I have been delaying writing this Coast2Coast4CANSA blog entry since the expedition ended almost a week ago. Reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, I am inherently a lazy person and procrastination is one of my many vices. Secondly, and probably more importantly, I have not been keen on accepting that the glorious C2C4C mission, which took me from one corner of the country to the other via the scenic route (and then back again), is actually over.

Not all my experiences on the C2C4C expedition have been pleasant. Getting up before dawn every day took some getting used to. Although once the routine of waking up ridiculously early on a daily basis has been established, you do appreciate that seeing the sun rise over ocean (East Coast) or land (West Coast) is actually an amazing way to start the day. One of the more objectionable experiences was my daily encounter with the pair of stanky and putridly decaying undies which had been nesting in the nosecone of my trailer since early on in the trip. At the beginning of the tour, to minimize confusion and disorder, it was decided that the same two jet skis would be assigned to each bakkie and double trailer. So I kind of had an idea of whose manky skants were growing roots in my trailer. I’m not in to naming and shaming people (actually I am – but I have literally been threatened with my life if I divulge the name of the perpetrator), so all I can say that this individual, when confronted, graciously (and sheepishly) removed the offending item of clothing.

Brand se Baai, which is the epitome of a rugged West Coast stretch of coastline, was the reason for, and site of, another pair of less-than-ideal experiences. Due to the beach being extremely remote and inaccessible by land for the bakkies, a decision was made to leave the ski’s on the beach overnight. The guys landed at quite a high tide, and had pushed the ski’s a couple more metres up the beach just to be safe, so they were pretty confident that the R1 million worth of sponsored equipment was not going to get sucked back into Atlantic Ocean and float around at the mercy of the Benguela current. When we arrived back in Lutzville that evening, it was a 70 minute drive from beach to bed that day, that little nagging voice in my head started getting louder. “Spring tide was only 2 days ago”, it chooned me, “and there was like lank kelp washed up on the beach higher than where we had pushed the ski’s my bru”. Hmmmm. True, internal Lobe, true. I mentioned my concerns to the team that night, who were outwardly largely unconcerned with the potential loss of the jet ski’s to a West Coast high tide. I lost some sleep that night worrying about the future of the craft, but as it turned out the alleged apathy of the jet ski crew would go unpunished. Unnecessarily losing a few hours of sleep was not that great, and neither was pushing five 350kg jet ski’s the best part of 100m down the beach to the water’s edge before the sun had even risen. Win some, lose some more.

Being a karma-hippie and a ying-yangist (yes I just made that up), I know that for every epic experience there will be an equally un-epic experience – my science is pure! So the only way to tilt the scales in your favour is to remember the good times and forget the bad ones. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Written by: Rob Evans (C2C4C Travelling Media Liaison: rob.evans@live.co.za)

Rob Evans

 Phone: 082 485 2080
E-mail: rob.evans@live.co.za
Alternative e-mail: greeneggsandham@live.co.za

Western Cape continued, & Northern Cape

Day seventeen saw the team take on the might of the Cape of Storms and head from Millers Point to the V&A Waterfront. The trip to the point was calm with a tail wind pushing the team. There was much bird activity in the distance and gannets could be seen wheeling in the sky, turning and diving on an unidentified baitfish species. Once at the point the monstrous seas that greeted us put paid to much of our animal spotting and the trip on the inside of “The Bellows” and “Southwestern Reefs” seemed never ending. We encountered seals at regular intervals and two sunfish were spotted between Clifton and the harbour wall.

Day Eighteen and the team travelled from Cape Town Harbour to Saldanha Bay. The wind had calmed down for once and the large swell was all that remained of a triple whammy of cold fronts that had dogged the team since Struisbaai. Once again sunfish and seals seemed to be the order of the day with a lot of this activity in the Yzerfontein area. It was at this point that the plankton net used to collect the water samples was lost over board and a mad scramble would ensue to find a replacement net. As always Mike Farqhar, curator at the Two Oceans Aquarium, would step up and find a net as well as valuable efforts by Steve Benjamin of www.animalocean.co.za to ensure that the marine component of this campaign could continue. At Saldanha Bay the team were treated to thousands of comorants performing a fly by which was an incredible sight. On this day we saw the first of what was to become many Heavisides Dolphin encounters as well as a dusky dolphin in the vicinity of Blouberg.

Day nineteen saw a weather enforced lay over at Saldanha as the team sat out yet more gale force winds and seven meter swells.

Day twenty saw the team make slow progress around Cape Columbine to Lamberts Bay as they inched their way up the west coast. Heavisides dolphin sightings were frequent with group sizes never exceeding five individuals. The only other marine animals spotted were seals but the bird life stepped up a notch as many species of petrel were sighted including the northern giant petrel and the Wilson’s Storm petrel , gannets, comorants, terns, gulls, sub Antarctic skua’s and a black browed albatross completed the line up.

Day twenty one and the team were in sight of the finish line but the sea seemed hell bent on ending this epic adventure before the finish and yet again the team faced a barrage of wind and sea that reduced progress to a snails pace and the team beached at Brand se Baai. Although there were many sightings of Heavisides dolphin and seals on the day the best was yet to come with a group of over thirty Heavisides in the Bay. They put on a spectacular display, surfing in front of the ski’s and breaching all around the team.

1.       Northern Cape

Day twenty two and the team faced a big swell but otherwise windless conditions. This break in the weather allowed the team a chance to complete the journey a distance of 346 kilometers on the day. Heavisides dolphin were everywhere and little groups of three to five individuals were seen along the entire stretch of coast. Seals and sunfish were the other notable encounters and the sea birds were once again a treat. No feeding by the sea birds was witnessed by the team however. The team passed two huge seal colonies where, literally, thousands of seals could be seen both in and out of the water. On entering the Orange River the team were greeted by a huge flock of pelicans and many other waders in the tranquil waters.

This epic adventure by a team of intrepid adventurers and lead by Russell Symcox have now travelled from Coast to Coast to raise funds and awareness for the fight against Cancer. The marine census and water sample collections have gone well and will serve as a message in a bottle for future generations.

2.       Species of animals sighted:

·         Humpback dolphin, Heavisides dolphin. Bottlenose and dusky dolphin;

·         Cape Fur seals;

·         African Penguin;

·         Brydes Whale;

·         Ragged Tooth Shark;

·         Sunfish;

·         Manta Ray;

·         Various species of game- and bait fish;

·         Sea Birds: petrels, skua’s, albatross, gannets, comorants, gulls, terns.

The Coast2Coast4CANSA jet ski crew, supported by SPAR and ACER, made history yesterday evening (12 May) when they reached the mouth of the Orange River, the border between South Africa and Namibia, having left Mozambique on their Yamaha WaveRunners 22 days and 2800km ago. The expedition, which was aimed at raising funds and awareness for the Cancer Association of South Africa, saw five South African personalities all riding up to 350km on jet ski’s each day.

After having battled shocking climatic conditions on the West Coast since rounding Cape Point on 7 May, the team had to make use of a brief period of fair weather yesterday, completing the grueling final 346km leg from Brand se Baai to the Orange River mouth at Alexander Bay in just over nine hours. This mammoth effort is all the more impressive when considering that the weather over the previous few days had restricted the jet ski pilots to distances of around 80km per day.

Expedition leader Russel Symcox said that “the team and I are a little blown away to be honest! After almost two years of planning and preparation, it is such a surreal feeling to have finally reached the end, and I do not think it has had time to sink in yet”. Symcox also said that “we have had such a phenomenal response from each and every community we have spent time with, it has made a difficult trip a little easier knowing that we have the backing of so many caring South Africans, and their support will also go a long way in helping us achieve our awareness and fundraising objectives”.

Marine conservationist and shark expert Mark Addison, another of the jet ski pilots, successfully completed the country’s first ever mega-transect marine census from a personal water craft. Addison took almost 50 water samples throughout the expedition, which will be analyzed by the SAEON (South African Environmental Observation Network) in Grahamstown, headed by Dr Angus Patterson. This phytoplankton survey is aimed at ascertaining the health of the water body around the entire South African coastline. Addison said that “never before has any scientific institution had the chance to do what we have done in such a short space of time – this marine census is a statement in time about the condition of our seas, and will act as a yardstick against which future studies can be evaluated. Monitoring the health of our marine ecosystems is essential if we hope to preserve them for future generations, and both the C2C4C team and I are delighted that one of the ancillary goals of the expedition has given science a gift which does not detract from the main fundraising and awareness objectives”.

Barry Lewin, one of the country’s leading open water surfski paddlers, said that “there were so many elements and aspects of the campaign which had to come together in order for it to be as successful as it has been. It was extremely challenging climbing onto our jet ski’s at sunrise every morning whilst still aching from the seven or eight hour ride from the previous day, but that was only part of what the C2C4C was all about. We would not be standing on the beach here at Alexander Bay, with the Namibian shoreline in the background, if it we not for our sponsors, support crew, friends and family, and everyone else who made a contribution to the mission”.

The jet ski team also included SA surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban North), ex-Protea cricketer Lance Klusener (Mount Edgecombe) and cancer survivor Bennie Benson (Durban North). To access information about the campaign, including photo’s, press releases and the official C2C4C blog, or to make a donation to CANSA, log on to the official website at www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za.

Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA would not be possible without SPAR and IT partner Acer. Yamaha has provided the FX WaveRunners with RMR providing trailers and Thekwini Toyota sponsored a Quantum bus and Hilux vehicles for the back-up crew. RE/MAX has also contributed financially to assist with fuel expenses. Tigon Sports and Barron Clothing supplied clothes for the entire team.

About The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) 

CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa by offering a unique and integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research, the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as focus our watchdog initiatives to the greater benefit of the public. CANSA has more than 330 staff, 12 000 volunteers, 51 offices as well as 12 interim homes countrywide.

For more, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za or call 011 616 7662 or toll-free 0800 22 66 22 www.cansa.org.za

Rob Evans

 Phone: 082 485 2080
E-mail: rob.evans@live.co.za
Alternative e-mail: greeneggsandham@live.co.za

The Coast2Coast4CANSA crew, supported by SPAR and ACER, left Brand se Baai in the Western Cape this morning (12 May) with the finish of their epic 2800km jet ski in sight. The five-strong jet ski team, who are on a 1511 nautical mile awareness and fundraising expedition for CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa), have another 340km to ride before reaching the Namibian border and the end of the twenty-four day journey.

Speaking before sunrise, expedition leader Russel Symcox said that “the entire team is really excited to be reaching the end of our expedition. We have been battling against the weather the last few days, so we are hoping that the glorious day which is forecast for the next few days actually arrives! The mission has been a rewarding experience, and we have been blessed to have encountered some wonderful people along the way”.

Apart from the weather, the team have also had to deal with the notoriously inaccessible West Coast, where locating adequate beach access for launching, beaching or refuelling has been a constant challenge. Symcox said that the “each and every person on this expedition has contributed to us getting this far, it has been the epitome of a team effort. We have also all drawn strength and inspiration from the incredible amount of support we have received from family and friends, people affected by cancer, sponsors and people who have cared enough to take an interest on our campaign”.

During today’s mammoth 340km ride, the jet ski team, which also includes SA surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban North), ex-Protea cricketer Lance Klusener (Mount Edgecombe), marine conservationist Mark Addison (Widenham) and former Dolphins cricketer Russel Symcox (Scottburgh), will cross the provincial border between the Western and Northern Cape, stopping briefly for one last refuel at Port Nolloth, 90km short of their ultimate goal.

To follow the progress of the campaign over the final few days, to donate to CANSA or simply just to track the progress of the crew throughout the C2C4C campaign, log on to the official website at www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za. For the official C2C4C blog, log on to http://www.getaway.co.za/page/coast-2-coast-4-cansa, and for daily updates follow or join the Twitter and Facebook feeds which are updated many times each day.

As part of theC2C4C fundraising drive, a SMS line has been opened, and by SMSing C2C4C or DONATE to the number 38501, you can make a donation of R10 to the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA campaign. The SMS donation line will also have a unique tracking application whereby people will be able to SMS “TRACK” to 38501, and a map and co-ordinates will be sent to the user which will show where exactly the jet ski crew are.

Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA would not be possible without SPAR and IT partner Acer. Yamaha has provided the FX WaveRunners with RMR providing trailers and Thekwini Toyota sponsored a Quantum bus and Hilux vehicles for the back-up crew. RE/MAX has also contributed financially to assist with fuel expenses. Tigon Sports and Barron Clothing supplied clothes for the entire team.

About The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) 

CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa by offering a unique and integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research, the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as focus our watchdog initiatives to the greater benefit of the public. CANSA has more than 330 staff, 12 000 volunteers, 51 offices as well as 12 interim homes countrywide.

For more, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za or call 011 616 7662 or toll-free 0800 22 66 22 www.cansa.org.za

Rob Evans

 Phone: 082 485 2080
E-mail: rob.evans@live.co.za
Alternative e-mail: greeneggsandham@live.co.za

New Zealander Jeremy Burfoot, a cancer survivor who has circumnavigated New Zealand on a jet ski and who is about to attempt to travel from London to Auckland on a jet ski, sent the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA team, who are also supported by SPAR and ACER, a good luck message ahead of the final West Coast leg of their epic 1511 nautical mile journey.

Burfoot said "I have been following your progress, and you guys should be extremely proud of all you have achieved. Not far to go now – it is mostly mental toughness that will get you there from this point”. Burfoot, a dual Australian and New Zealand citizen and father of three, was 46 years old when he decided to circumnavigate New Zealand to promote a SunSmart message during the summer of 2006.

He also advised the guys to “try and figure out a way to make each day fun, the time passes a lot quicker! I am with you all the way, you guys are heroes! As Winston Churchill said "Never, never never give up". Finally, and most importantly, stay safe".

Expedition leader Russel Symcox said that “when we were in the planning stages of the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA mission, I was aware of Jeremy and all the great work he had done for cancer in New Zealand. I read his book, and both his successful fight against cancer and his accomplishments in terms of raising funds and awareness for cancer were a source of great inspiration for both myself and the rest of our team”.

As it turned out, Burfoot’s message could not have come at a better time, as the jet ski crew had to deal with the most extreme ocean conditions of the trip thus far. Symcox said that “today was some of the biggest seas we have seen – raw ocean power, made worse by the 8 degree water and seven metre swells. The boys performed incredibly well to complete the 156 km in 6 hours. At this stage of the mission, looking back at the distance we have covered, and looking ahead to the 500km left to travel, it is a mental challenge and we are going to have to keep persevering up until the final few kilometres”.

Burfoot is set to depart on another world-first jet ski mission when he plans to travel the 31,000km between Sydney and Auckland over a period of four months, starting in August.

The jet ski team, which also includes SA surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban North), ex-Protea cricketer Lance Klusener (Mount Edgecombe), marine conservationist Mark Addison (Widenham) and former Dolphins cricketer Russel Symcox (Scottburgh), has almost 500km left of their 2800km journey. They depart Lamberts Bay today (11 May) for Hondeklip, after which they hope to reach Port Nolloth and then the Orange River over the next two days.

For more information, to donate or simply just to track the progress of the crew throughout the C2C4C campaign, log on to the official website at www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za. For the official C2C4C blog, log on to http://www.getaway.co.za/page/coast-2-coast-4-cansa, and for daily updates follow or join the Twitter and Facebook feeds which are updated many times each day.

As part of theC2C4C fundraising drive, a SMS line has been opened, and by SMSing C2C4C or DONATE to the number 38501, you can make a donation of R10 to the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA campaign. The SMS donation line will also have a unique tracking application whereby people will be able to SMS “TRACK” to 38501, and a map and co-ordinates will be sent to the user which will show where exactly the jet ski crew are.

Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA would not be possible without SPAR and IT partner Acer. Yamaha has provided the FX WaveRunners with RMR providing trailers and Thekwini Toyota sponsored a Quantum bus and Hilux vehicles for the back-up crew. RE/MAX has also contributed financially to assist with fuel expenses. Tigon Sports and Barron Clothing supplied clothes for the entire team.

About The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) 

CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa by offering a unique and integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research, the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as focus our watchdog initiatives to the greater benefit of the public. CANSA has more than 330 staff, 12 000 volunteers, 51 offices as well as 12 interim homes countrywide.

For more, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za or call 011 616 7662 or toll-free 0800 22 66 22 www.cansa.org.za

Rob Evans

 Phone: 082 485 2080
E-mail: rob.evans@live.co.za
Alternative e-mail: greeneggsandham@live.co.za

It was an emotional day for the SPAR and ACER supported Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA jet ski team, and Jason and Brandon Ribbink in particular, as the crew rounded Cape Point as part of their 2800km fundraising and awareness jet ski expedition for cancer, and the Cancer Association of South Africa. It was at Pam Ribbink’s (mother of Jason and Brandon) memorial service almost two years ago where the C2C4C idea came about, and the 6 jet ski pilots made a brief but poignant gesture in her memory as they reached Cape Point.

Jason Ribbink said that “I am honoured that the C2C4C concept came about at my mother’s funeral, and I thank the guys who were there with Brandon and I today for sharing in what was an emotional, but special, moment. So many people die before their time, including my mother, who succumbed to cancer almost two years ago. My son has just turned six, and he should still have a granny.”

Brandon Ribbink, who joined up with the C2C4C team for a second time (after riding with the core crew from Mozambique to Durban) said that “early detection, and of course prevention, are key messages in this campaign. If we can draw attention to the great work that CANSA do, and it will help to save one person, it will all be worth the effort. I am just stoked to be a part of this campaign and the adventure. For me, it is not a question of whether we are going to finish. This campaign means so much to me and my brother that we are fully committed to making it a huge success”.

The Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA jet ski team will depart from the V & A Waterfront today (8 May) as they embark on their treacherous journey up the West Coast of South Africa to the South Africa – Namibia border at the Orange River, making their first stop at Saldanah Bay about 220km up the Western seaboard. Expedition leader Russel Symcox said that “today’s memorial service really drove home the reason that we are doing this campaign – when you see six grown men with tears in their eyes, it is obvious that the prevalence of cancer in our country has reached unacceptable levels. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, and the team is as strong as ever. We have grown closer, and are fitter, and we have no doubts that we will complete the journey and, hopefully, make a difference to the lives of those affected by cancer”.

The jet ski team, which also includes SA surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban North), ex-Protea cricketer Lance Klusener (Mount Edgecombe), marine conservationist Mark Addison (Widenham) and former Dolphins cricketer Russel Symcox (Scottburgh), has travelled over 2000km so far.

For more information, to donate or simply just to track the progress of the crew throughout the C2C4C campaign, log on to the official website at www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za. For the official C2C4C blog, log on to http://www.getaway.co.za/page/coast-2-coast-4-cansa, and for daily updates follow or join the Twitter and Facebook feeds which are updated many times each day.

As part of theC2C4C fundraising drive, a SMS line has been opened, and by SMSing C2C4C or DONATE to the number 38501, you can make a donation of R10 to the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA campaign. The SMS donation line will also have a unique tracking application whereby people will be able to SMS “TRACK” to 38501, and a map and co-ordinates will be sent to the user which will show where exactly the jet ski crew are.

Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA would not be possible without SPAR and IT partner Acer. Yamaha has provided the FX WaveRunners with RMR providing trailers and Thekwini Toyota sponsored a Quantum bus and Hilux vehicles for the back-up crew. RE/MAX has also contributed financially to assist with fuel expenses. Tigon Sports and Barron Clothing supplied clothes for the entire team.

About The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) 

CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa by offering a unique and integrated service to the public and all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research, the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as focus our watchdog initiatives to the greater benefit of the public. CANSA has more than 330 staff, 12 000 volunteers, 51 offices as well as 12 interim homes countrywide.

For more, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA or email: lbalona@cansa.org.za or call 011 616 7662 or toll-free 0800 22 66 22 www.cansa.org.za

Ends

Issued on behalf of: CANSA 

Press release compiled by:

Rob Evans

Disseminated by:

Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:

Rox-ann Govender

Cell 073 239 1060

Work 031 303 9341

Email media@oliviajones.co.za

Rob Evans

 Phone: 082 485 2080
E-mail: rob.evans@live.co.za
Alternative e-mail: greeneggsandham@live.co.za

GETAWAY BLOG ENTRY

11 May 2010

Wanted: Cartographer to map West Coast roads, and will the real Barry Lewin please stand up.

There are, at most, four nights left on this amazing Coast2Coast4CANSA expedition which I feel so lucky to have been a part of. Since some of the guys have urgent appointments and commitments to attend to in the next few days back home, I feel a bit guilty for hoping that a manic weather system delays our impending return to normal everyday life. The guilt doesn’t last long though, as I manage to console myself with the fact that it is only natural to want to prolong any awesome road trip, let alone one that has taken me from South Africa’s Eastern to (almost) Western borders.

Apart from the genuine belief that we have made a difference with both our fundraising and cancer awareness mission objectives, I will also be heading back to the KZN South Coast with memories of a trip that I will never forget. I’m sure that the Lambert’s Bay Harbor Master won’t forget us for a while either, unfortunately for him it was at his harbor where today (11 May) I managed to get my hands on one of the jet ski’s for the first time in weeks. After tearing up the ‘No Wake Zone’ for a few minutes, I eventually realized that his frantic arm waving and shouting was actually directed at me. The only idiot riding around the harbor at 40kmph in the freezing wind and rain.

For those of you who recall the “Fuel Wars” episode between Jason Ribbink and Barry Lewinsky, the argument was once and for all sealed a few days back when the guys were arriving in Lamberts Bay. Barry was the only rider to make it to the harbor unassisted. The rest of the crew, including Jay, ran out of fuel literally just outside the harbor entrance. Unfortunately for Trigger Ribbink, his tank ran dry whilst he was attempting to lead the guys into harbor via the Tiger Line directly through some massive 10 foot breakers. What made it worse was that no one followed the poor bloke, leaving him stranded in the impact zone bobbing around on a giant cork. He managed to save himself and the ski, although it did take at least an hour (and a double dose of ‘mikkies’) for him to stop dribbling on himself and snap out his emotional trauma-related catatonia.

Barry may have won “Fuel Wars”, but Jay was doing his best to get some revenge. On the 65km drive from the beaching site at Brand se Baai back to our accommodation at Lutzville this evening, a presenter from a well known radio station called to conduct a pre-recorded telephonic interview which had been arranged earlier that day. Russel and Mark, my usual go-to-guys for interviews, were both in the other vehicle, so I passed my phone to Jay. He took the handset, and started with “Hi, my name is Barry Lewin and I have something very important to tell you…”. Fortunately for Barry, Jay was on a bit of a comedown from his daily ‘mikkies’ and Red Bull binge, so snatching the phone from the sluggish Ribbink and doing the interview himself was not much of a problem.

No road trip would be complete without getting lost at least once. And these days it appears that no GPS comes complete with detailed maps of West Coast dirt roads. I spent at least 3 hours today speeding around gravel roads in and around Brand se Baai and Lutzville without a clue where I was going. I was trying to locate, and this is no joke, a stick stuck in the ground with a beer bottle on the top, which Lance had used to show me which sandy track to take down to the correct beach. The first time I drove straight past it, he and Bennie could see me from the beach, no doubt muttering between them about the “nut head from Natal”. Truth be told, I did not see the bottle-stick road marker, but I wasn’t really looking for it. Instead, I was just sussing out the gloriously rugged and wild West Coast, as the sand track I was on was at some places just few metres from the beach, the rocks, and the pounding surf. When I eventually did locate Lance and Bennie, and their rudimentary road marker, I was greeted with a simultaneous shake of the head and a textbook “things not working out for you there” from Zulu.

Few sights that I have seen can compete with a starlit African sky on a clear and frosty winter night, especially when you are far from the busy (and luminescent) city centres, and Lutzville definitely qualifies as such a place! Although nearly every waking moment during each of the last 23 days have been spent running around like a man possessed, I always find the time to think and reflect on life. Yes I’m a hippie I know. Quiet time late at night is a perfect time to clear one’s mind and ponder about the people, places or incidents that continue to occupy your subconscious during the frantic daytime hours. As a fellow blogger once remarked, “everywhere is anywhere under the cover of darkness”…

Written by: Rob Evans (C2C4C Travelling Media Liaison: rob.evans@live.co.za)

The West Coast has served up some of the crazy weather it is renowned for, with strong winds and huge swells resulting in the crew battening down the hatches in the luxurious Blue Bay Lodge in Saldanah Bay for an extra day. It is tough but someone has to do it.

Cape Town was probably the highlight of the trip for me so far. Apart from exorcising the penguin attack demons, I was able to meet up with some old varsity mates and check out the vibe around town. For the most part, the people I encountered were awesome. Except for one person, and there is always one! I was at a smallish house warming at my mates flat in Rondebosch on Friday night. It was about 19h30, and there was a loud knock on the door. My mate opened the door to find a youngish chap (probably in his late twenties), who was battling to control his anger. The problem, it emerged, was that his job as a DJ meant that he had to catch up on sleep at strange hours. And the soft murmuring and muffled music originating from our little ‘jol’ was apparently excessive. My friend, who is a self-professed neo-hippie, obviously took the non-confrontational, “We will try and quieten down” approach. Unfortunately for the neo-hippie, a couple more people arrived at the party, and the noise level went up a few notches. DJ Buzzkill (we gave him a new DJ name), soon returned, although his lame demands now fell on deaf ears. After all, we had reasoned with our neo-hippie, this guy plays loud music for inebriated people for a living. His pecuniary stability is dependent on the existence of a culture where people like to get festive and listen to loud music. Fool.

Anyway, our encounter with DJ Buzzkill was more entertaining than irritating. Something which hasn’t made my life any easier is the fact that I have been sharing a room with Barry ‘Monica’ Lewinsky. This guy takes up a lot of space, and his idea of interior decorating seems to be covering as much of the floor as possible with dirty clothes and sodden wetsuits and riding gear. A peculiar fact about this particular Lewinsky, apart from his fascination with Cuban tobacco products and prematurely graying US presidents, is his method of nourishing himself. Most people eat their food. Barry breathes it in.

While Mark Addison has been conducting his marine census (with great difficulty I might add – he has basically lost one plankton sampling net for every three samples collected), I too have been conducting a census of my own. A social census, which requires me to immerse myself in the public milieu of each of the locations of our trip. The social census has taught me more about myself than the actual places we have been, although meeting and interacting with people from multiple coastal settlements along the way has been fun. I might have already been aware of this, but I can now confirm that I should under no circumstances attempt to speak Afrikaans. Unless I’m trying to communicate with a fellow Saffa in front of an English-speaking foreigner. And especially not when talking to a group of mother tongue Afrikaans speakers. Something else I have learnt is that adopting the biting-the-tongue approach is not always the way to go. If you have something to say, speak up. If you sit around and wait for things to happen the way you want them to, you are most likely waiting in vain…

Written by: Rob Evans (C2C4C Travelling Media Liaison: rob.evans@live.co.za)

The Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA team finally arrived in Cape Town today (5 May). It is cold and windy, and the predicted rough seas are rolling in as I write this. With two days of down-time ahead, the jet ski crew is already muttering about lost time. This is somewhat surprising, given how the guys are (secretly) aching after three days of really heavy going.

Although they are putting on a brave face, you can tell by the occasional revealing comment that there are some wounded soldiers out there. Apart from the textbook stiff legs, sore wrists and mild carpal-tunnel syndromes, there are a few unusual niggles, and a few unusual ways of dealing with them.

Jay Ribbink, who the other day was talking about “lucking into a three cold front system” had slightly less of a swagger after jet skiing 440km+ in the last two days. He smsed Bazza Lewinsky from Durban earlier this evening (Jay flew home for the rest day to check in on his new surf shop at Gateway), saying that it might be ‘game over’ for him. A few hours later Barry gets another sms from Jay, who now seems to be over his bad patch from earlier in the day and is talking of how it is now ‘game on’. Jay was seen hobbling towards Cape Town International airport with nothing but a few ‘mikkies’ grasped in his sweaty paws, so simple deduction suggests that his speedy recovery might have something to do with his dwindling supply of this trusty remedy.

Since Mossel Bay, there have been an abundance of Great White Shark cage diving companies operating along the Southern end of our coastline. Which leads me to think that there might be an abundance of Great White Sharks along the Southern end of our coastline, a scary thought if you spend up to 10 hours a day riding a jet ski at over 60kmph in dodgy ocean conditions! Mark Addison, during a discussion about the tendency of these apex predators to breach at speed whilst attacking their prey from beneath, suggested that we try and set up a video shoot towing a decoy seal from one of the jet skis. Great idea – affix a fake seal to a jet ski, with the intention of inducing a 5 metre Great White shark to attach itself to said fake seal. Surprisingly, not many volunteers for this particular task.

Despite the potential threat that White sharks and gigantic surf could pose in the water, there is another animal which is at the core of my earliest memory of Cape Town, a memory so harrowing that this is my first visit to the city for over a decade. It was a sunny summer’s day at Boulder Beach during a family holiday. Little Lobe was trotting about on the beach, probably with a side parting and some pink zinc on his nose. I decided to try and pet some of the local wildlife (which in those days actually referred to wild animals). What I did not anticipate was the once friendly-looking penguin attaching its razor sharp beak to a finger on my innocently outstretched hand. At the time of going to press Mark Addison was not aware how many people die from penguin attacks each year.

Written by: Rob Evans (C2C4C Travelling Media Liaison: rob.evans@live.co.za)

Day six saw the team enter the much talked about Wild Coast stretch of coast. It certainly has a reputation for being one of the most remote and oceanographically treacherous locations on the planet. The team headed south from Port Edward and crossed the provincial boundary between KwaZulu/Natal and the Eastern Cape at the Mtamvuna river. Perfect riding conditions and low swell afforded the team an opportunity to beach at Horse Shoe Falls in the Mkambati Nature Reserve and scale the waterfall to gain a panoramic view over an area of immense natural beauty.

At the iconic rock massif of Waterfall Bluff Jason Ribbink stood under the waterfall as it cascaded directly into the sea. On to Cathedral Rock where the team spread some soil for a person who met us on the beach at Port Edward to remember his father who had died of cancer. Still no sign of marine life except a few wayward gannets that were heading south, clearly relocating to the now calmer and more bait rich waters of the Eastern Cape. The water samples still resembling mud and the team find it hard to see how the scientists in the lab are going to find any signs of life in this muck we collect at regular intervals.

On beaching at Coffee Bay the team were greeted by some fishermen who were catching shad which seemed to be plentiful – the first signs of marine activity since the team left KZN a few hours earlier.

Day seven saw the team depart from Coffee Bay en route to East London and this was to be our best sighting day of the trip up to and including their arrival in Simonstown.

At Hole-In-the-Wall Lance Klusener had the most incredible Humpback dolphin encounter as two Humpback dolphin played in his bow wave for some minutes before the rest of the team caught up with him after passing through the famous landmark of Hole-In-The-Wall numerous times. The calm seas were ideal for spotting marine life but it was a long while before the team would encounter the marine animal abundance that this stretch of coast is famous for. At Mazeppa Bay the first large pods of bottlenose dolphin appeared (in excess of 60 individuals). Almost every bay after that had pods ranging from five to fifty individuals. Off Gonubie Point the team had an exciting encounter with a Manta Ray, dolphin, sun fish and marauding tuna. The water sample in this area was the most interesting yet and to the naked eye we could see all manner of organisms propelling themselves up, down and around in their new found home of a collection container. More exciting sightings were to follow as the team encountered the elusive Brydes whale in the shallow waters of Nahoon Point. In the bay at East London the team encountered yet more bottlenose dolphin and cormorants fishing close to the landing sight at Orient beach.

After a well deserved break and a humbling visit to a cancer ward in East London the team were once again on the water on day nine of the expedition and were once again greeted by extremely favourable conditions for the trip to Port Alfred. The team saw a Brydes Whale off Cove Rock that had clearly disturbed a ragged tooth shark from the sea bed which proceeded to shake itself off on the surface before descending into the murky waters again. There was very little activity to speak of for the rest of this stretch.

Day ten saw the team exit the Kowie River at Port Alfred and head for Port Elizabeth. Very little activity was noted until the team reached Bird Island where penguins and seals became regular onlookers. The waters in the bay at Port Elizabeth were quite clear and there were isolated pockets of gannet activity without any real signs of the much anticipated sardine activity the team were hoping to find tucked away in the Bird Island channel.

Day eleven was a rest day in Port Elizabeth and day twelve saw the team head west in a choppy south easterly sea en route to Plettenberg Bay via a stop at Jefferies Bay. A building swell forced the team seaward of the treacherous rocky coastline between Cape St. Francis and Plettenberg Bay. Although a few squid boats were anchored at Oyster Bay there was very little to excite and the trip proved quite uneventful from a marine animal point of view.

Day thirteen saw the team pick up some Humpback dolphin on the trip between Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay with penguins, seals and the odd pod of bottlenose making an appearance. The team had a swim with the seals on the Robberg Peninsula and they were clearly curious and acrobatic in their approaches to the bobbing riders made all the more buoyant by their dakine life vest and thick Billabong wetsuits. Still the seals did not need chasing and interacted freely with the bobbing riders.The sea was very calm and the only noticeable increase in animal life was the diversity of bird species that the team encountered. Petrels, skua’s gannets and comorants were regularly sweeping over the calm sea or sitting at team stops as if to be included in the conversation.

On day fourteen the team raced between Mossel Bay and Gansbaai in an effort to get ahead of a looming bad weather pattern which stood to jeorpardise the team’s planned arrival in Simonstown two days hence. A pod of at least twenty Humpback dolphin greeted the team at the refuelling point in Stilbaai, which was an absolute treat for the team as this is a critically endangered dolphin species. Two more Humpback dolphin were spotted at Waenhuiskrans. Seals and penguins still made the odd appearence.

At the refuelling stop (previously planned to be the overnight stop) at Struisbaai the team were confronted by the beginning of a strong north westerly gale that would persist for days. The wind dirtied the waters in the Struisbaai harbour and thus only the murky dark outlines of the giagantic short tail sting rays could be seen. The team had a playful encounter with the some juvenile seals at Quoin Point and very little was spotted in the fading light as the team made Gansbaai’s small craft harbour at Kleinbaai just before nightfall.

On day fifteen the team were greeted with the now strong north westerly wind which was reaching gale force at times and had blown all night. The most noticeable marine activity was concentrated feeding by the comorants, gannets and petrels in sporadic bursts seaward of our ride path. The odd penguin and regular seal sightings were reinforcement of the grand design of form and function and the teams slow motorised progress towards Simonstown highlighted our poor adaptation to this harsh environment as we had been reduced to a snails pace whilst the seals were revelling in the conditions. Two dead penguins were encountered in the bay at Hawston. Both carcasses were badly decayed but no apparent scavenging had taken place.

Holed up in Cape Town and just awaiting a gap in the weather to get aound the point the team eagerly await the west coast with its dusky dolphin and the most endangered marine dolphin on the planet – the Heavisides dolphin. There are thought to be less than 1000 of these animals left on the planet and they all occur on this stretch of coast.