ADVENTURE | SPORT | LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
VOL 5•11 2013 #31
TACKLING
wheelchair
rugby
The call of the
Kalahari
2013 adidas SicklinE
Extreme
Kayak World Championship
New RxIt Series to
boost
CrossFit
©
Competition p. 5 facebook & twitter www.doitnow.co.za
On the Cover - 2013 adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship. Photo by - Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
DO IT NOW Team CEO / FOUNDER Francois Flamengo
Alan Hobson Fly Fishing
Andrea Kellerman Sport Psychologist
Susan Sloan Running
Sheldon Reddy Motoring
André Troost Various
Jacques Marais Photography
Xen & Adri Ludick Travel
Hannele Steyn MTB / Nutrition
Sam Bradley Travel
Neil Ross Recipes
Peter Fairbanks Insurance
Francois Flamengo Various
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Disclaimer
While every effort is made by the DIN Team to ensure that the content of the DO IT NOW website and magazine is accurate, DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may appear, or for any consequence of utilising the information contained herein. Statements by contributors and media submissions are not always representative of DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd opinion. Copyright 2009 DO IT NOW Magazine (Pty) Ltd. No part of this website and magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored on a retrieval system without the prior permission of DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd. DO IT NOW Magazine (PTY) Ltd supports and encourages responsible practices with regards to all Adventure, Sport and Lifestyle activities. We also believe in the conservation and protection of our environment.
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CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2013 S
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dinFO Here are some great activities and events to look out for in November: Bicycling // Nissan TrailSeeker #5 - Cornwall Hill College, Irene (Gauteng): 2 November Nature // Blyderivierspoort Hiking Trail (Mpumalanga) Water Sports // Cape Town Summer Surf Ski Series - (Cape Town): 3 November Water Sports // National Kayaking Freestyle Championships 2013 - Parys (FS): 3 November Running // Kinetic Night Trail Running Series - Bryanston Golf Club (Gauteng): 6 November Bicycling // Wines2Whales Ride - Hermanus (WC): 4 - 6 November Entertainment // The FNB Whisky Life Festival - Sandton (Gauteng): 6 - 8 November Running // Daredevil Run - Dullstroom (Mpumalanga): 8 November Bicycling // Momentum 94.7 Kiddies Ride - Sunninghill (Gauteng): 9 November Running // Cape Point Nature Run 2013 - Cape Point (WC): 10 November Water Sports // Surfing Jeffreys Bay (EC) Bicycling // Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge - Sunninghill (Gauteng): 10 November Bicycling // Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge 2013 - Johannesburg (Gauteng): 17 November Entertainment // Parklife Festival - Kirstenbosch Gardens (Cape Town): 22 November Running // Sisters with Blisters 2013 - Midrand (Gauteng): Saturday 23 November Running // Zombie Run, The Green Hub - Durban (KZN): 30 November
FIND OUT MORE For a more comprehensive list of events and activities taking place throughout the year, refer to the Calendar on www.doitnow. co.za/events
www.doitnow.co.za • 3
Index
Vol 5•11 2013 #31 | www.doitnow.co.za
// Team & Contributors: p. 2 DO IT NOW Magazine’s team and regular contributors. // Calendar: p. 3 Calendar featuring Adventure, Sport & Lifestyle events. // Index: p. 4 Contents for DO IT NOW Magazine #31. // Enter & Win: p. 5 Enter our new website competition and stand to win great prizes. // #readityourway: p. 221
Articles RUNNING
7 Wildcoast Wildrun: Stripping through pretences, one km at a time 13 Bakgat in Boggems Bay!
Bicycling
21 Fat boy on a bicycle 27 SHOOT! Nedbank Save the Rhino 2-day MTB stage race 39 Cycling’s biggest teamwork - Coronation Double Century
Motorbiking
49 Beyond the rolling hills, fullfilling a boyhood dream 56 Border Motocross bags Queenstown N6 Motox Challenge
Multi Sports
65 New triathlon rocks Durban 79 Introducing artistic gymnastics
Ball Sports
85 360ball - a new and unusual sport 93 Tackling wheelchair rugby
WIND Sports
103 Modern kites
Water Sports
113 Jordy does Portugal 121 adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship 133 Face-to-face with a shark
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Equestrian Sports 141 The magic of horses
Health & Fitness
148 New RxIt Series to boost CrossFit© 159 Reasons why you don't achieve your goals 163 Choose your protein wisely
NATURE
167 Festive season fly fishing
TRAVEL
175 Stepping back in time 186 The call of the Kalahari 199 Going wild at Gonarezhou
ENTERTAINMENT
212 Culinary classics and complementary wines 215 Movie, game, and book reviews Key: Adventure
Sport
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Lifestyle
INVOLVED
121
ENTER & WIN Visit www.doitnow.co.za during NOVEMBER and enter your details in the Enter & Win Competition to stand a chance to WIN a AQUAPAC MINI POCKET CAMCORDER CASE.
Aquapac
Mini Pocket Camcorder Case
worth R364.99
27
Key Features: • Sea kayaking, snorkelling or river rafting, this case leaves you worry-free, allowing you to get on with it whatever the weather. • This is the smaller of two sizes. The other case is the 346 Medium. • It’s an authorized Flip™ accessory, licensed by Cisco under the Designed for Flip Video™ programme. • You can get great video right through the optically-clear LENZFLEX™ window in the case. Even underwater. • It’ll float with your camcorder in it. • It’s guaranteed submersible to 15ft / 5 metres. Congratulations to Leana Bawden, the winner of the October 2013 competition. Leana wins a Virb camera valued at R3,999.00
New look
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DO IT NOW Magazine is pleased to announce that it has launched a new and improved website.
The website has been designed to provide the ultimate visual and user-friendly experience, with action-packed content, stunning photographs, videos, and improved navigation and functionality throughout. Compatible with today's browsers and mobile devices, users can share content with others across Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Visit www.doitnow.co.za where South Africa’s #1 adventure, sport and lifestyle magazine takes publishing to the next level: • Latest news • Fascinating and informative articles • Up-to-date calendar, events, and feedback • Stunning photo galleries • Action-packed videos • 20 different adventure, sport, and lifestyle categories
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Adventure, sport & lifestyle news, articles and events never looked this good! www.doitnow.co.za • 5
MAKES HOT COOL. LITERALLY.
© 2013 Columbia Sportswear Company. All rights reserved.
SWEAT-ACTIVATED COOLING Sweat smarter with Omni-Freeze® ZERO. Sweat reacts with blue rings to lower the temperature of the material. Others will feel heat. You’ll feel an arctic blast. CO LU M B I AS P O R TS W E A R . CO. Z A
RUNNING
Words: Catharina Robbertze ǀ Photos: Dylan Haskin, www.dylanhaskin.com
Wildcoast
Wildrun Stripping through pretences, one km at a time
The Wildcoast Wildrun is not an event wrapped in prestige, fame or fortune. There are no spectators, exclusive interviews or prizes.
Dramatic clouds gather as runners make their way down the beach of the Wild Coast during day 1 of the Wildcoast Wildrun.
Runners are rewarded with something far more valuable. They get to go back to the basic joys of trail running, the reason why so many fall in love with trails the moment they discover them. It is that thrill of experiencing raw, untouched beauty and exploring places not many others have seen, which can only be experienced on foot.
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ation For more inform and photos, visit o.za. www.wildrun.c
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. Runners at the start of the Wildcoast Wildrun at the Great Kei River Mouth. 2. Livestock is dotted all along the coastline, some of the only company runners get to enjoy during the Wildrun. 3. More support and entertainment from the locals. 4. Valerie Sing and Staci Katsivalis are all smiles despite the hill. 5. Louise Fitzsimons running in the beautiful Dwesa Nature Reserve on day 2. 6. Running past another shipwreck, an all too familiar sight along the Wild Coast. 7. Louise Fitzsimons getting directions from one of the locals, a good source of information while out on the trail. 8. The celebratory beer, what will any race be without it?
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This is what the 112 km, Great Kei River Mouth to Hole-in-the-Wall, Wildcoast Wildrun is all about.
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It is three days where you forget about the rest of the world, where everything is stripped of all pretence, and you get to realise what really matters in life. Wildrun photographer Dylan Haskin shares his experience on the event.
"With miles and miles of untouched coastline, animal paths, and beaches I'm sure most of us fell in love with the Transkei. And to be able to shoot an event in that incredible area of the world was a real privilege.”
"Shooting the Wildcoast Wildrun was truly an experience I’ll never forget! Being my first time in the Transkei, I was blown away by its raw, wild beauty. The scenery along the Wild Coast is nothing short of spectacular. A photographer’s dream! Cows walking around on the beach were something I didn't quite get used to and even on the last day it still made me laugh a little. Cows walking along jagged rocks with waves crashing behind them – not something you see every day!
The first Wildcoast Wildrun took place in 2009 and was the first event of its kind in South Africa. In 2011, it was expanded to consist of two events that took place on concurrent weekends in September. Both departures are identical, with the first departure known as the 'Journey' and the second departure the 'Race'. Almost 600 runners have taken part in the event since its inception four years ago.
"Running alongside the runners, I met many great people, each of them running the Wildrun for their own reasons – some to beat their previous time, some for a loved one who was sick at home, and some who simply wanted to find out if they can do it. Despite the different backgrounds and reasons why they entered, they all had a few things in common – the love of the outdoors, the love of adventure, and the love of running.
Entries are limited to 80 runners per weekend and consists of three days and 112 km of trail running along one of the most rugged and beautiful coastlines in South Africa. Starting at the Great Kei River and finishing at the Hole-inthe-Wall, runners get to experience wilderness running like nowhere else on earth, with golden beaches, rolling hills, spectacular cliffs, wildlife, dolphins, warm sea, blue sky, and friendly people.
Winner, Adrian Lazar Adler makes his way up one of the steep, long hills on the final day.
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'Journey' Results 12-14 September
'Race' Results 19-21 September
Men
Men
Position
Race #
Name
Time (overall)
Position
Race #
Name
Time (overall)
1
47
Adrian Lazar Adler
10:58:24
1
90
Renier Barnard
11:14:46
2
77
Andy Stewart
11:11:58
2
111
Angelo Henry
12:00:20
3
13
Clinton Bosch
12:15:00
3
145
Scott Stevenson
12:07:05
LADIES
LADIES
Position
Race #
Name
Time (overall)
Position
Race #
Name
Time (overall)
1
68
Kate Rees
14:19:26
1
139
Sylvie Scherzinger
11:44:34
2
56
Corli Markgraaff
14:51:29
2
118
Carly Kent
12:13:56
3
39
Claire Gatonby
16:10:32
3
164
Christine Woods
12:48:15
So even though this year's Wildrun events have happened, you still have next year to look forward to and prepare for. Registration for the 2014
runs open on 17 January 2014 at 12 p.m. It's an experience not to be missed. •
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It’s a long, tough stretch to the top.
RUNNING
Words & Photos: Mark Sampson, Thribe Media
Pristine beaches, good for the view but bad for aching legs.
Bakgat in Boggems Bay!
The second year of the Oyster Catcher Trail Run, held on 28 and 29 September, promised to be another exciting event by hosts and organisers Trisport.
Boasting an extraordinarily pristine coastal route, it takes place from the mouth of the Gouritz River to Mossel Bay, in the southern Cape.
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Bakgat in Boggems Bay!
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If it's solitude your require the Oyster Catcher trail run has ample to spare.
Following part of the Oystercatcher trail, which is only available to paying hikers, this run has it all, including technical boulder hopping, long white beaches, sheer cliff drop-offs, and colour-infused fynbos. Being a two-day trail run, with distances of 20 km and 16 km respectively, it is not an overly demanding trail run in terms of distance. The options of entering for both days, or simply completing the final day of 16 km, are available. With this allure, the average level of runner is not your hardcore-competitive type, but rather the run, enjoy, and smell the fynbos along the way type. And thus for two days, the trails are filled with smiley, happy faced, thumbs up, chatty runners.
Day one starts at the mouth of the Gouritz River and meanders along the coastline, which has a variety of beach and gnarly, technical rock sections, with a nasty uphill tar section to finish at Boggems Bay, compliments of Race Director Hano Otto. Day two kicks off from Dana Beach, with a nice and easy beach section before heading over a number of cliffs Mossel Bay’s version of the white cliffs of Dover - prior to descending along the edge of some breathtaking drop-offs beside the Indian Ocean, to the finish line in Mossel Bay.
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Welcomed at the finish line by Sonja Otto and a colourful medal for their efforts, runners enjoyed a complimentary meal prior to prize-giving and a number of lucky-draw handouts. Overall winners after the two days were Cornel De Jongh, with an impressive time of 3 hours and 21 minutes, and Marlize Jelliman, who won the Open Ladies section in a time of 4 hours and 18 minutes.
The coveted, colourful medal awaiting the brave finishers.
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The take-away thought for competitors is the knowledge that they have had access to trails ordinarily closed to the public! Fred Orban, the founder of the Oystercatcher trail, kindly allows access to this little piece of paradise, to TriSport and the competitors. Part of the initiative of this event is to bring awareness to the plight of the African oystercatcher that is found along the coastline of South Africa. These black birds, with a stark red beak and seemingly naughty disposition, fall into the threatened category due to habitat loss. At registration, Fred welcomed everyone and gave a short speech about the bird and made us aware of its desperate situation.
To enjoy the views over technical terrain requires a bit of a breather.
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The ecstasy of nearing the finish line on day one1.
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Apart from bringing awareness to the oystercatchers and region, the race is renowned for its personal touch, thanks to the organisers and husband and wife team of Hano and Sonja Otto. Runners lining up after prize-giving to say goodbye to Hano and Sonja, prior to their departure, was a definite telltale sign of the close relationship they have with their clients.
Next year promises to be even bigger and better, with twitter amongst the Oyster Catcher fraternity about a possible third day to be added to this already sumptuous South African trail running beauty. Numbers are capped due to the fragile ecosystem, so keep a look out for when entries open so as not to lose out on running in the 2014 edition! •
Flat boardwalks always bring a smile to the face of weary runners.
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BICYCLING
Words & Photos: Sean Fraenkel
Fat boy on a bicycle 10 lessons learnt from credit card touring in England
“ The adventure is the not getting there, it is the on-the-way. It is not the expected; it is the surprise.” Stephen Graham
Grim determination, outside Northallerton.
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Planning your next cycletouring trip? Discussing maps, miles, and your motivation? Don't! Leave some things to chance and you will experience more than you bargained for. Sometimes, not preparing for a cycle tour leads to an adventure in itself. I recently had to go to the UK for a short course related to my work. Due to the nature of the flight schedule, I had a couple of days to kill before and after the two-day course. As my plane literally touched down in Manchester, I decided to rent a bicycle and cycle to Middlesbrough and back. Armed with no gear or any sort of planning, I frantically buzzed around Manchester, making hasty purchases so that I could be on the road the following morning. In hindsight, I wouldn't change a thing: I suffered from technical problems and the cold, had a run in with the police, and met interesting people during my impromptu, mini expedition.
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Farm stall calorie pitstop.
Below are 10 lessons I learnt along the way. 1. Travel light - As small towns and villages are close together, you can travel with relatively little gear. There is always a spot to stay for the night just around the corner where your credit card will be accepted. 2. Public transport - The Brits really have nothing to complain about when it comes to public transport. As soon as I realised that I was running out of time, I bolted to the nearest train station. Not once did I have to wait more than an hour. Most trains allow bicycles on for free, but booking your bike online in advance is essential if you are on a tight schedule because only a certain amount of bicycles are allowed on a train. If all the allocated slots for two-wheeled transport are taken, you have to wait for the next one with available space. 3. Accommodation ON A budget - I checked in at YHA (Youth Hostel Association) at Potato Wharf, in Manchester, upon arrival in the UK. Besides meeting like-minded individuals, you're better off at a B&B. YHA charges around £18 for a dorm bed and £40 for your own room. Internet, breakfast, soap, and towels cost extra. A B&B can set you back £25 all-inclusive, and you get a room to yourself. I had to use a sheet as a towel (courtesy of the empty bunk in my room), as I didn't have my own. If YHA is too tight to give me a towel, then I'm too tight to spend £5 on renting one. The best deal at YHA was being able to leave the bulk of my gear in a locker for more than a week for only £3.
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4. SIM card - Make sure it's compatible for your device. I ended up buying two because I needed my tablet for navigation and my first one would only work in a 3G phone. Most restaurants and shops have free Wi-Fi, but you will need a SIM card for the open road. 5. Trusty steed - Eventually, I got hold of a bike shop that would rent me a bicycle with panniers for eight to ten days. Make sure you check the rented bike out thoroughly. I only realised 10 km into my tour that I couldn't adjust the seat post, as the seat-clamp bolt was stripped. This resulted in me having to pedal with my knees around my chin for the first two days. 6. Bicycle tools - I purchased a multi tool from the same shop, which proved useless. I buckled my wheel badly the first day, and the rear wheel was of the bolted variety, so I had no way of removing it. The spoke keys didn't fit either. My solution was to disconnect the rear brakes and bend the mud flap to prevent continual rubbing on the tyre. The mud flap was held in place with good old cable ties, which the bike shop gave me for free. Moral of the story: revert to point four - check you bike thoroughly and make sure your tools fit. 7. Cycle clothes - Nearly every local I chatted to commented, "Fine weather for cycling isn't it?" As I come from South Africa, I was slightly confused, as the sun was hidden away by ever-present clouds, a 20 km/h head wind, and pretty cold weather overall. Luckily, I bought a waterproof windbreaker, which helped keep out the chill. Some leg warmers would've been a nice extra. 8. Improvise - Fortunately, I had a waterproof pouch and tablet car mount in my luggage. After removing the suction cup and taping the mounting bracket to my bicycle stem, I had a nifty holder for my electronic device. Using Google Maps, I plotted a route to Middlesbrough. All I had to do now was pedal following the blue line on the screen.
A wheel problem: Vernon Levy, the good samaritan fixes my rim in a jiffy.
Wire fisherman, bicycle and his dog frozen in time, On the rail trail between Selby and Yor
Busted! Somewhere on the M62.
Outside Northallerton.
9. Know the local laws - Pedalling down the M62 at a leisurely pace, I waved at the friendly traffic hooting encouragement (or so I thought) as they sped by. Pretty soon, a police vehicle pulled me off the road. In the country less than 24 hours and I was already in trouble with the local constabulary. "Honestly Officer, I had no idea I wasn't allowed to cycle on the freeway. Wasn't my fault, the blue line on my screen said go this way. Anyway, in South Africa you have cattle crossing the N1 and don't get me started on mini bus taxis!" Unimpressed and adding insult to injury, I had to cycle in front of the patrol car until the next off-ramp. I cranked it like a man possessed, doubling my speed from four to eight kilometres an hour. I did warn the officers that I hadn't been on a bicycle in six months, but sadly, they refused to let me slipstream behind them. After a couple of kilometres, my off-ramp appeared like the misty, pearly gates of heaven, or it could have been the lack of oxygen to my brain and the tunnel vision I was experiencing at the time. I felt rather paranoid after my close encounter with the authoritative kind and had to consider a road sign later on that read: ‘Drivers of large or slow moving vehicles must phone and get permission to cross’. Now, I'm large and slow moving, so I was in trouble on both counts. Luckily, the road was quiet, so I snuck across the bridge quickly and no one was the wiser.
Wide load coming through.
10. Local knowledge is key - I am truly grateful for that buckled wheel. Honest! On day two, as I was wobbling along and came upon a steep hill, I saw another cyclist pushing his bike up the tough incline. I hopped off my metallic steed and pushed along beside him. Vernon was doing the coast to coast, a very popular ride in the UK, which starts on the west coast and finishes on the eastern shore (or vice versa). Vernon and I took a break in a quaint little English village, complete with cobbled streets and busy coffee shops, where he fixed my rear wheel to near 100% working condition. Now, I prefer the term ‘horizontally challenged’, but my new friend's euphemism for being on the rotund side of the spectrum was that ‘I am too short for my weight’. Enjoying pockets of sun while sitting on a park bench, we discussed our height-to-weight ratio and loaded up on calories (probably more than we needed) for the miles ahead. Vernon would be my tour guide for the rest of the trip through Facebook. His local knowledge, allowed me to enjoy some really great English countryside and discover the UK cycling network: miles and miles of paved arteries across Britain, exclusively for cyclists, hikers or runners. •
For information on:
Booking your bike on a train - www.nationalrail.co.uk The YHA - www.yha.org.uk SIM card compatibility - www.three.co.uk Renting a bike - www.bicycleboutiquemcr.co.uk Britain’s cycling network - www.sustrans.org.uk For more travel news, follow Sean on Twitter: @SeanFraenkel. Got an idea for an adventure? Post it here: http://seanfraenkel. com/microadventure/
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1/500sec @ f6.3; SONY A99-SLT Body + 70-400mm Lens @ a focal length of 180mm; ISO 400; WB Setting (Auto - Warm); AE SEtting (0EV); No Flash; In-Camera parameters applied.
PICK 'n PAY Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour 80km MTB Challenge - OYSTER FESTIVAL.
www.jacquesmarais.co.za/SONY
never miss the moment
full detail
99 with 300mm F2.8 G SSM II
Photograph by Jacques Marais Global shooter and author; National newspaper columnist; Respected magazine journalist; author of 11 outdoor books and guides.
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BICYCLING
Words & Photos: Jacques Marais
SHOOT!
Nedbank
Save the Rhino 2-day MTB Stage Race
Next year, grab your chance to do a mountain bike stage race through an incredible Big 5 reserve, while at the same time contributing towards the survival of rhinos in South Africa. My job takes me to spectacularly beautiful places, that’s for sure, and this past weekend was certainly a case in point. It is not that I specifically enjoy hanging around golf courses, but the one at Legend Golf & Safari Resort is top of the list if ever you're planning on chasing a small, dimpled ball.
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The dramatic backdrop provided by the Waterberg and the surrounding bush veldt plains also make Legend the perfect venue for a mountain biking stage race, which was why I found myself up here in Limpopo’s back-of-beyond.
The event that brought me up here was the Nedbank Save the Rhino 2-day MTB Stage Race, and I was fortunate enough to have an extra day to recce the route. We spent much of our time getting up close and personal to the white rhinos of Legend Resort, and getting everything set up for a spectacular and memorable ride in the morning. And I'm not going to say anything about that monster climb up Hanglip Mountain ...
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DAY 1:
The first day of Nedbank's Save The Rhino 2-day MTB event will be remembered as a day of huge climbs and stunning riding along the edge of the escarpment for the fortunate field of mountain bikers who came to attend this feel-good event. An easy-go-lucky 08h30 start by the organisers, TriSports SA, saw riders ascend the gruelling mountain pass, which wound like a giant mamba up to the high Waterberg peaks that overlooked the Legends Golf & Safari Resort.
Once on the plateau, the competitors cranked through herds of plains game and past the occasional lone rhino. These prehistoric-looking beasts standing silent were testament to the contribution every rider was making to their survival. With red-hot disk brakes (I am not lying!), riders blasted back down into the valley for a dusty dash through wild syringa and marula trees, before finally crossing the finish line after a tough 60 km ride. Fritz Pienaar took no prisoners on the day, cruising home as if out on a fun ride, without breaking too much of a sweat.
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DAY 2:
Never, ever, ever in my life have I experienced a mix of mountain biking and wildlife like this morning, at Legend Resort! The plains ended up being a manically fantastic melee of riders, with impala fly-pasts, giraffe arabesques, and darting warthog. It was an absolutely spectacular scene to shoot, but I am very pleased we had no #bucknorris incidents. The rest of the day was rather tame in comparison for the riders, although some found it a hard and fast blast along the flattish 75 km track.
Fritz Pienaar led the field home (he was also one of the Avendurance organisers, he was racing unofficially though), with competitors loving the laid-back and friendly feel of the event. • For more information on the Save the Rhino trail running and mountain biking events, as well as all the results, go to www.nedbankgreen.co.za or www.trisport.co.za
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BICYCLING
Words: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust & Hannele Steyn ǀ Photos: Various photographers
Cycling’s biggest
teamwork The story of the Coronation Double Century Anyone who’s ever been awarded the coveted Charles Milner Award will know the blood, sweat, and tears, not to mention sheer guts, that are spent in pursuit of this illustrious accolade. For it’s the Milner Award that is given to teams when all 12 members cross the finish line within 15 minutes of each other in the fabled Coronation Double Century cycling race. The Coronation Double Century, known affectionately in the cycling world as the ‘CDC’,
began life as a non-competitive day in the saddle among long-time cycling chums. Stellenbosch wine farmer, fanatical cyclist and 32-race veteran of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, Charles Milner is traditionally considered the ‘founding father’ of what has grown to be one of the country’s most prestigious, challenging, and scenic cycling races.
Roadside support from the biggest of little fans.
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Close support and teamwork are crucial ingredients for success on race day.
Back in the early 1990s, the cycling fraternity in Milner’s southern Cape farming circle believed there was a market for a 'double century' on the cycling calendar because at the time the longest race was the One Tonner of around 150 km. For a challenging day out, Milner and his cycling fraternity would ride from his Klapmuts wine farm to Natte Valleij Farm via Franschhoek, Villiersdorp, Worcester, Bainskloof Pass, Wellington and then back to Natte Valleij Farm - a distance of some 200 km. A tough but ideal route for a proposed double century race, they imagined.
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And so the cycling farmers approached the Pedal Power Association (PPA) and convinced the then Chairman, Lawrence Whittaker; Vice Chairman, Frans Fouche; Event coordinator, Jasmine Griffin; and Executive Committee member David Bellairs, that a 'double century' would be a welcome addition to the world of South African cycling. The circular route from Natte Valleij seemed a natural choice to suggest; after all, they’d all cycled the route themselves and it had proved itself to be just what a ‘double century’ should be: an endurance challenge matched by the beauty of the landscapes it traverses.
The inaugural CDC took place in 1993. Some 385 riders set out on the scenic route from Natte Valleij through Franschhoek, Villiersdorp, Worcester, and Wellington.
Milner reminisces fondly, “It was blisteringly hot on the day of our first race and even though I could almost see the tar melt while we rode, there was tremendous team spirit amongst the cyclists. This same spirit is what makes the Coronation Double Century what it is today a race of camaraderie and team participation.” Camaraderie is certainly the name of the game. And to honour the spirit of teamwork, race organisers introduced the aforementioned Charles Milner Award in 2011, to recognise and reward those teams who go the 202 km together, with only 15 minutes separating the first and last team member over the line.
Over the years, the route has changed many times, largely due to race numbers impacting on the ability to use particular routes. After the first few years, the race grew exponentially in popularity and race numbers jumped quickly. This led to the traffic authorities closing the Bainskloof Pass to riders, forcing organisers to adopt a new route. They then rode from Klapmuts to Aan de Doorns Wine Cellar, outside Worcester, and back again. By the latter part of the '90s, however, the starting point of Natte Valleij Farm was too small for the growing event and a new starting point had to be found. Organisers selected the Drakenstein Correctional Facility (formerly and better known as the Victor Verster Prison out of which Nelson Mandela famously walked free in February 1990) on the R301 in the Dwars River Valley.
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By the late '90s, the race moved to Ceres and incorporated a very tough out and back circuit to the top of Bo Swaarmoed and Theronsberg Passes. It wasn’t a pretty route, which resulted in dwindling numbers. So in the early 2000s, the race was ‘rehomed’ to a start and end point of Montagu, with its conveniently located hot springs to soothe tired and aching muscles. Picturesque, historic villages and towns such as Ashton, Robertson, Bonnievale, Drew, Swellendam, Suurbraak, and Barrydale - via the Tradouw Pass - were then included on the route. The scenic beauty of the new southern Cape route saw a leap in numbers and the starting venue was moved to minimise the amount of time that riders spend on the national road (the N2), as the N2 section of the route near Swellendam was deemed risky for a race of
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that many riders. And so the race arrived at its current home, again to a start and end point of Swellendam, where it enjoys huge support from the local community. The Pedal Power Association (PPA) has a long association with the CDC and Chairman Stephen Hayward, remarks, “Cyclists love the CDC because of the camaraderie and team spirit. The PPA is very proud to be associated with this wonderful cycling event. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that it would grow to become the sporting
event that we know today, and after so many years of trying different routes we’ve now found the route that challenges all levels of cyclists. We wish all participants on this 21st occasion of the CDC every success and great fun on the day. Have a wonderful day out in the country, achieve the goals you’ve set for yourselves, and may you be back next year and the year after that.” In the early days, the chief sponsor of the race was Pickfords and in 2007, Coronation Fund Managers came on board as chief naming rights sponsor. The prestige and status that the race enjoys today is thanks largely to Coronation’s involvement.
Karl Leinberger, Chief Investment Officer at Coronation Fund Managers, said, “We are proud to be associated with this unique event that shares many similarities with our business - teamwork, trust, and the ability to go the distance over the long term. We are also pleased to partner with the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CCTT), the organisers of the event, who over the past seven years of our sponsorship has shown tremendous dedication to creating the best CDC for participants and spectators alike.”
Using pedal power to get up the mountain.
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Over the years, a number of high-profile cyclists have participated in the race. The most famous finishers include: Robert Hunter (2012) Daryl Impey (2012) Chris Froome (2010) John-Lee Augustyn (2008) Raynard Tissink (2010 & 2011) Conrad Stoltz (2012)
Johann le Roux, 41, from Worcester is a CDC mega veteran. He has completed all 20 tours to date and is due to ride the coming-of-age 21st tour on 23 November 2013. In 20 years of Coronation Double Centuries, he has cycled some 4,040 km just 50 km shy of cycling from Cape Town to Nairobi! Le Roux chuckles when he recalls the many hours he’s spent in the saddle, sweating it out with his teammates, while admiring the route’s spectacular scenery. He sums up the race’s ethos, “There’s no substitute for experience and muscle memory, but the CDC has taught me that team spirit and the will to finish is of the utmost importance for completing the race. It’s more rewarding seeing every team member complete the race than posting a fast time.”
Endurance. Stamina. Guts. Glory. The CDC really does have it all; it's truly, a double century for the lion hearted.
Riders compete during the 2012 Coronation Double Century.
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Hannele Steyn, an ex-professional mountain biker,
on the CDC This 202 km race, a challenging team cycling event renowned for its camaraderie. Celebrating its 21st birthday, the CDC takes place on Saturday, 23 November 2013. When the very first edition of the Double Century took place, it started with only a few teams. Since then, the number of teams participating has grown in leaps and bounds, and today this race is such a popular event on the cycling calendar that there is a waiting list and entry cut-off date. I can certainly understand why, as I’ve had the privilege of taking part in 9 of the 20 races, and this amazing event continues to exceed my expectations and keeps me coming back for more. So let's take a look at what this race is all about.
Race format
The event is limited to 200 teams, and teams can have up to 12 riders made up of an all male, all female or mixed team, of which three of the six must be women. Each team has a support vehicle for medical and bicycling emergencies, as well as refreshments and general morale boosting. The support vehicles only meet up with their teams in Ashton, around 115 km into the race. To ensure the safety of all participants, the race is capped at 200 teams (of between 6 and 12 riders), which comes to a maximum number of 2,400 participant. In each category, the first six riders’ times count, so some teams go for a win and crazy, fast, times. Times under 5 hours 30 minutes have been achieved in the Men’s category. Then there are some teams that just want to finish, no matter if it is only the minimum of 6 that have to finish, while other teams aim to get all 12 riders to finish together before the cut-off. But all teams finish with a smile (or maybe it’s a grimace) and a huge sense of accomplishment. So this really is a race for everyone.
Team strategy
Hannele Steyn
Amongst the competitive teams, a team captain has to make a decision during the race whether to let a rider drop off or to ease off the pace to, to help a struggling teammate through a bad patch. Obviously, the more riders there are, the easier it is on everyone. But sometimes, the cruel decision of leaving a teammate behind has to be taken for a team to do their best time.
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Strategies are painstakingly worked out, which include what to eat and drink and when, as well as unplanned stops in case of a mechanical problem, such as a puncture, chain break, and the like. All very real possibilities that can make a difference to the end result. It’s all in the details.
Team Hartlief.
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Hannele Steyn
Team spirit and camaraderie are key elements of the CDC.
Race experience
This race throws everything at you, such as hills, flats, cross winds, intense heat, rain, floods, strong winds, cold, and undulating roads. The cut-off time is 10 hours 30 minutes (15h30) and there are also cut-offs along the route. That is a lot of time spent in the saddle and it leaves quite an ‘imprint’, whether it is on your butt or your mind! Of the 9 races I’ve taken part in, I have been in teams that have claimed the top podium spot, as well as in teams that just wanted to finish. As a result, I have been able to experience the race from different angles, and I’ve loved both the competitiveness and freedom that one gets from just enjoying the ride when there is no pressure. This year, I am honoured to be part of the Hartlief mixed team race, and the benefits are mouthwateringly good. Let me explain why. Hartlief was established in 1946 as a small family business in Windhoek, Namibia, and has since become a state-of-the-art meat producer that supplies its products to South Africa and overseas. Products range from biltong, droewors, smokies, and snack bites, as well as portion-packed beef cuts, pork, and lamb. So guess what I will be eating before, during, and after my CDC race?
Nutrition tips
Only the top teams will finish before their bodies start to need more than just your normal race nutrition. Most riders will spend longer than 6 hours on the road and that means your body’s need for food will be different, as it will go into fat stores and you will end up with muscle breakdown, cramps, and a blood sugar low if you don't eat correctly. Remember the phrase, 'Don’t do anything new on race day'? Well, if you are still on your bike by 14h00 or 15h00 and still only drinking sugary energy drinks and chocolate bars, you are doing something new, because as I recall, most of us eat lunch (real food) between 12h00 and 13h00 every day. Watch what you eat the evening before the race. Pasta parties and restaurant food can sometimes ruin many months of preparations because the food is prepared long in advance or it might contain all kind of spices or rich ingredients. Be careful of too much fibrous foods as well, and eat as plainly as possible. Things like rice and tuna or baked potato and tuna can be taken with you to a self-catering establishment and is easy to prepare. What you have here is good, lean protein (tuna) and fantastic, gluten-free carbohydrates (brown basmati rice). A great protein that is lean and organic is our very own Klein Karoo ostrich and venison (proudly South African and certified organic).
On the morning of the race, try to eat what you are used to. If you want to start experimenting with your food, you need to start two weeks before the race. You need a breakfast with all three food groups like this to give you long-term energy and that won't upset your stomach. Of course, I suggest Passion4Wholeness Muesli or Oats with a Twist, which are balanced breakfasts and perfect for racing. Both are designed to give you sustained energy because of the ingredients they contain: rolled oats (low glaecemic carbohydrates), raisins and cranberries (quick energy and anti-oxidants), almonds (protein and essential fat), pumpkin and linseed (protein and omega 3), coconut (MCT fat for long-term energy), and cinnamon (for great flavour and helps to stabilise your blood sugar). Passion4Wholeness products are also diabetic, wheat free, and have no preservatives. Muesli is great for a fast, crunchie, balanced meal, while the Oats with a Twist is for those who prefer a hot, cooked porridge that is enhanced with the necessary protein and fat to give you a whole lot of health twists. Try to eat at least 2 hours before the start, but remember that your blood sugar will start to dip about an hour-anda-half after breakfast, so you need to eat something small and balanced (like a few almonds and dates or a banana and yoghurt/nuts, but always keep it balanced in protein and carbs otherwise you will get an insulin spike) about 30 minutes prior to the start. Begin hydrating the day before and continue on race morning until 15 to 20 minutes before the start, by sipping continuously on a 'good' energy drink (my recommendation is PVM’s Octane and Fusion).
During the race, you should drink at least 500 to 750 ml of liquid per hour and eat 30 g of carbs per hour. Have your first snack after 45 minutes and keep it light (for example, a banana) and after that snack on nuts and dates (5:1) every 45 minutes. Prepare a sandwich of almond butter and honey or cottage cheese and Bovril/fine biltong to eat at around 11h00. If you normally eat lunch between 12h00 and 13h00, remember that you are using a lot more energy in the race and will need to feed your stores earlier. If you can stomach it and have trained with it, flavoured milk, PVM’s Fusion or even a Yogi Sip is an excellent race snack. Gels and coke are for the last 30 km only, if ever :-) At the end, unless you are a professional that needs to think of next week's race already, you can celebrate by having whatever you fancy: beer, champers, chocolate milk, coffee, 'slap' chips because this is the time to overstep all the rules! • For more information visit, www.coronationdc.co.za. To find out more about Hartlief, visit www.hartlief.com.na or check out their Facebook page www.fb.com/hartliefcorp
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Northside Motorcycles
www. bmwmotorrad.co.za
The Ultimate Riding Machine
MOTORBIKING
Words & Photos: Greg Gearing
Beyond the rolling hills Fulfilling a boyhood dream
On top of the world. We finally made it to the top of the mighty Drakensberg.
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Halfway up Sani Pass and looking back over the rolling hills.
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When I was a young boy, I would often lie on my bed and stare out at the rolling hills, wondering what lay beyond them.
They seemed to be a barrier beyond which unknown adventures lay. I was convinced that all I needed was a means to get past them and then the freedom of adventure would begin.
The means finally arrived in the form of an old 1980s scrambler, and the opportunity in the form of a friend inviting me on a seemingly insignificant trip from Hilton to the top of Sani Pass. For me it was the fulfilment of a boyhood dream. I say insignificant trip because there isn’t any massive difficulty in completing such a journey, however for me it was the opportunity to finally go beyond those rolling hills. We left for Sani Pass following in the tracks of Godfrey Edmonds, an ex Spitfire pilot, who managed to coax the first vehicle, an old war-surplus Jeep, up the then bridle path, to the top of the pass in 1948. The path was eventually converted into a road by David Alexander and friends in 1955, to create a trade route between Himeville and Mokhotlong. To this day, it remains the only access to the Lesotho Highlands from Natal. Now, I must mention that our trip was not quite as simple as it would first appear, but had a number of constraints that helped add to the adventure of it all. First, we had two old, unreliable, and unlicensed scramblers, which meant public road riding would be limited. Second, we had very little in terms of maps (our only aim being to get beyond those rolling hills), so from early on it was a case of following what we thought was the general direction. Finally, to top it all off, two days before we left, the Midlands was hit by a late season cold front that turned everything magnificently white.
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Undeterred, we set off, bikes crudely packed with tents, backpacks, and sleeping mats; the open road and prospect of new adventures ahead beckoning. I am a firm believer that the motorbike is the modern-day equivalent of the horse, and that the feeling of riding out into the open would have been the same feeling early explorers or cowboys experienced as they set out west, in search of new lands and foreign places.
We soon reached the top of those rolling hills,
where we were presented with yet another set of rolling hills. Nevertheless, instead of discouraging us, they served only to further ignite the spirit of adventure. We could now start to make out the shape of our ultimate goal; the mighty Drakensberg Mountains rising proudly above the horizon and completely covered in a white blanket of thick snow. Continuing along winding district roads, we were struck by a sensory overload in the form of magnificent views and the changing smells of the cool, crisp air as we passed through different landscapes. The remainder of the day’s riding was fairly uneventful, bar one goat that correctly established it was not a sheep and therefore would not follow the rest of its family across the road. Instead, the goat sought out my front tyre as refuge. After a lot of wobbling and some divine intervention, I somehow managed to stay upright as I swerved around the goat, which sheepishly ran off after its family. After a comfortable night spent on the floor of an old Himeville farmhouse, we packed up and hit the road once more with the prospect of making our way up the twisty switchbacks that make up the famous Sani Pass. Our progress was promptly halted when we reached the border post, where the border guard was quick to point out that unlicensed bikes were no longer allowed up the pass and we would have to turn around! We, however, were not giving up that easily and after much waiting around, we finally convinced the guard to let us proceed. We set off, tackling the icy road with the excitement of a five-year-old kid on his birthday, as we slipped and slid our way up to the top!
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Ryan, Greg, and Craig, with the Drakensberg in the background.
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Stopping for a break at the highest pub in Africa.
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As we sat looking back at those rolling hills, which for so much of my childhood stood as the promise of adventure and freedom, I couldn’t help but think that they had not disappointed.
Though it was only a few days of riding through the back roads and dirt tracks of the Midlands,
those hills had planted a seed that has continued to grow, and although my future trips have been a lot more adventurous and hazardous, I will never forget this one. • HELPFUL TIPS Places to stay: Goxhill Trout Lodge, Himeville www.goxhilltroutlodge.co.za Sani Mountian Lodge, Sani Pass Top www.sanimountain.co.za Basics to pack: Passport, warm clothes (even if it is warm when you leave, it’s always chilly at the top), raincoat, and camera. Important details: Border times are from 08h00 to 16h00. Only licensed vehicles and 4x4s are allowed up the pass.
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MOTORBIKING
Words & Photos: Dean Venish
Border Motocross
bags Queenstown N6 Motox Challenge
Queenstown, a small town sitting in the middle of the Eastern Cape that’s known for its red hot summers and friendly folk, was no different on 5 October 2013, as the mercury hovered around the 36°C mark at the much-anticipated N6 Motox Challenge, hosted by Settlers Motox Club.
Liesel launching it over the table top.
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As is the norm at this venue, the track was prepped perfectly and with the sprinklers going and water truck busy, it was all looking good for a great day of racing. However, riders would have to be very fit, as the heat would sap every last drop of their energy. In the 50 cc Pro, it was a three-way battle between the East London boys, Breece Romans, Kyle Phillips, and Chase Hanekom. However, Liam Botha had other ideas and slipped into third. Kyle had his hands full as he fought back from fourth to reclaim the third overall spot at the end of the day. Chase took first and Breece second in both heats. However, the results didn’t quite tell the whole story as Wian du Plooy from Bloemfontein put on a great performance as he and the remainder of the field battled it out. Next up was the 50 cc Junior class and here the top three were even closer. Seth Smith got the holeshot in the first heat, but he just could not keep Keegan Hanekom out and had a right battle keeping Tyler Dienar back in third place. The overall win went to Keegan, with Seth in second and Tyler in third. Fighting it out for fourth to six places was Merrick Collins, Dirk Groenewald and Damian Howard, who were having their own race and many a parent and grandparent ended up quite hoarse by day’s end. The 65 cc class saw Titus Iveson dominate in the first heat and was doing the same in the second when he had a huge wipeout. As a result, he had to draw on every ounce of his skill and determination and finally on the last lap, his efforts were well rewarded when came through to win the second heat. Rynard Venter had a great day, claiming the number two spot in both heats, with Chase Hanekom hot on his heels to to take third overall. The surprise of the day must be that of Chad Lundie, who hung in there and consistently ticked off laps as he just got faster and faster he has really improved his motocross. Breece Romans and Louwrens Spies both had massive wipeouts and DNF in the first heat, but came back strongly in the second heat to finish the race.
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Border Motocross
bags Queenstown N6 Motox Challenge
Aerial gladiators Wade and Jason duel it out mx style.
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Seth Smith (54) blasts to the front in the 50cc Jnr class.
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Border Motocross
bags Queenstown N6 Motox Challenge
The Ladies class had a great vibe and thanks to Sandy Wicks, they were well supported with some tense but excited faces at the gates. For some of the ladies, this was the first time they were competing in a major event and some nerves were evident, but these quickly disappeared once they were under starter’s orders. Queenstown is known for big jumps, but the girls handled the jumps and speed sections superbly.
The MX Beginners and Veterans classes ran together and Craig Bell, from Borc Tempe MX, on his trusty Suzuki, had the youngster’s eating his dust in both heats to clinch first overall. Craig told me he was very happy with the track and his bike handled perfectly on the day. The Bloem boys took a top-three clean sweep in the Veterans class (something about them being hot guys used to hot weather!). Ryan Moolman came in second overall, with Marius Moolman a close third over Rob Wicks. In the MX Beginners class, David Canning of BMXC, also on a Suzuki, just pipped local rider Richard van der Berg into second place, with another BMXC, rider C.J Olivier, in third.
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The MX Intermediate class was one of the biggest classes on the day and was totally dominated by BMXC riders. The top five places went to Gareth Green in first, Chad Howard second, Wesley Lockem third, Christopher Renwick fourth, and George Herman fifth.
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The MX Expert class was always going to be the class to watch, with Marc ‘Bomber’ Baxter on form and Tristan Purdon back on a Honda and almost on home ground (Cathcart homeboy). If I was a betting man, my money would have been on Purdon (if he didn’t wring the Honda’s neck), with Queenstown local lad Justin Wood (JW) as a very strong contender. The first heat saw Purdon take the top podium spot, with Baxter a close second and JW in third. Phew, although it was close, my ‘bet’ was still safe. In heat two, I was even more worried because Bloem local Tyson Engelbrecht and BMXC locals Jason Hannan and Wade Wright had also joined the fray. But could they hang in with the faster and younger Purdon, who is a schoolboy that races beyond his years?
Breece the Beast bites the dust.
Wright, on his new 450 Honda, got the holeshot, with JW right on his back wheel and Baxter, Purdon, and Engelbrecht snapping at their dust. Lap two saw Baxter move into first, with Purdon and Wright behind him, and Hannan coming on strong. Baxter managed to hold onto first place, but Purdon was closing in fast and Hannan had gotten past Wright and was in third place. Towards the end of the heat, Purdon passed Baxter, but after a jump in the forest section Baxter reclaimed the lead and went on to take the heat. Purdon finished in second and Hannan third. Baxter and Purdon both ended on 47 points for the day. However, Baxter’s first in the second heat gave him the nod for first overall.
Prize-giving took place at the Yacht Club and there was much partying and celebrating, especially by Border Motocross, the club that took the N6 Challenge Trophy for 2013, and a very happy Border Chairman Luc Hannan.
Big thanks go to Settlers Motox Club and all the sponsors for their part in making the WOMZA N6 Challenge such a huge success. Special mention must go to Justin Wood, Mark Bradley, and all of the Queens College scholars who assisted in the marshalling. •
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MULTI SPORTS
Words: Caroline Koll | Photos: Chris Hitchcock
With a number of events on the South African triathlon calendar having been cancelled, it was with great excitement that the new TriRock events were received by the tri community.
New triathlon rocks Durban
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It's been a long time since Durban hosted a triathlon of national attraction, at least not since the days of the Durban Ultra in the '90s. and It remains a mystery as to why Durban, with its great weather, warm ocean, and tourist attractions, would not host more international calibre triathlons?
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However, Durban is finally back on the tri map with the TriRock Durban triathlon, 113 km of pure triathlon pleasure, as well as a KidzRock 7.2 km triathlon (ages 5 to 16) and UrbanRock 22.4 km short distance triathlon. The events were held at the tail end of September, just before the start of the stifling Durban summer heat, so essentially perfect racing conditions. What is interesting to note is how Durban is cleaning up its act and once again resembling an ideal holiday and sporting destination. The TriRock triathlon was testament to this, attracting more than 400 athletes from all over the country for its first edition. For those whose fear it was to tackle a 1.9 km swim in the rough and potentially shark-infested waters, they needn’t have worried, as the swim took place in the very calm waters just off the beautiful uShaka Marine World Beach. Though the swim was deemed wetsuit legal, the water temperatures were more than comfortable and the dodgy characters with their razor-sharp teeth were nowhere to be seen. Athletes were divided into start groups, which provided a far more amicable way to start the swim, rather than the more common single-mass argy-bargy. The fabulous uShaka Marine World provided a fitting send-off from T1 and onto the rolling hills of the M4 for the 90 km bike leg. The road to Ballito, which was completely closed off to traffic, presented some exceptional views of the coastline, but also some challenging climbs.
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The out and back course found its terminus at T2, stationed on the grounds of the Suncoast Casino, just a stone’s throw from the world-class Moses Mabida Stadium. Athletes were then treated to a resplendent 21.1 km run along the newly extended Durban beachfront promenade and through the underpass leading to the stadium. The finish area provided a vibe not unlike that of international events, as well as excellent spectator viewing and close contact with the athletes. Of course the victories of Micheal Davidson in the Men’s race and Marinda Engelbrecht in the Women’s race were celebrated in style.
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Results
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Men: 1. Micheal Davidson 2. Donovan van Gelder 3. Freddy Lampret
04:06 04:11 04:15
Women: 1. Marinda Engelbrecht 2. Marilyn Fischer 3. Lynette van der Merwe
04:51 04:53 04:54
In short, the incredible TriRock party atmosphere is sure to be repeated in 2014. So, if you are looking for an alternative half Ironman distance race, with a reasonable price tag, then you certainly will not be disappointed with Durban’s very hot tri offering! • www.doitnow.co.za • 77
MULTI SPORT
Words: Michael Makings | Photos: Various photographers
Photo credit: Greg Da Silver.
Artistic gymnastics,
a form of gymnastics, is not just a sport; it is a lifestyle because a large amount of time, dedication, pain, and hard work is put into each skill performed. We dedicate our
Introducing
childhoods to perfecting these skills, which require strength, flexibility, and stamina, as well as coordination and aerial sense. Techniques that can only be learnt through hours upon hours of strength and conditioning, all working with your own body weight. And therein lies the greatest challenge - time.
artistic gymnastics
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Photo credit: Gina Kraft.
Gymnastics require so much time from a very young age that a normal lifestyle seems almost impossible. There is no time for TV or parties because gymnastics requires pure dedication, without any distractions. For this reason, many gymnasts are treated differently at school and socially. To some, this may seem like an impassable obstacle, but as I said, it really is a way of life; a life where your sport teaches you so much more than how to do fancy tricks, a life that teaches you about discipline, hard work, dedication, and fighting for a better result each day.
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Local talent
In South Africa, artistic gymnastics has grown quite progressively over the years and we have produced some amazing gymnasts who have achieved what most athletes only dream of. For
example, Simon Hutcheon has a skill named after him in artistic gymnastics and he won the 1998 Common Wealth Games gold medal on vault. More recently, Jennifer Kwela won a silver medal at the 2010 Common Wealth Games and was the only medalist in artistic gymnasts that year. Unfortunately, gymnasts don’t receive any real recognition due to the way in which the sport is viewed in this country. It is seen as being too ‘fun’ or ‘fairylike’ as opposed to that of the more machismo-orientated majority who watch grown men manhandle each other over a rugby ball.
Photo credit: Travis Dietrich.
Introducing
artistic gymnastics
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That aside, the standard of our artistic gymnasts has improved exponentially over the past decade, in terms of the amount of difficulty and skill required to compete on an international circuit. Although South African gymnasts have found it difficult to cope with this vast increase in difficulty, it has not deterred them. Currently, we have a number of gymnasts who not only have the potential and talent to make a mark on the international circuit but are working at it every hour of every day.
MASTERING SKILLS
Gymnasts are required to master isometric (strength), plyometric (performance), and dynamic (gross motor) skills. This is done
from a very young age, where children develop their gross motive and hand eye coordination skills in a way that no other sport really can. In fact, most sports recommend that their athletes use gymnastics as cross training to assist in their specific field, such as pole vaulting, high and long jump, martial arts, CrossFit, and many others. Gymnasts train their bodies in such a way that they are able to output shorter bursts of energy as opposed to maintaining a long and consistent amount of energy, like a long distance runner. What this sort of training allows is that in a gymnast’s routine, their run will be far more succinct and powerful.
DISCIPLINES
There are two types of artistic gymnasts; the Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG). WAG
gymnasts compete on four different apparatuses: floor, beam, vault, and uneven bars. In the floor exercise, they are required to dance, as well as tumble to a piece of music of their choice that is no longer than 90 seconds. This helps them display artistic and gymnastic orientated skills. The beam is similar to floor in this exact way. The vault, however, is a 25 m runway, with a vaulting horse set at 1.25 m high. Gymnasts must run and perform a skill where they jump onto a springboard, touch the vaulting horse, and salto (a flip or somersault where the gymnast rotates around the axis of their hips) from their hands. Uneven bars require gymnasts to swing from the high to low bar and vice versa, as well as perform turns on the bar, which culminate with the all-important dismount.
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Photo credit: Donovan Myburgh.
MAG gymnasts are slightly different. They compete in six different apparatuses: floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. Unlike the women's floor, men gymnasts have a time limit of 70 seconds and are not required to perform their routine to music. Instead, they display artistry in a ‘non-acrobatic’ form on the floor, in addition to doing tumbles. Pommel, an apparatus where gymnasts circle on their hands and move up and down the pommel horse, is one of the most difficult apparatuses to master. It is equated to the beam for women gymnasts. Rings are known as the strong man’s event, where holding strenuous strength positions are the name of the game. Vault is the same as the women's, except the vault is 1.35 m high. On the parallel bars, gymnasts are expected to perform supporting and long-swing skills. Also known as the spectator’s event, the horizontal bars demand high-flying releases, twists and turns, and a perfect dismount.
EVENTS
The 2013 World Championships Artistic Gymnastics was held from 30 September to 6 October, in Belgium, and there
were six gymnasts (three women: Claudia Cummins, Kirsten Beckett, and Nicole Szabo; and three men: Tiaan Grobler, Siphesihle Biyase, and myself) representing South Africa. This year’s World Championships was an individual event championship, which means there was no team event and each country could enter three athletes in each event. Unfortunately, none of the men were able to achieve the scores needed to receive a Common Wealth ranking for next year’s Games. However, we have another opportunity at the Africa Champs to be held next year. In addition to the Africa Championships, which will be held on home soil next year, South African gymnasts can look forward to the 2014 Common Wealth Games and Youth Olympics for young and up and coming gymnasts.
JOIN UP
Even though artistic gymnastics is a tough and demanding sport, the benefits are numerous. The movements involved
help develop strength and eye and foot, improve speed, grace, control, concentration, and competitive energy, as well as hone social skills. Taking the time to practise gymnastics will enrich a person’s life with valuable lessons, such as relationships, challenges, victories, defeat, and other realities they will face for the rest of their life. •
For more information on artistic gymnastics or to find out if there is a gymnastics club near you, visit www.sagf.co.za
Fast facts
• The term "Artistic Gymnastics" was first used in the 19th century. • The word ‘gymnastics’ comes from the Greek word ‘gymnos’, which means naked. In Ancient Greece, most athletic competitions took place in the nude. • It is one of the world’s oldest sports and can be traced back thousands of years. • To enter into Olympic competition, a gymnast has to be 16 or older. • A 'perfect 10' is no longer the top score in gymnastics. Open-ended scoring was introduced in 2006.
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BALL SPORTS
Words: Sarah Kobal | Photos: Cirxola Sports
360ball a new and unusual sport What do you get when you combine a circular court, racquets, a rubber ball, a concave disc in the centre, and a good workout?
360ball. Also known as sport in a circle, this new racquet sport was created in South Africa and is attracting attention worldwide. 360ball was first introduced in 1990 by Mark and John Collins and then recreated in 2010.
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360ball is a sporting concept that utilises the principles and properties of a circle to define a ball sport, and is the first new ball sporting concept since 1950. benefits People of all ages can enjoy the game. In addition, when you play 360ball, you are guaranteed of a great workout. Other benefits include burning up calories and muscle toning, as well as improving your peripheral awareness, eye and hand coordination, and your overall physical and mental health.
The game Games are played by two players or two teams of two players (doubles) in a circular court that has no sides. Players are positioned around a central concave deflecting disk, which they can move 360 degrees around, to keep the ball in play. Each player or team is required to hit the ball twice before it can be returned to the disk. In a doubles game, for example, the first player has to hit the ball into the air. This is called 'the set'. The player's partner then follows through with a second stroke and strikes the ball so that it bounces off the disc. This is called 'the strike'. Once the ball has bounced off the disc, the set occurs again and so on. To score a point, a team or individual has to successfully ground the ball on the opponent's side of the court, commit a fault, or be awarded a penalty. The game is won by whoever reaches 21 points first, in three games.
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The rules Service: The service is decided by a toss of a coin or racket. It is taken from the opposite serving station to the side of that chosen by the other team/player. Serving sides alternate after each set. Once the ball has been served, the ball must carry to rebound off the far wall after bouncing off the disc, unless it has been intercepted by a player who is receiving the service. The set and strike: In doubles, the receiving player must set the ball to his/ her teammate. The ball must be played twice per side before returning the ball. Shot: The ball is allowed to make contact with any part of the player's body, except for the arms, as this will be counted as a shot. The ball may be played after bouncing off the outer wall, or it can be played onto the wall with the intention of passing it to a team member, to strike the ball. Bouncing: The ball is permitted to bounce or deflect off the disc/ricochet board in three ways. It can bounce once it directly comes off the disc. It can bounce directly after bouncing multiple times off the disc, without hitting an edge and deviating. The last allowance is right after bouncing off the disc and then the ricochet board. Obstruction: This occurs when a player from one team moves into, or remains in, a position that obstructs or hinders an opponent from playing the intended shot.
Equipment • • • • • •
Six racquets A rubber ball Centre disc Ricochet boards A court Serving discs
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Court options To make the game accessible to everyone, there is a starter set available to purchase. Everything you need is included in the starter set and it’s ideal for institutions that have no space available for a permanent 360ball court. Instead of having a permanent court, the starter kit provides a boundary rope so that 360ball can be played anywhere, anytime. A mobile court has also been introduced into the equation, which is an inflatable court with netting. So, if one gets annoyed with always having to retrieve the ball when it is hit too hard and goes over the boundary rope, the mobile court is a great cost-effective solution. It only takes 18 minutes to put up and stays rigid for a minimum of 6 hours. The material is highly durable too. Another option is purchasing a Poly Carbon Court, which has transparent walls instead of netting. 360ball has 360 degrees of viewing area, with each seat being the prime seat. By having walls, the rallies are guaranteed to last much longer because one can use the walls as an aid in the game. Thanks to these options, 360ball is a very mobile sport. If you have the kit, you are able to set it up on the beach or in a park, where you can play for the whole day.
The community Fortunately, 360ball is an inexpensive sport, thus making it available to anyone who wants to play. With this in mind, Cirxola Sports, the company behind the promotion and marketing of 360ball, is looking to introduce the sport into schools and community projects because it’s more affordable and uses less space than other sports. It’s also an alternative to existing sports, which is easy to learn and lots of fun. With 360ball being such an exciting and cost-effective sport, and once it becomes better known, I am confident that it will take off in South Africa. Young, old, male, female, fit, or unfit, this is a game that will keep you in shape and entertained for hours. • To find out more about the game or where to purchase a starter set, visit www.360ball.net
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she can. play her music on the mountain
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BALL SPORTS
Words: Alison Spratley | Photos: Various photographers
Photo credit: Sneak Peeq Photography
Tackling
wheelchair
rugby
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When it comes to one of the most loved and wellsupported sports in South Africa, rugby is right up there. Stadiums are packed, games
are televised, supporters around the country proudly wear their team’s colours, and matches are passionately discussed and dissected for weeks thereafter. But as a rugby-loving nation, how many of us are actually aware that wheelchair rugby is played throughout our country and that the athletes play the game with the same heart and passion as our able-bodied rugby players? Sadly, not many. Originally called murderball, this unique sport combines elements of rugby, basketball and handball. Players compete in teams of four to carry the ball across the opposing team’s goal line. Contact between wheelchairs is permitted - and is in fact an integral part of the sport, as players use their chairs to block and hold opponents. History of the sport Wheelchair rugby was invented in 1977 in Winnipeg, Canada, by a group of quadriplegic athletes who were looking for an alternative to wheelchair basketball. They wanted a sport that would allow players, with reduced arm and hand function, to participate equally. In 1993, with 15 countries participating in the sport, wheelchair rugby was recognised as an official international sport for athletes with a disability and the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) was founded. In 1996, wheelchair rugby was included as a demonstration sport in the Atlanta Paralympic Games before becoming a full medal sport four years later at the Sydney Games. Today, wheelchair rugby is played at an elite level in 20 countries across the globe. Things you may not know about wheelchair rugby There are no separate teams for men and women’s competitions, as men and women are classified equal and compete on the same team.
Photo credit: Sneak Peeq Photography
To be eligible to play wheelchair rugby, athletes must have a disability that affects both the arms and legs. Athletes must also be physically capable of propelling a manual wheelchair with their arms. The majority of wheelchair rugby players have spinal cord injuries, which have resulted in full or partial paralysis of the legs and partial paralysis of the arms. Other disability groups represented include polio, cerebral palsy, some forms of muscular dystrophy, dysmelia, amputations, and other neurological conditions, such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
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Photo credit: Sneak Peeq Photography
It is easier to play in a lightweight sports-type wheelchair, but beginners to the sport tend to play in a manual wheelchair adapted from wheelchair basketball. Handling the ball within the rules of International Wheelchair Rugby is extremely important to high-performance athletes. All athletes competing in wheelchair rugby have impaired hand function and make use of specifically designed gloves and glue to assist with wheelchair propulsion and ball handling. A wheelchair rugby team will use up to 5,500 gloves per year!
Wheelchair rugby balls are specifically engineered and have a foam soft outer layer, assisting athletes with control and ball handling during the game. The game of wheelchair rugby is constantly adapting and improving with the implementation of new rules and laws, the strides in the athlete’s ability, and new equipment designs, all of which have a major impact on how the game is played across the globe. How wheelchair rugby assists the greater community Fortunately, it's common for people with a disability, from grass-roots to elite levels, to participate in sport and physical activity nowadays. Unfortunately, this is not the case in all parts of the world. Whilst there has been progressive and positive change in the quality of life for people with disabilities in many developed countries, this is not reflected in developing countries, including South Africa. Any physical activity has a key part to play in improving general health and well-being, and the South African Wheelchair Rugby (SA WCR), in the development of wheelchair rugby in South Africa, agrees it has an integral part to play in ensuring successful national team participation at all international competitions.
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Photo credit: Sneak Peeq Photography
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“People with a disability in developing countries have major barriers to overcome, and I firmly believe that sport does assist in promoting programmes of conflict resolution and reconciliation between sharply divided communities, and aides in achieving common goals,” states Clyde Holland, chairman of SAWCR. “The contribution we at SA WCR are determined to make, to the overall well-being and upliftment of both disabled and able-bodied people in South Africa, will assist people in all communities and occupations to break barriers of poverty and build activity pathways for people with disabilities. By using sport and physical activity programmes, we can reach wider development goals,” says Holland.
SA WCR is set on one goal, namely the development of wheelchair rugby in all communities to provide a better quality of life for people living with severe disabilities. By participating in wheelchair rugby, the general health and well-being of participants will improve, as the training and exercise will contribute to better physical- and emotional health. These, however, are not the only benefits it will bring. As strength, endurance, and self-esteem improve by playing wheelchair rugby, this will carry over into tasks of daily living, leading to higher levels of independence in everyday activities. Hence, the belief that participating in wheelchair rugby will enhance the overall quality of life. To continue to develop the sport, South Africa needs to take advantage of opportunities to compete, to increase its world ranking. With this in mind, SA WCR is determined to establish a focused yet competitive and action-packed four-year programme, filled with endless opportunities to develop skill and improve fitness and technique.
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“SA WCR is an affiliated member of the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU), and with support and the securing of strategic partners, we have the potential to achieve Paralympic status,” says Holland. In addition, SA WCR aims to create awareness of the only full-contact sport code for the more severely disabled athlete, and assist in the transformation of the lives of severely disabled athletes, whilst reaching its goal of participating in the 2016 Paralympic Games. World championship comes to SA Wheelchair rugby is one of the sports recognised by the International Paralympics Committee (IPC). Every two years there are continental zone tournaments, which are viewed as development tournaments, as world-ranking points are awarded and, ultimately, qualification for the World Championships and Paralympics is determined.
Mainly due to the lack of funding, the SA WCR National team has been at a huge disadvantage and not competed internationally since 2009. As a result, the team has never qualified for the Paralympic Games. South Africa is part of the Asia-Oceania zone, which includes Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand. This is the most competitive wheelchair rugby zone in the world, which is why SA WCR grabbed the opportunity to host the Asia-Oceania IWRF tournament later this year. This tournament is an official qualifier for the IWRF World Championships and Paralympic Games and takes place from 16 to 24 November at the LC de Villiers Stadium, University of Pretoria. Teams competing include Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Entrance is free and Team South Africa welcomes all to come and support them in their quest to achieve their ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Championships and Paralympic Games. • Visit the team’s official website www.sawcr.co.za or Like them on Facebook and get regular updates on the tournament schedule, team profile and more.
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Photo credit: SA WCR
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Swap the red tape for the red carpet
“NAC’s VIP Charter service always makes me feel like a rock star! They think of everything I could possibly need and pay special attention to detail, when it comes to my safety, security, privacy and comfort. Wherever I’m headed, NAC’s fleet of long and medium range jets and twin turbine aircraft get me there on time, without the added aggravation of having to deal with check-in queues, waiting for baggage or having to wade through red tape at airport terminals.” So if you’re considering chartering a flight, speak to NAC, and they’ll make you feel like an A-lister on the red carpet!” – Gabby van Staden, frequent charter client.
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WIND SPORTS
Words: Steven Leonard | Photos & VIdeo: Various
kites It’s 2013 and the world of kites is very different to what most will remember or realise.
While your childhood single-line kite still exists, advances in modern materials and design mean that it is now possible to do incredible things with kites. From flying indoors, to performing mind bending acrobatic tricks, to formation flying with pinpoint precision, and much more, there's not much that a modern-day kite can't do.
With such a vast range of kites out there, people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities can enjoy the thrill of flight, while having loads of fun with family and friends. What this article hopes to do is (briefly) shed light on what is out there and direct you to where to find out more about kiting and kiting in South Africa. If reading is not your thing, head straight to the video links and enjoy the show.
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Modern
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www.shutterstock.com
Modern
While modern materials have produced more refined versions of traditional single line kites, they have also taken things to much higher levels. There are beautiful intricate and detailed works of flying art, there are impressively huge inflatable creations, and there are kites that weigh less than 20 grams for flying indoors.
Dual line kites Single line kites
The mental image most people have of kites is of a single piece of string attached to the kite. As the number of different kites using just one line is vast, for simplicity, we will look at traditional versus modern types.
Traditional
Most cultures around the world seem to have some kiting history and they all involve a single line kite. The diamondshape kite may be the classical, modern traditional kite, but every culture had its own design, purpose and materials. Some kites were for art, some were for kite ‘fighting’, while others were for lifting things. The traditional kite in South Africa is known as the 'Swaeltjie', and has a strong connection to South East Asia.
The classic dual line kite looks similar to a hang-glider and has two lines, allowing you to control turning left or right. Fast forward to 2013 and these things are like fighter jets capable of radical acrobatic manoeuvres that seem to defy belief. Since the kite is always moving forward and you only control left and right turns, these tricks require that one learns a specific touch and appropriate body mechanics. The resulting tricks seem like they should not be possible at all, but can be very impressive. If that sounds too complicated or energetic for you, the kite is equally happy to zoom around the sky with a long flowing tail, while you enjoy the outdoors and draw figures with your kite.
Quad line kites
Quad line kites use four lines to give maximum control. With a line at each corner of the kite, you have control over speed, rotation, forward, backward, and sideways flight.
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Revolution
While other quad line kites exist, the most common format comes from Revolution Kites. This kite was invented 25 years ago and has been refined into a very smooth, versatile, and precise range of kites. This is practically the de facto kite for social group or team flying - the current record standing at 81 Rev pilots flying in formation. Flying indoors, urban street style, solo tricks, crowd interaction, solo routines, social group flying, and choreographed team flying in any space or wind conditions - this kite can do it all.
Power kites
Power kites are very popular with the adrenaline junkies. These kites are designed to pull you around, usually on some kind of board or buggy. These are not so much about the flight, but more about using wind power to do something - the kite is your engine. The most popular power kite activity in South Africa is kitesurfing, and some of the best conditions in the world can be found along our coastlines. There are also a growing number of land-based activities being undertaken, including kite buggies and land boards.
Team flying
Team or group flying involves two or more people flying their kites together, much like one would see at an air show. This is the single fastest growing activity in the kiting world right now, due to the social aspect, camaraderie, and ability for anyone to participate equally, regardless of age, gender, or ability. This is basically a bunch of friends or family going out and enjoying themselves together with their kites. Globally, the numbers involved in this is exploding and groups of 4 to 16 people are very common. South Africa recently gained its own team in the form of Team AeroShark. Specialising in Revolution kites, but capable of flying almost any kite, they love nothing more than to share their love of flight with others. They have appeared at various events in KwaZulu-Natal and will be flying in formation at Africa’s biggest kite festival, the Cape Town International Kite Festival.
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Indoor kites
Flying indoors is another rapidly growing area of kiting. Believe it or not, you don’t need a fan to fly kites indoors. These kites are made from the lightest materials and are usually not recommended for outdoor conditions. Over the past few years, specifically designed indoor kites have become more numerous, more accessible, and lower in cost. Some kites require more space and roof height, but you do get ones that can be flown in your living room.
If you are in Cape Town, why not pop on over to the Cape Town International Kite Festival, which is being held on 2 and 3 November 2013, to see many of these kites in action, and prepare to be blown away.
A single line kite being flown by a young girl. Photo credit: Steven Leonard.
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1. Power kite. Photo credit: Veronica Bouwer. 2. Modern single line inflatable show kites. Photo credit: Steven Leonard. 3. Team flying with Revolution kites. Photo credit: Lori Tracy. 4. A traditional single line Cody Box Kite. Steven Leonard. 5. Demonstrating the Revolution kite at Muizenberg Junior School. Photo credit: Kelee Arrowsmith.
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Team AeroShark The most active kiting group in South Africa. If you are interested in flying kites and want to see what happens in South Africa, this is the one place to visit and hit the LIKE button. Alternatively, AeroShark will be at the Cape Town International Festival, so if you would like to chat to any members of the team, just ask one of the organisers to find them. www.facebook.com/TeamAeroShark American KiteFliers Association A non-profit organization dedicated to sharing kite flying with the world, and a good source for more detailed information regarding what kind of kites are out there. http://kite.org/
Kitelife Magazine If you’re interested in kites globally this online publication would be a good place to visit. www.kitelife.com Cape Town International Kite Festival The festival happens on (and above) the lawns surrounding Zandvlei, Muizenberg (corner Axminster and The Row), on 2 and 3 November 2013. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. daily, the event offers lots of parking and easy access by train (False Bay or Muizenberg Stations). Entry is just R20 for adults and R10 (for children between 2 and 12 years). For more information, visit the website, call 021 447 9040, or get regular updates on Facebook www.facebook. com/CTKiteFest and Twitter @CTKiteFest. www.capementalhealth.co.za •
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F e atu r i n g
T e chn o b u t ter
N O W L I G H T E R , W A R M E R AND M O R E F L E X I B L E T HAN EVER
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE world’s leading wetsuit even better ?
WATER SPORTS
Words: Craig Jarvis ǀ Photos: ©ASP/Cestari & ©ASP/Kirstin
Jordy does Portugal Rip Curl Pro Portugal - 9 to 20 October 2013 It’s the second last event of the year on the World Championship Tour of surfing, and the top surfers in the world were all present in Portugal.
The name of the spot is Supertubos, and for the Rip Curl Pro Portugal event, it was providing a few tubes and a few little sections for the surfers to test their equipment and competitive surfing skills.
Jordy Smith was in fine form in Portugal and hopes to take that form through to Hawaii for the final leg of the 2013 World Championship Tour of Surfing. ©ASP/Kirstin
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Kai Otton from Australia won his first ever WCT event in Portugal and climbed to 7th on the world tour ratings. ŠASP/Cestari
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The waves at Supertubos break really close to the beach, so there is very little time wasted paddling back and forth, it is
all about finding those two good ones in a 30-minute heat and getting big air, a solid tube, or a combination of both.
Coming into the event, the World Championship Tour was a two-horse race between Kelly Slater, from America, and Mick Fanning, of Australia. Both are former world champions, with Slater the top dog and 11 titles under his belt. While three other surfers were in with a mathematical chance, they were very, very slim chances and one by one they disappeared. As the competition progressed, Taj Burrow fell by the wayside, as did reigning World Champion Joel Parkinson, both of Australia.
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Mick Fanning needs to place 3rd or higher in the final event of the year, the Billabong Pipe Masters, to secure a world title. Šasp/Kirstin
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Jordy Smith, a Durban-born Cape Town resident, looked electric. He was
totally hungry and even though his chance of getting back into the race were extremely slim, he fought like a horse. He found some good ones, pulled off big air moves, and performed huge power carves as only the large-framed surfer can. He was a crowd favourite by far,
with the local spectators cheering him on and willing the underdog through. Jordy came up against Nat Young, from Santa Cruz, in the non-elimination fourth round and was forced into the sudden-death round five. He won the heat against Brazilian surfer Miguel Pupo and once again found himself up against Young in the quarterfinals. Young was feisty in the heat, but Jordy was rampant. It was a surprise when the judges announced it going the way of the wily American, but that’s surfing. Jordy was gracious in defeat.
While Kelly Slater was knocked out of the event, Mick Fanning needed to advance through his quarterfinal heat to win the world title. Mick had been on fire all week, and this heat against Kai Otton looked a cinch, without wishing to detract from him. Mick floundered and the world watched with baited breath, but he managed to pick up a good left and cracked it twice off the top. Two massive hits. The wave was underscored and he received 4.10, which resulted in Mick being eliminated, and with that, the world title race will now go to the final leg of the World Tour – the Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii. Mick was bitterly disappointed, as he thought he had it in the bag. While surfers’ contracts aren’t public knowledge, it is rumoured that surfers can get close to US$1m in bonuses for a world title, making it a bitter pill for Fanning to swallow.
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Kelly Slater suffered a poor result in Portugal and now needs to win the final event of the year, the Billabong Pipeline Masters, if he wishes to claim a world title. ŠASP/Cestari
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The World Championship Tour now moves on to Hawaii, from 8 to 20 December, where there will be three events, of which the Billabong Pipe Masters will be part of the World Championship Tour. Fanning
and Slater will once again battle it out at this event. For Slater to win the world title he will need to win the Pipe Masters and Fanning needs to place worse than third place. If Fanning places third or higher, he wins, regardless of where Slater finishes. The problem with the Billabong Pipeline Masters is that it runs on a very different system to the rest of the year. Due to the nature of the location – the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii – and the incredibly talented specialist surfers who reside there, the event has a large number of local wildcard surfers allowed into this event. This often skews the result quite dramatically, as surfers on the World Tour are not as experienced or as savvy about the treacherous break as the local surfers are, and more often than not seasoned competitors get eliminated by local kids. It’s a controversial system with faults, but for now that’s how the system is and the only way to deal with it is to work with it as best they can. Slater has a history of Pipe Masters titles behind him, while Fanning doesn’t. It’s going to be a dramatic finish, to say the least. The Billabong Pipeline Masters, along with the other two Hawaiian events – the Vans World Cup Of Surfing at Sunset Beach and the Reef Hawaiian Pro in Haleiwa – comprise the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. This is the most prestigious award outside of the World Title, and Jordy Smith has his sights firmly set on victory. “There is nothing I want more right now than to get a Triple Crown,” said Smith. “I’ve had a good year, but it would be an even better way to finish.” Smith is a standout at both venues – Sunset Beach and Haleiwa – and the chances of a determined Smith winning the Triple Crown are extremely good. “I’m going to have a go,” said Smith of his Triple Crown aspirations. “What have I got to lose?” • For more on the Hawaiian leg go to www.aspworldtour.com
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WATER SPORTS
Words: Ico Schutte & Jessi Stensland | Photos: Various photographers
There were 150 of the world’s best white water, slalom, and freestyle paddlers from no less than 24 different countries who met in the picturesque town of Oetz, to compete for World Championship honours on the legendary Wellerbrücke rapids, a section of the glacier-fed Ötztaler Ache River.
2013 adidas Sickline
Extreme
Kayak
Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
World Championship
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Photo by J Klatt, SickLine 2013
Considered to be one of the most difficult white-water sections on the planet,
the Wellerbrücke rapids are solid class 5 white water, technically difficult and dangerous. In fact, so dangerous that public authorities closed this section. Any mistakes paddlers made would have high consequences.
The well-known rapids on the course, Champions Killer (the final drop of the 280-metre long race course) and Champions Killer Minus One (the hole above Champions Killer) are both feared and endeared by extreme kayakers, all of whom respect the river as much as they want to conquer it. Three-time champion Sam Sutton (NZL) returned ready to defend his title. “The adidas Sickline World Championship is the pinnacle event for us kayakers. It unifies the greatest of all genres of kayaking in one spectacular event to crown the best of the best.” All eyes were on him over the weekend.
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A larger number of female paddlers enlivened the scene on the river. The women paddlers have been vocal about paddling ‘as fast as hell’ to get a chance to race on the top section of rapids with ‘the boys’. As a result, event organisers, active in their support of women paddlers, say that as the skill level and depth of field increases, so too will the number of women allowed to participate.This year, the magic number was five, up from three last year.
PRE-RACE
All week athletes trained hard on the river. Chaos and carnage were words thrown about as videos were posted of kayakers taking swims and getting worked in holes. Thursday brought about the last chance to perfect their runs in free practice.
“The river has been very high all week,” says Marcio Franco (BRA), “but today,” he said with a smile, “it is friendlier.” The ever-changing water levels made for an exciting practice session for spectators and athletes alike, as the ‘sickline’ the perfect, smoothest, and fastest line down the river - continued to shift throughout the day. The vibe was electric as athletes worked together continually questioning, conferring, pointing, and confirming their thoughts about the river run.
“It’s never too late,” was a common theme, and new boat models were tested. Marta Noval (POR) nervously, but successfully, launched herself off the 6-metre-high seal launch, the rockslide that starts the race. And those that had to borrow equipment, to meet race safety specifications, made sure everything worked properly. Austrian athlete Paul (Ted) Fieldhouse, owner of White Descents, generously provided competitors with equipment, while also racing himself. Later in the day, athletes passed through registration to confirm their entry, pass equipment inspection, and pick up race bibs. “Training went well,” the Polish contingent confirmed. “We don’t have rivers like these in Poland. We need to cross countries to find suitable training ground. It’s a huge challenge, but that is why we are here.”
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QUALIFYING
Although the race is a sprint, often taking less than 90 seconds, the day is quite long for competitors. They converge at 9:00 a.m. at the start line for a mandatory pre-run of the course. Everyone is required to successfully complete the qualification course, thus proving to race organisers that their skills are up for the challenge of class V rapids. With nerves running high and the world-class safety team in place, athletes took to the river for one last chance to get their energy focused on balancing their, “Need for speed, with the finesse required to stay on the sickline,” said Nouria Newman (FRA).
Photo by J Klatt, SickLine 2013
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“The race is demanding even before it starts,” says Fieldhouse. “We stand in the queue carrying the boat on one shoulder, then have only 45 seconds to get in, fit the spray deck, restore blood flow to the arm, and focus the mind before racing down.” “It’s really two rapids [Champions Killer and Champions Killer Minus One]. Screw either of those up and you’re done,” Adriene Levknecht (USA) said candidly. With the ladies leading the way, the race began. Athletes each took two runs on the course, one in the morning and one after lunch. The two times were then added together to give one total time, which is used to determine quarter-final qualifiers. The top 5 women and top 46 men advanced.
With a combination of freestyle, extreme, and slalom paddlers on the course, the competition has become tight, often only hundredths of a second separating the top times. The announcer was sure to mention that
just because some of the best kayakers are nailing the line, it doesn’t mean it is an easy course. Spectators were still treated to several thrills and spills, while the safety team looked after the athletes.
It was a fast family affair in round one, as the iconic father and son duo of Eric (49) and Dane (20) Jackson (USA) of Jackson Kayaks finished within .01 of each other, while brothers Sam and Jamie Sutton finished first and third overall. Last year’s Queen of the Sickline, Rosalyn Lawrence, posted the fastest women’s finish. The sun came out for round two and so did the smiles as competitors loosened up, stretched out, and even danced around. Those that had a great morning run attempted to be consistent, while those that had bobbled a bit set out to make up as much time on the section as they could.
Photo by E Holzknecht, SickLine 2013
Photo by J Klatt, SickLine 2013
Photo by J Klatt, SickLine 2013
Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
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Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
Nouria Newman (FRA) screamed down the river on her second run to grab the top women’s spot. “Yes,
we get to race the fun stuff!” She pointed to the upper section of the Wellerbrücke that the finalists would race. “I love the ramp, the boof, all of it! And my friend made it too,” she said, as she hugged third place finisher Martina Wegman (NED). Toni George (NZL) rounded out the top three. Sam Sutton once again seemed to fly over the most difficult parts of the course, to finish with the top time. A super performance from Joe Morley (GBR) put him in second spot, a huge leap up from his thirty-sixth place going into last year’s finals. Third place went to Jamie Sutton (NZL) with his best sickline performance ever.
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The quarter-final qualifiers and safety team then headed upstream for a mandatory pre-run of the upper section of the Wellerbrücke rapids. Once again kayakers had to prove their worthiness by successfully completing this dangerous section.
FINALS
Deep breaths, sighs, focused eyes. Smiles, jumps, and stretches. The world’s best extreme kayakers each had their own pre-race routine as they overlooked the powerful rush of the Wellerbrücke rapids and prepared for the day’s battle. After his mandatory practice run, David Pierron (FRA) admitted that he was not awake yet. Even after running down a class V rapid? “Yes, that helped,” he laughed, “but only briefly.”
Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
“The levels are higher today,” said Dane Jackson (USA). “The river is pushier, making it easier to get off line. The slightest bit off line slows you down and quickly kills your chances of a top run,” he said. The pressure was full on and it showed as athletes made more mistakes in their practice runs. Champions Killer Minus One was beefier, stickier, and wreaking havoc amongst many. Athletes donned ski coats over dry suits to stay warm in the rain and colder temperatures, as spectators braved the conditions to get a look at the action. “The cold weather is a challenge for the safety crew,” said Neil Taylor, safety director and owner of Swiftwater Rescue. “The crew must stand in one position for a long time, yet react instantly in an emergency,” he added.
After the mandatory practice run, the competition began in earnest. The top 48 men went head-to-head in a knockout round. Twenty-four made it through, along with the 2 fastest losers. The top 26 battled it out once more, cutting the field down to 13 plus the two fastest losers, who went through to the super final. “It’s a unique format,” explained Joel Kowalski (CAN) “and with 2 lucky losers per round making it through, it’s fair.” The top 5 ladies had two runs each, and the fastest combined time would be crowned the Sickline Queen. The higher water levels made for sensational spectating and kept the safety team on their toes. Champions Killer Minus One turned out to be the crux move on the course. Some powered their way through, while others were sucked into the hole and had to fight hard to get out.
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Camaraderie among competitors was apparent as they cheered each other on.
“It’s extreme kayaking, so you are looking out for each others back,” said Newman. “You want to win, of course, but you want your paddling buddies to be well and safe at the end of the race.” Kiwi Sam Sutton’s two near-perfect runs in the knockout rounds were a surprise to no one. Looks of awe, even grins, from fellow competitors were seen on the sidelines. Only his younger brother, Jamie Sutton, who screamed down the course to set a new course record of 55.73, bested him.
Podium contenders Fabian Dörfler (GER), Mike Dawson (NZL), and Paul Böckelmann (GER) were eaten alive by the course and forced to watch the super final from the sidelines. The field was still strong with the world’s best white water, slalom, and river-expedition paddlers hungry to dethrone the seemingly unbeatable three-time World Champion.
After a quick lunch break, the skies cleared and the top 15 men took to the rising river for the final time. The announcer explained that the Champions Killer Minus One was the one to watch. “The right line is safer, the left more risky, but faster. The best guys will take that. More water means faster lines, but make a mistake and it’ll force you off your line where you don't want to be.”
After two solid runs down the Wellerbrücke, one of which bettered many of the men on the day, 22-year-old Nouria Newman was crowned the 2013 Sickline Queen. “Sometimes the river is stronger than you or you can’t read it properly and it doesn’t work for you. But sometimes you make it and it’s all good, like today. It was really good fun.”
All athletes want a chance to sit in the ‘hot seat’ - the jacuzzi situated conveniently at the finish line of the course. Post the fastest time and you earn your spot. Daniel Klotzner, 21, from Italy, had a near-perfect run, smashing his previous time with a 56.56, which kept him cozy in the hot seat, while one-by-one the course took its toll on the other competitors. With only two to go,
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Photo by Marnu, SickLine 2013
Joe Morley (GBR), slalom specialist, blazed down the raging river to claim the hot seat, with a time of 56.10. All eyes then turned to Sam Sutton, the final racer of the day and clear favorite. Proving that anything can happen, Sam made an uncharacteristic mistake in the Champions Killer costing him vital seconds. His time was only good enough for fifth place on the day, with his younger brother, Jamie, finishing fourth. Egor Voskoboynikov, a river-expedition paddler from Russia, took third. Known for his success in slalom kayaking, Joe Morley, the two-time U23 Great Britain National Champion, calls this his best achievement. “For three years, 150 guys have gone against Sam [Sutton] and tried to beat him over and over again. The Wellerbrücke rapid
itself is hard to get down and to get down it quicker than everyone else is a good feeling. I took a bit of time out of slalom this year to concentrate on white-water paddling and it’s paid off. I had to tell myself that it was possible. I just put a good run down and it’s all come through.” In true kayaker style, the party atmosphere ensued from hot seat to podium, to the official Champions Party at Jay’s Cantina in downtown Oetz. Festivities lasted long into the night, as athletes, friends, and family celebrated another epic adidas Extreme Kayak World Championship. For the full results, visit www.adidas-sickline.com
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Words: Ico Schutte, Photos: Various photographers
Kayaking the Ötztal Valley
Following all the excitement of the adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship and
the lure of aquamarine-coloured water flowing down snow-capped mountains, I was motivated to get on the river section in Austria's Ötztal Valley.
It offers many different sections from grade II to VI rapids, all of them breathtaking. I was lucky to meet Ted (Paul) Fieldhouse, a local racer and owner of White Descents, a company specialising in setting-up kayaking and winter sports holidays. He also introduced me to Neil Taylor, Safety Director for the adidas Sickline and owner of Swiftwater Rescue. For two days, Ted provided us with brand spanking new equipment and Neil expertly led the way down the rivers. We started the first day with an easy 20 km section of the Inn River. This section is mostly grade 11 with some grade III rapids in-between. It was a picturesque paddle with high mountains providing the backdrop. This section is perfect for the beginner or not-so-serious kayaker. Neil provided tips and instruction to the beginners in the group while keeping the trip fun and relaxed. The take out of this section is in the town of Silz; right on White Descents' doorstep and where Ted was waiting with freshly brewed coffee for all. After a quick lunch, it was time for us to take on the more demanding rapids of the Ötztaler Ache River. We ran the lower Ötz section, which starts just below the Wellerbrücke rapids used for the adidas Sickline. The section comprises mostly grade III, with a touch of grade IV. During the hour it took us to complete this section, I simply couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Halfway down, we had to do a short portage around a man-made weir and mimicking the racers, we utilised a rockslide re-entry into the river. Satisfied, we got off the river as the sun began to sink below the mountains. With high fives all round, we agreed to meet the next day in the town of Sölden for a paddle on the upper section of the Ötz River.
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Ted (Paul) Fieldhouse, owner White Descents Racing, participating in the 2013 Sickline event.
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1. A day at the beach - Photo credit: Jessi Stensland 2. River trip with Neil Taylor - Photo credit: Jessi Stensland 3. Foreplay wavewheel - Photo credit: Paul Fieldhouse 4. River trip - Photo credit: Jessi Stensland.
As Jessi Stensland and I arrived early for our paddle, we unpacked the mountain bikes and went for a short ride in the valley. The well-marked routes and challenging single tracks made for a perfect start to the day. With over 5,000 trails in the Tyrol area, the valley also caters to mountain bikers and hikers alike! 132 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #31
Refreshed and ready for the next challenge, Neil and I got in the great boats supplied by White Descents and set off down river. It was only around 4 km, but higher in difficulty, mostly grade IV, as we had to negotiate more rocks and holes in this steeper section. Once again, with expert advice from Neil, we had a safe and exciting trip. Leaving the valley with these great memories, I am sure to return for more! A big thank you to Neil and Ted because without you this trip would not have been possible.• For more information on kayaking in the Ötztal Valley, visit www.whitedescents.com and www.swiftwaterrescue.at
WATER SPORTS
Words: Sam Bradley | Photos: Shark Watch SA & Sam Bradley
I have a confession to make: sharks fascinate me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as scared of them as the next guy. If I ever had to meet
a great white face-to-face in the wide-open ocean, I reckon I’d get to dry land so fast I would beat some of Chad le Clos’ swimming records. However, seeing them on Discovery Channel, they actually look quite graceful. In fact, if it wasn’t for that huge mouthful of razor-sharp teeth, they could possibly even be described as peaceful.
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Face-to-face with a shark
To see if there was any substance to my hunch, I travelled to Gansbaai in the Western Cape, a sleepy fishing village that is quickly being transformed into an adventure tourism Mecca. Just off the coast lies Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, home to about 60,000 Cape fur seals, with the deep stretch of water between the two islands known as Shark Alley. The two-hour drive from Cape Town, all along the coast, is absolutely stunning. The town itself, with every second business and hotel having some reference to the word shark, clearly thrives off its fame as the undisputed shark capital of the world.
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Initially, I was very hesitant about shark cage diving. Most people, especially surfers, believe that the industry is to blame for attracting sharks to our beaches, and therefore increasing the number of attacks on humans. To make up my own mind, I decided to sign up with a company called Marine Dynamics. Not only are they one of the biggest and most reputable operators in the business, they are also very involved in protecting the shark. They run an intern and volunteer programme that enables up to 18 students to participate in various education and conservation activities. The company also holds a Fair Trade in Tourism certification, and profits from shark cage diving are used to fund the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. This trust has done fantastic work in protecting, conserving, and educating people about the sharks, whales, and penguins in the area. But back to business.
www.shutterstock.com
We started off with a quick breakfast and safety briefing. Guests were informed that worldwide, sharks kill about five people every year, less than ants (30), bathtubs (340), shopping (550), and toasters (600). In other words, the drive to the destination was by far the most dangerous part of the whole adventure. It’s a short boat ride out into the bay, and because whales and dolphins are often spotted in the area, we kept a sharp lookout for them, but with no luck. The young lady sitting next to me, Gill, had been dreaming of this moment since she was a child, and was literally shaking with excitement by this stage.
Once we arrived at the location, the staff got to work. The cage was lowered into the water and tied to the side of the boat, while one of the staff prepared the chum (a mixture of fish and fish oils). Contrary to popular belief, the chum doesn’t actually feed the sharks (as that would allow them to become dependant on man for food), but is rather just a scent to attract the sharks that are nearby. It’s also worth noting that the practise of mixing shark livers into the chum has been stopped, as any practise that encourages trade in shark parts is strongly discouraged. The two throwers prepared their attractions for the sharks, which consisted of a wooden decoy seal and a small bait ball of fresh fish heads. These were attached to a rope and then pulled across the front of the cage, giving the divers in the cage a great view of the sharks. It only took five minutes for the first inquisitive sharks to appear, so the first set of divers were quickly kitted up and sent down under. Gill was in the cage before anyone could blink and was soon squealing with excitement as sharks came into view.
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The water was a chilly 12 degrees, so even with the wetsuits on it took a while to adapt to the water. The cage is built for eight people at a time, and is completely closed off on all sides (just in case the sharks get a little too curious). The top of the cage sticks out the water and
when a shark swims past, the divers sink below the surface to see the shark eyeball-to-eyeball. No diving experience is required, as swimmers pop to the surface whenever they run out of air. The Marine Biologists who are working as interns on the trip recognise most of the sharks by name and are a wealth of knowledge about everything shark related. When my turn in the cage came around, I couldn’t believe how large and powerful these great beasts are in real life! A shark of 4 metres calmly glided past, coming so close that I felt I could stick my hand through the cage and touch it (although this is definitely not allowed). Each guest spends about 20 minutes in the cage and during this time I must have seen at least six or seven different sharks, all within 3 metres of the cage. While they are undeniably kings of the ocean, I was able to confirm my original hunch that they are indeed graceful animals. Most of the sharks swimming past our cage seemed merely curious, almost as if just popping past to say hello and investigate our decoy toys. Relaxing on the boat afterwards and comparing stories and photos with the other guests was just as much fun. Our custom-built shark cage diving boat, aptly named Slashfin, is a double-decker boat that can accommodate 40 guests. We could sit on the top deck and look down at the sharks, which presented great photo opportunities. Sitting on a comfortable boat, food and drinks close at hand, the sun shining brightly down on us, the wind blowing through our hair, and playful sharks twisting and turning through the water below - what could be better? Even a seagull offloading a well-timed bomb on me couldn’t take the smile off my face. •
What you need to know: Trip: Trips can be booked through the website, www.sharkwatchsa.com. Trips cost R1,400 (R800 for children under 13), and generally last three to five hours. A link to the footage of your trip can be purchased for R100. Trips are run every day, and twice a day during the busy seasons. What to take: Marine Dynamics provide safety equipment, wetsuits, towels, and snacks before, during and after the trip. Take a camera (preferably an underwater one), as well as a hat and sunscreen. Accommodation: Accommodation options in Gansbaai and Kleinbaai are plentiful. Have a look at the Gansbaai Explore website (www.gansbaai.com) or the Gansbaai Tourism website (www.gansbaaiinfo.com) for more information. Volunteering: To find out more about intern and volunteering opportunities, have a look at the Dyer Island Conservation Trust website (www.dict.org.za). This company is also founded by Marine Dynamics owner and well-known conservationist Wilfred Chivell. There is also a dedicated website for volunteers (www.marinevolunteers.com). Note that this is a paying programme, and trips can be organised for as short as a week at a time (although at least a month is recommended).
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Face-to-face with a shark
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equestrian sports
Close finish. Photo credit: Liesl King Photography
Words: Catherine Hartley | Photos: Various photographers
“One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal, one golden glance of what should be - it’s a kind of magic.” So said
The magic of horses
Queen’s Freddie Mercury in the song from the movie, The Highlander!
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Final Score winning for Imagine Racing and trainer Sean Tarry. Photo credit: JC Photographics.
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When it comes to horses and racing, it really is a kind of magic! We all dream and
there is always the goal to win. However, while the excitement, thrill, and pride of a winner are incomparable to any sport, the difference in racing is, it’s all about the horse!
Never mind the people with characters (and there are many of these), it’s the thoroughbred horses that bring the real character and emotion to racing and it is them that sets racing apart, as a competitive sport.
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Stunning Jet in her racing stable. Photo credit: Catherine Hartley
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No two horses are the same, from colour, conformation, and size, to temperament, character, and quirks. There are
personalities and differences that make them stand out, which allow one to be greater than another or simply speak to you personally because something about the individual catches your eye or captures your heart!
He only raced up to a distance of 1,600 metres because of a breathing problem, but his progeny’s results indicate that he would have managed the classic distance of the big races, such as the Durban July and J&B Met, raced over 2,400 metres, had he not had a throat problem. One of his very notable quirks is that during his racing career, he had a sheep called David as his companion. David travelled everywhere with Jet Master and was a regular but rather unexpected sight at the racetracks. Many colts and stallions need a companion to help keep them settled, but another horse or pony is not always the best option and so sheep have been the best friend of many a great race horse! After retiring to stud in 2001, Jet Master sired many top-class thoroughbreds, including the winners of 24 Grade One races. He initially stood for a covering fee of R12,000. His most notable progeny include Pocket Power, winner of the Durban July, four J&B Mets, and five Queen’s Plates; his sister, River Jetez, who also won the Met; and JJ The Jet Plane, the much-loved sprinter who won 14 times in four countries with an unforgettable Hong Kong Sprint victory in 2010.
Champion racehorse Pocket Power excelling as a show-jumper. Photo credit: PocketPower.co.za
It was just such a ‘connection’ that persuaded Mrs. Patricia Devine to bid on a gangly weanling colt, at the Royal Showground in Pietermaritzburg for the Natal mare and weanling sale, in 1985. Having seen him standing alone, Mrs. Devine could not resist the striking colt and although not convinced, her husband Henry agreed to bid on him, but only up to R10,000 and no more. When the bidding started, Mr. Devine went up to the promised R10,000 but another hand went up to take the bidding to R12,000 and Mr. Devine shook his head! Quietly determined to buy the rangy colt, his wife pushed his arm up again and he was sold to them for R15,000. What a stroke of luck or foresight that was, as that big gangly colt, Jet Master, turned out to be a multiplechampion sprinter and Champion Sire for five successive seasons! During his racing career, Jet Master won 17 races, including eight Grade One’s and at the end of the 1999-2000 season, he was named South Africa’s Horse of the Year. He was also named Champion Older Miler and Champion Older Sprinter during his racing career.
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Jet Master’s covering fee increased with the growing success of his foals and peaked at R200,000 before it was reduced to R170, 000, then to R150,000 as the industry felt the pinch of the recession after 2008. He was Champion Stallion for five successive years from 2007 until 2012, a superb record for a South African-bred horse. Very sadly, he died in November 2011 at the age of 17 following complications from a virus. The South African racing industry and particularly Mr. and Mrs. Devine were devastated by the loss. In the words of Mrs. Devine, “I can’t explain what great excitement he brought into our lives. He was very special.” Both his most successful sons, Pocket Power and JJ the Jet Plane, are geldings (castrated horses) and therefore could not go on to stud. Pocket Power has been retired to his former work-rider Belinda Haytread and has taken to his second career in show jumping with the same competent attitude as he did when racing. JJ is now enjoying his retirement at Balmoral Stud in the KZN Midlands, following his global race career across four continents. Neither of these champions were straightforward and anyone who worked closely with them will tell you that they had strong personalities, distinct characters and were not to be trifled with - probably the traits that made them champions. Imagine Racing’s syndicated-mare Stunning Jet, another daughter of Jet Master, was very particular about who she liked and did not like visiting her stable and made it known. While she loved her three women owners, she was not always as friendly to others or the stable staff. She was also very fussy about how she went out to exercise and was always a handful to get ready for a race. As a five-time winner, she has just been retired to stud, to breed the next generation of little Jets! While these were stellar achievers, obviously not every horse retires as a champion. The thoroughbred is bred to work and is an athletic, brave, and willing partner and they hold a special place in any horseman’s heart. Many go into competitive showjumping and eventing environments or go on to be schooled for polo and polocrosse where they excel. Some of our South African thoroughbreds have even gone on to compete very successfully in their second careers in the UK and further abroad. Five of the top eight horses in the mini SA Derby (with jumps of 1.35 m) last month were thoroughbreds.
To this end, the newly launched initiative, Beyond Racing, aims to promote and reposition the afterracing demand for thoroughbreds, assist with their transition from racing to sport and leisure horses, and ensure that our thoroughbreds are well looked after beyond the racetrack. A number of recent incidents have highlighted the fact that they sometimes end up in the wrong hands and due to ignorance or gross neglect, are found in terrible conditions. To safeguard the thoroughbred, Beyond Racing is campaigning in partnership with the breeding and racing industry, sport horse industry, and animal welfare units, to promote their care and highlight their successes as riding horses across the various disciplines. On the international scene, there are two prominent thoroughbreds that have transitioned from racing to other equestrian sport. The first is the Burghley and Badminton three-day event Champion, Clifton Promise, and the second, former National Hunt Champion, Kauto Star, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, winner of the King George VI Chase for a record five times and widely considered one of the greatest steeplechasers of all time. Kauto Start was retired at the end of last year and has been testing out the dressage arena. Clifton Promise is ridden by New Zealand-eventer Jock Paget, and is a New Zealandbred thoroughbred who raced unsuccessfully, but has proved to be an exceptional athlete. Not since 1989 has a combination claimed both the Burghley and Badminton titles in the same calendar year. They were also part of the bronze medal winning team at the London Olympics 2012.
So not only is there magic in racing,
Clifton Promise and Jock Paget. Photo credit: Libby Law Photography, New Zealand.
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horses are magical and it is a privilege that they give us such experiences on every level. •
Robyn’s Luck - transitioned from racehorse to polo pony. Photo credit: Catherine Hartley.
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Words: Stephan Meyer | Photos: DO IT NOW Media
CrossFit© is definitely the buzzword in the health and fitness industry these days, both locally and abroad. Although the type of fitness regime and movements are nothing new, the stakes have been raised and top athletes and teams from around the world are now competing in a three-stage test of fitness, comprised of the Open, Regionals, and the CrossFit© Games; the world’s premier test to find the Fittest on Earth.
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New
RxIt Series
to boost CrossFit©
HEALTH & FITNESS
Growing community
Despite CrossFit© being relatively new in southern Africa, the CrossFit© community is rapidly growing. Testament to this is the number of affiliated boxes nationwide, which has already surpassed the 70 mark and continues to rise fast, as well as Level 1 CrossFit© seminars that are fully booked up within hours of releasing the details. In addition, the number of local events is also on the increase. Competitions like Throwdowns (CrossFit© PBM - April), Showdowns (CrossFit© Platinum - August), Fittest in Cape (CrossFit© Cape January), United We Stand Games (CrossFit© Durban - October) and Invitationals (CrossFit© Johannesburg - November), plus many others, are definitely helping to increase the exposure of the CrossFit© brand to local communities across the country.
Our CrossFitters are making a name for themselves on the international competition scene too. In July this year, Dave Levey,
Carla Nunes da Costa, and the CrossFit© Platinum Team made Africa extremely proud at the CrossFit© Games held in Carson, California.
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Teething problems
Being a young sport comes with its own challenges. As part of the community, I have seen and heard of numerous incidents where the athlete, whether training as a serious contender or only as a lifestyle choice, has been exposed to movements and standards they are not yet capable of executing. As a result, this leaves them feeling demotivated or even injured.
Raising the bar
With this in mind, a new series has been added to the calendar, the RxIt Summer Series. However, this is no run-of-the-mill series; there are a number of objectives that it sets out to meet. First and foremost, the events are structured so that both the athletes, whether a novice or semi/professional, and coaches are educated on standards and movements ranges and efficiencies. The series is also aimed at developing the community, providing additional events to compete in while in the comfort of your own box, and increasing the profile and integrity of the sport. Ultimately, this will elevate the participants’ overall experience at these events and raise their game, improve judging standards, and ensure the continued growth of the sport in Africa.
Series format
The RxIt Summer Series is an annual nationwide CrossFit© event that will be held at every affiliate over a period of four weeks during November, with a Winter Series being added to the calendar in 2014. The format of events will be single or coupled WODs to be performed each week, for four weeks. Substantial cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places in the Men and Women’s Rx division, and prize hampers and vouchers for the winners of the Scaled category. In future series of the RxIt campaign, age groups divisions will be added. Spot prizes and lucky draws for weekly winners will be handed out. There will also be equipment prizes for the affiliate teams with the best overall score in both the Scaled and Rx categories. These scores will be based upon the cumulative scores of the top ten (six men and four ladies) in the Rx category, and the top thirty (twenty men and ten ladies) in the Scaled category, throughout the four weeks for each affiliate.
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Affiliate owners will be invited to partake in a fourweek competition prior to the RxIt Summer Series, to shoot the standard videos for the various movements themselves. These videos will be judged and the top videos will be selected and then opened to the public for voting. Handy prizes can be won by the box with the best quality video and most votes.
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Get registered Boxes will be invited to register so that their members can register online and submit their scores. The box
owner/coach will be required to validate the score before it can be counted as an official result. There is no limit to the number of participants, so this means that anyone can enter. However, the workouts will have to be performed at an affiliated CrossFit© box to be considered legitimate. Non-affiliated members will only be allowed to enter the Scaled category and will have to perform it at an affiliated box. This restriction is due to an onramp being required at each affiliate, to be rated as sufficient to perform the Rx division movements and repetition counts, thus protecting the athlete from injury.
WOD information
WODs will be announced weekly and a full demo of each movement and its standard will be made available. Each week’s WODs will be launched live at various locations. These locations will comprise of other boxes and events in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria. Each launch will see a minimum of two top athletes going head-to-head and footage taken will be uploaded the same evening. Once the WOD is available on the website, athletes can start submitting their scores. All scores will be live immediately, but will require a box owner/judge to validate it before the cut off at midnight every Sunday. There will also be a live leader board for all to view on the website. Athletes competing in the Rx category will need to video record their workouts, as 5% of all WODs in this category will be reviewed. If the original workout was not recorded and the athlete’s WOD is selected, then the athlete will have to redo the workout, video record and submit it. If not, the athlete will obtain a zero score. Prizewinners in each round will be announced on the following Tuesday mornings.
This series is about the integrity of the athletes and the judge/box owner/coach.
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Programming criteria
The Summer Series will cater for both the advanced CrossFit©© athlete and novice/intermediate, with programming that will suit both types of individuals. Comprehensive skill and strength/endurance will be required for the Rx division, while the Scaled division will be a replica of the Rx division, but programmed so that it is all-inclusive to the entire community and provides exposure to a wide variety of athletes wishing to participate.
Giving back
As part of the RxIt initiative, funds generated by the Summer Series and future events will be used to assist the athletes who qualify at the African Regionals and will participate in the annual CrossFit© Games in the USA. The current sum already allocated to this initiative is R50,000 for the eight athletes - individual men and women and a six-member team. The aim is to increase this amount as exposure and participation to RxIt events increases. Hence, every athlete entering the RxIt Summer Series and future events contributes to the development of African athletes and this sport.
Multiple options
With the adaptable RxIt format, various other options will be added in the future, such as Inter-box challenges, a Winter Series, and Invitationals. • Inter-box Challenges - These challenges would allow one box to challenge another box online, for example, a box from Cape Town challenges a box from Johannesburg. After accepting the challenge, workouts will be posted for them to complete and submit scores online. The Inter-box Challenge will then be made public on the website and opportunities will be provided, if an open invitational, to other boxes to join the Inter-box Challenge. Once a winner has been announced, rankings will be published to see who the fittest boxes are in South Africa. Live streaming these Inter-box Challenges is a promising prospect for the future.
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• Winter Series - The addition of a Winter Series will help athletes stay motivated throughout winter and start the Summer Series with a solid base of training. This programming will be structured so that it enhances and profits the athletes’ off-season training regime. • Local or international invitational - This would allow for even further exposure of our South African CrossFit© athletes to an elite and or international level of competition.
Added benefits
The advantages of supporting the Rxlt initiative are numerous and benefits include having access to individualised athlete profiles and affiliate profiles, fantastic specials on merchandise, services such community calendars to advertise all events, and monthly newsletters. The potential of our CrossFit© athletes in Africa is huge, so if you are ready to go to the next level, then RxIt will assist, where possible, to change the community one athlete at a time.
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For more information about the Rxlt Series, registering, or just finding out more about CrossFit©, visit www.rxit.co.za
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HEALTH & FITNESS
Words: Andrea Kellerman, Educational and Sport Psychologist
Reasons why you don’t achieve
your goals
Have you set goals in your life and not achieved them? Do you then berate yourself for not having enough will power to achieve them?
If your answer is yes, then you are not alone because this happens to a lot of people. But before you give up on your goals and promise yourself that you'll never set another one, did you know that you could be setting yourself up for failure without being aware of it?
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It is important to understand why you are not meeting certain goals. If you understand how your brain works, what your negative behaviors are, and how to combat those downfalls, you will be able to achieve your realistic goals a lot faster and easier.
Following an exercise plan, a diet, being disciplined, or changing a behavior is not easy for many people. You will need to repeat what you are doing to create a routine for you and your brain. This will allow your brain to build new pathways, which allow automatic, new, and desirable behaviors to set in.
Over-visualization can keep you from actively achieving your goals.
Sometimes we tend to fantasize too much about our goals and remain in the 'dreamy' mode. This means that we are not changing over to action and therefore cannot achieve our goals. Although it is good to have a positive outlook and believe that we can achieve our aims, too much of this dreamy mode can also hinder us from going out there and achieving our dreams. Research shows that if we just fantasize and see our positive outcomes without being actively involved in making them happen, our brain thinks that those outcomes have happened already.
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This can make us feel less motivated to be actively involved in our achievements, and could also undermine the work that needs to be put into those goals. What this proves is that our brain can be the victim of itself. Positive visualization is very important, however, over fantasizing can be detrimental. To stay focused and avoid unnecessary fantasizing, make a list of things you want to achieve every day and have checkpoints to see if you have achieved them.
Your brain will give in easily if you feel you aren't on track.
If you are following a certain diet or workout plan, as a result of eating too much or because you've stopped exercising, our brains tells us that if we have fallen off the wagon before, we might as well do it properly. This leads to even more negative behavior, such as continuing to over eat or not exercising for the entire day or week.
To combat this, you need to have a plan B that will help you to get back on track. If you
have eaten too much, for example, make sure you know that you will have to exercise more the next day, to burn away those extra calories. If you do not meet your target in your training programme, you then need to ensure that you train correctly the next day, or use your rest day to catch up. If you do this, it will stop you from going overboard again, make you feel that you are able to go back to your original plan quicker, and put you back in control.
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Did you know:
*Approximately 80 percent of people never set goals for themselves. Of the 20 percent of the population that does set goals, roughly 70 percent fail to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.
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Remember, be flexible and have a plan of action if you are failing. Don't stop believing that you will make it. And always make sure that you get back on track by taking the necessary actions. • For more information and tips, visit: www.eq-advantedge.co.za, source: www.reliableplant.com
HEALTH & FITNESS
Words: Hannele Steyn
Choose your protein wisely
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Choose your protein wisely Sports scientist Professor Tim Noakes has created quite a stir with his new high fat, high protein and low carb eating plan. Whether you agree with him or not, we know that protein is an important part of our every day food and the recommended daily amount should be 1,5-2 grams of protein per kilogramme body weight. Yes, you need carbohydrates for energy,
but what feeds your muscles? What helps your muscles to recover and how are carbohydrates transported into the blood? The answer to all of these questions is protein!
Now when it comes to fat, there are different kinds of fats and I believe that if you want to follow the high fat option, you should still choose healthy fats, such as Omega 3 (fish, flax seed, etc) and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), like coconut oil, to name a few. Just be mindful that there is always hidden fat in the fibres of animal protein, so you need to make sure you choose the leaner options, like game, skinless chicken, and lean beef.
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So let's look at why we should be aware of what proteins to buy because the quality of meats available in South Africa is not all equal. For example, you get organic, free range, battery, grain fed, animals injected with hormones, and so on. We know that organic and hormone free are the best options, but how do we know what we buy is real thing. For example, free range doesn’t necessarily mean organic or cows roaming freely over hectares of grassy meadows. Free range can mean that they have a certain amount of space to walk around in, but still get fed by the farmer on whatever he chooses. On the organic side, it must be certified because there have been a few 'organic' suppliers who've been caught out! Just to add fuel to the mix, there is still the ongoing debate whether GMO (genetically modified) is bad or good. The good news is that one type of meat you can be assured is low in bad fat, high in protein, and hormone free is our local ostrich meat. As the leading ostrich meat producers in the world, nearly all birds are reared in a free-range system bearing succulent, chemical-free Karoo vegetation. No antibiotics or growth hormones are used, as all producers have to abide by very strict rearing rules. Ostrich meat is also an excellent choice for the weight conscious, and aren’t all of our crazy adventurers and sportspeople very aware of that?
Additional benefits that sportspeople can get from eating ostrich meat are: • Ostrich steak is low in collagen, thus making it more digestible. This means you can eat it closer to the start of a race or training session. • It is high in a vital nutrient known as biologically available iron, which is important for carrying oxygen to the muscle cells - and that is something we all want loads of, more oxygen! • It tastes delicious and should be eaten medium (pink) to slightly rare. It goes well with any sauce of your choice (now this doesn’t mean a full-fat cheese sauce), but a sauce made from berries or a balsamic-infused sauce goes best with ostrich. • Last, but most importantly, ostrich tastes great with red wine! Antioxidants, here we come!
To substantiate my point about the benefits of ostrich further, the following statistics compare ostrich to other popular meat choices: • Ostrich: 1,4 g of fat per 100 g meat, 377 kJ energy, and 22 g protein • Chicken (no skin): 4 g fat per 100 g meat, 640 kJ energy, and 28 g protein • Beef (lean): 8 g fat per 100 g meat, 800 kJ energy, and 25 g protein • Pork (lean): 8 g fat per 100 g meat, 815 kJ energy, and 30 g protein • Fish (white): 1,3 g fat per 100g meat, 440 kJ energy, and 23 g protein • Fish (fatty): 13 g fat per 100 g meat, 820 kJ energy, and 20 g protein • Mutton chops (with fat): 16 g fat per 100 g meat, 1,046 kJ energy, and 16 g protein
And something interesting to hopefully put you off these options forever: • Polony: 27 g fat per 100 g meat, 1,294 kJ energy, and 11 g protein • Sausages: 34 g fat per 100 g meat, 1,706 kJ energy, and 23 g protein The total fat, especially the total saturated fat, found in processed meat is scary to say the least, and research strongly indicates that nitrates and other substances used in the manufacturing of processed meats to be potentially carcinogen (any substance that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer). So the next time you pop down to shops, look out for ostrich products bearing the Klein Karoo International stamp and you will be guaranteed of excellent quality!
Recipe
Never-to-fail ostrich recipe a la Hannele (ok, you don’t have to add the Passion4Wholeness muesli with this one):
Method:
• In a pan, sauté some leeks in balsamic vinegar, soya sauce, good red wine, garlic, chillies to taste, a teaspoon of honey, whole grain mustard, and garlic to taste. • Reduce while you lightly baste the ostrich fillets with a little grapeseed or olive oil, and season with freshly ground black pepper if you wish. Only add salt to taste before serving. • Sear and cook on a hot griddle pan or under a pre-heated grill for 5 minutes on each side or until done to taste. Turn frequently. • Remove and let the fillets rest for 10 minutes, and then cut into thin slices. • When your leeks are caramelised and you have a lovely dark red sauce, drizzle it over the slices or toss the slices in the hot sauce to warm up. • Serve with loads of steamed veggies and a big salad, and enjoy a glass of that good red wine. •
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1THREAD_5730_DOI
LIFE CAMERA ACTION THE ULTIMATE ACTION CAMERA
ANT+ wireless connectivity allows you to control Virb remotely through select Garmin devices, plus you can record your heart rate while filming with the 1080p high-definition video recorder and 16 MP still camera. This rugged and durable device has a 3 hour battery life and a 1.4” Chroma Display so you can relive your adventure in high-resolution colour video and stills. Virb Elite has a built-in GPS with an accelerometer and altimeter to capture even more action. Upload videos to your smartphone with Virb Elite’s WiFi capabilities. What are you waiting for? For more information visit www.garmin.co.za/virb
©2013 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
VIRB
NATURE
Words: Alan Hobson ǀ Photos: Courtesy of Angler & Antelope
Festive season
fly fishing Erupting from the cauldron of stress at the end of the year so you can hit the road early and get to your holiday destination as soon as possible, no matter what, is crazy. Make the journey part of your holiday, by enjoying our beautiful country and travelling the back roads.
The Naudeshoek Spruit, Somerset East.
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If you are heading to the Eastern Cape, why not explore the 'adventure province' by turning the roads less travelled into an adventure? Experiencing the character that each rural town has to offer and being in remote areas where you feel you own that part of that world for the day will expose you to a completely different perspective of yourself and your country. The great thing about stopping along the way, besides unwinding, is that you will be pleasantly surprised by the hidden gems that offer so many attractions, such as the diversity of landscapes, history, culture, activities, people, and fly fishing opportunities. Every facet of your ability as a fly fisher will be challenged, whatever your level of competency might be, and those options could be completely different to what you might have experienced elsewhere. So no matter where you are travelling from, en route to the Eastern Cape or Western Cape coast for your annual salt-water cleansing beach holiday, a few days of fly fishing along the way will definitely be therapy for the soul.
Casting to rising fish, Mountain Dam, Somerset East.
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South Eastern Karoo Travelling south down the N1, via Bloemfontein and Colesberg, one can take the N10 to Cradock or continue on the N9 via Middelburg to Graaff-Reinet until you hit the R63, which runs from the west through to East London. Here, one travels parallel to the Bankberg mountain range and through the town of Somerset East, an area that inspired one of South Africa’s most famous abstract artists, Walter Battiss. Fly fishing in the Karoo for monster trout in pools in dry river beds, standing under the 90 m Glen Avon Waterfall, or testing your technical skills against selective trout in high-altitude dams filled with fountain-fed water bubbling out of the top of the Boschberg Mountain offers some of the most surprising fly fishing within four biomes.
Hogsback/Stutterheim
Winterberg
Heading east along the R63 in search of fairies or fly fishing, one can step into a time warp in the Amatole region. Here you will find some of the oldest-surviving genetics of both brown and rainbow trout, which were stocked in the 1920s and have survived amongst the locals. The Cata Village community has trained some of their local herdsmen to guide you through the forests in search of these wild trout. Further along, the oldest fly fishing club in South Africa, the Frontier Acclimatization Society, which has amalgamated with the Stutterheim Angling Club, offers camping and fly fishing at the Gubu Dam.
If you took the N10 down to Cradock, then headed east on the R61 to Tarkastad and travelled along the Winterberg mountain range, you would stumble on arguably South Africa’s best trout water, Thrift Dam. Thrift consistently produces trophy trout of over ten pounds, but it is not for the faint hearted, as fly fishing with no less than 0x or twelve-pound tippet is strongly advised. Furthermore, being 2,500 metres above
sea level also provides for very extreme weather conditions. Boasting that you caught more than 100 pounds of trout in one day is achievable here, unless Mother Nature bears her teeth at you. There are several wonderful farm stays in the Winterberg area to lose yourself in the splendour of the outdoors.
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Prentjiesberg, Maclear.
Birkhall, Barkly East.
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Trophy trout at Thrift Dam.
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North Eastern Cape
Friendly N6, Route 56
If at Bloemfontein you decided to take the N6 down to Aliwal North and then took the R58 to the centre of the universe, via Barkly East and Rhodes, you could be challenged by snow skiing the slopes of Tiffindell. Alternatively, you could stalk more than 200 kilometres of some of South Africa’s finest river fishing, managed by the Wild Trout Association. Barkly East boasts some of our biggest river trout.
Had you ventured further south on the N6, down as far as Dordrecht and Queenstown, you would not be dreaming of that trophy on your bucket list, as it can be a reality here. Continuing on the R56 via Elliot, Ugie, and Maclear, one can relive Sidney Hey’s book Rapture of the River and enjoy quality still water and river fishing. All of these routes are just as accessible if you are travelling along the N2, down the Wild Coast, and detouring westerly on the same inland routes as you make your way to East London or Port Elizabeth. With so many wonderful fly fishing destinations along the way to your holiday destination, make this festive season a fly fishing experience to remember for all the right reasons.
Boarman's Chase, Rhodes.
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Thrift Dam, Tarkastad.
SOUTH EASTERN KAROO: Somerset East - Bankberg Trout Fisher’s Club Angler and Antelope www.anglerandantelope.co.za www.wildflyfishinginthekaroo.co.za
HOGSBACK/STUTTERHEIM: Cata village - Amatola Wild Trout Fly Fishing www.amatolaflyfishing.co.za Stutterheim - Amatola Fly Fishing Club www.amatolaflyfishingclub.co.za
WINTERBERG: Tarkastad - Thrift Sports Fishing Redcliffe Country House www.redcliffecountryhouse.co.za
NORTH EASTERN CAPE: Rhodes - Wild Trout Association www.wildtrout.co.za Walkerbouts Inn www.walkerbouts.co.za Barkly East - Barkly East Fly Fishing Club Gateshead Lodges www.gateshead.co.za
FRIENDLY N6, ROUTE 56: Dordrecht - Highland Lodge www.highlandlodge.co.za Queenstown - Queenstown Fly Fishing Club Maclear - Maclear Fly Fishing Club www.maclear.co.za/Flyfishing.htm •
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TRAVEL
Words: Sam Bradley | Photos: Shongololo Express
Stepping back
Life as an explorer back in the day must have been rather fun .
The Shongololo Express winding its way through some mountainous terrain.
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I’ve often imagined being a famous adventurer, someone like David Livingstone or Christopher Columbus, and discovering new lands and experiencing amazing and wonderful adventures. It
must all have been hugely exciting. Even better, most of these explorers were wise enough to do their exploring with a large and dedicated team of porters, so they probably managed it without even breaking a sweat.
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Some of the scenery guests will enjoy while on the train.
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These ponderings are not mere idle fantasy. In fact, I can now claim a certain amount of authority on the matter. I was given the opportunity to experience a similar sort of adventure myself, as a guest on the Shongololo Express. True, we didn’t have teams of porters at our beck and call, but we did have an extremely dedicated team of staff and guides, who made sure our every need was taken care of. And although we may not have been the first people to set eyes on these places, it was the first time I was personally seeing these sights, so I figured it must count as a discovery nonetheless. That is exactly what the Shongololo tours are all about: discovering new places and seeing new sights. A tour on the Shongololo feels like a journey back to the days when rail travel was a leisurely, genteel and unhurried experience. The train meanders slowly along its course, travelling at night and then stopping during the day for guests to disembark and explore the area.
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My wife and I boarded the train in Durban on a Saturday evening and were ushered straight into the dining carriage for a scrumptious four-course dinner. The restaurant carriage, decorated with classical olden-day maps and scenes from days gone by made guests feel as if we were living the life of someone rich and famous - a modern-day Mr Gatsby perhaps? Everything made us feel like we’d stepped back in time to an almost-Victorian era, and we loved every minute of it. As the countryside slid past our carriage and the sun set over the mountains, we agreed this was a lifestyle we could get used to. Nestled into our cabin later that evening, we fell asleep to the soothing clickety-clackety train noises and slight bumps and jolts as we began our journey north, dreaming of exciting happenings that lay ahead.
Sunday morning found us on the North Coast, where we spent the next two days exploring St Lucia and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, formerly Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve. Due to time constraints, we had missed the Cape Town to Durban leg of the trip and were joining the second-half of the tour. Chatting to all the other guests, we realised that each day on board was an adventure in itself. As the tour wore on, we soon learnt this to be true, with the days blurring together into a happy mirage of memories. Leaving KwaZulu-Natal, we crossed the border into Swaziland to explore traditional markets and quaint countryside landmarks. The next day we were in Mpumalanga, with God’s Window and Blyde River Canyon providing the ‘wow’ moments of the day and ensuring our cameras remained busily in action. Thereafter, we were in Kruger Park, where the awe and amazement of our foreign guests provided as much entertainment as the animals themselves.
While the atmosphere on board really is second to none and the locations the train travels past are spectacular, what really made our Shongololo tour so memorable was the staff. According to Leon Plutsick, CEO of Shongololo Express, this is no accident. Every employee on the train is carefully selected and has been on the train for at least six years, with quite a few members having joined the company on its inception 17 years ago. All in all, it takes 22 full-time employees to keep the train running smoothly, from the chefs, to the cleaning staff, to the tour guides.
The train and the distant mountain.
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The bar carriage on the train, where many adventures from the day are shared and relived.
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That, interestingly, has something to do with how Shongololo first got its name. Legend has it that a shongololo worm, the
African name for centipede, appears to be gliding along serenely, calmly, surveying everything around it. It’s only when you look at the hundreds of legs all rapidly running along that you realise how much effort is put in to keep everything running so smoothly. In the same way, as guests on the train, we lived a calm and blissful existence, seemingly without a care in the world. Meanwhile, behind the scenes staff worked hard to make each guest’s holiday a memorable one.
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A few South Africans would be tempted to dismiss the whole concept of the Shongololo Express as too expensive for our flimsy little rands, and it’s true that most of the guests on these tours are from abroad. However, it was when I was chatting to Leon that the concept of the train tour really made sense to me. Because the train runs through the night, you wake up refreshed and ready to explore somewhere new each day. Shongololo is essentially a travelling hotel, taking you from place to place without the hassle of packing and unpacking every day or wasting many hours in a car getting there. When you add in the fact that all the day trips in the minibuses are led by qualified guides, with a wealth of knowledge about the area you are visiting, it becomes even easier to appreciate the true value of a Shongololo tour.
Those looking to travel further afield will be glad to know Shongololo doesn’t only operate in South Africa. The train alternates between three other routes, all of them exploring untamed landscapes, unique cultures, and areas of great natural beauty. The Southern Cross Tour is a whopping 16-day trip running through six countries (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana), stopping off at beaches, game parks, cultural tours, and just about every other attraction imaginable. The Dune Express Tour is a 12-day discovery of Namibia, with highlights being Etosha National Park and the Fish River Canyon. The Dr Livingstone Tour retraces the great explorer’s footsteps, running from Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam or vice versa, with plenty of game parks along the way.
Many people these days can claim to have seen far away and exotic locations, but surprisingly few South Africans have seen some of the sights our amazing country has to offer. As a local, I
was blown away by how many amazing hidden little gems we found tucked away in some of the more remote parts our country. So next time you hear the explorer within you beckoning for new adventures, look no further than the Shongololo Tours.
The Emerald Double Suite.
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Make sure your camera’s have extra batteries, they will be used before the end of the trip. The Shongololo train travels through beautiful landscapes throughout southern Africa.
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What you need to know
Food options: Guests are well looked after on board, with meal options that cater to every guest’s needs. Prices: Prices vary depending on the length of the trip. Breakfasts and dinners are eaten on the train, and all the day activities are included in the price of the trip, so the only additional expenses are lunches, bar tabs, and tips. Occasionally, extra options are available at a price. South African travellers should keep an eye on Groupon for last-minute specials. Trip options: The Shongololo Express alternates between four different routes.The website shows a detailed schedule of dates and trips, with comprehensive information on each trip. Contact details: Visit www.shongololo.com •
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TRAVEL
Words: Dale Barrow | Photos: Lauren Barrow
Kalahari The call of the
It was only a four night visit en route to Windhoek, but our stay at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park will forever be entrenched in our memories for all the right reasons. The decision to deviate from the highway was not made lightly, what with the December desert heat, the extra time and distance, and not to mention the infamous corrugated roads. However, sanity prevailed as we entered the Transfrontier Park at Twee Rivieren.
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A crimson breasted shrike brightens a dead bush next to the Nossob waterhole.
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The dry years of 2011 and 2012 forced thousands of eland to migrate south from the northern Botswana region of the park, but insufficient water, unsuitable grazing, and expectant predators were their demise.
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A thirsty Eland approaches the waterhole at Kaspersdraai waterhole, about 15 minutes before the leopard appeared.
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With the return of the summer rains, the eland returned home to the north. But not all the eland returned and it was one of these expatriates that alerted us to the most special sighting of our visit. At the Kaspersdraai waterhole, between the Twee Rivieren and Nossob camps, my wife and I were taking pleasure in the smaller, less-noticed residents of the park: a pair of squabbling Cape sparrows, a couple of jackal, and a lone and thirsty eland. With our hungry stomachs competing with the thunder overhead, we were discussing our skottel breakfast back at camp - and then it happened. I recall hearing the eland bark and seeing the jackal look up. Following their eyes, we saw a sight that is engraved in my memory forever, a beautiful, sleek, spotted shadow cautiously and stealthily moving down to the waterhole. We watched in awe as the leopard drank its fill; it was just us, the leopard and the great expanse (the jackal and eland had beat a hasty retreat). As effortlessly as it had arrived, the shadow melted into the grassland - and it appeared as if nothing had changed. But in a very special way something had - and that day my wife and I could talk of little else. This, one of the 150 leopards in the South African section of the park, along with 130 Kalahari lions and 200 cheetahs make the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park one of the best places to view the big cats of Africa. This is confirmed by the ‘Game Spotted’ notice board at each camp, where multiple sightings are recorded on a daily basis - and is a useful guide when planning your afternoon game drive.
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One moment it was there, the next it was gone! This leopard was spotted at Kaspersdraai waterhole at about 07h30.
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FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: 1. While the Kalahari welcomes the summer rain, the same cannot be said for this mother cheetah and her two cubs at the Marie se Draai waterhole. 2. A lion lying on the road. 3. This immature tawny eagle in the evening light was a special sighting, which we did not have enough time to savour. 4. The white-faced owl is a must see when visiting the Kgalagadi National Park, but look carefully as they are well camouflaged. This specimen was taking a nap in the Mata Mata Campsite, on the Namibian border.
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This black-maned Kalahari lion was suffering from the combination of intense heat and having heavily overindulged on a wildebeest (in the background to the right of the picture).
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The park’s expanse is vast at over 3.6-million hectares and game spotting requires persistence, patience, and petrol, of which the latter is available at all three traditional camps (Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata). During your game viewing endeavours, beware of only pursuing the grand game, as there is much joy to be had in the many animal species that call the park home, none more so than in the prevalent white-faced owls that are common to the campsites.
No single aspect of the park can accurately define it. It is not the ghostly leopard, the mother cheetah and her cubs huddled against the precious but unfamiliar rain, nor the black mane Kalahari lion gorging on his wildebeest that singularly captures and define the magic of this place .
It is these things and so much more; it is the colour of the red dunes against the ominous thunder clouds, the cool shade of the camel thorn tree, and the clean and dry air. It is the proud tawny eagle with his feathered legs silhouetted against the red setting sun (along with the other 92 resident bird species within the park), and it is the peacefulness of the waterhole as gemsbok and springbok silently come to drink their fill. Yes, the roads aren’t always the smoothest, short-notice thundershowers are always a possibility during the summer months, and your campsite is always vulnerable to a marauding gang of ground squirrels, mongooses, and jackal, so be sure to not leave any food out unattended. This is after all the desert, the Kalahari, and if you honest with yourself, would you want it any other way? •
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Limited Stock Available
TRAVEL
Words & Photos: Xen and Adri Ludick
The first of May is not only Worker’s Day, but also Xen’s birthday, so we try to spend this special day somewhere in the bush. This year, we decided to visit Gonarezhou National Park, in southeastern Zimbabwe, because it had been on our bucket list for quite some time.
Chiloyo Camp elephant.
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We left Johannesburg on the Friday afternoon and slept over at Ben Lavin Nature Reserve, just outside Louis Trichardt. We rose early on Saturday morning, and with some trepidation too, as we had to go through the Beitbridge Border crossing. On the South African side, everything went smoothly and we were in and out in less than 30 minutes. We were now ready to face the Zimbabwe side, and were well prepared - or so we thought. We paid the bridge crossing fee and had our passports stamped, which didn’t take us more than 15 minutes, but then our nightmare started. We still had to pay for a Temporary Import permit, the road access fee, and fuel emission tax, but the computer was offline for about 40 minutes and as a result, everything came to a complete standstill. During this time, there was no orderly queue and people kept pushing in at the front, including all their friends. Furthermore, the security guards had no control over the people; it was pure chaos. Four-and-ahalf hours later, we finally left the border post. What we didn’t know at the time, and what we will definitely make use of in future, is that you can book a representative from Zimbabwe Tourism to assist you with border formalities at no additional fee. The amazing thing about travelling is that once you have crossed a border, you forget about the frustrations of a few minutes ago and the excitement of what lies ahead overshadows everything. The sights and sounds of Zimbabwe soon had us captivated. We watched the local ladies selling mopani worms along the road, we cringed at a motorcyclist’s white helmet that had no straps and the inside lining hung half over his head, and we delighted in the antics of the youngsters attending their herds of cattle. After Beitbridge, we turned right on the A4 and travelled for about 138 km before turning east at Rutenga towards Boli on a good gravel road. At Boli, we turned left (north) and continued on a scenic road that took us through several villages and delivered us to the southern entrance of Gonarezhou National Park. There had been heavy rains recently, so we were concerned that the river might be flowing too high and we wouldn't be able to enter the park from the south. However, the lady at the gate’s entrance assured us that we could go through. We arrived at Chipinda Pools Campsite, and Elizabeth, the friendly receptionist, told us that had we arrived two days earlier, we wouldn’t have been able to pass through because the causeway had been impassable.
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Tambahate Pools.
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We checked in, bought a wheelbarrow full of mopani wood for U$5,
and made our way to the picturesque campsite on the banks of the Runde River.
Chiloyo Cliffs Camping.
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On this short drive, we saw waterbuck, the biggest herd of kudu that we’ve seen in a long time, and impala. After a refreshing, warm shower in the wonderfully clean ablutions, which were about 100 m from the campsite, we settled under a huge wild mango tree (Cordyla africana) and admired a magnificent sunset. Later that night, we spotted glowing eyes in the bush not far from us and we were so excited the next morning when we discovered that we had captured an African civet on our infrared camera.
View of the Chipinda Pool valley and Runde River.
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The next morning we woke to the call of fish eagles, cooing doves, and Egyptian geese as they flew overhead in formation. There were several hippos in the river and, to our surprise, we discovered tracks of quite a large cat that had also ventured close to our campsite. Our good fortune continued when we received a visitor bearing a handwritten note that read: Mr & Mrs X Ludick. Good morning. I forgot to tell you good news for you, yesterday that you are entitled to one free night if like it. Yours lovely, Elizabeth. How delightful to be told that if you stay for seven nights in the park, you receive an additional free night, courtesy of Zimbabwe Wildlife.
After lunch we took a leisurely game drive to Chilojo Cliffs and came across many animals, including impalas, waterbuck, nyalas, warthogs, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, vultures, ground hornbills, and many other types of birds. Thereafter, we went to the viewpoint that looks out over Runde River, and from where we could see the damaged bridge that had been hit by a cyclone in 2000. Early that evening we saw elephants quietly grazing across the river from our campsite. We left these gentle giants to go on our late afternoon game drive, which is always very rewarding from a scenery and game perspective.
You’ll also see lots of majestic baobabs, wide-open scrublands, and towering sandstone cliffs. Our drive included a visit to Massassanya Dam and on our way there, on the Chivilila Wilderness road, Xen received his biggest birthday present when we witnessed four lionesses savagely devouring their kill. From there, we visited the waterfall at Chivilila and enjoyed the rustic, yet beautiful landscape. On one of the days we drove through to Chiredzi, 70 km away, to fill up on fuel. We stopped at Mo’s Coffee Shop and treated ourselves to a delicious hamburger and chips. Whilst there, our waiter told us about his cricket ministry, which teaches the boys from the town how to play cricket, and what a positive impact this initiative has had on their behaviour. We were intrigued by his enthusiasm and passion to make a difference in the lives of the children from his community, and we wish him continued success.
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Obstacles on the Save road.
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After five nights at Chipinda Pools, we travelled to Chilojo Campsite No 2 via the Pombadzi Wilderness Area. About halfway there, we found some workers in the middle of the road trying to cut up a tree that had fallen across the road. Xen offered them our chainsaw and in just a few minutes, the tree was cut and road cleared. Their smiles stretched from ear to ear because they had been struggling for quite a while with their pangas. They then asked us why we hadn’t taken the main track because the one we were travelling on wasn’t in good condition. When we told them that we wanted to see every part of the park, they just shook their heads. It was not an easy road, but we enjoyed the landscape and numerous elephants, ground hornbills, impalas, zebras, giraffes, and more along the way. At one point, Xen even had to remove a kudu carcass that was lying in the road. What intrigued us most was the amount of ant heaps in one area, which looked like small hills, and is something we've never seen before. It took us three-and-a-half hours to travel about 50 km, but it was well worth the effort. Arriving at Chilojo Campsite, we were curious to know why we had to pay U$10 more per person, per night, for this campsite than at Chipinda Pools, which had nine campsites, three ablutions, and the cleanest campsite we'd ever seen (thanks to Robson who took great pride in his work). At Chilojo, there was no one to keep the campsite spotlessly clean, no ablutions, and just a long drop. It turned out that the additional cost was because we were in a wilderness area. That evening after we had showered under a tree, we admired a breathtaking sunset over Chilojo Cliffs; a sight that no photo or canvas could ever do justice to. Our nights were spent listening to the loud bark of impalas, the snorting of blue wildebeest, and the chattering of baboons around us. We also heard lions not far from our camp and on our third night, I was out of my chair in seconds when a lion roared about 100 m away from us. Luckily, it moved away and we were able to continue sitting around our little fire, listening to the wonderful sounds of the night. Xen also had a close encounter and got the fright of his life when a bat flew into his chest while we were shining the spot lamp to follow eyes in the nearby bushes, which we suspected to be a smallish cat.
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Our days were spent going on various drives and on one of these drives we visited all the campsites in the area to see what facilities they offered. The roads in the park are in good condition and you can see the staff are continuously busy with maintenance work. However, on the road up to Chilojo Cliffs, there was a sign that said: ‘Sedan type vehicles not recommended’. We agreed that it should have have said: 'Strictly 4x4’, especially when we descended from the cliffs via the Chamuchinzu viewpoint and Chidhlambani Pan. At one stage we couldn’t even find the road as the erosion on that specific road was so bad, which was very frustrating. Nevertheless, the view from the Chilojo Cliffs over Runde River, the lush, green plains, and the many animals we saw made the trip worthwhile.
Another memorable game drive occurred when we travelled northeast to find the Save River and Tambahate Pools. On our way towards the river, we passed a number of campsites on the southern side of the river, all boasting the most incredible views over the Runde River. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach the Save River as the track just disappeared, so we had to turn around. On our way back, we came across a game warden carrying an AK47. He told us that there were many poachers in the area, so they needed to patrol the area continuously to protect the game. We then took a drive to Tambahate Pools, which are in the middle of nowhere. The sapphire pools cover an area the size of approximately 20 rugby fields and are filled with lime-green grass and reeds. As you can imagine, the birdlife was unbelievable and we saw marabou storks, black-winged stilts, yellow-billed storks, hamerkop, grey heron, blacksmith plover, woolly-necked storks, egrets, and goliath herons to name but a few. Over lunch, we enjoyed watching a herd of elephants grazing close by, as well as an inquisitive black-backed jackal and lots of impalas and zebras. We then took another track that went around the pools and it felt as if we were in a labyrinth brimming with mopani trees and makalani palms. This area was also teeming with hundreds of elephants, so we travelled very slowly, mindful not to upset them. We also saw a huge eland, an elegant kudu bull, shy klipspringers, and loads of warthogs. You could tell the area did not have many visitors because the impalas were so wild and skittish that they ran away from us and into the safety of the veld. It was with a heavy heart when we packed up and started our two-day journey back to South Africa, as it had been another very special and memorable trip. We would highly recommend a visit to Gonarezhou National Park, but a visit to Chipinda Pools and the Chilojo Cliffs are just a very small part of this amazing National Park.
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Chivilila Camp.
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Going wild aT
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Tips for Zimbabwe and travelling in game reserves: • I f you must go over Beitbridge don’t use runners, rather use the service offered by Zimbabwe Tourism. The runners overwhelm you and before you know it, they will pocket a few hundred rands and you’ll be left with the terrible feeling of having being ripped off. • T ry to go in the winter season when you can travel through the Kruger National Park and across the Limpopo River to enter Zimbabwe at Sango Border Post. • S top at the road markets and chat to the sellers. They are very friendly and it’s intriguing to find out more about their way of life, especially when they tell you how to prepare mopani worms. • Don’t be scared to take the loops or go through the wilderness areas in a park. You might just be surprised by what you’ll find. However, teamwork, a good GPS, and maps are necessary when you go off the main tracks. • You need to be prepared in the event of a breakdown, so that you can get yourself out of trouble if no help is around. • I f you have the means, stop and offer help to the park's workers because they work with limited tools. • Take the time to stop at different campsites. This will give you a good indication of what is available and where you can camp during your next visits. We always take photos of the campsites and names so that we can remember what it looks like. •
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Words: Neil Ross, Executive Chef ǀ Wine pairing: Courtesy of OBiKWA & Simonsig
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ENTERTAINMENT
STARTER SERVES 6
Culinary classics and complementary wines Old Fashioned Chicken Soup (Potage a la Reine)
Ingredients: • 900 g veal bones, chopped • A chicken, with giblets • 170 g lean ham • Heaping or generous 1/3 cup or 55 g rice • 2 anchovy fillets, rinsed of salt • Black peppercorns • Bouquet garni or a bundle of sweet herbs - as many as possible of thyme, winter savoury, parsley, bay leaf and marjoram • 1 large onion, chopped • Half a head of celery, chopped carrots and leeks, to make the stock • 2.35 litres of water • ¾ cup / 85 g ground almonds • Sea salt • ¼ to ½ cup / 60 - 120 ml cream, or to taste
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Preparation: 1. Put the veal bones into a large pan. Place the chicken, breast down, on top of the bones and add the remaining ingredients (including the chicken giblets) around it. 2. Add the water and bring to the boil, skimming off the froth and scum. Simmer slowly for 2 to 3 hours. Take out the chicken and put to one side. 3. When the soup has cooled, strain it through a sieve and let it stand a few hours or overnight. When it is quite cold, skim off the fat from the jelly, return the jelly to a saucepan and warm it. Add the ground almonds and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Add salt to taste. Cool a little and strain again. 4. The soup should be quite smooth and thin. 5. Shred some or all of the chicken meat, return it to the soup and heat through. Add the cream at the last minute, and heat to just below boiling, and then serve. If you prefer a heartier version, discard the bones, giblets, and herbs, and blend rather than strain the white mixture. Alternatively, leave out the chicken meat and use it for another meal. Wine pairing: OBiKWA Chardonnay is a medium-bodied wine that will hold its own when enjoyed with soup. The pear and peach flavours on the palate are followed by marmalade and wood spices, which will complement the rich flavours of the chicken soup. OBiKWA is a down-to-earth range of easy drinking, quality cultivar wines expressing their true varietal character and rich, ethnic charm at an affordable price. The 750 ml bottles sell at around R28 at leading outlets countrywide.
Wine pairing:
Mr Borio’s Shiraz
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is a full-bodied red and meat lover’s dream. The rich berry and black fruit bouquet comes together with a touch of sweet spice, which melds with subtle oak notes on the palate. These flavours works exceptionally well with lamb. Mr Borio’s Shiraz 2011 is available at selected wine outlets countrywide and sells for R70 at the cellar door.
MAIN
SERVES 4-6
Slow-roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Boulangère Potatoes Ingredients: • 1 shoulder of lamb, about 2 kg • 6 large waxy potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced • 3 onions, thinly sliced • Leaves from one bunch thyme • 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled • 600 ml chicken stock
Preparation: 1. Preheat the oven to 130°C. Combine the potatoes, onions, and thyme in a bowl and season. Layer the onions and potatoes in a roasting tin and place the lamb on top, skin-side up. 2. W ith a knife, pierce the meat all over and insert a clove of garlic in each hole. 3. Pour the chicken stock into the tray and place in the oven. Roast for 4 to 5 hours or until tender and the potatoes are cooked through. 4. Cover with foil and leave to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
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DESSERT SERVES 10
Raspberry and Ginger Tart The tart case can be used for other fruits as well (raw berries or poached or roasted stone fruit work well). Ingredients: • 350 g ginger biscuits • 150 g butter, melted • 2 tablespoons of soft, light brown sugar • 250 g mascarpone • 100 g crème fraîche • 5 tablespoons of castor sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 375 g raspberries • Icing sugar for sifting (optional) Wine pairing:
Kaapse Vonkel is a crisp, refreshing palate cleanser and works very well with any rich or sweet desserts. Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2012 and gift pack is available from R95 per bottle at selected supermarkets and fine wine outlets countrywide. 214 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #31
Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Whizz the biscuits in a food processor or bash them in a plastic bag with a rollingpin (I prefer the texture when you do it by hand). 2. Melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar. Press this into a 22 cm tart tin. It should be spread evenly on the base and up the sides, just as if you were making a pastry case. Use the base of a ramekin to flatten the base and form the sides. Bake for 10 minutes, then leave to cool completely. 3. Mix the mascarpone, crème fraîche, sugar and vanilla together, beating well to break down the mascarpone. Spread this in the tart case, and then cover the whole thing with cling film. 4. Refrigerate for about 1½ hours. 5. Remove the tart from the tart ring and set on a plate. Place the raspberries on top, dust lightly with icing sugar (or leave plain if you like) and serve.
Bon appétite. •
ENTERTAINMENT
Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za
MOVIE TITLE
Gravity
HIGHLIGHTS
Director: Alfonso Cuarón Starring: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock
Recommended for
Impressive visual effects and use of 3D. Sci-Fi thriller fans.
VERDICT From the very first scene, a long shot of our majestic blue planet from space, Alfonso Cuarón’s edge-of-your-seat science fiction thriller Gravity electrifies. Filmed in 3D by Emmanuel Lubezki, it captures both the beauty and dangers of the darkness of space. Anchored by highly impressive visual effects, live action and an enthralling story, the audience is taken on a jaw-dropping journey filled with phases of despair, awe and horror. Gravity is arguably the best blockbuster of the year. Cuarón keeps the audience in weightless suspension right alongside his two main characters. The cameras move swiftly in and around the subjects, from long wides into extreme close-ups in a single take. Without the use of many cuts in the editing, we are able to experience the events and suspense in real time. All of this is balanced out well between moments of silence and sudden hostility, scenes of vertigo and claustrophobia. See it in 3D on the biggest screen possible. Gravity is one of the most important film highlights of the year. The film as a whole (script, directing, visuals, vfx and performances), is a breathtaking thing to behold.
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MOVIE TITLE
JOBS
HIGHLIGHTS
Ashton Kutcher’s performance.
Director: Joshua Michael Stern Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney and Josh Gad
Recommended for Fans of the Steve Jobs' story.
VERDICT If there is one thing that the slapdash biopic JOBS will teach you about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. it’s that he was an obnoxious and contemptible person. And while all that could possibly make for great subject matter, the film seems like a missed opportunity to truly explore the dark mind of one of the world’s greatest innovators. A surprisingly effective performance from Ashton Kutcher, who clearly did his homework, feels lost in a fragmented script that tries to cover nearly two decades within in a short space of time. While the true story behind Apple’s rise might be an intriguing one, Jobs fails to incorporate all the elements, which include betrayal, greed, obsession and innovation. Instead, we are treated to a brief history lesson.
The irony of Jobs is that the creators of the film are uninspired while telling a story about someone who inspires. There are moments of wonder hidden in the 128 minutes, but most of it is frustratingly incomplete. It softens the edges too often and doesn’t do enough to be the essential portrait of Steve Jobs. On a positive note, Kutcher finally shakes off the Kelso curse.
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GAME TITLE
Grand Theft Auto V
HIGHLIGHTS
Developer: Rockstar Games Publisher: Rockstar Games Genre: Third-person shooter
Recommended for
Everything!
Action, adventure fans.
VERDICT What is there that can be said about Grand Theft Auto V (GTA) that has not already been said? In the time since its launch, the online community of nearly the entire Internet has been inundated with GTA-related media, of videos exposing secrets, of funny events' screenshots, of stories and anecdotes of all kinds. Much like Skyrim two years ago, GTA sits in that
wonderful sweet spot that most developers can only dream of, where their game is bought and beloved by both hardcore gamers as well as the many players who have little to no interest in gaming as a full-time hobby, and mostly own a console for sports titles with friends. And yet, that second group all went out and bought GTA on launch day. It is a labor of love, with details put into a million things a person would never see, with action and fun available in hundreds of different ways. I’m almost sorry I can’t shout at it more to make myself a bit different to the other reviews out there, but sadly, yes, GTA V is probably as good as the hype makes it out to be, which is a pretty good achievement in my books. It will take some doing to beat it for Game of the Year.
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GAME TITLE
Sonic Dash Publisher: Sega Developer: Hardlight Studio Genre: Endless Runner
HIGHLIGHTS
Good graphics and fast gameplay.
Recommended for Fans of the series.
VERDICT
The world famous blue hedgehog, Sonic, dashes his way onto iOS devices in this endless runner platform game, developed by SEGA’s Hardlight Studio. Fans get to play Sonic as they dash, spin and jump
their way through stunning 3D environments collecting rings and avoiding obstacles and enemies. You can also unlock various characters from the Sonic World, such as Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Shadow. These characters can also be purchased using red star rings, which are available through the in-app store purchase. The negative aspect of the game is that it depends heavily on in-app store purchases to help you run further. You can purchase normal rings or special red star rings that can be used to buy further content for the game, such as additional characters, boosters and revives, which come in handy if you want to continue your run from the point of where you last perished. Sonic Dash is currently available for free download from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.
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BOOK REVIEWS
These books are available from all good book stores.
Roads Less Travelled: Ultimate Braai Master second series
Justin Bonello
The Roads Less Travelled: The Ultimate Braai Master second series again goes way off the beaten track, 8,000 kilometres of that, to give competing chefs the adventure of a lifetime, and users of the book the ultimate braaiing and outdoor cooking experience that they can recreate for themselves on their own patios.
R230.00 Is It Really Too Much To Ask? The World According to Clarkson Volume 5 Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson buckles up and sets off in his ceaseless quest to navigate a path through all the silliness and idiocy. Pithy and provocative, this is Clarkson at his best, taking issue with whatever is the latest nonsense to disrupt his search for brilliance. Why should we be forced to accept stuff that's a bit rubbish? Shouldn't someone care? Is it really too much to ask?
R250.00
Not On the Label: What Really Goes into the Food on Your Plate Felicity Lawrence
In 2004 Felicity Lawrence provided a shocking account of what really goes into the food we eat. She discovered why beef waste ends up in chicken, and why a single lettuce might be sprayed six times with chemicals before it ends up in our salad, and why bread is full of water. Now, in this new edition of her seminal work, Felicity Lawrence uncovers how the British public ended up eating horses.
R185.00
Heroes of Olympus: The House of Hades (Age 9+) Rick Riordan
At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea.
R150.00
www.doitnow.co.za • 219
Movies to look out for
Closed Circuit
Genre: Thriller Director: John Crowley Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciarรกn Hinds and Riz Ahmed Date: 1 November
The Family
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Director: Luc Besson Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones Date: 1 November
Thor: The Dark World Genre: Action, Adventure Director: Alan Taylor Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Idris Elba Date: 8 November
games to look out for
Call of Duty: Ghosts Genre: First-Person Shooter Developer: Infinity Ward Date: November
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Assassin's Creed IV Genre: Action Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Date: November
State of Decay
Genre: Action Developer: Undead Labs Date: December
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