Not the Cape Town Cycle Race

I haven't been on a SUP or surfboard since 13 Feb 2017, my birthday - and that was in Paternoster. The reason for that is simply because I've been training all out for my virgin Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Argus) at every opportunity. I started training in November already but decided the last month will be total dedication.

If you don't know what the Cape Town Cycle Tour is, it's a 107km cycle, held in March of each year, going around the Cape Peninsula. It's also the biggest timed cycle race in the world, 40 000 cyclist registered for the 2017 - so it's big.. apparently not the toughest race in the world but for a 1st timer like me... scary - and from some of the stories I've heard from other amateurs  - can be brutal.

As luck would have it on the day of the race - gale force winds, veld fires and protest over some part of the routes and the race is cancelled! Major disappointment for everyone involved and I'm 'all dressed up and nowhere to go'. Downer - I've trained so hard, got all the energy gels and drinks and now I'll have to wait another year to cross a 100km cycle of my bucket list.

With the above in mind I search for another race to do, just so that I can at least put my 'cycle fitness' to the test. I come across the 'WACT Race' - Week after Cycle Tour - apparently there was quite a few people who had the same idea as me and the PPA (Pedal Power Association) decided to organise this 102km race in Malmesbury. I register immediately and make arrangements for the coming weekend to go race... and so the big day arrives Saturday 19 March 2017 - Race day in Malmesbury!

The race starts from the show grounds which is right next to the accommodation spot we booked via AirBnB. The weather forecast is for a hot day (36 degrees C) and some moderate wind. Race starts at 07h00 and I'm there by 06h00 to get my race number. I'm not seeded so I start right at the back, group W. At about 06h40 I move to the starting line up - nervous, exited - all at once. As I walk to the back of the grid I can't but help observe that most of the other cyclist looked like pro's - fancy bikes, with all the gear and accessories - and here I am with my old mountain bike, tekkies and brand new cycling shirt!


Continue to read the rest of my adventure here --->

 

Find Holiday or Business Accommdation Easily

Ok, let's face it.. we all need a break sometime or another. Regardless of your circumstances you need to go holiday, but reality is we can't all afford to be jet-setters that travel the world.

 For most of us a good old fashioned South African Holiday does just fine. We want to go to the beach, go camping or go explore some part of our beautiful country.

The one common thing that binds all of those places together is the fact that we need to find a place to sleep somewhere - be it a luxurious hotel, a cabin on a river somewhere, a B&B or just a Self Catering spot.
However, the issue is always to get the right place that suits all your needs, then once you find it you need to know if they have space for you for the dates you want. That normally means phone calls and follow up emails to a couple of places... waiting, hoping, wondering if you'll get lucky!

Well things just got easier, you can search for accommodation anywhere is South Africa by using this great Search (opens up the search facility in a new window) facility we found. You are able enter your destination and required dates and book straight away. It's also not just for holidays, you can also book your business trip accommodations at any place in South Africa.


If you need to book a flight and/or Car Hire to get to the lovely spot you just booked you can do this via our friends at Travelstart, where they have great specials on domestic flights.
--> Book Flights Here


How to use the search function:
1. In the WHERE? field type in the area name that must be searched for i.e. Cape Town or Sandton
2. Select the start dates for your stay.
3. Choose the number of nights for your stay.
4. Select the number of Adults (kids can be added when making the booking)
5. Select the number of rooms required.
6. Click on the SEARCH button. 
7. Once you find a property to your liking, simply click on the 'view details' or 'book' button to view the property and then book it online.

People who work with Sharks: Dr Ryan Kempster

Mossel Bay, June 2016:  Dr Ryan Kempster is a shark biologist and founder of the non-profit organisation Support Our Sharks (SOS). He obtained his B.Sc. (2005) and M.Sc. (2007) in marine biology in the UK, and went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the sensory biology of sharks. Dr Kempster recently spent a month with Oceans Research working on his shark deterrent project.

How did you end up in science and research?
I’ve always had an interest in animals and science, although, my path has changed quite a lot, which was dictated by how well I was doing in certain subjects. When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet, but didn’t quite get the grades needed. My college supervisor had a nephew studying marine biology so he threw it out to me as an idea. I ended up doing........ continue here --> http://capetownsup.com/all-cape-town/our-oceans/item/82-shark-people-dr-ryan-kempster

Fiona Ayerst: Underwater Photographer

Mossel Bay, August 2016:  Fiona Ayerst is a specialist stills underwater photographer. She’s also a writer, public speaker, tour guide and a passionate conservationist who speaks up for animal rights.

How did you get into underwater photography?
I have always been passionate about water and being immersed in it. I feel safe and happy in water. It is my ‘ go to’ place if I am ever stressed. As a child, I spent many holidays in the blue, warm Indian Ocean around  Mombasa. My parents say I could swim before I could walk. I definitely preferred being in water from a very young age. I started photography as a hobby around 14 years ago, then in April 2007 I decided that I needed a career change. I was a litigation attorney with my own practice in Johannesburg at the time. I sold the files in my firm and decided instead to follow my passion for photography. Some may call this a ‘mid-life crisis’........

Continue reading here ----> http://capetownsup.com/all-cape-town/our-oceans/item/83-fiona-ayerst-photographer

Why LockRacks?

One of my biggest issues with SUP / Surf travel by car has always been the roof-rack and straps to hold the boards down whilst you cruise from spot to spot. Even if it was just a Saturday morning and I was going down to beach for a quick paddle. I had to get the boards onto the car, then get the straps (untangle them 1st most of the time) and do the whole rig of getting the straps over, walking around the car to do so and then back. Then get the strap through the clamp (mission sometimes when the strap ends are frayed), then pull till it's tight and tie the loose ends down. Taking the boards down at the beach was easier but then coming home I had to do the same again to fasten the boards - with tired arms. Anyone who transports any type of board, canoe or kayak regularly will agree I'm sure.

Then I saw a couple of guys drive around town with these arm type things on the roof-rack that hold their board down. I googled it and and came across the LockRack Youtube channel, it looked like a good system and the reviews I read were all positive. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the system founder was a Saffa, from Durban - Brad Foster. I decided to get myself one to see if it will make my life easier.

Read the rest here: My LockRacks

The Cape Town SUP Rocket

After doing a review on the ZealSurf Rocket, I decided that this is the board I want. I've had my VanHunks 9'6 for a while now, it's an older model - 2014 if I recall correctly - and whilst that is a good solid beginner / intermediate SUP Surf board I felt I wanted a more progressive board. The aim is to take my surfing up a notch.

I've always been impressed by the quality and finishing of the other ZealSurf boards I've seen eg. the Easy Glider ....... read the rest here > http://capetownsup.com/sup/surf/item/80-cape-town-sup-rocket

 

Hydrofoils for SUP Geeks...

Every now and then there is a news flash on it, slowly but surely the word is getting out - some recon this is the next big thing, others skeptically look at it and shake their heads. 1st it was Laird Hamilton on a surfboard that made the surfing headlines and now more recently Kai Lenny on a SUP that had the social media networks buzzing....

Hydrofoils..... or just Foils for short.

But apart from the fact that it looks kinda weird floating above the water and it also looks like a mission to carry, I don't really know much about it. When Ian from ZealSurf let it drop that he is planning to build a locally designed Hydrofoil SUP I went round asking some questions.


CTS: What is a hydrofoil stand up board? find out here..