The biggest event in inflatable boat racing, the Trans Agulhas Challenge, starts in Plettenberg Bay on 28 December and holiday-goers are invited to join the action on the beach.
The race, being contested for the 26th time this year, has become known as the "world's toughest inflatable challenge".
This year more than 30 teams will be vying for the top spot in the respective classes.
Race promoter Gerhard Meyer returns to the challenge this year, after an absence of 11 years. The Agulhas Inflatable Boat Club (AIBC), organisers of the race, asked Meyer to help them revive the Trans Agulhas. In the late nineties, more than 60 teams, of which several international outfits, participated. Due to a number of factors, including tougher economic times, many teams struggled over the last couple of years to find sponsors, which led to dwindling entries.
Meyer has big plans for the race and has made it a personal goal to revive those glory days with more participants, bigger sponsors and entertainment for the beach-goers.
Starting time is daily at 08:00 and the boats are expected at the overnight stops between 09:00 and 10:00. A King of the Waves contest will be taking place at 13:00 every day and offers huge spectator value.
After leaving Plettenberg Bay, the schedule is as follows:
- Arrive at Santos beach (Mosselbay) on December 28 at 10:00
- Arrive at Still Bay main beach on December at 09:00
- Arrive at Struisbaai main beach on December 30 at 10:00
- Arrive at Hermanus old harbour on December 31 at 10:00
- Finish at Strand (at the beach in front of the supertube) at 10:00
Singer Andries Vermeulen will be entertaining the crowds. |