DO IT NOW Magazine #18 - Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle

Husqvarna Returns see page 134

ADVENTURE - SPORT - LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Rollerblading

Deep

Powder Therapy see page 28

Reimagined see page 58

Playing

with Fire see page 44

VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 4 • 2012

The Triple Challenge see page 78

Trail Running

Safety

see page 70

00019

18

inSIDE Competition p. 126

9 772074 611000

Vol. 4 • Issue 4 • Aug/Sept 2012 PRICE RSA R35.00 (Incl VAT)

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THERE IS NO COMPETITION. 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONS.

PO W E R E D B Y

Husqvarna wins again.

2011 E1 and E2 class Enduro World Champion. Thanks to Juha Salminen and Antoine Meo and their TE250 and TE310. Husqvarna, 82 World Titles. f o r y o u r South Africa n H us qva r na fa mily go to www. hus qva r na -motor cycles . co. za

HOLD ON TIGHT THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE A FAST ONE

TYRONE LONG ON THE SEADOO RXT X RS 260

WINS THE ICE BLOCK ONCE AGAIN WWW.BRPSA.CO.ZA

THE WORLD IS OUR PLAYGROUND

Are you

RaceworX

u ready?

KTM RACEWORK NOW OPEN IN CLEARWATER

www.raceworxktm.co.za

RaceworX KTM Clearwater, Situated behind Clearwater Mall, Hendrik Potgieter Drive & Christiaan De Wet Road, Roodepoort, Gauteng, Tel: +27 11 027 9922

dinLIST

CALENDAR Here are some fantastic activities and events to look out for over the next three months:

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SEPTEMBER 2012 S

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 White Water Rafting // Parys (FS)  Train Ride // George (Garden Route)  Scuba Diving // Umkomaas (KZN)  Indoor Climbing // Kya Sands (JHB)  Microlighting // Ballito (KZN)  Horse Riding // Dullstroom (Mpumalanga)  Paragliding // Lions Head (WC)  Caving // Cango Caves (Oudtshoorn)  Wind Surfing // Langebaan (WC)  Sandboarding // Atlantis (CT)  River Boat Cruise // Colchester (EC)

Sport

 Running // Spar Ladies - SuperSport Park, Centurion (Pretoria): 25 Aug  MTB // Wellington Gravel Travel - Wellington (WC): 27 Aug  Motorbike // Supermoto - Pinetown (KZN): 2 Sep  Adventure Race // Night Trail Run - Randpark Golf Club (JHB): 5 Sep  MTB // Eqstra Spring Classic - Avianto (Muldersdrift): 9 Sep  Racing // Supadrift - Zwartkops Raceway (JHB): 22 Sep  Trail Run/Obstacle Course // X-Man -Touwsrivier (WC): 22-24 Sep  Running // EcoMile Marathon - Port Elizabeth (EC): 29 Sep  Multi Sport // BSG Energade Triathlon Series - Roodeplaat Dam (North Gauteng): 2 Oct  MTB // Ride the Rhino - Langebaan (WC): 5-7 Oct  4x4 // Maxxis National 4x4 Challenge Championship - Rustenburg (North West): 6 Oct

Lifestyle

 Entertainment // Spring Beer Festival - Vereeniging (JHB): 25 Aug  Festival // uShaka Marine World Body Art Competition - Durban (KZN): 25 Aug  Expo // Canal Walk Home & Lifestyle Expo - Century City (WC): 26-28 Aug  Festival // Nando's Cape Town Comedy Festival - Foreshore (WC): 3-9 Sep  Expo // Hobby-X - Midrand (JHB): 6-9 Sep  Charity Event // Bobs for Good Foundation - Constantia (WC): 17 Sep  Expo // Jo’burg Good Food & Wine Show - Randburg (JHB): 21-24 Sep  Music Festival // Rocking for Rhino Festival - Hoedspruit (Limpopo): 22-23 Sep  Exhibition // South African Game Fair - Dullstroom (Mpumalanga): 29-30 Sep  Entertainment // Spring Break - Sun City (North West): 1-3 Oct  Music Festival // Aardklop National Arts Festival - Potchefstroom (North West): 2-6 Oct

6 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

inTRO

FOUNDER’S LETTER

Brrrrrrr, winter is not always the best time of the year to be outdoors. But to those of you who are still getting up at the crack of dawn to train, I salute you!

To be honest, I am only brave enough to face two 4 a.m. CrossFit training sessions during the week even though I'm thoroughly enjoying this core strength and conditioning programme. If you are looking for an alternative way of working out that is fun and makes you more flexible, agile and stronger, then CrossFit could just be the answer.

It's been an incredibly busy year so far on all fronts and I can't believe that we are more than halfway through it - where has the time gone? As we enter the final stretch I don't foresee it slowing down either, as there are still a number of exciting projects that we are busy with. The first is the launch of our new and improved website. Not only does it look good, it features more current information and offers a host of improved navigation options. So if you want to stay informed about any adventure, sport and lifestyle events and activities you love, visit our new site, as well as our Facebook page, Twitter, calendar and category pages.

Once you have visited the site we would really like to get your feedback and find out what you think about it.

In this issue we have introduced a new section - Mustplay Golf Courses. Only courses that has the X factor will be considered and I look forward to reviewing six of the best on offer locally. I hope you enjoy my first article on page 106.

This year's 94.7 cycle race in November will see the DO IT NOW team riding to raise funds for the Hunger and Thirst Foundation, a non-profit organisation that believes in changing the future by investing in future leaders today. All monies raised by the team, dubbed the DO IT NOW for the Hunger and Thirst Foundation, will go towards feeding, equipping and restoring dreams, as well as changing a child's destiny for a year. We would really like to make a difference to more than one child's life and invite our readers and other companies to join our team and ride for positive change. If you are keen to be a part of our team and support this fantastic cause, please contact Cheryl Whelan on cheryl@doitnow.co.za for more information. Let's ride together, have fun and make a positive change to the destiny of our future leaders!

In closing, I would like to thank you for all your support and remember that DO IT NOW Magazine is now on sale at all leading news agents and specialised stores, as well as online from www.mysubs.co.za. For a complete list visit our website.

Until the next time ...

Francois

Another new initiative that we have lined up is our Adventure Invitations, which you will soon find on our website. This is an invitation to all our readers to join us on a variety of adventure tours that will be arranged throughout the year. We'll be publishing some photos and a story from each trip in the magazine - maybe it will be yours? Places for each excursion will be limited so remember to get in early, as these tours are going to be truly epic.

We are also moving offices, so when you are next travelling along Witkoppen Road, in Johannesburg, look out for our beautiful new offices situated in the Fancourt Office Park. This will be our new home from 1 August 2012.

Visit us on Facebook & Twitter Facebook: www.facebook.com/DOITNOWMagazine Twitter: twitter.com/#!/DOITNOWMag & @DOITNOWMag Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/do-it-now-magazine

www.doitnow.co.za • 7

On the Cover - Husqvarna rider in action.

Photo by - Husqvarna SA

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hobson

Claire King

Kobus Bresler

Deon Breytenbach

Francois Steyn

Jacques Marais

Michael Scholz

Neil Ross

Peter Fairbanks

Richard Flamengo

Ugene Nel

Morne Swanepoel

Hannele Steyn

Xen & Adri Ludick

Steven Yates

DO IT NOW TEAM FOUNDER Francois Flamengo

MANAGING DIRECTOR Elri Flamengo | elri@doitnow.co.za ART DIRECTOR Peet Nieuwenhuizen | peet@doitnow.co.za MARKETING & SALES DIRECTOR Morné Labuschagne | sales@doitnow.co.za TEXT EDITOR & SUBSCRIPTIONS Tracy Knox | tracy@doitnow.co.za | subscribe@doitnow.co.za DISTRIBUTION & BRAND AWARENESS Cheryl Whelan | distribution@doitnow.co.za EVENTS & ACTIVATION Chris Jooste | events@doitnow.co.za WEB ADMINISTRATOR Marieke Viljoen | listings@doitnow.co.za | media@doitnow.co.za GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@doitnow.co.za PUBLISHER DO IT NOW CC SUBSCRIPTION MY SUBS - www.mysubs.co.za DISTRIBUTION (Subscription) The Tree House - 011 315 3559 DISTRIBUTION (Retail) On the Dot - 011 401 5872 PRINTING Paarl Media - 021 870 3627

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HEAD OFFICE DO IT NOW CC Fancourt Office Park, Building 1 c/o Northumberland & Felstead Road, Northriding, Fourways, Johannesburg Tel: See website Fax: 086 612 8674 Website: www.doitnow.co.za DO IT NOW (ISSN 2074-6113) is published bi-monthly.

While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the content of the DO IT NOW Magazine is accurate at the time of going to press, 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 are not always representative of DO IT NOW Adventures (Pty) Ltd opinion. Copyright 2009 DO IT NOW MAGAZINE (Pty) Ltd. No part of this 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.

8 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

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For more information on advertising and sectional sponsorship opportunities in the magazine and on the website, please request the DO IT NOW Company Profile, Rate Card, Specs & Schedule Sheet by emailing morne@doitnow.co.za or telephonically by calling him on 071 292 9953.

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inDEX

Vol 4 | Issue 4 | 2012 | www.doitnow.co.za

Base

// dinLIST CALENDAR: p. 6 An exciting three-month calendar featuring Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle activities. // inTRO: p. 7 Letter from DO IT NOW Magazine's founder. // Team & Contributors: p. 8 DO IT NOW Magazine’s team, as well as regular and guest contributors. // Subscriptions: p. 9 Subscription form and New Subscriber competition. // inFOCUS Reader Competition p. 126 Stand a chance to WIN R500 by entering the reader photo competition. // inCLOSING: p. 146 A sneak preview of upcoming features and articles.

Sections

ADVENTURE: Exciting, adrenalin-pumping stories on trips and daring adventures in South Africa and beyond.

SPORT: Features various sports, how to get involved, what they are all about, upcoming events, feedback from races and helpful tips on nutrition, exercise and much more.

LIFESTYLE: Articles not only cover lifestyle topics such as golfing, activities in nature, fun travels and experiences in incredible places, but also provide great information on photography, social responsibility involvement and awareness, insurance, reviews and entertainment.

116

Categories inTRANSIT: Exciting and entertaining travel stories from Africa and beyond. inACTION: Various sporting activities and events. inTRAIL: Running activities, races and adventures. inH2O: Water sports activities, races and adventures. inALTITUDE: Aerial / high altitude adventures and sports. inGEAR: Adventures and events featuring vehicles with gears such as bikes, motorbikes and motor vehicles. in THE HOLE: Golfing articles, interviews and reviews. inNATURE: Outdoor experiences and activities such as fishing, hiking and birding. inCREDIBLE PLACES: Articles about incredible and breathtaking places. inFOCUS: Photography section with a competition and event-specific photography tips. inVOLVED: Incredible stories of involvement in the community, environment, marine, wildlife and other areas of life. inDULGE: Delicious and easy-to-make recipes to try out. inSURE: Valuable information about insurance and related topics. inREVIEW: Exciting and informative product and vehicle reviews, as well as subscriber discounts. inTERTAINMENT: Movie, music and gaming reviews.

10 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

58 78

Adventure

p. 12-53

// inTRANSIT

16-19 Mozambique, on a Scooter 20-23 Facing our Giants in Eden, Part 3 24-27 Touring through Baobab Country

// inH2O

28-31 Deep Powder Therapy 32-35 Running Rapids in Central Java 36-39 Marico Oog - a unique freshwater diving experience

// inALTITUDE

40-43 Summiting Africa's Icy Crown 44-47 Playing with Fire 48-53 Thailand Express 400, Part 2

Sport

p. 54-99

// inACTION

58-59 Rollerblading Reimagined 60-63 Mister Mo 64-67 Expedition Africa; Trials & Tribulations

// inTRAIL

68-69 Step into Spring 70-71 Trail Running Safety 72-75 Basic Navigation Skills - laying the foundation

// inH2O

76-77 Caring for Your Spine

// inGEAR

78-83 84-85 86-89 90-93 94-99

The Triple Challenge Clever Nutrition for Mega Long Races Hometown Showdown at MX Nationals Pimp Your Scoot Moegatle 10th Anniversary 4x4 Challenge

Lifestyle

p. 100-145

// in THE HOLE

104-105 Over the Top 106-107 Must-play Courses - Lost City Golf Course

// inNATURE

108-109 WANTED! Birds 110-113 Woodcliffe Cave Trails - the ultimate eco experience 114-115 Old Faithful Travels to Messum Crater - Part 1

// inCREDIBLE PLACES

116-119 Cinque Terre - five lands to love

// inFOCUS

120-125 SHOOT! An Extreme Trail Run - mastering remote flash 126-127 inFOCUS Competition

// inVOLVED

128-131 Green in Africa

// inDULGE 131

Recipe: Spring Lamb Stew

// inSURE

132-133 The Importance of a Will

94

// inREVIEW

134-137 Husqvarna Returns to SA 138-141 Finding your Perfect Companion - Mitsubishi,

Isuzu & Harley-Davidson 142-143 Cool Stuff for Your Golf Bag

// inTERTAINMENT

144-145 Music, Movie & Game Reviews

www.doitnow.co.za • 11

12 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

// inTRANSIT: Mozambique, on a Scooter * Facing our Giants in Eden, Part 3 * Touring through Baobab Country // inH2O: Deep Powder Therapy * Running Rapids in Central Java * Marico Oog - a unique freshwater diving experience // inALTITUDE: Summiting Africa's Icy Crown * Playing with Fire * Thailand Express 400, Part 2

PHOTOGRAPH: www.shutterstock.com DESCRIPTION: Sand surfing

Adventure

L i fe s t y l e Sh ow

JOHANNESBURG

L i fe s t y l e Sh ow

L i fe s t y l e Sh ow

DIVING

L i fe s t y l e Sh ow

inTRANSIT:

Words & Photos by Harry Fisher

Motorcyclin expensive p g is an right? And to astime, on a bike on go touring the cost, rigly increases some exten ht? Well to ty but it all de ou’re right, p what bike y ends on ou use.

Mozambique, on a Scooter

Arguments rage around what is the perfect bike. For most, there are several criteria that the perfect bike should meet; it should be able to handle everyday duties such as getting to work and back and weekend fun rides, and have the ability to take its owner on a long trip every year. Oh, and it can’t cost the earth to buy or run.

But, I hear you say, the cheap end of the market comprises machines that won’t last a year, let alone survive a long trip. To prove the true worth of a scoot and that cheap is not necessarily nasty, five friends and I set off on one very wet morning to ride from Johannesburg to Maputo, in Mozambique, and back through Swaziland, taking no longer than five days and covering 1500km.

That last point is the really sticky one as most dedicated touring bikes are very expensive to buy and equip. So how about this for a curve ball; a scooter could actually be the ideal all-round machine. Now as you pick yourself up off the floor, think about it; simple to operate, light on fuel, fun to ride, not so fast that you are likely to kill yourself, super nimble in traffic and, most importantly, cheap to buy, especially if you look at one of the increasing numbers of Chinese import scooters.

We assembled a line up of six bikes. In the cheap corner was the Puzey Classic, Sym Symphony, GoMoto Ballistic and a Yamaha Mio, none costing more than R12 000. As a control bike we took a Vespa S150, which costs an eye-watering R55 000, and an older Vespa (the friend just wanted to come along for the ride.) We had no backup or additional spares, other than what we could carry; a bag of zip-ties and a roll or two of gaffer tape.

Almost immediately, the wisdom of our choice of bikes became apparent. Top speed was in the region of 90km/h and as it had rained the whole of the first day’s ride from Johannesburg to the

16 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

2 Macaneta fisherman, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1 Scooters in front of a Mozambiquean parlement building, friend on a scooter your Everyone's 5 Border, A Swaziland-S 4 Church, Catholic Paz da 3 Catedral Rainha

border, this ensured that we reached our destination in one piece.

Had we been on bikes capable of cruising at 150km/h plus there was every chance that one of us would have come a cropper, as the temptation to try and ride through the storm would have been too much. Despite being soaked through and riding with the throttle on the stop, flat out for about 10 hours, not one of the bikes gave us the slightest hint of trouble. We were off to a great start.

I would love to tell you about the amazing South African scenery we passed on that first day, but we didn’t see much of anything apart from walls of mist, spray and a ceiling of gray about six inches above our heads. When you’re on a bike, you take the rough with the smooth, and the rain doesn’t last forever.

The border crossing completed (simple and relatively painless), we headed, thankfully under clear skies, for a bustling Maputo.

We had to ride through the city to reach the ferry that would

transport us across Nkomati River, near the town of Marracuene, to our overnight stop at Barco’s de Macaneta Lodge. The last ferry leaves at 7 p.m. and because of our slower than anticipated journey, we were in danger of not making it and, after nearly 13 hours of riding, that was not an option.

The ride through Maputo, in the dark, at rush hour and along appalling roads was more akin to Death Race 2000 than a road trip, but we made the ferry with just minutes to spare. Ten kilometres of sand road later and we had arrived, only to be faced with the unenviable task of polishing off a huge seafood platter and several cases of Laurentina beer. This is always the best part of a trying day; everything had worked out just fine, despite nature’s best efforts, and you relax with good friends, reliving the day from the comfort of an armchair, dry, sated and alive!

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 17

One of my favourite things is to arrive at a destination in the dark and go to bed not knowing what I will see in the morning. Our rondavel was on the beach, that much we knew, but beyond that we were so shattered we didn’t really care. Imagine our joy when we woke up the next morning and opened the door to golden sand and a blue Indian Ocean under a bright sun and azure sky. Local fishermen were hauling the day’s catch onto the sand, the sea was warm enough to swim in and life was perfect.

By 10 a.m. it was baking hot, and as much as we didn’t feel like getting dressed to ride we had to get to the Costa Do Sol Hotel in Maputo. This slice of Portuguese colonial history has been welcoming travellers forever and is simple, but comfortable, clean and has a great restaurant. The evening’s entertainment is best left undisclosed, suffice to say that there is a bustling night life in Maputo. The capital can be described as gloriously dilapidated, or maybe it is more accurate to call it utterly decrepit? There is a sense of faded grandeur about some of the buildings, but there is also much that simply should be condemned. Apparently there are areas of Maputo being developed with new money, but this is at the expense of regenerating older areas. Sadly, it's the older areas that hold all the fascination, as well as most of the real essence of the city.

The next day was overcast and rain threatened, which only added to the sense of despair of the city. Nevertheless, we had to move on to Swaziland.

Yet again, the crossing was painless and, as is so often the case, we were amazed at how the scenery can change so quickly once over a border. We still weren’t being spoilt with sun, but at least it was dry.

One great truth of riding in a group is that the length of time taken to get anywhere is directly proportional to the number of riders in the group. In English; the more of you there are, the longer it takes. Add to this the fact that we needed to stop every 100km or so to refuel and you can see how even the shortest journey turns into an epic voyage. But that is half the fun.

Communication is also naturally a little restricted on bikes, so you tend to save everything you want to say for when you stop, and this invariably adds 20 minutes to the schedule every time. Needless to say, it was dark by the time we had reached Mbabane, and rain and low cloud had reappeared. As we climbed a steep hill we rode into zero visibility, with our puny headlights projecting ghostly glows into the swirling mist. It was pretty hairy, but yet again we survived. And still the little bikes did not let us down; they were becoming faithful friends, as keen to see this through to the end as we were.

We had no overnight venue planned, but one of our party had visited Mbabane before and vaguely remembered a guest house, to which we headed. The hosts of Cathmar Cottages took the surprise arrival of six obviously quite mad men from South Africa riding scooters to Mozambique and back completely in their stride, let us in without a blink and offered us accommodation. However, their reception of us was typical of the reaction we received wherever we went; for novelty value, a gang of latter-day Mods is hard to beat and never fails to raise a smile or a friendly wave. When they heard what we were doing, smiles turned into looks of amazement and (misplaced) admiration and they wished us well for the remainder of the journey.

18 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

PHOTO: Journey's end; 1,500km later, in one piece and DRY!

The next day we rode south out of Mbabane – not the more direct westerly direction – our purpose was to ride the forest roads before leaving the country. After 30km or so, we speared off right and disappeared into vast coniferous plantations, riding along well-kept sand and gravel roads. This eventually brought us to a small border post that took all of 10 minutes to cross, as there was no one else around. We were soon back in South Africa and heading for home, motoring along in the warm sunshine and still the bikes kept going without a problem.

To say we were amazed would be an understatement. OK, we expected the Vespa and Yamaha to make it, their quality was far superior to the others, but the Chinese imports were another matter; an unknown quantity. Yet, here they still were, keeping up and providing enormous fun to the riders. Yeah, that’s right; fun! You don’t have to go fast to enjoy

yourself on a bike, especially if you are in a gang. And, as we proved, you don’t

have to spend a fortune to undertake a journey like this, or be left with a bike that takes up half the garage and only gets taken out once in a blue moon. At the end of it all, you still have a neat and nippy little bike on which to thread your way painlessly through the rush hour traffic or zip to the shops. And I can guarantee that you will get more smiles per mile on a scooter than on any other bike.

So, what are you waiting for? •

DINfo box

i

www.puzey.co.za, www.yamaha.co.za, www.jonway.co.za (for the GoMoto), www.vespa.co.za, www.symsa.co.za, www.macanetalodge.com, www.visitswazi.com/cathmar, Costa Do Sol Hotel in Maputo - www.mozcon.com or www.mozambiqueaccommodation.co.za

Do not imitate the riding scenes shown, wear protective clothing and observe the traffic regulations!

Photos: R. Schedl, H. Mitterbauer

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inTRANSIT:

Words & Photos by Ricolette Von Wielligh

g Facin nts our gia

in Eden

Right from the start of our tour through untamed central Africa on bicycles, Hendrik and I knew we might have to complete it in stages. He's a commercial diver and works on a contract basis, and if assigned to a job we would have to halt the tour temporarily.

Since leaving Leonardville, in Namibia, we had cycled all the way from to Windhoek to Malawi, covering a total of over 5300km in three-and-a-half months. It had been an epic, multi-faceted experience so far; we'd been charged by an angry bull elephant, I'd been bitten by a violin spider, we had tackled more hills than we cared to, drunk dirty tepid water in desperation, cycled where elephants and lion still roam free, swum in Lake Malawi, witnessed the most incredible sun rises and sun sets imaginable and had the privilege of meeting many wonderful, kind people along the way. These are just a few of the experiences that had made this trip so challenging and yet so memorable. So when Hendrik received an email to say that his diving expertise would be required and we had to return to South Africa asap, we almost felt cheated.

We were in the town of Chitipa, in the north west of Malawi, when we stopped at an internet cafe to check our emails and there it was, the dreaded email. Our plans of crossing the border towards Zambia and then cycling to the southernmost end of Lake Tanganyika to catch a ferry towards Tanzania were no more. Now our planning entailed getting back to South Africa using Africa's public transport system.

If we thought our journey had been tough so far, it was nothing compared to what we were about to experience.

And so our harrowing return journey began ...

Early the next morning Hendrik went into town to find a lift to Karonga. He found a pick-up truck that was going there, but the driver wouldn't leave until he had more passengers.

Finally eight other passengers joined us, so the driver loaded the bicycles on top of each other at the back of the truck (ouch!) and we had to sit on 50kg maize meal bags. The ride was not too bad, but the picture soon changed. Every few kilometres the truck stopped to pick up more people, their luggage and even a few chickens. Eventually the truck was so fully loaded that we were continually being pushed,

20 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

PART 3

kneed, elbowed and squashed. And still the driver stopped to pick up more people. Layer upon layer of luggage was stacked on top of our precious steeds, and people on top of that! Some of the men had to stand on their tiptoes on the side walls of the truck and hang onto the people inside. The road surface was slippery and muddy, the hills across the Great Rift Valley steep, and we were extremely worried about everyone’s safety. Then the driver stopped for more people!

At this stage, even the locals on the truck were shouting, “Maximo, maximo!” It was the longest ride of our lives.

Close to Karonga, the truck stopped at a boom gate. The officials, who were sitting under a tree, did not even bother to look up. So we waited. The sun baked hot on our backs and we waited some more. Still, the officials did not look up.

What is going on we wondered. Eventually the truck driver got out and walked over to them, a swagger in his gait. Very nonchalantly he put a bribe on the table and walked back to the truck. Magically, the boom gate opened and we passed through, and still the officials did not look up. Taking a back road to the town (a tip given to the driver by the boom gate guard – probably to avoid a fine for the overloaded truck driving on the main road), we arrived after three-and-a-half hours of agony and disembarked, feeling like caged birds being released. Thankfully our GT Avalanche bicycles also survived the ordeal!

Lost and shaken from the truck ride, we went in search of a lift to Mzuzu. We found a willing taxi driver and when asked how many passengers he intended to transport, his answer was 12. Not wanting to be squashed like sardines again, we counted the seats – 12 in total, and hoped he would keep his word. Hopping into the taxi, we saw there wasn't enough space in the boot for the bicycles. No problem, the taxi driver simply pushed all the seats forward to make more space. Only then did we realise that the passenger seats were not secured to the floorboard! With much trepidation we departed. Throughout the day Hendrik battled with a stomach ailment, probably caused by the fermented beans we ate the night before. As we travelled through a small village, Hendrik urged the taxi driver to stop and made for the closest hut at high speed. He asked the lady inside if he could use her toilet, but couldn’t wait for her answer and sprinted to the open-air toilet. Bewildered by the unexpected visitor, the lady ran outside to tell her husband about the mzungu using their toilet. He wasn’t impressed at all!

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We arrived at Mzuzu bus station just before dusk and had to hurry to secure a seat on the bus leaving for Lilongwe that evening. The windows of the fully loaded bus were dirty from greasy, old finger prints, but at least we could sit down, unlike many others who had to stand crammed in the passage for the entire five-and-a-half hour journey. Wherever the bus stopped throughout the night, soft drinks, peanuts, potato wedges and boiled eggs were traded through the bus windows from merchants outside. We arrived at Lilongwe bus station at 02h30 the next morning and napped until 05h00 on the bus (for safety reasons). We heard there was a bus leaving for Johannesburg at 06h00, but from another pickup point. In a rush Hendrik assembled the bicycles and despite half flat tyres we peddled with all our might to get there in time, only to discover there was no bus. Thankfully, Translux did travel to SA that day and made a detour to come and pick us up.

We booked our tickets and hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty and sweaty but very relieved - we climbed aboard. One of the passengers said a prayer for a safe journey and gospel videos played over the TV screen (it was the day before Christmas). The air conditioning worked too - this was indeed luxury travel. At the Malawi-Mozambique border we were waiting in a queue for our passports to be stamped when we realised that the bus had left without us. Hendrik sprinted outside, waving his arms vehemently and shouting, and after a few hundred yards the bus pulled over. The two drivers were very apologetic for driving off without the only two mzungus on the bus!

That afternoon the bus's air brakes failed, so we continued at a snail's pace. At the Mozambique-Zimbabwean border, a truck driver came over to help out, but bent the washer needed to seal the pipe and so a further delay seemed inevitable. Fortunately, a half-full Translux bus arrived and we were all transferred to it. The journey continued and later that day, the driver kindly dropped us at a toll gate close to Potgietersrus. Our brothers-in-law drove through to fetch us, but went to a different toll gate. After some confusion, a few phone calls later and 56 hours of travelling, we finally arrived home. This crazy trip reminded me somewhat of the movie Speed.

Back in civilisation, we marvelled at the wonder of a clean toilet (with a seat), brushed our teeth, enjoyed a hot bath and we haven’t stopped eating since (Hendrik put on 14kg and myself 8kg in the first three weeks back home). • 22 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

So when will we saddle up again?

God willing, we will continue our journey in a few months time, but even if it doesn’t turn out to be that way we’ve learnt a few lessons we would like to share with you: • Nature is a precious but fragile gift from above and it's mankind’s duty to care for it. We hope our wildlife experiences will encourage you to love and appreciate nature more than ever before. We’ve also learnt that a few people with good leadership skills can make a bigger difference in conservation than many people without it.

• No matter how tough the road, the going WILL get easier.

• Dream big and without boundaries.

• There is no word like ‘impossible’, rather call it a ‘challenge’.

• Don't let fear rule your life - assess each situation objectively.

• Don't lose hope when things are not going 100%. Enjoy life despite its difficulties.

• Be thankful for the abundance you have.

• It's possible to live off what nature provides, even if you have very little cash. We often marvelled at how local people used and reused any kind of material for purposes it was never intended, and that almost everything they ate came out of the field.

• Conservation projects founded out of one's own initiative are often more successful than sponsored projects, as people need to have self-pride in their jobs.

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To read the first two parts of this incredible cycle tour, visit www.doitnow.co.za and click on dinDIGITAL in the Menu bar. Then select the articles Facing our Giants in Eden, part 1 or 2 to read the dinDIGITAL articles online.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 23

inTRANSIT:

Words & Photo's by Kayden Kleinhans

h g u o r h t g n i r u o T

b a b bao y r t n cou

ental activist m n o ir v n e d n rer a t solo adventu n a ic r f le to highligh c A y h ic t b u e So h t g in us is ans has been endency, and h p e d il o d n Kayden Kleinh a fuels tead nce on fossil a li e r r e ride a bike ins : v r o a r le c ou d n a d n y to understa on footprint b r a c r u o message is eas d n can) a d ar (when you c a g in cycling aroun iv is r e d h f t, o in o p is h ed. To prove t y. will be reduc oing it happil d d n a lo o s the world

Since 2005 he has cycled more than 31 000 carbon-free kilometres across Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, and has been raising funds for Global Wheeling since 2010.

With the help of public donations and wholesale indigenous nurseries that sponsor him, Kayden converts the carbonfree kilometres accumulated on his travels into trees, which are then planted in various South African schools, crèche’s and townships in the Western Cape. Says Kayden, “Whether you’re a climate change carbon crusader or a global warming skeptic, at the end of the day, the world’s a cooler place with more trees.” He has been nominated for two environmental awards as a result of his efforts.

The first leg of his Euro-African expedition started on 3 October 2010 in the UK, then crossed Europe and continued down to Spain. Whilst in Spain he was mistaken for game and shot at. Says Kayden, “I was in some woods, rolling up my sleeping bag early in the morning, when bullets flew over my head. I jumped up, shot my hands in the air and shouted.” He discovered that it was hunting season and the hunters mistook him for some kind of small game. “They were very apologetic,” he said. From Spain he headed across to Morocco via ferry. From there he peddled his way along the West Coast of Africa and this is his story about his experiences in the land of the baobab, from the seat of a bicycle.

24 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Crossing the Senegalese border was a most welcome sensation after the gruelling trek through the Sahara Desert, an effort that had seen me clock up just over 3000km in 30 days. To give you some perspective, this is equivalent to 30 back-to-back Argus cycle races, fully loaded, through the desert in a month. Leaving the dust bowl of Mauritania and its less than friendly approach to foreigners behind me, I crossed the bridge into Senegal and stamped myself into country number eight on my 15000km Euro-African expedition.

The smiling face of a corrupt official trying to do me over for a few bucks on the border felt a lot less threatening than the Mauritanians, who had been throwing stones at me just a couple of days prior. I entered the country through the quieter border post of Diama, avoiding the infamous Rosso crossing that has made quite a name for itself, unfortunately though, for all the wrong reasons.

Thirty kilometres south of the border I reached St Louis, a filthy but bustling town in the northwest corner of the country that is alive with fishing boats and fruit stands, and home to my first cold beer in well over a month. I had been camping out in the dunes of the Sahara for weeks and was long overdue a good wash and a chance to service my bike, away from the blistering winds and harsh sun. I found

a tiny campsite run by a French expatriate, who had been there for what seemed like just a little too long. However, his establishment boasted a shower and offered a secure area to work on my bike, which had taken a battering through the unsealed roads of the Diawling National Park. This was my first day of rest in over a month and my legs felt somewhat strange as I walked around the town of St Louis.

I feasted on fresh fish and fruit, two commodities I had dreamt of whilst living off stale bread and canned sardines in Mauritania.

Once I’d gathered my strength and fixed a few broken spokes on ‘little miss sunshine’, my closest companion and Cannondale Tesoro Classic, I ventured south towards Louga. Here the vegetation soon re-established itself in the form of the most beautiful statuesque baobab trees I had ever had the luxury of laying my eyes upon. I constantly found myself mesmerised by the sheer colossal size of these majestic structures, which rose from the horizon and framed my route south towards Dakar. In my opinion the baobab is the ‘mother’ of all trees and soon became a fascination for me on my journey through Senegal. Taking every opportunity available to pitch my tent under one of nature’s most impressive statues, I spent many a night under the protection of her prehistoric watch.

Sub-Saharan Africa boasts a very different feel to its Arabic neighbours in the north and I was elated to be back in what I found to be a lot more like home and closer to my roots as a South African. I was soon jarred out of my false sense of security a few hundred kilometres outside of Dakar when I pulled over to read my map and was robbed of my toiletry bag. My sun screen, anti-malaria medication and all the other little bits and pieces that fill a travelling toiletry bag were now swiftly en route to the capital in the clutches of a young, opportunistic thief riding in the back of a brightly painted truck. Aggrieved on one hand, it also meant that I now had about a kilogram less to haul around with me as I continued to stay optimistic. The ride itself is taxing enough and letting every mishap along the way add to that will only result in your frame of mind hindering your progress.

Dakar loomed and the hustle and bustle of a large west African metropolis and the network of taxis and trucks that service it became apparent more than 50 kilometres outside of the CBD. Having not yet satisfied the need to leave baobab country, I backtracked a few kilometres and spent another night in the

virgin countryside before being engulfed by the smog and mayhem of Dakar.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 25

I woke up to the sound of birds in the morning and found myself surrounded by free roaming cattle and trees larger than most people’s homes. Firing up my little gas cooker, I made a pot of coffee whilst contemplating my route south.

This kind of experience can’t be attained too often on the fantastic journey we call life, but certainly needs to be savored when they do come around.

Finally succumbing, I headed into the clutches of Dakar and its bustling hub of pollution, taxis and street vendors; I was now firmly in the grasp of Sub-Saharan Africa. Gambia was next on the agenda and my first English speaking country since leaving England roughly five months ago, and a welcome bonus.

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ling.org for more on Check out www.globalwhee k at the trailer to the this initiative and a sneak pee like to reduce your carbon documentary. If you would metre and know that kilo a r footprint, then sponso th Africa thanks to your there is one more tree in Sou involvement.

26 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Kayden is currently gearing up for phase two of the Global Wheeling initiative that will see him ride unsupported through South, Central and North America, crossing 18 nations and covering an estimated 20 000km before ending in the Nevada Desert in August 2013. This will take his total to 50 000 carbon free kilometres on six different continents. •

BUY LOCAL WITH US & GET FULL WARRANTY & AFTERSALES SUPPORT

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inH2O:

Words by Peter Peyper | www.eskimo-freeride.com Photos by Reuben Storbeck

p e e Dpowder

y p a r e h t ople hear pe scenes u o y n e g, Wh ut skiin covered o b a k l ta wlic, sno kids of idyl in the Alps, happy s village snowmen and way building carving their cked a families owded, hard-p r u o r down c ome to mind. Y t snowfall h c ig pistes u how a good overn l a little

ll yo i blues fee friends te in the t Après sk s o p e few turns th makes ut after a b , is , lf le e b rs a u e ag k to yo more man r you thin e d w o p t u tracked o ets?  od as it g o g s a is th

28 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 29

If this is how you feel after a day's skiing then you should consider hitting some backcountry powder, and that is exactly what we did. I got a group of good friends together, all in need of some deep powder therapy, and decided to embark on a five-day long deep powder mission to the little-known Republic of Macedonia, in Southeast Europe, with Eskimo Freeride Tours, one of Europe's only cat skiing operators. Cat skiing takes you deep into the powder-filled mountains, far away from the crowded slopes and long lift queues, to untouched virgin snow using a modified snow groomer to reach those peaks you normally only see on postcards.

A few connectin g flights later and we finally reached the country's capital, Skopje. We stayed in the small, but cozy three-star Bora Hotel and had our first taste of Macedon ia’s food, wine and culture. Despite the language barrier, the taxi driver and our guide were very welcomin g and helpful. The hotel staff were also really friendly and breakfast s consisted of many cups of cheap (but good) coffee and a more-than -average continent al feast. After settling in, all 14 powder hunters jumped into the snow cat in search of some untracked deep powder.

The runs on offer varied, with a combination of steep descents down icy slopes running into wide open spaces and tree runs covering 3000-4000m of vertical elevation through knee to waist and sometimes shoulder deep powder. You wouldn’t often find this kind of powder at your average ski resort and the technicality differs from one run to the next. Tip: Make sure you take everything you need because there are no ski shops in the area, so

30 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

if you forget your gloves you might need to buy a piece of goat fur from one of the locals. The Eskimo Tours team will be able to help out with wax and small repairs, but you should give your equipment a good once over before you embark on this life-changing snow experience.

Day one

Our first day started off with slightly overcast weather, medium gradients and intermediate to difficult tree runs in metre deep powder, with the occasional drop offs. Runs were only one to two kilometres in length, but we covered around 3000m elevation throughout the day. After a full and exhilarating day in the deep backcountry and with the sun starting to set, we headed back for the final run to the hotel. Later, we shared our experiences over a few of Macedonia's best brew, Skopsko (Skopskop), before meeting up later for dinner and a few more local bruskies.

Day two

We returned to the same place, but there were no tracks in sight and only beautiful clear skies. This meant we could explore more of the area and enjoy longer, varied runs. After each run we would meet at the pickup point and practise a few jumps over a kicker we had built that morning. Fortunately for us every jump had a soft landing in fresh powder. Some 12 awesome runs later we returned to Bora for a little Macedonian-style Après-ski, consisting of light snacks and a few beers before dinner. For this culinary experience we chose a local spot, Snow Patrol, which offers an all-you-can-eat buffet of tasty Macedonian cuisine, local wines and good times. It had been another great day, but our weary bodies reminded us that it was time for a well deserved rest.

take: What to or skis

* Snowboard t, pants and all * Good ski jacke ories essential access spare gloves, ep ke * Backpack to k and some snacks goggles, sunbloc uffle (optional) * Probes and a sh

ook: How TOSkb iing or email

Contact Gone skiing.com EskimoTours@gone n. for more informatio

Day three

We set off towards some steeper peaks and started the day with a run down a icy 60-degree slope that luckily flattened out to something a bit more manageable through the trees and wide open bowls. After this gnarly run, our guide, Neno, suggested that we should rather tackle something a bit more mellow. He found us a nice bowl that we sessioned for a few hours before returning to the steeper slopes for another run. We broke for lunch at undoubtedly the world's highest al fresco restaurant, and using the cat's tracks as a table we dined overlooking a thousand valleys. The fog was starting to creep in and with visibility decreasing we decided to hit one last couloir, an off-piste trail, as part of our final decent. Cautioned

by Neno, we descended one by one down the icy, steep couloir, from one safe zone to the next until we were all together. From there it was a long traverse around the mountain in less than two metres of visibility. Safety is a top priority for the Eskimo Tours team and as such they were taking no chances. Regular safety stops and beacon tests were just some of the safety precautions taken to get us all back down safely. Relieved that it had all gone smoothly, we made our way back to the hotel and took some time out to unwind. What a day it had been and what better way to end it than a big group dinner at Da House with the Eskimo Tours crew and our fellow powder hunters from Denmark, New Zealand, England and Croatia. Da House is a small and cozy owner-run backpacker establishment that has an authentic ski lodge feel to it, and they also lay on a pretty good six-course feast.

Day four

Last night's party had gone on until the early hours of the morning and we weren't feeling so chipper when Neno came to collect us. Luckily for us, he convinced us that the best hangover cure is a deep powder shred on a blue bird day. So after only a few hours sleeps and four machiatos, we made our way to a new area and the best riding we had all week. After six runs, the time had come for us to pack up and start our four-hour journey back to Thessaloniki, to catch our flight back home.

The power hunters definitely give this deep powder destination the thumbs up, but take note that cat and heli skiing is only for experienced skiers and snowboarders, and should be done with reputable operators. Always ski with an experienced guide and make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment. •

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Powder package:

* Flights to Skopje: R6000 - R8000 via Istanbul * 5 day Freeride package - €280 per day and includes accommodation in a 3-star hotel, breakfast, lunch, dinner and the first drink, a guide and avalanche beacons.

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inH2O:

Running Rapids Words & Photos by Adrian Tregoning

in Central Java

a small ledge. It was way steeper than I had over ped drop I as lf itse aled reve enly sudd d The rapi e between the rocks that jutted up like stubby initially thought. The water formed a churning maz of quick reflex actions as I threaded my way ence sequ her anot for elf mys ared prep I and fingers blindly followed my lead as we bombed our way down this rocky ride. Behind me, three Indonesians ness. through rapid after rapid, trying to beat the dark

A night out in the jungle would be rather unpleasant we had all agreed on this a few kilometres back. Now time was running out and the balance between boat scouting and running the river safely became a blurred and somewhat indistinct definition. Not knowing exactly where to go and the constant fear of strainers or some bamboo bridge blocking our path was foremost in my mind. With the sun already set and a large thunderstorm looming nearby, we eventually saw the wide, browner waters of the Serayu River. We had just completed another first descent and I’d put it into my top 10 of best rivers I’ve ever run. The feared Tulis River had finally been conquered.

In 2009 I had been part of a group of four South Africans invited to kayak and explore the region of West Sumatra, along with a Javanese local, Toto Triwindarto, and three of his friends. That trip had sparked the desire to return to Indonesia and paddle, and as I thought about the numerous public holidays in April it made mathematical sense to take my leave then. So off I went to join Toto once again, this time in Central Java. This province is the most populated of the islands, with some 180-million people living there; a figure you notice constantly when driving through the countryside because you never stop seeing people.

32 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

First impressions were of the ridiculous humidity. Upon landing in Purbalingga the sweating began and remained a constant companion for the entire trip. I stayed in a traditional house, which meant no refrigerator and the standard no-shower type bathrooms either. The substitute is a tiled reservoir from which you scoop water and pour it over your body. This is the Indonesian way.

Although highly effective the sweat returns quite soon after, and even at 5 a.m. the situation remains the same.

Luckily the friendliness of the local people, totally different culture and interesting rivers make up for any suffering in the heat or humidity department. The Javanese really are very peaceful and relaxed people. I found out about the relaxed part soon enough as their clocks seem to run very close to African time; never being in a hurry. But things eventually get done, and rivers are paddled. The only bad timing was mine, but I knew this. April is dry season although we did experience almost daily rainfall, which was reported to be rather unusual.

The first river we paddled involved a long hike in, basically from below the take out, and up. Winding our way through rice fields the scenery improved radically and I was treated to a mini gorge down the Tung Tung Gunung. Probably some 3 kilometres of class 3 and solid 4+, with one particular rapid in the 5 range that had a terrible cave on the left hand side and ended in a siphon, which my friends failed to tell me about even though one of their guys had swum through it the previous time.

We could only scout the top half and it was impossible to portage, so I guess it wasn’t the end of the world. Needless to say this rapid surprised me as it dropped down the last bit that I hadn’t scouted. I managed to hastily avoid the siphon, which looked like bad news to me!

Due to the low water levels I decided to invite Toto to Karimun Jawa, an archipelago of 27 islands about 85km north of the mainland of Central Java. With Toto organising the logistics, we made our way using various forms of public transport. This was truly a mind blowing place. Even though I ended this trip with several days in Bali, Karimun Jawa was definitely the highlight, apart from the Tulis River of course. We stayed at a place called Wisma Apung (Floating Inn) and it's built on stilts and sited directly on a reef about 800 metres from the mainland. The only access is by boat and evening meals are delivered. We rented a boat during the day and snorkelled, fished and relaxed. This was true paradise. There were few tourists, but within a few years I'm sure this place will also fall victim to having its photos splashed across the internet and tourist flocking in droves to it. Go there before it changes.

Soon enough I was back in the heat and it was then that we managed two first descents; the one on the Magung River and the second being the Tulis, which was a real highlight of some continuous class 3 and 4, and a bit of 5 thrown in for good measure. The rivers were often of the boulder-garden type, although we did find some more solid bedrock. There is no doubt that you could paddle here for the rest of your life and find first descents almost every day. The challenges are the language barrier, humidity and lack of roads into the jungle. The best rivers are the steeper ones, but these are protected by thick, almost impenetrable jungle that makes access extremely difficult. But if you have the time and will, you will be rewarded. Indonesia is also very cheap. Petrol is less than R4 per litre and there are many other things that are also ultra cheap (except beer), so it's the ideal trip for someone on a budget or looking to experience a relaxed way of life amongst some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. It’s definitely an unusual place to visit and during my time in Central Java I never saw a white person. Tourism hardly exists, making it all the more worthwhile to also visit this undiscovered gem now.

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Transport:

• I flew into Yogyakarta via Jakarta and Dubai, but there are airlines that come in from Singapore too.

• From there it was local bus transport.

• English is not widely spoken, but luckily I had a local with me. Otherwise get a small book of phrases and hold on!

• The mini busses are super cheap and comfortable, with air con. Some busses stop to pick up anybody at the side of the road and this can make your journey tedious – ask before you go.

• Expect to travel very slowly if it's during the day and perhaps up to 100km/h late at night. Some busses leave at midnight to avoid the traffic. Central Java is heavily populated and people on bicycles have as much right on the roads as cars. A day time journey of 100km can easily take four hours or more.

• We used the fast ferry heading to the islands of Karimun Jawa, and the slow ferry back. Check ahead of time as the ferries do not run every day. The fast takes two hours, the slow six. Both are similarly priced if you opt for the VIP section on the slow ferry, which means a seat, television and air con. Once there, you won't get accosted by taxi drivers or anything like that.

So unless you’ve organised transport start smiling and someone will help. Indonesians are almost always ready to help.

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Costs: • Generally everything is cheaper than South Africa, especially transport, but the Indonesian Rupiah is weak.

• US Dollars are easily exchanged, even at post offices. They give a slightly lower rate for notes that have been folded.

Accommodation:

• Be aware that most houses do not have the flush toilets we are familiar with, and do not come equipped with toilet paper. Do some homework and prepare mentally.

Safety: • Safety was not a concern for me and even walking the streets at night was ok. But ask before you head out just in case you've booked yourself into a dodgy area. Jakarta has some bad areas I believe. •

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inH2O:

Words by Dirk van den Berg Photos by Dirk van den Berg & Marico Oog

For the avid diver in Gauteng, driving to the coast for a quick dive is not always feasible. Luckily there are a few fresh water alternatives close by to choose from. Miracle Waters and Bass Lake are probably the most popular fresh water sites, but are often overcrowded and crowded freshwater dive sites lead to poor visibility. So if you are looking for a new and unique freshwater dive experience, then Marico Oog is definitely a must!

Also known as 'Die Oog', Marico Oog is situated near the town of Lichtenburg, roughly a two-and-a-half hour drive from Johannesburg. It's a small natural spring that is surrounded by reeds and filled with beautiful water lilies. The water lilies anchor their roots in the shallow sections of the spring and extend their stems all the way to the surface, where their brilliant white flowers float on the surface. These stems create a remarkable underwater forest, both striking to look at and fun to play in. Hiding amongst the underwater vegetation is a variety of fresh water fish that are extremely tame and allow divers a rare opportunity to get up close and personal. A few fresh water eels also lurk amidst the reeds and lily stems, and although sightings are exceptionally rare the mere possibility of spotting one of these elusive creatures creates a sense of excitement and anticipation.

The Oog is made up of various interlinking fresh water pools that stretch over a number of farms’ corner boundaries.

Some of the local farmers have erected fences running through the pools to restrict access to their section of the Oog. Luckily some innovative divers were kind enough to cut underwater entrances into these fences, allowing free access to all the pools - if you are brave enough to tempt the farmers' ire J. That being said, these 'border crossings' add to the overall excitement of the dive! There are also short tunnels or overhangs to explore. These overhangs are large sections of soil that are held together by the roots of the water vegetation, creating a roof of soil under which one can pass through to yet another section of the Oog. Passing through these overhangs is rather exciting, but is only recommended for advanced divers. It also should not be attempted during night dives because the narrow openings quickly become littered with soil fragments, thus drastically reducing visibility.

We learnt this lesson the hard way during a night dive while navigating through the overhang. The viz got so bad so quickly that we were not able to see a bright Cyalume half a metre in front of us.

Of all the pools, the largest pool is also the deepest at 14m.

The average depth of the other pools is rather shallow at 3-4m, hence good buoyancy control is essential. It is advisable to add one additional weight to compensate for the shallow dive and keep you from bobbing up to the surface every couple of minutes. The average visibility of the spring is phenomenal!

On the first dive of the day the viz easily reaches 20m, but can quickly drop to 0m if the spring becomes overcrowded and inexperienced divers kick up debris from the bottom of the spring. To avoid this happening, a maximum of eight divers are allowed in the Oog at any given time. Fortunately,

36 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

unlike Miracle Waters and Bass Lake, the sediment tends to settle rather quickly, restoring the brilliant viz in just over an hour. A training grid has been added to the large 14m pool that sits at 4.5m, further helping to minimise sediment that's kicked up. The grid also affords you the exceptional opportunity to lie on your back and stare up at the clouds through the clear and calm water above. This is even more breathtaking during a night dive, when the clouds give way to the bright night sky and underwater star gazing suddenly becomes possible. Night dives are definitely recommended!

The facilities at Marico Oog are similar to most other inland diving sites; they meet your basic needs, but don’t expect too much luxury. The basics include hot water, showers, toilets and braai facilities. There's ample camping space, as well as three chalets. If you are not too fussy, then a relaxing weekend is easily achievable. One important thing to remember is that there is no compressor at Marico Oog, so you have to bring enough cylinders with you to cater for all your dives. Your air should last longer than usual as the majority of the diving is shallow and your dive times will be shorter because the entire Oog is only as big as half a rugby field (all ponds combined). Be aware that only MTN users will have cell reception here. A friendly warning: the surrounding roads are unfortunately in a very poor condition and littered with potholes. I hit a pothole on my way back from a dive and wrote off a tyre, so just be careful.

To conclude, I would definitely recommend a trip to Marico Oog if you are looking for a unique fresh water diving experience, or just a relaxed diving weekend not too far from home.

M

Marico Oog A unique freshwater diving experience

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Marico Oog Q & A: Q: Can anyone dive there?

A: It's open to everyone and you are not restricted by group bookings.

Q: Do you have to pay to dive?

A: Yes, the day visitor rates are R50 per person and R10 per car.

Q: What accommodation is available?

A: There are various accommodation options including a 5, 3 and

2 sleeper chalet that range in price from R150 to R250 per day plus an entrance fee of R50 p/p, p/d and a vehicle fee of R10 p/v, p/d. Chalets come with beds, kitchen (not stocked), refrigerator and either a bath or shower. Camping options include tents at R70 p/d and R50 p/p, p/d and a once off fee of R10 p/v; or caravans at R80 p/d and R50 p/p, p/d and a once off fee of R10 p/v.

Q: Is this a place for young divers?

A: Yes, divers who are new to the sport and with limited

experience will comfortably be able to dive at the Oog. Some diving schools use it to do qualifying dives for Open Water courses. However, only advanced divers should attempt diving through the overhangs.

Q: How do you book?

A: For bookings or more information go to www.marico-oog.co.za Q: What other inland dive sites are there: A: Wondergat (near Mafikeng); Miracle Waters (near Digby

Brits); Bass Lake (just outside Johannesburg); Meiringspoort (Oudtshoorn); Komati Springs aka Badgat (25km from Badplaas); Boesmansgat (near Kuruman in the Northern Cape); Bobbejaansgat (40km north of Wondergat) and Wetsgat (east of Pretoria).

Freshwater diving tips: • Remember to adjust your diving computer to the correct altitude.

Most diving computer’s default altitude is set to sea level. Adjusting your altitude will affect your maximum dive times.

• Many fresh water dive sites have tunnels, caves and overhangs.

These can be very tempting to new and curious divers, but extremely dangerous if the diver has not done the necessary training. Only attempt restricted dives once properly qualified and under the supervision of an experienced guide.

• Ensure you have good buoyancy control and don’t fin too close to the bottom of the dive site, as you will kick up silt.

• Dive in winter! The water temperature at inland dive sites drops dramatically during the winter months. Most divers stay away because of the cold, but if you are brave enough and have sufficient insulation against the cold, you are guaranteed to have a great dive.

Visibility will be very good, due to the lack of activity at the sites, and chances are you will have the entire dive site to yourself.

• Do your homework. Not all the dive sites are fully equipped. It would be wise to contact the relevant dive site beforehand to determine what facilities they offer. Some dive sites don’t have air fill facilities, while others are fully equipped to service all your diving needs. Also take note of the nearest hospital and decompression chamber. Cell phone reception is also not guaranteed at all sites. •

38 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

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www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 39

inALTITUDE:

Words & Photos by Kerry de Bruyn | www.kerrydebruyn.com

Trekking to the roof of Africa is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. Climbing Kilimanjaro from the Machame route, the route of choice amongst most climbers because of the impressive views and a variety of habitats it provides, was at the top of mine.

We spent the next four to five hours walking through the rainforest. Some hills were steep and others not too bad.

It wasn’t hugely tiring and a good start to the journey. The forest reminded me of Avatar, with its huge fern trees and giant yellow woods mixed in-between tumbling waterfalls hidden by the thick bush. Arriving at camp, the porters greeted us with a bowl of popcorn, followed by a threecourse candlelight dinner. It was just what we needed.

Kilimanjaro keeps hiding behind the clouds and we haven’t seen her in the clear yet. It’s been great so far. Tomorrow is the start of the big climb.

I made a promise to myself before leaving South Africa that I would make the time to write about each day spent on the mountain. I knew it would be tough and I'd probably not want to do it after trekking for 18km uphill every day, but I made myself do it. I also knew that one day I would want to read my notes and relive the experience of being there, covered in sweat, ice, snow and mud. When you have a dream so close to your heart you want to make absolutely sure that no moment is forgotten. This is my account of the climb.

We woke up early and were greeted by the sight of the heavily laden snow peak of Kilimanjaro (only for a few minutes). After a breakfast of (again) white omelets, toast and fresh fruit, we prepared for quite a steep part of the walk. William told us the path was short but steep and would take us about three hours. Pole, pole ('slowly but surely' in Swahili) were the words we heard for the next few hours. Stopping for lunch on a scenic ridge, the view was shrouded in clouds and mist, but beautiful nonetheless.

What William didn’t tell us was that after lunch we still had to walk up another very steep part of the mountain to reach Shira. Once there we realised how cold it was. Fleece and beanies were everywhere.

Day 1: Machame Campsite

We woke up in a sauna this morning (what they call a hotel room) and got ready for our journey. After breakfast and a cold shower we were ready to go. Everyone was excited, but didn’t exactly know what to expect. Before we knew it we were packed into a 1940 bus that was falling apart and on our way to Kilimanjaro National Park gate. On the way we stopped at a general store for some last minute sweets and energy drinks, but instead of buying that I was sweet talked into buying a Kili floppy hat. Because I was from Jo'burg and knew of Bafana Bafana I managed to talk the man down to $7, which actually was quite cheap. I didn’t know it then but the hat became quite handy! The next two hours were spent on formalities at the Park's gate and then we met our guide, William, and the rest of our group: Dave, a Canadian tree planter; Anouk, a CNN journalist; and her boyfriend Barack.

Kilimanjaro

40 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Day 2: Machame Campsite to Shira Huts

From Shira we could see how many people were also climbing the mountain. There were quite a lot, but in different groups of course. The view was spectacular: all the peaks to west of Kilimanjaro. They are so jagged and the way the light sliced through the cotton wool clouds and hit the peaks was amazing.

g n i t i Summ s ' a c i Afr n w o r c y c i

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 41

It started raining in the afternoon so we spent most of that time sleeping (I tried to and Dad definitely was because he was snoring). I took loads of photographs today. For dinner there was banana fritters for desert, which were pretty good, but the rest of the food was not so good.

Eating the same thing day after day is starting to get to me and I’m not the greatest eater … After dinner the clouds opened up for a few minutes and revealed the beast. It looks unsurpassable. It’s freezing in the camp at -1°C. So an early night it is.

Day 3: Shira to Barranco Huts This was definitely the hardest day yet. We started out very early after a three course breakfast, which by now none of us want. I felt like vomiting in the middle of the night and Dad almost puked three times this morning. We both took a Diamox so hopefully the nausea goes away. It's been raining ever since we woke up and started trekking to Lava Tower (4600m to acclimatise), where it proceeded to snow. Yay, my first snowfall! It was beautiful! Lava Tower was more like Terror Tower and Dad hated every second of this walk. After reaching Lava Tower we had to walk down a waterfall in the snow and rain, which was not very easy.

Our waterproof clothes were not so waterproof either; we were both drenched and freezing for the entire walk to the next camp. Coming down the mountain was the worst; my knees are in pain (we had to come down to sleep low).

After a change of clothes at camp we felt a bit warmer.

Kilimanjaro showed her face again, having hidden behind the clouds for the entire day. It made us all feel a bit better.

We’re getting closer now.

Day 4: Barranco Huts to Barafu Camp (Summit Camp) At least it wasn’t raining this morning! We got moving quickly to avoid getting wet and I’m sure everyone had the same idea. Being cold and wet and walking 20km is not ideal. I’m excited now. Tonight we get up at 23h30 and start our ascent to the highest peak in Africa. Barafu Camp is freezing and the wind is howling. Hopefully it’s not this cold tonight … for now I’ll try to get some sleep.

42 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

From left to right: 1 The sun rising from the highest point in Africa.

2 A huge glacier greets you near the top.

Day 5: (after summit) We woke up at 23h30 last night. Everyone was quite anxious. I couldn’t believe I was going be on top of Africa that night. It was snowing again, but it didn’t dampen me.

I had six layers on my top half and four on my bottom half.

Dad the same. I’ve never been so cold in my life.

We started trekking up the mountain, which was possibly the most painful thing I’ve ever done. Walking at a snail pace is the only way to go, as the hills are so steep you can’t go any faster. One step at a time. After many short rests - you can’t rest long as you get too cold and need to keep moving - we stopped at around 03h00. Dad was hating it. After trying to convince him to carry on, he wouldn’t budge and said, “I’m cold, I’m tired and I’m sore!”

He wanted to go down and no one was going to tell him otherwise. He trekked back down to Summit Camp while Dave and I carried on. It got colder and harder. Dave and I will never forget the hill to Stella Point. It’s like a neverending path that just gets steeper. The only thing keeping me going was seeing other people’s head torches getting closer to the top and knowing we were almost there. We stopped for some hot Milo close to the top of Stella Point. It was just what we needed, a little pick me up before the last stretch. Conquering Stella Point felt amazing and knowing we only had a few hundred more metres was even better.

The sun was slowly coming up. I’ll never forget the sight I saw next; the Uhuru Peak sign was in front of my eyes, although still in the distance. It was completely surreal.

And the colours on the mountain were unbelievable. On one side the sun was rising so there were purples, pinks, oranges and blues. On the other side the moon was still up and colours of deep purple and dark blue flooded the snow and sky. It's the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Dave and I reached the top of Africa at 06h20. I had made it. •

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inALTITUDE:

Words by Matthew Holt Photos by Matthew Holt & Mandy Ramsden

Playing W

Jakarta airport and We’d no sooner emerged from when Aris excitedly loaded our bags into the car s previous volcanic showed us video clips from hi aimed unnecessarily, cl ex he !" om bo m, oo "B n. tio expedi in churning black smoke. as the screen image exploded me," he giggled.

"Then rock bomb just missed 44 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

With Fire With tangled black hair and glinting bespectacled eyes, Aris is a volcanologist of the keenest kind. Formerly a mountain guide, he found trekking up volcanic peaks too mundane and now only bothers if they’re erupting. Fortunately for him, that’s most days. Located on the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, Indonesia hosts around 130 active volcanoes, of which five were blowing when we landed. For the record, my friend Mandy Ramsden and I hadn’t gone there intending to chance magmatic explosions. Rather, we wanted to climb two of Indonesia’s highest mountains that are ranked amongst the world’s 50 most prominent peaks. They just happened to be volcanoes and rather active ones at that.

Our first target was the 3676m high Semeru, one of Indonesia's more volatile mountains. On the local volcano metre, Semeru is graded a ‘three’, which, according to Aris, meant we had to be careful. The scale only goes up to ‘four’, meaning you are toast. Semeru had been sealed off for the previous three months, due to the risk of a major eruption, and had only re-opened the day we arrived. Not that this would have bothered Aris, who said he knew a secret way in.

Flying to Surabaya on Java’s east coast, we drove into the foothills and overnighted in Tumpang. We soon discerned a pattern to the cuisine on our trip: noodles with coffee for breakfast, noodles with Coke for lunch, and noodles with beer for dinner. Woken by the wail of muezzins from the mosques, we moved up to the village of Ranupani, where the trail commenced. With porters carrying our belongings in sacks attached to the ends of long poles, we looked more like itinerant peddlers than intrepid mountaineers. It took seven hours to cover the 14km to camp, of which most of the time was spent lingering over a lakeside lunch.

The camp at Kalimati had seen better days, such as when the hut possessed a full roof and four walls. As we erected our tent, Semeru shyly revealed itself as the afternoon clouds briefly parted. It was a large, symmetrical mound of black ash that might have been delivered by the coalman.

We left camp at 02h00, slogging for the first hour in thick forest up steep mud and then for the next two hours on an open flank up steeper scree. As the sky turned a pale blue and the stars gradually faded away, the summit cone’s shadow appeared on the morning mist below. As we neared the summit rim, the volcano belched a large white cloud, tinged with sulphurous yellow, in welcome. Aris sniffed the air, wrinkling his nose like a professional taster.

"OK now," he grinned. "But if gas blows this way, we’re 100% dead." With that reassuring guarantee, he strode off

along the ridge for a closer view and we followed somewhat hesitantly. "Dangerous place," remarked Aris, as he pointed to a spot next to my right boot. "Boom! German climber dead right there." Apparently the hapless German had been struck by a rock bomb – lava ejected violently into the air that rapidly cools into an aerodynamic missile – which was tantamount to being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. As we retreated from the rim, warily monitoring the direction of the clouds and on the alert to dodge rock bombs, we tripped over a memorial to some scientists who’d been suffocated by noxious fumes. Typically, a couple of climbers perish on Semeru each year as a result of inhaling toxic gases, getting struck by rock bombs or simply falling down precipices. A few weeks before our visit Mandy had expressed great enthusiasm for seeing an erupting volcano up close. On Semeru, however, I detected her enthusiasm waning.

We spent that night in the small town of Cemoro Lawang, which overlooks the recently-erupted Mount Bromo. After the blast it had rained ash for three solid days and the village looked as if it had suffered a biblical plague. Completely carpeted in thick, cloying dust, all the crops had turned to clay. We spent a sleepless night listening to the volcano’s throb and thump, which sounded like the Earth’s heartbeat.

Our second target was Kerinci, on the island of Sumatra.

Indonesia’s highest volcano at 3805m, it was graded a positively benign ‘two’ on the scale. We flew from Surabaya to Padang, via Jakarta, and as befits a man who embraces risk, Aris had allowed less than an hour for our connection, laughing off our concerns that the bags might not make it.

Needless to say, we waited forlornly at the luggage carousel in Padang. Our humour sunk even lower when we stepped outside into sheets of tropical rain. And when Aris tried to check us into a basic hostel with no electricity or hot water, we mutinied, refusing to leave the taxi until he’d installed us in an expensive western hotel. "Now no profit for me," said Aris wistfully.

Thankfully, the next morning was a whole different day; the sun was out, the air was fresh and we were reunited with our bags. The eight-hour drive to Kerinci, located in the Kerinci Seblat National Park, took us through an exuberantly fertile landscape displaying every tint of green. Winding along river valleys, we saw steep vegetated hillsides gashed by landslides, traditional wooden homes shaped like ships, chilli fields covered with plastic sheets, unsteady mopeds carrying entire families and overturned vehicles surrounded by gawking crowds.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 45

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1 In Kerinci’s runnels.

2 Aris sniffing the fumes on Semeru.

3 Being blown off Kerinci.

4 Descending from Kerinci.

5 Kalimati Camp had seen better days.

6 Arriving on Kerinci's summit.

After spending the night in the village of Kersig Tuo, we started up Kerinci the next morning. The trail was quickly swallowed by dense jungle and the air was filled with the buzz of insects, shriek of monkeys and shrill cry of birds.

Somewhere in the forest’s depths lurked tigers and rhinos, although we didn’t see any. Aris did, however, point out which plants were edible and which were highly poisonous, plucking stems and flowers for us to savour. We nibbled guardedly, as they all looked the same and tasted awful.

Reaching a clearing at 3000m we set up camp, wriggling into a small tent, while Aris cocooned himself in a hammock.

At 05h00 we left for the summit following a deep, waterscoured runnel. We clambered up exposed boughs and roots, like Jack ascending the giant beanstalk, and it was only the ubiquitous litter that reminded us we were actually in Indonesia. When the vegetation abruptly ceased, we found ourselves on a bare scree slope with a biting wind and the acrid smell of sulphur filling our nostrils. "Cover your mouth with a piece of cloth, like this," said Aris demonstrating, which might have been helpful if we’d had any. After three hours we reached the top. We only spent a few minutes there, clinging to each other to avoid being blown off.

However, the real ordeal was yet to come. As we were driving back from Kersik Tuo, Aris shrieked "Durian!" as if he’d spotted a long-lost lover, bringing the car to a screeching halt. Leaping out, he returned from a roadside

DINfo box

stall laden with green, football-sized fruits and immediately set upon them. "Local delicacy," he slurped through a full, open mouth. "Try one." My stomach somersaulted as the reptilian green husk split to reveal a soft, custardcoloured fruit emitting the odour of stale beer and public toilets - if you think I’m exaggerating, durians are banned from the Singapore metro and there are cautionary tales of unsuspecting gourmands washing down their durians with beer, only for their stomachs to explode.

The smell of durian aside, Mandy and I rode back to Padang content. In one week we’d visited two islands, climbed two volcanoes and bagged two prominent peaks. Aris, however, could barely conceal his frustration as he’d just picked up an sms informing him that Mount Merapi was about to erupt.

And here he was, stuck on the wrong island with us ... •

i

• A peak’s ‘prominence’ is defined as the height you would have to ascend, assuming you approached it from the saddle of the higher peak, on the same land mass. For the highest points on continents and islands, prominence and altitude above sea level are identical. A list of the world’s 50 most prominent peaks can be found at www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ WorldTop50.html • Indonesia comprises approximately 17500 islands and boasts four of the world’s 50 most prominent peaks (Carstensz Pyramid, Kerinci, Rinjani and Semeru).

• Semeru (3676m) is the highest volcano on the island of Java, and the first recorded ascent was in 1838.

Climbing it, from Ranupani, typically takes two to

46 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

three days and although it is not a technical climb, it's a relatively active volcano with over 50 eruptions in the last 100 years. The national park's authorities periodically close the trail.

• Kerinci (3805m), on the island of Sumatra, is Indonesia’s highest volcano, as the Carstensz Pyramid on Papua is not volcanic. The first recorded ascent was in 1877. The trail from Kersig Tuo typically takes two days. Even though it is not technical, the route is steep and slippery. It is also a relatively active volcano, last erupting in 2004.

• We arranged our trip through Ndeso Adventure Consultants at a cost of US$ 1700 per person, exJakarta.

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www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 47

Words by Paul Marcelin | www.theworldteam.com Photos by Paul Marcelin, Bruno Brokken & Willy Boeykens

part 2

inALTITUDE:

48 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Photo by Willy Boeykens

In the PREVIOUS issue, the World Team managed to achieve a Guinness record for the largest-ever formation of skydivers in freefall, 399. IT WAS just one pre-designated grip short of the task that had been set; an FAI-sanctioned 400 people in the right place, with the correct grips.

Now we continue on our aerial journey of attempting to master the elusive 400 way.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 49

Photo by Willy Bouykens

8 February, approximately 16h00 - The ramp door whines to open-lock in its regular twopart action, immediately placing everyone ahead of me into dark silhouette against the bright blue, 25,000’ haze-free sky and thin white cloud. The noise volume climbs as some 260km/h of C-130 slipstream cuts into the gaping hole that is now our invitation to action.

Pal, the spotter, begins working on the ramp of our lead aircraft, leaning out and making radio calls to correct the flight line. He’s done brilliantly since we arrived and I've total faith in him. An assistant manages his oxygen supply while he works. Craig is making radio checks to the 30-odd receivers spread across the five plane formation. Within a few minutes Pal gives the signal and some 80 people rise to their feet in each of the five aircraft flying in tight V formation.

and pass my oxygen hose to Bill. The white fist snaps to flatopen – that’s READY. Arm bends back at the elbow - SET and GO.

Two minutes to go. We line up our rows of four and slowly walk the seven-plus tonnes of human cargo towards the ramp to ‘bunch up’ for exit. It's been drummed into us to maintain our rows and move slowly aft, to assist the pilots maintain aircraft trim and give us the best chance of a clean exit. Even so, there’s a few tons of bagged rice at the front of the plane to act as ballast. I look out a small, port-hole type window and see the stunning sight of the first trail plane within touching distance.

I shuffle fast behind Bob and within three seconds he’s at the edge and launching into the atmosphere. I’m right behind.

Leap out, head up initially for the first half second and then quickly tucked down, keeping my eyes on psycho Bob. My arms are in a kind of praying mantis pose across my chest and face. WHAM! The punch of the wind-blast hits about two moments after launch, something like being dumped by a giant wave. It is critical to manage body presentation at the exit to prevent yourself from being tossed across the sky like a stop sign in the heart of Katrina. At our Exit and Safety briefing we’d been warned that the exit blast would be brutal. It is, and on jump three it was a key accessory to the bad fracture of Pete’s upper left arm. But some 21 jumps later it feels like an old friend.

One minute to go. We tighten the bunch and set our right legs forward. I grip Bob’s psycho pack with my elbows, holding my oxygen pipe in place with my right hand. I sense collective concentration on the task ahead. Just a couple of hours ago we had managed to put together the world’s largest-ever formation, 399; but were just one pre-designated grip short of the task that has been set. I'd been unsure of the team’s ability to do the job again after the let down of that achievement, but now I’m again confident in my peers.

Ready. I see Tony’s white arm and gloved fist go up, which means Craig has begun the countdown. I take a deep breath

My first task is to ride the exit stable and avoid immediate traffic. A couple of seconds out the door and I’m clear and free. The wind noise and chilly air temperature infiltrates my awareness. Head back up and I search for the base chunk particularly Craig’s neon suit that indicates the line of flight and provides a grand reference for the formation. I see him, always surprisingly far away, and begin flying my body to rise above the base and get onto the correct radial for my approach. All my moves must be positive, smooth and consistent. A clean approach and perfect dock are all that are acceptable, both to the organisers and myself.

50 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

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I’m aware that there's people behind me referencing my line and approach as the model for theirs. I dive at the formation lining up on my radial. My brain is making 10,000 calculations and adjustments every second - maybe more. I see Tony ahead of me docking the formation. Man, he’s ALWAYS there so fast! Now his left knee becomes my new primary focus and I start to fine-tune my approach so I can take the grip in such a way he won’t even know I’m there.

In my outer field of vision I see the rest of my line arrive in their blue suits to my left. Bob far left and Bill closest to me. Craig ‘keys’ in our segment of the base and we all move forward to grips. Forward / adjust / fine adjust / forward / fine adjust.

I take the grip and sneak a glance at the altimeter on my right hand, 17,200’. Damn, I wanted to be in by 18,000’. It’s been my objective since about jump six and I haven’t managed it yet. Somehow it always feels like just a few moments to slot, but it’s been 7,000’ since exit.

Now the work starts. The base's job is to provide a flat and solid platform for each of the 10 sectors of ‘whacker’ lines to target and dock. I hear Tony’s often repeated words inside my head, “Lock it out you guys.” Meaning we need to become in-air shock absorbers, maintaining the fall rate set by Craig with his head-up information display, keeping our eyes locked on our clone flyer directly across (and in my case slightly below) the base and not allowing any stresses or waves to be transferred through our bodies. Kate told us to “Be a hero.” Damn right. Toss me a Purple Heart.

For about 50 seconds we fly the base. No looking around.

Concentrate. Fly. With my eyes locked onto Nicolai across the base, I see his white-dressed sector (number eight) forming behind him. They’ve built 100% and we still have time. The skydive is feeling pretty smooth, almost as smooth as the 399 we just did and I see no further activity in my peripheral vision. I think we may have it …

We move through the 7,500’ mark and Tony is delaying his pull-out, just as he did on the previous jump (he’s the first puller of five to indicate break-off start). He must've seen something and is hanging in to make sure we’re done. That’s a good sign and we have some safety margin in the plan. At about 6,700’ he pulls and is gone. Across the base I see the outer rings begin their track and some deploy quickly. The next puller goes five seconds later and more are gone. We hold our positions and keep on smokin’. Puller three and four go. The last 20 of us are waiting for our signal; number five. Bill, on my left arm, is shaking it wildly. What’s wrong?

A problem? I’ve forgotten that he’s wired for radio and can hear Craig calling over the mike that it looks like just we made a home run. Puller five is out.

52 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1 The 400-way formation complete.

2 My partners, Bill (middle) and ‘the Bob’ (right) after the record.

That may be a Singha in my right hand.

3 Ready to go.

Last lines turn to track. We’re pretty low already, lower than usual but the sky looks (relatively) clear. I begin the 3D obstacle course I’ve become used to as the pattern of my track and pull sequence. I curve and alter my line to avoid others that are moving up, down and out in their trajectories, as well as those already pulling out below me.

My audible altimeter’s 3,000’ alert is sounding and I know I've just a few seconds of safe freefall left. I’m going to use them all up; this is a busy sky!

Stop. Wave. Deploy. While my canopy pressurises I get the final, flat alarm on my audible, but that’s ok, I’m used to it and this deployment is going fine. I’m looking around me well before the canopy is inflated. Clear slider, lift visor, take brakes and all the time watching everywhere. Stay alive and ensure no collision (I had a close call a few days back when many of us were forced to an oversubscribed out-landing area). Senses on full alert. Stay alive.

No more than a minute or two under canopy and then a safe landing. I’m one of the first down. As more arrive, all around me and across the airfield there’s whooping and yelling. I ask a guy walking close to me, “Did you see anyone out or low?” “No,” he says in a foreign accent, “looked clean to me - I think we got it.” We grin and punch our fists together while holding our helmets. I’ve never met him before, but he’s on my team.

Without any doubt at all, the real heroes of this adventure are the people that arranged and supported the initiative.

The effort that goes into something like this is almost unfathomable. The best part of the event was meeting, jumping and playing with new friends from all over the world.

So much seen, learnt, enjoyed, done. An unparalleled experience. Massive thanks to Tim, Pete, Chris, Mari, Solly and Bushman - especially Tim.

Wanna come play with us next time? •

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54 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 55 www.facebook.com/zoon.cronje TrailSeeker 1- Tyger Valley

// inACTION: Rollerblading Reimagined * Mister Mo * Expedition Africa - Trials & Tribulations // inTRAIL: Step into Spring * Trail Running Safety * Basic Navigation Skills - laying the foundation // inH2O: Caring for Your spine // inGEAR: The Triple Challenge * Clever Nutrition for Mega Long Races * Hometown Showdown at MX Nationals * Pimp Your Scoot * Moegatle 10th Anniversary 4x4 Challenge

PHOTOGRAPH: Zoon Cronje | DESCRIPTION: 2012 NISSAN

Sport

BurrY puSHeS oN WHIle THe reST oF THe TeamS geT SWalloWeD BY THe HeaT & TougH TerraIN oN STage 1.

AN EPIC RACE TO VICTORY BURRY’S WINNING SUPPlEMENT STACk

BURRY’S INSIDE STORY ON AN EPIC JOURNEY - STAGE BY STAGE.

What a week. I hardly know where to start. After a successful World Cup I flew down to Cape Town to start my prep for this year’s Cape Epic. We had a solid week of training and resting in Stellenbosch before heading to Meerendal for the start of the race that Sunday. prologue

27 km

The prologue has always been a stage we aim to win and this year was no different. Christoph and I were super motivated and went hard from the gun on the 27km course.

I didn’t have the best legs and had to let Suzie do most of the pacing. In the end we won, but only 14 seconds separated us from 2nd place.

We did, however, go into the rest of the week with confidence.

STage 1

115 km

Stage 1 is always super hard as the route is traditionally a big tester and the field is still fresh and looking to make a hard effort at the front. We rode near the front for the first half of the race and then the teams around us got swallowed by the heat and tough terrain. With 45km to go, we were alone and stretching a good gap and in the end we won by a few minutes.

STage 2

119 km

This stage was an easier day after the first two days as it was quite fast and flat over the first half and had minor rough steepish climbs near the end. We made the pace hard there and got away from a small group to the finish. Then we had a hard sprint for the win and came home safely in 3rd. But importantly losing no time on the overall gc.

STage 3

147 km

This was the longest day ever in the Cape epic and had a massive amount of climbing spread over 4 peaks. on the 3rd climb around 70km to go, Team 360life attacked in the feed zone and Suzie had to work hard to come across the gap.

From there on we shared the work with them until the last climbs where Suzie put the hammer down and eventually rode away.

This was the longest day ever in the Cape Epic and had a massive amount of climbing spread over 4 peaks.

I was eager for the sprint and managed to stay ahead of the other team to take the win.

STage 4

124 km

This was a much underrated stage in the race booklet. after the big day before, the legs were

also rather tender. We climbed up to the famous Charlies Heaven peak and then faced a tough 30km stretch in a strong headwind home. at the front we were joined by multivan merida and 360life for the last 30km. everyone paced really hard and we had stretched a good gap to the riders behind us. With 5km to go we attacked hard leaving both 360life and merida behind.

The end of the stage saw us riding some sweet single track through the Caledon Botanical gardens which was a real treat.

STage 5

115 km

Wet, wet, wet. The only real way to describe this stage between Caledon and oak Valley.

The stage started pretty fast along winding jeep track and open gravel roads before we got to Botrivier and the road started pointing skywards regularly. The main element of the stage though was the weather. over the last few km’s it became very cold again and here Suzie attacked yet again. With 15km to go only the team of Bulls 2 remained at the front with us and we eventually out sprinted them for the stage. Now tied with our most stage wins in an epic and a time gap of around 27 minutes to the second team on gC. STage 6

85 km

It might only have been 85km, but it was hard and had the most amazing terrain. We decided to have an easier day and team 360life capitalized by taking the win. We followed a few minutes behind and it was a stage which I really enjoyed. The views and single tracks on this stage put a smile back on everyone’s faces.

BurrY & SuZIe ouTSprINTINg BullS 2, TakINg STage 5.

Epic prO ALL-in-OnE

uLtrA EnDurAncE EnErGy & rEcOVEry fOrMuLA Nothing comes close to Epic Pro. I virtually live on it during and after I ride and train for marathon or stage races. It is my all-in-one endurance fuel for optimal performance and complete body recovery.

BcAA VitArGO

VOOMA GEL

intrA-WOrKOut StAMinA & EnErGy cOMpLEX My muscle strength and stamina booster for higher impact, shorter races and the first halve of marathon or stage races (first bottle)

VO2 MAX

EnErGy & ELEctrOLytE tOp up GEL My energy top up fuel when I’m in full race mode or hard training sessions. It’s easy to use and works instantly when I feel my energy levels are running low.

pHOSpHAtE LOADinG AnD OXyGEn trAnSpOrt I always start loading with VO2 Max 3 days before a race to ensure optimal phosphate levels for maximum muscle output.

ormance while “It’s all about the right preparation, maintaining your perf ” racing and effective recovery to remain in top condition y Stander Burr

STage 7

64 km

The grand finale sees the riders head from oak Valley to lourensford via the Sir lowry’s pass and the famous "Wagon trail" that lies there. after an easier day on the previous stage we attacked the stage from the gun, setting a hard pace at the start. our goal was to defend our big lead by heading into the last 30km at the front of the bunch, however our pace was good enough to win the Telkom hot spot and head into the last 30km with a good lead. We didn’t want to just give it away and kept our heads down to try and secure the stage. This was quite a challenge as we wanted to stay cautious on the rough stuff. luckily we could keep opening the gap on the climbs and held on to take our 6th stage win on the fields at lourensford in front of an electrifying crowd!!!

www.usn.co.za

usn sa

my daily supplements used throughout the race were BCAA Vitargo and Epic Pro in the bottles 3-5 Harvest Bars, 1x Vooma Gel, 5 x Cyto Gels and 4 x tablets of VO2Max. It was an awesome week in which we had a great time. The team pulled together and we delivered. Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters who make racing possible for us. Thanks also to Suzie for a great 8 days!

I now go home for a few days before heading to Belgium for the next World Cup.

Ciao Burry

@usnsa

as seen on

Weekdays 6.25 on SaBC 3

inACTION:

Words by Dewald Botha | www.irollsa.com Photos by various contributors

Ro

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Chris vd Merwe switch true porn - by Eric Palmer

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Modern day rollerblading originated in the '80s when Scott and Brennan Olsen wanted to practise ice hockey during summer times. Modifying the blade of an ice skate and fitting it with eight in-line wheels, they unknowingly started a brand new action sport that would change the lives of people the world over.

“In or

addition

to

recreational

speed,

fitness,

skating,

some

artistic, skaters

prefer to skate aggressively. Aggressive skating is referred to by participants as rollerblading,

blading,

skating

or

rolling

and includes a variety of grinds, airs, slides and

other

advanced

skating

maneuvers.

Types of aggressive skating include park,

This is the and street.” Wikipedia.

Wikipedia definition and sure, from a clinical point of view it is exactly that. But the definition that prevails is not so much the dictionary definition, but rather the perceptual definition. So what comes to your mind when you hear the word rollerblading?

vert

For many, it may conjure up images of kids in tights, neon graphics, ice-ice baby and basically everything from the '90s.

This is understandable as rollerblading’s popularity peaked in the mid '90s when it featured in movies like Airborne, Hackers and Power Rangers: The Movie. But this is a misconception, and also a blessing because it gives us the opportunity to show you what we can do. And when you see it for the first time, you won’t believe your eyes.

58 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Then in the early ‘90s, a small group of kids (Chris Edwards, Angie Walton, Arlo Eisenberg and Brooke Howard-Smith to name a few) in America wanted to do more with their skates, and what they did changed the future of rollerblading forever. They started jumping off stairs and did flips and spins, and in '91 Chris Edwards, ‘the godfather of blading’, strapped on his skates and jumped onto a handrail, effectively doing the first grind in rollerblading history. Since then, the popularity of rollerblading has grown to such an extent throughout the world that it has been included in the X-Games and features in television shows and various competitions.

Rollerblading also hit South African shores in the early '90s and became extremely popular amongst the youth. In 1995 the first ever Rollerblading National was organised by Brett and Melody Tuson at the Sun City Bowl, and it was a great success. The introduction of national competitions have served to highlight the sport and even more youngsters, from all over the country, are getting into it. With such growth, it is not surprising that it has proved a hit amongst the so-called counter culture.

The energy levels and vibe at these competitions are extremely high and as a result, it has become a definitive ‘must-go-to’ event for every rollerblader in the country.

Brian Linder - soul grind - by Eric Palmer

Rollin front farf to rollin - by Eric Palmer

Neil van der Walt - backside royale - by Dave de Gasperi

Dewald Botha - soul grind - by Nathan Thoma s

Since its introduction, South Africa has produced a number of talented rollerbladers who have competed on the world circuit on numerous occasions. To name a few, there's Clifford Viljoen (rider for Roces International and Red Bull) who represented South Africa in the world championship competitions from 1997 to 2003. More recent is Chris van der Merwe (flow rider for Xsjado International) who has been competing in the Asian X-Games and had tremendous success this year, placing sixth in the finals against strong competition from the international professionals.

So what exactly is rollerblading

you may ask?

Rollerblading is all about good clean fun, meeting up with friends and busting out tricks that would melt any preconceived notions of what is possible on a pair of skates.

It's about the way we look at things like rails, curbs, ledges, stairs, roofs, gaps and every possible obstacle as a means to do a trick on. Instead of walking past and barely noticing a handrail, that handrail is like a flashing beacon to us and we dream about what tricks are possible on it.

When it comes to equipment, rollerblading is done on a specific type, usually referred to as aggressive skates. These skates are specially designed to allow us to do what we do, while providing maximum comfort and support to our ankles and feet. It is highly recommended that when getting into this sport you gear up with these skates because recreational skates don't provide the necessary support where it's needed. An aggressive skate is characterised by having a wider sole piece (the bottom part of the skate) that you can grind on. It has a specific type of frame on which the wheels are mounted, and provides excellent ankle support whilst still offering the best possible feeling in terms of comfort and flexibility, to achieve extreme airs, grinds and other tricks. There are a few brands to choose from, each with its own style and feel, and these brands include Remz, Xsjado, Razors, Valo and USD. Locally, we have two distributors that sell and import these major brands; Rolling SA Distribution and Uneek Mvmnt.

Rollerblading is also a lot of fun and a great sport to do in groups, as we constantly learn from, support and motivate each other. We also take tremendous pride in knowing that the present South African rollerbladers are firmly behind growing and promoting the sport on all levels, and are involved in our local communities in the following ways:

Chris vd Merwe - 450 back royale - by Eric Palme r

Neil van der Walt - top soul to royale transfer grind

by Blaine Wakeford

• Chris van der Merwe and Earl Abrahams, from Cape Town, are doing a great job of encouraging youngsters from disadvantaged communities to get involved in rollerblading by hosting clinics, workshops and demos all over Cape Town.

• Chris van der Merwe also runs the 'Inspired to Become' initiative, which targets young people who are often over looked and don’t enjoy the same opportunities as those more fortunate do, by getting them involved in alternative sports. The aim is to inspire these youngsters through positive role modelling, relationship building, coaching, mentoring in life skills and creating opportunities.

• I hold weekly rollerblading clinics at Thrashers Skate Park in Pretoria and teach young or new rollerbladers about the sport and how to do basic tricks.

Rollerblading is a dynamic and very rewarding sport. It may look easy, but once you start rolling and getting into it, the more challenging and exhilarating it becomes. Landing your first few tricks sparks a series of addictions to get better and better.

This sport is on the rise and we have the right people in the right places to help it grow even bigger and better than it ever was. It is our extreme sport revolution. Our reimagining of what is possible on skates. So come join us and be a part of this extreme sport explosion! •

DINfo box

i

To find out more about rollerblading, getting involved and the projects we are involved in, check out these sites: www.irollsa.com, www.inspired2become.org, www.rollingsadistribution.com and www.uneekmvmnt.com Brand info: Remz (www.remz.com), Valo (www.valo-brand.com) Xsjado (www.everythingxsjado.com), Razors (www.razorskate.com), and USD (www.usd-skate.com).

Distributor info: Rolling SA Distribution (www.rollingsadistribution.com) and Uneek Mvmnt (www.uneekmvment.com)

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 59

inPREPARATION: inACTION: Photos Photos

by Aileen bySwanepoel Karen de Jager & Carol Matthews

Words by Words Morné

by Swanepoel, Darrell Raubenheimer Martial Arts Professional | www.CombatCoaching.com

Mister Mo

60 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

’Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable’ - Theodore N. Vail

60 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Using about half of his speed, the coach threw a jab at his student's face. Without flinching, the student easily parried the punch. "Good!

Let's try again," the coach said.

"I'm going to pick up the pace a little." The student smiled and nodded confidently. The coach threw a jab at three-quarter speed, but this time the student wasn't fast enough. The coach pulled the punch, barely touching his student's face.

Frowning, the coach said, "Okay. Let's do it again.

Remember, I'm going to do it faster. Try to react quicker." The student smiled confidently. Again, the coach had to pull his punch. "I guess I can't go any faster," the student said apologetically. "Again," the coach said. He threw the punch at about one-quarter speed, but the student barely managed to parry it.

"One more," the coach said. This time the punch was even slower. And again the student barely managed to block it. The student shrugged his shoulders, "I'm just not that fast, I guess," he said sheepishly.

"Wait," said the coach. Wait the student wondered.

The coach walked to the safety equipment and slipped on a large pair of boxing gloves. As he approached the student, he threw several fast punches. The student's smile faded. "Okay, we'll do it again", the coach said. "But, what are the gloves for?" the student asked. "So you don't get hurt too badly if my punch gets through," the coach said nonchalantly. "I am not going to hold back." The student's eyes bulged. Before he could say another word the coach’s punch flashed at him at about half speed. The student blocked the strike with ease.

"Again." This time the punches were almost full speed. The student blocked each one even though his techniques were somewhat sloppy. There was energy and spirit in each parry. The coach stopped, stepped back and grinned. "Ok that's enough for now!" Somewhat bewildered, the student returned the grin and stared at his coach’s retreating back. He couldn't see the smile forming on his coach’s face.

So how do you remain motivated to stay involved in martial arts for the rest of your life, or get up every morning and faithfully stick to your training routine?

And how do you stop yourself from giving up your training in a few years time like so many others?

‘Difficulties should act as a tonic. They should spur us to greater exertion’ - B. C. Forbes

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

I have been training and teaching since 1976 and martial arts has become my full time profession and way of life since the early 1990s. If someone asks me what a person ought to devote the maximum of his time to, I would answer TRAINING. Train more than what you sleep! I put my non-stop dedication to the arts down to one phrase, 'Mister Mo'. Mister Mo IS motivation and I added 'Mister' to show respect. Motivation is what keeps us training month after month, year after year. It is what drives us to face our own physical and mental limitations. Mister Mo means no retreating from hard effort, no surrendering to laziness or sloppy form. I believe Mister Mo should be the most important person in your life, even more important than your teacher, classmates or students. It's good to have an end to journey toward, but it's the journey that matters in the end.

Mister Mo is the one who urges you to attend class when you'd rather stay at home and watch TV. Mister Mo is inside you when you do the extra kick, punch or takedown. Mister Mo wipes the sweat out of your eyes so you can crank out a dozen more reps. Mister Mo helps us tune out pain, as we drive ourselves to victory over oneself. Mister Mo is what makes us walk the endless path of the martial arts.

'A desire can overcome all objections and obstacles' – Gunderson

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself. Avoiding pain might be the biggest motivational factor there is. For example, doing a proper technique to avoid a broken nose is an example of external motivation. Most people who train in the martial arts do this, at least initially, because they want to learn self-defence. They don't want to get hurt if attacked. For those who enjoy the sport aspects of the arts, external motivation may be the next tournament trophy or next belt. For example students quit when they reach a particular belt rank.

The belt was their goal and once they earn it, they no longer have motivation. Mister Mo departs from their thinking.

Unlike external motivation, internal motivation is a more difficult concept to understand. Internal motivation is the desire to excel for the sake of pursuing excellence. It means competing against yourself, not others, and wanting to do as well as you can regardless of how others do. Internally motivated students tend to persist in their training.

While they are satisfied with each promotion, they are also driven to succeed beyond ranking or trophies. These students train because they want to improve, not to impress others. If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

So how can you stay motivated?

• Search for that drive to succeed.

• Become mentally motivated. Mister Mo is in all

of us and you can call on him at any time when things get tough.

• Don't worry about what others are doing. If you are trying to surpass someone else, you are limited to what that person has done. You must have no limits! Always strive for excellence.

• Set yourself more challenging goals and record them in a diary. Review your goals, evaluate your progress and then set new goals.

• Focus your growth and development as a martial artist and person.

• Learn joyfully and then share joyfully. Daily improvement in every aspect of your life is the overall goal. Don't just think positively, act positively!

• Be yourself, but be the best of yourself! And when you feel discouraged, call on Mister Mo. •

62 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

inACTION:

Words & Photos by Kelvin Trautman | @kelvintrautman

Ex pedition Trials & Tribulations a c i r f A title Team Merrell successfully defended their Expedition Africa adventure racing with a hugely impressive win, by finishing nearly 12 hours ahead of their nearest rivals, Team Red Ants. After 65 hours of racing – and just three hours sleep - Team on Merrell crossed the finish line at race headquarters in Port Alfred at 11:49 p.m. ed it Wednesday 9 May. An amazing feat considering that the organisers had predict would take the winning team approximately three days to complete the course.

The second edition of Expedition Africa, now part of the World Adventure Racing Series, was set in the picturesque Eastern Cape town of Port Alfred. Race organiser, Stephan Muller said, “The beauty of the surroundings is in its rawness and this provides some really challenging terrain that would certainly test the 13 teams who started.”

Leg 1 - Orienteering/Hike (17km)

The race began at first light on Monday 7 May at the toposcope in Bathurst, the highest viewpoint affording competitors a convenient 360 degree view of the 500km race route ahead. Huddled together against the cold, the sound of a vuvuzela announced the start of this epic race.

The 17km orienteering leg saw teams having to collect six Orienteering Points (OPs) in any order, which had been spread throughout the historic village of Bathurst.

Once retrieved, the teams headed into the veld in search of the next OP. Team Red Ants took a direct route to the OP to arrive two minutes in front of Team Merrell, who along with most of the teams had chosen to take the road to this point. However, their lead was short lived as Team Merrell, under the experienced navigation of Captain Graham ‘Tweet’ Bird, immediately showed their class as South Africa’s premier adventure racing team with some shrewd navigation. A decision to take a hidden hiking path saw them gain 20 minutes on Team Red Ants by the end of the first transition, and it was to be the last time Team Merrell came close to any of the competition throughout the 500km race.

Leg 2 - Kayak (23km)

With a good lead on the rest of the field Team Merrell took advantage of the out-going tide to give them a further edge on the field. Unfortunately for the mid to rear teams, the tide changed during the morning and slowed them right down. With the sea too rough to paddle to Kelly's Beach, boats were left at The Halyards and competitors had to run the remaining 4km to T2. Red Ants finished this leg 13 minutes behind the leaders, followed by team Olympus, who were 13 minutes behind them.

64 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Leg 3 - Trek (25km)

Following a route that traversed the rugged coast south of Port Alfred, the teams had to face a tough swim across the Kariega River to reach the TA. Although most teams found the hike relatively straight forward, their calves were tested and aching after hiking across patches of soft sand. The swim proved more arduous, with the current sweeping teams off course. Team Merrell powered ahead to increase their lead to 42 minutes, while Red Ants opened up their lead to 88 minutes over third placed Olympus.

Leg 4 - Kayak (20km)

This leg on the Kariega River passed through several game parks and teams were urged not to sleep on the river or banks! This was good advice too, as there were reports of elephant sightings. With the sun setting all the teams were racing flat out, but once again Team Merrell continued to dominate and just 12 hours into the race they had completed 4 of the 13 sections.

Leg 5 - Trek (18km)

The gruelling pace set by the leaders had resulted in a spreading out of the teams. Despite a fairly straight forward hike, navigational challenges were testing the teams and thick fog made it all the more difficult for those in the mid pack. Most teams managed to reach the end of this trek during the night, before preparing to take to the water for the kayak down the Boesman River.

Leg 6 - Kayak (23km)

As the second longest tidal river in South Africa and longest boat navigable river in the country, the paddle was far from easy. A combination of low tide and fog led to the teams battling to find the main channel and as a result they found themselves running aground. Dragging their kayaks over the banks in knee deep mud, many of the teams ended this section looking tired, but very happy to be off the water.

Leg 7 - Cycle (80km)

The 80km inland ride to the roping/canyon point was technically easy, but over rolling dirt roads. A rapid midnight transition at the mouth of Bushman's River saw Team Merrell get onto their bikes for the first time. Finishing this ride at 05:52 a.m., Team Merrell’s female powerhouse, Tatum 'Hobbit' Prins remarked that this leg had gone really well, allowing for a consistent pace that enabled the team to further extend their lead over Red Ants by four-anda-half hours. Red Ants had lost time when teammate Landie Visser took a bad fall and broke her helmet, but was uninjured and able to continue.

As the balance of the field set off on this bike leg later in the day, the temperature had risen and riding in 30°C heat was taking its toll. A broken crank arm and chain saw Castle Lite giving up a place to Capestorm WCAD, who took full advantage and pushed past into third.

Leg 8 - Ropes / Trek (3km)

Brenthoek Farm played host to the rope work and kloofing (canyoning) section, with the centre of the rope work section taking place at the old steel bridge of Bloukrans; the site of a tragic accident that happened 100 years ago when a train derailed. After crossing the gorge via a Tyrolean bridge traverse and with a free-hanging abseil of 60m under their belts, teams negotiated the icy water to find two CPs before returning to the TA. Although the teams found the ropes section enjoyable, the kloofing was said to be thorny and the last CP elusive. This leg took an average of two-and-a-half hours to complete, and for those arriving during the night it was much longer.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 65

Leg 9 - Cycle (47km)

This leg proved to be a fast and flowing 47km ride to the midway camp and compulsory five-hour rest at Glen Boyd, where beds, food and white rhino waited. Team Merrell had come and gone, and with a convincing six hour lead they were already well into the 128km cycle.

Leg 10 - Cycle (128km)

This challenging route meandered along minor roads and jeep tracks, with lots of rolling hills, and crossed the Fish River into the coastal town of Hamburg, in Ciskei. The 128km ride in 35°C was turning out to be a daunting task and the extreme heat resulted in a number of teams having to source water from the local villagers. Alive with colour, riders fleetingly witnessed the local way of life, whilst keeping a keen eye out for wandering children, cows, pigs and donkeys. This section took between 9 and 13 hours to complete in daylight, the night time ride even longer and more taxing on very weary bodies.

Leg 11 - Kayak (20km)

On this leg up the Fish River, only two members of the team were required to take part and collect the two checkpoints, while the other two packed the bikes away, prepared the maps for the next two legs and rested. This section was all about strategy and the reaction to it was mixed, with Tatum from Team Merrell preferring her team to stick together at all times. The amazing bird life did however take the edge of a tough paddle.

Leg 12 - Trek (58km)

The course booklet said the penultimate leg would be a gruelling trek consisting of long, isolated beach sections and technical navigation through dense thicket vegetation, and would either make or break the teams. It did not disappoint and the ‘sunshine coast’ was living up to its name as temperatures continued to soar in the unforgiving thorny valleys. To get through teams alternated between walking along the beach and heading inland though a desolated stretch of land, with few inhabitants. Team Merrell commented that it was brutal and the vegetation at the bottom of the gullies was thick and thorny, and they resorted to walking up the middle of rivers at times to escape the vegetation. Despite these hardships, Team Merrell opened up their lead to seven hours. Red Ants trailed behind in second and even though the team comprises some of the country’s top trail runners, they were unable to narrow the margin.

Leg 13 - Cycle (47km)

After 12 hours on their feet Team Merrell clocked into the final transition, blistered but focused now that the finish was in sight. An undulating final 47km mountain bike ride under a full moon saw them complete the last stage in under three hours, to a hero's welcome for their superb victory. In second place was Red Ants followed by Olympus in third and Pennypinchers in fourth.

Team Merrell’s Captain humbly reminisced at the finish line that the ‘true hereos’ were the back marker teams who were pushing themselves to their limits, but had many more hours and days still to go on the course.

Team Merrell’s victory at Expedition Africa secures them a place at the Adventure Racing World Championships later this year in France, where they have the chance to try improve on last year's seventh placing. •

66 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

inTRAIL:

Words & Photos by Ugene Nel | www.quantumadventures.co.za

S t e p i n to spring

Serenade spring at the McGregor Food and Wine Festival, which is taking place on 1 September and one of those intimate weekend experiences in the Western Cape. It's all about good food, great wine and wonderful company. And if that's not enough for you, then a short five-minute drive out of town will take you to the Donkey Sanctuary, where these rescued 'long ears' are sure to be a hit with the young ones. Just a stone’s throw from here, and on the way to Robinson, is the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. It’s managed by Cape Nature Conservation and the trails are kept in pristine condition! To experience the solitude of the trails leading to various parts of the reserve, you simply need to obtain a permit from the office.

But the cherry on the cake for trail runners is the fourth run of the Quantum Country Class Series (QCC), the Rooikat Trail Run, which also takes place on Spring Day and offers a 19km or 8km run from the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve. A firm favourite amongst the runners following the series, it's also a great run for anyone moving up from 'novice trail run' status. Both routes are totally runnable, with mostly smooth trails. There is no water on the mountain or water points on the route, so runners will need to carry sufficient water (1.5-litres per person). There is a maximum of 200 runners for this event.

The 8km route is perfect for runners of any level of fitness and a great novice run! This gentle route follows the MTB path through the reserve of succulent Karoo vegetation and an abundance of wildlife, passes sparkling dams and majestic mountain ranges. The path is mainly a jeep track.

The 19km route follows a circular trail that winds up and around the Elandsberg Mountain and then meanders through the reserve for the first three kilometres. From here it leads into steeper, short climbs and descents for the next seven kilometres. The views across this spectacular landscape and the three valleys you cross through will keep you enthralled! You are bound to see the herd of springbok racing up the slopes next to the trail and the breeding Ostrich pair is always on the lookout for runners straying into their turf. Runners will traverse a variety of terrain that varies from moderate to strenuous. The path is 95% single

68 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

track, with some technical sections on descents. Watch your footing 10- to 14km into the route, but from there it eases out enough to build up a decent pace to the finish.

Back at the venue, you will be met by a chilled and relaxed vibe on the lawns of Vrolijkheid. Runners exchanging war stories, kids running around, the smell of boerie on the braai, friends and family spending time together = QUALITY time!

After a fun filled morning and prize-giving, participants will meander back to the village to sample the local fare on offer at the festival. Wines from the region, tasty treats ranging from rustic and traditional to the more sophisticated culinary offerings of the local restaurants that attend, local art and music and one of my personal favourites – the Slow Beer! The afternoon slows down after that … in fact, the day blurs into one awesome weekend and can take a week or so to wind up again.

It's going to be awesome and I hope you can make it to this Quantum Country Classic! •

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inTRAIL:

Words & Photos by Ugene Nel | www.quantumadventures.co.za

With the explosion of trail running in the country, safety becomes a serious issue. I’m not just referring to safety against thugs or low lives, but rather the kind of safety that you, as a runner, should be responsible for – your own.

I’m talking about being prepared in case you injure yourself and/or encounter adverse weather. Just because you take part in an 'organised' event, does not mean that your safety is guaranteed during the event. It also does not preclude you from 'taking responsibility' for yourself.

From an organiser’s perspective - and I can only speak for myself, but would like to believe that this is the case with all organisers - the trail is physically scouted and a number of factors are noted during this process, with particular attention paid to: • Prevalent weather patterns during the time of year the run is planned for.

• Distance and technical aspects. A 20km trail in the mountains can be much more challenging than a 20km trail along footpaths in suburban areas or greenbelts.

• Access to natural but drinkable water sources on the trail. Trail running events 'generally' do not have manned water points, as is the case with road running.

• Access to various parts of the trail in case an emergency.

• Cell phone reception and/or two way radio reception.

• Problematic areas along the trail where runners could hurt themselves, especially in wet conditions.

• Areas where runners can find natural shelter on remote mountainous trails.

• The 'wow' factor.

Remote areas often provide this 'wow' factor due to few people visiting these areas on their own. Some of the best trail running takes place in areas like this, but because of the sheer remoteness the risk factor increases.

Even though the organiser/route setter takes great care in ensuring that slippery rock slabs, precipices and boulder fields, for example, are clearly marked or made 'safer' with the addition of ropes and hand holds the final responsibility lies with the runner.

When it comes to having a compulsory kit list at trail events, there are still runners that argue about this requirement. I can't stress how important it is, so let me give you an example: You enter a 30km mountain trail run.

Despite the request to have a compulsory kit list, you elect not to take it all because you think it's a waste of time and too heavy to carry. At 18km you ascended about 800m in altitude and the temperature drops from 20 to 10 degrees. The wind comes up, it starts raining and within minutes visibility is reduced to 30m, with a wind blowing down the valley. You slip on a wet rock and fall, breaking your wrist in the process. Your body goes into shock within seconds and you start shivering, and remember that you’ve left your fleece top and waterproof jacket at the start. The shock factor increases and people in shock often make bad decisions, and this is what kills them …

Apart from being physically and mentally fit, ensure that you understand the technical aspects of the clothing and equipment on the list. If you are not sure about something, ask. I'm amazed at the large number of runners who don't know the difference between a rain 'waterproof' jacket and a 'wind resistant' jacket! A rain jacket must have a hood because it’s totally pointless wearing one that doesn’t have a hood when you’re out in the mountain. You will be soaked through in seconds and may as well wear nothing.

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Another consequence of dissing the list is that you place other runners at risk who are carrying their compulsory kit, but feel compelled to share theirs with you. They will try to assist as much as they can, but the fact that you had nothing warm to wear makes the situation much worse. You have 'failed' to take responsibility for yourself!

Get over it! The compulsory kit is there for your safety. ALL runners are in exactly the same boat and you are not the only one required to carry it. You are also not excluded if you consider yourself to be 'experienced and fit' – something I hear often. No one is excluded from potential injury and/or disaster, and it is unfair to your fellow runners, rescue services and the race organiser to scrimp on safety.

Below is an example of a kit list that I compiled for the Quantum Country Classic Series of mountain trail runs. Items can vary, depending on the factors already mentioned, and the gear suggested is mainly to ensure that you are comfortable, should you need it. It doesn’t mean you have to wear it the entire time, but it could save your life!

• Waterproof rain jacket with a hood • Fleece top • Long tights • Emergency blanket aka space blanket • Hat • Small pocket/multi tool knife • Whistle attached to your running pack and within easy reach • Cell phone in a ziplock bag (with the race organiser and other relevant emergency numbers programmed on it) • Small running pack • Two-litre hydration bladder or similar • A card with your personal details, blood group, hospital or medical policy details and emergency cell number on it, secured within a ziplock bag • First aid items – elastic ankle bandage, anti-inflammatory pills, antihistamine, mini bandage, plaster, pain tablets, cramp block or rehydrates and Savlon cream or similar.

• A POSITIVE and flexible attitude!

Other recommended items, depending on the area, run and remoteness, are fleece or even waterproof gloves, beanie and waterproof pants.

Don’t fight with the race organiser about this, as it could just save your life! Be safe. •

Trail running safety An organiser’s nightmare and a trail runner’s Achilles’ heel

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 71

inTRAIL:

Words by Kobus Bresler

Basic n o i t a g i v a N Skillsthe Laying foundation

will e you are going, you er wh ow kn t n’ r do u “If yo .” – Dr Laurence Pete se el re he ew m so up probably end

Line Scale

“Map and compass?” he asked with a look of amazement.

“I have my GPS packed so I will be fine.” The look of confidence combined with the smirk on his face got me upset. I am not sure how his hike went, but the lack of communication afterwards probably meant it went badly.

Sadly, this type of response is quite common and very worrying for those of us who still believe basic navigational skills are what will get you through a sticky situation.

When you study the art of navigation to its full extent it may be overwhelming. There are many different tools available and lots of different ways to combine it. The terminology alone can be challenging, with words such as resection and azimuth to name a couple. Like anything, navigation starts with a basic knowledge of relatively simple concepts.

Numerous books have been published on this topic as navigation is an exact science. As a result many skills can be learnt from text books, but please note that no book or article can replace proper instruction. In this issue and the next I will go through some of the basics used for navigating on land, in South Africa, and this will lay the foundation for learning more advanced techniques.

Every year thousands of people explore the natural splendour our country has to offer. Accidents happen and it costs thousands annually in rescue costs, and sometimes even a life. Too often these accidents occur as a result

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of poor navigation skills. There is no point having a map and compass, or a GPS, and not knowing how to use it correctly. The starting point of any hike or adventure is choosing the appropriate areas to explore, but be careful not to stretch yourself beyond your abilities or level of experience. Our country offers amazing opportunities for people of all experience levels and as your skills improve, your possibilities will increase too. We often learn from bad judgement calls, so it's best to make these in an environment you are comfortable with and can turn the situation around.

The route

Route planning is essential prior to any trip and basically means determining your lines of travel. This starts at a specific point and leads to your ultimate objective, and is mostly determined by studying a map. When planning your route you need to consider the time you have available, as well as your personal abilities and that of the people with you. It is inevitable that your route will change once you get going, as not all features are always clear on a map, but having a basic plan is essential. It is important to gather information about the area you are going to. Obtain the correct maps, check weather reports, explore difficulties and determine the nature of the terrain. Local knowledge is the best and most precious knowledge you can have.

Co-ordinate Lines of Latitude / Longitude Common sense will often be your strongest attribute. When route planning consider the weight each member of the party will be carrying, as unnecessary weight can slow you down significantly.

The map

It all starts with a map, but no matter how good the map it remains worthless unless the user knows how to read and use it. A map is a symbolic representation of the earth or a portion of it on a flat surface. Many types of maps have been printed to suit different needs and in South Africa most outdoor navigators prefer to make use of 1:50 000 topographic maps. These maps portray terrain features in a measurable way. The horizontal positions of features are represented and the vertical aspect, or relief, is normally represented by contour lines. Be sure to look after your map and keep it protected because it's your most valuable tool and the focus of this article.

A proper topographic map will have the following information: 1. Sheet name - A map is normally named for the largest settlement on it or the largest natural feature.

2. Sheet number - The sheet number is used as a reference to link adjoining maps.

3. Scale - A representative fraction that gives the ratio of a map distance to the corresponding distance on the earth’s surface.

4. Line scales - Rulers used to convert map distance to ground distance.

5. Declination diagram - Indicates the angular relationships of true and magnetic north.

6. Contour interval - States the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines on a map.

7. Map edition and date - The map date is important to determine how accurate the map data will match what you will encounter.

8. Datum - Describes the model that was used to draft the map and is of particular use when setting up a GPS or other tools.

9. Grid System - Horizontal and vertical points or lines covering the complete map area that are used mainly for positioning.

Grid lines and references

Grid lines divide a map into smaller areas to make identifying a specific point more accurate. Various grid systems are used around the world, but the most common one used by hikers locally is an angular coordinate system, by determining latitude and longitude. The grid lines used in

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 73

Rea

din

gc ont our s

this system are a set of east west rings that cover the globe and run parallel to the equator. In addition, north south rings cross the equator at right angles and converge at the poles. This forms a grid from which any point on earth can be located. When a position is calculated we express it in a numerical format and call it a grid reference or coordinates, like in the example shown.

Read and learn as much as you can about grid references, and practise until you understand how to calculate a position. Also make sure you can determine a position on a map from reading a coordinate. This is such an important basic skill. Imagine how much time, money and lives will be saved if all hikers that contacted emergency services could supply their exact position.

nce Map scale and dista distance between two

The scale of a map is the ratio of the points on the map and the actual distance between the same points on the ground. The scale allows us to convert distance on the map to distance on the ground and vice versa. This ability is an important factor when navigating outdoors. The map scale is expressed as a representative fraction, for example 1:50 000, and in this example the one unit of measure on the map is equal to 50 000 units of the same measure on land. Measuring between two points on a map and multiplying with the scale gives you the actual ground distance between the same two points. Most decent maps will show a line scale or ruler, which is a straight line indicating units of measure and its equivalent distance on land.

It is important to understand that map distance does not take into consideration any vertical changes on land and must be considered a flat distance. Therefore, the distance covered on land will increase as you proceed and should be taken into consideration when route planning and navigating. Study a few maps and calculate distances using the scale until you understand it. This is another vital skill needed to navigate accurately in any environment.

Map legend

The purpose of using a map is to visualise an area of the earth’s surface and features within that area. Most decent maps have a legend that explains the symbols found on the map. The mapmaker uses these symbols to represent natural and manmade features. A series of colours are used on most commonly found maps, such as blue depicting water and green representing areas of vegetation. By making use of accurate terrain association you can effectively navigate even without a compass. A decent map is the most important tool in your navigation kit.

74 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

r lines Understanding contou

Contour lines

Contour lines are the most common method of showing relief and elevation on a topographic map. A contour line represents an imaginary line on the ground and runs along a constant altitude. The start point for the vertical measurement of elevation is mean sea level. This is the point halfway between high and low tide. Elevation of any point on earth is its vertical distance above or below mean sea level, and is depicted by contour lines on topographic and some other types of maps.

The vertical distance between contour lines on a topographic map never changes. The contour interval will be noted on the map and is important to understand if you are to navigate effectively. Most 1:50 000 topographic maps in South Africa have a contour interval of 20m. It does not represent the actual distance between the contour lines and only shows the elevation change. This is just one example and maps differ, so you will need to find this information on the map you will be using. With this information you can easily determine what the terrain will be like in the area you are going to move through.

The further apart the contour lines the flatter the land, and the closer they are the steeper it gets. Touching contour lines represent a vertical drop, but contour lines can never cross.

On standard topographic maps every fifth contour line is more prominent. These are known as index contour lines and are numbered, at some point, to show its elevation.

Before calculating elevation of any point on a map you will need to know the contour interval. Determine if you are gaining or losing elevation by finding the nearest index contour line and then count the lines from your position to the index. Multiply this number with the contour interval and add or subtract from the elevation of the index used.

Contour lines have many other uses that will be learnt through experience, such as determining the shape of the terrain.

It is important to understand and apply the basic skills mentioned, which will lay the foundation for learning more advanced techniques and improving your map reading and navigation skills. Further reading and practise will refine these skills and allow you to safely start exploring more of the amazing wilderness areas found in South Africa. In the next issue we will look at basic compass and GPS skills and how to combine them with map reading. Until then, happy trails and be safe! •

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inH2O:

Words by Deon Breytenbach Photos by DO IT NOW & REAL Adventures Team

Caring for your I've recently been on a few kloofing (canyoning) trips, but on the last two occasions I noticed that almost half of both groups I was with, 30 Americans aged between 19 and 23, had pre-existing joint issues.

There was one student that had severely sprained her knee while playing soccer with some school children in Chile. Not wanting to go to a Chilean hospital, she rested it for two days and 'walked it off'. By the time she returned home, it didn’t bother her as much as before so she left it. A year later she dislocated it by doing a 10m jump into a deep pool of water, and could feel her knee jump up as she hit the water.

It's stories like these that make me realise, once again, how important joints are and how badly we actually look after them. If your joints aren’t happy, in that they are swollen, painful, stiff or have been damaged, listen to them and give them the necessary TLC. This entails going to the doctor, resting and having a good recovery programme that you actually follow. If you don't treat your joints with enough respect from the start, small injuries can lead to larger problems at a later stage.

But what I really want to focus on in this article is looking after your spine, which I suppose is like a whole bunch of little joints stacked on top of each other. To get a full lifetime’s worry free service out of your spine, you need to take care of it.

Paddling, especially white water paddling, can put a lot of strain on your spine, but with a couple of basic principles you should be 100s.

Stretching is at the top of the list, especially your hamstrings, but I covered this topic earlier in the year. So the next thing to look at is the balance between your stomach and back muscles, as they share a lot of the work load. If one is a lot stronger than the other it can lead to either the over arching of your lower spine or the straightening of your lower back's arch. This then places the vertebra into a slightly unnatural angle and causes unnatural wear on the vertebra, which means you might be in need of some servicing in the years to come. Therefore, when exercising it is imperative that you work both muscle groups as equally as possible, and there are a number of things you can do on the river.

When paddling in general, where there are no drops or waterfalls, make sure you always have a slightly aggressive body posture; sit up straight, tilt slightly forward from your hips and avoid hunching your shoulders.

If you back deck roll then ensure that you have warmed up first and your back rest is set up so that it can still move enough to keep on supporting your back no matter how far you lean backwards. If you are planting strokes behind your hips in the water, rotate your whole torso to avoid over rotating against your spine (engaging your torso was covered in the previous issue). Keep your shoulders and paddle shaft parallel to each other and rotate from the hips.

76 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Now when we start paddling drops and waterfalls a couple of things become super important. Staying in an aggressive body position is essential, but landing from any height when you are sitting ramrod straight or leaning backwards is looking for trouble. This is due to the impact of landing being focused on compressing your whole spine. Alternatively, if you are leaning back it can be even worse because your back will get pushed rather forcefully over an edge, like your back band or the back part of your cockpit rim, thus focusing the impact on a small part of your spine and this could lead to the slipping or pinching of the discs in your spine. For any drop, boof and pretty much any impact that you can see coming and prepare for, tense all your muscles in whatever position you are in just before impact and take it.

Boofing drops are fun, but because the aim of a boof is to land flat you need to make certain that you are in an aggressive body posture before hitting the bottom. When landing, the more aerated the water the softer the landing will be, but this still means you need to tilt your body slightly forward. The bigger the boof, or the harder the landing, the more your body must be tilted forward over the cockpit to reduce the impact on your spine. Remember to hide your face in your leading arm to avoid smashing your nose on the cockpit rim.

For any serious drops, anything that's four metres or higher, you will want to get a bit of a downward angle on your kayak so that you don’t land flat. If it is a big waterfall paddle over the edge, spot your landing, delay tucking forward to avoid over rotation and then tuck forward as if setting up for a CTC or sweep roll. This position will not only protect your back, it keeps your shoulders safe, helps to ensure you don’t eat your paddle on impact and you are ready to roll in case you surface upside down. The more drops you paddle, the more comfortable you will become with the basics and then you can start to fine-tune your waterfall skills. But I will get into that in another issue.

So to recap on caring for your spine; stretch, exercise the main muscle groups as equally as possible, focus on your posture (no slouching) so that your body is tilted slightly forward from the hips, and when in doubt or in trouble, tuck forward, tense up and go for it! •

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Paddler Dewet Michau, pic by REAL Adventures Team. A good body position for boofing a tough little drop.

i

More great articles on paddling by Deon:

❱❱ Stretch it to get it April/May Vol 2 Issue 2 2012 ❱❱ Preventing Paddling Shoulder Injuries June/July Vol 2 Issue 3 2012 ❱❱ National Freestyle Kayaking Competition Feb/Mar Vol 2 Issue 1 2012 If you are interested in reading these articles on paddling, buy the digital back-issue copies from www.mysubs.co.za/DO-IT-NOW. Paddler Gareth O’Reilly, pic by Do It Now. Good form from Gareth with good posture and setup for the coming boof stroke.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 77

inGEAR:

Words by Hannele Steyn, former Absa Cape Epic winner Photos supplied by Makadas Overland Challenge

The Triple Challenge Q: What does a girl do to get more of the same adrenaline fix after her ninth Epic?

A:

She accidently enters three of the longest mountain bike races that are one week apart, the first only three weeks after the Epic, and all three as a solo rider!

Being extremely ADHD, I enthusiastically entered the three races as they appeared in my inbox and only took notice of the closing date for entries. Imagine my surprise (horror) when I realised that I had entered the 285km Makadas Overland Challenge, then the 240km Trans Karoo race and last up was the 36One MTB Challenge, the first just three weeks after the Epic and they were all one week apart! But I have done the Freedom Challenge, a few Ironmen triathlons, the MTB World Cup, the Namibia Desert Dash and a few stage races - so bring it on ‌ I thought!

78 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Makadas Overland Challenge (285km) This challenge starts and finishes in the small town of Montagu, and the organisers, Mitzi, Louis and the rest of the crew, did an amazing job of making you feel incredibly welcome and special. The race started at 08h00 the following morning and although it was supposed to be by navigation, the route was so well marked and maps so accurate that I could just give myself to the enjoyment of the ride. All the water points were well stocked with savoury and sweet goodies to eat, and thirst-quenching liquids. Being a nutritionist, I have to give you some race eating tips, which I did J in the my Clever Nutrition for Mega Long Races article on page 84. But enough about eating, let me get back to the race.

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www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 79

The route was not an easy one, but that is why we do it, and the scenery is also simply breathtaking. The first 40km stretch was fairly straight forward and a little undulating as I headed out of Montagu. I found the first water point at the foot of a major rocky climb just as you enter the San Bona Nature Reserve, and this is where the real fun and stunning scenery starts. After many ups and downs and 140km still to go, I reached the Anysberg Nature Reserve, which I remembered as one of the stops from the Freedom Challenge. From here I traversed the Ou Wapad Pass, which led to the next water point, my lights and warm clothes. With the sun beginning to set, the temperature had dropped and I realised that the actual race was only starting now. My bum was sore, it was getting dark, it had started to rain and I still had another 80km to go. But the good news was that 40km from here was an uphill and then a glorious 30km downhill and flat section to the finish. I finally arrived in Montagu cold and wet, but happy with my time of 13:40.

One event down and two to go. The plan was two days of rest and the next three just spinning the legs in preparation for the Trans Karoo.

Aspen Trans Karoo (245km; from 550-1450m above sea level)

In the cover of darkness I left Ceres for Eselsfontein and the start of this race. Armoured against the cold and with a good, balanced breakfast of Passion4Wholeness muesli to sustain myself, I was as ready as I was ever going to be.

Amongst the 220 riders at the start of the race was Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the CEO from Aspen, Mr Stephen Saad, who was the main sponsor of the race.

Minister Motsoaledi was participating in this gruelling race as part of an ambitious project to raise funds for underprivileged children who don't have access to quality healthcare services in the country. He was only supposed to ride for a few kilometres, but was enjoying himself so much that it took more than 15km to get him to stop J.

80 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Setting off from Eselsfontein the route took us via the Swaarmoed Pass (hectic!) to the first water point at 39km. From here it was quite an undulating and testing stretch, but absolutely beautiful as you ride through the Tankwa Karoo National Park, with the Roggeveld plateau in front, the Cedar Mountains to the one side and the Roggeveld Mountains hugging your back. Riding through the vastness of the Karoo is like food for the soul, especially if you are a solo rider with only yourself to talk to (sometimes somewhat boring, but I started quite a few companies during this time J). A surprise awaited us at around the 190km mark; the Ouberg Pass climb. This climb is a 10-15km rocky, zigzag climb with gradients of 14-27% at times. It's the never ender! Reaching the top, I was going to stock up on some food, get my lights and warm clothes for the last 40km, as it was getting cold and the sun was setting.

To my horror, they told me that the seconds missed the water point and there was only a few snacks, no lights and no warm clothing! I grabbed some popcorn, crisps and a muffin (against all my nutrition no-nos) and headed off at the speed of lightning to try and outride the darkness. I managed to get a fleece top from a spectator next to the road and could already feel the hunger setting in. The race organiser had told us it was more or less downhill, which it was. But unfortunately for us it was less downhill and more climbing. By this time the sun had started to set over the Karoo and you tend to forget how much you are hurting because the beauty absolutely envelopes you. Just after that thought though, the reality of the 'beauty' of total darkness made me push through the pain that was starting to take over my body. My eyes were straining to see and I was just focussing on how I was going to appreciate a hot bath at the end. Finally I saw the lights of the 'big' town of Sutherland and the flashing light from a traffic cop at the start of the 2km tar stretch to the golf club. The mind is a powerful thing because all of a sudden there was no more pain and it even felt if I could 'see clearly now that the dark was gone'. I even had a sense of humour and told my own joke to myself: "Pain is just a weakness leaving your body, so I was only detoxing when I felt the pain."

Icy cold and tired I crossed the finish line first in the Ladies Solo category in a time of 11:32.44.

Two down and one to go. I spent the next two days resting and did three days of spinning before leaving for Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo, and my biggest solo challenge yet. 

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www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 81

36One MTB Challenge (361km)

The 36One race is 361km long, you have 36,1 hours to finish in and it's sponsored by 36One! It starts at 21h00 on Friday night and you have until Sunday morning, 09h01 to be precise, to cross the finish line!

It was bitterly cold when I arrived at the Kleinplasie Caravan Park, but the welcome was warm and accompanied by hot coffee, fresh roosterkoek and boerewors. The organiser, Carel Herholdt of Dryland Events, really went out of his way to make everything perfect and had even phoned me the week before to make sure the food they were going to serve would be what the riders wanted, as well as nutritional. My suggestions of real, hot food, sweet things for fast energy, protein and fat rich foods, coffee, hot chocolate and flavoured milk were delivered plus much, much more!

With a prayer from Carel and the crack of the gun lighting up the night sky momentarily, we set off. The first 60km of tar road took us towards the Cango Caves, via Oudemuragie Guest Farm, and the first stop at Dysselsdorp. I arrived here at around 24h00 and after a steamy cup of soup, hot chocolate and a sandwich (there were frikkadels also on offer), I was back in the seat and heading towards Daskam. At this hour I would normally be fast asleep, but here I was riding in just 3°C and all by my lonesome self. To keep awake I started to sing, my repertoire even included some gospel songs, sometimes out of fear, but mostly because I actually felt so blessed for having the opportunity to do this! The tranquillity and full moon were food for my soul once again.

One of the things I really liked about this race is that every time a rider had to make a turn or was about to make a wrong turn during the night, there was a marshal with a flash light to warn you. After the marshals there were still more arrows with reflector lights on, so you just couldn't go wrong! How wow is that?

82 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

The route then took us through a place called Zebra, via Mount Hope, to the next big checkpoint at Volmoed Guest Farm, where you could shower, go to a real toilet, have a swim (in a chilly 8°C) or take a nap. You could also order hot coffee, lasagne and sandwiches with your choice of savoury or sweet filling. I arrived at around 06h00 and had some of my own muesli, like a good nutritionist should.

Back on the road I switched off my lights and enjoyed the most amazing sunrise over the Klein Karoo. Next up was Bankhoogte and then the feared Rooiberg Pass that goes on foreverrrrrr! Once at the top, I flew down towards Calitzdorp and arrived more or less in time for lunch; a delicious braai of Ostrich kebabs and fresh roosterkoek. I planned this sooo well; “Steyn … Hannele Steyn … James Bond, eat your heart out, as well as Horatio.”

At this point I knew it was not far to go … things become so relative on these long distance races because since when did the last 100km seem 'not so far' after 260 odd kilometres? I was hurting, but at least it had warmed up and a few more water points awaited me at Grootfontein, Kruisrivier and Langlaagte, the ninth (yip, nine fully stocked water stations), and then the last stop before Oudtshoorn.

Thumbs up to the organisers for knowing what a rider needs after 350km - and that's a flat tar road to the finish!

Thank you people.

I rode into Oudtshoorn with a feeling of pure joy and finished first in the women's solo race in a time of 19:43.24, of which 17:30.00 was riding time. The more than two hours of stoppage time can be put down to the quality of the water points and goodies on offer, because I normally stop, grab and go. This time I stopped, grabbed, grabbed some more and then slowly went.

All three races done and another box ticked.

So what's next? My 10th Epic next year and then my big dream of the Tour d’Afrique in 2014. •

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inGEAR:

Words by Hannele Steyn | www.passion4wholeness.co.za

Race day

Clever umetgaritlonigoran n ces for In the ever-changing world of competitive cycling, where the racing format has evolved from marathons to 24-hour loop races and stage races to loooong races like the Trans Baviaans, and most are done in teams, it has evolved once more. A new fad has emerged; the mega long race where you can choose to enter as a team, relay or solo and the distances have become even longer, namely the 36One, 285km Makadas, 340km Desert Dash and the 340km Trans Karoo.

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When it comes to race nutrition, there is loads of information available on energy and power foods and drinks on the internet and in magazines, and more and more companies are bringing out specialised race foods. Even the water points at events are laden with energy drinks, energy bars, sweets, cakes and race meals that are based on this hype.

But as the race format changes, so too are the nutritional needs of the cyclists. What we were told about nutrition is changing and we are now going back to 'real' food and not only energy 'bombs'. With this new found knowledge, people are starting to embrace healthier and better ways of boosting their energy levels. This was first started at the Epic, where a new precedent was set of serving 'real' food that contained enough protein and vegetables to meet the nutritional needs of the cyclist, as opposed to just pastas.

It makes sense that our body needs more if we are in the saddle for longer than 5 hours, and up to 24 and more hours in some instances. And logic dictates that the body requires different food groups after a certain time of burning energy. So if you believe the theory, 'don't do something that your body is not used to during a race', why then are sportsmen and women stuffing themselves with energy drinks and bars during a race? Surely our body is expecting 'food' at say 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. because that is what it's used to getting EVERYday? An energy bar is fine, but not five energy bars, three gels, a high glycemic energy drink, a muffin at the water table and 'fat free' jelly babies.

Companies like PVM and Hammer have set a trend of creating energy foods that are rapidly closing the gap between foods that are high in sugar and 'real' food, and other companies are starting to follow. PVM is also promoting balanced eating and good old fashioned 'rys, vleis en aartappels'; the food of a nation that was far healthier than the one we have today that eats all the quick fixes.

At the recent 36One MTB Challenge, Makadas and sani2c races, competitors received wholesome cooked food, like soup, sosaties and roosterkoek, at the water stations. I suggest to all my clients to pack a nutritious sandwich that is filled with fine biltong and cottage cheese or anything else they like, as long as it contains a protein as well. Of course, I also tell (or force) them to eat my own homemade Passion4Wholeness muesli for breakfast. I understand that

some people have a problem eating solids during a race, but there are a number of alternatives and you just need to get creative. One such option is mash potatoes mixed with cottage cheese (as a protein), which you can stash in a ziplock bag.

If you really can't eat during a race, then use a weak, diluted meal replacement drink (my suggestion: PVM Fusion) in conjunction with your energy drink, as you still need to cater for fast energy needs. You can also use flavoured milk (Fair Cape's coffee is the best) and it is also recommended as the best recovery drink because it contains protein, carbohydrates and fat; the perfect energy sources for your body in long races. Remember, your body is burning more fat than glycogen most of the time if you ride at a slower pace in these mega distance races. Don’t eat too much protein because you still need to be able to pedal your bike and too much protein will upset your tummy, as will too much refined carbohydrates. My suggestion is to read up on the subject or consult a fundi who can plan your race nutrition for you. If you do your own planning then include real food at the times when your body would have had it on a normal day. But, be inventive and logical about how easy or difficult it will be to eat and digest. Instead of packing a lunch box with a leg of lamb, potatoes and cabbage, rather go for potatoes with a cottage cheese filling or Bovril, or a sandwich with peanut butter and honey, Bovril or cottage cheese; anything that is easy to eat.

If you train everyday and use energy products on your ride, do a little calculation on how much sugar you are putting into your body and you will actually get a scare of how 'healthy' we sports people really are.

Everything I have said are my thoughts and findings on nutrition, using myself as a guinea pig and with science as my basis. But I practise what I preach and have found that I am definitely feeling and riding stronger by focussing on balanced food rather than just fast acting, sugar laden eats.•

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 85

inGEAR:

Words by Zygmund Brodalka Photographs by various contributors

n w o t e Hom

N w o d w sho s l a n o i t a N X at M Round three of the Full Throttle MX Nationals commenced on 23 April on the sandy Melkbosstrand 4x4 Race Track in Cape Town, and was hosted by the Cape Town Motocross Club (CTMX). This type of circuit meant that the wheels had turned and it was

the coastal riders' chance to shine, as the last two rounds held at Sun City and Bloemfontein were on hard-packed terrain; what most inland riders are used too riding on, giving them an advantage over the coastal riders. The challenge was on and the inclement weather added to what promised to be a day of electrifying and very different racing.

As this track is mostly sandy it becomes very rutted really quickly, and rain does not help matters. On the positive side though, it soaks up most of the water and compacts the otherwise loose sand. So with a perfectly prepared and dust-free track that met international standards, the stage was set for the more than 150 riders that had entered; the biggest field of the three events so far. Boys from all over, even as far as Botswana, came to play and with Ross Branch and Datagan Lobjoit joining the fray in the MX1 and MX2 classes, the bar had been substantially raised!

Saturday morning started with a short prayer and a rendition of the SA national anthem before Hilton Harper, COC, took control of the race meeting. Just then the heavens opened and a shower of blessings rained down. This however did not deter the 2000 spectators from coming to see a showdown between SA's best MX racers and the mood was one of excitement and anticipation as the first riders were called to the starting grid. KFM was also there and it was great to see big names supporting this event, and confirms that this sport is indeed growing in popularity and stature.

86 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

There were no surprises in the Junior 50cc class, sponsored by Maps Racing, when race favourite 9-year-old Justin Sangster led from the start in both heats to comfortably finish in first overall. This win places him 28 points ahead of his nearest rival, Camden McClellan from Johannesburg, who launched an attack in heat two, but could not keep up. In the words of MX Coach Dean Hoffman, “My predictions were correct. The coastal riders were prepared and have proven that they can beat the best in South Africa.” The MX Nationals has been great preparation for Justin who left for Europe in June to race in the Junior World Championship.

Also putting on a great performance and giving the other youngsters a good run for their money in the 50cc Support class, sponsored by Mega Doors, was Dutch girl Puck Klaasen, who finished in first place overall.

Start of MX2 which saw Kerim Fitz-Gerald #1 and his borther Darrel #122 meeting each other with a crash in the holeshot corner

In the 65cc class, sponsored by KTM Cape Town and Oset Bikes SA, Slade Smith won both heats with ease, and in second place was Grant Hutton. In a major upset, Justin Sangster beat SA's number two and secured a third overall for the day.

The 85cc small wheels, the class that doesn't know how to close the throttle, was an all East Coast affair, with Beven Potgieter, Keegan Hickson Mahoney and Seth van den Abeele from the Rover Club in PE respectively taking first, second and third places on the podium.

In the Pro Mini class, sponsored by Penny Pinchers and prize money from Intertherm, Tristan Purdon proved why he is top of the points standing by dominating the race to claim a win, with Dirco van der Westhuizen in second and Jason Visser in third overall for the day. CTMX's rider Matt van Galen also had a great day and showed his worth by securing a fourth overall.

I must add that none of the Cape Town riders held back and gave it their all.

The Pelotrain sponsored 125cc High School class came down to a tight battle between Justin Mittens from the East Coast and Pietermaritzburg youngster Reid Sinnicks. Justin

took the standings overall, but not without Reid giving him a hard time. Making a return after having to sit out of the BORC round due to a broken foot was Dylan Stokes from the west side. He put up a brilliant fight to clinch third overall, but as it’s only halfway through the session, anything can happen.

The MX2 class, sponsored by Cecil Penny Racing and prize money from Contiki Tours and Full Throttle, was packed with 36 riders. As they lined up at the starting gate, the hair on my back of my neck stood up - the big boys had come out to play! But it was Anthony Raynard's day and he dominated throughout to win both Moto's, much to the delight of his home crowd. You could see the joy on his face as he flew past the chequered flag.

Altitude plays a big role in the performance of these machines, and on home ground and at sea level it couldn't have gone better for Anthony and he is now only eight points behind SA Champion Kerim Fitz-Gerald. The picture was not so rosy for Kerim, who crashed at the start of the race in the first corner. South Africa's number two, Richard van der Westhuizen, remained consistent to the end and finished second overall for the day. It's this kind of consistency that has resulted in Richie becoming a nine-times SA Champion.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 87

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Dylan Stokes from CTMX missed out in Bloem due to a broken foot 2. Anthony Raynard #23 lining up at the gates 3. Tristan Purdon leader in the Pro Mini class 4. Slade Smith in the 85cc class ending up 7th overall for the day 5. Chris Visser #44 in the MX2 class gets it all wrong in the corner, but gets away without a scratch.

In the MX1 class, sponsored by Muffin Mate and prize money from G2, it was Sacha Naude who not only won the second Moto, but was also kind enough to loan his spare bike to Michael Kok when he couldn't get his KTM sorted out. Great sportsmanship Sascha! On his heels was Richie van der Westhuizen in second and Anthony Raynard once again dazzled to secure a third place overall for the day. It was Cape Town’s favourite rider, Dewald van der Berg, who achieved a spectacular and respectable fifth place overall.

The MX 3 class, aka the Veterans and Masters class, saw Wayne Smith take top honours, and what is even more commendable is that he has won every single class throughout the years. This win was no easy feat as it went down to a spectacular showdown between himself, Ian Topliss and Roger-Dean Bergstrom; three of the best-known names in this class. Our own West Coast rider Terence Monk proved that he still has what it takes and achieved third overall. Terence has been an amazing influence on the youngsters through the years with his teachings on the sport.

88 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Once again it had been another awesome day of racing and a big applause to the organisers, WOMZA and CTMX, as well as Full Throttle, Portable Shade, Honda and all the other sponsors that helped make this event such a resounding success.

Until the next time, keep those throttles finned. •

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Read the Full Throttle MX Nationals Round 1 & 2 article online, by buying your copy of the DO IT NOW Magazine April/May issue from www.mysubs.co.za

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inGEAR:

Words by Brannigan Achadinha | www.scooter101.com Photos by DO IT NOW

Have you ever seen a scooter with really cool mods and wished you could do that to yours? I mean, how difficult or expensive can it be. A little spray job here, a cut here and file down there ... pfft! If only.

90 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

What it entails is a lot of time, tons of skill and a heap of moola! ‘Trick parts’ don’t come cheap, that I can tell you.

Most parts have to be imported, unless you are lucky enough to have a granny that lives in the States and can ship them over to you. Trick levers, clutch covers and anodised forks can be made locally, but if you want them made well it’s probably going to cost you just as much to import them. There are some great local places you can go to for modifications that involve pipes, engine upgrades, upholstery and spray jobs. However, the quality is not quite the same because the international scoots are completely rebuilt with insane modifications we could only dream of. 

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 91

When it comes to buying one that can be pimped, I think the best scoots to modify are the Yamaha BWS100 (B-wizz) and PGO PMX Naked (a motorcycle without fairings is called a naked). The B-wizz is a good one because of its easy-to-remove panels, motocross look, short-wheel base and there’s tons of extras available locally. The PGO is another fun scoot to modify; its motocross triple-clamps can be easily swopped with MX bars, panels are simple to remove and the side-facing air filter can be replaced with a foam filter. Now add some 2-stroke pipes, which are cheap, and you’ll really enhance the overall look, sound and performance of these scooters. While you can do some of the mods yourself, such as bar changing and filters, I would recommend that you visit a pro for any engine

In terms of dos and don'ts, it all depends on what you want to use your scooter for. If it's racing, you can only mod your scooter to the rules, but if it's for personal use then you can go ape.

However, you never wanna over do it!

mods.

Despite the amazing spray jobs and various modifications that can be done to the BWS and PGOs, we are nowhere near the international standard! And sadly, there is no shop in this country where we can send our little two-wheeled friends to, to be converted from granny-transporting scooters into look-at-me-I’m-freakin’-awesome scooters.

Your only options of getting your scoot into showroom condition are to either import the parts yourself or find them on the net. Thereafter, you can then get the parts expertly fitted and working at either PRD Performance, Malossi or MOC Racing.

With limited options on where to pimp your scoot, I’ve spent a lot of time online looking for already hopped-up scooters and every time one catches my eye it’s the Honda Rucus! This hot scooter has been quite popular in the States for a while now, and the types available range from a rat-rod type to an extremely beautiful copper-style Rucus.

You will be amazed at the attention to detail spent on each of these scoots; from the license plate holder and bolts on every nut, to the colour coding of the seat, to shock springs, grips and levers. The entire floor board has also been re-welded around an aluminum fuel tank and not only does it look good, it serves to hide every cable in the frame.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Rucus is destined for South African shores anytime now or in the future, thus leaving us with the options I mentioned earlier.

If you have any scooter related questions, you are welcome to contact me on facebook or twitter. •

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If your scoot is your pride and joy and you want to show it off, then post a picture on our facebook page (Scooter101), tweet me on Brannigan 101, join our facebook group or go to our website www.scooter101.com so that we can all enjoy all your hard work. To check out some of the fastest scooters in South Africa, come join us at the next Scooter101 races, which are held on 25 August at Vereeniging Kart Circuit; 9 September at Holeshot Raceway (parking lot race); and 20 October at the Kyalami Kart Track for the finals.

inGEAR:

Words by Morne Labuschagne Photos by DO IT NOW

le Moegat ersary 10th Anniv 4x4 Challenge Moegatle 4x4 recently celebrated its 10th birthday and to commemorate this special occasion a 4x4 Challenge was held in May this year. Moegatle's birthday wish was to give back to the Lethlabile community, which it has been involved with over the last decade by introducing various projects and initiatives that are the brain child of Kallie Kruger, from EFS Suspension Africa. This was done by asking participants to also donate blankets or old clothes, which they generously did.

94 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Moegatle is situated in the Northern Province, on the Brits to Thabazimbi Road, and is a 4x4 haven. It's ranked as one of South Africa's most difficult 4x4 tracks and is home to the infamous 'Koos se Klim', as well as many other tricky obstacles. With an emphasis on challenging obstacles and being an avid 4x4 enthusiast myself, I was looking forward to being a part of this 4x4 event for various reasons. As I have been to Moegatle before, I've seen how this terrain has bruised the egos of numerous seasoned 4x4 drivers and I anticipated that this event would be no different perhaps more so.

Chris and I arrived at Moegatle Farm, the starting point of the 4x4 Challenge, on the Friday night. Amongst the group already there was Len Nel, from ONCA 4x4 Fitment Center, an experienced and highly-respected driver in the 4x4 community. He regaled us with the most incredible stories about his previous experiences on this course and the teeth-clenching, eye-popping obstacles - which anyone in their right mind wouldn't attempt - and soon had us all salivating and eager to prove our manhood.

Kallie Kruger, the organiser, then went through the driver and navigator briefing, and what the day held in store 15 testing obstacles. In addition to the first three overall winners receiving sizeable cash prizes, there was also a treasure hunt and obstacle prizes up for grabs - the ante had just been upped! With a tough day ahead, it was time to get some shut eye. However, Johan Swart from Innibos Fitment Center, had other ideas and the night had only just begun for him. I later heard that he has quite a sense of humor, even at 2.30 a.m. when he almost managed to tow the base camp's caravan away with its sleeping occupants ... don't ask :)

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The morning of the challenge was chilly, especially if one's choice of accommodation (in winter) consists of a tent and sleeping bag. Fortunately, a warm shower - with ample warm water for everyone - helped to thaw out frozen body parts and we happily headed off to the registration table, where the banter was already in full flow about the vehicles, tactics and what to watch out for. There was a tangible excitement in the air and a feeling of camaraderie that is hard to beat, and for anyone who loves the outdoors and 4x4s, life just doesn't get better than this.

Starting at 7 a.m., the first challenge took place in camp; the adrenalin-pumping adventure had begun. The Blind Fold test saw blind-folded drivers being instructed and directed by their navigator, who was outside of the vehicle, to drive to a pole where the driver had to place a cup upside down on it. This exercise was repeated four times and then the driver had to stop the vehicle in front of a barricade without hitting it. The route to the next obstacle meandered through the farm and along the way participants were treated to sightings of game including impala, blesbok, bushbuck, warthog, blue wildebeest, guinea fowl and more. It's a birding paradise too, but unfortunately there was no time for that.

With the niceties over, it was back to business as the vehicles faced obstacle two, which was more of an icebreaker. It was a small axle twister up a slight incline. This obstacle, and all the others, saw teams either opting to get out and walk the obstacle to plan their approach and lines, or go for the good old-fashioned method of simply 'putting foot', as was successfully demonstrated by the gent in a 1984 Nissan Safari pickup.

There were four really difficult obstacles that offered a 'man of muis' option. But with the testosterone in overdrive, no one was going to back down and take the 'sissy' route. As a result, there were many interesting situations and teams were seen to be frantically strategising how they were going to get through, with their egos and expensive vehicles still intact. To give you an example of what the drivers faced, there was this one beast that had a very steep incline and for approximately 90% of the climb only three wheels touched the ground at any one point. I can tell you that these obstacles were no picnic and I was actually quite surprised to learn that only one unfortunate Fortuner owner rolled his vehicle (without too much damage).

98 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

As the day drew to a close we ended off with the promised treasure hunt, which was tremendous fun. Using a GPS, teams also had to interact with the locals to find the clues hidden in and around the town of Lethlabile - it looked like a scene straight out of Amazing Race. The townsfolk were fantastic in their role here, and they must be some of the friendliest and most helpful people that I have come across.

Prize-giving and a delicious potjie concluded the day's proceedings and what an enjoyable day it had been not only for the participants, but for their families and friends too. I can't wait to find out what Moegatle has planned for its 11th celebration!

About Moegatle

Moegatle is owned and run by Alex Fullard, an extremely passionate 4x4 enthusiast, who is always keen to give advice and even help out with the odd recovery. He initially bought the farm as premises for his leather business, but his plans changed when he was diagnosed with partial blindness and told that he could lose his sight completely.

With a zest for all things outdoors, especially 4x4, he decided that it was time to start enjoying his life to the full and so the 4x4 track was born.

The self-drive track is approximately 21km long, with the first 3km running through a very difficult riverbed. Thereafter one has to attempt to overcome obstacles at 'Koos se Klim'.

A briefing is held prior to going out, at which time drivers are given the coordinates and different route options; for the intermediate and more experienced 4X4 enthusiast.

Moegatle is an extremely enjoyable outing for anyone with a passion for adventure and nature. It's only a one-and-a-half hour's drive from Johannesburg and an hour from Pretoria, and I would recommend it to all 4x4 owners! •

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For more information on Moegatle visit www.moegatle4x4trails.co.za/wmenu.php. Also have a look at the action videos on the DO IT NOW’s Off-road category page, www.doitnow.co.za/offroad

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100 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

// in THE HOLE: Over the Top * Must-play Courses - Lost City Golf Course // inNATURE: WANTED! Birds * Woodcliffe Cave Trails - the ultimate eco experience * Old Faithful Travels to Messum Crater - Part 1 // inCREDIBLE PLACES: Cinque Terre - five lands to love // inFOCUS: SHOOT! An Extreme Trail Run - mastering remote flash * inFOCUS Competition // inVOLVED: Green in Africa // inDULGE: Recipe: Spring Lamb Stew // inSURE: The Importance of a Will // inREVIEW: Husqvarna Returns to SA * Finding your Perfect Companion - Mitsubishi, Isuzu & Harley-Davidson * Cool Stuff for Your Golf Bag // inTERTAINMENT: Music, Movie & Game Reviews

PHOTOGRAPH: Zoon Cronje | www.facebook.com/zoon.cronje DESCRIPTION: King of the African Jungle

Lifestyle

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in THE HOLE:

Words by Michael Scholz, The 40 Year-Old Rookie

Over the top

I am still conside red a long hitter of the golf ball … At least that’s what I keep telling myself . Regard less of my current self-op inion of my suprem e strengt h, back in the ‘90s this then slender 78kg body used to S-M-A- S-H the golf ball as hard as possibl e and even feature d on the podium of the Remax Long Drive tournam ents.

I attribu ted this to timing, desire and an attitud e that a golf ball should be treated with as little respect as possibl e! The equipm ent was ill fitted to say the least!

The development of decent non-wooden wood heads was barely a decade in the making and hindsight will tell you that the manufacturers were a mile from their objective with regards to materials and design. Bigger, lighter, faster … FORE! Moving forward to current day, aeronautical engineers, who used to design space crafts and airliners that could drop out of the sky due to Mrs. Jones taking a call at 30 000 feet on her cell phone, now earn their wage designing golf clubs that stay in the air longer after being flung by their respective owners. Aerodynamics perfected.

In saying that, irons have pretty much stayed in the ‘iron age’, with not too much going on in the ‘materials’ department.

I still hit the old irons the same way that I hit the latest, greatest ones. Even steel shaft technology seems to have

104 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

been caught in a little time warp, because after spending time on the latest version of an ultra-sophisticated simulator device called the Flightscope (originally developed by the ‘old’ South African military to measure the muzzle velocity of armour-piece projectiles fired from Olifant tanks, rattels, noddies and G5s), the verdict was that 30-year-old True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts were the best for my dodgy swing.

So, back to the techno age with drivers! Formula 1 racing has nothing on golf. Titanium, carbon, graphite, composite, ceramic, schmamic! All these materials rule the tee boxes of golf courses around the world! Even Miyazaki has created a shaft that weighs 35 grams! That’s lighter than two paper serviettes!

The verdict is simple … Golfers who used to spend their full medical aid allowance on replacing their fillings after a tee shot that wasn’t hit in the middle of a piece of wood with four brass screws turned into the face, now battle other worries: • Having to chip it to the green, as opposed to smashing another shot with a tool better fitted to be a coffee table because it gained 100 metres off the tee shot.

• Having to visit the chiro for spinal treatment because the clubs are so light that a slipped disc from excessive swing speed is now a common occurrence.

• The household budget gets a proper knock! With the ever-evolving trend of golf club technology, one is tempted to buy the latest club every year to avoid the risk of being left behind (in both distance and status).

• Divorce. After under cutting the true purchase price of the latest weapon, as used by Bubba Watson, to crush his drives 330, the missus finds the real price on the internet.

Instant visit to Gundelfinger, with immediate grounds to ‘take the lot’.

• More liability due to houses, cars and household pets being hit by stray 300 metre drives. A ball struck with an old driver barely made a dent on the bonnet of a BMW, and Fifi (the pet Chihuahua) used to wag her tail when taking a direct hit from a Titleist at point blank range.

Golf balls are also being manufactured to go ‘orbital’. An example of this is when I played in the Swazi Open in the mid ‘90s and was regarded as one of the longer hitters on the Sunshine Tour. I used to hit a driver and then an 8 iron into the 4th hole; the hardest hole on the course. A decade later, and most certainly not maintaining my ‘gorilla status’ of being a long hitter, the hole was a pushover, with nothing more than a short wedge to the green. With Titleist hosting over a hundred patents to keep their Pro V1x protected, it’s no shock that technology is MASSIVE intellectual property with golf ball manufacturers.

With all of that being said, it’s amazing that equipment has gone down to a scratch handicap, but golfers’ handicaps have hung around the same mark, with the average South African golfer still being a 17 handicap. This might be due to the fact that they are merely hitting it further into the poo than before! Technology, science and skill all taken into account, I still maintain that the hole is too small!

Till the next issue, keep up the habit. •

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i

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Watch SuperGolf every Wednesday night at 19h30 on SuperSport 1 (channel 201) for Mike’s new feature slot with Dave Usendorff, Golf 101 with Dave and Mike, or visit www.40yearoldrookie.co.za for a different look at the game of golf!

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 105

in THE HOLE:

Words by Francois Flamengo Photos by DO IT NOW

Must-play Golf Courses

Lost City Golf Course

Arriving early on Sunday morning, there was an air of excitement as we made our way to the Lost City Golf Course in time for our 9 a.m. tee off. As we approached the first tee box the entire course lay before us and what a beautiful sight it was; lush green fairways providing dramatic contrast to the bushveld backdrop and barren waste bunkers - all special features of this intriguing course.

The 9th and 18th holes beckoned just to the right of us and the massive water hazard protecting them would be something we would want to try and avoid later. Looking around, it was easy to see that no effort had been spared to make this course interesting and adventurous to play. And this was never more true than playing the par 3 signature 13th hole; protected by live crocodiles - and not just one either - players are discouraged from retrieving their Titleist Pro V1 if they haven't quite made this hazard - go figure! If that is not enough, the course also offers one of the most spectacular backgrounds imaginable, that of The Palace of the Lost City, which you can pretty much see from anywhere and adds yet another unique mystique to the course.

Although the two nines have similarities, I found them to have their own distinct personalities. The first nine was welcoming and easy going, with its wide open fairways that lay close to each other, and getting into the groove was easy. This was not the case for the back nine, which were more difficult and unforgiving. I was left with the feeling of being lost and alone in the wild, as the fairways were well protected by the trees and it was a case of smash and pray.

The greens were consistent and what you would expect from a Gary Player course. However, putting was more testing with some slopes proving quite tricky, but overall I enjoyed the experience.

106 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

The set up of the tee boxes was very interesting and created different challenges - go big or play more conservative percentage golf - when attacking each hole. For a more experienced player, I am sure the latter would deliver a much better nett result on their overall score, as many of the tiger lines looked easy but turned out to be a perfect trap to get you into trouble. The result; you're down another pack of golf balls when you happen to stray from the fairways and life becomes difficult. Many of the holes are played from elevated tee boxes and test a player's accuracy abilities, as you have to clear many gnarly obstacles to safely reach the fairway, but the scenery was well worth the challenge.

I've heard that Lost City is one of Gary Player's favourite courses - and I can fully understand why. It's definitely one of the most enjoyable courses that I have played on, it has an element of fun whilst still offering a good challenge, and it constantly reminds you that you are in Africa.

When we walked off the 18th, the view of the players relaxing at the 19th hole (the clubhouse) and enjoying cocktails was the perfect end to a perfect round. The clubhouse overlooks the course and from the comfort of your chair and a cold one in hand, you can retrace your steps and remember some of the good, bad and ugly strokes played during the round. What I also liked about playing here is that golf carts come standard with your round of golf, and you have a choice of a few meals that can be ordered at the start of the 9th. And to top it off, while you are chilling out at the 19th, your clubs are cleaned and packed back into your golf bag by the friendly staff!

Lost City is a royal treatment for any golfer and comes highly recommended. •

inNATURE:

Words & Photos by Wynand Rohde

Wanted! Birds If you are looking for an inexpensive hobby that takes you outdoors, is convenient, relaxing and entertaining, then birdwatching (of the feathered kind) is definitely something you should consider.

As the fastest growing activity practised by nature lovers all over the world, birdwatching, or birding, can be done in the backyard, local park or on holiday. And it’s so easy to get started! All you need is a good pair of binoculars, a field guide, and later a quality camera, and there’s no better place to start than in your very own backyard. Before you know it, you will find yourself immersed in your own private bird reality show as you discover the pecking order, who is dominant, selfish, nurturing or a bully. You’ll also start to recognise individual personalities and where they like to hang out, for example on the grass, in the trees or around flowers. Binoculars will help you to get a closer look at the distinctive markings of the birds and the field guide will assist in identifying your new-found feathered friends.

Now when it comes to what binoculars you should purchase, they come in different shapes and sizes, and bearing numbers. These numbers might be intimidating to some people, so let me explain them first. You will find, for example, an 8 x 40 binoculars. The 8 means the magnifying strength of the binoculars and the 40 is the diameter of the front lens. The rule is to divide the biggest number by the smallest number to get the eye relief factor. Eye relief is how comfortable your eyes are when looking through the binoculars; there should be no strain to your eyes. So in my example, the answer is 5 and what this means is that 5 is the best eye relief you can get from these binoculars. The smallest number is the strength of the binoculars, for example 7, 8 or 10. My dad for example uses an 8 x 35 and my wife a 7 x 35 because that is what their eyes are comfortable with. Now be careful not to go for one that is too strong, as many people experience motion sickness. However, if you want stronger binoculars then there’s the telescope option, but this will make enjoying your hobby more expensive.

When selecting a field guide, or bird book, once again there are various great books on the shelves to choose from. I don’t favour any specific one because you’ll find a range of guides, including Sasol, Newman’s and Roberts, in my house. But, whichever one you go for, always be on the lookout for the latest edition, so that it incorporates any changes in bird names. These guides will contain a map, as well as a short description of the bird, its breeding and feeding habits and if it is a migrant species or resident. You may also find the electronic versions very useful. I use the Sasol eBirds of Southern Africa App on my phone. You also get versions for PC’s and Tablets, but check the compatibility first before you buy.

Birding is a quiet and relaxing activity, so armed with your binocs and field guide, find a concealed spot, sit quietly and let the drama unfold as you observe the number of different birds visiting your garden. Once the birds get used to your presence, they will move closer to you. Remember not to get all excited and make any sudden moves or sounds in your excitement when spotting that rare species, as this will flush the bird.

Whitebellied sunbird

108 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Crowned lapwings, Cape bulbul and southern red bishop

Once you have spotted a bird, it’s time to identify it. Firstly look at the size, then its head and more specifically the shape of its bill; is it short or long, thick or thin, straight or curved. Notice the distinctive colouring of the feathers, then move to the tail and its characteristics. Watch the bird’s behaviour and notice the habitat, as it teaches you a lot about the bird. Listen to the sounds and try to recognise them by their twitter or calls. Keep a list of what birds you have spotted and when. What you may have thought was a local bird, may in fact be found all over the world. Learn their Latin names and sound like a pro when they roll of your tongue in front of your friends. Using all of this information, now refer to your field guide to make a positive ID. Any decent field guide will have a helpful guide on how to identify birds in the first few pages.

The types of birds you can generally expect in your garden will depend on where you live in South Africa and what type of flowers you have in your garden. Some of the more colourful birds could be bulbuls, wagtails, bishops and sunbirds. Birds choose a habitat based on dietary and climate preferences, or because they hatched in a certain area. Other critical factors in a bird’s habitat selection are where they are most successful in terms of reproduction and survival. The house sparrow, for example, is found throughout South Africa; the lilac-breasted roller is a common resident in savannah areas (thorn tree areas and the more northern parts of our country), while the kelp gull is found along our country’s coastlines.

During winter, most birds become dull in colour and some migrate to other parts of the world to seek warmer climes. So what you will mostly see throughout South Africa at this time of year is house sparrows, southern masked-weavers and Cape robin-chats, to mention a few. Remember that the distribution maps in all the books are not rigid; humans keep on changing the environment, thus changing the environment for the birds. A good example of this is Marievale, on the East Rand, and a place that I have

regularly visited over the past 10 years. I have noticed that the bird numbers are decreasing and that certain birds have moved away due to mine pollution on one end and water levels on the other. This proves that birds use a habitat were they will be most successful in their survival.

Birding can be very social and uplifting, and joining a bird society or club is a great way to meet kindred spirits, exchange information and spend time outdoors instead of in front of the television. Many of these clubs also form strong parties when it comes to environmental issues and help preserve nature. Other great reasons to love birding are: it’s a great outdoor exercise, entertaining and more importantly, it’s a carbon-free hobby.

With so many good reasons to start up this new hobby, be warned though that it can become very addictive!

Don’t miss my next article where I will discuss some awesome birding spots in South Africa. Until the next time, enjoy your garden and surrounding areas! •

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Go to www.birdlife.org.za for a list of bird clubs in your area.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 109

inNATURE:

Words by Marie von Bargen Photos by Eddie von Bargen

e f f i l c Wood s l i a r Cave T The ultimate eco experience

On the slopes of the southern Drakensberg near Maclear, where the valleys and waterways cut and gouge their way to the sea, is what many describe as the ultimate 'eco' experience. This eco experience can be found at Woodcliffe, a 1000ha cattle farm offering a number of day hikes that start and finish at the farm. For the fit and adventurous hiker there are trails that can be walked in a variety of combinations that last from one to five days.

Although the five-day hike is not an easy trail and certainly not recommended for beginners, it traverses an area of spectacular scenery and the utter remoteness gives the hiker a truly off-the-beaten-track experience.

Intrigued and eager to find out more about this hiking haven, a group of eight enthusiastic hikers from Durban, ranging in age from 16 to 67, decided to take on the five-day hike.

Day one

We left Durban at 07h30 and took the scenic route to the Eastern Cape, though Matatiele and Maclear, arriving at Woodcliffe Farm at 14h00. Despite the afternoon turning cold and awfully windy, we were warmly welcomed by our host, Phyll Sephton, who has lived on this farm for more than 20 years. Phyll briefed us on the self guided five-day hike and an hour later we were off, armed with a map. Thomas, the Rhodesian Ridgeback from the farm next door, decided to hike with us and ran up ahead, looking back every so often to make sure we were still on the right route. Following a steep jeep track that appeared to reach far into the horizon, we reached Toks Cave, our home for the night, two-and-ahalf hours later. This cave is rated as one of the best caves in South Africa to overnight in and has four rooms built into it, with a gorgeous waterfall cascading over the entrance.

There is also a ‘long drop’ toilet that offers the best views in town! We chose our spot for the night, laid out our sleeping bags and enjoyed a braai, while watching the sun disappear into the valleys below. After a few rounds of card games and a shot or two of whiskey I headed off to bed, but discovered that Thomas had beaten me to it and was neatly curled up on my sleeping bag. The temperature had dropped quite drastically and he was not going to budge!

Day Two

We woke up to a wet, cloudy and windy day, and today's route would take us back to the farm and up another valley before returning to the same cave to overnight in.

After breakfast we set out at 08h45, with just our food rations and water in a day pack. We arrived at the farm at 10h00 and were rewarded with some hot coffee and rusks – indeed a luxury type of hiking and unlike the hikes we normally do! We delivered Thomas safely back to his owner,

although he was terribly reluctant to leave us behind. An hour later we were back on the road following the 'yellow' route markers. We soon realised that we'd missed some and had to turn back. This was the start of four consecutive days of hunting for blobs of paint, some low on the ground covered by grass, some on fence poles and some way up in the mountain far ahead. It became a treasure hunt of a different kind and we often had to scrutinise the map and study all the contours and rivers to find our bearings! By 13h00 we had done some serious climbing on all fours, having ascended 100m. We stopped at the Redcliffe pool on top of the mountain, savouring the fantastic views of the beautiful scenery below us and our lunch. The wind had been relentless from the start of the day, tugging and pulling us in all directions and making it very difficult to hike.

After lunch we were (once again) unable to find the elusive yellow markers and prizes were offered as an incentive to the first person who spotted the next marker. We eventually arrived at the cave at 17h30 after completing 16.7 kilometres in just over seven hours. With a choice of a cold bath in the river or a cold shower in the waterfall, we then had supper in front of a roaring fire and were in our sleeping bags by 20h00.

Day Three

We had been warned that this would be the most strenuous day, so we were up by 06h00. We left the cave carrying all our gear and climbed up a steep track that led to the base of the mountain. From here we started the ascent at 10h00 and the hills became steeper and steeper, every step a huge effort. Even the thought of where to place my next step took energy!

At 11h45 we took a break to celebrate reaching 2105m! We had started at 1500m. Just before the summit we had to scramble on all fours as there was a sheer drop below us.

This was no time to panic or lose heart, we had to keep going. Several people in the group – including myself – suffer from a fear of heights, and a heavy backpack tugged in every direction by the wind did not make it any easier. The final scramble to the top took us two hours and at 2500m it was an unbelievable feeling to be up so high. The high altitude brought along with it some very low temperatures, the wind almost cutting through us, so we donned our snow gear. It was too cold to stop for lunch so we pressed on towards our accommodation for the night. It was a long walk to the hut, but thankfully all flat. Upon reaching the hut we had completed 14.7km, it was bitterly cold and everyone was dog-tired. We had dinner and were in our sleeping bags by 19h00, with layer upon layer of clothing to keep warm.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 111

Day Four

Day Five

We were up again at 06h00 and sat outside to soak up the early morning sun over breakfast. A quick wash in the freezing cold river and we off by 08h00. My backpack was now starting to feel like part of my anatomy (LOL!).

After crossing a river, we followed a cattle path that took us up another exceptionally high mountain. Emerging from the thick grass we were horribly disappointed to find yet another mountain, with another horizon beyond that!

Summiting Everest could not be worse! At the top I looked back at the hut we had stayed in and it was a mere speck in the distance.

It had been a restless night, the floor boards hard and unforgiving, and everyone was packed and ready to do the final leg of this five-day hike by 07h45. We followed the road for about two kilometres before going up a hill and resumed our treasure hunt for the red boulders one last time. At the top we stopped to soak up the majestic mountains all around us and reflect on the incredible journey we had completed. Suddenly it seemed surreal that we had actually achieved our goals and that no one in our party had been injured, despite the high risk factor - this is no easy hike!

Following a familiar track, the one we had started out on, we walked towards the verandah where Phyll was waiting with hot coffee and fresh cup cakes to welcome us back.

What a welcome treat!

A few kilometres further we came across another sheer drop, except this time it indicated our descent! Known as Sephton’s Pass it resembles the crazy S-bends of the famous Sani Pass in Lesotho, just much worse. It was incredibly steep and treacherous, with loose soil and stones, and it took us two hours to reach the bottom. We took a breather beside a small pool before continuing on a road that became a footpath, with no red markers in sight.

According to the GPS we only had another 2.5km to go to our overnight destination. Every step took enormous effort and my legs and feet were burning from the long day’s hike. As we rounded another corner, we caught sight of the cottage ... on top of another hill. We soldiered on to the cottage, dumped all our gear and headed straight to the pool for a swim in the below freezing water. After an early dinner everyone crashed for the night!

112 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Overall it had been a magnificent hike, with many highs and lows. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who is keen on a challenge, BUT be warned - it is not for the faint-hearted! •

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Messum Crater

Old Faithful travels to

Part 1 of 2

time, as we anticipated that it would The Messum Crater had been on our bucket list for some . Namibia is also blessed with many be one of those unique landscapes one always reads about to be disappointed. We happened to contrasting landscapes, so we knew we were not going decided there and then that this would receive an invitation to a wedding in Swakopmund and ia and this famous landmark. be an ideal opportunity to visit the western part of Namib After the wedding we travelled from Swakopmund on the C34 through the Dorob National Park. The road has a good gravel surface, with the traditional salt covering the initial stages out of Swakopmund, and as it had rained the previous day, mist shrouded the now gray road. Passing Henties Bay we enjoyed discovering the most fascinating names that described the history of the area, inscribed on various road signs and on the front of homes. Names like Wlotzkasbaken and Jakkalsputz created great debate as to their possible origins. We stopped at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, the largest breeding colony of these seals on the planet. During November and December you will find up to 210 000 seals here, fighting, mating, reproducing and fishing. The southern Africa coastline is also the only place in the world where you can find the Cape fur seal, as they are commonly known. Unfortunately, the many dead seals are testimony of the hyenas and jackals that hunt on

Messum Crater

114 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

this easy prey; however the total numbers are constant as this is a protected area. Before we left the barking, smelly seals, we visited the stone cross that was erected in honour of Diego CĂŁo, a Portuguese explorer and one of the most notable navigators of the Age of Discovery who made two voyages sailing along the west coast of Africa to Namibia in the 1480s.

We continued north to Mile 108, to find that the one and only petrol pump was installed in a small sink hut, which was most unusual for us city dwellers who are used to a forecourt at a filling station. Just north of Mile 108 we turned inland on the D2303. After about 15km we turned and followed the dry riverbed of the Messum River until we reached the D2342, which led us to the spectacular Brandberg Mountain. We followed the dry Messum River for some 30km and were intrigued with the stark landscape. The walls of this river

have been carved into spectacular formations as a result of eons of erosion, and the few springbuck and oryx we saw were very wild and unapproachable. With the help of our Tracks for Africa map we were able to find our way around the area, as there were many vehicles tracks heading in different directions. We came across a very descriptive sign that some lonely soul had erected in the middle of nowhere and it was clear that they were either lost or had tried to communicate with future travellers.

As we arrived at the Messum Crater, I was filled with amazement at the barrenness yet beauty of the area.

This famous crater is in the Goboboseb Mountains and belongs to one of the now inactive volcanoes of the Entendeka period; some 130 million years ago. It is a wide flat basin that is 25km in diameter and its splendor lies in its utter desolation and breathtaking views. What I found particularly fascinating was the tender, yet very strong and delicate lichen fields, the welwitschia mirabilis and many other species of desert plants that have adapted to survive in the desert terrain.

The lichens grow in great diversity on the west facing slopes and surfaces where they are able to draw moisture from the sea fog. Lichens are a combination of algae and fungi, so technically they are not true plants, and it is the fungus that forms the body, called the thalluss. Some of the intricately branched Namib lichens almost resemble corals, whilst others look like dried leaves. Lichens grow very slowly and it is estimated that some of these fields are hundreds or even thousands of years old. Yet when they are disturbed they die. The welwitschia plants are considered a living fossil and have been described as the 'strangest plant on the planet' and 'unlike any known plant on earth'.

To us this plant was beguiling and each one looked like a different piece of art. You get a male and female plant and the largest welwitschia, nicknamed 'the big welwitschia', stands 1.4m tall and is over 4m in diameter.

As there are no formal campsites around the crater it was clear to see that fellow travellers camped where they pleased for the night, as there were signs of camping activity all around. What was especially pleasing to see though, was that the area was free of litter. The big moment had arrived and upon peering into the crater I experienced an 'on the moon' feeling, and this experience alone was well worth the effort of driving all the way here. But the experience did not stop there; the silence, majestic views, amazing rock formations and most beautiful plants made this trip an amazing and totally unforgettable one.

In awe we headed towards the Rhino Ugab Campsite, which is situated next to the scenic Ugab River and where we would spend the night. Following the D2342 to the D2303, we passed the old Brandberg West Mine on our way to the campsite. The camp staff was friendly and their helpfulness enabled us to secure a site quickly, and before long we were unwinding under a huge tree.

The next morning we went in search of the Valley of Desolation, where we would find the Gai-Ais fountain and hopefully some animals, before embarking on the second half of our adventure. So far, our travels had taken us through many varied and harsh landscapes and thanks to Old Faithful, our trusty Cruiser, it had remained sure footed and we had not experienced any serious mishaps.

One thing I have learnt during my travels is that to have an exceptional experience, all one needs is a wonderful travelling companion and a trusty 'steed' - of which we thankfully have both.

Until the next issue, safe travels.•

Welwitschia mirabilis

Messum Crater

Cape Cross seals

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 115

inCREDIBLE PLACES:

Words by Steven Yates Photos by Steven & Laura Yates

Manrola

116 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Cinque

Terre five lands to love

Italy is known for many things, from ancient relics to leading fashions, from beautifully crafted foods to delectable wines, but until recently Italy’s Riviera was not known for its five lands – the Cinque Terre. Arriving in the beautiful Riomaggiore for a week of tranquil country life was like a breath of new life and a treat to undiscovered splendour.

Insuring your freedom to play!

Travelling by train from La Spezia, Laura and I arrived at the tiny train station servicing Riomaggiore. We trekked our bags up and down the steep stairs and slopes of the mountainside village until our map guided us into a thin alley that led to our four story apartment overlooking the aqua marine majesty of the Mediterranean. Don’t be misled by the description of the apartment into thinking it grand, rather it was a stack of four, twelve square metre rooms dropped directly on top of one another, with the top room having a 180˚ view of the coast. It was wonderful! No sooner had we dropped our bags, we set off for the market to stock the little kitchen.

For those of you who have experienced the markets of France and Italy you will know that there are none better, and Riomaggiore did not disappoint. The food is probably what we are going to be talking about for the rest of our lives. The Cinque Terre region is actually where pesto originated – so obviously there was plenty of that to go around. We added some local wine, freshly baked rolls, a wedge of full flavoured pecorino, pepper dews stuffed with tuna and stuffed olives wrapped in anchovy fillets … YUM. Next we attacked the fruit stands with vigour, picking up some magic apricots, fresh figs and a punnet of cherries the size of golf balls.

The last two stops were to get some home-made ravioli and finally some walnut tart for dessert.

The afternoon was spent enjoying our bounty and sitting in the sun, with the occasional dip in the sea.

Riomaggiore does not have a beach, but rather a harbour made of massive blocks of marble cut from the local mountains and deposited into the ocean with abandon, providing a shining white bay where the rays of the setting sun sparkle against the sought-after rock.

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The next couple of days where spent hiking the 18 kilometres between the villages along the cliffside paths and wandering up into the terraced vineyards. The walks were scenic beyond imagination as we went from rock paths along the water’s edge up into the mountains where cultivated terraces were interspersed with natural forest, all lush and green, with hints of colour provided by wild lemons and creeping bougainvilleas. The afternoons were spent sitting at nearby trattorias, a cocktail in hand, watching the locals going about their daily business, which consisted mainly of sitting in animated groups gossiping.

We also managed to fit in a dive, which was lovely – more so to be underwater than because it was particularly spectacular. The visibility was good however, until the very inexperienced Dive Master and American tourists kicked up all the silt. The ground covering was pretty nondescript, mainly moss-like covered rocks. There were however, some unbelievable sights that made the dive very memorable. The site was in a protected marine reserve so there is no fishing allowed. This meant that we saw a nest (or whatever the collective noun for crayfish is) of crayfish – probably 15 of them in one place, and all of a good size.

I have never seen more than 2 together so this was great.

The eels and soft corals Laura found where brilliant and finding them was like finding a brilliant red rose poking through a desolate field of snow … very dramatic. Then just at the end of the dive we saw a fish called a cougar, which has the head of a fish, with the relevant fins, but its tail was about a metre long and shaped like an eel’s.

Lastly there is also a type of soft coral that grows in the area, which is actually part of the octopus family. It is tiny, has little suckers to catch food and recoils at your touch.

After three days we moved from our little house to an apartment in the town of Vernazza. Vernazza was quite different from Riomaggiore in that it had a small beach surrounded by a massive, flat piazza rather than the steep slopes leading to the marble harbour. This made for a much more festive environment and the highlight of our second day there was when a local Italian spontaneously jumped to his feet during lunch and began to sing along with the village musicians, who were playing their brass instruments and accordion. We feasted on panzerotti in walnut sauce and experimented with the different flavours of Gelato every day. The most weird and wonderful flavours where Cinnamon, Vernazza Crème and Chilli Chocolate.

What a gastronomic explosion.

Dinners were, of course, a major highlight and the local specialty was seafood. We had two incredible seafood dinners, one each in Riomaggiore and Vernazza, which consisted of stuffed mussels and anchovy fillets prepared in a number of different ways, as well as octopus salad, smoked swordfish, mussel and cuttlefish pasta, calamari … and the list goes on. Then there was deep fried spaghetti and, of course, a few bottles of the local Cinque Terre wine.

All in all, Italy’s best kept secret provides for a wonderful world. • 118 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Montorosso

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• The Cinque Terre is a collection of five towns nestled along the coast of the Italian Riviera.

The towns, from east to west – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are connected by terraced paths that run along the coastal cliffs.

• The Cinque Terre was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

• The coastal path connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola is called the Via dell'Amore (Love Walk).

• Access to the Cinque Terre is easiest by train, from either Genoa (west of Monterosso) or La Spezia (east of Riomaggiore), as cars are not permitted in the majority of the towns.

• The only town not on the sea is Corniglia, which sits on top of a cliff and is accessible by 368 stairs from the coastal walk.

• The two most renowned drinks from the region are the Cinque Terre wine, produced by the cooperative using Bosco, Albarola and Vermentino; and Limoncello, a sweet lemon liqueur.

UniqUe AviAtion experiencreeAste!

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Experience Antelope Park, the Zimbabwe Ruins, Elephant Rides and White River Rafting.

4. mozAmbiqUe fishinG trip The coastlines of Mozambique offer some of the most spectacular fishing in the world. Combine your fishing trip with spa treatments in breathtaking resorts.

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7. hUntinG in tAnzAniA The top destination for big game hunting is calling you to explore the Africa of your wildest dreams with a professional hunter. The fusion of man and nature is an unforgettable experience – why miss it? enjoY the experience, While We tAke cAre of All YoUr chArter fliGhts, AccommodAtion And Activities.

contAct detAils: Stephanie Engelbrecht 074 190 2157 info@aviationjunction.net www.aviationjunction.net www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 119

inFOCUS:

Words & Photos by Jacques Marais

Photographic

Chronicles

SHOOT! An Extreme Trail Run

120 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Mastering Remote Flash Oorlogskloof Trail Run, an extreme mountain marathon in the QUANTUM Country Classics Series, proved the perfect arena in which to experiment with off-camera flash lighting.

Lots of people trek to Nieuwoudtville during spring to revel in its seasonal floral abandon, but few realise this dorp on the edge of the Knersvlakte escarpment is way more than just another bloom town. The uninitiated are missing out on an outdoor paradise, where a gobsmacking range of botanical rarities, unlimited breathing space and the full gamut of outdoor adventure options await the fresh air crowd.

The striking landscape makes for eye-popping photos, and one way to maximise the impact of your images is to utilise wireless flash. This allows you to capture dramatic photographs, with side- or back-lighting adding an additional dimension to your imagery. Wireless transceivers (the Pocket Wizard Series is probably the best known brand) work best, as infra-red options are generally line-of-sight and with a limited range.

So pack your camera bag, but do not forget your boots, bike, climbing gear and trail shoes. A generous dollop of adventurous spirit won’t go amiss either, especially if you’re in the area at the end of May. This is when endurance athletes tackle the 42km ultra trail run along the five-day Oorlogskloof Route and it offers great action photography opportunities.

Image 1: The Light Fantastic The Action: Running amongst ancient quiver trees on the Gannabos Road is as close to an out-of-body experience you will get on any given starlit night.

The Shot: A low shooting angle, fish-eye lens and slow shutter speed combine natural light with off-camera flash, thus delivering this sumptuous shot.

The Technique: Expose for the sky and stop down by one stop to punch the sky colours; one flash provides backlighting behind the tree, while the other fills in the athlete from an angle.

The Specifications: 8 sec @ f5.6; Nikon D800 + 16mm f2.8 fisheye; ISO 250; WB Setting (Shadow); 2x Remote SB-900 units; AE Setting (-1); Distortion corrected in Adobe Lightroom.

More Information: www.nieuwoudtville.co.za

Image 2: Run. Forest. Run.

Image 3: In Full Fynbos Flight

The Action: Negotiate the caverns, cliff edges and fynbos plains of the Oorlogskloof Trail Run, and you’ll reach one of the most gorgeous patches of indigenous montane woodland in SA.

The Action: Caitlin Lewis looks fresh after 38km on the Oorlogskloof Trail. This five-day hiking route offers sleepovers in tents along the way, and is achievable by any relatively fit walker.

The Shot: My NIKON D800 is the most incredible shooting machine you can get. Great ergonomics and bomb-proof construction means I can run with the athletes to get insider shots.

The Shot: Full sunlight does not mean you should pack away your flash. Midday light causes harsh shadows, but a burst of fill-in flash effectively balances out high contrast areas.

The Technique: Two NIKON SB-900 flashes, connected to Pocket Wizard TT5 transceivers, are used to provide surround lighting. An orange filter on the one flash warms up the scene.

The Technique: I again used two NIKON SB-900 flashes with my Pocket Wizards. To balance natural and artificial light, I stopped down by one stop via Exposure Compensation.

The Specifications: 1/30th sec @ f4.5; Nikon D800 + 16mm f2.8 fish-eye; ISO 100; WB Setting (Auto); 2x Remote SB-900 units; AE Setting (-1); Distortion correction in Lightroom.

The Specifications: 1/250th sec @ f11; Nikon D800 + 28-300mm zoom; ISO 1.0; WB Setting (Sunlight); 2x Remote SB-900 units; AE Setting (-1); No post-processing.

More Information: www.northerncape.org.za

More Information: www.nikon.co.za

122 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 123

Image 4: Extraterrestrial Tripping The Action: The landscape surrounding Nieuwoudtville (and especially in Oorlogskloof) may just as well be on a different planet, with weird rock strata, deep caverns and endless vistas.

The Shot: Break the rules by shooting against the sun, or in this case the sun as well as an SB-900 flash. A low angle eliminates everything but foreground and sky for more drama.

The Technique: With most of the light coming from dead ahead, the second SB-900 was set to full power to punch up some detail on the athlete and in the foreground.

The Specifications: 1/4000th sec @ f8; Nikon D800 with 24120mm f3.5 zoom; ISO – 1.0; WB Setting: Auto; AE Setting (-1); 2x SB-900s; Shadow detail recovered in Adobe Lightroom.

More Information: www.jacquesmarais.co.za

124 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 125

inFOCUS

Reader Photo Competition

WIN R500!

Winner Photographer: Adele Cloete Photograph: Thunder Strike Camera Type: Canon 550D

Camera Settings: 18-55mm lens used, 200 ISO Place: Rustenburg Game Lodge Category: Lifestyle

Competition Information Stand a chance to WIN R500 by entering DO IT NOW’s inFOCUS competition, which features in every issue of the magazine. Simply email your best image - anything adventure, sport or lifestyle related - to competitions@doitnow.co.za because to win it, you've got to be in it! Good luck and we can't wait to see the world through your eyes!

When emailing your images to us please include the following information: • Name of photographer • Camera settings • Which category you are submitting • Name of photograph • Place where the photograph was your photo under - Adventure, • Camera type taken Sport or Lifestyle

Competition Rules (1) The closing date for this competition is 25 August 2012 and the winning photo will be featured and credited in the next issue of DO IT NOW. (2) The image entered must include the information requested above and any entry received without this information will not be considered. Digitally manipulated images are not accepted. (3) Only amateur photographers may enter. (4) Email your 1-3mb compressed .jpg image to competitions@doitnow.co.za (5) There is a maximum of one entry per person, per issue. (6) The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. (7) Please note that your images may be published in the DO IT NOW magazine and on the DO IT NOW website. (8) By entering the competition, you agree to abide by these rules.

(9) Winners will not be eligible to enter again in the next issue.

126 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Miniscule Detail Monumental Images Broadcast Quality Video

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EXPERIENCE: Accredited Merrell, Land Rover and Red Bull photographer; covers global extreme sport events; focus on Sport, Adventure Travel; African Culture; Documentaries; Environment and People. Interesting projects required.

AWARDS: Global finalist in Red Bull ILLUME International (2008); Silver & Gold Awards SONY PROFOTO (2010).

CLIENT PORTFOLIO: JM Media shoots, writes or coordinates media projects and events for clients as diverse as Nike, Land Rover, Capestorm, Salomon, Hi-Tec, Cape Union Mart, Red Bull, Maserati, Wilderness Safaris & Tourvest.

NO EGO: Buzz me now on (083) 444 5369 or on the details below for a quote on your next event or project. Do it now.

083/444-5369 • jacques@jacquesmarais.co.za • www.jacquesmarais.co.za

Salomon Athlete Christiaan Greyling shot during the QUANTUM Adventures Oorlogskloof Trail Run

I AM NIKON

inVOLVED:

Words by Melissa Andrews Photos by Christopher List

Green in Africa When I first quit my job and decided to embark on a freelance writing career, my friends thought I was mad. When I decided to take a 150cc LML (a Vespa made in India) throughout South Africa on a 7500km carbon-neutral scooter safari, named Green in Africa, to document South Africa's natural beauty and inspiring environmental conservation projects, they still thought I was mad (though perhaps I could now be called maddened with purpose).

Luckily, as a photographer, my husband is used to crazy missions and was easily convinced.

So while I mulled over the fact that I’d become an adventurer, I started looking for a cause. And yes, it’s become beyond clichéd to say that I wanted to make a difference, but there it is. After a permaculture design course in South Africa, followed by another one in Palestine, we’d already started spouting words like organic, water harvesting, green roofs and earthships, much to the annoyance of our friends and family who were still stuck imagining alien spaceships that closely resemble our very own planet.

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Earthships are houses made out of natural building materials that are often completely self-sufficient and off-the-grid, and permaculture is really just a common-sense approach to living in a sustainable manner.

It wasn’t hard to find Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), a fantastic social enterprise that’s all about putting back more than we (as humans) take out, creating food gardens for school kids and low-income communities, planting trees and teaching people to become self-sufficient with permaculture methods. Our mission was clear. A 7500km, six-month epic journey through all corners of South Africa exploring, photographing and documenting South Africa's natural beauty, the inspiring environmental projects that aim to conserve this and replenish what's been lost, and sharing our discoveries with the rest of the world.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 129

After a test drive to the Cederberg, the first stop on our journey to see all things good and green was Macassar High School, in Somerset West, where we’d be doing the first of over 60 project assessments for FTFA. Macassar High School is situated in a township in the Helderberg region, where unemployment, poverty and drug abuse is rife. In stark contrast to the socioeconomic challenges students have to face, Macassar is at the epicentre of some of South Africa’s most incredible beauty and biodiversity, including the Macassar dune system, Moddergat River, Macassar beach estuary and the majestic Helderberg Mountain Range that overlooks the valley. We met up with Mr Jusuf Abrahams, the school’s principal, to see how his food garden was doing.

Mr Abraham’s passion for the school and community comes across instantly. In Afrikaans they call it 'skool bedonerd', he tells me. In fact, it was due to his enthusiasm that the food garden began two years ago, with the idea of providing school kids with hot soup every day. Today, the school produces organic beans, turnips, leeks, onions, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, tomatoes and cucumber, to name a few. Any excess produce is sold to teachers and the community, and is also donated to other feeding schemes. “We use the proceeds to buy new seed packets and plants, and that’s how we carry on,” he tells me. Seeing the effort already put into the garden and the success of the early feeding scheme, Peninsula Feeding Scheme offered to provide Macassar High pupils with a hot meal every day. “It’s amazing how people want to get involved when they see the garden,” says Mr Abrahams. “Getting funding becomes much easier if people see that you can help yourself.”

It was after Mr Abrahams attended a workshop at the Marvin Park Primary School in October last year that Food & Trees for Africa became involved, initially with the donation of two trees, and later, donating R15 000 towards the development of the garden. The money has been used

130 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

to extend the garden and Mr Abrahams hopes that FTFA will allocate the rest for a drip irrigation system, which helps save water. He also needs a shredder that can be used to shred readily-available biomass for compost.

Mr Abrahams and the gardener, Henry Langenhoven (nicknamed ‘Oom Boy’ by the kids) are so devoted to the garden that they spend weekends and school holidays working in it. The school’s Eco Club, consisting of about 35 learners, also plays an active role, assisting with maintenance, soil preparation and planting. “I want to teach our pupils how to create their own gardens one day,” Mr Abrahams says, explaining that this is part of his long-term goal to inspire and train the entire community to grow their own fresh food. By supplying plants to nearby households and offering free advice and assistance, he hopes that more and more people will start their own gardens.

An ex-Geography teacher, Mr Abrahams has been involved in eco projects for the last 20 years and proudly wears a badge that says Eco-champ. In fact, Macassar High School is part of the Eco Schools programme, which helps schools reduce their carbon footprint. Through offering life skills training, hiking expeditions, gardening courses and workshops, the school helps create awareness about conservation, saving rare and endangered plants and the importance of recycling. Macassar High School is also home to an indigenous garden, formed nearly four years ago with the help of the students and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the donor of the first native plants. The garden is not only thriving, but has expanded dramatically.

As we walked through it, Mr Abraham’s love for the project is infectious, sweeping up everyone in its wake. “We’ve got people coming by in bakkies to drop off plants,” he says.

“But I won’t plant anything unless it’s indigenous.” Even the gardener, Henry, has taken ownership of the project, creating two flourishing gardens of his own using cuttings and seeds from the existing indigenous plants. “Teaching is not only about learning A, B, C and 1, 2, 3, it’s about instilling

inDULGE:

Words by Neil Ross, Executive Chef

Serves 4

Spring Lamb Stew values and morals as well. The lifestyle and environment of these kids is not great, so I want the school to be their haven,” Mr Abrahams says. “Ultimately, I want to cultivate respect for plants and animals, so that students appreciate what God has given us.”

Part of Mr Abrahams’ future goals include the building of a nursery to propagate plants and seedlings. He also hopes to create a profitable business from selling vegetables from the food garden, as well from the sale of indigenous plants. Walking with him back to his office, Mr Abrahams opens up a tin containing the food garden’s income, saved up over the last eight months. Coins and notes spill out on his desk, amounting to roughly R1 000.

It’s inspiring projects like this that motivate us to travel throughout South Africa, come rain, wind or shine. We hope to raise awareness of the wonderful work that FTFA is doing to support similar projects, and through our trip, encourage people to travel and live sustainably. •

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Green in Africa is sponsored by BikeZone, Overboard, EvoSat, Scoot Cafe, Deep Design, the Natural Way, Wintec Solutions, Adventure Inc, Ads4Trees, the Green Expo, Tracks 4 Africa, Shoprite and LML, among others.

Follow Melissa and Christopher's journey on www.eco-friendly-africa-travel.com, www.facebook.com/EcoFriendlyAfricaTravel or www.twitter.com/greeninafrica

Embrace spring with this delicious lamb stew that will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients: 450g neck of lamb, cut into 5 or 6 pieces 600g shoulder of lamb, cut into 5 or 6 pieces Salt and pepper 5 tablespoons (80g) butter 4 carrots, peeled and cut into thick sticks 12 baby onions, peeled Bouquet garni, made with 2 stalks of celery, 1 sprig thyme and a 1/4 bay leaf, tied together 1 tablespoon (10g) flour 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine 3 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped 500g new baby potatoes, peeled Method: 1. Generously salt and pepper the lamb.

2. Melt the butter in a large, high-sided frying pan or stew pot. When it starts to foam, add the meat and brown, turning frequently over a high heat.

3. Add the carrots, onions and bouquet garni, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes to brown the vegetables, then stir in the flour, wine and tomatoes.

4. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly, then immediately lower the heat, cover the pot and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Add the potatoes, cover and cook for 30 minutes more, stirring from time to time.

6. Season with salt and pepper when the potatoes are done.

7. Serve immediately either in the pot the lamb was cooked in or on a serving dish.

Bon appétit!

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 131

inSURE: Words by Peter Fairbanks

DO IT NOW FINANCIAL TIMES AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2012

The Importance of a Will Did you know that approximately 86% of South Africans haven't made any plans for their death? For some reason setting up our Last Will and Testament makes us think about our own mortality, and so we tend to put it off. All too often though, this is only attended to when we know that we are about to die from a life threatening disease, for example.

If you don't have a Will in place when you pass away, you die 'intestate'. What then happens is the courts take over and create a 'Will' on your behalf, according to the laws of the country, and divide the assets between the spouse and children. While all this is happening, funds for your burial and loved one's day-to-day expenses can be frozen for months by the court if your bank and brokerage accounts are in your name only. Apart from the time-consuming hassle and inconvenience you are going to put your loved one's through, dying without a Will could also result in costing the Estate thousands in unnecessary expenses. And this is in addition to the standard Estate administration costs; up to 3.5% (plus VAT) of the total value of assets in the Estate.

132 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Something else to be aware of is 'slapping' together a Will, and I'll give you a true-life example of why you shouldn't.

Monty and Muriel got married and drew up their own Will in their study and appointed each other as Executors of their Estates. The marriage turned sour and Monty and Muriel divorced. Monty later remarried and had a child with his new wife, Magda. Sadly, Monty passed away shortly afterwards.

Mary, as the Executor of the Will, turned down Magda’s claim against the Estate for monies to help support and raise the child. In this example, Magda eventually received her dues, but only after a very prolonged and painful battle.

Now here's another scenario (a parent's worst nightmare).

John and Mary drafted their own Will and made their best friend Executor of their Estates. Not long after the birth of their second child, John, Mary and their best friend were on their way home one Saturday night from a rugby test match when they were tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident.

Their two children, aged six months and two years old, were left in the care of no one, as the last time John and Mary had revised their Will was prior to the birth of their children and as such, no guardians had been appointed.

These two examples highlight one of the biggest flaws when drafting a Will; people don’t make use of qualified advisors or Trust companies. Your financial advisor is one of the few people that will know when circumstances in your life change - or he should be and will definitely remind you to update your Will if this was done by him in the first place.

Secondly, the execution of your Will should not depend on one person. By making use of a financial advisor (even if you use a bank, a financial advisor will be appointed to assist you) or Trust company, you are ensuring that your Will is backed up by an organisation.

So even if your advisor passes away, your Last Will and Testament will be finalised and carried out as per your instructions.

A key benefit of having your Will drawn up by a financial advisor is that they will expertly guide you into leaving a neat, practical and enforceable Will, and not a legacy of disaster. 'Small' little mistakes, like the one that took place in my first example, will also be avoided. There are also many other legalities to look out for that can have grave consequences, such as leaving cash to people in your Will. These amounts must be paid out in full first before the remainder can be inherited by your spouse or children. So your loving gesture of leaving R500 000 to your sister or favourite charity could result in assets (like a house) having to be sold if there isn't enough cash available in your Estate, thus leaving your family without a home. Rather stick to percentages when allocating your fortune and ask for advice when tackling this issue.

Another thing you need to be very aware of is the witness signatures on your Will. As a broad guideline, it's always good to have two witness signatures on each page of the document - and stay away from family members! Any family or guardians who could possibly inherit should not sign as a witness to your Will, to avoid any contest on the inheritance. Even your aunt’s little brother's cousin is not a good idea as a witness.

Problems will be eliminated if you make use of a financial advisor or reputable Trust company. I always like to start my financial planning with clients by reviewing their Will. It is the cornerstone of making sure that the amount of life cover needed will be sufficient for factors such as inheritance and Estate duties.

A last but very vital point is that once you have gone too all the trouble of drafting a Will with your advisor, please complete the process by signing the document and keeping it in a safe place, such as with the Trust company.

Until next time, take care and enjoy life! * Fictitious names used in examples provided.

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inREVIEW:

Words by Morne Labuschagne Photos courtesy of Husqvarna SA

Husqvarna

r e t u r n s to S A

treat with the return of Husqvarna Motorcycles, South African motorcycle enthusiasts are in for a real ion, the company is launched a whole new and a BMW Group company, to South Africa. To mark the occas rmoto combination on- and off-road motorbikes exciting range of motocross and enduro bikes; the supe – the Nuda 900 and 900R. and Husqvarna’s proud comeback to street bike models

The new importer and distributor of the bikes in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho is CMH Marine and Leisure, and it will be the first time that there's an official distributor for the Husqvarna Motorcycle brand in SA. Previously one could find some of the models, but that was a result of individual buyers making their own import arrangements.

Partnering with CMH Marine and Leisure is a great opportunity for Husqvarna Motorcycles to develop and expand the Husqvarna network, and more importantly, provide its customers with a premium level of support and service.

Fred Fensham, General Manager of CMH Marine and Leisure is thrilled about the appointment. “The opportunity to expand our leisure division with such a quality brand is huge for us, and will complement and endorse our current business. With this link to the leisure market in SA, and an understanding of the trends, dealer network and support structure required to launch and grow the Husqvarna Motorcycles brand locally, the future growth and establishment of the brand is very exciting.

He added that providing an exceptional level of support and a world-class service for the brand was equally important to them. "To ensure that the brand’s integrity is in no way compromised, all prospective dealers undergo rigorous technical training before being accepted, thus guaranteeing our clients a superior experience when making an investment with the Husky family!” The launch held on 26 July 2012 included a full roll-out of a new and high-profile dealer network, which covers all major centres in South Africa.

Motorcycle enthusiasts will know Husky's history, but for others it may come as a surprise that Husqvarna is the third oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, having manufactured its first motorised two-wheelers in 1903. The first model was only capable of attaining 50km/h, but now

134 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

the company is famous for world-beating motocross and enduro machines that have dominated these disciplines in the ‘60s and '70s, winning an impressive 14 Motocross World Championships in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc divisions, 24 Enduro World Championships and 11 wins in the notoriously tough Baja 1000 desert race. More recently, Husqvarna secured numerous titles in the Enduro World Championships and in 2011 it took the Constructors Championship in the E1 and E2 classes. It also finished the 2012 Dakar Rally without any breakdowns or technical failures to secure a stage win and a total of six podium places.

In 1977 Husqvarna was acquired by the Swedish industrial group Electrolux, and in 1987 the motorcycle division was sold to the Castiglioni family's Cagiva Group, now MV Agusta SpA, for a reported €93 million. The manufacturing base remained in Varese, Italy, and it is from here that CMH Marine and Leisure will import the models.

There’s already been great excitement in the market about the brand's arrival, which has garnered huge respect from the international community, especially from an off-road perspective. “It has won 82 world titles in this field,” said Fred.

Although pricing for South Africa is still being worked on, the Nuda 900 will cost you about £8 100 (R105 300 at exchange rate of R13 to the pound) in the UK and about $13 995 in Australia (R116 158 at a rate of R8 to the Australian dollar). Now that the full range is available, CMH Marine and Leisure will be monitoring the market’s reaction to the new models, and then after about 18 months the model offering will be refined depending on demand.

So if you are in the market for a new bike or have been toying with the idea, there’s a Husky waiting for you to test drive it and make it your own. Visit www.husqvarnamotorcycles.co.za for a list of the dealer networks.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 135

About the range

Husqvarna has built a reputation as one of the most storied motorcycle manufacturers in the world today, and their expertise in the field is no more evident than in its new range of bikes. This is what you can look forward to.

Nuda 900 and Nuda 900R - True street cred!

The Nuda 900 and Nuda 900R are two motorcycles built with soul and passion, and backed up by high performance developed through years of competition experience. At less than 385 pounds dry weight, its design reflects Husqvarna’s sporting pedigree. This new configuration not only delivers a more aggressive racing feel and sound at maximum performance, it also vastly improves the power and torque (>100 hp and 100 Nm) characteristics of the engine. Not forgetting the higher capacity of 900cc, it retains the fluid nature of power delivery at small throttle openings and low revs. The “R” model gets higher-end brakes and suspension, but both bikes will benefit from Husky accessories, including windscreens and saddlebags.

Developed as a crossover model between a supermoto and a naked bike, it is sporty yet elegant, sleek yet purposeful. The Nuda is bold Italian styling at its very finest and a thrilling riding experience

Husqvarna TE250 - a world beater

This well-designed bike gets better every season thanks to the work of the Husqvarna racing team and R&D technicians. The new model guarantees better performance, both in terms of mechanics and engine output. The 2012 model Husqvarna TE250 single cylinder, twin cam, 4 valve titanium engine still only weighs 22kg and remains the lightest 250 cc enduro engine on the market.

To ensure optimum reliability, even on the slowest and most demanding circuits, the cooling system now has a thermostat and electric fan. A double mapping configuration of the control panel is provided (soft/hard) and controlled by a switch on the handlebars.

The wet sump crankcase houses a 6-speed gearbox and the clutch is hydraulically controlled. More than this ... what can you ask for? •

Husqvarna TE310 - the best of all worlds

A better choice of weapon you wouldn't expect, and the one chosen by Antoine Meo, the French champion to contest the E2 enduro category against competitors racing with significantly more powerful engines (up to 450 cc). Boasting a rare balance of performance, weight and maneuverability, it's just as suitable for the passionate amateur racer in challenges among friends.

The compact frame, a mixture of round, oval and rectangular tubing, has been fine-tuned to further improve strength and rigidity. To improve stability and maneuverability the TE310 features a new rear Kayaba shock, adjustable for both high and low speeds in both compression and rebound and a more rigid setting for the Kayaba 48 mm fork. The Brembo braking system has large diameter braking discs (front 260 mm), controlled by compact twin piston floating calipers (front), and single piston in the rear. The engine weighs in at just 22kg and its compactness offers greater torque and power, with an increase in cylinder capacity to 302.4 cc (bore and stroke 82 x 57.35 mm). A specially developed exhaust system further improves performance. The basic design is unchanged: single cylinder, twin cam, with 4 titanium valves, Mikuni electronic injection with 45 mm throttle body and double CDI mapping, selectable by a switch on the handlebars. A practical system for changing engine performance to match the terrain and running conditions, selecting between 'hard' for top performance, and a 'soft' setting for less aggressive power delivery. Reliability is ensured by the new cooling system, with a thermostat and electric fan to prevent overheating in the tougher and slower trials.

136 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

Did you know?

• Husqvarna is the original name of a town in southern Sweden. Today, in the same town (now spelled Huskvarna) there's a factory museum exhibiting all former and present branches of production.

• The company started off as a metalworking business in 1689 producing bicycles.

• The turn of the 19th century saw Husqvarna take the leap into motorcycle manufacturing.

• Husqvarna started with their 550 cc four stroke V twin motor in 1920 after they opened their own engine factory.

• In the mid 1950s, Husqvarna made the leap into the US market, with its lightweight two-stroke models; the 175 cc single-cylinder motor producing 9 hp, known as the ‘Silver Arrow’.

• Since becoming part of the BMW Group in 2007, Husqvarna has grown from a strictly off-road motorcycle company to offering supermoto and street machines that are sought-after around the globe.

• Husqvarna's success is largely contributed to its achievements in motorsport. Its models combine the history and race pedigree of Husqvarna with the technological innovations and engineering prowess of the BMW Group, and flair of Italian styling.

NUDA 900R EVEN BIKERS BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

Beauty, style and agility all in one bike.

Design meets power and reliability, for a motorcycle that is made to be lived and to be shown as well.

PO W ERED B Y

Husqvarna wins again.

2011 E1 and E2 class Enduro World Champion. Thanks to Juha Salminen and Antoine Meo and their TE250 and TE310. Husqvarna, 82 World Titles. f o r yo ur So uth A f ri c an H usqv ar na f am i ly go to w w w.husqv ar na- m o to r c yc les.c o .za

inREVIEW:

Words by Francois Steyn Photos by Francois & Tania Steyn

inREVIEW

Finding your perfect Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.2 Di-D GLS 4x4 (M/T) Diesel Like Toyota’s bestseller, the Fortuner, is based on the Hilux, so the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is also based on a bakkie, the Triton. And like the 3.0 D-4D Fortuner, the Pajero Sport 3.2 DI-D churns out 120 kW and 343 Nm. However, the Mitsubishi claims an 8 km/h higher top speed than the Toyota, has a 6 degree better approach angle and the disc brakes, compared to the Fortuner’s drums, can be found in the rear. The Mitsubishi costs 13 grand less, so why then does one see 10 Fortuners on the road for every 1 Pajero Sport?

were sections where you’d have to concentrate in a normal 4x4 without low range and diff-lock. In the Pajero Sport, on the other hand, we chatted away, enjoyed the scenery and before we knew it were right at the top, overlooking the Hex River Valley below.

Inside, the two-tone black and grey dash and steering wheel looks upmarket and reserved. Above the climate control knobs is a digital display that shows the average fuel consumption, range left, barometric pressure and altitude as graphs. It also has a compass. On the small steering wheel you’ll find the remote audio controls and cruise control.

Brand loyalty most certainly has got something to do with it, but so does the fact that the Pajero Sport was, until recently, only available in a 3.2 diesel 4x4 with an automatic gearbox.

The Fortuner on the other hand is available in a whole range of engine and gearbox configurations, and the 2.5 D-4D 4x2 (at R332 000) was a welcome addition to the family last year.

Now the Pajero Sport also comes in manual and looks to be a great alternative to the old favourite.

The best thing about the interior though is the seating arrangements. There is more than enough legroom in the second row of seats and the third row offers space for two children. This last row can be split into two and folded forward and flat for extra large luggage space, but unfortunately can't be removed completely. Once the second row is folded forward (in a 60:40 split), the rear is one large load-bay. There are air conditioning vents for both the second and third row of seats and a handy storage space under the floor in the rear.

The Pajero Sport is part-time four-wheel drive and has both four high and four low with centre diff-lock. It also has an electronic diff-lock on the rear axle, which came in handy when I hung up the wheels on opposing corners on an axle twister, on our test track. We then visited the famous Klipbokkop 4x4 route with Mitsubishi SA and the Pajero Sport proved to be more than capable. Even though the road up the mountain may not be a grade four track, there

Like most SUV’s these days it comes standard with six airbags, ABS and EBD. Other fancy features include auto halogen headlights, rain sensing wipers (that actually work well according to my wife) and park distance control. A five year/100 000 km service plan rounds off the package and at R435 900 you have a comfortable vehicle that will go absolutely anywhere. I won’t be surprised to see a few more on the road in future.

138 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

perfect companion Isuzu KB 300 D-TEQ LX 4x4 If you’ve ever been to the Northern Cape on the R355 between Ceres and Calvinia (the longest uninterrupted dirt road in South Africa), you’ll know the upper Karoo farmer’s best friend is not his sheepdog.

It’s also not a Hilux or Land Cruiser. It’s an Isuzu racing past in a cloud of dust at 140-plus km/h. Why do you think Bertie from Zinkplaat drives one?

When I picked up the range-topping Isuzu KB 300 D-TEQ 4x4 Double Cab I was surprised by the interior. Instead of feeling like I’m in the workhorse I’ve always imagined the Isuzu to be, it looked like a budget spaceship, with its silver plastic facia, large blue linings around the centrally positioned speedo dial and a huge steering wheel. You can see the GM family resemblance to the Chev Corsa Sport. I quickly got used to this though and started to become aware of the annoying wind and road noise at highway speeds. I was not as impressed as I hoped I’d be, until we drove up Sneeukoppie near Worcester.

The Sneeukoppie 4x4 route starts at the foothills in Rawsonville and winds its way up the rocky Eskom access road. Although it is not the most hectic of routes, there is one section that can only be described as a grade three and three quarters. A very steep S-curve that has been washed away and filled with loose cricket ball size rocks blocks the way.

The escape route has also been washed away so I engaged low range 1st and locked the rear diff. Going around the first sharp left-hander I lost most of my momentum (and as

a consequence traction) and nearly had to push back for another go, but by lightly feathering the throttle the Isuzu regained grip and crawled to the next corner. By now I’d built up enough speed to hook second. Once clear, the rest of the route was doable in 4x2, but by this time I had started to trust its capabilities and grown fond of the KB. Like nearly all other modern diesel bakkies the 300 D-TEQ develops 120 kW, but the torque is slightly higher than its close rivals at 360 Nm. Driver and passenger airbags, active head restraints and inertia reel pre-tensioning seat belts will keep you safe in the front, that is if the ABS and EBD are not enough to avoid a collision. In the rear you’ll find three three-point inertia reel seat belts to accommodate five adults in total comfort with ease. The LX models have USB and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as park assistance and an automatic gearbox that is available in 4x2-guise.

A 5 year/90 000 km service plan comes standard, and roadside assistance for the same period and a 120 000 km service plan is included in the R407 400 price tag. Now all you need to do is choose one of the eight exterior colour options. The Isuzu KB 300 LX 4x4 was very much like the Atomic Blue colour my test unit came in: after a week it really started growing on me and I felt a little guilty for judging it so harshly initially.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 139

Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special Damn! Oops, I beg your pardon ... I meant wowie! No wait, I really did mean, “Damn, what a ride!”

Harley’s aren’t meant to be fast. That’s why they never quote power figures in their brochures, only torques. The V-Rod Night Special has 111 Nm’s of it, but push the starter button and drop the hydraulically assisted clutch and you’ll struggle to wipe the grin off your face. We’re not talking superbike go, but believe me it’s fun.

For the V-Rod’s 10th birthday it received the latest version of the liquid-cooled, V-Twin Revolution engine. It now displaces 1 250 cc’s and has dual overhead camshafts, four-valve cylinder heads and Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection.

As a result you can rev it like a sports bike and anything above five grand will push you hard back into that fat leather saddle all the way up to the red line. This is a bike that does not want to sleep in the living room, it wants to be ridden often and hard. Proof is in the large rev counter, something not found on most cruisers. At the highway speed limit the tacho sits a tad above 4 000 r/min in fifth, so you’re only getting started.

high-performance, carbon-fibre drive belt. It’s also equipped with a slipper clutch, so quick downshifts are possible at any speed. Brembo does the stopping with the help of a triple disc layout and ABS at both ends. I tested the latter and it actually works, but you have to really grab a fist full to activate it thanks to a lot of grip from the Michelin Scorcher radial at the front.

Apart from being so much fun to ride, the Night Rod Special is a real stunner to look at. The blackened engine covers, fork housings, rims and frame pipes give it a dark and sinister look, while red stripes on the tank and rims round off its devilish demeanour. More than a couple of people asked me about the bike when pulling up alongside me at the traffic lights. Improved ergonomics are a result of reduced reach to both the rider foot-pegs and handlebar. Cruising at 160 km/h was no problem at all, although it might cause a stiff neck after a while. Inverted front forks and retuned rear suspension enhance the ride and handling once you’ve gotten used to the rake angle. Ground clearance is enough to keep the peg-ends scratch free.

I spent all morning and most of the afternoon on the Rod and never once got bored or tired. The five-speed gearbox is super smooth and drive to the 240 mm rear wheel is via a

The digital display shows time, dual trips, range left and odo, and the fuel tank holds close to 19 litres. Some might say that R189 000 is way too much to pay for two wheels, but take my word for it: it’s not for the V-Rod Night Special. •

COMPARISONS

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Isuzu KB 300 D-TEQ

HD V-Rod

3.2-litre

2 999 cc

1 250 cc

Power (kW)

120 (3 500 rpm)

120 (3 600 rpm)

N/a

Torque (Nm)

343 (2 000 rpm)

360 (1 800 - 2 800 rpm)

111 (7 250 rpm)

70

76

18,9

5-speed manual

5-speed manual

5-speed manual

R435 900

R407 400

R189 000

Engine capacity

Fuel tank capacity (l) Gearbox Price

140 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

TIME TO GET SOME

ON THE POWERFUL NEW V-ROD®

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 141

inREVIEW:

Reviews by Francois Flamengo

inREVIEW

Cool Stuff for Your Golf Bag Garmin Approach G5 This is a fantastic gadget if you like to plan every stroke you make during a round. The Garmin Approach is very user friendly and has an easy-tounderstand interface that enables you to effortlessly find your way around each hole. It is also especially handy to avoid any hazards that could result in losing precious strokes. Other key features include keeping track of up to four players and their individual green in regulation accuracy; it runs on normal AA batteries and battery life is very respectable when fitted with quality batteries; and the large touch screen makes navigation through the different functions simple.

Why should I get it?

• It will track the progress of your overall game during each round.

• It can help improve your overall game and break into a new score.

• It will help you to quickly and easily understand new courses when playing them for the first time.

GET IT FROM: www.golfersclub.co.za

Callaway Fit Driver Drivers are always a debatable point amongst golfers in terms of how far can it help you drive from the tee box and how accurate is it when you want to get behind the ball properly. The Callaway Fit, with its 'custom-ability' makes it a hot topic for this debate. In addition, it not only looks good, but the custom settings actually work. The shaft can be turned into three positions; square, closed or open, and at the bottom of the driver, special weights can be screwed into the driver head to help with fade, straight or draw preference. The standard shaft and grip adds to the overall craftsmanship of this driver.

Why should I get it?

• It can be set up to help you hit more balls onto the fairway, more consistently, resulting in better attacking opportunities to go for the green.

• It is a great showpiece to show your buddies in your fourball if you can afford it.

GET IT FROM: www.golfersclub.co.za

Callaway Xtreme Eyewear Playing on a course with eyewear that enables you to see better can make the difference between a good or bad round of golf. And you won't go wrong with the Xtreme Eyewear range from Callaway. They are lightweight, feature a cool design and the NEOX lenses are engineered to adjust to the decreased depth of field caused by most sunglasses. This choice will result in making better decisions and more accurate shots during your game. The lenses also block 100% of harmful UV rays.

Why should I get it?

• It's the right tool for the job • If you play a lot of golf, you will understand the importance of accuracy.

GET IT FROM: www.golfersclub.co.za

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www.doitnow.co.za www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 143

inTERTAINMENT:

Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za & Richard Flamengo

MOVIE TITLE

HIGHLIGHTS

Prometheus

• Intense action, beautiful scenery and the creative imaginings of life beyond our planet

Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace

Recommended for: Sci-Fi fans

VERDICT

Prometheus is the return of Ridley Scott to the Science Fiction genre, as both director and producer of a loose prequel to the 1979 Alien movie. It is a movie that has been highly anticipated by fans and one of the biggest cinematic releases of 2012. But is it the masterpiece we have been waiting for or does it end up alienating its fanbase?

In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a titan known for his quest for scientific knowledge and the inherent risk of unintended consequences. This is an apt title for the film, as it neatly encompasses the plot of the movie in its most simple form. After discovering a series of ancient drawings, all pointing to the same location in space, a group of scientists take these drawings as an invitation for humans to go there and learn about their origins.

A crew of 17 people are sent on a spacecraft, called Prometheus, to this distant location.

Upon arrival they end up finding something very different from what they were expecting and it eventually leads to catastrophe.

Overall, Prometheus took more from its namesake than it had intended. It shows the viewer how humanity’s overreaching thirst for knowledge could (and usually does) lead to unexpected disasters. But it also illustrates a movie that reached out for perfection, but failed to see the obvious holes in its own plot. It is a movie that asks big questions, but leaves the audience questioning the story structure rather than the elements it brings to light. It is a movie that triumphs in its execution, but is weighed down by its flawed premise. Though the problems with the plot steal excellence away from Prometheus, it is still a very good movie and well worth your time. Go see it for the intense action, beautiful scenery and creative imaginings of life beyond our planet. As long as you do not expect a masterfully crafted storyline, you will not be disappointed.

MOVIE TITLE

Snow White and the Huntsmen Director: Rupert Sanders Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron

HIGHLIGHTS • Cast Recommended for: Action adventure fans

VERDICT

When the evil Queen (Charlize Theron) is told by her mirror that to remain the fairest in the land, she needs to eat Snow White's (Kristen Stewart) heart, she orders the huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to venture into the dark forest and kill the girl.

Hollywood continues the trend of reworking and twisting our beloved fairy tales such as Red Riding Hood and coming soon in 2013 is Jack and the Beanstalk (Jack the giant killer). The age-old tale of good (Snow White) vs. evil (Queen) has been interpreted on numerous occasions, but never before has it been done by such an all-star cast, which delivers an awesome performance. This combined with the perfect blend of imaginative story telling definitely places the movie in the blockbuster category.

In summary, this movie is a definite must see for all and brings the fairy tale we all heard as kids to life in a way that will leave you stunned.

144 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012

GAME TITLE

VERDICT

Starhawk

Starhawk is the spiritual successor to Warhawk, another exclusive PS3 title. The main way in which Starhawk has built upon this previous entry is by having a single player story mode of any kind, whereas Warhawk was entirely a multiplayer game. This should already tell you where the focus is in terms of this series' game design.

Nevertheless, Starhawk is a third person shooter adventure in which you can instantly change the battlefield in the heat of combat. In the future, humanity’s final hope lies in the lawless frontier of space where factions battle over the universe’s most valuable resource - Rift Energy. Caught in the middle is Emmett Graves, an outcast gunslinger who is drawn back to the planet that abandoned him, to face a fierce outlaw and his war band of followers. Experience frenzied combat on foot, in vehicles or in the air and discover a new type of shooter game play with the new 'Build & Battle' system. Gain a tactical advantage by calling upon an arsenal of weapons, vehicles and fortifications, violently delivered from an orbiting drop ship to help turn the tide of battle. Engage in epic 32-player online battles and see maps dynamically change depending solely on each player's strategy or team up with friends to protect your claim.

CD TITLE

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

VERDICT

Japandroids is a two-man garage rock band from Vancouver and they have made an immense and life-affirming noise with their latest album, Celebration Rock. It is their second album after releasing Post-Nothing in 2009, which nearly didn’t happen. The band had decided to self-release Post-Nothing at the end of 2008, but these plans changed when they met Greg Ipp from Unfamiliar Records.

Their new album starts off strong and remains that way throughout the eight songs.

The duo taps into a power greater than itself to address impossibly vast and elemental topics - friendship, lust, revenge, art and self-actualisation - with songs every bit as big. Celebration Rock finds that some of the best moments in life can come from uncertainty. You just have to be open to them.

inCOMING: Movies to look out for Brave (3D) Genre: Animation Director: Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews Starring: Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson Date: 3 Aug

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (3D) Genre: Action, Fantasy Director: Timur Bekmambetov Starring: Benjamin Walker and Dominic Cooper Date: 10 Aug

TED Genre: Comedy Director: Seth MacFarlane Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane Date: 17 Aug

The Expendables 2 Genre: Action Director: Simon West Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren Date: 17/24 Aug

Total Recall Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller Director: Len Wiseman Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bill Nighy and Ethan Hawke Date: 31 Aug

The Bourne Legacy Genre: Action Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, and Oscar Isaac Date: 21 Sep

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 145

inCLOSING

inside the next issue ...

Quote: “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” - Proverb Don't miss these and many other great articles in the Oct/Nov 2012 issue of DO IT NOW Magazine.

AfriSki 2012 Here We Come

Cape Town International Kite Festival

The bags are packed and Lesotho here we come! With a new race tower and some awesome white powder underfoot, AfriSki 2012 is going to be insane.

Top of the list is the First Ascent Ski Festival and Quiksnow, so you can be sure that the DO IT NOW team will be bringing back loads of awesome pictures and videos.

Africa’s biggest kite festival, the Cape Town International Kite Festival, will fill the sky above Muizenberg with incredible kite creations on 3 and 4 November 2012. ‘All about ability’ is the theme for this not-to-be missed family event, and all profits go towards providing much-needed mental health services in poorly resourced communities in the Western Cape.

Destination Inhaca & Portuguese Islands, Mozambique Kayaking … just the sound of the word evokes thoughts of adventure.

The allure was too much for us, so we took our kayaks to Mozambique and went touring around the beautiful Inhaca Island, a relatively untouched Portuguese Island. Find out more about its breathtaking scenery, reefs to snorkel, warm waters to swim in and its legendary Tipo Tinto Rum & 2M.

On the Lighter Side How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

Rottweiler: Make me!

Lab: Oh, me, me! Pleeease let me change the light bulb!

Can I? Huh? Huh? Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls.

Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

Pointer: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there!

Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb?

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out bulb?

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While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the content of the DO IT NOW Magazine is accurate at the time of going to press, 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 are not always representative of DO IT NOW MAGAZINE (Pty) Ltd opinion. Copyright 2009 DO IT NOW MAGAZINE (Pty) Ltd. No part of this 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.

146 • DO IT NOW Magazine August | September 2012