This quote from award-winning actor, director and screenwriter Alan Alda resonates with Knysna's Mark Collins, his brother John, and the two other members of Team Salomon Painted Wolf, Andre Gie, a Cape Town paediatrician and Veronica Bravo, a world-renowned ultra-marathon athlete. They were the first South Africans to cross the line of the Expedition Africa Race, an adventure stretching 575km over excruciatingly harsh terrain on KwaZulu-Natal's Wild Coast, held from May 23 to June 1. Team Salomon Painted Wolf came fourth, beaten only by the teams of Nieu-Zeeland, Sweden and America.
"Tired, but cleansed and rejuvenated," is how Mark Collins tries to explain what it feels like to navigate unknown territory, survive and excel without leaving any team member behind, armed only with the most necessary equipment and resources.
It took them four days and two hours to complete the challenge, while the whole world watched via live tracking technologu, which has changed the face of this sport forever.
This multi-discipline endurance race is regarded as the adventure of a lifetime, since competitors do not only need physical endurance, but also clarity of mind to stay focused and on track while dealing with unforeseen obstacles with limited resources and no outside support. This adventure race tests mountain-biking, kayaking, swimming, rope work, trekking and orienteering skills, but mostly endurance and resourcefulness.
"We changed the sidewall of a tyre with a John West tuna packet," Mark Collins laughs. He can laugh about it now, but the lines of fatigue are still somewhat visible beneath the glow of his conquering spirit, which seems to energise everyone around him.
Forty teams took part in the event, 30 of whom were South African. Each team consist of four members, at least one of them of an opposite gender.
"Tatum Loftus, our fourth South African team member had to withdraw at the very last moment as she was celebrating the unexpected news of a second baby on the way. What a joy, but also a disappointment for us! We had been preparing and mentally formed a pack by then. At the same time, organisers received a letter from Bravo who was looking for a team and we had a space. Our new team member could not understand English. Communication within a team is core and it was scary. Although she had a lot of experience we had to adjust and open ourselves up to a new dynamic."
This was only the first unexpected challenge. Collins says that it was good that they were not aware of the challenges yet to come.
He says their first real disappointment came when they missed a control point by 50 meters and made a detour that cost them seven ours. "You know, that disappointment was one of the biggest lessons learned during this journey. We, as a team could not let it go. We realised afterwards that the Nieu-Zeeland team had made the same mistake. The difference was that they had shrugged it off, they did not dwell on it. They did not carry that extra weight of failure with them."
Collins says his attraction to this endurance adventure sport is is simply due to the fact that because it mimics life. "You have to break through that dense bush where one can so easily get stuck. You grind through and then you realise that everybody around you also had to struggle to get through. You see the light on the other side and it was all worth it."
He recalls a moment when he was in front. "We were on a high and dangerous slope and my foot touched a loose stone. At that moment it went through my head that someone's daughter was behind me. I thought that I had to make a decision that I hope everyone else will make if my daughter was behind them. We took the detour." Throughout his career, Collins has noticed that there are many people for whom the fear of failure is just as severe as their fear of death. "That is a very dangerous place to be."
Collins' life of adventure started at birth. "My mom was a geologist and I was born in the middle of the Namibian desert in a caravan whilst my father was renovating an old yacht he bought. He had never sailed in his life before, but he sailed that yacht from Walvis Bay to Rio. I suppose it is in our genes," he laughs. His brother and team member, partner and friend, John shares his passion in every way. One of his sisters travels the world as a photographer and another is a sport physiotherapist. They all compete. "I suppose it makes sense. When we were kids, climbing and exploring was the way we played." He says he is also lucky to be married to a women he met at a sports event. "Bellen is one of the strongest women out there. She understands my drive and shares my passion. She was up 24 hours per day, following every step I took. We breathe adventure and are so privileged to live in Knysna where we simply have to step out of our front door to find it."
This team's next challenge is the World Endurance Race that will take place during December in Chile. "We will cross the Andes into the Amazon." Collins has travelled 43 countries, exploring them from "a very different perspective".
He says youngsters who are interested to pursue this dream sport should focus on one sport and be the best they can be in it. "This career is a long one and you do not have to rush it. Our team members are between the ages of 30 and 45."
He explains that their name, Painted Wolf, refers to the African Wild Dog. It is species on the verge of extinction because they are not valued. Collins says that the way they survive, protect one another and work together is remarkable. "This was the animal we chose to identify with."
Asked what they do after such an event he says, "We eat and eat and eat ... even when you are full, you eat. And then we rest for a week and start getting fit again."
To watch some coverage of the event, visit www.kineticgear.org.
Mark Collins takes a break before he gets fit for his next adventure.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
