Ever wondered where European athletes go during their cold winter to do off-season training? Obviously they’ll be heading to warmer zones south of the equator, so perhaps Australia?  But such … Read more

When a friend suggested we go ‘skyrunning’ in the Cape over the weekend I become slightly apprehensive. Think about it: climb up a mountain, run on top of it and … Read more

With a raft of new events on the South Africa trail running calendar, Spring continues to impress enthusiasts in the Western Cape. In 2011, I had the privilege to run the … Read more

Whenever I doubt something in life, I like to think what simple answers our oldest ancestors would have given us in our modern society? I have grown very fond of … Read more

Situated between Grabouw and Stellenbosch in the Hottentots Holland mountains, the source of the Palmiet-river marks the starting point of a gem of a valley. The naturally-formed waterslides down waterfalls fall into amazing rock pools, leaving jumps ranging between 3 and 20 metres to help you release your adrenaline-valve in this beautiful canyon. You’ll be busy for anything between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the “escape-route” you choose to take out of Suicide Gorge. There is no variation of trails here, and once in, it’s rather difficult to get out.

Mine-heaps and tollgates are what the average tourist would remember from the Mpumalanga province in the Northern parts of South Africa, but there certainly is more to it. The ‘Highveld’ (translated as Highfield), as this part of the Rainbow Nation is locally known, plays host to a different kind of beauty than what you would find in the more commercial Southern parts. Those seeking adventure while experiencing the true African wildlife are sure to be pleased on the relatively new Num-Num trail near Machadodorp, Mpumalanga.

First Ascent is the leading specialist outdoor gear manufacturer in South Africa, and has been around since 1989. Up until now, they have provided the South African outdoor sports scene with ‘performance tested gear’, which means that each product you see with their significant lizard- logo has been tested by worthy athletes, and it works. Their new range of compression garments was given to me to see how well they do in the Stellenbosch mountains while doing a trail run or mountain bike ride.

The Sea to Summit brand has vested themselves as a company that provides the adventure traveller with useful accessories to make life on the road, and in the water, far easier. Over the last two decades they have produced lightweight and durable products, with the Ultra-Sil Dry Sack being a good example of innovative, amphibious product. This highly recommended outdoor accessory made my adventure experiences far more convenient, keeping water from harming my valuables any longer.

Most of us do our sports during the day, spending evenings to resting or relaxing with friends – usually anything other than getting our heart rates up with some exercise. Word is out that there are countless new nightclubs that few are aware of. It might not be the typical dance scene that you expect it to be. Ladies, gentlemen, and especially those adrenaline-seeking freaks, I bring you the Petzl Myo RXP; a headlamp that will bring light to your darkness, show these new “nightclubs” and unlock these long-hidden nocturnal instincts inside of us all.

For any visitor to Cape Town, a pilgrimage to the the top of Table Mountain is a must-do during a stay in the Mother City of South Africa. The main … Read more