DO IT NOW Magazine #23 - Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle

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On the Cover - Rider Caleb Tennant in action Photo by - Zygmund Brodalka - Brodalka Photography

DO IT NOW Team

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Alan Hobson Fly Fishing

Claire King Skydiving

Deon Breytenbach Paddling

Francois Steyn Vehicle Reviews

Matthew Holt Hiking

Jacques Marais Photography

Amy Shaw BASE Jumping

Dirk van den Berg Various

Steven Yates Travel

Zygmund Brodalka Motocross

Hannele Steyn MTB | Nutrition

Kobus Bresler Mountaineering

Ugene Nel Trail Running

Neil Ross Recipes

Peter Fairbanks Insurance

FOUNDER Francois Flamengo EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Elri Flamengo | elri@doitnow.co.za CREATIVE DIRECTOR Peet Nieuwenhuizen | peet@doitnow.co.za MARKETING & SALES DIRECTOR Morné Labuschagne | sales@doitnow.co.za | +27 71 292 9953 COPY EDITOR & COMPETITIONS Tracy Knox | tracy@doitnow.co.za | competitions@doitnow.co.za Marketing, Distribution & Subscriptions Cheryl Whelan | distribution@doitnow.co.za | subscribe@doitnow.co.za EVENTS, ACTIVATION & SOCIAL MEDIA Chris Jooste | events@doitnow.co.za WEB ADMINISTRATOR Marieke Viljoen | media@doitnow.co.za | listings@doitnow.co.za Junior Designer Sarah Kobal | sarah@doitnow.co.za FINANCE Mari-Leana Jacobs | invoices@doitnow.co.za Distribution & Operations Nick Makhubelu | nick@doitnow.co.za GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@doitnow.co.za | +27 11 100 0941 SUBSCRIPTION subscribe@doitnow.co.za | www.mysubs.co.za PUBLISHER DO IT NOW CC 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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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.

6 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

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inTRO

FOUNDER’S LETTER

I trust you all enjoyed a romantic February and had the opportunity to spoil someone special in your life - or were spoilt. We are already into the first quarter of this year, so I hope you have started to tick off those must-do items on your 2013 bucket list because I can see this year passing by in a blur. For those of you with no plans yet, maybe this issue of DO IT NOW will inspire you to get your bucket list going.

For our motocross enthusiasts, check out the 2012/2013 review article on page 60. If triathlons are more your style, then catch my article on the Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa on page 16. It also features a beginner's take on the race, from our Editor, and why you should enter.

Well done Elri on completing - and surviving - your first-ever Ironman 70.3. If you're a keen fly fisherman, don't miss the excellent article on river therapy on page 84, which gives great insight into what makes fly fishing a river so captivating, tips on how to land those elusive trout and recommended areas to visit and books to read. New career options, new races to enter, new sports to take up, new adventures to plan - it's all in this issue.

On the events side, well done to everyone who took part in the inaugural Warrior Race. I hope you all had great fun and will be back to do another one. This month will see me ticking off two adventures on my ever-growing bucket list.

I'll be blowing bubbles in Sodwana on a scuba diving trip with the fantastic dive operators Da Blu Juice! Hopefully the weather and diving conditions will be perfect. Then it’s a dirt bike weekend at Qwa-Qwa in the Free State, where I will get some professional riding tips from the current #1 Off-road Champion, Louwrens Mahoney. I’m sure it’s gonna be a good one!

I'll catch you again in April, and remember, don’t get caught on the 1st.

DIN regards, Francois

Remember, you can read all these articles and more if you download our DO IT NOW Magazine app from iTunes, the APP store and now also available on Amazon for Kindle Fire!

Later this year the app will also be available for Android devices. If you would like us to notify you when it goes live, go to www.doitnow.co.za/app and fill in your details.

Alternatively, you can pick up a hard copy from all leading news agents and specialised stores, buy a digital copy online or go for the hassle-free option and subscribe. If you are unable to find the magazine, please let us know so that we can make a plan to get it to you.

dinLIST S 3

CALENDAR

MARCH 2013 M 4

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Here are some fantastic activities and events to look out for this month:

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

Fishing // Jeffreys Bay (EC) Microlighting // Camperdown (KZN) Snowboarding // Afriski (Lesotho) Clay Shooting // Klipfontein (JHB) Wakeboarding // CASA #2 - Bela Bela, Warmbaths (Limpopo): 9-10 Mar Music Festival // Ramfest - Fourways (JHB): 15-16 Mar Paddling // Induna X-Fest - Hazeyview (Mpumalanga): 16 Mar MTB // ABSA Cape Epic - Durbanville, Somerset West (WC): 17-24 Mar Festival // International Writers Festival - UKZN Theatre (KZN): 18-23 Mar

Festival // SA on TAP - Randburg (JHB): 23-24 Mar

SCAN US

Road Running // Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon - Newlands (WC): 30 Mar Expo // Rand Show - Nasrec (JHB): 28 Mar-1 Apr For a more comprehensive list of events and activities taking place throughout the year, check out the dinLIST Calendar on www.doitnow.co.za/calendar.

www.doitnow.co.za • 7

inDEX

Vol. 5 • 3 • 2013 #23 | www.doitnow.co.za

Base

// Team & Contributors: p. 6 DO IT NOW Magazine’s team and regular contributors. // inTRO: p. 7 Letter from DO IT NOW Magazine's founder. // dinLIST Calendar: p. 7 Calendar featuring Adventure-Sport-Lifestyle activities. // Subscriptions: p. 9 Subscription form and New Subscriber competition. // inFOCUS Quarterly Reader Competition: p. 92 Stand a chance to WIN R500 by entering the quarterly reader photo competition. // inCLOSING: p. 98 A sneak preview of upcoming articles.

Articles inACTION

12 New Ball Game in Town 16 70.3 Ironman, Been There, Done That and Survived!

inALTITUDE

22 OF SAND AND FIRE: BASE jumping in America’s adventure sports capital 28 Island Airtime

60

inTRAIL 32 38 42

A Pilgrim’s Progress New Records Set for 9 Peaks in 9 Provinces Econet Victoria Falls Marathon - A Test of Grit and Endurance

inGEAR

46 50 56 60

Inaugural Cycle Fest a Success An Epic Journey The Cape Trek: 5 Provinces in 11 Days Motocross Revs it Up

32

inH2O 66 70 76 80

Call of the Running Tide Basics, Styling Draw Strokes and Cartwheels SUP Around the Coast of Death The Lembeh Straight - A Muck Place to Dive

inNATURE

84 River Therapy

inFOCUS

88 SHOOT! Water Sport

inREVIEW

94 Something Different: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ, Nissan Juke DIG-T Tekna & Kawasaki Z800 / W800

Key:

Adventure

Sport

Lifestyle

8 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

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DEFINE YOUR PRIORITIES. BECOME A RIDER.

10 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

TR650 STRADA Give your heart to something you can rely on. German engineering meets Italian Style.

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inACTION:

Words: Hein van Zijl | Photos & Videos: Bossaball Sports SL & ProVid Productions

What do you get when you combine elements of soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, capoeira (the Afro-Brazilian martial art form), a trampoline and an inflatable court? You get Bossaball, a spectacular new game that draws the crowds wherever it goes.

Bossaball is a ball game played either in- or outdoors, and is between two teams, each consisting of three to five players. It takes place on an inflatable court, with a trampoline on each side of the net. The change in gravity, combined with the safety provided by the inflatable surface, allows a whole new range of techniques, team tactics and strategies. One can enjoy a complete new kick of spiking down a ball from unseen heights or make spectacular dives and play the ball in original and creative ways.

The concept was invented by Filip Eyckmans, in 2004, in Spain, and by September 2011 Bossaball was ranked number 31 on CNN’s list of '50 things to do before you die'. This exhilarating sport has also attracted the attention of crowds in Europe, the Far East, America and South America. Not only is it fun to participate in, the referee just happens to be the DJ as well, thus creating a platform for a party too.

12 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Bossaball is as much a spectator sport as it is a contender sport. Due to Bossaball’s ability to adapt to its audience, it is also a platform from which audiences can be entertained.

The festive environment creates the perfect backdrop for a day of sport and celebration, as it is one of only a few sports in the world that combines two elements that are always present with big crowds: music and sport.

About the game Objective The game requires you to hit a ball over a net to win points.

You can use any part of your body to get the ball over the net and into your opponent's section. The games take place on a massive inflatable, with a trampoline on each side for added bounce. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Players and equipment The number of players in a team ranges from three to five.

The teams can be mixed, with no restriction on gender per team. One player will be designated to the trampoline section of the arena at all times, with players rotating after every point. A Bossaball, which is very similar to a volleyball, is used.

Points are scored by successfully hitting the ball over the net into your opponents section and they are unable to return the ball. Three points are awarded for hitting the trampoline section of the court and one point for anywhere else inbounds on the court. If the ball touches the Bossa (the ring around the trampoline) then the game continues as normal.

Winning the game To win a game, your team needs to reach 25 points first. If the game gets to 24-24, then a team must win by 2 clear points, to win that set. Games are generally played over the best of three or five sets.

Ball

Game

Scoring

New

in Town

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 13

Bossaball in South Africa

Sport, in the past, has been the only factor in South African history that has united an otherwise heterogeneous society. We may have 11 languages and a myriad of different cultures, but when sport is played, we as South Africans unite as one. Futhermore, in 2012, South Africa was named the world’s leading 'sports tourism destination', and this statement already reflects the incredible potential of establishing Bossaball here.

The Times, UK (published on 2 February 2010) identified Bossaball as being as one of

the most captivating new sports introduced to the world, so one can safely say that South Africa is in for one giant ride. Or shall I rather say, “Never fear South Africa, Bossaball will put the bounce back into your step!”

The multi-dimensional way in which Bossaball mesmerises audiences, young and old, makes it a powerful marketing tool. Various brands, such as Pepsi, Vodacom, Red Bull, Fanta and Johnson and Johnson, have partnered with Bossaball abroad.

Insight Magazine, an American publication, had the following to say about Bossaball’s effectiveness when used as a marketing tool, “Bossaball delivers outstanding opportunities for marketing. People love to watch and play, and it is so unique that it easily grabs media attention.”

Bossaball has indeed generated a large amount of media coverage and featured in many TV shows, newspapers and magazines worldwide. However, the overriding appeal is its ability to be enjoyed by everyone; young and old, tall or short, male or female, white or yellow, pink or purple, funny or boring, nerds or jocks, fit or unfit, flexible or not-so-bendable, quick or slow … I think you get the picture.

14 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Sport is more than just a healthy lifestyle and, if successfully managed, it can also become a vehicle to empower individuals and communities. I view Bossaball as a tool through which an entire society can be transformed. Looking back at South Africa’s international and national sporting accomplishments and the positive impact this has had on sports development, sport is key to an integrated, social interaction that enables one to reach all spheres of society, with a life-changing message of hope. Through the benefits of this sport, to the country and its people, I hope to see an evolution in sports development that will revolutionise the way people approach the institution of sport and recreation.

Our main objective is therefore to build on South Africa’s past sporting successes. We also intend to firmly establish the Bossaball brand as the future of sport. In this respect, our focus is on meeting expectations, as well as breaking through the existing barriers surrounding sport in general and establishing new frontiers in sports management in South Africa. This we intend to do by empowering the ordinary man to take ownership of the talent on our streets.

This dream was made to be shared by everyone! •

èRelated articles:

• Introducing Surfing's Newest Addition (Issue 21, p. 54) • Let Capoeira be Part of Your Lifestyle (Issue 13, p. 49)

dinFO box

i

For more information on the sport, to book an event or get involved, visit www.bossaball.co.za and www.bossaball.com.

Rules of Bossaball • Teams consist of three to five players, and a mix of male and female players are permitted.

• Serves can be made using any part of the body, as long as they are ‘creative’.

• You can hit the ball once using your hands and twice using your feet or head when the ball is on your side of the court, before a teammate must then hit the ball.

• A team can hit the ball up to five times before they must try and get the ball into their opponent’s half.

• Games have no time limit and can only be won by reaching 25 points and by two clear games.

• Best of three or five sets are usually in operation.

• After each point, teams rotate their positions clockwise so that a different person is on the trampoline section each time.

Sources: www.rulesofsport.com & www.topendsports.com

inACTION:

Words: Francois Flamengo | Photos & Video: DO IT NOW Media

70.3

Ironman Been There, Done That & Survived!

For some, 70.3 might be an odd, meaningless number, but for triathletes it's a number to aspire to because it's the distance in miles of the Half Ironman. This incredible event is where competitors test themselves on a 1.9 km swim, 90.1 km bike and 21.1 km run, with the professionals finishing in just over four hours and a red carpet awaits every athlete at the finish.

The sixth edition of the Spec-Savers IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa, held at Buffalo City in East London on 20 January 2013, was all the more significant as it was the biggest 70.3 event to date, with 4,000 entries. As a result of its growing popularity, this event now ranks as one of South Africa’s most sought-after and prestigious races on the tri-calendar.

A test of endurance

16 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

For the spectators, it's a very special and festive occasion, and the conclusion to months of support, hours of motivation and days of frustration and encouragement to get their loved one ready for this tough race. And for the athletes, it's a reward for all their hard work, commitment and many sacrifices made in the months leading up to the event, especially considering that the event takes place less than a month after Christmas.

Race weekend Registration started early on Friday morning at the Garden Court Hotel and the Expo area was packed with all kinds of goodies the participants would need on the course, as well as must-have souvenirs to commemorate the race and proudly show off at a later stage. And all around you, you could feel the mix of excitement and nervousness of the athletes. Orient Beach also came to life as the athletes started doing their final prep on the Friday and Saturday, either going for a swim, ride or run along the beachfront.

There was an impressive number of professional entries, which meant that the 70.3 Ironman titles were going to be hotly contested and would make for great spectator viewing. From South Africa, well-known competitors on the men’s side included Kent Horner, Freddy Lampret, Gerhard De Bruin, Terrence Lowe and Michael Cannon.

In the ladies, the serious contenders were Jodie Swallow, Natasha Gorrie, Dianne McEwan, Lucie Reed, Susie Hignett and Jeanni Seymour. The ladies race was expected to be very competitive, with two-time defending champion Jodie Swallow looking in great shape, and Lucie Reed and Susie Hignett both highly motivated to make a challenge for the top podium spot.

By Sunday, the time for preparation, talk and speculation was over; the time had come for the triathletes to prove their worth and in doing so, determine who would be the 2013 70.3 Ironman winners. Weather conditions were excellent as the competitors made their way to the beach area for the first leg. Despite the early morning start, the music was pumping and the spectators were already getting into the spirit of the event as the Pros set off on the first wave at 6:45 a.m. followed by five waves, each starting 15 minutes apart. To put into perspective how fast the pros swam the 1.9 km course, the third wave hadn’t even started by the time they were back on the beach. Marko Albert clocked the fastest time in just over 23 minutes. On the ladies side, it was Jodie Swallow who led the charge from the start and exited the water in just over 25 minutes.

The bike leg proved to be a real test of strength and character, as the athletes took on the challenging climb to the Berlin Bridge, the highest point of the course. Bart Aernouts, from Belgium, powered away to smash the bike course in just over 2 hours and 15 minutes, to give him a 2 minute lead over Ronnie Schildnecht, from Switzerland.

Kyle Buckingham was the first South African to complete this leg, in 2 hours and 24 minutes. Jodie Swallow once again comfortably led in the ladies race to finish in 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Bart continued to crank it up on the run, setting a very fast pace that would prove too much for the rest of the field.

He crossed the finish line to claim the coveted 2013 70.3 Ironman title in a blistering time of 04:03:53. Bart was followed by Ronnie Schildnecht in second in 04:06:23 and Tim Don in third in 04:10:40. There was no catching Jodie Swallow, who crossed the line in 04:34:30 to clinch the top podium position and her third consecutive win. The battle was then on for second and third places, with Lucie Reed chasing down South African Natasha Gorrie. Everyone was waiting with baited breath to see who was going to be the first to sprint down Lower Esplanade Road, but in a surprise move, Susie Hignett (UK), who was in fourth, passed them both with only a few hundred metres to go and snatched second place in a time of 04:43:38. Third place went to Lucie Reed, from the Czech Rep, in 04:44:19.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with athletes conquering their personal goals and running along the red carpet with smiles from ear to ear. Hats off to everyone who finished this epic race and good luck to all those who are competing in the full distance Ironman on 14 April 2013.

Off they go!

Pedal power

Slogging it out

18 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

A Beginner’s Take

Alex Holt and Elri Flamengo

By Elri Flamengo

Deciding to do the Ironman 70.3 was not difficult. A friend and I chatted about it, then we decided that it sounded like a grand idea and before we knew it, we'd said yes. However, this decision had not really taken into account that we were both over 30, and that I was sort of a runner (having only run one 21 km race about five years ago), I'd only done two cycling races in my life (both being the 94.7 Cycle Challenge and on a mountain bike) and I had yet to attempt a swimming race, never mind in the sea.

Not one to back down from a challenge, I started training in October. At that point, I was able to run a comfortableish 3 km, but I was very nervous to get on a 'skinny wheel' bike and after four laps in a 25 m swimming pool, I thought I was going to pass out. Training on my own was a mission, especially as I had NO clue about how or when I should be doing what. That's also when reality hit home and so too did the fear, doubt, frustration and 'oh dear, what was I thinking?' After doing my first two triathlons; the BSG Triseries (600 m swim, 20 km cycle and 5 km run) at The Islands Estate in Hartbeespoort on 21 October; and the ELEVEN Sun City (1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle and 10 km run) in Sun City on 11 November, my husband suggested I join a training group and get a programme.

Thank goodness I did!

I joined up with Triafrica and after receiving my first training programme, I can clearly remember thinking 'where do these people get the time to train?' By then it was mid

November, work was hectic and finding the time to train seemed impossible, especially if I wanted to see my husband now and then. But it was possible, and the best thing I’d done for myself in a long time. Through all the frustration, worrying and nearly quitting, I had the support of amazing friends and family who believed in me and that made me want to do this race even more. I kept on training through December (complaining quite a bit about the logic of doing such a big race in January) and by the time it was race day, I was feeling great. I’d lost a few kilos, toned a few long-lost muscles and was the fittest I’d been in a very long time! This was my first real challenge for a while and I decided that this one was going to be different; I was going to change my focus and just enjoy the experience.

All the way from Jo'burg to East London and up until race morning, I could feel the nerves nibbling away at my insides, but I had a mission - NO negative thoughts. And it worked. My goal was to make all the cut-off times and finish the race. And that’s what I did, and I enjoyed every second of it. The swim was hectic over the last 700 m as there were huge swells, but I remained focused, kept going and survived. The bike leg was challenging (I should have done more outrides!) and I wasn't sure how to pace myself, but I made the cut-off. I loved the run! I ran up all the hills; the vibe and encouraging words from the spectators kept me going and I had the most chilled out 21.1 km ever. I finished in a time of 7 hours and 15 minutes, tired but exhilarated and more than an hour faster than cut-off, which was awesome!

My advice to anyone thinking about taking part in this race is that it's tough, takes a lot of hard work, requires a lot of time and sacrifices from you and your loved ones, but you can do it and you should do it. And when you do, enjoy every minute of it.

Just remember to stop under the arch at the finish, pose for the photographers and savour that moment.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 19

Women’s winner - Jodie Swallow

Loving supporter

Race route The swim

The 1.9 km swim started on the beach in front of the Orient Theatre. The first buoy was 300 m away from the beach and in the middle of the harbour entrance.

From there, swimmers turned left towards a second buoy that was 700 m away, then left again to a third buoy 200 m away, and a final left to a fourth buoy 500 m away before heading back to the beach.

The ride

The 90.1 km bike leg of the race started at the back of the Orient Theatre and proceeded down Esplanade Road, up John Bailie Road, past Buffalo Park Cricket Ground and then through the town on the North East Express Highway. From there, riders turned onto the N2 National Highway and headed to Berlin Bridge, 45 km away from the start, before returning on the same course. This is one seriously hilly course, with some saying it’s the second toughest Ironman 70.3 bike leg in the world.

20 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

The run

Men’s winner - Bart Aernouts

The 21.1 km run leg consisted of two laps, starting from the transition at the Orient Theatre. Athletes first had to run to the pier, then follow the lower Esplanade Road as it flowed into the main Esplanade Road. From there,

they made their way down the beach towards the golf course, through the park area at the end of the beachfront, onto John Bailie Road and then right into and up Turnberry Avenue (probably the steepest part of the run, known as Bunkers Hill) and down Glen Eagles Road to the corner at Galway and Epson Road and back again. •

èRelated articles:

• Tri Something Different (Issue 22, p. 12) • ELEVEN Sun City Triathlon (Digital article, Nov ’12) • Ironman (Digital article, May ’12) Watch the video on the DO IT NOW Magazine app.

inALTITUDE:

Words & Video: Amy Shaw | Photos: Will Kitto, Kule Sul & Jamie Flynn

OF SAND AND FIRE

Base ju mp in g in Am er ic a’s adve ntur e sp orts capital

“I hate you guys! I mean I love you, but right now I hate you.”

My good friend Andy, having been coerced to join us on this jump, is clinging, unprotected, to a piece of weathered rope halfway up an overhanging rock known to locals as the Lollipop.

My friends and I were on a BASE jumping trip through Utah, USA, and we might have used the word 'exposed' when describing this jump to Andy beforehand. Perhaps we should have been more specific ... The only reason I was sitting at the top already, looking bad ass, is because I had been up to jump the Lollipop two days earlier, so I was better prepared to mask my panic this time round.

In hindsight, Andy called the Lollipop his favourite jump of the week we spent in Utah. I do too, in hindsight. So why is scaring yourself so much fun sometimes?

22 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

It was the week of Thanksgiving in the USA and my friends and I were attending an unofficial gathering of BASE jumpers, known as Turkey Boogie. When one thinks of the great American outdoors, the first place that usually comes to mind is either the Grand Canyon, Yosemite or Yellow Stone National Parks. But for adventure sports and recreation lovers, you might find yourself disappointed with these destinations.

The reason is the national parks in the USA are so vigorously protected that any form of off-road driving, dirt bikes, ATVs, aerial sports or horse riding is prohibited. Being arrested and charged for participating in such activities as BASE jumping can put a dampener on any adventure, which is why the littleknown Utah town of Moab has surreptitiously become one of the adventure sports capitals of America. This would be our base camp, for surrounding Moab and the protected Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are literally millions of acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) space, where adventure activities can be practiced legally, to your heart’s content.

Walking down the dusty, red drag in Moab, you are literally accosted with bike shops, ATV adventures, white water rafting and kayaking companies, horseback riding, climbing outfitters and four-wheel drive adventures. Sitting in the local brewery you rub shoulders with some of the best adventure sportsmen and women in the world, particularly in climbing and BASE jumping. Yet despite the hubbub of adventure enthusiasts, the space is so vast that once in the picturesque landscape, you could be fooled into believing you’re the only person on a foreign planet.

Amy Shaw jumps from the Lollipop

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 23

There are literally thousands of places to legally BASE jump in the Moab area. Every time a new spot or 'exit' is jumped, the first person to jump it has the privilege of naming it. Boulder Rush, Tombstone and Wiley Coyote were just some of the ones we jumped. An exit called The Crown has a penny on the edge that looks like it’s been there a very long time. Some silly superstitious jumper probably left it there. I’m not superstitious, but there was no way I was disturbing that coin before I jumped off a cliff. You know. Just in case.

There’s a technique in BASE jumping called 'dropping rocks'. It’s very scientific and used to determine whether a cliff is high enough to jump.

You pick up a rock about the size of your fist, drop it off the cliff you intend to jump from and count the seconds till it impacts below. Assume 50 feet per second your rock remains in freefall.

Also check for climbers and tourists under the exit before performing this test. The minimum height for a comfortable jump is about 150 feet. Most of the cliffs in Moab are considered on the lower end of the scale, around 250-400 feet. This allows two to three seconds of freefall before deploying your parachute. The appeal lies in the exquisite aesthetics of the area, the fun, challenging hikes and climbs to get there, and the magically surreal way the light dances red off the glowing sandstone.

As most of my group had not done much jumping in this area, we were new to most of the exits we jumped. So we dropped many rocks. On one occasion, after successfully finding the exit called Enterprise, a pancake of rock resembling its starship namesake, I videoed my buddies jumping off and was preparing to jump down myself when another group of jumpers arrived and informed me that this was not the Enterprise.

Turns out it may have been another exit called Geronimo. After much debate at the bar that night, we have scientifically decided that we have no idea if we jumped Enterprise or Geronimo.

On a previous occasion, a buddy of mine had been searching for an exit in the area called G-spot. He was alone and following directions given to him by some jumpers who had been there before. He found the G-spot and jumped safely down, but felt their description of the jump and its characteristics might have been a little off. On reviewing his helmet cam with them later, they informed him that was not G-spot and he had just opened a new exit. His exit is now called Faking It.

It’s all about the journey Amy Shaw jumps from Miles of Earl while Jamie Flynn takes a video

De Wet Davel climbs the rope to Lollipop

24 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Overcoming obstacles together on the Lollipop

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A cool jump for me and fellow South African jumper De Wet was one called Well Done, which we immediately re-christened as The Braai. Well Done is on a big curved sandstone rock, the curvature of which makes it difficult to reach the sheer side where it is jumpable, so some local jumpers have fixed rope to allow you to abseil (or, if you’re a hobo with no rappelling gear like me, hand-over-hand climb) down to the sheer side of the cliff. Here they have bolted a metal barbeque grill to the rock, providing a handy launch pad. Naturally De Wet and I made no short measures of the occasion, singing some boere songs whilst on the braai grill before hopping off. I’m told we are the first South Africans to jump The Braai in Moab. Hell yeah!

Another jump on the to-do list for me was an epic one called Dragon's Nest, and yes, it’s as cool as its name sounds. A rocky outcrop on the top of a mountain is the place I’d make my nest if I was a dragon. And a hike worthy of a dragon slayer! The hike involves a slightly more technical section of rope ascension, allowing only one jumper on the rope at a time. The golden rule is to keep the group small else you bottleneck at the jumar section and turn a two hour hike in to a six hour one. In the spirit of Turkey Boogie, we broke that rule, outright. Also, none of us really knew the way or how to ascend a rope, and as it turns out there are some subtle points to be observed in the set-up of a jumar, which can mean the difference between a 10 minute rope ascension and 45 minute rope ascension. This rope ascension took me 45 minutes. Then it took the guy behind me 45 minutes. And the guy after him.

As the landing areas in Moab are littered with slot canyons, boulders and aggressive flora, they’re not really the place to land a parachute in the dark. By the time the five of us were up the rope section, the sun was sinking low on the horizon and we still had a lot of ground to cover to the exit. The race against the sunset was officially on! We scrambled mercilessly up the rocky slopes; and between haggard breaths we brainstormed the plan of action should we lose the

race. As the masters of survival that we are, everything was covered from sleeping in our parachutes to whether it’s ok to drink one’s own pee (Life of Pi says no). I never shared this with the boys, but I would be jumping solo in the pitch dark, boulder fields and all, before I’d go anywhere near mine or anyone else’s pee. Just saying.

It’s a good feeling hearing the lead hiker cheer. It means he’s found the exit. With excitement fuelled by success we willed our shaky legs to run the last section to join him. This mission had been an adrenalin rush from the word go, and standing on Dragon's Nest, kitting up with hearts pounding from exhaustion and just a little bit of nerves, it was truly epic.

We jumped in quick succession, like a flock of little dragons learning to fly from their perch! We opened our parachutes and whooped to each other as we soared down the talus and past the beautiful Fisher Towers, and as we flew side by side, we watched the sun set over a land of sand and fire.

It’s all about pushing through one’s fear. When your heart threatens to leap from your chest and your muscles threaten to collapse from fatigue, it's about taking control of that panic and turning it into exhilaration.

The camaraderie of watching your friends achieve that with you, every day, together, learning to fly, well there’s nothing quite like it! Landing that day at the foot of Dragon's Nest, with the last rays of sun bidding us goodnight behind the famous Castleton Tower, we hugged and cheered, and we felt like dragon slayers. •

èRelated articles:

• Hunting Trolls and Other Monsters in Europe (Issue 21, p. 16) • Jumping into Paradise (Issue 20, p. 14) • Magnificence on the far side of fear (Digital article, Aug ’12)

De Wet Davel exits from The Crown

Slot canyon

Luke Chapel jumps from Miles of Earl

26 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

inALTITUDE:

Words: Alex Jordaan | Photos: Dirk Venter & iFly Singapore | Video: iFly Singapore 2012

Prior to the competition

Island Airtime Singapore is a city of lights, shopping, islands, crab, Tiger beer, durian and home to the world’s largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel. Spanning 16.5 feet wide and 56.5 feet high, the Singapore tunnel overlooks the South China Sea from the amazing Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, and is filled with activities to keep one occupied when not flying in the tunnel.

28 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

So when iFly Singapore announced plans to host the Indoor Skydiving World Championships from 13 to 16 December 2012 we simply had to go.

The 'we' being SAVOLO, a South African 4-way Formation Skydiving team consisting of Amy Kirtland, Bailey Edmunds, Dirk Venter and myself, with Warren Hitchcock as our cameraman.

Since Amy couldn’t attend, we roped Andre van Heerden in as her substitute, and we wouldn't need Warren’s services in the tunnel.

Pre-event training

We arrived in Singapore a few days early for some training. Training is pretty much a four-letter word in our team and despite our best intentions we have yet to do much of it at all. We had 2.5 hours of tunnel time booked that would hopefully be enough to find our groove before the competition.

With one new member and no jumps together since the SA Nationals, more than seven months earlier, we needed it. To put it in perspective, 2.5 hours equates to about 200 skydives worth of freefall time. Should be enough.

There were a number of events taking place at this competition, including the 4-Way Formation Skydiving (Open and Amateur), 4-Way Vertical Formation Skydiving, 2-Way Freefly and Neo Freestyle Open and Kids. SAVOLO was competing in the 4-way Formation Skydiving Open event against seven other teams. The recent world champions from the USA were competing along with another top USA team, the Canadian and Australian national teams, the French B team and two military teams from Singapore. Overall it was a very strong field, but we were optimistic and ready for the meet to get underway.

The team congregated at the tunnel on the first training day to discuss strategy, technique, slots, continuity and all the other aspects that go into our preparation. Established teams usually have this all dialled in already and only need to talk about the finer details. Since SAVOLO was still fairly new and we were using a substitute, we had to start fresh. The plan was to use the first training day to go through all the random and

block formations, to see if any required further training and work out the kinks. Thereafter, we would fly some competition draws as test runs prior to the competition, all at top speed since it is a timed event. Solid plan, right? Had Amy been there with her much-needed voice of reason we may have taken a more subtle approach.

We started training session one with some fast sequences that were pretty easy. We rotated with one other team, which meant we would fly for 90 seconds (a 'rotation'), then jump out to rest while the other team flies for 90 seconds, repeating this cycle for 30 minutes and 10 sessions in total. We came out of the first session out of breath, out of energy and hurting. I guess it serves us right for doing the skydiving equivalent of 100-metre sprints for the entire 15 minutes we flew! With the fast sequences done, we moved onto the slower, more complex sequences that wouldn't require as much energy. Our second training session went much better, although we were suffering the consequences of our earlier training. We completed day one having made little performance progress and decided to go back to the drawing board for day two. We reshuffled the slots (who flies where in the formations) and decided to reprioritise certain aspects of our training. Day two was going to be awesome!

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 29

Day two wasn’t awesome. We battled through our training in the same manner as day one, taking three steps forward and two back.

We struggled with fatigue, focus, technique, frustration and anger, all of which adversely affected each training session. The thing about skydiving that makes you successful is often the subtleties and not the major components.

Naturally, you need to be able to fly well individually. We had that handled ok. But then you must be able to fly well together. That’s the difficult part. Communication, synchronicity, trust and familiarity are what separate average teams from good teams, and good teams from great teams.

For instance, at the end of this competition, SAVOLO ended up completing a formation every 1.9 seconds. On our two fastest rounds, we completed a new formation every 1.5 seconds.

The current world champions from the USA completed a formation every 0.8 seconds on their fastest round and completed a new formation every 1.1 seconds over the full competition.

This includes formations where the individual flyers have to complete 540-degree turns or two groups of two flyers joined together need to rotate 360 or 540 degrees. These longer formations require considerably more time to execute, which means the faster formations are built in well under a second each. That means that all four flyers must release their grips on each other, execute a move and take grips on another flyer in the new configuration and then repeat, all in under a second! The synchronicity required for this can only be achieved if all four members are acutely aware of what the others are doing, which takes constant communication via rehearsed sequencing, eye contact and body language. Naturally the more time you spend with the same team, the easier it becomes to feel the rhythm and know when formations are good to go or when they need some time to settle. It’s a precise sport and requires disciplined training that takes an immense amount of patience. Sometimes patience that is hard to come by, especially for me. For this reason it's rare that teams train without a dedicated coach to control the training plan and decide what needs to be worked on, when.

By day three of training we had decided to dial it back a notch and take things easier. The result was somewhat satisfactory and we felt in reasonable shape for the competition the following day. Well we kept telling ourselves that.

Repeat it enough times and it may just come true.

30 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. View from the outside public gallery 2. iFly Singapore 3. Team SAVOLO

Indoor Skydiving World Championships

An indoor skydiving competition is run much the same way as an outdoor competition, with a few exceptions. Instead of having a camera flyer jump with us to capture the jump for the judges to review, a fixed camera is placed at the top of the wind tunnel. The aircraft exit is replaced with an entry or start procedure - in this case a standing start from the net. Finally, while you may share the airplane ride with opponents, you seldom see their round before you jump. With an indoor meet you see them fly (and they can watch you), which adds a different dynamic to the competition mindset.

We entered round one with optimism; it would come together and we’d find our groove and fly together the way we knew we could.

Alas, it was not to be. Round one was fairly complex and we gained four penalties for incorrect or incomplete formations and some related confusion, for a score of 15 points. The Australians scored 16 and the Singaporean teams 19 each. The professional teams (USA, Canada and France) took an immediate and significant lead, as expected. With 90 minutes to prepare between rounds, there was not much time to dwell on round one. For the most part our performance was lacklustre.

We picked up more penalties, battled through some ‘B slot’ blocks and generally endured the typical outcomes associated with new teams and little training. These factors had not affected our elevated performance expectations, so we were left fairly disappointed after each round and downright despondent by the end of day one. We had to regroup and pull it together for day two.

Day two started out comparatively well with some bumps, but no catastrophes at least. Round seven felt pretty good as we finally found a rhythm and gathered momentum, if a little late in the competition. Only the leading four teams proceed past round eight to the semi finals, and the two USA teams and Canadians occupied the top three positions, with Australia and France tied in fourth, followed by the Singapore teams and then us. The competition was over for us and we were relegated to the spectators’ bench for the remainder of the event. The rest of the competition was amazing to watch, with USA’s Arizona Airspeed taking first place to become the new world champions.

Looking back we all agree that we did ok. We grew as a team and learned a lot. Seeing the world’s best teams in action was inspiring and fuelled us to train harder (and smarter) for the next competition. For all of us involved, the trip was a memorable experience and contained both a number of valuable training lessons, as well as great memories. We are entering new territory in our skydiving careers and South African skydiving no longer feels ok with being middle of the pack (or last in this case). Our expectations have increased, and with it the pressure to learn and improve faster. It’s also easy for us to feel optimistic about the future. At a difficult meet we still scored our highest average score to date. Our scoring is increasing consistently, even though our expectations seem to be increasing at a slightly faster rate. Our team competed together for the first time in April last year and only has 78 team jumps and about 12 hours in the tunnel, so as far as training history goes we are brand new. Add a few hundred team jumps and some more tunnel hours and I hope to be typing a different article.

èRelated articles:

• Voodoo 8-way Team Prepares for Skydiving World Championship (Issue 20, p. 20) • Tunnel Time (Issue 16, p.42)

4-Way Formation Skydiving (Open and Amateur) Four team members fly in a horizontal body position. They are given a set sequence to perform in each round, which they must complete accurately as many times as possible within 35 seconds.

4-Way Vertical Formation Skydiving Four team members fly in a vertical position (either head up or head down). They are given a set sequence to perform in each round, which they must complete accurately as many times as possible within 35 seconds.

2-Way Freefly Two team members fly in any position, each performing their own choreographed routines of 45 seconds each. The routines are judged on technical difficulty and presentation. Additional rounds of speed routines, similar to Vertical Formation Skydiving rounds, are also thrown into the mix.

Neo Freestyle Open and Kids This is an individual event where each flyer flies in any position and choreographs their own 45 second routines. The routines are judged on technical difficulty and presentation. This event also included a category specifically for kids Vertical Wind Tunnel A vertical wind tunnel is usually a large, funnel-shaped building with one or more fans at the top to draw air upwards through it.

The air drawn through is either directed out or continuously recirculated around to the bottom to be drawn up again. Drawing the air in from the top (as opposed to blowing from the bottom) creates a smoother, consistent airflow that is almost identical to freefall. The flying chamber is often in the middle of the structure, with a doorway to enter or exit the airflow. The controlled air speed can be set to the precise speed that is comfortable for the type of flying the participants are doing. Skydiving wind tunnels range in size from 10 feet in diameter to over 16 feet. For a team of four flyers, the larger the better, so we usually visit 14 feet and 16 feet tunnels to train in.

For more info on how it works, take a look at the Wind Tunnel section on www.iflysingapore.com •

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 31

inTRAIL:

Matthew Holt | Photos: Matthew Holt & Fiona McIntosh

A

Pilgrim’s Progress It was stinking hot, my hips grated and I was running with the grace of a pantomime horse. Fiona, meanwhile, had been bitten by a bedbug the previous night and her face had swollen up like a pumpkin. Just looking at her added to my woes. Ahead of us, two pilgrims materialised in the dust, barely moving. The man tottered on matchstick legs, like a drunk on stilts, and both calves were wrapped in filthy bandages. The woman had abandoned her hiking boots for sandals, with each toe individually dressed. As we shuffled past they cheerily shouted, "Buen camino peregrinos." It was then that I knew we’d reach Santiago, even if we still had over 400 km to go.

A dispiriting sign

32 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

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The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, has drawn pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain for more than twelve centuries, even if the historical basis for the trip is actually quite flimsy.

Supposedly, after Christ’s death, the Apostle James travelled to Spain to spread the word, but quickly gave up and returned to Jerusalem, where he was executed by King Herod. His followers took his body back to Spain and buried it at Santiago. When a shepherd discovered a tomb in 813, the local bishop declared it belonged to St. James, whose ghost then helped the Spanish drive out the Moors and restore Christian rule. Whatever the merits of this tale, pilgrims were soon beating a path to visit St. James’ remains in the Santiago Cathedral, encouraged by the Catholic Church offering ‘indulgences’ (or pardons) to those making the journey. By the twelth century, Santiago was attracting half-amillion pilgrims each year and there was even a guide book. Thereafter, successive wars reduced the flow of pilgrims to a trickle, but in the last decade it’s taken off again, with more than 100,000 arriving annually in Santiago to claim their official compostela and indulgence.

The train from Bayonne was full of pilgrims of all nationalities, shapes and sizes. Then again, in medieval times my fellow travellers would have included murderers and thieves, plus professional pilgrims hired by affluent sinners to collect their indulgences for them. No one alighted till the final stop, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, an ancient walled village at the foot of the Pyrenees. There’s no starting line for the Camino, whereas in medieval times a pilgrimage commenced at your front door. with modern transport it’s a bit more complicated and you have to decide where to start. Officially, to qualify for a compostela you must travel at least 100 km on foot (or 200 km by bicycle). However, for credibility amongst fellow pilgrims, you should start outside Spain, with St. Jean being the most popular departure point. From there, it’s 790 km to Santiago. As soon as the train stopped, we sprinted up through town to the pilgrim office to register for our credencial or pilgrim passport, necessary to obtain a compostela in Santiago and cheap accommodation along the way.

The next morning we were woken early by bright sunshine and the sound of hiking boots and poles on the cobbled streets outside. Having spent the night sampling local cider, it was a bit later when we passed under the Porte Notre Dame, which led out of town. Like most pilgrims, we were planning to make Spain that day, some 25 km away and a 1,300 m climb over the Pyrenees via the ‘Route de Napoleon’, the way used by the French troops to invade in 1808 and also retreat five years later. A stiff climb led out of the valley to Pic D’Orisson, marked by a shrine to the Virgin Mary plus memorials to pilgrims whose journeys ended prematurely. On such a glorious day it was difficult to perceive any menace. Five years earlier, however, a colleague of mine had died of hypothermia as a result of being caught out in a freak snow storm.

We paused on the cliff edge, watching vultures wheel on the thermals, before starting the steep descent into Spain.

On our second day, we reached Pamplona. With the Festival of San Fermin about to start, the city was in party mood, the squares packed, the bars buzzing and the barricades up for the bull run. We reluctantly pushed on, into the wheat fields of Navarre and vineyards of Rioja.

Typically, we covered about 45 km each day, though it’s fair to say we weren’t clocking Olympic medal times. Early mornings were best, when the day was still fresh, the scents sharp and the air full of birdsong.

By noon, however, the sun would be blazing, the heat oppressive and landscape bleached. Then, the sensible pilgrims would leave the trail and our only company would be cyclists freewheeling past and a few other long-distance addicts.

34 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Over the centuries, infrastructure has grown along the route, with restaurants and hostels dedicated to pilgrims. The restaurants all offered ‘pilgrim menus’, which were pretty much the same, bar one stand-out dish - like paella or fillet steak - that tempted you in and was never available. On the plus side, each meal came with copious amounts of red wine so we could drink away our aching legs.

Meanwhile the hostels varied greatly.

Some were impersonal like reformatories, others offered private rooms; some were spartan but clean, others infested with bedbugs.

We crossed the Montes de Oca in a ghostly mist, passing a stark memorial to Civil War victims. If St. James had assisted the Spanish against the Moors and Napoleon, he failed to protect them from each other, with the vicious conflict between 1936 and 1939 claiming half-amillion lives. Then came a long slog into Burgos, with its impressive architecture and, more importantly, piazzas lined with tapas bars. After seven days and 300 km, we felt we deserved spoiling. The city was also long on monuments to its favourite son, the eleventh century warlord ‘El Cid’.

Dying under siege in Valencia, he was reinterred in Burgos with his favourite horse, and then dug up and reinterred again alongside his wife. It’s not clear which he preferred.

After Burgos, came the meseta, a high farmland plateau with endless wheat fields, few trees and little shelter from the relentless sun. Sometimes the route followed 2,000-year-old Roman roads, cutting through fields as straight as plumb lines. While we admired the Romans’ discipline, we did question their imagination: just a few blind corners or bends would have cheered us no end. Our days on the meseta blurred into one long, panning shot of dazzling cornfields and a straight, white gravel path disappearing over the horizon.

The villages on the meseta existed in a time warp. There was no indication that Spain had just become European football champions or gone bankrupt, with riots breaking out in Madrid. No, the locals carried on as they’d always done, siestaing through the day and gathering at dusk in the plaza for an alfresco vino. With virtually no one speaking any English, we had to rely on pidgin Spanish and sign language.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1. It's not all fun 2. Day one and over the Pyrenees 3. In the meseta 4. Reaching Hontanas

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 35

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Pilgrims on the trail 2. African style 3. Salvation at Santiago de Compostela

Eventually, we reached the city of Leon, with its Gothic and Renaissance architecture and palace designed by Gaudi. After four days on the meseta we didn’t really care, heading straight to a restaurant for lunch. In fact, the worst section of the Camino came next, on the road out of Leon. The villages had physically died, with all the shops boarded up, the houses deserted and every property for sale. There were no people; even the ghosts had gone. Having planned to stay at a hostel that existed in our guidebook but not in reality, we had to run an extra 10 km and bunk down in a school hall, along with 50 other people who had the same book.

A few pilgrims were on similar schedules to ours and for several days shared our dormitories and restaurants. There was the felt-hatted German, who was witty in the morning, weird in the afternoon and rabid drunk each evening; the rugged Austrian ski instructor, who hoped the Camino would reveal which of his two pregnant girlfriends to settle down with; and the earnest Canadian, who awoke one morning with the revelation that man was made for walking. His wife barred him starting from home, so he’d negotiated a vacation to do the Camino. He was last seen boarding a bus outside Leon, with a sore leg. They were important characters for a few scenes in our play, before drifting off and becoming part of someone else’s Camino.

I always feared the hardest part would come after we’d passed the halfway point, but were still too far out to pretend we were on the home straight. It was no compensation being proved right.

On our thirteenth day, while running up Santo Toribio, my left shin exploded in pain and I instinctively thought I’d been shot.

Fiona more mundanely diagnosed shin splints. With 260 km to Santiago, I doubted I could walk there, let alone run. Along the Camino are several sites where St. James allegedly appeared to pilgrims in their hour of need, spouting a cool spring or performing a resurrection. You can take these reputed miracles as you like.

Anyhow, sitting there morosely mulling our predicament, we spotted a scarecrow that someone had kitted up as a pilgrim, with a rucksack and trekking pole. After a few furtive glances, I purloined the latter, thus enabling me to hobble to Astorga, where I raided pharmacies for strapping and anti-inflammatories.

The next few days were tough, crossing two mountain ranges and the Camino’s highest point, the 1,515 m Punto Alto. But they were also the most rewarding. In hindsight, till then we’d had it too easy, running along in a capsule, confident we’d make it, oblivious to everyone else. It was only after my leg went lame that I had to deal with obstacles and uncertainty. That was when I realised the Camino is not a race and I couldn’t do it on my own, and when I reflected that it might be a metaphor for my life, but perhaps by then I’d had too much red wine.

Once we reached Sarria, we had 110 km to go and knew we’d make it. Sarria is the traditional starting point for ‘express pilgrims’, with limited time or in urgent need of a pardon, plus large school and scout parties. The newcomers were conspicuous by their small packs, clean clothes, un-bandaged legs and even gait.

36 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Worse still, rather than suffering, they were clearly having fun, laughing, singing and playing dead ants. It was hard not to feel superior.

By the last 50 km, the Camino had lost any charm, with too many people for the infrastructure. The pilgrims had merged into one long noisy Chinese dragon, most way-markers were defaced (embarrassingly in English) and the route was lined with soiled toilet paper. The spirit had also changed, with the congestion producing outbursts of temper. Coming out of Palais de Rei, a cyclist tore past, shouting abuse and running over my foot. I snarled back after him. Of course, I should have turned the other cheek and wished him buen camino, but it will take more than a pilgrimage to make me such a person.

On our twentieth day, we descended from Monte do Gozo, drawn on by the sight of Santiago’s spires, now only 3 km away and better still, downhill. Finally we were in the grand square, craning our necks before the towering cathedral. There was no finishing line or ticker tape, just crowds of milling tourists and street vendors.

Getting there was always likely to be an anti-climax, but maybe a pilgrimage is less about the destination and more about the journey. As it was, for medieval pilgrims reaching Santiago was only halfway. They had to turn round and retrace their steps, facing the same distance and hazards. Fortunately times have changed. After collecting our compostella and attending pilgrim mass, we caught a flight home. •

èRelated articles:

• Ambling with Dragons (Issue 22, p. 28) • All Along the Watchtowers (Issue 19, p. 22) • Grootvaderbosch - A Magical Run (Issue 17, p. 98)

dinFO box

i

1. T here are numerous starting points along the Camino, though you must hike at least 100 km to receive your compostella in Santiago. The most popular long-distance route is the 790 km Camino Frances from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

2. Most pilgrims take 30 to 35 days to complete the Camino Frances.

3. R yanair flies from London Stansted to Biarritz (where you catch a bus to Bayonne and then a train to St-Jean) and back from Santiago to London Stansted.

4. The most useful guidebook is A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago by John Brierley.

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inTRAIL:

George Louw | Photos: George Louw & Daniel Barnard

9

New Records Set for

Peaks in Provinces

George capturing a waypoint en route to the top of Die Berg

When I first asked Daniel Barnard to join me on a hike in the Drakensberg a couple of years ago, his reaction was one of disgust. “We don’t hike! Hiking is too easy!” were the words of someone who has paddled the Thames River in England from source to mouth solo, unsupported and non-stop in 72 hours. Since then I've convinced him otherwise and we've completed some amazing hikes in the Drakensberg, all with a bit of a twist.

Being competitive individuals, it was only natural for us to stumble upon the 9 Peaks in 9 Provinces adventure. The purpose of the adventure? To do it in the shortest possible time. This feat has been accomplished by a number of individuals and groups, but the person who put this amazing experience on the map is Kobus Bresler. Kobus holds the record for completing this adventure in just over eight days, solo and unsupported. His time was also faster than any group, thus establishing the time we wanted to beat.

38 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

1

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Iron Crown (2,126 m), Limpopo Province We left Jo'burg around 10 a.m. on 21 December 2012 and headed to Haenertsburg, in the Limpopo, where we would start with the Iron Crown peak at midnight. We arrived early that afternoon and decided to do a quick scout of the route, but the scouting session only got us lost and demotivated, so we ended up at the Iron Crown Pub for a beer, dinner and planning session. After our meal we found the correct route and arrived at the starting point at approximately 8 p.m. We decided to have a three-hour nap and set the alarm clock for 11:30 p.m., so we could start promptly at midnight. At 12:28 a.m. we woke up, a bit startled and already behind schedule.

It was windy and the fog thick, so we used a GPS to find our way to the top on the barely visible footpath.

Die Berg (2,331 m) in the Steenkampsberg, Mpumalanga Leaving Iron Crown, we drove 307 km to Die Berg, the second peak on our trip and the highest mountain in Mpumalanga. The road to Lydenburg was slow as we drove through small settlements and on below-average roads. We stopped next to the road, roughly three kilometres from Die Berg's summit, and approached it straight up the steep side, not minding the rough thicket we had to negotiate to get to the top.

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5

Nooitgedacht (1,806 m) in the Magaliesberg, North West From Die Berg we took the back roads to Middelburg before getting onto the N4 to Nooitgedacht, a 370 km drive. Nooitgedacht is the highest mountain in the North West, and we accessed this peak via the Mountain Sanctuary Nature Conservation area, situated west of the peak, making it a 14 km round trip. We arrived at the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m., hoping for a quick two-hour trail run up to the peak and back. It ended up taking us two-and-ahalf hours due to the midday heat, which left us with battered bodies. We got back to the sanctuary at 1 p.m. and only had three hours to get to Toringkop in Suikerbosrand, approximately 180 km away, as visitors aren’t allowed in the nature reserve after 4 p.m.

Daniel checking the GPS en route to the Iron Crown

Toringkop (1,913 m), Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng We made it to the reserve's northern gate with 25 minutes to spare, and continued to Toringkop, the highest peak in Gauteng. In six minutes, we completed the formalities of hiking the few hundred metres to the top of Toringkop, took a photo and marked a waypoint on the GPS before we were off again.

Namahadi (3,275 m), west of Mount-Aux-Sources, Free State The N3 marked the start of the Drakensberg peaks and we tried to catch up on some sleep en route to Harrismith. Rain, lightning and thunder were evident everywhere, dampening our spirits somewhat as the Drakensberg is not a place you want to wander around in such conditions.

After a 328 km drive, we arrived at the Sentinel car park just after 9 p.m. on 22 December. Namahadi is the highest peak in the Free State and the first of the Drakensberg peaks. We set off just after 10 p.m. in pitch black darkness and used GPS coordinates to steer us in the general direction of the peak. The last few kilometres were tough, mentally and physically, due to an increase in rolling hills, fatiguing bodies and sleep-deprived minds. After reaching the summit we stopped for a quick power nap. The cold woke us 40 minutes later and we got back to the car just before 8 a.m.

6

7

Namahadi ended up being more strenuous than expected and with Mafadi still to come, we knew the Drakensberg would take a lot out of our bodies and play unfair games on the mind.

Mafadi (3,451 m), south of Mount-Aux-Sources, KwaZulu-Natal We followed the road via Bergville and Winterton towards Injisuthi, a 201 km drive and the starting point of the Mafadi hike.

Mafadi is the highest peak in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

Again there was lightning and heavy clouds, but it cleared up and we set off at 1 p.m. on 23 December. We paced ourselves well, but it took all our efforts to reach the top and we were so broken that we had to take a nap to recover for the technical hike down. We completed the Mafadi hike in a record time of just over 20 hours, but our bodies felt it.

KwaDuma (3,019 m), on the Lesotho border near Ongeluksnek, Eastern Cape From Injisuthi we drove via Winterton to Howick before turning west towards Underberg and finally arrived in Kokstad, a distance of 583 km. KwaDuma is the highest peak in the Eastern Cape and the last of the Drakensberg peaks on our trip.

40 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

On top of Murch Point in thick fog

Daniel adding to the height of Toringkop The top of Seweweekspoort, the ninth and final peak of our trip

8

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It was raining, the roads were muddy and slippery and we got horribly lost. We eventually arrived at the Thabase Police Station, the hike's starting point, at 11 p.m., but the police officers were reluctant to allow us into the unknown at night and suggested we start our hike at first light. We woke just before 5 a.m. to a cloudy and windy, but beautiful Christmas day. We managed to find the shortest and easiest path to the escarpment, but as we started the steepest part of the ascent it started raining heavily and the head wind picked up considerably.

Despite this, KwaDuma ended up being one of the nicest and most beautiful hikes of the entire trip.

Murch Point (2,156 m), near Nieu-Bethesda, Northern Cape From Thabase we passed Mount Fletcher, Maclear and Elliot before turning west towards Middelburg in the Eastern Cape, to Murch Point, a distance of 621 km. We reached Murch Point, the highest peak in the Northern Cape, early on 26 December and set out just before 5 a.m., struggling through thick Karoo shrubs and muddy undergrowth. It was cloudy and cool, and as we approached the summit, a thick fog covered us and required the use of the GPS for our final approach.

Seweweekspoort (2,325 m), near Ladismith, Western Cape With only Seweweekspoort left, we followed the N1 to Laingsburg before turning towards Ladismith, a 542 km drive. Realising that this last peak was going to take every bit of energy out of us, we left the car just after 4 p.m.

The going was rough, with thick and tough fynbos and lots of loose rocks and massive boulders to negotiate.

Our pace slowed as we tried to zigzag where possible to conserve ourselves, however the view from the mountain was impressive and our spirits were high because our trip was coming to an end.

We summited Seweweekspoort exactly 4 days, 18 hours and 38 minutes from the moment the trip started; a new record. We covered a total distance of 146 km on foot, which took us almost 54 hours. We drove a total of 3,132 km and spent approximately 60 hours en route between peaks. Our total ascent on foot was just short of the height of Everest and we maintained an average hiking speed of 2.7 km/h. We had also broken the record for the round trip to Mafadi, from the Injisuthi campsite, by more than 6 hours, completing it in 20 hours and 28 minutes.

Descending Leslie’s Pass on our way back from Mafadi

We were both relieved and very proud of bagging the highest peaks in nine provinces, and setting new records! Will you be the next to break ours? • èRelated articles: • 9 Provinces, 9 Peaks and 9 Packs in 9 Days (Issue 11, p. 51) • Olifants River Backpacking Trail - A Hiker's Journal (Issue 15, p. 106)

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 41

inTRAIL:

Words & Photos: Linda Willemse

When considering a marathon on the African continent, the Victoria Falls Marathon should definitely be on your to-do list.

This unique event takes place in the small tourist town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, home to one of the world’s natural wonders - the Victoria Falls, and takes runners

to the famous bridge from where they can view the spectacular falls. It's also one of only a handful of races that goes through a national park and it is a qualifying race for the Two Oceans and Comrades.

The race was launched after the success of the annual Kilimanjaro Marathon and also met a need for another African marathon in southern Africa. And where better than the Victoria Falls. Now into its seventh year, this race is not just for the competitors, it's also for the non-athletes supporting the runners, because they can enjoy some of the great action activities available at Vic Falls.

The 2013 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon will take place on Sunday, 14 July 2013. A 42.2 km full marathon, 21.1 km half marathon and 5 km run are available. Developed in conjunction with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls Marathon is an AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) registered event. The Marathon and Half Marathon races are run under the auspices of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, and is governed by IAAF rules.

Last year's event saw more than 600 athletes taking part in the three races - an all time high - and for the 2013 edition we expect to top this number. The marathon race provides a wonderful platform for both local and international runners to pit themselves against the best! Over the years, the event has attracted some fantastic Kenyan and Tanzanian athletes, as well as competitors from China, America, Holland, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Britain, Canada, South America and the list goes on. Many disabled athletes have also made their mark here, and a number of athletes have run to raise money for charity. So it really is a race for everyone.

Econet Victoria Falls Marathon A Test of Grit and Endurance

42 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

The route The race route is fast and relatively flat, and well supported by regular water points and cooling down sections, all ably managed by the sponsors. It starts opposite the Kingdom Hotel, at the Post Office parking lot, in the town of Victoria Falls, then crosses over the Vic Falls Bridge and goes briefly into Zambia, thus offering the social runner some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa, to end at the Victoria Falls Primary School.

Race options • Full Marathon (42.2 km) - This race starts at 06h45 and finishes at The Victoria Falls Primary Schools field and stadium. The final cut-off time is 12h30. The entry fee to Zimbabwe citizens is US$10, and for all others it is US$35. The minimum entry age is 21 years and all finishers under five-and -a-half hours will be awarded medals.

• Half Marathon (21.2 km) This run starts at 07h00 and finishes at The Victoria Falls Primary Schools field and stadium. The final cut-off time is 12h30. The entry fee to Zimbabwe citizens is US$10, and for all others it is US$35. The minimum entry age is 18 years and all finishers under threeand-a-half hours will be awarded medals.

• Disabled Half Marathon (21.2 km) - This race starts at 06h45.

• 5 km Fun Run - The race starts at 07h15, runs through Chinotimba and finishes at the school. The entry fee for all runners is $3. The minimum entry age is 10 years.

To enter If you would like to take part in this amazing race, you can enter in Victoria Falls on Friday, 12 July and Saturday, 13 July 2013 at the Kingdom Hotel, or online. Online entries close Friday, 28 June 2013.

Race Rules and Information Race rules

• The race is being run under the rules of IAAF and NAAZ. • All traffic officials must be obeyed.

• The organiser reserves the right to accept or reject any entry.

• The entry fee is non refundable.

• No advertising or branding on athletes will be allowed, other than the official race bib. Athletes may run in their official club colours.

• Race numbers are not transferable.

• Obey the race marshals at all times.

• Race officials are the final arbiters of any dispute.

• No mobile seconding or driving alongside runners will be allowed.

• Water points providing water will be available at regular intervals on the route.

• Run on the right-hand side of the road or on the cycle track, unless directed otherwise by race marshals.

• Complete the bottom section of the tear-off on your race number in full before starting the race. This must be handed it in at the finish. If you do not have a bag and label at the finish you will be disqualified.

• Display your race number on the front of your vest throughout the race.

• Please put all litter in the bins provided at water points.

• Category prize winners will be required to show proof of date of birth.

Race information

• All runners competing in the Full and Half Marathons must wear their running bib, clearly, on the front (not back).

• Do not fold your race number, as we will provide pins for your race number.

There is a perforated section on your number for verification at the finish, which we will take from you as you cross the finish line.

• A tog bag area will be provided, and if you plan to use this facility then allow ample time to warm up and get ready.

Tog bags will be transported to the finish at the stadium by 09h00.

• There are cash prizes to be won and medals and t-shirts for those that finish the race.

To find out more information and enter this amazing event, visit www. vicfallsmarathon.com. Alternatively, visit reservations@wildfrontiers.com.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 43

Go wild

Besides the breathtaking landscapes you will encounter on the marathon race, there is plenty more to do and see. Known as the adventure centre of Africa, for good reason, the Victoria Falls has a wealth of activities available! Choose one of the standard travel packages or tailor-make your own by combining the marathon race with some rafting, canoeing, boat cruising, game viewing, an elephant back safari or even a bungee jump! Safaris in neighbouring Botswana and Zambia are also available through Wild Frontiers, the official organiser of the Victoria Falls Marathon. In addition, there are daily flights from Johannesburg to Vic Falls, which makes linking from international flights to the region easy and convenient.

èRelated articles:

• Great Ethiopian Run (Issue 19, p. 72) • Swiss Alpine Ultra Marathon - more than a race (Issue 9, p. 72)

Travel tips Safari bookings & travel packages: Contact Wild Frontiers on reservations@wildfrontiers.com Travel insurance: Please ensure you have sufficient medical cover for the duration of your trip.

Health: It is strongly recommended that malaria prophylactics be taken just before, during and after your visit to Zimbabwe.

Precautions against other tropical diseases should be taken - please consult a travel medical specialist www.travelclinics.co.za, or your local specialist in your region/country.

Tetanus is recommended.

44 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Visas: These are issued free of charge to South African passport holders at the border/airport on arrival.

Other nationalities - please check.

Flights: It is imperative that you reconfirm your onward/return flights.

Communication: There is a cell phone network in Zimbabwe, but remember to organise an international roaming facility.

Hotels: Complaints which are not brought to the attention of the hotel management during your stay cannot be dealt with after your return to South Africa, unless the hotel management has been fully briefed about the circumstances in respect of which a formal written complaint is to be lodged, upon your return. Payments for drinks and extras by credit cards attracts a surcharge. Preferably pay in cash - USD, small denomination notes are recommended (1s, 5s, 10s etc. for the smaller bills). Telephone calls are extremely expensive from the hotel for various reasons; ask first before you make that call! •

inGEAR:

Words: Rebecca van der Linde | Photos: Zoon Cronje

Inaugural Cycle Fest a Success An announcement from the organisers of The Cycle Fest sums up this new event on the South African cycling calendar, “The Cycle Fest is a fusion of everything cycling, an opportunity for cyclists, teams, brands and basically everyone and everything cycling to get together at the beginning of the year and celebrate cycling and the season that lies ahead."

Two of South Africa’s leading events and sports marketing companies, Max Cluer Sports Marketing and Advendurance, joined forces with KZN Mountain Biking to present The Cycle Fest. The dream and vision is to build it into South Africa’s most influential and biggest cycling extravaganza.

The inaugural event took place from 11 to 13 January 2013 at the Cascades MTB Park, in Pietermaritzburg, and comprised a weekend jammed with everything mountain biking, including the Momentum Health UCI Cat 1 Burry Stander Memorial XCO Elite and Masters Races, the Gravity Enduro, Pump Track, Cross-country Eliminator, Hill Climb, Night Race, MTB Classic (10 km, 20 km and 40 km), 2-4 Hour Team Relay and the first ever Young Guns Stage Race to introduce youngsters to stage racing.

Charles Roberts, Chairman of the KZN MTB Commission, commented post event, “The Cycle Fest started as a concept to kick-start the year, a sort of festival with a number of fun events for riders and one really serious UCI Cross-country right in the middle. The emphasis was on having fun and it was important that riders could participate at the level at which they felt comfortable - especially as this was so soon after the Christmas holiday.

46 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Winner winner chicken dinner of the men’s UCI Elite XCO, Philip Buys (Scott). Complimentary mudpack!

Greg Minnaar having fun on his way to two of his three victories on the weekend in the XCE.

One-size-fits-all-cover is no longer good enough With Momentum Health, you can shape your cover according to your needs and pocket. Plus you could qualify for R5 400 in HealthReturns and up to 4 free GP visits per year!

Visit www.momentumhealth.co.za for more, or momentumhealth.mobi Terms and conditions apply

Kendall Ryan (Team Jeep ) tries to free her wheel of mud in the Pro-Elite Women’s XCO.

“When KZN MTB appointed Max Cluer Sports Marketing (who partnered with Fritz Pienaar of Advendurance) to handle sponsorships, event organising and marketing, the concept grew into The Cycle Fest, which will now be a regular annual feature to start the year. There was something for everyone at the threeday event and it was gratifying to see all of South Africa’s top cross-country riders turn up for the Burry Stander Memorial XCO, which was a Category 1 race with R55 000 prize money and excellent points for those participating in international competition this year. All in all, the event was a huge success and attracted a lot of interest from just about everyone in cycling. With so many different types of events, including Cross-country, Enduro, Hill Climb, Pump Track and Team Relay, and vendors and sponsors, it was a proper festival and the perfect start to the 2013 mountain biking year.”

Philip Buys (Scott) paid a fitting tribute to Burry Stander in the way he won the UCI-sanctioned Cross-country Category 1 race. After thirty-six hours of non-stop rain, the Cascades course was turned into a treacherous mud bath. Stander usually excelled in such conditions. Like Stander, Buys did not allow himself to be intimidated by the muddy conditions and gave an almost faultless performance of what cross-country racing should be about. He won the Burry Stander Memorial Race in a time of 01:50:18. Max Knox (Specialized) surprised by finishing second, merely 62 seconds adrift. It was only the second time during the past three years that the South African Marathon Champion has competed in a cross-country race. Rourke Croeser (Kargo / Orange Monkey) was third, 4 minutes and 23 seconds behind Buys. Pietermaritzburg-based teammates Brendon Davids (Team Jeep) and Travis Walker claimed fourth and fifth respectively, and gained some valuable UCI points for the new season.

Pietermaritzburg’s two-time World Downhill Champion, Greg Minnaar, takes the win in the XC Eliminator.

Buys said after the race, “It was really special to win a race in which Burry’s memory was honoured. I owed it to him to ride aggressively. During the past three years I have been privileged to be involved in some tough skirmishes with Burry. This taught me that the only way to excel in cross-country racing is to go out hard and not allow yourself to be intimidated by the conditions, because there is nothing you can do about it. The other reason why I decided to make the racing hard from the start was because I wanted to intimidate my rivals. They should realise that it will take some doing to beat me in one of the local cross-country events.”

48 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Olympian Candice Neethling (BMC) shows her skills to handle the muddy conditions in the Pro-Elite Women’s XCO.

Fritz Pienaar had to settle for second place in the XCE

The Elite Men’s podium with Philip Buys (1st), Max Knox (2nd) and Rourke Croeser (3rd)

A first for mountain biking was the Young Guns Stage Race. Stage racing in South Africa has grown in popularity over the last decade to the point now where there is a stage race every other weekend in some corner of the country. For this reason, the organisers of The Cycle Fest decided to introduce the youngsters to the rigours of racing three consecutive days. With nearly 20 team entries, it was clear that there is a demand for this category.

Feedback from the riders has been encouraging, despite the farfrom-ideal conditions. Gert Heyns (Contego), who placed sixth in the UCI XCO Elite Men’s race, had this to say in his blog, “Having a XC race so early in the year was very strange for me as the international season only really starts in the month of May. It was a nice opportunity to get some UCI points early in the year and it’s always good getting an opportunity to compare yourself against your rivals. Going to KZN is always an adventure for me because it feels like going to another country. It really is a strange place.

Strange weather and interesting people. We knew from the start that it would be more of a Mud Fest than a Cycle Fest. The track at Cascades was different from the Cascades I am used to, with rawer single track and also less manicured. I enjoyed riding it.

Although there weren’t any real obstacles it was a fun track to ride. I know the track and was excited to see what I am capable of early in the season. It was also good to race at the venue of this year’s World Championships.”

Tiaan Odendaal took the win in the 20” Bike category, Andrew Martin won the 26” Bike category and Tim Bentley won the prize for the Best Trick.

Mariske Strauss (Contego) won the Women’s Cross-country and Marathon races. “After not really getting any good results last year, it was important for me to win again. I wanted to prove to myself that I still have what it takes to win a race,” Strauss said. Strauss, who will be studying BSc Sports Science at the University of Stellenbosch, said that her main focus for this season will be on cross-country racing. “It will be the last year that I will be racing as an U23 rider and I would like to achieve a good result at the World Championship, especially because it will be held in Pietermaritzburg.” Strauss’s winning time in the crosscountry race was 1:43:53. Rising Pietermaritzburg star, Ashleigh Moffatt (BMC), was second and Samantha Sanders (Valencia) in third.

Race Director Max Cluer concluded that, “This is the first year of The Cycle Fest and our vision is to grow it into the must-do event on the SA cycling calendar. An event where the New Year gets kicked-off with a bang and all people, brands, athletes, teams and vendors within the cycling fraternity in SA can get together and connect before the rush and madness of the year ahead starts. We are really looking forward to the 2014 event and would like to thank Momentum Health and all our partners and suppliers for making this year possible.

Also a big thank you to KZN Mountain Biking and their brilliant crew, and to the very professional team from Advendurance.”

Greg Minnaar, UCI Downhill World Champion, was the other hero of The Cycle Fest. He won the 40 km Marathon, the Eliminator (XCE) and Gravity Enduro (GE). 'Fun' was the word Minnaar used to describe his various races. “I was in the lucky position that there was no real pressure on me to perform, so I could enjoy myself. But it still felt good to win.” According to Minnaar, The Cycle Fest has the makings to become one of the main events on the South African racing calendar. In the end it was Fritz Pienaar in second and Gert Heyns third in the XCE. A small handicap in the Women’s race saw Jessica Alcock take the win ahead of Mariska Strauss in second and Siska van der Bijl in third. Local downhill talent Tiaan Odendaal placed second in the GE, with rising cross-country racer Alan Hatherly in third. Veteran rider Natalie Bergstrom claimed the Women’s title in the GE ahead of Kathryn Fourie in second and Dana Gleeson third.

“Our thanks go to Max, Fritz and everyone else that made the event possible and, of course, we look forward to growing this into our own South African 'Sea Otter' in the years to come,” says Charles Roberts. •

All African and SA Junior Cross-country Champion Patrick Belton took the honours in the short but technically testing 100 m Hill Climb ahead of young Julian Jessop in second and Francois Theron in third. Tiffany Keep was the first woman.

èRelated articles:

• Join the Critical Mass Movement (Digital article, Dec ’12) • Mountain Bike World Cup (Issue 17, p. 82) • MTB Race Season Preview ( Issue 16, 88)

dinFO box

i

Full results on: www.elitetiming.co.za/ Results/2013Results/tabid/121/Default.aspx More information on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thecyclefest Find us on Twitter: @thecyclefest

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 49

inGEAR:

Words: Hannele Steyn | Photos: Various Contributors

Epic 2007

Me

An Epicy Journe Where do you start a story or recollec tion of memorie s that consume d 10 years of your life?

Well, it all started in 2003, at the Argus Cycle Tour’s expo. I was working for my sponsor, PVM, at their stand and was approached by a guy called Kevin Vermaak. As I was the South African Champion in Cross-country and Marathon and still racing seriously, Kevin was keen to find out what I thought about the idea of an eight-day mountain bike stage race. His vision was to start the race in the picturesque town of Knysna and finish eight days later in Cape Town. As the eternal opportunist, I raved about the idea and offered to be as involved as he wanted me to be.

Plans were set in motion, but the biggest hurdle to cross was funding as the cost to get a race of this magnitude off the ground is enormous. So we approached my sponsors; Adidas, PVM, Polar, Falke and Beyerskloof Wine Estate. Some of them were interested and came on board immediately and have remained involved to this day. As a thank you for the introduction, Kevin gave me an entry to participate in the inaugural event, the Adidas Cape Epic in 2004. I was so excited and started to train like a mad woman.

50 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

I teamed up with Johan Greeff and what an eye opener this event proved to be because we knew nothing about endurance events of this scale. We were only used to racing marathon events that were one-day races of 70-100 km. With all our training and preparation done (or so we thought), we left for Knysna two days before the start.

Epic 2007

Epic 2007

Epic 2007

2004 Inaugural Event The air was filled with nervous energy as we lined up in the rain for the start of the first-ever Cape Epic mountain bike race. We got off to a great start and were the leading mixed team for most of the day. However, the rain and mud caused my bicycle to get bad chain suck. This cost us dearly and presented a window of opportunity to a German team, who happily grabbed it. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't make up lost time and ended the first stage in second place. Back then, there wasn't much information about endurance racing and nutrition, which go hand in hand, so on most days we blew up badly near the end of the stage due to eating the wrong foods or carrying too little with us. Often, our bodies started at a deficit the next morning because we didn’t eat enough proteins to replenish. But Johan and I won the last stage, to finish second overall.

To give you an idea of just how much this event has progressed, let me share what it was like in 2004: • Registration was a smallish affair at the Knysna Waterfront. We received a goodie bag containing a t-shirt, race number and zip ties.

• The field was small, there was no cordoned off check-in blocks and no prologue to seed you.

• The water points had coke and a few bananas, and the timekeepers stood under umbrellas next to the road to check whether you were within two minutes of your partner. At the finish line, there was NO Woolies meal, NO coffee stands, NO bike wash and only one or two stands selling slapchips, boerewors rolls or some kind of food.

• It was a mission to find your bag in the truck that was parked miles away, and a tent that was on level ground and not too close to the portaloos and generators, which started at 3 a.m. every day. You had to queue for a shower that was nothing like the luxury Afripex set-up of today.

52 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

• Then it was time to eat, if you could find something decent. Thereafter, you cleaned your bike and took it to the lock up. If there was something wrong with it, you had to sort it out or try and find a bike mechanic, somewhere.

• If you didn’t have enough clothes, you washed your kit under a tap.

• There was NO massage services and NO chill tent. Afternoons were spent lying under trees until dinner time.

• Water came from many different sources, and dinner was provided by the locals of each hosting town.

It was pasta every day, with the occasional, very tired salad leaf.

• Imagine NO big sponsor trucks and NOwhere to buy snacks or essentials. If you wanted a snack or needed something, you had to go into town, usually a fair distance from the campsite.

• Our stage and overall podium prizes varied from drawings done by the pupils of the local schools, to books about the stage town and a medal at the finish, in Spier, Stellenbosch!

Epic 2010

Epic 2010

Chill tent

Still, I loved it, and can only look back with fond memories and happiness for what we get at today’s Absa Cape Epic.

There are so many memories from each Cape Epic that I would have to write a book to tell it all. So here's a quick summary of my second to ninth Epic:

2005

I raced in a ladies team with Zoe Frost and we won.

2006

I raced in a mixed team, but my partner had to pull out and I finished solo.

Unfortunately, you don’t get any prize for that J.

2007

I raced in a mixed team with Greg Minnaar (World Downhill Champion), and what a privilege it was to race with such an icon. We finished seventh in the category.

2008

I raced in a ladies team with Leanne Brown Waterson, but she had to stop due to illness and I finished solo again.

2009

I raced in a mixed team with Fourie Kotze. He stopped on day one due to illness, but started again on day two. We ended in third place, an unofficial finish of course.

2010

I raced in a ladies team with a very strong German lady, Yvonne Kraft, who has won a few times in the mixed category.

We finished as the second ladies team.

2011

I raced in a ladies team with Leana de Jager. Unfortunately Leana had a big fall two weeks before the start, so we couldn’t race flat out and finished fifth.

We did win a few stages though.

2012

I raced in a ladies team with Australian Naomi Hansen, and this time it was me who cost us a good placing due to illness. We managed a fifth in the UCI ranks.

At the start of the ninth Epic, Bonnie Swanepoel and I were the only two women in the world who had completed the previous eight events. Sadly for Bonnie, illness struck and she had to withdraw from the ninth, with only three days to go, leaving me as the only woman to have completed nine Epics (alongside eight men).

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 53

A field of tents

Epic 2011

Epic 2012

The modern-day Epic - as most participants and supporters know - has become a huge event and so different to that of the inaugural event. For example: • Registration at the Waterfront in Cape Town is a buzz and your Epicbranded goodie bag is worth a few Rands, with quality clothing and things to use during the race. Amabubezi members, who completed three or more Epics, get special treatment and a separate registration table, which means shorter queues.

• When you finish a stage, there's a Woollies meal, yoghurt, snacks and cold drinks waiting for each rider.

• There are massage facilities, hot showers, stands to buy food, beautiful tents, mechanic services, internet, washing facilities, camper vans, fantastic breakfasts and dinners and a very comfortable chill tent.

• There are big money prizes and finishers receive a t-shirt, medal, picnic basket and get to enjoy a party at Lourensford Wine Estate, the finishing venue.

2013

I am incredibly excited to be competing again this year, in my tenth Epic, and with my good friend, Kenny Scheepers, in the mixed category. As we are both in our twenties, aagh, I mean late forties, we are going to race with passion and determination, but with enjoyment first on the agenda.

54 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Yes, I could have bought a small house with the entry fee monies, but the memories made are priceless and worth far more! My thanks to Kenny for being a dream partner and joining me on this journey; my sponsors: PVM, Sludge, Polar, Adidas, Rocket, CWC Cycles, Biozest, Second Skins, Corhold and Afripex, for making this journey possible; my family and friends, who supported me and had to cope with all the nerves and anxiety; the organisers; and Kevin for contacting me that day in 2003.

I am honoured and grateful to have the privilege to do my tenth Epic, and thank God for giving me life! • èRelated articles:

• Clever Nutrition for Mega Long Races (Issue 18, p. 84) • The Triple Challenge (Issue 18, p. 78) • Eight Weeks to an Epic Race (Issue 9, p. 18)

inGEAR:

Words: Keegan Longueira | Photos: Keegan Longueira & Trevor Aingworth

The Cape Trek 5 Provinces in 11 Days For the second year in a row, I took to the road for a journey across South Africa by bicycle. My goal was to cross five provinces and reach Cape Town, covering a distance of 1,780 km, on a budget of R800, before my leave was done.

My first trek took place in 2011, when I cycled 2,100 km from Witbank to Cape Town, to raise money for CANSA. I spent 22 incredible days on the road, alone and with no support, and it was a trip that would forever change my life. Never again would I feel the need to indulge in materialistic things, but rather appreciate the experiences, memories and absolute bliss of real freedom.

The 'Cape Trek Project' was back in full force and a similar epic adventure, only this time with strict time constraints. I was joined by former junior professional cyclist Gert Janse van Rensberg and we had just two weeks to complete 1,800 km. “Two weeks, I have done way more in training camps in a week,” said Gert, a former roadie who was keen to try something a

56 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

little more adventurous. Gert has done some major mileage on a road bike, which is not as heavy and you don’t carry your own luggage.

I was sceptical about making it in two weeks, seeing how long I took the last time, but Gert was confident it would be super easy because he'd done the distances easily. We were both wrong I suppose. He didn’t realise how hard it was going to be and I didn’t think we could do it that fast.

Packed and ready for action, we were escorted out of Witbank by 50 local cyclists on 8 December. The support we received left a lump in our throats as we headed off into the vastness of Mpumalanga, alone. The first day was the flattest day we had until we reached the Karoo.

Day two and the problems began. We were fixing a second puncture for the day when we realised that we only had one tube left, and Bloemfontein was two days away. Then as we were offloading the kit from our trailer, Gert accidentilly dropped his pocket knife and punctured our last tube. It was puncture repair time already, and it was only day two.

By day three, we were well into the Free State, but this day held a challenge of its own! The sky turned orange in a flash, the wind became a gale force that blew from all directions. It was so strong that we couldn't stay upright on our bicycles, and then it began to rain. Not gentle rain, but forceful, hammering showers with the occasional hail stone pelting our flimsy rain jackets. It was only 2:30 p.m., but it was already dark and we needed to find shelter, so we took refuge under a bridge. We were cold and wet, but that was the least of our problems. All we had was a can of vienas in brine and one roll to last us to Bloemfontein, 120 km away.

We set off on day four grumpy and tired after a terrible night in the tunnel. We finally reached Bloemfontein and tucked into some good food before overnighting at Tom's Place, kindly sponsored by the owner.

By day five, the trip began to take its toll on our weary bodies; we were getting up slower and moving more gingerly. Our plan was to reach the Northern Cape that day, so we dug deep and pushed on, but it was a tough and difficult

day of cycling. Entering the Northern Cape, we took in the picturesque surroundings and then made some phone calls to loved ones, while munching on fresh, green apples. We never appreciated those apples nearly enough, as a couple of kilometres down the road we lost the entire bag when the bag ripped open. All our beautiful, green apples were annihilated in seconds by the N1 traffic.

Day six was an absolute nightmare! We had heat, wind, storms, dehydration and even two crashes to add to our headaches. About 80 km into our ride a nasty crosswind had come up, so I snuck into Gert's slipstream and chilled a bit. When I moved out, my mirror caught the back of his bike and my bags collided with Gert's trailer. Thankfully, we were able to untangle ourselves and keep going. But the real fun had yet to begin! Gert took off at about 45 km/h and introduced himself to the N1 tar. As he crashed, I went straight into the trailer, which looked like the Titanic right before it went down. On impact, I flew over my handlebars, over Gert and skidded to a stop on the tarmac. Gert got up and hobbled off the highway, leaving our carnage sprawled across the N1. I hurriedly picked up his bottles and what was left of his shattered mirror, and joined him in the foetal position next to the side of the road. Gert was in pain and so was I. Day seven was a relatively flat and boring day for us. We were in low spirits and not much conversation went on. A vicious headwind sprung up and pushed our average speed down to about 14 km/h, which was absolutey frustrating. By the time we reached Beaufort West, it was raining and we were cold. We stayed with friends and made big plans for the next day, but this was not to be.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 57

The eighth day turned out to be an unplanned 'rest' day. The trailer's kick stand had started to scrape on the floor about 3 km out of Beaufort West, which meant something was broken. We noticed that the crack on the trailer arm, caused by the crash, had cracked some more and would break off if we didn’t do something about it. So we spent the day welding and hammering our bikes back into shape at a small antique bicycle shop in town.

We were back on the road early on day nine, but Gert was taking strain and appeared to be swerving a bit across the road. On closer inspection, I noticed he was struggling to stay awake. Droopy eyes and heavy legs forced us to stop at the next petrol station, where Gert rushed into the shop and returned with enough energy supplements to last most ADD kids a lifetime. 'Oh no, here we go,' I thought. ‘I’m going to need to be on my A game to stick with this energizer bunny!’

We rolled into Cape Town on day eleven in record time. This was probably the windiest day ever in Cape Town, and it was as if nature was reminding us that it is never over until it’s over. In the last couple of kilometres before reaching the Waterfront, I started thinking about each cancer patient we were cycling for and every individual who wanted to give up the fight, and I made a commitment to never give up again in my life.

Touring on a bicycle teaches you so much about what really matters in life; it teaches us how to appreciate an oversized shrub for shade in the scorching Karoo and how to savour a moment, food, sunrise or cooling headwind.

After downing a Monster, some Turbovites and an ‘Awake’ sachet, we set off and had covered another 40 km before, yes, you guessed it, another touring surprise. Ambulances and police vehicles flew past us, but when a pathology vehicle rushed by, I knew there was trouble. We must have passed more than 100 cars before we got to the wreck, which was ugly. A taxi had ploughed into a gold Fortuner, ripping both vehicles wide open, and it’s engine was lying about 100 m in front of it. Bodies from the taxi were sprawled over the road, it was a horrific sight.

We completed our journey in less than two weeks and raised R42 000 for CANSA. Not a huge amount, but not too bad for two crazy guys on their bikes. Until next year's Cape Trek, happy cycling. •

That evening, we reflected on the trip and how incredibly privileged we were, as well as how hard we had pushed our bodies. We also realised that this could indeed be the fastest unsupported trip across the country.

After riding through a terrible heat wave on day ten, we finally reached Worster. We took a few photos, spent the last of our money on some good seafood and went to watch a movie, but we kept dozing off.

So we went in search of our accommodation, delighting in the cool, fresh Cape wind after a really hot day in the saddle.

58 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

èRelated articles:

• Crossing Africa on a Bamboo Bike (Issue 21, p. 26) • Cycling the Silk Road (Issue 20, p. 40) • Two Scotts on the Trot – If only you could see us now (Digital article, Dec ’12)

inGEAR:

Words: Zygmund Brodalka | Photos: Brodalka Photography | Video: Niche Video & Photographic Productions

Motocross

Revs it up

Calvin Vlaanderen

2012 - in review

It's a new year and a new season, and that means it's time for the second annual Monster Full Throttle Nationals! But before I tell you what 2013 has in store for us, let's take a look at how the 2012 season panned out.

60 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

The 2012 season proved to be the start of a new era for South African motocross with most of the riders joining the new motorsport body, WOMZA. Despite big politics in the background, the sport grew in numbers and this was seen at last year's first national held at Sun City where there was around 220 entries. Sun City was also WOMZAs first attempt at overseeing a national and having to deal with the elements. Heavy rains turned the soil into slush and the riders had great difficulty just getting out of the start blocks. However, rain was a common theme throughout the Full Throttle Nationals, with four of the six rounds taking a pelting; but this was actually a blessing in disguise as it helped settle the dust.

I had the enviable task of covering the inaugural Full Throttle Nationals, and being a first for me, the series was a great learning curve and hugely memorable.

One of the most memorable events for me was the flag start at Sun City, because the riders in the MX2 class were overly eager to get going and kept snapping the gates in half. So the good ol' flag was reinstated.

Photos: R. Schedl, H. Mitterbauer

READY FOR MY

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A new track was added to the circuit, that of Teza in Richards Bay. It's the best viewing track, with many hills, and there's always an amazing atmosphere. And with Monster Energy as one of the official sponsors for 2013, it's going to be even more of a party.

The PS Honda team had a great 2012 season, clinching major victories throughout the year, including Anthony Raynard finally achieving his long-time goal of becoming the MX2 South African Champion. It was also the first time in many years that two Cape Town riders brought home the #1 plate in the MX2 class. And then there's 10-year-old Justin Sangster, in the 50 cc class, who is in a class of his own! He also competed in the 2012 Junior World Championship and came 10th overall. Justin will be spending a lot of time in Europe in 2013 gearing up and competing in the Junior World Championship again.

There were a few great riders who left our shores to represent South Africa, like Calvin Vlaanderen and Ryan Angilley. Calvin left shortly after Sun City to join Bobby Schmidt in Holland for the Dutch Championship, and he's since returned to Holland to race the full 2013 Dutch season. In my opinion, Calvin is another champion in the making. Ryan Angilley left for the States to start his career, and he's doing really well and starting to qualify for some big races. But the flow was not just one way.

It was fantastic to see a number of South African riders, who were competing overseas, return to take part in the local races, such as the Teza Nationals.

There was renewed interest and support from spectators and companies, and the media came on board too. The sport received a lot of coverage in magazines such as DO IT NOW and Dirt & Trail and the exclusive national motorsport newspaper, MOTORSPORT WORLD. KFM Radio also got involved at the Cape Town Nationals. On YouTube, you are spoilt for choice with loads of action clips posted by our local lads, as well as incredible photo galleries that bring life to the sport. The new website mxsa.co.za made a great impact, receiving up to 15,000 hits a month from local and international visitors; which means that the eyes of the world are upon us, especially seeing as South Africa has five World Championship titles.

2013 - looking ahead

This season is set to be even bigger and better, due to WOMZA making it possible for every rider, from the pros to beginners, to be a part of this incredibly exciting sport. This was seen at the first local race of the season, where we had more than 120 entries. We last saw this many entries in 2005, so it just goes to show what fresh blood, better entry fees and medical services, improved standards and event organisation and increased financial support can do for a sport.

The Full Throttle Nationals series is taking on a new format this year and will be held over two days. This is sure to make it tougher for the riders, as the track will be rutted and hard to ride by day two, but it will make for great spectator entertainment.

Each national will also be broadcast on the 2Wheels programme on SuperSport 6, so for those who are unable to get to the events, you'll be able to catch all the action from the comfort of your armchair!

Our local races are attracting international competitors, such as Kennedy, who was brought in from England this year to race against South Africa's finest. The last time this happened was in days gone by, when the likes of Camel-sponsored rider Rocket Rex Staten, from America, came to race and help promote motocross in South Africa.

Motocross

Revs it up

Caleb Tennant at full pace training for the 2013 Monster Full Throttle Nationals

62 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

1 A VMX (Vintage Motocross) class will be added as a support race for the regionals. VMX is the fun side of this sport, and is where the guys get to show off their old bikes that have been beautifully restored to their former glory.

We will also see the international Red Bull X-Fighters coming to South Africa on 31 August for their final stop, and it's this kind of high-profile event that breathes new life into motocross.

The riders

So what can we expect from the riders this season? Well, we'll see 25 riders from Cape Town making their presence known on the national circuit this year. This is a significant increase over last season.

We say goodbye to Michael Kok, aka 'Kokstar', who retired due to personal reasons. Kokstar was one of the most entertaining riders on the circuit with his sprinkler move, a great crowd pleaser. Will this be the last we see of him?

All too often in this sport, those that leave return because once you have ridden an MX bike, you're hooked! Another MX2 rider, Brendon Flemming, will be making his way to the States to race. Even though we don't like to lose our local talent to the international circuit, when they return, the experience gained helps raise the standard of motocross locally.

On the down side, Honda South Africa had decided not to have a team this year. Although the Honda team will be sorely missed, we'll still see the riders in action. Look out for Anthony Raynard who has moved to Kawasaki and will continue the battle to keep his number one plate.

So with such an exciting field of riders, 2013 is going to be a great racing year! And thanks to DO IT NOW for your eagerness and contribution to motocross in South Africa.

Triston Purdon, the Pro Mini Champ, is moving up to the 125 cc class, and with Triston out of the way, his teammate, Dirco van der Westhuizen, will be looking to claim his first SA title in the Pro Mini class. This class is one of the most exciting to watch as these young riders are fearless and don't know how to hold back.

Join us

There's also been growth in the 50 cc class, with 25 more new, young riders, some as young as four years old, joining the ranks.

Until the next time, keep those pistons singing. •

The number of competitors in the MX2 class is also on the increase. At the 2012 Cape Town Nationals, there was 36 riders at the gates, something we haven't seen in many years either. I'm confident that 2013 will be the year where we see 40 riders on the gates, as it was in the hey days of motocross.

Riders to look out for include Caleb Tennant in the MX2 class, who sat out last year due to an injury. But he's fit and has the experience gained in America to see him off to a good start. With Caleb back in the fray, Anthony Raynard will have his hands full. In the MX1 class, Wyatt Avis will be keen to stake his claim, having come third overall in 2012.

But the big name in this sport is Richard van der Westhuizen, 10-time South African Champion and the most decorated rider under African skies. However, he'll need to keep a close eye on rival Kerim Fitzgerald, who spent last year racing in the AMA Outdoor Series and SA National Championship.

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The first national took place at Dirt Bronco in Krugersdorp on 23 and 24 February, and it was awesome! So come join us for the next event on 30 and 31 March at Melkbos 4x4, in Cape Town, for two action-packed days of racing.

èRelated articles: • Why We Ride - Mad About Motocross (Issue 6, p. 52) • SA Dream Team - the rising of the stars (Digital article, May ’12) • Full Throttle MX Nationals Round 5 East London ride it like you stole it (Digital article, Aug ’12)

DINfo box i 2013 WOMZA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS race dates 30 & 31 March: Cape Town National Melkbos 4x4 - Rounds 3 and 4 4 & 5 May: Port Elizabeth National Rover MX Club - Rounds 5 and 6 15 & 16 June: Richards Bay National Teza Raceway - Rounds 7 and 8

2

4

3

5 FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. The first race of the season at Sun City on SA’s only GP track.

2. Caleb Tennant is back after a series of shoulder injuries.

3. Justin Mittins from the East Coast winning the 2012 125 cc title and moving up to MX2 for 2013.

3. South Africa's new MX2 Champion, Anthony Raynard, hailing from the West Coast, Cape Town.

4. Richard van der Westhuizen retains his MX 1 SA Championship title to secure his 10th Nationals Championship title.

5. Kerim Fitzgerald the former MX2 Champion leading the way in the East London leg of the Nationals.

6. Wyatt Avis from Natal came third overall in the MX 2012 Championship.

6 www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 65

inH2O:

Words: Tessa Melck | Photos: Courtesy of Tessa Melck

Call of the

Running Tide They say someone who is afraid of making mistakes never tries anything new or adventurous. I still don't know if this is true because like everyone, I try to avoid making mistakes. Yet, discovering the unknown and searching for adventure is what I crave, and therefore making mistakes should be my norm.

66 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

I grew up on our family farm, near Velddrift on the West Coast. My parents took over as the ninth generation of Melck owners and started a successful lodge and B&B, where paying guests arrived and left as friends. To us kids, hospitality or entertaining guests has always been a part of our upbringing. We were raised 'plaas' style: rough, tough and barefoot, with some continental European values, culture and education thrown into the mix.

It all sounded so exciting, how could I not want to be a part of such an exciting industry?

So in my gap year after school, I headed to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. My career as a yachtie thus began at the age of 18, fresh out of school, sharing an apartment with a local up-and-coming band called Mellowism and sleeping on an old couch.

My biggest fear was not finding a job and being forced to return home after running out of money. However, luck was on my side and I got the opportunity to work onboard the super yacht SY Maltese Falcon, a magnificent 88 m sailing yacht with a remarkable freestanding computer-controlled clipper rig. During my time onboard, I was fortunate to visit amazing parts of the world, eat at the very best restaurants and receive VIP treatment at all the hottest clubs. As crew, we were not only surrounded by the very rich, famous and most influential individuals in the world, but lived a life of luxury. I watched the final lap of the Monaco Grand Prix from the top of the mast, whilst moored in Monte Carlo, before welcoming Bernie Ecclestone, the owner of the F1 Series onboard.

I served famous F1 drivers their dinner, poured Richard Branson a virgin cocktail while anchored off his private island, sipped champagne with Georgio Armani in Antigua, argued South African politics with Bob Geldoff and watched Prince Harry zoom past on a jet ski in Barbados. These experiences were all part of the 'super' lifestyle the yachting industry exposed me to; a lifestyle where words like 'limits' and 'no' are seldom used.

I battled throughout school with dyslexia, but with persistence I graduated with unexpected good academic results. I was convinced that university was my only option. Destiny, however, had different plans! My sister, Nina, graduated as a chef from the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) some years earlier and decided to try out her sea legs, even though she had no boating experience.

She sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean on a 40 ft Catamaran, as part of a crew of three. Once based in St. Maarten, Nina's career blossomed and she secured a full-time position on the classic yacht called Atlantide.

Admittedly, my favourite time on the yachts was not when we were anchored off St. Tropez or in Ibiza with all the hottest bars and clubs eagerly waiting for the crews to come and spend their season tips. It was the opportunity to do an ocean crossing, because 'man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore'. My first crossing was from Antigua to Palma de Mallorca onboard the SY Maltese Falcon. There is something incredible about being surrounded by nothing but the big blue for two weeks; when the only visitors are dolphins playing in the wake or curious whales breaching near the boat, and no land is in sight for miles. At night, the stars shine brighter than any city lights and you hear nothing but the sound of water rushing against the hull. Such is the beauty of sailing, but Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, says it best, “That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs. But what a ship is, really is, is freedom.”

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 67

Sipping champagne with Georgio Armani

Whilst in Palma de Mallorca, my next big break came when an agency offered me a permanent position onboard a 45 m motor yacht. I immediately accepted, packed up my life in a rush and organised an early morning taxi to the airport. At the airport I sent a message to my parents: 'Got a job, off to Corsica to join a yacht, it’s a long flight, so don’t panic if I’m out of touch. Will contact you as soon as I’ve settled onboard'. My parents couldn't understand what I meant by 'a long flight' because Corsica is off the coast of France and Palma de Mallorca is at most a three-hour flight. Mid flight, the gentleman sitting next to me asked if I was also going to Costa Rica on holiday. My response was, “No, I’m actually going to Corsica to work on a yacht.” He was impressed, but looked confused and told me that this flight was Costa Rica bound. Nervously I called the stewardess and explained that I was on the wrong flight. She checked my flight details and said, “Your ticket is for Costa Rica, this is the correct flight.”

So there I was on a plane heading to South America, almost the other side of the world! On arrival, I called home to tell my parents I'd arrived safely, not in Corsica as planned but rather in Costa Rica. It took my family a long time to see the funny side, as there were many occasions when my parents couldn’t keep track of their young 18-year-old daughter’s whereabouts.

Whenever I returned home and proudly regaled stories of my travels, most friends and family responded with, “What an adventurous lifestyle you lead.” My time abroad allowed for plenty of adventure and self-discovery, however life on a yacht is not always the glamorous lifestyle it appears to be. We would sail around the most beautiful Greek islands for weeks, but for me life was passing by through a porthole. There were times when there was no sunshine for days on end and I had no clue where we were. Although exciting at first, after a few years of constant change and being on the move, all I wanted was the stability and security of being land based. Living life in the 'super' lane also meant being far from home, missing out on special occasions and worst of all, the funerals of loved ones. I lost very dear friends - fellow yachties - two who drowned and one who got shot in the Caribbean. Every day reminded me to respect the ocean and that it’s a dangerous world out there.

But we live and learn, for the yachting adventure continues.

After my gap year, I returned to Stellenbosch University to complete my degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Every holiday I returned to the yachting community to earn some extra money and enjoy another adventure. I feel truly blessed to have lived life like a vagrant gypsy over the past few years within the super yacht industry, which has moulded me into the confident, capable young women that I am today. It has also taught me my most valuable lesson: Be who you are and say what you feel because those that matter don’t mind and those that mind don’t matter.

68 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

My passion for travel and endless self-discovery has encouraged me to leave the comfort of the yachts behind and challenge myself with another life-changing journey.

I took on the Tour d’Afrique cycle challenge from Cairo to Cape Town in January, and if I can do it then so can you, because a dream remains a dream unless you make it your reality! • èRelated articles:

• Thinking up a Hurricane (Digital article, Oct '12) • To Cross an Ocean (Issue 15, p. 40) • Setting Sail (Issue 14, p. 30)

DINfo box i Where to start When starting out as a yachtie, it's compulsory for crew members to have an ENG 1 Medical Certificate, to prove fitness and health, as well as complete a short STCW 95 Course that covers the basics in first aid, fire fighting, sea survival and rescue. Crew members need to recognise the meaning of different alarms, as this can make all the difference to surviving a disaster at sea. Practising safety drills, whether for fire, man overboard or abandon ship are mandatory because rough seas, hurricane storms, finding a stowaway onboard or sailing through high-alert piracy waters are regular occurrences.

Having a foreign passport is a bonus, as the constant issuing of visas is an inconvenience Captains try to avoid. However, anyone with a passion for the seas should still to go for it.

There are plenty of online crew agencies that give beginner crew excellent advice. Research agencies online and if possible register with Bluewaters, Luxury Yachts, Crew Network, Elite Crew and Crew File.

Another suggestion is to go overseas to live amongst the yachts and meet the crew, who will become one’s best chance of landing a job. The most popular yachting hubs include Antibes, France; Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona; West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale; or the Caribbean islands of Antigua and St. Maarten.

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inH2O:

Deon Breytenbach | Photos: Sam Dold & Ruby Strauss | Blog: www.doitnow.co.za/blogs/deon-breytenbach

Mid right cartwheel - busy getting my blade out and switching over.

When kayaking, as with many other adventure sports, you reach a point rather quickly where power hits a limit and the only way to keep improving is by combining power with proper technique, especially in freestyle.

Basics

Styling Draw Strokes and Cartwheels

Draw stroke

So let’s first look at the draw stroke, also known as a rudder stroke, and its variations. The idea behind a draw stroke is that it allows you to change direction whilst maintaining momentum.

Imagine you are paddling towards the top of Thrombosis Falls and you punch the wave on the entry, but it pushes you to the right. If you can’t draw properly, your choice to correct your line over the lip of this 10 m waterfall would be an attempt at a right sweep and hard forward stroke. The most likely scenario though, is that you sweep on the right, turn sideways, fall off the lip of the waterfall in the corner, onto your head and hopefully make it out safely after your mates rescue you. Now if you could draw, you would draw on your left, move to the side still facing downstream, wait for the lip and boof off, while smiling at your friend taking the photo.

The basic key elements needed to get your draw stroke going are torso rotation, stroke placement and blade control, and the best way to practice this technique is on flat water.

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Torso rotation and stroke placement: Using a right-hand draw as an example, you need to rotate your torso in the direction of your active blade. Hold your paddle in your right hand only, place your blade in the water between your knees and hip, the more in line with your hip the better, at about a blade’s length away from the side of your kayak. Your paddle shaft must be as vertical as possible. Now comes the tricky part. You must, without tilting your paddle shaft, rotate your torso as far as you can towards your paddle and bring your left hand to its grip on the paddle. The more you rotate your torso, the easier and more comfortable this becomes.

Blade control: Now try to slice your blade to your bow and stern; it should slice like a knife through the water. This is where blade control comes in and is the true key to a good draw or falling over onto your paddle.

The power face of your blade is facing your kayak and if you turn your wrist slightly clockwise, you open the face of the blade. But if you keep your blade in the same place you planted the stroke, and you have some forward momentum, your kayak should stay in a straight line, moving slightly to the right. With your blade face still slightly open, slide your blade towards the bow of your kayak and this will turn the bow towards the blade that’s in the water.

Draw stroke routine: Here’s a little routine you can practise. Paddle forward in a straight line, plant your blade just in front of your hips and open the face of the blade. Feel how the kayak moves a little towards the side that your blade is in. Now do another forward stroke or two and plant the paddle in the same spot, with the blade face open, and slide the blade towards your bow. Feel how the kayak now wants to turn rather than drift across.

Remember, the above description is for your right hand. If you are doing this on your left-hand side, then you need to twist your wrist slightly anti-clockwise to open it up. The blade in line with your hips is a neutral draw, so by sliding the blade forward it becomes a bow draw. Using draw strokes saves a lot of energy and just makes paddling so much easier, more fluid and fun!

I would love to explain all the finer key elements and variations further, but this description should, at least, get you started. For all the extras and how to really get the most out of your different draw strokes by using the currents and flows in the river, check out my blog spot.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. Left hand draw with my blade slightly open in rudder to keep me straight but line me up with the gap between the rocks in front of me.

2. Finishing off the stroke to smash my stern and getting ready to swing around and bring my right hand into the water to get my bow back in.

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Cartwheels

In the February issue I took you through spins and blunts, so you should have the hang of rotating your kayak on a horizontal plane. Now it’s time to take it up a notch and get vertical with cartwheels. The awesome thing about cartwheels is that you can practise them on flat water, and with modern freestyle designs, like the Fluid Dope, things have become so much easier.

The technique behind the cartwheel is pretty much the same as a flat spin, except that you want to rotate on a vertical plane. So for flat water cartwheels, key elements are torso rotation, good edge control, commitment and not being worried about falling over.

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Torso rotation: To get your torso in the game, sit on flat water and plant your blade; it doesn’t matter which side, you can start with the side you are most comfortable with - if you’re right handed, start on your right side. Put your blade into the water about a blade’s length out to the side of the kayak and a little in front of your hips, as for a forward stroke, and edge your kayak as much as you can towards the active blade in the water. The trick here is to get your torso muscles to do the work. So imagine that you want to use those muscles to pull your bow into the water and then push your bow out the water, with your paddle there for support. Try to pull your legs towards the blade that’s in the water and when you feel that your bow doesn’t want to go any deeper, push your legs away from the blade you are using. Keep doing this and you should be able to rock your kayak; bow in, bow out.

Good edge control and commitment: At this point, it’s important that you are willing to fall over because if you don’t get your kayak on edge, you won’t be able to get your bow in and out properly, regardless of whether you are on flat water or in a hole. Too little edge and you will forever be doing flat spins. The more you practise, the easier it becomes to get it on edge and keep it there. This bow in, bow out exercise is called the ‘double pump’, and if you get the hang of this, you will be cartwheeling wherever and whenever you want!

A double pump is not only used on flat water, but also in river features to initiate your cartwheels. So to take the step from a double pump to your first actual cartwheel, you need to get some forward speed going. On your next stroke, put your blade in as far forward as possible and then pull it towards your hips. When the paddle gets to your double pump spot, lift the bow as high out of the water as possible, keep your blade there and smash your bow back down into the water using all your power (shoulders and torso people), to get your bow all the way under you. When you are vertical, look over your leading shoulder - if your right hand is in the water, you now quickly look over your left shoulder - and swing your paddle around so that your left blade enters the water with a powerful, vertical stroke, which will result in your stern smashing into the water. Congrats, you’ve just performed your first cartwheel. If you battle to get vertical, then try and do this exercise on an eddie fence, as it will make getting your bow or stern into the water easier.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. Finishing the stroke that smashed the stern back in. This is the middle point of your stern end cartwheel and at this point you need to swing around for the bow stroke.

2. Shaun with a stern draw and a neutral blade to keep him straight and coming out of the bottom of Curtain Falls.

3. Hugh performing a mid left cartwheel. This is the point where you need to look over your new leading shoulder and get your next stroke in.

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Unfortunately I can’t take up all the space in this issue otherwise there won’t be room for all the other awesome articles. So grab your tech gadget, visit DO IT NOW’s website and look up my blog, which has loads more information on how to get your cartwheels linked and split them up, as well as start to clean and super clean cartwheels.

Next month it’s time to get some air, so I will move onto the loop, and for our river runners, the amazing hidden survival skill of the brace and its variations. •

dinFO box

i

For more information and tutorials on draw strokes and cartwheels, plus photos and links to other online resources, visit Deon’s blog: http://www.doitnow.co.za/blogs/deonbreytenbach

èRelated articles: • A White-water Christmas (Digital article, Dec ’12) • Basics, Bring Home the Bacon (Issue 21, p. 62) • Getting your Groove Back for Summer (Issue 19, p. 100)

inH2O:

Francesco Orsi | Photos: Francesco Orsi & Eugenia Mussa

Eugenia on the way to the next unexplored surf spot.

SUP Around the Coast of Death

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Franz shredding on some small waves with his Starboard 8'0" Pro.

Why would anyone want to leave the perfection of Portugal, with its sunny summers, beautiful beaches, caipirinhas cocktails and frequent small swells that are perfect for surfing or stand up paddling (SUP), and head to a place called Costa da Morte, which roughly translated means the 'Coast of Death', for an adventure-filled vacation?

Well, simply because my girlfriend, Eugenia, and I wanted to get away from the masses and the name Costa da Morte seemed to promise less overcrowding.

Located between Malpica in the north and Cabo Fisterra in the south west, Costa da Morte lies hidden away, waiting to be discovered, in one of Spain’s most remote autonomous regions, Galicia. Its claim to fame is certainly not that of a quiet vacation place, but rather a stretch of coast cursed by sailors who gave it this name because of the many ships that have been smashed to pieces on its treacherous, rugged shoreline.

I was not unfamiliar with the area as I’d spent a few days there many years ago during a surf trip around the Peninsula Ibérica with some college friends. The beautiful landscapes, perfect waves and friendly locals impressed me so much I swore I’d return as soon as possible.

However, different excuses kept me away until Eugenia suggested we go there, as she had friends who could show us some great surfing spots in the area.

We were also getting tired of Portugal's endless summer, where summer and winter only seem to differ by the size of the swells. After doing a little research on the area surrounding Costa da Morte on Google Earth, I realised there was a whole section of coast I'd never visited before or even heard of. Judging by the satellite pictures and windows of swell that could potentially hit the coast in the next few days, conditions looked good. So, equipped with a

pair of Astro inflatable boards, my lovely Starboard Pro 8'0", a couple of surfboards, sleeping bags and food supplies for about a week, we loaded our van and drove towards the unexploited shores of Costa da Morte.

On the map Costa da Morte looks like a small area and relatively easy to cross, but when you get there you immediately understand that what looked to be a modest distance is a maze of country roads that are difficult to navigate, even with the aid of a GPS. Galicia, especially Costa da Morte, has always been considered a poor rural region, with its economy dependent upon agriculture and fishing, and did not lend itself to massive modernisation. Yet it is this constant contact with the past and its authenticity that gives the region its appeal. The Galicians are fiercely proud of their culture, dialect and Celtic heritage; it is what makes them unique (they feel) within modern-day Spain.

In fact, the Coast of Death reminds me of some Celtic landscapes that are similar to those found in some parts of Ireland.

Our search for mostly unknown surf spots proved more challenging than expected and we often got lost on the narrow, winding roads. However, this only served to remind us of how amazing it is to travel into the unknown. Despite its reputation as a surfer's paradise, Galicia has remained one of the remote frontiers of European surfing. It is also one of the last stretches of coast in continental Europe where it's possible to look for unridden or forgotten surf spots that aren't included on the big surfing routes, due to the geographical distance from major cities and airports, and so these spots have managed to preserve much of their original charm.

Bypassing the crowded beaches of La Coruña, the region’s capital, we made our way to Praia da Razo. Here you will find a beach break that works throughout the year, with all the tides, resulting in it being very popular amongst the surfers from La Coruña, and the many peaks ensure the absence of crowds. We stayed for a few days and enjoyed exploring the area between Razo and Malpica, which boasted a multitude of beach breaks sandwiched between rocky capes that you usually can only access by sea or walking through the woods. We also discovered a shallow lagoon that's well suited to flat water paddling.

Leaving the coast of Malpica we headed west to Laxe, an area that offers some good spots, like Soesto and Traba, which are particularly good for stand up paddling.

Next we visited the ancient remains of many historical and archaeological sites, all fascinating and not to be missed if you are visiting the region.

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 77

1. J ust rocks and water, Galician natural beauty at its best.

2. A rusty van, a good book and an old school surfboard. Living simply in Galicia.

3. Inflating the board before a great flat water session.

4. Franz taking a rest in the middle of the woods on the way to his next paddle session.

Following the coast we reached Cabo Villano, and the stunning landscape and a couple of point breaks made us want to stay longer. The rotation of the swell, however, led us to move further south to Cape Finisterre, a rock-bound peninsula on the west coast of Galicia, and what the Romans, in ancient times, believed to be the end of the world.

There are some very exposed beach breaks here, such as Nemiña, Praia de Rostro and Mar de Fora, which capture most of the swells and are extremely rewarding for SUP surfing. Whilst at Praia do Rostro we had one of the best sessions of the trip: after a cold night spent sleeping in our van, we were rewarded with the perfect head-high surf and no one on the line-up for at least two hours.

Heading south in the direction of Muros, we stopped at Praia de Carnota, the longest beach of the region at eight miles and boasting several peaks suitable for SUP. From there, we set out for Lariño and Praia da Area Maior. These spots have smaller waves than the ones in Finisterre, but they are usually cleaner.

Aside from the surf spots, we also came across a variety of great locations for flat water sessions along the coast, including numerous lagoons formed by the effects of the tides, the estuaries of small rivers and the famous Rias, a kind of deep and narrow fjord typical to the Galician coast. For river addicts, the interior offers various easy-to-find streams that flow to the ocean between waterfalls and rapids, and are surrounded by breathtaking scenery. We explored on our inflatable boards and our first experience in river SUP was an amazing one.

We had hiked through incredibly beautiful forests, home to the last wolves of the region, and along tiny, pristine rivers sandwiched between breathtaking gorges to untouched and uncrowded beaches.

We had surfed perfect, unridden waves all alone and were surrounded by sheer wilderness. This was an outdoor adventure and traditional SUP experience we will not soon forget!

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After a dozen nights in the van, we reluctantly left the beautiful Costa da Morte to return home. En route, we visited the famous city of Santiago de Compostela. The history of this region is marked by the pilgrimage to Santiago, which has attracted millions of pilgrims to this remote land over the centuries. It all started in 813 A.D. when the hermit Pelayo discovered the grave of Apostle James in this area, by following a shining star. For this reason the place was called, in Latin, Campus stellae, meaning 'field of the star', and later became known as Compostela. From that moment, Compostela turned into a pilgrimage destination, with more and more pilgrims following the way of Santiago, or the 'Way of Saint James', to absolve their sins.

There are several routes you can take to get there, so we often came across pilgrims walking on the side of the road with their walking sticks and the distinctive scallop shell hung from their backpacks.

Back in Portuguese territory, we stopped at Peniche for a small swell and realised how different everything was to what we had experienced in Galicia. There were no pilgrims or unspoilt breaks here, only something that appeared to us like a huge surf amusement park that lacked any charm or authenticity. Yes, there are nice waves here, but when you come back from a place like Costa da Morte you get the feeling that you've travelled back in a time machine. Already, all the wonderful experiences, inspiring personal encounters and simple lifestyle we had in Costa da Morte were becoming a distant memory.

èRelated articles:

• What the Heck is SUP? (Issue 11, p. 40) • Hope. Pray. Paddle. Part 2 (Issue 16, p. 34) • Hope. Pray. Paddle. Part 1 (Issue 15, p. 42)

DINfo box i Franz Orsi is an Italian-born designer, photographer and film maker. He currently lives in Portugal, near Lisbon, where he’s completing his PhD and works for Beyond Boards, a local company dedicated to SUP camps and distribution.

He is an active windsurfer and paddler, part of the Starboard team and known as the guy who is always up for 'doing stuff creatively'. When he's not participating in competitions or hard at work, you’ll find him seeking outdoor adventures or planning his next SUP trip. For more info on equipment, SUP camps and sessions around Portugal, contact Franz at contact@beyond-boards.com.

BEYOND BOARDS: http://vimeo.com/56349249

inH2O:

Words, Photos & Video: Steven Yates

The Lembeh Straight A Muck Place to Dive A definition of muck diving, which I have made up based on experience and a number of web-based definitions, is as follows: A highly sedimented (often black resulting from volcanic lava), sparse landscape relieved by the collections of dead coral, discarded fishing equipment, rotting vegetation and all manner of man-made waste.

Sounds absolutely terrible right? So why on earth did Laura and I, like thousands of other divers, plan on visiting such a place for our Christmas holiday? The answer is simple - if not believable based on the description above - the muck is the perfect environment for unusual, exotic and juvenile organisms that frequent every diver's ‘bucket list’ of things to see underwater.

Laura and I arrived at Kungkungan Bay Resort (or KBR), situated on the northern Sulawesi coast and midway along the ocean straight that separates the island of Sulawesi from the island of Lembeh, for a highly anticipated four days of diving, and more precisely, muck diving. KBR was a brilliant location from which to dive Lembeh and being greeted with an ice cold beer made for a perfect start.

The super efficient and friendly staff got the formalities out of the way with a quick introductory briefing about the resort and then left us to while away the evening as we gazed out over the gentle lapping waters and twirling current eddies and watched the tide quietly rise into the Lembeh Straight.

If we thought the resort was beautiful at sunset then we were blown away as we experienced it at sunrise the next morning. The chocolate chip pancake breakfast - and every meal thereafter - was amazing, and the extensive menu catered for all tastes with eastern favourites such as nasi goreng and sashimi, to western favourites such as burritos and hamburgers and everything in-between.

Every day presented us with an additional 'test' menu, with new items that the kitchen thought might be interesting, as well as a nightly special that was deliciously local. Our favourite item was one of the 'test' menu items - gohu tuna - made with fresh, raw tuna and served with lime juice, peanuts, onions and basil. Delicious!

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Yellow pigmy seahorse

www.doitnow.co.za | Adventure • 81

Peacock cleaner shrimp

Nudi faceoff

Warty frogfish

Pegasus sea moth

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Wonderpus

That first morning, the sun was bright and beautiful as we rose early for our first dive. During our arrival briefing we were informed that not all sites in Lembeh are muck sites. We could expect muck, coral, sand and wrecks, all of which made for a dive location with a higher concentration of marine life than the Great Barrier Reef. We were told that all guests could put their creature wish list on the dive boards so the guides knew what to try find for us - and let me be clear on this as a diver who does not like diving with dive GUIDES, there is no way you will find these bizarre creatures without the unbelievable eyes and experience of the Lembeh dive guides. When we finally did get underwater, the diving was unreal. Firstly, and a little disturbingly, we did not expect that much rubbish. Laura and I both started in our normal conscience diver mode and picked up the first few pieces of rubbish we found - naïve. Interestingly, once we acclimatised to the very different seascape, there was a strange beauty in the lava-blackened sand and explosions of life occurred where least expected. On our first dive (and for the next two) we found nothing, luckily our dive guide, Ade, was significantly more skilled than us and we started racking up a list of the most crazy sightings. Our very first, and probably one of the weirdest of all, was the pegasus sea moth. In the interest of giving you a view of what our ‘wish list’ should have looked like, these are the strange creatures we saw just on the first day, which consisted of four dives and the last being a dusk dive.  Pegasus sea moth

Xeno crab

Daemon stinger

Leaf scorpionfish

Juvenile sweetlip

Juvenile barramundi

Razorfish

Common seahorse

Zebra batfish

Painful mantis

 Ornate ghost pipefish

 Peacock mantis shrimp

Tiger shrimp

Flounder

Flying gurnard

 Urchin carrier crab

Banggai cardinalfish

Porcelain crab

 Peacock cleaner shrimp

Bulldozer shrimp

 Orange-black dragonet

 Mandarinfish

 Wonderpus (with the coolest scientific name - Wunderpus photogenicus)

Particular mention that day was the dusk dive we did, with the specific aim of seeing the mandarinfish.

Normally these tiny fish are nigh impossible to see except at dusk when they emerge for a short period to forage and mate in and around patches of broken coral. This is all the more exciting as the mandarinfish is brightly coloured in blues and oranges, contrasting to the dull colours of the dead coral at dusk.

Normally a diver is ecstatic with a single spotting of these elusive little fish after quietly watching their known habitat for sometimes as long as an hour. Even more rare, and cause for even more excitement, is if you are lucky enough to see the fish find a mate and perform the mating ritual.

Once again Lembeh proved to be a cut above and we waited for less than five minutes for the first mandarin to appear. It was followed shortly by no less than six mandarin constantly swimming among the coral stags for us to watch. After about 30 minutes the dominant fish - a relatively massive fish at about eight centimetres - began the first of what would end up being in excess of 10 mating rituals with some of the other mandarins.

We ended up doing 10 absolutely breathtaking dives out of the 50-plus dive sites and with the exception of not seeing the elusive blueringed octopus and mimic octopus, our sightings were beyond anything we could have imagined. From this list, we've compiled a few categories of our favourites: Weirdest creature: Pegasus sea moth Coolest creatureS: Wonderpus and hairy frogfish Smallest creature: Hairy shrimp (about the size of a flea) Overall favourite creature: Juvenile harlequin sweetlip

With another amazing dive location added to the constantly changing top five dive sites in the world, all that is left to be said is … what a wonderfully weird world. •

èRelated articles:

• Surin and Similan Islands (Issue 21, p. 66) • Mozambique Manta Diving (Issue 20, p. 70) • The Great Barrier Reef and Beyond, Part 1 (Issue 14, p. 40)

DINfo box i • Lembeh is an hour-and-a-half drive from the Indonesian city of Manado. Manado is accessible via flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, both of which can be reached directly from South Africa.

• A 30-day Indonesian visa can be obtained in Manado on arrival.

• Lembeh can be dived all year round, but the best visibility is between October and December.

• Water temperature ranges from 25 degrees in July to 29 degrees in December - perfect for a shorty wetsuit.

• January and February are the rainiest months.

• Lembeh is ideal for underwater photography enthusiasts.

• For more information on Kungkungan Bay Resort visit www.divekbr.com.

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 83

inNATURE:

Alan Hobson | Photos & Video: Courtesy of Angler & Antelope

There is something captivating when fly fishing a river.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that all your senses are awakened. Visually, the greenery of the tree-lined banks contrasted against a bright blue sky, the sparkles of happiness glinting from the water and the possibility of catching a glimpse of a trout in the clear water, all combine to spike one’s consciousness to another level. Then there are the sounds of Mother Nature that

transport you to another world. Birds calling and mountain reedbuck whistling for your attention, whilst the river gurgles and pulses to your heartbeat and the breeze caressing the trees enflames your soul. Just sit there and soak it all in, for the power of observation is instrumental to your success as an angler, and it will also help you to de-stress.

84 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Position

Study the flow of the water as it is the source of the food supply, the surrounding vegetation and substructure on the river bed. Think about where you would hide if you were a fish and had to battle the current, expending as little energy as possible not to exhaust yourself by just being there. Don’t forget to look above you for any potential predators. Generally, fish position themselves in what is described as a ‘prime lie’, where they are protected behind a structure, such as an indentation in the riverbed that has been scoured by rocks during heavy rains. Alternatively, behind or in front of a rock

River Therapy that’s out of the main current or underneath a submerged tree, but in a position where the river flow brings food to them and offers the fish protection. Therein lies the challenge; as an angler that is where you need to present your fly, looking as natural as possible. This challenge is made somewhat more difficult by the fact that above the water there are usually structures, like over-hanging trees and or riverside shrubs and bushes, with branches submerged or above the water.

The best place to stand is in the water, as the area above where the water flows is mostly unobstructed.

Casting

Casting upstream and having the fly drift back down towards you is the method that provides the most natural presentation because the fly drifts down towards the fish, as any food would naturally. Fishing upstream however, requires a lot more skill as you have to control your fly line when the current carries it towards you. If you pull or strip and there is no reaction at the end of your line, where your fly is, you won’t know that there’s a fish taking your fly, nor will you be able to set the hook. So you’ll end up having to constantly strip line in to keep pace with the water and mend your line by flicking it in and out of the current to control it and keep pace with the flow of the water. To counter this, attach a strike indicator (wool, yarn or foam), which is visible and floats, to the top end of the leader. The leader connects your fly line to the fly and is generally the length of your fly rod.

The indicator allows you to gauge the speed at which the water is flowing,

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 85

the depth of the water and, most importantly, detect any reaction to your fly so that you can react by striking. If the wind is blowing, the situation becomes trickier as not only do you need to control the line on the water, but also when casting, to keep it out of the trees and bushes around you. If there are too many obstructions around you then fish downstream, allowing the current to take your presentation down river and then twitch your fly back up towards you, as if the insect was swimming back upstream. The secret to either method is to always be in contact with the fly so that if a fish picks it up you can detect the take and set the hook.

Both ways are challenging, but very rewarding.

South Africans are blessed with a great diversity of landscapes and many fly fishing rivers throughout the country. The beauty is the variety and quality of rivers we have to choose from, ranging from classic, small streams to large pools within a river bed in the Karoo. To enjoy some serious ‘river

therapy’, visit one of the recommended areas listed. And if you can’t get down to the water in the near future, then read one of our iconic South African books on fly fishing rivers, as they are equally therapeutic. •

èRelated articles: • Vegetarian Trout in the Karoo (Issue 19, p. 114) • Warm Weather and Water Bugs (Issue 15, p. 102) • Big Fish, Bruised Egos and Bionic Flies (Digital article, June ’12)

DINfo box i Recommended areas: Western Cape: www.piscator.co.za KwaZulu-Natal: www.nffc.co.za Eastern Cape: www.wildtrout.co.za, www.maclearflyfishing.co.za, www.wildflyfishinginthekaroo.co.za Mpumalanga: www.flyfishing.co.za Recommended websites: www.tomsutcliffe.co.za www.netbooks.co.za Recommended books: Hunting Trout by Tom Sutcliffe The Rapture of the River by Sydney Hey

www.wildflyfishinginthekaroo.co.za

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

WILD FLY FISHING IN THE KAROO 86 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

SOMERSET EAST

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 86

inFOCUS:

Words, Photos & Video: Jacques Marais | www.jacquesmarais.co.za

Photographic

Chronicles

SHOOT! Water Sport

88 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013 88 • DO IT NOW Magazine October | November 2012

Water sports are wet, wild and in-your-face, and it is one of the surest ways of ruining your equipment if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to get those shots when you head out onto the oceans, kloofs and rivers.

There are a number of ways to grab your slice of aqua action without crying all the way back to the camera shop.

Bottom line is that it all hinges on the kind of image you want to capture, the specific water sport discipline you’re shooting and how close to the action you can get.

If getting up close is not a requirement, a long lens and tripod on terra firma will keep you and your equipment dry. You will, however, be limited by the available light and limitations of your lens, but great results can be had nonetheless.

Getting in close means you either have to trust your reflexes to make sure your equipment does not get splashed, or invest in a waterproof housing. Soft housings are cheaper and will suffice for most applications other than scuba diving and pounding surf, but the downside is that they are a bit cumbersome and you’re shooting through an extra piece of glass.

A final option is to go wild with your Go-Pro. Although the stills capability of these nearly indestructible, go-anywhere cameras will never match that of a professional DSLR, they offer an excellent alternative if you’re shooting for the web, newspapers or small print usage. It’s your call how you do it, now just go and get wet!

Image 1: Storm Runners The Action: The African OTTER Trail Run remains one of South Africa’s most exhilarating trail races, and when the conditions suck, they actually rock the most for dramatic photography.

The Shot: It was bucketing down during the 2012 Challenge event, with me lying in wait in a shallow pool to grab shots of the runners as they passed the last waterfall.

The Technique: I had my camera inside a DigiPac waterproof housing, while the flash was in a Zip-Loc bag to protect it from the rain (it was set to Commander Mode).

The Specifications: 1/60th sec @ f4; Nikon D600 + 20 mm lens; ISO 250; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (-1 EV); Process filter added in Adobe Lightroom.

More Information: www.magneticsouth.net

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 89

Image 2: Oppan! Go-Pro Style!

The Action: Ecobound’s Hell & Back remains one of my favourite mountain bike rides, with the dramatic Swartberg ranges adding bucket loads of backdrop to this exhilarating racing.

The Shot: Day two saw racers passing through one of the water crossings with the sun at just the right angle, and I set up my Hero 2 in the water to offer an additional angle.

The Technique: The new wrist remote allows you to trigger your Go-Pro from a distance, making it much easier to control your shots on this little go-anywhere cam.

The Specifications: Set it to Interval Shooting @ 0.5 sec and the Hero 2 will do the rest!

More Information: www.goprosouthafrica.co.za

90 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Image 3: Fluid Action The Action: Day three of the annual MERRELL Gravity Adventure Festival sees most of the river action going down (literally!) on the pumping Palmiet River.

The Shot: Sometimes you need to take the big boy out of the bag, and in this case I set up my super zoom for a close-cropped shot from the river bank.

The Technique: Focus tracking on the new Nikons is fantastically fast, allowing you ample time to compose your shot and capture that key moment.

The Specifications: 1/2,000th sec @ f5.6; Nikon D800 + 80-400 mm zoom; ISO 400; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (0 EV); no flash.

More Information: www.adventurefest.co.za

www.doitnow.co.za | Sport • 91

Image 3: Rocket Man The Action: This is one of my older shots, but still a firm favourite after many years. It was taken at the RED BULL Big Wave event, and won me a Silver Award in the Sport Category of the Sony Profoto Awards.

The Shot: Sometimes Lady Luck shows her hand to help create a classic shot, and it was a combo of fluke and motor-drive that delivered this time around.

The Technique: Shooting from a yawing and diving boat with a 300 mm lens is no easy task, and the only way was to up the IS, pre-focus and shoot fast.

The Specifications: 1/1,200th sec @ f5.6; Canon 5D MkI + 300 mm telephoto; ISO 400; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (0 EV); no flash.

More Information: www.redbull.co.za

inFOCUS Quarterly Competition

W5IN 00!

R

The inFOCUS competition will feature a photo winner in every quarterly issue of the magazine, with a R500 voucher to be won! The closing date for the April 2013 competition is 4 March 2013. Please email entries to competitions@doitnow.co.za.

Good news for all entrants! All entries received in 2013 will be entered into a final draw to take place at the end of December.

The winner will be announced in the January 2014 issue. The details of the grand prize will be announced on DO IT NOW’s website (www.doitnow.co.za) soon.

When emailing your images to us please include the following information: • Name of photographer • Name of photograph • Camera type

• Camera settings • Place where the photograph was taken

Competition rules can be viewed on www.doitnow.co.za.

92 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

• Which category you are submitting your photo under - Adventure, Sport or Lifestyle

24 Megapixels

Full HD Video Full Frame Sensor

GUN FOR HIRE: Global shooter and author; national newspaper columnist; respected magazine journalist; author of 11 outdoor books and guides. Nikon NPS Member: shoots with the brand new NIKON D600.

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

GO-PRO Ambassador Andy MacDonald bails during a huge air on the Vert Ramp at the MALOOF Money Cup World Skateboarding Championships.

Held in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

I AM IN ACTION

inDULGE:

Words by Neil Ross, Executive Chef

Serves 2

Stuffed Chicken with Lemon and Chilli INGREDIENTS:

2 large chicken breasts, with the skin on 4 tablespoons ricotta Zest 1 lemon 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan 1 teaspoon capers 1 teaspoon crushed chilli flakes 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 garlic cloves, chopped 400 g can of chopped tomatoes Small handful of parsley Boiled or mashed potatoes, to serve

94 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

METHOD:

1.

Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.

2.

Cut a slit in the side of each chicken breast and use your finger to make a pocket.

3.

In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, half the lemon zest, Parmesan, capers, chilli flakes and some seasoning. Push the mixture into the pockets and then secure each opening with a toothpick.

4.

Put the chicken in an ovenproof dish and drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over it and season.

5.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

6.

To make the sauce, heat the remaining oil in a saucepan, add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes until golden. Add the tomatoes, season and simmer for 10 minutes more until thickened.

7.

Spoon the sauce onto two plates and top with the chicken.

Scatter the parsley and remaining zest over.

8.

Optional: serve with potatoes.

Serves 6

Pumpkin and Pecan Strudel INGREDIENTS:

1 kg / 2 lb 4 oz pumpkin or butternut squash (peeled weight - 1 medium pumpkin or 1 large butternut squash), deseeded and cut into large chunks 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 140 g soft light brown sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 100 g ground almonds 100 g fresh white breadcrumbs 1 large egg, beaten, with ½ tablespoon reserved for glazing 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Good grating nutmeg 6 sheets filo pastry 85 g butter, melted 100 g pecans, chopped, 1 tablespoon reserved for the top Maple syrup, to serve Cream or custard, to serve (optional)

METHOD:

1.

Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.

2.

Toss the pumpkin or squash with the oil on a baking tray.

Bake for 45 minutes until really tender, and then leave to cool.

3.

T ip the pumpkin into a food processor, whizz until smooth and then tip into a bowl. Add the sugar, almonds, breadcrumbs, egg and spices, and mix well. This can be done up to two days ahead.

4.

Lower oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas 3. Layer the pastry sheets on top of each other, brushing some melted butter and a sprinkling of sugar and chopped pecans between each sheet.

5.

Spoon the pumpkin filling along one long edge of the pastry in a long log shape, leaving a 2.5 cm gap at either end. Turn up the ends, then carefully roll up the strudel and brush the edge with egg to seal.

6.

Transfer to a baking tray, sealed side down.

Brush with the reserved egg, drizzle over any leftover butter 7. and sprinkle with the remaining pecans and extra sugar.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden and crisp.

8.

Leave to stand for 10 minutes before slicing, and then serve with maple syrup and cream or custard.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 95

inTERTAINMENT:

Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za

MOVIE TITLE

Lawless Director: John Hillcoat Starring: Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce,

Jessica Chastain, Shia LaBeouf and Tom Hardy

HIGHLIGHTS • Tom Hardy's performance

Recommended for: Action fans

VERDICT

During the prohibition, three brothers find a way of making easy money by producing and selling moonshine. The Bondurant brothers are well known in Franklin County for being untouchable. Running a gas station as a front for their illegal activities, the brothers seem to be in control of their operation. This soon unravels with the arrival of the new District Attorney and Special Agent Charlie Rakes demanding half of their profits. In true Bondurant style, Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) refuses the deal and proceeds with their side business. Things soon get violent with neither side backing down. The youngest brother, Jack (Shia LaBeouf), decides it’s time to become part of the family business and sells their moonshine to infamous gangster, Floyd Banner, and starts making more money than before.

Tom Hardy as the family’s patriarch is very convincing with his brash style, suiting his character well. I would have liked to have seen his character a bit more fleshed out. Guy Pearce, as special Agent Charlie Rakes, makes you instantly hate him even though he is a lawman. His portrayal of a sadistic, quick tempered rogue cop makes you want to punch him and very few actors have that ability. The plot was quite disappointing but these actors collectively made a valiant effort to make it work.

HIGHLIGHTS

MOVIE TITLE

Flight

• One of Denzel Washington's best performances Recommended for: Drama fans

Director: Robert Zemeckis Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, John Goodman and Kelly Reilly

VERDICT

Possibly the most mis-marketed film of 2012, Flight starts off with an unforgettable pulse pounding opening sequence that could easily be found at the centre of an action film.

But while the airplane’s crash scene captures our attention, Flight instead finds its feet as a heart-drenching, in-depth character study drama about a struggling alcoholic. Denzel pulls out all the stops to deliver a heartbreaking performance, taking the audience on a bumpy up and down ride of emotions.

Although Flight concerns itself about flying, and would possibly never be shown on any airplane, the title is meant as a double meaning. It also refers to the high-flying rock-androll life of Captain Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) and his final tragic crash down to reality - he is an alcoholic in denial. The real treasure, however, is Denzel’s performance.

While most actors tend to overplay drunken unsympathetic characters, Denzel is spot on and believable - his performance a calculated portrayal.

Pay attention and you’ll notice the many Christian elements cleverly hidden within the film.

Everything from song choice to cinematography is calculated and strategically placed.

If it’s a faith film, it’s not the most forthcoming one though. Especially since the opening sequence includes full nudity, a big no-no for sensitive viewers. Those who do make it past the first scene will find that Flight proves to be a thoughtful, engaging and rewarding experience. Denzel steers audiences to hate him, love him, then hate him again … and then love him again. Such mastery deserves attention.

96 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

GAME TITLE

Lego: The Lord of the Rings

VERDICT

All Lego games follow a similar format: a hub world links individual levels, which follows the narrative of the series and provides Lego-themed characters each with their own special abilities to complete the levels. The player can control two characters for complex puzzles, or the second character can be player-controlled in a drop-in-drop-out co-op system. In-between the levels are cut scenes that humorously depict events recognizable to fans. Once the main campaign is completed, each level can be replayed with whatever characters you so wish to collect all of the items previously unattainable.

Lego LOTR has hundreds of collectables to obtain, along with secret characters and hidden cheats. Even the achievements and trophies have hidden references to the series that will delight any fan. This game is especially fun to play with another person, and at the end of the day, much like in the Lord of the Rings itself, the great lords of gaming can often be shown that the smallest of games can still be the most fun.

VERDICT

GAME TITLE

Dishonored

Dishonored stars Corvo Attano, a silent yet resilient bodyguard to the Empress in the city of Dunwell. Shortly after returning from an aid mission to get assistance in dealing with a plague epidemic, Corvo is forced to watch as the Empress is killed and her daughter, Emily, is kidnapped. From there it’s a journey of revenge, as Corvo seeks to right these wrongs.

Dishonored is a challenging, fun and moving game; a true gem. Its only flaw is that it is far too short, even with collectibles and two endings extending the plot. The player is left wanting a lot more; and with the extent to which they have made this entire world, one can only hope that sequels will come soon. But it’s a good ride while it lasts.

Movies to look out for The Impossible Genre: Action, Drama Director: J. A. Bayona Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland Date: 1 March

The Last Stand Genre: Action, Crime Director: Kim Jee-Woon Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville and Rodrigo Santoro Date: 1 March

Snitch Genre: Action, Drama Director: Ric Roman Waugh Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Barry Pepper, Jon Bernthal, and Michael K. Williams Date: 8 March

10 Years Genre: Comedy, Romance Director: Jamie Linden Starring: Channing Tatum, Lynn Collins, Rosario Dawson and Jenna Dewan-Tatum Date: 8 March

The Guilt Trip Genre: Comedy Director: Anne Fletcher Starring: Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand and Yvonne Strahovski Date: 8 March

Warm Bodies Genre: Comedy, Horror Director: Jonathan Levine Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry and Dave Franco Date: 15 March

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 97

inTERTAINMENT:

Reviews by Penguin Books

LOCAL FICTION & NON-FICTION Thirty Second World

The Bushman Winter Has Come

Beth starts work at an advertising agency as an assistant. Her boss, Alison, is an ambitious and talented executive who is trying to balance a career, a relationship and a new baby, without much help from anyone. Beth thrives in the environment. But it gradually starts to have an impact on her personal life.

Paul Myburgh spent seven years with the ‘People of the Great Sand Face’, a group of /Gwikwe Bushmen in the Kalahari Desert. This is the true story of Exodus, the inevitable journey of the last of the First People, as they leave the Great Sand Face and head for the modern world and cultural oblivion.

Emma van der Vliet R170.00

Paul Myburgh R220.00

INTERNATIONAL FICTION The Chef Martin Suter R210.00

When Maravan and Andrea lose their jobs in the financial credit crisis, they plan to survive on romantic catering for couples. But even culinary magic can't ward off recession. Soon they are forced to enter into a much more unsavoury business, plunging them deep into an underworld where murder and sex feed otherwise unquenchable thirsts...

Calculated in Death J.D. Robb R220.00

On the steps outside an empty office in New York's financial district, a woman lies dead.

It's a bitterly cold winter and her coat and other items are missing, which initially seems to point to a mugging gone wrong, but Lt Eve Dallas soon discovers that the body was dumped at the newly renovated property. Now she has to find out why.

The Dressmaker

In Dreams & Winter Rose

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, is stunned at her luck when the famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon hires her to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage.

When disaster strikes, she’s one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. But soon savage rumours begin to circulate, and Tess must make a difficult decision.

IN DREAMS: Drawn to a castle in the forests of Ireland, a beautiful young woman becomes the link to a stranger's past.

Kate Alcott R110.00

98 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Nora Roberts R120.00

WINTER ROSE: On a remote island cursed with eternal winter, a young queen risks her own life to heal a badly wounded warrior prince.

INTERNATIONAL FICTION Fade to Black

Francis Knight R120.00 Mahala is a city ruled by the Ministry, and the forsaken lurk in the shadowy depths of the Pit. Rojan is a bounty hunter (and pain-mage) trying to make his way in the city. He's not keen on using his magic, but when his niece is abducted and taken to the Pit, he may just be forced to unleash his power...

Blue Blood Sara Blaedel R220.00

Susanne Hansson is discovered in her apartment bound and gagged, the victim of an extraordinarily brutal rape attack. She met the rapist on a popular online dating site.

The rapist is using the website to target specific women for future attacks. And he has no intention of leaving his other victims alive...

Spellbound & Ever After

In Dreams & Winter Rose

SPELLBOUND: On a visit to Ireland, world-famous photographer Calin Farrell meets Bryna, a woman threatened by a dark force.

Can Calin save her?

IN DREAMS: Drawn to a castle in the forests of Ireland, a beautiful young woman becomes the link to a stranger's past.

Nora Roberts R120.00

EVER AFTER: When Allena visits Ireland she’s distracted by a beautiful ancient pendant. A strange storm forces her to take shelter with a surly man.

And their destinies are about to collide.

Nora Roberts R120.00

WINTER ROSE: On a remote island cursed with eternal winter, a young queen risks her own life to heal a badly wounded warrior prince.

The Devil’s Sanctuary Marie Hermanson R220.00

Estranged identical twins Daniel and Max have a complex relationship. When Daniel goes to visit his bipolar brother in a remote Swiss 'recovery' clinic, he agrees to Max's plea for help.

The brothers swap places for a few days. But Max isn't coming back, and the clinic is far from a place of recovery.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 99

inTERTAINMENT:

Reviews by Penguin Books

INTERNATIONAL NON-FICTION Band-Aid for a Broken Leg Damien Brown R210.00

Damien Brown’s first posting with Medecins Sans Frontieres in Africa is an isolated outpost of mud huts, surrounded by landmines; the hospital, for which he's to be the only doctor, is filled with malnourished children and conditions he's never seen. With only three other volunteers, Damien must confront these challenges.

Bloodlines: The Indigo Spell Richelle Mead R120.00

Sydney’s struggling to decide between following her Alchemist teachings, or her heart. Then she meets Marcus Finch, a former Alchemist who is now on the run. He claims the Alchemists are hiding secrets from her. But as he pushes her to rebel, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought.

Skinny

Donna Cooner R120.00 At fifteen and weighing 302 lbs, Ever Davies lives under the constant scrutiny of everyone around her, and "Skinny" - the voice in her head. So she undergoes gastric surgery, but while her body gradually changes on the outside, Ever soon finds that changing the person on the inside is much harder.

100 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

Survive Alex Morel R120.00

When Jane is released from an institution for a rare visit to her family she decides that on the flight home she will take a lethal dose of pills, and end her pain forever. But the plane never reaches its destination.

Jane wakes up amidst piles of wreckage to discover that she and Paul are the only survivors.

It will be a fight for life.

Etiquette & Espionage Gail Carriger R120.00

Sophronia’s mother wants her to become a proper lady.

So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. What she doesn’t know is that Sophronia will learn to finish the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, as well as how to deal out death, diversion, and espionage - in the politest possible ways, of course.

CHILDREN TimeRiders: The Pirate Kings

Voel-boekies vir kleuters: Kiepie Kuiken

The TimeRiders are on a joyride back to 1666 to witness the Great Fire of London. In the ensuing chaos, Liam and their newest recruit, Rashim, find themselves trapped between the fire and the Thames. Back in 1888, Maddy and the rest of the team are trying to track them down.

Ladybird se voelboekies vir kleuters het padjies om te volg, loergatjies en teksture om te voel. Kom op ’n avontuur op die plaas saam Kiepie Kuiken en haar vriende.

Alex Scarrow R110.00

Ladybird R55.00

Voel-boekies vir kleuters: Kollehond Ladybird R65.00

Ladybird se voelboekies vir kleuters het padjies om te volg, loergatjies en teksture om te voel.

Kom saam Kolle op ’n avontuur en ontdek allerhande kleurvolle dinge.

èRelated articles:

• More Back-Road 4x4 Trips, by Mariëlle Renssen (Digital article, Feb '13) • Ultimate Braai Master, by Justin Bonello (Digital article, Jan '13) • Astronomy Within Reach, by Neville Young (Digital article, Nov '12)

These books are available online www.penguinbooks.co.za and at all good book stores.

BOOK

WIN

REVIEW COMPETITION: Win one of two Thirty Second World books or one of two The Bushmen Winter Has Come books by answering this question: Q: On what page will you find the article introducing the new ball game Bossaball in the March issue of DO IT NOW Magazine?

Email your answer to competitions@doitnow.co.za. The competition closes on 30 March 2013, and the winner will be drawn from all correct entries. DO IT NOW's competition rules apply.

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 101

inREVIEW:

Words & Photos: Francois Steyn - drivethis.wordpress.com

Something Different IN the spotlight Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4x2 AT Whenever a couple of mates enter into a discussion about a new SUV built on a bakkie’s ladder frame chassis, the Toyota Fortuner always manages to creep into the conversation as the benchmark somehow. The new Chevrolet Trailblazer is no exception with its next generation Isuzu chassis.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is another example, with D-4D equalling power and torque, but lacks the variety in model range of its Japanese opponents.

The Trailblazer, however, has three engine variants, starting with the 2.5 LT Diesel (110 kW and 350 Nm), a powerful 2.8 LTZ Diesel (132 kW and an allmighty 470 Nm) and a petrol burning 3.6 V6 (176 kW and 329 Nm). The 2.5 is only available with a 4x2 manual gearbox and the V6 with a 4x4 automatic.

The LTZ 2.8 Diesel gives you any combination of drivetrain characteristics, except 4x2 manual, and is more powerful than the competition. The 2.8 LTZ 4x2 Automatic I tested is six grand less expensive than the matching Fortuner 3.0 D-4D Raised Body Auto, and has a towing capacity of 2,950 kg compared to the Toyota’s 1,825 kg.

Looks are in the eye of the beholder and in this subjective beholder’s eyes the Trailblazer is pretty much on par with its nemesis, sharing the Fortuner’s wrap-around rear window and blacked out B-pillar, but with an upright C-pillar to give it a beefier stance. There’s less bling on the ‘Blazer, but the black paint of the test model made it look more like a rapper’s ride than family fun wagon.

Inside you’re treated to light coloured, full leather seats for up to seven adult occupants and a two-tone dash. Automatic air conditioning keeps the passengers cool in the rear with the push of a button on the disc-like switch console, on the centre hang down. Above the climate control command station is an integrated audio system featuring CD MP3, Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary inputs, with steering-mounted controls on the left side of the steering wheel. The right side houses the cruise control buttons.

102 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

In relaxed driving conditions I cannot fault the Trailblazer, and trying to overtake a slow moving vehicle is no problem thanks to maximum torque on tap from 2,000 r/min.

The auto ‘box works fine, but eliminates a sense of control. In manual guise, the 2.8 Diesel would shine. Like the entry-level LT, the LTZ comes standard with ABS, EBD and BAS. Both models also have driver-, front passenger- and curtain airbags, as well as rear park assist and disc brakes all round. In addition to this, the LTZ boasts traction control, trailer sway assist and panic brake assist, and on the automatic model, hill descent control.

During my time with the Trailblazer I averaged 10 litres per 100 km, which equates to a range of just over 750 km. The standard service plan matches Toyota’s five year / 90,000 km, but service intervals are 5,000 km further apart than the 10,000 km of the Fortuner. All said, the clear winner is ... Well, I’d hate to take a stab at it and in the end it will come down to personal preference.

McCarthy Toyota Lynnwood Tel: (012) 807 9800 “Peace of mind is part of the deal!”

Nissan Juke DIG-T Tekna (Leather) Thankfully we’re done with comparisons because comparing the Nissan Juke to any other car would be like trying to compare a platypus to another mammal.

I’m not insinuating that it’s ugly (you decide for yourself about the platypus), a Fiat Multipla is ugly, so is the Hyundai Matrix, but the frogeyed Juke just does not look like anything else on the road.

Before I got a chance at the helm, I’d read and heard people raving about this awkwardly-styled cross over and wondered what it was all about. Press the start button and punch at the throttle though and it all makes sense. The 1.6 DIG-T Tekna’s turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 140 kW and 240 Nm, and will race from standstill to 100 km/h in under eight seconds, but you can still maintain 8 litres per 100 km. The steering and handling is good, but the high-riding position has the suspension’s work cut out in the corners to eliminate body roll. Under hard acceleration you better hold on to the wheel because there is quite a bit of torque steer as the front wheels try to track true. In all but the entry-level Acenta model there are three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. In Sport the Juke jumps out of the blocks like a frisky Jack Russell, but the throttle response is so sensitive and revs already so high (just above 3,000 r/min) when you’re trying to maintain 120 km/h that you have to concentrate on not exceeding the speed limit.

The oddness of the design does not end on the outside, with the central multimedia and climate controls looking like they are trying to break free from the hard plastic facia. Below that, the six-speed gearbox’s lever sits atop a candy apple plastic shell, adding a toy-like vibe to the luxurious, heated leather seats that are standard in the Tekna model. The steering wheel, pilfered from the 370Z, houses the remote audio and cruise controls.

104 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

The Juke certainly is fun to drive and it's kitted out with a factory full of features, including a display for torque, G-force and all manner of interesting information on the display between the automatic air conditioner knobs.

Safety features also litter the standard kit list, with plenty of airbags, ABS, EBD, BAS, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) that can be switched off and automatic multireflector halogen headlamps, to name a few.

I am still not convinced about the appearance, but I personally know of more than a few happy owners who vehemently disagree. And I do get their point: most cars nowadays are so devoid of personality that we all long for something that turns heads again. Love it or hate it, it’s a brilliant (and refreshing) set of wheels.

Two New 800s from Kawasaki: W800 and Z800 In the beginning motorcycles were dirty, smoky, unreliable machines that offered one thing to those willing to live with it: freedom. Later they evolved into every imaginable niche: superbikes, adventure bikes, cruisers, scooters and streetfighters. These days though, there's a growing demand for brand new retro bikes styled on the machines of the '60s and '70s. That’s why KMSA has begun importing the Kawasaki W800, alongside the Moto Guzzi V7 and Triumph Bonneville offerings. It is recognisably a descendent of the Kawasaki W1 of 1967 that was in turn a licensed copy of the famous 500 cc BSA A7 that dated back to 1946. The modern bikes are completely different to the older BSAs and Kawasaki copies in every aspect except styling.

The W800’s 773 cc air-cooled, long-stroke engine uses fuel injection and a state-of-the-art electronic ignition system, so no kick starting this old bird. The designers took great pains to make the engine a thing of beauty and finished it in lustrous silver - either clear-coated, polished aluminium or chrome plating. The mudguards

and side covers are made from steel rather than plastic, as they were in the '50s and '60s, and handsome, lightweight spoked wheels with aluminium rims that are dead right for the period. Traditional instrumentation and peashooter exhausts round off the old-school look. The soulful W800 is aimed at riders who enjoy an affordable, well-built modern classic that's built like an anvil. Included in the R109 995 price tag is a two year / unlimited distance warranty.

The new Kawasaki Z800 looks so wicked that it should come with horns and a tail included. The already lively engine's capacity was stretched from 748 to 806 cc for 2013, bumping peak power to 100 kW and torque to 83 Nm. The handlebars are flatter, to give the bike more of a streetfighter appearance, while the handlebar risers are taller, to ensure the same riding position as before. There's a stylish rear hugger to keep the shock absorber and under-seat area clean, and a belly pan is now standard. The new instrument cluster has also been enhanced in that it displays remaining fuel range and boasts an economical riding indicator, while new rear-view mirrors improve awareness of what's going on behind you - not that something is going to catch up with you. The luggage hooks incorporated into the rear footrest hangers and mudguard make for easy loading when the bike is pressed into service as a tourer.

A whole range of changes were made to the air intakes, throttle bodies and intake and exhaust ports; the result being better tractability, lower weight and reduced engine wear. It also has larger diameter (310 mm) petal discs up front, and a narrower 17-litre fuel tank and seat. Kawasaki has been making its famous Z bikes for four decades now and the new Z800 aims to remain a badass, street-fighting hooligan that can be ridden every day. It sells for R115 995 and also comes with a two year / unlimited distance warranty. •

èRelated articles:

• In the Spotlight: Nissan Murano, Chevrolet Lumina & Toyota vs. Nissan Livina (Issue 19, p. 138) • In Review: Amarok, Nissan & Volvo Be Pleasantly Surprised (Issue 16, p. 112) • Get Ready for the Toyota FJ Cruiser (Issue 14, p. 25)

Nissan Juke DIG-T Tekna (Leather)

Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4x2 AT

Capacity (cc)

1,618

2,776

Power (kW)

140 (5,600 rpm)

132 (3,800 r/min)

Torque (Nm)

240 (5,000 rpm)

470 (2,000 r/min)

0 - 100 km/h acceleration (sec)

8

10.8

Top speed (km/h)

n/a

180

Fuel consumption (claimed)

6.9 l/100 km

10 l/100 km

Gearbox

6-speed manual

6-speed automatic

Service plan (years / km)

3 / 90,000

5 / 90,000

Base price

R279 900

R423 500

www.doitnow.co.za | Lifestyle • 105

inCLOSING

inside the next issue ...

Quote: “Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul” - unknown.

APP Extras

NEW

when you opt for the app version of the magazine, you also get these exciting extras: • inDULGE - Recipes: Stuffed Chicken with Lemon and Chilli & Pumpkin and Pecan Strudel • inTERTAINMENT - Music, Movie, Game & Book Reviews • inSURE - Great insurance related articles Plus there's great video content for many of the articles!

Don't miss these and many other great articles in the April 2013 issue of DO IT NOW Magazine.

Adventures Await in Lesotho

I have always admired great adventurers like Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Mike Horn and Riaan Manser, who spent most of their lives embarking on an expedition into the unknown, exploring and living the adventure.

This gave me the idea of putting together a series of low budget and weekend adventures that are original, daring and hold true to what being adventurous is all about. So, for my first trip, I decided to cycle solo through the beautiful country of Lesotho, situated next to the majestic Drakensberg range.

On the Lighter Side

A man is stranded on a desert island, all alone for ten years. One day, he sees a speck in the horizon. He thinks to himself, "It's not a ship." The speck gets a little closer and he thinks, "It's not a boat." The speck gets even closer and he thinks, "It's not a raft." Then, out of the surf comes this gorgeous woman, wearing a wet suit and scuba gear. She comes up to the guy and she says, "How long has it been since you've had a cigarette?" "Ten years!" he says. She reaches over, unzips a waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes. He takes one, lights it, takes a long drag and says, "Man, oh man! Is that good!" Then she asks, "How long has it been since you've had a drink of whiskey?" He replies, "Ten years!"

She reaches over, unzips her waterproof pocket on the right, pulls out a flask and gives it to him. He takes a long swig and says, "Wow, that's fantastic!" Then she starts unzipping this long zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit and she says to him, "And how long has it been since you've had some REAL fun?" And the man replies, "Don't tell me you've got a motorcycle in there!"

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

We normally don’t plan for an incident when we head into the great outdoors because of the positive nature of the experience. In reality, incidents do happen though and we are often found wanting in terms of what to do and how to do it. Rest assured that backup is available in the form of well equipped and highly trained mountain rescue teams around the country. Learn about Mountain Search and Rescue and its volunteers in the next issue and have more peace of mind the next time you head into the hills.

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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.

106 • DO IT NOW Magazine | March 2013

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