.

The place has soul. I could feel it in the driftwood furniture that owner Gary had crafted, as well as in the welcoming vibe and laid-back tunes emanating from the bar. We shared a spacious room, at affordable rates, before Tracy left me to my own devices. The journey had almost begun. But first, a brief sidetrack.

Early the next morning, with camera in hand, I bolted down to the beach along a creaking wooden path. I wanted to get a sunrise photo and check if there was any surf. Instead, a long-haired, tattooed local named Frank gave me some fishing tackle and as the sun exploded over the horizon, I found myself spinning next to my new friend in halo of golden light.

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Saddle & Sores surfboards I started my cycle tour the following day, pedalling out of Jeffreys Bay along the R102, which runs more or less parallel to the N2, but has far less traffic. The odd herd of cattle interrupted my rhythmic pedal strokes and deep breathing. In response to a feeble moo of my own, the cows raised their heads and stared at me quizzically, with their big brown eyes.

After depositing fresh fertiliser on the road (and possibly on my tyres), they ambled out of my path, in a way that only a cow can amble when they know all life has in store for them is the monotonous chewing of grass.

Biting off more than I could chew, I tackled the 108 km from Jeffrey's to Storms River with gusto, as I had to impress three Dutch girls (who I had met upon my arrival in Jeffreys Bay and were waiting for me in Storms River), with my cycling ability. Clearly inspired by my exploits, the girls invited me on a mini-adventure of their own; we would meet up again in Storms River and go bungee jumping together.

Exhausted after 12 hours in the saddle, I half crawled to the shower with all my kit on at Tsitsikamma Backpackers. After a long soak, I covered my unmentionables in a thick layer of camphor cream to help soothe the severe saddle sores that had left me with a banger and mash instead of a vienna and beans.

Yang, a shy and unremarkable looking Chinese guy, joined me on my patch of grass. He said that, besides summiting Everest, he’d cycled 5,000 km from Beijing to Tibet in one month. Do the math: That’s around 166 km per day. It did a bit of damage to my heroic self-esteem.

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While waiting for the Dutch girls to arrive the following day, I decided to take it easy because I was in so much pain. To minimise the agony, I had to spread my feet wide apart and waddle, which made me look like a mentally incapacitated duck, so I declined any invites to go hiking in the forest surrounding Storms River.

When I left the following morning, I had my own send-off committee. The three girls waved a fond bon voyage as I put my head down, grimaced, and got my tyres rolling. If you are travelling by vehicle, you need to stick to the N2 until after Bloukrans Bridge, due to the Bloukrans Pass on the R102 being closed to traffic. As I was on my bicycle, I was able to sneak through the barrier.

The next morning, Sophie, Sabien, Caroline, and I squeezed into their small car. During the drive to Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungee jump (216 metres), our anxiety and tension was palpable.

Nervous chatter, false bravado, and sweaty palms kept us company until we each took our turn to spread our arms crucifixion style and take a leap of faith from the platform under the bridge.

The Bloukrans Pass starts high up on both sides and dips into a green valley. The winding descent, which goes through a forest of yellowwood and stinkwood trees covered with creeping saffron, is a fresh breath for the soul. Lichen, like delicate lingerie, hugs the foot of these large trees, while tree ferns, nature’s diaphanous petticoat, hid them from view as I coasted past. The tannin-stained streams and lush green foliage made the steep climb out worth every hardearned pedal.

What a rush! Heart hammering and pulse racing, the ground screamed towards me in a wind-blasted blur.

While I dangled like a yoyo by my feet, paralysed by fear and the bitter taste of adrenalin lingering in my mouth, I prayed that I would not slip out of my bindings.

Back in the vertical position, emotionally drained, I couldn’t help but contemplate going again.

Nature’s Valley is at the foot of the Groot Rivier Pass. Fuelling my adrenalin-seeking gremlin, I hit 70 km/h free wheeling down the twisting road into the small holiday village below. SANParks has a quiet campsite with some huts hidden under the trees right on the river, but I preferred to stay closer to the beach. The Wood B&B was fully booked, but they had a large flat at the back, which they gave to me for R50 a night, if I slept on my camping mat. Sold!

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Saddle & Sores surfboards

Nature’s Valley has one small shop that sells the bare minimum at inflated prices. I bought some red bait and tried to do some fishing, which proved a bit tricky with my small rod and rolling surf. Two Labradors provided some entertainment; hunting in the rock pools, they would stand dead still and then pounce at the small fish darting between their legs. I think they had far more luck than I did.

An easy-to-surf wave that peeled off towards the left and a three-foot swell supplied beautiful, clean walls to carve quick turns on. Just as the sun kissed the hill behind the shore, a shark glided in the face of a wave as I was paddling back out.

I have no clue what type of shark it was. Natural instinct took over; flight instead of fright kicked in and paddling like a frantic, epileptic disco dancer, I aquaplaned back to shore.

Back on my bike, I suffered in a strong headwind the following morning as I pushed for Plettenberg Bay. I love the long open road on a bicycle. The speed at which you travel gives you enough time to absorb your surroundings and contemplate deep, philosophical questions. In my case, “I wonder when I should stop for a snack,” followed by, “I wonder what I will have for lunch,” and ultimately, “I wonder what’s for dinner?”

For more quiet contemplation, Stone Cottage Boutique Backpackers is an idyllic setting with a big wooden deck, jacuzzi, and open ocean view.

Steeped in history, it was one of the first holiday homes in Plett. Built in 1910, it remains in the family today. Evan Haussmann, a travel writer and photographer, was the only other guest, so we decided to check out the nightlife.

The Market on Main Street, a collection of small food stalls with common seating in the middle, has live music on Fridays. It has an open-air feel to it and was packed when we got there. You are permitted to bring your own beer, as no alcohol is sold there. A tasty bite from Pizza Khaya was worth the stop. www.doitnow.co.za • 59

After attempting some pub-crawling, we soon concluded that you can expect more nightlife in a sealed tomb than in Plett, out of season, and barring the handful of underage teenagers who milled about. Out of boredom, our two-man party consumed excessive quantities of tequila, which resulted in a slow start the next morning. After an oily breakfast, plus handfuls of painkillers and cups of thick coffee, I reluctantly swerved and swayed my way to a sea-blown camp spot, 56 km away.

Buffels Bay, home to 17 permanent residents and a cluster of shuttered holiday homes, has two caravan parks. I opted for the one in town, due to its proximity to the surf, shop, and restaurant. It’s one of those rare campsites where you can literally fish from your tent. The downside, however, is that there is little shelter from the elements. I soon realised that staying at a backpacker is cheaper than staying at a caravan park if you’re on your own. However, I did manage to negotiate pensioner’s rates, as I thought R250 was ridiculous for my one-man tent.

A strong south-easter buffeted my bright yellow tent most of the evening. Hatching early from my synthetic cocoon, metamorphosed into a sleep-deprived troll, I greeted an eccentric elderly gentleman, who, intrigued by my travel rig, had hobbled up to my tent. He had bandy legs and an ostentatious white moustache that flamboyantly curled over his cheeks. With his head cocked to the side, exposing a hearing device, he greeted me with a stout handshake and declared his name, Pieter Coetzee, in a manner of a proud army general. I almost felt compelled to stand to attention, salute, and bark back, "Tent ready for inspection, Sir!” He quizzed me enthusiastically regarding my mode of transport and the odd arrangement I was towing.

He beamed at my tail, clearly a sympathetic soul who has had many adventures of his own. With a sparkle in his eyes and a bounce (albeit bent over) in his step, he wished me luck and went about his way.

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Not one to dawdle, I made my way to Afrovibe Backpackers in Sedgefield straight after my morning surf. This backpacker is ideally positioned right next to the beach and adjacent to the PiliPili Bar and Restaurant. What more could I ask for? At the entrance to the restaurant, an amusing sign read, ‘Soup of the day, Tequila’.

Fortunately, Victoria Bay was only 32 km away. It is home to another world-class point break that peels off to the right, with rides of up to 150 m long. Surfing heaven! According to magicseaweed.com, big surf would be arriving in three days.

Surfari Backpackers, a luxurious establishment, sits on top of an extremely steep hill just above Vic Bay. There was no chance of me cycling up this road. It’s either walking or thumbing my way to and from the beach. I chose the latter.

The three-day idle wait was worth it. Eight-foot bombs eventually exploded off the rocky point and screamed down the line towards the beach. The face of the wave was a bit choppy, thanks to cross-offshore winds. A sketchy take-off zone sucked dry and exposed bare barnacled rocks less than a metre to my left before the lip grabbed me and flung me down a wall of pure liquid hedonism.

The worst day on my bicycle was from Mossel Bay to Riversdale.

I suffered 85 out of the 95 km in a relentless headwind. To take my mind off the burning in my legs, I would sing along to my iPod. This mind-over-matter technique inadvertently had the additional benefit of supplementing my protein intake, as my open mouth seemed to attract handfuls of flying bugs. The alternative being that even six-legged creatures would sacrifice themselves to shut me up.

Besides fighting the elements, I had relatively smooth sailing until my last day, as I was plagued with stomach cramps and flat tyres. My first puncture happened when I hit a cat-eye at 55 km/h on Sir Lowry's Pass. Luckily, I didn’t have my trailer for the last two days, as my girlfriend had offered vehicle support from Swellendam. The summit of the pass is 420 m above sea level. On a clear day, you can look across the Cape Flats and see the South Peninsula. The crisp, cold water of False Bay looked extremely inviting as I dirtied my hands repairing my damaged tube.

My second deflated tyre occurred after I crashed into a road works sign that was in the middle of the shoulder just outside Gordon’s Bay. I had my head down and was mesmerised by the rolling tar, and didn’t bother to look up for some time. This sign was so blatantly visible that a blind man on the dark side of the moon would not have missed it. My knee instantly swelled to the size of a mini soccer ball. I was now out of 26-inch tubes and repair kits, and had to force a 20-inch tube (used on my trailer wheels) around my bicycle rim. After some swearing and bloody knuckles, I managed to fit the tube.

Travel info The free Coast to Coast and Alternative Route pocket guides, available at most budget lodgings, proved invaluable to planning my overnight stays.

Get accurate wave forecasts for your local surf spot on www.magicseaweed.com or www.wavescape.co.za Essential to preventing muscle injury is a proper bike set-up.

Visit Trail and Tar in Tokai - www.trailandtar.co.za

My third and last flat in front of Mitchells Plain nearly broke me; with a swollen knee, bruised ribs, and bloody knuckles, I was quickly losing my cool as I forced the undersized tube around my rim. Without the trailer, I cycled the 110 km from Swellendam to Caledon in under five hours. My final 118 km from Caledon to Glen Cairn, a suburb between Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek, took me over eight hours to complete.

My favourite stops:

Somewhat broken but not beat, I arrived home to the excited bark of my two Jack Russells. The journey hadn’t been what most longdistance cyclists would consider epic. But, for a brief period, I’d become my childhood hero; an adventurer exploring new horizons in search of hidden treasure. The treasure? My ability to do it. •

Checkpoints where I spent a night or more:

Best vibe: Cristal Cove Backpacker, Jeffreys Bay www.cristalcove.co.za Best view: Stone Cottage Backpacker’s, Plettenberg Bay www.stonecottage.co.za Best surf: Surfari Backpackers, Victoria Bay www.vicbaysurfari.co.za Best burger: Marilyn’s 60s Diner, Storm’s River Best pizza: Pizza Khaya, Plettenberg Bay

Jeffreys Bay - Storms River (108 km) Storms River – Nature’s Valley (48 km) Nature’s Valley – Plettenberg Bay (47 km) Plettenberg Bay – Buffels Bay (56 km) Buffels Bay – Sedgefield (26 km) Sedgefield – Victoria Bay (32 km) Victoria Bay – Mossel Bay (56 km) Mossel Bay – Riversdale (95 km) Riversdale – Swellendam (86 km) Swellendam – Caledon (110 km) Caledon – Glen Cairn (118 km) For more adventure and travel writing, follow Sean on www.seanfraenkel.com

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BICYCLING

Words: Mike Roscoe | Photos: RRAD Photography

OUR

Trans BaviaanS Experience There is something quite special about the Trans Baviaans 24hr Mountain Bike Marathon, which is aptly named the ‘toughest single-stage mountain bike race in the world’. Also the longest

single-stage mountain bike team event in the world, the race starts in Willowmore and winds through the Baviaanskloof Mountains to Jeffreys Bay, a distance of just over 230 km.

The mountains that one rides through are nothing short of spectacular.

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I was part of a team of four cyclists competing in this year’s event, on 17 August, and between us, we had five Trans Baviaans under our belts. One team member had

completed three, two of us were on our second, and one about to embark on his first, so we were feeling pretty confident about the ride ahead.

Away they go

At 10 a.m., the starter’s gun was fired and off we went. The first six to seven hours of the race consisted of a few climbs and some great stretches where we could work on getting our average speed up. There were also some fast descents that were as breathtaking beautiful as they were downright frightening, with our bikes bouncing dangerously through the corners! We hit a top speed of 75 km/h on one of these descents.

Race ready

Our team slept in Jeffreys Bay on the Friday night prior to the race, so this meant we had to be on the road the next morning by 4:30 a.m., to get to Willowmore to set up on time.

Preparations included making sure the bikes were working and the boxes containing our warm clothes, lights, and nutrition were packed and ready for use later on during the day and night.

We decided, as many teams do, to make station three our main stop and where we would have dinner (potatoes, sosaties, and wors), kit up for the cold night ahead, and get the light systems onto the bikes. The entire team used Magic lights and they worked brilliantly (pun intended)! It’s after this stop that the race starts in earnest, so once we had refuelled and dressed for the occasion, we were eager to get going.

When exiting this station, you are faced with a fairly major river crossing and then three major climbs. The first two are short, but really steep and go by the ominous name of ‘The Fangs’. From there, you drop into a valley and cross numerous river crossings and stretches of path filled with rounded stones, which all make for some seriously tricky and tiring riding. However, this part of the ride together with the finish line constitutes my favourite part of the route. The climb out of the valley is called the ‘Mother of all Climbs’ and it manages to live up to its name without fail.

The climb is steep, in some sections it’s too steep to ride so you end up pushing your bike, and it is seriously long. I had my worst part of the ride on this climb, but finally made it, exhausted and in need of a rest as I waited for my heart rate to drop to a more normal level.

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At the top of this climb is station 4.

Now, the Trans Baviaans would not exist if it were not for an army of supporters that help out, and one such volunteer, at station 4, is a lady who makes soup. Her soup rescued

me last year and things were no different this year for both the team and me. It really gets cold at this point and your clothing, after the climb, is wet with sweat.

Having a cup, or five, of her soup is an absolute rescue. The mix of vegetables and minerals, protein from the beans and meat, and the carbs from the potatoes is akin to Asterix’s magic potion. Her warm smile and the fact that she calls me ‘seun’ always warms my heart. At 47 years old, no one calls me son anymore.

The descent after ‘Mother of all Climbs’ is just scary. I am not the world’s greatest descender, so I went down with my heart strangling my throat. With limited vision, you get the odd glimpse of just how far you would fall if you were to misjudge a turn. The upside here is that it's an opportunity to cool down. The next hill is called the ‘Never Ender’ and at that stage of the night, it never ever ends.

Towards midnight, a massive headwind came up together with ice-cold temperatures and hard rain. Fortunately at this point you know that you are on your way home and just too tired to care. The finish was at the main shopping centre in Jeffreys Bay, and I’ve never been happier in all my life to see a shopping centre.

Crossing the line was all the more momentous for me, as I was involved in a fairly serious mountain bike accident nine weeks before the race. I ended up in theatre twice and just three weeks before the race, I had the ‘wires’ (a rather euphemistic term to describe skinny nails) removed from my hand. As a result, my participation was in doubt for weeks. The human body, however, is a wonderful thing and I was able to participate in this amazing event. My team members were just fantastic and my thanks go to Rieghard Janse, Van Rensburg, Richard Manser, and Morne Reinders for their patience and encouragement.

So, will we be back next year?

Of course! •

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BICYCLING

Words: Hanco Kachelhoffer, EAI Professional Cyclist ǀ Photos & Video: Altech Autopage Jozi2Kozi Cycle Challenge

Jozi2Kozi an adventure of a lifetime

The 2013 Altech Autopage Jozi2Kozi saw around 97 cyclists attempt the 700 km route, from the outskirts of Johannesburg to the coastal town of Kosi Bay, in just seven days. It was a truly African journey and took riders through some of the most beautiful routes South Africa has to offer.

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Stage 1 Stage one started just outside Nigel, where we were welcomed by Zulu dancers gyrating to the sounds of vibrant singing and the beating of drums. Straight away I got a warm feeling and knew this ride would be special. Our focus was to 'ride' the 110 km route, enjoy the country and get involved with the communities we encountered along the way.

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Rolling away from Nigel, the road was abuzz with enthusiastic and cheerful riders all ready for an adventure of a lifetime. The route was

mostly flat, with the occasional climb rising out of the flatlands, and easy going.

However, around the 70 km mark, the wind picked up considerably and we had battle through a fairly strong headwind. This slowed us

down, but served to make sure that we had enough time to look around and appreciate the scenery. The finish was at the Standerton Boat Club, where we were later treated to a delicious braai and entertained by some of the characters along for the ride.

Stage 2 The first night in a tent is always one to remember, and it was no different here. We were woken up by the dancing and cheering of a very enthusiastic Zulu dancer at 4:55 a.m. for our 6 a.m. breakfast. He then went on to wish all riders an awesome day on the bike before retreating out of harm's way.

A short boat ride took us to the other side of the dam for the start of our 115 km journey to Amersfoort. Luckily, Mother Nature looked kindly upon us and provided a tailwind that saw the front riders finishing just on four hours.

It had been a very fast but fun day two.

That evening, we enjoyed some incredible local cooking, over

which the day's stories were shared. The feeling of

camaraderie amongst the riders, after just two days, was incredible. But there again, this is what cycling is about; meeting new people, seeing new places, and loving both the freedom and pleasure a bicycle can provide in such a great country.

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Stage 3 We headed to the small and little-known German community called Luneburg. It is one of the oldest German communities in South Africa and a place most South Africans have never been to. The route was spectacular, taking us through farmlands, up a big climb, and along a fast and smooth decent into a plantation just outside Luneburg. This stage would make any mountain biker fall in love with the sport all over again.

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An awards ceremony was held later that evening, after which we got to hear about the rich history of this German community. The rest of the

evening was spent listening to the Germans sing, laughing, and enjoying the odd glass or two - of Jägermeister.

Stage 4

Stage 5

The 100 km stage from Luneburg saw us pedalling over rocks, up climbs, across rivers, and rocketing along fast down hills, to finish off the day at the Ithala Game Reserve. To ride through a game reserve on your bicycle and see wildlife along the way makes any ride unforgettable. Almost too unforgettable, as only later did we find out that there were crocodiles in the last river we crossed, but were assured that they weren't close to where we passed and not very active at this time of year. Although this had been a hard day for many, with the hot weather and lots of ups and downs, it had been a great stage overall.

We woke early and readied ourselves for the 115 km route (2,500 m ascent). With the sun rising, we left the camp at 6:30 a.m. and within the first 5 km we saw three giraffe and plenty of other wildlife. Leaving the reserve behind, we continued towards Zululand, traversing the broken thorn veldt scattered with thatch kraals and herds of traditional Nguni Zulu cattle. The fantastic single track made this stage well worth the effort.

Our campsite was in a real Zulu 'kraal' and all the riders got to meet the Zulu King at the evening's prize-giving. Dinner that night consisted of a selection of meats to feast on, including pork, warthog, impala, and beef.

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Stage 6 The penultimate stage of the Jozi2Kozi started with a neutral 20 km ride. We were then taken by bus to the top of a mountain range, transferred to the back of some sugar cane trucks and transported to the top of the 20 km ascent, and start of our ride to Lake Sibaya.

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It was a fast and flat ride, but the sand towards the end made it almost impossible to get through. Thankfully, Andy, one of the

race organisers, had arranged for some of the local ladies to cut grass and lay it across the last 2.8 km of single track, which made it so much easier for us. At the

finish, we reached one of the most spectacular camping sites on the route. Huge grasslands surrounded the lake and hippos basking in the water made for a truly unforgettable day.

Stage 7 Woken up by the whistle-blowing Zulu, we knew the final day would not be easy because it consisted of lots of sand en route to Kosi Bay. Despite the tough going, we ended up having lots of fun and laughs as we ploughed our way through the thick sand.

At the final water point, all the riders regrouped and rode the final 20 km together. It was this kind of spirit that made the ride and event so special.

We were as one, regardless of backgrounds. The last 20 km was on the smoothest tar you'll ever ride, a fitting end to this amazing event.

My past experience of tours has always been that I can't wait to finish it and get home. But, as this ride came to an end, I couldn't help thinking that I'll really miss the entire experience. The roads we rode, places we saw, and most of all the friendships we made over the past seven days. It was a small enough group of people to be personal, but big enough to care and make a difference along the way.

I would love to do the ride again and hope many others will experience our beautiful country in this unique way. •

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BICYCLING

Words: Stuart Pickering ǀ Photos: Tour of Britain

Stellar line-up for Tour of Britain 2013

Starting from 15 September 2013, the 10th Tour oN Britain is the UK's largest professional bicycle race and one of the highlights of the British sporting calendar. It begins in

the north of the country at Peebles, Scotland, moving down through Wales and ending in London. The race will cover a total of 1,045 km in eight stages.

Tour of Britian - Stage 6

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The event dates back to the first British stage races that were held just after the Second World War and since then various different events have been described as the Tour of Britain, including the Milk Race, the Kellogg's Tour of Britain, and the PruTour.

The current version of the Tour of Britain began in 2004, and the race is part of the UCI Europe Tour and categorised as a UCI 2.1 race.

The eight-day race will see the largest ever field assembled, with 114 riders from 19 teams set to start. Some of the Pro Tour teams taking part are will be Cannondale, Garmin, OPQS, and Sky, as well as six Pro Continental teams, including South Africa’s Team MTN Qhubeka, and six UCI Continental teams, with a British team making up the field. Movistar is making their debut at the Tour and riders such as Bradley Wiggins, who is leading Team Sky, Bernie Eisel, Mark Cavendish, Nairo Quintana, and Allessandro Petacchi will be taking part. Between these riders, they have won 100 Grand Tour stages, whilst Cavendish and Petacchi are two of only five riders in history to have won the points classification in all three Grand Tours.

Mick Bennett, race director for the Tour of Britain, said this about the field of riders, "We have world-class sprinters like Mark Cavendish and Team MTN Qhubeka’s Gerald Ciolek, the very best time trialists in Sir Bradley Wiggins and Alex Dowsett, and exceptional climbing talents in Nairo Quintana and Dan Martin, plus many others who I could mention."

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An elite women's Westminster Grand Prix will form part of the final day of this September's Tour of Britain, bringing the UK's top racers to the Whitehall circuit, which includes Downing Street and Northumberland Avenue, heading along the Embankment and through the shadow of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The final corner will bring riders through Parliament Square and back into Whitehall, in front of the massed crowds awaiting the arrival of the men’s race.

This is a fantastic opportunity for spectators to see some of Britain's top female cyclists in action during the final-day celebrations in London.

Interesting stages this year include stage two - the longest in the race's history; stage six - features the race's first-ever summit finish; and stage three - an individual time trial and something absent in the previous editions.

Cycling fans the world over are eager to see how this year's race pans out over the eight stages and who will manage to replace Britain’s Jonathan TiernanLocke, who is not defending his title, and claim the IG Markets Gold Jersey for their own. The stage has been set for a great race.

Leigh Howard winning at Knowsley.

Tour of Britain 2013: Stages

Stage Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Course

Distance

Type

15 Sept

Peebles - Drumlanrig Castle

201 km

Flat stage

16 Sept

Carlisle - Kendal

225 km

Medium-mountain stage

17 Sept

Knowsley - Knowsley

16 km

Individual time trial

18 Sept

Stoke-on-Trent - Llanberis

191 km

Hilly stage

19 Sept

Machynlleth - Caerphilly

177 km

Medium-mountain stage

20 Sept

Sidmouth - Haytor

137 km

Medium-mountain stage

21 Sept

Epsom - Guildford

150 km

Hilly stage

22 Sept

Sidmouth - Haytor

88 km

Flat stage

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Fast facts: Tour of Britain: Previous winners 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Great Britain) Lars Boom (Netherlands) Michael Albasini (Switzerland) Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway) Geoffroy Lequatre (France) Romain Feillu (France) Martin Pedersen (Denmark) Nick Nuyens (Belgium) Mauricio Ardila (Colombia]

Teams UCI World Tour teams • • • • •

Cannondale Pro Cycling (ITA) Garmin-Sharp (USA) Movistar (SPA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep (BEL) Team Sky (GBR)

UCI Pro Continental teams • • • • • •

Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox (ITA) IAM Cycling (SWI) MTN Qhubeka p.b Samsung (RSA) Sojasun (FRA) Team NetApp-Endura (GER) United Healthcare Pro Cycling (USA)

UCI Continental teams • • • • • • •

An Post-Chain Reaction (IRL) Madison-Genesis (GBR) Node4 Giordana Racing (GBR) Rapha Condor JLT (GBR) Team IG-Sigma Sport (GBR) Team Raleigh (GBR) Team UK Youth (GBR)

National team • Great Britain (GBR)

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The route through the Scottish Borders.

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Stage 8 finish

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For more information on the Tour of Britain, visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk •

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MOTORBIKING

Words: Dave Griffin | Photos: Gary Lipchick

Bucket

ListS &

bike dreams

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READY FOR MY

Do not imitate the riding scenes shown, wear protective clothing and observe the traffic regulations! The illustrated vehicles may vary in minor details from the series model and some show optional equipment at additional cost.

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As with many important decisions in life, this

one started in a bar surrounded by fellow biking friends chatting about our bucket lists and pipe dreams.

Being fanatic KTM fans, the idea of visiting a KTM factory was the perfect starting point.

Austria it was. And what was synonymous with the Red Bull Hanger 7? The Red Bull Rodeo / Erzberg Rodeo, a must see. Seeing as we were going to be there, we’d also do a quick hop over the continent to the TT Isle of Man, to support fellow South African and good friend AJ Venter, who was competing in the Isle of Man, the mother of all time trials. It would be the patriotic thing to do, of course.

So it began; the bucket list of note, the dreams of so many being realised over the bar counter, and with the trip practically running through our minds, we set the tour in motion!

Roll on the following morning and with a misty mind I set the plan before TMT (Tour Master Teresa), who was

looking slightly perplexed as she absorbed the key points and retreated to her office to work out the logistics. Being

of a practical nature, I assume that anything I put forward is possible and that there is always a way. Apparently, the universe disagrees and it usually teases me with silly incompatibilities. One such challenge was the 24-hour flight from Salzburg to the TT (it should only have been 3 hours).

This just didn’t seem practical and drastically reduced our tour time. A few other challenges to overcome were trying to accommodate 15 people in one location, central to all the events, not to mention car hire and bike transport, then visas, and the list goes on and on.

TMT put up with my persistence and our tour was finally possible. We would fly into Frankfurt, link to Salzburg, where we would collect two vans big enough for our entire luggage and 15 people, then collect five bikes from KTM and head towards Schladming, as it was central to Salzburg, KTM head quarters and Erzberg. Well, the proof is in the pudding or so they say.

The days seemed to drag on as if time had nowhere to be. Each week, we’d chat and send out emails and updates of the planning at the events, who was riding, how the teams were doing, and expected changes.

This all just added to the fuel feeding the fire inside to be at the events in person.

Departure day arrived not a moment too soon. We had Martin and Brian Haremse fly up from East London, along with Brian Ellis, Gavin Dahms, and Renn Holtzhausen from Cape Town. They all came through to RAD, where we chatted eagerly and made some final preparations. Jaco Labuschagne travelled down from Louis Trichardt, while the others met us at the airport for a 6 p.m. check in.

Like naughty teenagers boarding the school bus ready for veld school, chirps were aired and hearty giggles filled the terminal, as bags were shuffled and plenty of sweet talking saw us all loaded and heading through to Duty Free. As we settled down for a beer at the pub, I took a moment to soak in the complexity of it all, the diverseness of the people on the tour itself, and the reality that it would take some pretty smooth operating to make a success of it all.

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As luck would have it, most of us were spread in rows of two, three, and four across the Airbus. Could you even begin to imagine 15 rowdy fellows starting to ‘kuier’ on the pretty full plane ... met eish ja! Being spread out also allowed each group to meet and chat with each other and kind of get a feel for the person on tour and break the ice, so to say. The flight itself was mostly uneventful because shortly after dinner, my mind shut down and I woke in an attempted foetal position, staring into Martin’s comatose face. Pleasant was not a word that sprung to mind.

Shmeegal (Glen Eve), being the shortest member of our tour, slept as if spread across a king sized, extra-length bed, totally oblivious to the cramp and pain we were enduring. In fact, he slept so well that he managed to forget his helmet on board and had to chase down the plane to get it back (some may argue that he couldn’t reach into the overhead compartment).

Breakfast in Frankfurt was an education in itself, as it would seem that the locals start their day with a beer and bagel. This clearly was the wrong impression to promote to my tour, as they all followed suit and indirectly set the pace for the trip.

We had a short wait for our connecting flight to Salzburg, so we made use of the VIP change rooms (paraplegic toilets) to freshen up prior to boarding. No sooner had the wheels left the tarmac when Shmeegal came to the realisation that he had left BOTH, yes both, his cell phones at the airport. Although a problem initially, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

On arrival in Salzburg, Glen Scott joined us from Malta.

Glen needs special mention as he has a hot dog fetish that proved invaluable on our trip. We never went hungry because Glen could find a food stand in Siberia.

He’d negotiate a bulk deal and demonstrate the right combination of sauce to hot dog; years of careful training had made him an expert in this field. Aside from this, he added such life to the group with his character and endless laughter.

Our first call of duty in Salzburg was to collect our race vans … oops, I mean rental vans. Being a group of passionate motorcycle enthusiasts, it would not be right to be carted around in a vehicle with insufficient brand appeal. So we branded it with KTM stickers, which ‘informed’ the general public of our travel intentions.

Then the two groups were split into the naughty and the very naughty. Our two pilots, Martin and Gary Lipchick, were both non drinkers, as they had natural personality. Again a blessing, as we had many kilometres to travel and operating a left-hand drive after a European breakfast could have ended in tears. I had the pleasure of driving to the KTM dealer in Salzburg, to collect our race bikes. We opted for five bikes, with the thought of five people riding over three days, thus giving each person a day to ride with a day spare for repeat customers. We decided to hire two 1190 Adventures, two water-cooled GSs, and a 690 Duke.

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Although there was much anticipation to ride when we arrived, it had started to pour with rain and there was some convincing required to encourage five riders to take to the puddles and streams while negotiating the right-hand driving road conditions.

I quietly opted for the GS, as it has a huge screen and a whopping big motor hanging out. In my mind, I figured that it would offer the greatest protection from the rain and water. Although on paper I was correct, in principle I was soooo wrong. The engine pods acted as a drip feeder for my boots, which soon welled up with water.

The screen became a suction device and pooled the now freezing water on the seat in front on me. If you’ve ever ridden in the rain, you’ll know that cold, miserable feeling of icy water creeping through the seams of your pants and slowly, oh so very slowly, cooling your nether regions. I would have been more comfortable if I were ice fishing naked in a blizzard.

A much-welcomed fuel stop, three quarters of the way to the hotel, saw five shivering South Africans looking incredibly touristy as we waited at the pump to be served. We soon realised that it’s the European service, aka E-service, self help, Sir! Nonetheless, we were full of blue-lipped smiles and eager to get to Schaldming.

Arriving at the hotel, we noticed a ski slope directly opposite and questions were raised as to the climbing ability of the motorbikes. This was quickly discouraged thankfully! Our hotel was amazing. We were dedicated to one wing with eight rooms, each room with two beds, TV, and shower, easily 4-star rated.

As soon as everyone had settled in, it was a rush to the beer stand. It’s quite surprising how fast certain individuals can move when there’s an incentive involved, and after a long flight and horrible motorbike ride, the allure of fresh alcoholic refreshment sent some into a crazy Usain Bolt like sprint for the beer stand.

Some were more hungry than thirsty and for them the hot dog stand became a close companion. After our refreshments, we walked through the seemingly sleeping town. Well, this was soon to change as we stumbled upon a sports bar, which was closed but made an exception for us. Sorry for them! It became like a shabeen on pay day. There were two pool tables hosting serious competitions and fines to match, a dart board, and a pinball machine all being operated by this jolly lot.

Clearly we didn’t get the memo that the sun only sets at 10 p.m. or there about, as we carried on like there was no end to the day. At some point, the majority must have realised their hunger pains and requested dinner, thus prompting a mass exodus to the hotel in search of dinner.

Now as much as I would like to divulge the inner dealings of the evening events, I cannot. You see there is a set rule, a hallowed rule that what goes on tour, stays on tour. This rule isn’t to mask, misguide or dilute any event or occurrence, it is a simple rule that means if you want to know, you have to go and do it yourself because only then will you understand the purpose of the rule.

The next morning was the factory tour and we had to wake up early and head to the factory. With the ‘eventful’ night we had the previous night, waking up early was not exactly very welcome, but being the troopers we were, we did so and went to the factory. On the way to the factory, we stopped at a deli that served the best sausages anyone could ever imagine! And we thought the best way to down a traditional meat is a traditional beer. Beer and sausages were the order of the morning and with our belly’s filled and last glass drunk, we were in much better spirits.

Arriving in Mattighofen, we decided to visit KTM’s Racing Division first, where we got to see and touch the Moto 3 bikes, Dakar bikes, and the world MX bikes. It was something so special! The workshop resembled a well-run kitchen; immaculate, well laid out, and so professional, and I can now easily see why KTM is a multiple world-title holder.

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From there we went to the factory retail store, where my tour turned into women and were stuck for hours, trying this on, checking that size, and “Do you like this colour?” “Does my bum look funny in this?” “Have you got these in XXL, but I'm busy losing weight.” And my favourite was can, “Can I buy that bag (100 L bag), as I need to carry all of this!”

We then headed to the KTM assembly factory. Here the bare frames are loaded onto a pulley line and the frames move down along the assembly points metre by metre for 50 metres until they are rolled off and into a dyno / testing room. To see this is like watching your first-born coming to this world, it is amazing!

Such care, attention to detail, precision work, and the final product of beauty ... ah man, so awesome!

As if being dragged from the party of the century, we sadly had to leave the factory. However, the sadness soon dissipated as we made our way to one of the biggest attractions of the trip, the Red Bull Hangar. To paint the picture, it’s a glass-domed aircraft hanger that is easily four-stories high and filled with every conceivable Red Bull race or extreme sport vehicle any man’s dream world. Some World War 2 aircraft were also thrown into the mix, including the P83 Lightning, a B24, and F4 Corsair. All were clearly marked out with Red Bull decal kits and fully restored. After the hangar walk around, we decided we were thirsty and quenched our thirst with an expensive round of Red Bull mixed with a shot of transparent tasteless liquid, alcoholic of course.

From an awesome trip to the Red Bull hangar, it was time to prepare for the Erzberg Rodeo,

a two-hour drive from our home base at Schladming.

Catch part 2 of ‘Bucket lists and bike dreams’ next week, as we descend on Erzberg and the Isle of Man. • www.doitnow.co.za • 99

Northside Motorcycles

www. bmwmotorrad.co.za

The Ultimate Riding Machine

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WIND SPORTS

Words: Mitch Wagstaff | Photos: Carter / pwaworldtour.com

Taking on

Alaçati It all started on 24 June 2013 when I got the wild card to participate in the third stop of the PWA World Tour,

held in Alaçati, Turkey, from 19 to 24 August. I was awarded the wild card because I won the South African Championships, and this was probably the most exciting news I'd ever received. It was also the first and most important step in securing a more permanent spot on the Tour. From that moment on, I trained harder and pushed myself further. I knew the competition wasn’t going to be easy, as I was going up against the top sailors from around the world, but I was determined to give Alaçati everything I had.

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Theo Naude, a good friend of mine, helped me with my training, which involved a multi-faceted CrossFit workout plan. This gruelling

training programme taught me a lot about discipline and self-motivation, and that your body can handle much more than you think, thus enabling you to push on through when you feel you can't. I also had a great Marketing Manager, Lizanne Pia van Niekerk, and last, but definitely not the least, a very proud and determined father, who has always believed in me and knew that one day I would qualify for the PWA World Tour.

Departure day finally arrived and luckily for me, getting all my kit to Alaçati wasn’t as much of a hassle as I thought it would be. Turkish Airlines really came to the party and helped me with some excess baggage allowance, so I was able to take all the kit I would need. This included two boards; a 107 and a 117 Starboard Isonic, the latter was lent to me by a good friend of mine, Peter Lumley, as it was predicted that the wind would be really light at about 7 to 12 knots. I also took two booms and four Evo 5 RS racing sails, which only arrived the day before I had to leave for Turkey. Finally, I carried double of each mast I would need, which was a 400, 430, 460, and 1,490.

With my luggage taken care of, I boarded the plane, settled in and was ready to enjoy the 14-hour flight from Cape Town to Alaçati, with a stopover in Istanbul. However, my relaxed state turned to panic when I missed the connecting flight due to my flight arriving late and the ensuing mass confusion around which gate I had to get to. To my great relief, I was able to catch the next flight out. Alaçati here I come!

Arriving two days before the event started, another huge relief for me came in the form of a kit tent. You see, when I first got to the event site, it looked like all the tents had been used to store kit in. I was not overly concerned, as I knew that I could probably shack up with some friends of mine that were also on the tour. But I was totally blown away when Antoine Albeau, the reigning World Champion and proud owner of at least 20 different world titles, came to me and said, and I quote, "Mitch do you have a tent? If not, I kept this one for you." The tent was right next to his and it was probably the third-best type of tent available. It also had clear access to the water, which was only about 10 m away. Oh, and did I mention that it had carpeting? Man, I felt like a king.

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Come race day, I was feeling somewhat nervous for the first race. I had heard from some of the other guys how the heats worked and seen a few heats on the live stream, but nothing could really prepare me for how it felt to line up with some of my sailing heroes. It was my first-ever international race and I was going up against legends the likes of Josh Angulo, Micah Buzianis, Bjorn Dunkerbeck and, of course, Antoine himself.

These guys have been sailing competitively since before I was born, and they have the skill and experience to match all those years of sailing.

There were 64 competitors taking part in the six days of competition, so the heats went quickly and only the top four from each heat progressed through to the next round. What also helped the rounds to move at such a fast pace was the excellent organisation. As soon as one heat was heading for the first gybe buoy, the next heat was lining up for their start sequence. Counting down the seconds to the start of my race, I grew increasingly nervous and tense because the starts are very, very strict. If anyone is over by a fraction, the perpetrator is eliminated from the race and given the least amount of points possible. Then the judges do what's called a general recall and restart the race, but in a different heat order as there is one less man.

I started sailing as I waited for the buzzer to sound the start of the race. Ten seconds went by and I was sailing at full power towards the line. I realised that I was about a second too early, so I applied the brakes to slow down. At that moment, I heard the buzzer explode into life and noticed that I was about two seconds off the leading guys. As Cederic Bordez flew around me, he rolled me. He had sailed so close to me upwind that he sucked the wind from my sails, making it hard for me to maintain speed. I was now battling it out with Luke Bailey, from Australia, for sixth place. Each time working harder and harder in and out the gibes, to get as much speed as possible in the beginning. This is key to a fast race and overtaking people because the further down the down-wind course you are, the less wind there is. In addition, the entrance to each vibe buoy is manned by an official who monitors the wind, to make sure it doesn't drop below 7 knots. If this happens or three or more riders stop sailing for over three or four seconds, the chequered flag is raised to signal that the race is cancelled due to a lack of wind on the course.

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Throughout the competition, the wind remained above 7 knots, but the conditions were challenging compared to Cape Town, which has much stronger winds. Normally on a windy

day, we expect about 18 to 25 knots. In Alaçati, there was only ever 7 to 12 knots, but it was very constant. Most of the racers were well prepared for these conditions, as they had trained in light winds with big 127 boards and 9.5 sails, whereas I am used to being at full power with a 7.8 sail and my 107 board.

By the end of the race, my arms were throbbing from gripping the boom so hard and pumping at every mark. I achieved 59th place overall in the competition, not a bad result considering it was my first event. I have also secured an opening for the next year’s PWA events and managed to open a door to future events. I would really love to go to Korea and Costa Brava, but that’s going to take a lot more training, as well as additional training with the international Pro’s that come to train in South Africa during the summer.

When I wasn't racing, I visited the live-stream tent and shared the commentary box with a good friend of mine, Ben Profit. We spoke a lot about Cape Town, cheered the sailors on, and answered questions. It was a lot of run and I really enjoyed it.

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As quickly as it all began, it was all over. With most of the riders leaving the following day, bags were packed as soon as the last race was finished and piled up in different groups, depending on what time you left. Some riders had three bags, while others had as many as fourteen. So I didn't feel too bad with my two extremely large kit bags.

I would have to say that one of the big highlights of this event was getting to know all the riders and the team that runs the event. My advice to anyone that makes it onto the Tour is to make friends and put yourself out there; be open, chat, and mingle because it makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable. And if you ever need some help, there’ll always be someone you can count on.

Events to look out for The Nationals are coming up and take place all around the country in very different conditions.

The first event is taking place at Sterkfontein, just outside of Bloemfontein, from 21 to 24 September 2013. The next event is in Port Elizabeth, from 29 November to 1 December 2013. The last event is in Cape Town and runs from 24 to 26 January 2014. • For more information about the PWA World Tour, visit www.pwaworldtour.com

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F e atu r i n g

T e chn o b u t ter

N O W L I G H T E R , W A R M E R AND M O R E F L E X I B L E T HAN EVER

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE world’s leading wetsuit even better ?

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WATER SPORTS

Words: Craig Jarvis ǀ Photos: Various photographers ǀ Video: O'Neill

Jordy on

fire

Currently placed fourth in the world on the World Championship Tour of surfing, Jordy Smith is having a good run over in California AT the Hurley Pro Trestles, from 15 to 21 September 2013.

Jordy blitzed his first round heat, beating the Australian duo of wildcard surfer Mitch Crews and seeded surfer Matt Wilkinson to advance directly to the third round of the event.

Jordy is still within striking distance of a world title this year and has been clearly identified by current ratings leader Kelly Slater as a contender and a danger man for the title.

Despite his large frame, Jordy has managed to win his heats convincingly, stating that he has a ‘magic board’ helping him along the way.

Photo credit: ©ASP/Rowland

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Jordy has a new movie out on iTunes called ‘Now Now’ that is for sale - watch the trailer here - http://vimeo.com/73909000 Photo credit: @ O’Neill

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Jordy has taken to the air in California and advanced through to the quarter-finals in the Hurley Pro. Photo credit: ŠASP/Rowland

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Jordy answered a few questions between swells in California.

Q: Well surfed out there, Jordy. You’re looking confident. The waves here in California are generally smaller and a bit weak compared to what you’re used to. Have you been training hard in California?

I have. I’ve been surfing out there at the contest venue every day for a few weeks now. It’s been a good time to get my boards dialled, and to slot back into the groove in these types of waves.

Q: You've often said that (the contest site)

Lowers is one of the best performance waves in the world. Do you like surfing here?

Yeah, it's such a good wave to open up on and really forgiving. I just have to watch out I don't over power it. I’ve been coming here for many years and have a great relationship with the place.

So I feel really comfortable here, which is a great starting point for an event.

Q: It’s that time of the year when surfers are

Q: Your board looks good underfoot as well. It’s a Channel Islands, but is there anything special about it?

Not really. It’s a Channel Islands Flyer and it’s actually the same board I rode at Huntington for the US Open of surfing, so I know it like the back of my hand. It’s a magic stick.

Q: Obviously it would be great to get a win in this event and stay in the run for the title. Are you feeling any pressure?

No pressure at all. I'm prepared and confident and psyched to surf well and hopefully get a win. That’s as far as I'm thinking at the moment. I’m just slip streaming behind and waiting for my opportunity to go into sixth gear and overtake.

either gunning for a world title or fighting to requalify for next year. This usually brings out some inspired performances. Who is looking on form so far? veryone is looking good. Julian Wilson had E a good heat yesterday, he was blowing up.

Otherwise Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina, and Josh Kerr. I haven't been paying too much attention to be honest, but those boys have been posting good heat totals.

Q: Travis Logie is killing it as well, totally blitzing it in round one and beating current World Champion Joel Parkinson. That must have been pretty cool to watch.

Yeah, Trav's backhand is lethal. He got him right on the buzzer, which must have felt good. I was screaming at the top of my lungs for it. I was super proud of him.

Good luck for the remainder of the event. We’re all watching here in South Africa.

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WATER SPORTS

Words & Photos: Samantha Braid

Enjoying the calm before the storm.

Development team

competes in African Canoe Polo Champs

The African Canoe Polo Championships, to be held in Windhoek, Namibia, on 22 and 23 September 2013, will see a development team, the Western Cape Under 21 team, take part for the very first time. www.doitnow.co.za • 115

Canoe Polo The African Canoe Polo Championships are the African continental qualification tournament for the World Canoe Polo Championships, in Spain, in 2014.

This year’s tournament will see our South African National teams competing for a slot on the World Championships line-up, as well as in inter-provincial competitions. The team from the development programme will have the opportunity to compete against other teams and gain more first-hand game experience, as well as watch toplevel competition canoe polo. The experience will also help prepare the players to compete at the South African National Championships, in KwaZulu-Natal, in March 2014.

The tournament takes place every second year, in the year between the World Championships. The previous Africa Championships were held at the V&A Waterfront, in Cape Town, in October 2011.

Following the Africa Championships in Windhoek, the development team will take part in a fun and social tournament at the Klein Constantia Wine Estate, in October 2013.

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Getting a feel for the polobats.

Development programme In 2013, the Western Cape Canoe Polo Club (WCCPC) established its Canoe Polo Development Centre at the Century City canal. The Century City Canoe Polo Development Centre is coordinated, supported, and run by the WCCPC. The youths in the programme are mainly learners from Maitland High School, and the only requirement was that the youths could swim.

Mike Mongo, a development player, river guide, and the province’s top goal scorer in recent competitions, coaches the learners. Volunteers from the WCCPC assist him. The equipment used in the programme has been donated by members or bought by the WCCPC and other companies, such as Wild Thing Adventures, and Gravity Adventures and is stored at the Aurecon Centre.

The Western Cape Department of Sport and Cultural Affairs provided warm paddling clothes for the learners.

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Determination + Dedication = Results Starting with the basics, the majority of the youngsters in the programme had never been in a paddle craft before, “That is something from the movies,” they said. Over the weeks and months, the coaching team has taught the learners various paddling techniques, boat skills, and basic game play. Many of the learners have already shown an aptitude for the sport and confidence in the vuvubats, and some of the learners have even learnt to Eskimo roll their bats. Despite the very wet and cold Cape winter, the learners have demonstrated incredible dedication, determination, and enthusiasm to the development programme, often wanting to paddle and play for another ‘5’ minutes, which usually means another 20 minutes or more.

The aims of the development programme include making the sport more accessible to disadvantaged communities, as well as developing a seriously competitive development team and potential members for future national squads.

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A future from sport The development programme aspires to be more than just access to a sport. The programme aims to provide life skills for the leaners too.

Gravity Adventures has partnered with the Polo Development Centre to identify youths with an aptitude for paddling. These paddlers will be put through a river-guiding course, and once successfully completed, they will receive an NQF accreditation and employment in the tourism industry of river rafting and kayaking. Further opportunities and life-skills training are being investigated and planned in conjunction with the Department of Sports and Recreation.

Learning a new skill -throwing and catching a ball while balancing in a polobat.

Road ahead

Future initiatives

A Coaching Canoe Polo course, through funding from Lotto and Sports, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, will be held later in the year. The course is aimed at existing sports coaches, to teach them the basics of canoe polo.

The WCCPC would like to establish a development fund, to further assist its development players. This fund will assist with the travel costs for the participation of a development team to the various competitions, such as the Africa Championships in Namibia, the South African National Championships, and the Knysna Festival.

The objective is to make more paddling and polo centres available around the country and make this initiative more sustainable.

The learners will also have access to coaching courses, swift-water rescue training, and other courses available from the Western Cape Canoe Union, with funding from the Western Cape Department of Sport and Cultural Affairs and the National Lotto Fund.

Another initiative, together with potential sponsors, is to create a bursary programme for UNISA Sports Administration certification.

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Laduuuma - goal!

ABOUT CANOE POLO In the 1920s, paddlers in Germany and France played canoe ball games as an introduction to canoeing and for building river skills.

Since then, many variations of the equipment and game evolved throughout Europe and Australia. Quite independently, in 1966, the Borough of Newham in London asked Bert Keeble from the National Schools Sailing Association to design a kayak for teaching in swimming baths. Many pools were built in schools in the sixties and used for teaching children basic paddling and rolling skills. The pools were small, 10 m x 25 m, so small kayaks were needed to make the best use of the available space.

Canoe polo was a part of these sessions and provided an entertaining and practical way to apply the new skills.

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The new kayak was made from wood, it was short and had a rounded bow and stern to prevent damage to the pool.

Later, Alan Byde, a senior coach with the British Canoe Union (BCU), constructed a similar one from glassreinforced plastic. He called his boat the Baths Advanced Trainer (BAT). Today canoe polo boats are called polobats, while in South Africa, our bat is known as the vuvubat.

Access to the sport By its nature, the sports of river canoeing and whitewater kayaking are only accessible to those that can travel to the rivers, provided there is sufficient water in the rivers. This limits the opportunities for training, learning, and practising one’s paddling skills, making it difficult to attract new paddlers to the sport and limits spectator appeal. Whereas canoe polo brings paddling closer to the people and makes these paddling sports more accessible because the sport teaches participants the wide range of paddling skills without needing to be on the river to learn or practice. It is a challenging, social, spectator friendly, a team sport and can be played close to home.

The sport is accessible to varying paddling abilities. It can be played by fun and social teams on the one end, to the highly competitive teams vying for a spot in the National teams on the other end. Canoe polo is played by both men and women, and teams can be mixed. There are three competition age categories, that of Under 21 (16 to 20 years), Senior (21 years and older) and Masters (30 years and older) categories. The sport can also be played by disabled persons, including lower limb amputees.

More information about canoe polo, such as player safety and how the game is played, can be found in the 'Canoe polo makes waves' article published in August 2013. www.doitnow.co.za • 121

For more information about canoe polo, visit www.wccanoepolo.co.za• Canoe Polo Clubs around the country: Cape Town - sam.braid.22@gmail.com Durban - Kade.Burnett@derivco.com Johannesburg - Christopher.DeBree@wspgroup.co.za Knsyna - ndf@adept.co.za (Nelson) Pietermaritzburg - Kevin.Meier@umgeni.co.za

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Chasing the ball

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Words: Michelle Hutchinson | Photos: Emil Wessels Photography - Snowflake

All the fitness buffs will tell you that the old-school weight training days, where you isolate specific muscle groups, are long gone.

Aerial Dance creativity meets functional fitness

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No one is interested in being the bench-pressing beefcake of his or her local gym. Fitness trends, like CrossFit, Zumba,

and Bootcamp, are about teaching all the muscles to work together rather than isolating them to work independently. Form follows function: people want to build a body capable of doing real-life activities, in real-life positions. And having an exercise regime in an exciting format doesn’t hurt either.

So what if I told you that there is a new and exciting exercise form that combines bodyweight exercises, core conditioning, upper-body conditioning, fitness, and is an outlet for creativity and dance, with an opportunity to fly? What I would be referring to is aerial dance.

Aerial dance is a style of modern dance that incorporates the use of various hanging equipment, or aerial apparatuses. It is an incredibly demanding art form that requires a high degree of strength, fitness, flexibility, and grace, as well as a good dose of courage.

Aerial dance shares similar fundamental movements with circus arts, where high-flying acrobatic feats are used to amaze audiences. If you look at these circus aerialists, you will find performers of different shapes and sizes. But what they do have in common is excellent core strength, well-proportioned bodies, and well-developed upper bodies.

Previously limited to Olympic level gymnasts and circus performers, aerial dance is now gaining worldwide recognition as a fitness programme.

If aerial dance is something you would like to consider, then here are some tips to start you off.

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Aerial Dance creativity meets functional fitness

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Aerial silks

Aerial silks, also known as aerial fabrics, aerial tissue, aerial ribbons, or aerial curtains, is one of the newest and most challenging, yet awe inspiring and versatile aerial art forms. Aerial silk artists climb, twist, spin, drop, and contort themselves on fabric curtain sheets that hang from the ceiling.

The beauty of the silky material wrapped around the aerialist’s body is matched only by the courage it takes to be suspended high above the ground. The suspense builds as an aerialist wraps complex, multidimensional sequences, then drops into a free-fall until the last second, when they catch themselves mere feet from the ground.

Poses and sequences are often borrow from older aerial arts forms like trapeze or rope, but new ones are constantly being discovered, including dynamic movements like drops, slides, and rolls.

The fabric used is supple and pliable, and is wrapped and unwrapped around various parts of the body. Aerial silk artists don’t wear safety harnesses because it would get tangled in the fabric. Normally aerial silk artists work between six and ten metres, but there is really no limit to how high it can be done. Debbie Parks, an aerial innovator, does a silk performance from a hot air balloon!

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How to

Key to learning aerial silks is the ability to master climbing (similar to those old climbing ropes you may have been exposed to as a child) combined with various wraps and locks, where the fabric is wrapped around different body parts, such as wrists and ankles to form a knot that can support your body weight.

The first level teaches the basics of climbing and descending safely, and a variety of poses from a range of foot locks. Taught from standing on the floor, this level is sufficiently basic so that anyone can start here and progress. As the student’s strength improves, new wraps and locks are taught as a fundamental step to unlock more movements and poses. This vocabulary can then be choreographed to the beats of a song, linking the purely physical knowledge of how to move, to a more classical dance approach of moving in time to the beat. This is an important step towards understanding the emotion behind a song.

Aerial silks are fluid; you can fling the free ends into the air, you can wrap your body in the fabric, and you can tumble dramatically towards the ground. Once you have a vocabulary of movement, an understanding of how to move to a beat, and the freedom to move creatively to express emotion, aerial silks can provide a backdrop to some of the most awe-inspiring interpretations of dance humanly possible.

Aerial Dance creativity meets functional fitness

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Lyra

In comparison, aerial hoop or lyra is a fixed, unbending apparatus. It is a metal hoop just big enough to sit in and its fixed shape makes it less tiring to work with. However, it is uncomfortable to learn new poses on as your body is pressed into unusual positions against the steel frame.

How to

Beginners are taught methods of how to mount the hoop when it is at chin height, as well as poses that are started from sitting in the hoop at the same height as a park swing set. In this way, those who don’t yet have the strength to pull their bodies up into the hoop can still progress until their strength increases.

In the same way that aerial silks students build a vocabulary and progress to moving in time with music and learning to express emotion through movement, lyra students will also learn a vocabulary of increasingly difficult moves, starting low to the ground and then moving higher. Moves are linked together in different ways, and students are encouraged to find new ways to move between different poses. Using the relationship between movement and static pose, facial expressions, body positions, and hand positioning, students will strike out on their own to tell a story with just music and movement.

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Aerial Dance creativity meets functional fitness

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Aerial classes

Locally, you can find aerial classes in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban (and possibly in more towns than I’m aware of).

Circus performers, who have recognised a new business opportunity, as well as teachers, who are trained in other disciplines, are teaching aerial dance to individuals that are not professional athletes.

Choosing a studio

When choosing a studio, it is important to identify the following three things: • Safety: Check your teacher’s safety history and never feel pressurised into doing something that you aren’t comfortable with. The studio must have crash mats, hands-on spotting, an accident-free history, and so on.

• Progression: The studio must be capable of taking you through appropriate progressions to performing movements that are more difficult, whilst moving higher off the ground.

• Objective: Do the objectives of the class suit yours?

Is the class merely about conditioning or are they teaching a vocabulary that can be used to create dance?

Sky Dance Studio was formed in 2013 by Mari Theron and myself, and we have extensive experience in teaching aerial dance. With the right venue (7-metre high mount points and crash mats) and the right programme of progression-based learning, they are of the firm belief that anyone, from any background, can do aerial dance and progress safely through increasingly difficult moves on the aerial silks and aerial hoop (lyra) apparatus, two of our favourite apparatus.

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Give it a try

So, if you are looking for a new and exciting way to get fit and toned, while combining your love of dance, then you have got to give aerial dance a try. • For more information, email info@skydancestudio.co.za or visit www.skydancestudio.co.za.

If you are based in Cape Town, contact The Silk Workshop on thesilkworkshop@gmail.com or visit www.thesilkworkshop.com

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Words: Andrea Kellerman, Educational and Sport Psychologist

www.shutterstock.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

Where body meets mind www.doitnow.co.za • 135

Most of us know that physical exercise is good for our general health, but did you know that it can increase academic performance too?

Physical exercise has a positive effect on brain function, as it increases our heart rate and pumps more oxygen to the brain, and it assists in the release of various hormones that aid and provide a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.

This all leads to lower stress levels, heightened self-esteem, self-confidence, and provides a greater sense of belonging.

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www.shutterstock.com

Where body meets mind

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www.shutterstock.com

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Improved emotional intelligence Team sports allow athletes to develop camaraderie, friendship, and connectedness in the sporting environment, which is essential to develop emotional intelligence skills in our everyday world. People who feel part of a team and are accepted by others will experience less anxiety, stress, and social phobia. Furthermore, being accepted and successful in a team has a huge impact on self-esteem and self-confidence.

Improved rest With increased physical activity, the body and mind are more likely to experience quality rest and rejuvenating sleep. We all know that when we have had a proper night’s sleep, our mental stamina is that much greater. On top of this, when the body feels rested, the mind feels fresh and ready to deal with the stresses of the average day at school or work.

Improved self-worth Neurotransmitters are chemicals within our brain that help our brain communicate with the different parts in our body.

Certain chemicals, such as serotonin, are responsible for our mood levels. High levels elevate moods (such as happiness), while low levels are associated with depression. Physical exercise increases the levels of serotonin, which makes us feel good about ourselves and our experiences.

Brain training

Exercise is a natural part of life, although these days we have to consciously include it in our daily routine.

Potential benefits that can be gained from structured sporting and physical exercise are as follows: Improved focus and concentration According to leading sport academics, a person who moves well is also likely to perform well in school, due to the increased blood flow that brings more fresh oxygen to the brain, thus fuelling it.

Improved neural connections Sports can improve a child's mind and body connection, since he or she will need to train the mind to help the body to react quickly and accurately on the sports field. With regular physical exercise and repetition of certain physical activities, we experience reinforcement of the neural pathways (our brain’s information pathways, roads, and highways). This means that while we are training our body to develop faster and have more accurate muscle control, we are training our brain as well, by focusing it on goals and targets.

Your brain is no different than rest of the muscles in your body - you either use it or you lose it. To enhance brain health and ideal functioning, it is not always necessary to take medication. Nowadays there are a number of alternatives to choose from such as Neurofeedback training, which trains the brain in a similar way as physical exercise trains the body. Neurofeedback or brain training strengthens the brain and allows new, optimal pathways to form. This is often sufficient to help you concentrate better, feel de-stressed, less anxious or depressed and sleep better.

As you can see it is extremely important to train the body and mind from an early age and keep at it. A holistic approach to wellness will lead to the desired affects of feeling, behaving and functioning optimally, so make sure you and your children exercise enough, eat healthily and sleep well. • For more information and tips on how to train your brain visit: www.eq-advantedge.co.za

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Words: Hannele Steyn

Nuts and things doesn’t only mean eating foods that are healthy, it's also about a diet of balanced nutrition that includes all three food groups; protein, essential fats, and carbohydrates.

Life moves at such a fast pace that we've become reliant on quick and easy fixes, and 'healthy' shop-bought meals and have forgotten about all the natural, healthy options available, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, meats, seeds, and nuts.

The trouble with these on-the-go snacks is that they are loaded with preservatives, trans fats, and an overload of sodium. And when it comes to those 'healthy' shop-bought meals, have you ever wondered how they keep fresh for so long?

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I have written many articles on the importance of healthy food choices rather than following all the new trends that come and go. But healthy eating

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So what is easy to grab and go, but also balanced, nutritious, and an excellent racing and training food? In addition to biltong and fruit, two of the best food choices you can make are nuts and dried fruit. Nuts (raw or air roasted) are wonderful sources of good fats and protein, whilst dried fruits give us quicker released energy and good fibre. Together, they create quite a balanced meal. The combo of nuts and dried fruits will give you fast energy, from the high glycemic in dried fruit, and slow-released energy, from the protein and fats in the nuts. The fruit also contains good fibre for a healthy colon, while nuts contain essential fats like Omega 3 and 6 that are essential for overall health. They are also easy to eat on the run and in a race (no mess, no fuss).

I know dried fruit has a lot of concentrated sugar, but when you are active you also need a high and fast energy source.

Remember not to eat too much dried fruit in a race or training, as it might upset your tummy. It is only to give you fast and instant energy and the best to use when exercising, is dates and dried figs. Another delicious, healthy combo is goji berries mixed with walnuts or almonds. A clever and easy to eat combo is stuffing a date with two cashews.

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Nuts are a brilliant source of sustained energy and mixing it in quantities of 1-3 (fruit to nuts) during activities, will give your body wonderful nutrition. This is also good for you even if you only need something as an every-day snack.

The best nuts to use are walnuts for their high concentration of essential fat. I find that almonds, also one of your best kinds, are difficult to eat in a race because it's quite a hard nut and little bits might get stuck in your throat.

Cashews are nice and soft and easy to eat. Even though salt is not be recommended for health, in a race or training when we are sweating a lot and consuming a lot of sweet stuff, a little salt will help a lot. Don’t buy the salted nuts though, as it will contain a lot of saturated fat from the roasting process. Rather add your own Himalayan salt.

When buying nuts, choose the raw or air roasted ones to cut out any unhealthy trans fats.

one of the big mountain bike races in South Africa and will soon be bringing out a health range that will cater for all your on-thego snacks.

For more information on the healthy alternatives that Empire State Trading offer, visit www.empirestatetrading.com

• Take 300 g of Brazil or macadamia nuts and put them in a strong blender.

• Blend the nuts until it forms a creamy substance.

• Mix in two tablespoons of organic honey and blend well until fully mixed.

• Pour 50 g into 'new' bank bags, so that when you are in a race or training session, you can bite a little hole in the bag, squeeze and enjoy!

Or • You can use the mixture as a spread on your sandwich. It's very yummy! •

www.shutterstock.com

When writing my articles, I try to look at people or companies that support sport, be it cycling, running or adventure, and produce quality products that are relevant to the topic being covered.

When looking for a nut and dried fruit producer and a company that invests in cycling, I came across Empire State Trading. They also sponsor of

Nut butter and honey energy gels

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Words: Peter Fairbanks

The

pension game The pension game, as in most capitalist countries, is a big money spinner for product suppliers and Fund Managers.

Every month, massive amounts of money flow through various channels, such as Pension and Provident Funds and Retirement Annuities, which Fund Managers use to buy equities and boost stock exchanges, thus securing sustainable growth for their investors. So when it comes to equity growth, pensions are regarded as one of the single biggest resources.

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It therefore comes as no surprise that product suppliers want a piece of this lucrative pie and will fiercely protect their inflow at any cost, by making their pension products as attractive as possible to you, the investor. When you consider that

the main players in this game have approximately one million Retirement policies on their books and they collect a minimal fee of R20 per policy, per month, we’re talking about seriously big numbers and good business.

The 'latest' marketing tool being used in the retirement business is the bonus fund concept, whereby clients who keep their products for the full term receive a bonus allocation.

However, this incentive is not new, as some of the main role players have offered a combined product on and off since the 1970s. This practice died down in the early 2000s because of new generation thinking in the market, but it appears to be back with a vengeance over the last year or two.

As a hard-working citizen, you probably do not have the time to delve into the finer details of what you are being offered by product providers, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to give you a general guideline that will help you make better-formed decisions. I must admit though that after spending a ridiculous amount of time reading through contracts, I was more confused than a peach blossom in the middle of winter - and I’m in the business. So I delved some more and will try to explain my findings on this confusing subject as simply as possible.

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Guidelines

My biggest gripe with some products that offer a bonus is that a lot of effort is put into the marketing of this ‘must have’ combined product, but there is very little follow through. By this, I mean that the bonus will vest*. But if you are interested in taking up such an offer - and there are some good products around you need to: • Read ALL the small print and ask questions before you sign your life away.

• Find out if the bonus allocation will be affected if you reduce or stop paying your premium.

• Check if your bonus will be affected if you reduce your Life cover.

• When scrutinising a product, your main guideline must be the *Reduction in Yield (RIY) as a factor over the term, to evaluate if it is a decent product or not.

Pension contributions

In today’s tough economic climate, the chances of an investor reducing or stopping their pension contribution is a very real possibility. Should this happen, the investor will only see the ramifications of their actions when they are about to retire and suddenly realise that they won’t receive the promised bonus they had hoped for or were told they would get.

By that time, it is too late. So what are the options?

Either make do with what they have to eek out some kind of existence or try to keep working to live - both

are not ideal situations to be in. The point that I want to get across here is that if an investor stops or reduces their pension contribution, they should only do this as a last resort because of the dire consequences it will have at retirement age. Unfortunately, I don’t have statistics to back me up here, but with some 14 years of experience as a financial advisor, I would be surprised if 20% of all investors kept up their premiums for the full term. Just like some gyms count on a large percentage of their members not using their membership, some product providers bargain on the investor not being able to keep up their premiums for the full term.

Bonus criteria

Product providers also use different criteria to determine what the bonus payout will be. It may be that you only get a percentage back of what you paid in or it could be a set amount on the variable costs. But how this is calculated is irrelevant because I can promise you the sky and Earth if the word vest or guaranteed is not stated. Don’t take anyone’s word for it; ask to see it in writing.

Rewards vs. bonuses

Don’t confuse *Life Cover rewards with *Retirement Annuity bonuses. For example, one role player recently issued a Life product that will fulfil your wildest dreams if you don’t claim for disability or dreaded diseases for an obscenely long time. Be warned though, these guys have their stats in place and know that as few as 10% of the people who buy this product will be entitled to claim their money back for successfully completing the term without claiming or replacing their Life cover before the set term.

Invest now

All in all, I still believe that there are a number of great products available and we have a tax-support system to help us save for our old age. Personally, I would rather pay 10% of my policy cost to receive 90% of my income at retirement age, than argue about cost and end up being one of the 90% of people who will live in poverty at retirement age.

As always, I encourage you to seek advice from your broker before acting.

Terms * Vest - This means that you have earned or accrued the right to a retirement benefit payable at a later date even if you terminate employment before you retire. * Life Cover or Life Insurance - This is an insurance product where you agree to make a monthly payment to the insurance company in return for a lump sum payment to your family should you die. In most cases, you pay a monthly amount over a set time frame (20-30 years typically) and the life company agrees to pay your family an agreed amount should you die during this time frame. This is known as term insurance. * Retirement Annuity (RA) - This is a pension plan designed to build a lump sum that is paid out to you when you retire. * Reduction in Yield (RIY) - This is an industry standard figure given to show the amount by which an insurance company's charges can be expected to reduce the investment return on a policy. •

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Words: Francois Flamengo | Photos: Rudi & Mari-Leana Jacobs & DO IT NOW Media | Video: DO IT NOW Media

Authentic Africa:

(part 2)

Magical Mumbo Island

In last week’s article, I described our adventure and the many challenges that had to be overcome to get from Johannesburg to Cape MaClear, in Malawi, in time for our boat ride to Mumbo Island.

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After two crazy days of travelling, and sheer determination, Elri, Mari, Rudi, and I were happily ensconced on board the boat and enjoying a magnificent sunset cruise on Lake Malawi, with a cold Carlsberg in hand.

The 45-minute boat ride from Cape MaClear to Mumbo Island passed in a blur, as we excitedly chatted about exploring the island and enjoying the many adventures it promised over the next four days.

We were like kids in a candy store who couldn’t wait to stick their hands in the sweetie jar.

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Mumbo Island is a pristine tropical island in the middle of the expansive waters of Lake Malawi National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site. With a maze of massive underwater boulders, countless species of colourful cichlid fish, and calm, clear water, the National Park offers what many consider to be the best freshwater snorkelling and scuba diving in the world.

We were definitely going to put this theory to the test! Mumbo Island is only one kilometre in diameter and has never been populated, so it remains in a natural state.

The island is broken up into two sections; the main island area where the restaurant and main activities are located, and the secluded small island that houses five private lodges, each boasting magnificent views of Lake Malawi.

As we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the island crew from Kayak Africa, and our luggage was whisked away and delivered to our beautiful chalets. Mumbo Island Camp can accommodate up to 14 guests at a time and is perched on high rocks overlooking the lake. The timber, thatch, and canvas chalets, hot bucket showers, eco loos, and hammocks all blend in with the lush foliage and is a wonderful example of how humans can live in harmony with nature. The decor also maintains the 'green' ethos and almost all the furnishings are locally sourced and made either in the village or in Malawi. With no electricity on the island, everything is solar-powered and we learnt to appreciate the crew even more when they had to walk quite a distance every evening to bring us our hot bucket showers.

After settling in, we were shown around by our hostess, Robyn. The sound of a massive, wooden croaking frog, at 19h00 sharp, signalled that dinner was ready. We were treated to a superb three-course meal, and I must add here that breakfast and lunch were also a three-course affair and the crew in the kitchen never failed to impress. By 21h00, we made our way back to our chalets using solar powered torches and lanterns to guide us. Savouring the thought of a solid night’s rest, in a bed, we settled in for the night and were looking forward to what awaited us on our adventure island in the daylight. Coming from Joburg, it was such a liberating feeling to be able to sleep with all the large timber windows and doors wide open without fearing for your life.

Anyone who has heard the cry of a fish eagle will agree that there is nothing quite like it. Imagine our surprise, and delight, when we discovered that the eight pairs that inhabit the island would be our alarm each morning. An exquisite sunrise over Lake Malawi added to the spectacle and with the crew serving us coffee ‘in bed’ each morning at 06h30, there could be no better start to the day, to welcome you to Africa.

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Added to this was a pair of very entertaining lizards that made it their mission every morning to bravely challenge us for a rusk crumb or two. The finches, starlings and bul-buls were not as brave, but definitely still interested.

Boasting some 2,000 species, we were eager to explore Lake Malawi’s underwater world on our first day and snorkelling topped our list of activities. What we were especially looking forward to was snorkelling amongst large numbers of the world-renowned cichlid fish species. Thereafter, we would familiarise ourselves with the hiking trails and end off the afternoon chilling on the beach-like lagoon in front of the restaurant.

With our day planned, we kitted up for our snorkelling expedition and headed off to explore the small secluded island that we were staying on, from a different perspective. The water was warm-ish at around 23 degrees, not bad considering it was the middle of winter. Within minutes of entering the water, I was pleasantly surprised by how many different species of fish we saw. There were cichlids everywhere and all in different colours and sizes. Many shined like polished silver, but there were many others like cobalt zebras and Mumbo yellow (only found around Mumbo Island within the National Park), whose names reveal their dazzling colours. The water visibility was a very good eight metres and on some sections it even reached ten metres, making it a delight to explore all the nooks and crevasses that were hidden just below the surface of the water. Some of the bigger rocks resembled dinosaur eggs just lying there, waiting to hatch one day.

We spent over an hour circling the small island and were starting to get a little cold. So we all agreed that it was time to leave our water wonderland and warm up on the beach, with a fresh cocktail, under the hot African sun. With a limited cocktail menu to choose from, we decided to create our own from what was available from the bar and called it a Mumbo Mojo, which consisted of fizzy pineapple soda, soda water, and Malibu Rum. Delicious!

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After such an amazing snorkelling session we were keen to do some diving, so we contacted the mainland to book cylinders and other diving gear, which would arrive the next morning on the 09h00 boat. Rob, our diving instructor who lived on the mainland, would also join us the next morning to lead the dives for us. With the arrangements made and our tummies full of delicious grub, it was time to lay low for a few hours on the hammocks in front of our lodges.

Hammocks, the warm afternoon sun, and a slightly chilly wind that had picked up were just the right mix of nature’s elements to take us to never-never land for the next two hours.

With little time left before the sun slipped below the horizon, we decided to do the Ring Route hiking trail on the southern side of the island and check out some of the areas marked on the map. The route started with a gentle climb past the Bush Lapa, where visitors could book relaxing massages. The route was well marked and we reached Fisherman's Camp, where local fishermen set up camp at night, after about 10 minutes of hiking through the forest. The camp was nestled in a beautiful bay and sparkling blue water gently lapped up against the shore.

We continued on towards Impipi Beach, another fantastic lookout area and from where you can see a few more islands on the horizon, as well as Senga Bay on the other side of the mainland.

It was starting to get dark so we returned to camp, where we were once again lured in by our croaking friend for another delicious, local meal. After dinner, we played some board and card games in the open lounge area, including a traditional Malawi board game called Bao. This game is played on a board with four rows of seed pockets, and each pocket has two seeds in them when you start. The objective is to get all your opponents seeds out of the inner row, thus leaving them without any moves. It was great fun and we decided that a smaller version of this game would make a great memento of our time spent in Malawi.

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Rob arrived on the first boat the next morning, and after a quick briefing on the sites we would be diving, we kitted up and loaded our gear into the boat. Our first dive site was called Tooth Rock. It was a pinnacle that just breached the water in the shape of a tooth, hence its name. Rob told us that it goes down to 70 metres and that we should keep a weary eye on our depth gauges during the dive.

The rock formations below the surface were incredible, with many swim-through areas keeping us entertained. Some of the caves were quite intimidating because of the limited equipment we had with us, so we decided to play it safe and not enter them. The water visibility also diminished in some areas and only reached about six metres. Once again surrounded by millions of cichlid, it felt like we were diving in a gigantic fish tank. At the end of this dive, we spotted a massive giant lake eel that was about one-and-a-half metres long. This was very exciting because it was a rare sighting and to see it on our first dive was really special.

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We did two more awesome dives, one around Mumbo Island (shore entry) and the other in Impipi Bay. The Mumbo Island dive had the most amazing massive boulders, so the topography of the dive was quite different from that of our first dive. The great thing about all these dives is that they are super relaxing and not intimidating at all. I was happy to add them to my dive log and can’t wait to add a few more on a return visit to Lake Malawi.

During our stay, we also explored both islands on double kayaks, and one of our more memorable moments happened when we encountered one of the two species of harmless snakes on the island. Let's just say that not everyone in the group will think back on this with fondness J.

On our final evening we took a sundowner cruise to the middle of the lake, where we had the sudden urge to be a part of this magnificent, mirror-flat lake one last time before our departure, so we decided to jump in. Back on the boat and in the stillness of the night, we reflected on the superb few days we’d had on Mumbo Island. The snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, scuba diving, hiking, RnR moments in the hammock, and chilling on the beach really recharged the soul. Although we were sad to leave the next morning, we were in agreement that it would not be a ‘final goodbye’, but rather ‘until next time’.

Mumbo Island is adventurous, rejuvenating, and like a magical scene from a fairy tale. So if you are looking for an escape from the fast lane, be sure to consider Malawi and Mumbo Island and be prepared to be blown away by its beauty!

•

Mumbo Island www.mumboisland.com Kayak Africa Reservations email: letsgo@kayakafrica.co.za, website: www.kayakafrica.co.za Bao board game http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao (mancala_game)

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Words: Francois Flamengo | Photos: Rudi & Mari-Leana Jacobs | Video: DO IT NOW Media

Authentic Africa:

(part 3)

heading back home In my last two articles on Authentic Africa, I described the craziness Elri, Rudi, Mari, and I went through travelling by car from Johannesburg, through Zimbabwe, and finally into Malawi where we spent four incredible days on Mumbo Island. Our brief time on this adventure island was incredible, but the time had come to bid farewell to the island and Africa Kayak’s friendly crew and head for home. The final part of our journey was about to start. www.doitnow.co.za • 159

Cahora Bassa Dam

Ugezi Tiger Fishing Lodge

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Just as we knew the trip to Malawi would be filled with challenges, we were under no illusions that the return trip would be any different. The one main difference, however, was that we were not racing against time anymore. Disembarking the boat at Kayak Africa, we topped up with fuel as we got back to the tar road and at just R22 a litre, it was a bargain ;-) Our first stop was Ugezi Tiger Fishing Lodge at Cahora Bassa, It was only 500 km away, but it took most of the day to get there because we had to drive back on the same pothole-littered road from the border to Tete. The name Cahora Bassa came about as a result of an earlier misspelling of the name - it was previously spelt Cabora Bassa, which means ‘where work stops’ or ‘the work is over’. Situated in the Tete Province, in Mozambique, it is Africa's fourth largest artificial lake, and in Africa, only Lake Volta (in Ghana), Lake Kariba (on the Zambezi River system), and Lake Nasser (in Egypt) are bigger in terms of surface water.

We reached Ugezi Tiger Fishing Lodge late on Thursday night. The lodge is nestled amongst beautiful baobab trees and on the picturesque slopes of the mountains, forming the gorge area of Lake Cahora Bassa.

With unlimited fishing for various species, especially tiger fish, bream, vundu, chessa and Cornish Jack, the lodge is popular amongst avid fishermen. There are camping facilities and chalets, as well as a restaurant that offers a variety of great meals, well worth a stop if you are in the area.

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A day out on the Cahora Bassa Dam looking to catch some tigers.

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After scouting the area on the Friday and recovering from the drive back from Malawi, we booked a fishing trip for the Saturday. The trip included a boat, fishing tackle, and a skipper to take you to the best spots to try your luck.

As we chugged along to our spot,

we were surrounded by towering cliffs and mountains, which hugged us from both sides. We passed hippo, saw a crocodile, and waved at some friendly locals staying on the banks in their traditional huts. From a fishing perspective, it was not our day and although the weather was magnificent, we only had one strike, which we weren’t able to land. We were told that the best time to visit the lodge is in summer, over December, as the tigers are more active in the warmer water. On our way back, we stopped at the dam wall for a few photos and were once again surprised by the size of this magnificent man-made stucture in the ‘middle of nowhere’. We will be back one day, preferably in fishing season, to explore the rest of this beautiful place.

After our final dinner on Saturday night, we went to bed early so that we would be well rested for the drive back - however long that road might be. Our plan was to reach one of the two reserves, Zinave National Park and Banhine National Park, which we had found on the Garmin. This would get us close to the Pafuri Gate, where we planned on crossing the border into South Africa. If Lady Luck was on our side, we would stay an extra evening in the Kruger Park and enjoy a game drive or two before hitting the road back home. With thoughts of finding the ‘Big Five’, we left the lodge early on Sunday morning and reached Chimoio in less than four hours. Without any trucks on the road, the drive was great and we were confident that we'd find accommodation at one of the nature reserves along the way, and still reach Pafuri before dusk.

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The road south on the EN1 was very good and although we had to slow down when driving through the many small towns, we made good time. We filled up at a small petrol station in Nova Golega before taking the road less travelled on the 427.

We chose this road because we'd been warned that there were some problems with rebels in the Inhassoro area and visitors had to be escorted by police to ensure their safety.

That was more action and adventure than what we were looking for.

On the map, the 427 (a gravel road) looked ‘okay-ish’. It turned out to be a bit washed away, with a few surprise bumps at the small water bridges, but all was going well.

Then the unexpected happened. I heard a noise coming from underneath the car, so I immediately stopped. When I got out to inspect what the problem was, I found that the top nylon washer on the rear right suspension, which holds the shock in place, had come off. The timing was terrible because we needed shocks to cover the rest of the gravel road, so they needed to be in perfect working order. We were exactly in the middle of this route and the closest petrol station (and hopefully some kind of mechanic) was all the way back from where we had come from. Rudi and I both searched the road to see if we could find the washer, but all we managed to find was the rubber that separated the shock from the chassis. Luckily for us, there was a washer on Rudi’s roof rack, which we used to temporarily sort out our problem. An hour later, after some interesting bush mechanics, assistance from the mechanic of a passing cotton delivery truck, and letting down the tyres to 1.5 bars to take some of the pressure off the shock, we set off once more. Deflating the tyres helped, but we were still wary about going as fast as we had been, so we stopped every 10 km to check if the washer was still in place.

By 15h00 that afternoon, we reached a small village in the middle of nowhere. Stopping to chat to the local police officers about which route was best, they told us that the best bridge to cross the Save River, was to the east of the Zinave National Park. Even though it had been partly washed away by the floods, they said our vehicles ‘should’ be able to cross the river to the west, where we were headed. It was like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, as turning back meant we'd lose four hours. Rudi and I were both trained in wading and had recovery equipment with us, so we decided to try our luck with the river crossing.

My biggest concern was that if the bank of the river was too high, it could be tricky getting out. And if we didn’t get there before the sun went down, we would have to cross the river at night, which was not ideal.  Machaila Community Campsite

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So on we went on a sandy jeep track, which got smaller and smaller until eventually it was only a small little winding track in the riverbed.

By this time, the sun was sinking below the horizon and although a beautiful sight, we were now faced with having to cross the river in the dark. Eventually we reached a section where the bridge was out at Massangena. Like any African problem, there is always someone who sees a potential money-making scheme and the locals once again came to the rescue. For a R100 fee, they would guide us through the river and show us the line our vehicles should take. Even though the water didn’t seem that deep, we agreed that this would be the safer option and save us some time, so we paid the fee. Thankfully, the riverbed was sandy and gave us good grip to get out and onto the riverbank.

Our challenge now was that it was almost 19h00 and the reserve on the map was nowhere to be found. It was dark, we had nowhere to stay and no idea where we could stop safely either. We were starting to get rather anxious. The next town (rural settlement) was Machaila, a 100 km away. En route, Elri started frantically searching for accommodation options on all the GPSs and found exactly one, a small overnight camp registered on the Garmin, about 40 km past Machaila. The Machaila Community Campsite was described as a chief camp with running water and basic ablution facilities. At around 22h00, we finally found the camp - and our relief was profound. There was another vehicle and a tent already pitched, obviously better prepared than us. We had some coffee, finished off the bread rolls, and wound down around a small fire that two ladies from this community village had made for us when we arrived. Travel weary, we got our sleeping bags out for another night in Chalet ‘Hi-Lux’ and ‘FJ’ ;-) In no time, we were fast asleep.

By the time we woke up the next morning, our neighbours were gone.

Alone in the camp, we had some coffee and rusks, packed up the ‘camping kettle’, and were on our way to Pafuri via Mapai (136 km).

Although our stay at the camp was short, it had been our saving grace in the middle of nowhere and we were privileged to have met this amazing community of people who were willing to let us into their 'village' for a safe night, fresh water, and a warm fire.

Our original plans to pass through Pafuri Gate changed, as the bridge had been washed away a few months back as a result of the floods.

This rerouted us another few hundred kilometres, as we now had to drive all the way south to enter the Limpopo National Park at Massingir Dam. We googled a place to stay at in the park and found chalets just inside the Massingir Gate. We went to Motel Manganhe, which was outside the park, and enjoyed a local dinner, all washed down with some Manica (local beers) and cokes. When we finally got to our chalets, we were pleasantly surprised with our accommodation and enjoyed a good night’s rest.

When we reached the tar road at Phalaborwa the next morning, and were back on home turf, it was as if Christmas had come early. It’s amazing how you learn to appreciate the small things in life, like a decent tar road and a shop with countless options to choose from while your car is filled up for you - and all your bank cards work!

The drive to Malawi had been our initial adventure, but in the end it was the road there and back that was a much bigger adventure and will probably stay in our memories for years to come because nothing could be planned to prepare us for it. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, but next time I will not underestimate doing research on Plan B and C before I go because in Africa, where the name of the game is, expect the unexpected!

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Don't miss my FINAL article where I will cover travel tips and a review on all the equipment we found useful on the trip. • Cahora Bassa: This big dam in the Zambezi River generates enough electricity to power the entire southern part of Africa. The dam is 171 m (560 ft) high by 303 m (994 ft) wide at the crest. The system was built between 1977 and 1979 and can transmit 1920 megawatts at a voltage level of ±533 kilovolts and 1,800 Amperes. The 1,420 km (880 mi) long power line runs through inaccessible terrain, so it is mostly built as monopolar lines, 1 km (0.62 mi) apart. In the event of a single line failure, transmission with reduced power is possible via the surviving pole and returned through the earth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabora-Bassa Machaila Community Camp: S22 15.696 E32 57.163 - This is a project by Mozaic Upliftment Trust and for more information contact Gerhard Erasmus on 4geraldo@gmail.com Distances as seen on the Machaila Camp board - note the distance and driving time: Vilankulo 334 km approximately 9 hours diving Mapai 136 km approximately 3 hours driving Pafuri 225 km approximately 6 hours driving

Massingir Dam

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Swap the red tape for the red carpet

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So if you’re considering chartering a flight, speak to NAC, and they’ll make you feel like an A-lister on the red carpet!”

– Gabby van Staden, frequent charter client.

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TRAVEL

Words: Sam Bradley | Photos: Courtesy of Swiss Tourism & © Lucerne Tourism

Lucerne a city of contrasts My shirt is drenched in sweat and mud, and I have a nasty graze running down my left shin. My palms are sweaty and my heart is racing at a healthy pace.

Somewhere far below me I can see the outline of Roger, my crazy guide for the day, bunny-hopping rapidly out of sight.

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We’re on our third mountain bike dash down an extremely steep mountain and he’s showing no sign of tiring. Not wanting

to be left behind, I wearily climb onto the bike and set off after him.

With already a few tumbles to my name, I don’t need to tarnish my reputation further by getting lost as well. Mind you, there are worse places in the world to get lost. I’m high up in the mountains somewhere in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by leafy greenery and blue skies. I can hear bells ringing from some cows out grazing (yes, they really do tie bells round the cows necks here, something I’d always thought was a myth). Below me, there are emerald lakes shimmering in the distance, as picturesque as if they glided straight out of a fairy tale.

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With a population of only 76,000, there’s enough space in Lucerne for everyone to find a pursuit they enjoy. One day is spent rock-climbing and abseiling with Roger at Endelberg (a short drive outside Lucerne),

the next visiting monasteries and some of the famous cheese factories in the area. Lunch is always somewhere with a spectacular view, such as Klewenalp, and even a quick summer downpour couldn’t spoil the scenery when we were there. Add in the attraction of cruises and water sports on the lake, as well as the option of all year-round skiing (Mount Titlis is the only such site in Switzerland), and it’s easy to see why Lucerne is a fitness enthusiast’s playground. However, despite all its magnificent beauty, to only focus on the outdoor pursuits available would do Switzerland an injustice, and more particularly the area of Lucerne, a grave injustice.

When initially considering the town, I struggled to sum up its character. Most places seem to have a settled image; a reputation or a defining landmark they are known for. Think of Colorado and one’s first thoughts are of snow and skiing.

Mention Pamplona and bulls charging down quaint alleyways inevitably spring to mind. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and New York the Statue of Liberty. Lucerne is the opposite, seemingly in a constant state of adaptation and change.

On my arrival, the Red Bull flying contest was in full swing, with adrenaline-filled youths hurling themselves and their contraptions into the lake, all in the quest for a few extra metres of distance - and the adoration of an equally beer-filled crowd of cheering fans. Two days later and the mood in the city was completely different; the Lucerne Festival was in progress, famous as one of the world’s most renowned celebrations of classical music.

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Likewise, another famous event not to be missed is the Lucerne Carnival. Expect five days of strange characters dressed up in weird and wonderful masks and costumes, all accompanied by a joyful ensemble of musical instruments.

The parties carry on late into the night, as everyone dances away the winter cold and welcomes the arrival of spring. Other events include the Horn Sledge Race, the Fumetto Comedy event, the annual Cheese Festival, as well as countless jazz evenings. Classy and classical, or offbeat and funky? You be the judge. One thing that is for certain is that you won’t be bored during your stay in Lucerne.

When walking the streets of Lucerne, the contrasts only became more evident.

Castles and churches whisper of a fascinating history, all the while surrounded by modern restaurants and concert halls.

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The most photographed site in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge, which has the distinction of being the oldest wooden-covered bridge in Europe. It’s also famous for containing interior paintings from 500 years ago, which chronicle the history of the city.

Other olden day sites worth viewing include the Old Town, as well as the Dying Lion of Lucerne. Complementing these historic settings are a string of modern hotels perched along the lakefront, all offering exquisite Swiss cuisine and beautiful views over the water.

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Just when I felt like I was discovering my way round the town and learning some of its fascinating history, the time came to make my departure. While

making my sad goodbyes, and secretly vowing never to go on a bike ride with Roger again, I came to the realisation that being a city of contrasts - far from being a weakness - is actually Lucerne’s greatest strength.

In fact, it doesn’t matter if the town doesn’t have a fixed identity that’s its known for. If my family were to visit the city, each member would return home enthusiastically describing a different aspect of the city; from the architecture to the food, and the outdoor activities to the natural beauty of the area. In fact, Lucerne’s greatest strength is being able to ignite the passions and stir the interests of each and every visitor who is lucky enough to pass through its squares, eat in its restaurants, and be seduced by its charms.

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What you need to know: Currency: 1 Swiss franc = R10,70 (at the time of publication).

Food: You’ll be spoilt for choice with more than 170 restaurants to choose from. Expect to pay at least 30 Swiss francs for a decent meal, with some of the fancier restaurants charging up to 150 Swiss francs per meal.

Accommodation: There are about 60 hotels in the town of Lucerne, ranging from 70 to 600 Swiss francs per person, per night. Most of the hotels have lake views. For budget seekers, Backpacker Lucerne has rooms from 53 Swiss francs per person, per night.

Attractions: Lucerne’s tourism website has detailed information of upcoming attraction and events in the region.

Getting there: Emirates flies from Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town to Zurich (stopover in Dubai) with prices ranging from R7,600 to R15,000. SAA flies from Durban and Johannesburg to Zurich, and Swiss International Airlines flies from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Zurich.

For more information on Lucerne, visit www.lucerne.com •

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NATURE

Words: Alan Hobson | Photos: Courtesy of The Angler & Antelope

Goats Giant trout

&

A pool with giant trout in the Karoo.

The Karoo savannah, comprising mostly of grass, Karoo

bush, and thorn trees, (acacia Karoo) is ideal for goats and more specifically Angoras. It’s this combination of grazing and browsing that allows the goats to thrive in this harsh environment. Hardly the type of landscape one would imagine playing host to fly fishing opportunities for giant trout.

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Bryan fighting his giant Karoo trout.

Giant trout is what I had promised Bryan, so you can imagine his look of total disbelief when I stopped on the deserted Andries Vosloo Bridge that crosses the Little Fish River.

“Seriously, giant trout here?” he questioned. As we climbed over the fence, even the Angora goats eyed us curiously (or was it also disbelief), as they came closer to inspect our rather odd dress code of waders, fanny packs, rucksacks, and fly fishing vests. Eager to prove my point, we scrambled along the goat path down to the water, a little difficult when you are somewhat bigger than goats, sometimes on our hands and knees to clatter through the thorn trees, guiding the fly rod carefully through the open spaces.

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Bryan stood paralysed in amazement as he gazed at the pool in front of him, lined by thick bush, reeds, and thorn trees.

Part of his astonishment was trying to conceive that there were indeed giant trout here, as we had stopped literally around the corner and looked upon a dry riverbed. In the upper reaches of the Little Fish River, the fountain-fed water is mostly underground, which cools the water during the hot Karoo summers sufficiently for the trout to survive in the sporadic, deep pools within the riverbed.

We positioned ourselves about six feet back from the water’s edge, kneeling down to lower our profile. Bryan proceeded to false cast over the rocks and only on the final presentation stroke did he bring the rod over the water so the line could follow. It landed just next to the rocky ledge, placing the fly in the gurgling bubble line, allowing the current to move the fly downstream.

He carefully twitched the fly back, mimicking an insect, a mayfly nymph that had been dislodged and was now trying to swim out of the current to safety. This is exactly where the fish lie, in the slack current or back eddy where they don’t have to expend any energy and have the flow of the water bring their food to them.

It is sensible to rig your leader with a strike indicator, usually something bright and that floats well. You will find various options available on the market. The strike indicator allows you to gauge the depth of the water so that you can keep the fly just off the bottom of the riverbed. It also allows you to watch the speed your fly is drifting at in the water, as you need to ensure your fly is moving at the same speed as the water, so that it looks as natural as possible. This is called a drag-free drift. Most importantly, any unusual movement from the indicator means a fish has picked up your fly. That is when you must strike, to set the hook. When you see an angler with a tight, wrenched jaw and solemn stare over the water, they are probably focussing on their indicator and not planning their next meeting with their bank manager.

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Angora goats sharing their water with the trout.

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Alan

Bryan reacted to the sudden bob of his indicator, but too slowly and missed the take. On the following presentation, his focus was rigid and paid dividends, as he had his first Karoo trout on the end of the line and was beaming from ear to ear. Bryan was chuffed.

I then suggested we move to the tail of the pool and fish directly into the current. After negotiating the goat track through the thorns, we settled in at the tail of the pool.

Third cast and Bryan had a heavyweight doing battle, evident by the shriek of joy he yodelled as the fight went back and forth. Finally he brought a beautiful 1,6 kg trout to the net, the glint of satisfaction in his eyes said it all as he released the fish to live another day.

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We moved up the little Fish River to target a few other pools nestled amongst huge poplar trees. I suggested that Bryan fish the bigger pool and let

me tackle the overgrown pool. The arrangement was whoever caught the first fish would holler, so the other person could come and take photographs. Truth is I knew that my pool held two monster fish, as one of our club members had sheepishly admitted that he had spent a whole day throwing every fly in his box at them without success. A few weeks later, I managed to get one of my American clients to hook one of these monsters, but it fought back so aggressively and with a ferocious flick of its head, it snapped the leader on a submerged tree.

Hobson with a beautiful Karoo river trout.

The opportunity to finally have a crack at these wily characters stepped up my pulse rate a notch, as I crouched into the Angora goat position and sidled up quietly to the water. I was at an advantage, as the previous failed attempts required a change in strategy, a 15-foot leader and no strike indicator, as it might spook the fish, and a very slow twitch hardly moving the #14 mayfly nymph. A gap between the branches of a berg karee and poplar tree only just made a cast upstream manageable. The pool is no bigger than your lounge at home, so it's unbelievable to think this small pool could hold giant trout.

If there is one technique fly fishermen should make a habit of, it would be to focus on lifting the rod very slowly at the end of your retrieve before making the next cast. Fish often follow the fly until the bitter end and as one lifts the fly out of the water they pounce on it. Exactly what happened here and then all hell broke loose as the fish scurried up and down either side of the pool; first under the roots of the big trees and then back down the rocky undercuts on the opposite bank. He was an old warrior.

I yelled for Bryan to come and take photographs and document this legendary battle. This warrior came with a serious reputation, just like a seasoned heavyweight champion earns his after having bruised a few egos. As he came to the net, I was overcome with respect, a giant in every sense of the word. •

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Bryan’s giant trout.

www.wildflyfishinginthekaroo.co.za

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

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SOMERSET EAST

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Words: Neil Ross, Executive Chef

www.shutterstock.com

ENTERTAINMENT

STARTER

Does the thought of entertaining get you down because you are not sure what to cook?

Here's a great three-course meal for you to try out that is sure to impress.

Carrot and Lentil Soup Ingredients: • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds • Pinch of chilli flakes • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 600 g carrots, washed and coarsely grated • 140 g split red lentils • 1 litre hot vegetable stock • 125ml milk • Plain yoghurt • Naan bread to serve

Preparation: 1.

Heat a large saucepan and dry fry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for 1 minute or until they start to jump around the pan and release their aromas.

2.

Scoop out half of the seeds and put aside. Add carrots, oil, lentils, stock, and milk to the pan and bring to the boil.

3.

Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth (you can leave it chunky if you prefer it that way).

4.

Season to taste and finish with a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkle of reserved spices.

5.

Serve with warm naan bread.

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MAIN

Tasty Indian Butter Chicken Ingredients: • 1 kilo chicken thigh fillets, no skin • ¼ cup white vinegar or lemon juice • 1/3 cup coriander seeds • 1 cinnamon stick, about 2 inches long and broken into small pieces • 5 brown cardamon pods • 1 teaspoon whole cloves • 3 teaspoons ground turmeric • 2 teaspoons chilli powder • 2 teaspoons paprika • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1 teaspoon ground mace • ¼ cup plain yogurt • 2½ tablespoons crushed garlic • 2½ tablespoons grated fresh ginger • 2½ tablespoons vegetable oil • Salt to taste Sauce: • ½ cup vegetable oil and melted butter combined • 1 kilo brown onions (about 6 medium), chopped • 1 teaspoon salt • 2½ tablespoons grated fresh ginger • 2½ tablespoons crushed garlic • 2 teaspoons chilli powder • 3 teaspoons ground turmeric • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh green or red chilli • 1 kilo tomatoes, chopped and pureed in a blender or food processor 2 • /3 cup cream (150 ml) • ¼ cup unsalted butter • 4 teaspoons honey • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves • 1/3 cup chopped coriander

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Preparation: 1.

Cut the chicken fillets into quarters. In a glass bowl, combine the chicken with the vinegar/lemon juice. Set aside.

2.

In a spice grinder, grind the coriander seeds, cinnamon, cardamon, and cloves to a powder.

Place in a bowl and combine with turmeric, chilli powder, paprika, nutmeg, mace, yogurt, garlic, ginger, and oil and mix well. Season with salt and add to the chicken. Mix well and cover. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 240°C and in a shallow roasting pan, place the chicken pieces in a single layer. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

4.

Remove from oven and set aside.

Sauce: 1.

In a large frying pan, heat the oil and butter over a medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1 teaspoon of salt and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until onions are dark golden brown. This will take around 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for around 2 minutes. Add the chilli powder, turmeric, and chilli pepper and cook for 1 minute.

3.

Add the tomatoes and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until tomatoes are soft. This will take around 5 to 10 minutes.

4.

Add the cream and butter to the pan and cook, stirring until the butter melts. Stir in the chicken, honey, fenugreek and cook, stirring often until chicken is cooked through.

5.

Stir in the coriander and serve.

DESSERT

Thai Fried Bananas Ingredients: • 6 bananas • 200 g filo pastry • Groundnut oil for frying Sauce: • 200 g orange chocolate • 300 ml thick cream

Method: 1.

Wrap each banana in buttered filo pastry and put aside.

2. For the sauce, gently melt the chocolate and cream in a microwave or over double boiler of water.

3.

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the bananas until brown.

Carefully drain bananas on kitchen paper.

4.

Place on a plate and drizzle with sauce.

5.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream if desired.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za

MOVIE TITLE

2 GUNS

HIGHLIGHTS

Director: Baltasar Kormákur Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg,

Recommended for

Chemistry and charm between the two leads

Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, and James Marsden

Action comedy fans

VERDICT Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg team up to bring us an action comedy that’s reminiscent of the classic '90s buddy cop films that we have come to love. It’s old school in its approach, with much of 2 Guns resting on the chemistry and charm between the two leads.

The story revolves around DEA agent Bobby Trench (Denzel Washington) and U.S. Navy intelligence officer Marcus Stigman (Mark Wahlberg), who have been working undercover as members of a narcotics syndicate for the past year. The twist, neither man knows that the other is an undercover agent. When their attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel and recover millions goes haywire, their superiors disavow the men. Trench and Stigman must go on the run lest they wind up in jail or in a grave.

Overall, the film is a fun comedic action romp with the two stars proving to be worth the price of the admission ticket. 2 Guns proves to be a fun-filled action film regardless of the fact that the plot and some characters needed a lot more work.

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MOVIE TITLE

Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters

Director: Thor Freudenthal Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson, Logan Lerman, Nathan Fillion, and Stanley Tucci

HIGHLIGHTS

Fun and entertaining

Recommended for Fantasy, adventure fans

VERDICT

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is the sequel to Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief, a film that wasn’t exactly magnificent, but it was fun, enjoyable, and entertaining. In other words, original didn’t set the bar too high for the sequel. Despite this, The Sea of Monsters still only managed to be average.

The story centres on Percy (Logan Lerman), the son of Poseidon, who continues his epic journey to fulfill his destiny. Along the way he teams up with his demigod friends to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which has the power to save their home and training ground, Camp Half-Blood.

The sequel didn’t try to strengthen the first film’s weaknesses. It didn’t even try to build on the first film’s strengths. Instead, its derivative of itself. The film could and should have been better than what it was. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is a film that is shrouded in a veil of mediocrity that perfectly balances the good and bad of story telling and sequels to an unexceptional perfection.

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GAME TITLE

Saints Row IV Developer: Inc. Publisher: Deep Silver Genre: Action, Adventure

HIGHLIGHTS Great open world

Recommended for Action, adventure fans

VERDICT

If you were to try and think of a more radical change from sequel to sequel it would be very hard to compete with the Saints Row franchise. However, the core reason this still works is that the progression, however insane it might feel at the time, is simply leaving no holds barred with the universe they have made, and taking each sequel up to 11 each time.

From small time street hustler, to ruler of Stillwater’s crime families, and from mega media mogul as you take down the bosses of Steelport, to this latest installment, where the ever unnamed and variably appearing Boss is now the president of the United States of America, and has to fight off an alien invasion. And it's just as amazing as that sounds.

Oh, and you also get superpowers. The finest point of Saints Row IV is that you’re never sure what you’re going to get or do next. The best part about this franchise is that we are left with four distinct titles that can each be replayed for different reasons, depending on what form of Saints Row we want today.

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GAME TITLE

Fez

HIGHLIGHTS

Director: Phil Fish Publisher: Polytron Corporation Developer: Polytron Corporation Genre: Platform, Puzzle

Recommended for

Excellent gameplay Platform & puzzle-solving fans

VERDICT

Having watched the documentary, Indie Game: The Movie, seen the reviews and watched enough trailers, I knew quite a bit about Fez. It wasn’t until a few days ago, however, that I made the decision to purchase the game on Steam; being on sale made it quite a lot easier. The PC port was initially released on 1 May 2013, after

having been officially released on Xbox 360 on 13 April 2012. While there has been great praise for the lovable indie game, there has also been quite a large amount of criticism.

What’s all the fuss about?

You won’t find yourself pulling out any of the hairs on your head in an attempt to find every detail and hidden treasure within the game, as simply playing through the levels is more than sufficient to get by. That being said, delving deeper (behind things at face value) brings about its own rewards, and will keep you captivated for quite some time. Eighteen months after its launch, this lovable game is still worth every second you spend playing it.

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Movies to look out for

R.I.P.D

Genre: Action, Comedy Director: Robert Schwentke Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon Date: 4 October

Rush

Genre: Action, Adventure Director: Ron Howard Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, and Olivia Wilde Date: 4 October

This Is the End

Genre: Action, Comedy Director: Seth Rogen Starring: James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Jay Baruchel Date: 11 October

games to look out for

Beyond Two Souls Genre: Action, Shooter Developer: Quantic Dream Date: October

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Killzone Shadow Fall Genre: First-person Shooter Developer: Guerrilla Games Date: November

Watch Dogs

Genre: Action Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Date: November

INVOLVED

Words: Simone Botha | Photos: Colene Burger & Macciani © 2013 | Video: Atelier77cz

South African beauty in Miss Deaf World

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The Czech Republic’s Prague is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities to gaze upon, and this glorious, golden city proved to be the perfect setting for the Miss Deaf World (MDW) pageant. Held on Saturday, 13 July 2013, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to proudly represent my country.

As I touched down in Prague, I couldn’t wait to meet and find out more about the 42 other beautiful deaf ladies from across the globe, and I was curious to see how we would communicate, as there is no universal sign language. I am not a frequent sign-language user, as I didn't learn it growing up, so Narda Els, founder of the Miss Deaf South Africa (MDSA) pageant, helped me to become comfortable with using sign language.

Let me paint this amusing picture for you: Imagine the MDW organiser, Josef, in front of the conference room, the competitors on opposite sides of the room, and their chaperones at the far back. Josef cannot speak English or use sign language. He can only speak Czech and had to make use of five different interpreters to interpret what he was saying aloud and in Czech.

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On the first day, I thought that as the only competitor who does not really make use of sign language, I would be the sole lost sheep. However, I quickly learnt that almost half of the girls did not understand the interpreters. Some of them were even worse off than I was, as they did not have the support of a chaperone as I did or if they did, the chaperone did not know what was being said either. Luckily, my chaperone, my Germanspeaking super mom, was able to gather valuable information from Miss Deaf Germany’s chaperone, Arne.

He is also deaf, but understands Czech sign language and speaks German. In turn, my mom could translate what he said into English for all the English speakers and for those who could or tried to understand English.

It really was quite hilarious and reminded me of the telephone game, where you sit in a circle and whisper what you thought you heard from the previous person into the next person’s ear, only to get it wrong. Just two voices could be heard in an otherwise dead-silent conference room; Josef’s loud voice in Czech and Arne’s soft interpretations in German at the back of the room.

The first day also proved to be quite a shock to my poor brain, as I had a whirlpool of new signs that needed to be stored and retained in my memory for use the next day. But I enjoyed the fact that all the contestants tried to reach out to each other, however strained the communication may have been at first. It was all worthwhile in the end, as we learnt about each other’s countries, languages, and cultures and the contestants were especially eager to learn about our beautiful country.

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The following day, my understanding and application of these strange signs vastly improved and I was already going at it like a natural.

My signing improved so quickly that I was able to do a Slovakian TV interview in sign language towards the end of my seven-day stay in Prague.

The strangest question I was asked by my fellow competitors about South Africa was, “If you’re Miss Deaf South Africa, then how come you are white?” So I answered their question with one of my own, “If Miss Deaf Holland is from Holland, then why is she black?” This seemed to answer their question and resulted in a good laugh.

One of the highlights of the week was the Miss Deaf World Fashion Show. The fashion show was held in the Lucerna Theatre, situated in the glorious old part of Prague. Prague is one of the very few cities that was left untouched during the Second World War, which explains its magnificent beauty and the hold it has upon the many tourists that flock to this city all through the year. The purpose of the fashion show was to showcase a variety of fashions from across global borders, as well as give local Prague designers the opportunity to show off their latest designs.

I was one of a lucky few to be chosen to model one of the local designer’s dresses, and I also had the opportunity to show the fashion world my Bedazzled Boutique sponsored ball gown. The sleek, elegant baroque black and gold ball gown dazzled as the paparazzi’s cameras threw light upon this beautiful creation, and the dress proved to be a crowd favourite.

The rest of the week saw us hard at work in preparation for the Gala evening, so we didn’t get to see much of Prague during these practice days. The evening that we were all anxiously waiting for finally arrived and the adrenaline shot through the roof. The last stage placings were made, changes finalised, and chaotic spurges were present too. Miss Deaf Latvia had to be rushed to hospital on the morning of the competition and had us all worried. We did not know whether she was going to be able to compete or not. Thankfully, she was well enough by the evening and we could change our modelling sequences back to normal.

But what is a beauty pageant without a little drama?

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As the pageant got underway, there were different sections we had to model - swimwear, cocktail dresses, and evening wear - and present our talents. I couldn’t wait to show the judges what I do best; dance. My dance choreography had an African-contemporary feel, with my costume representing the Ndebele tribe of South Africa. Devon Marshbank was behind the creation of my music video, which embodied our country’s diversity and beauty. I also used Nelson Mandela’s voice in parts of my choice of song, “Bring Him Back Home” by Hugh Masekela. I thought it a fitting choice, as Madiba is loved by many across the globe. It was during the pageant when the world held its breath, awaiting news of Madiba’s condition in hospital. My dance was a tribute to Nelson Mandela and I danced my proud South African heart all out! It was a wonderful evening and the top three places were as follows: the beautiful Miss Deaf Brazil was crowned as our new Miss Deaf World, with Miss Deaf Lovakia as the first Princess, and Miss Deaf France as the second Princess. I came sixth out of 43 countries.

For me, the pageant was not about winning, but rather learning from each other. I am extremely grateful to have met so many different and wonderful people from around the world. It was an once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always cherish, as I fulfilled my goal to go full out, be myself, and build bridges across borders.

I would like to thank my sponsors: Bedazzled Boutique, Home Corp, Ben’s Pharmacy, Playboy, Be An Angel Network, Caring Hands Foundation, Oos Rand Stereo, and Devon Marshbank. They made my journey to Prague possible.

HAPPY DEAF AWARENESS MONTH •

The sign I am making is the 'love' sign in sign language.

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inFOCUS

W50IN 0!

Reader Photo Competition

Winner

Photographer: Jason Walden Photograph: Cold front Camera Type: iPhone

R

Camera Settings: Standard Place: Cold front coming in fast over Robben Island Category: Lifestyle

inFOCUS Quarterly Competition The inFOCUS competition will feature a photo online winner every forth quarter, with a R500 voucher to be won! The closing date for the December 2013 competition is 20 December 2013. Please email entries to competitions@doitnow.co.za.

Good news for all entrants! All entries received in 2013 will be entered into a final draw to take place in January 2014.

The details of the grand prize will be announced on DO IT NOW’s website (www.doitnow.co.za) soon.

When emailing your images to us please 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 can be viewed on www.doitnow.co.za.

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LIFE CAMERA ACTION THE ULTIMATE ACTION CAMERA

ANT+ wireless connectivity allows you to control Virb remotely through select Garmin devices, plus you can record your heart rate while filming with the 1080p high-definition video recorder and 16 MP still camera. This rugged and durable device has a 3 hour battery life and a 1.4” Chroma Display so you can relive your adventure in high-resolution colour video and stills.

Virb Elite has a built-in GPS with an accelerometer and altimeter to capture even more action. Upload videos to your smartphone with Virb Elite’s WiFi capabilities.

What are you waiting for?

For more information visit www.garmin.co.za/virb

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VIRB