Competitors welcomed to a dream adventure race

KNYSNA NEWS - "Expedition Africa is a dream. It's one event you have to have on your bucket list of events."

Those were the words of Heidi Muller, co-event organiser of Expedition Africa 2016, at the Pine Lake Marina welcoming function on Friday, May 13.

Muller is from event organisers Kinetic Gear.

The event started on May 16 at Cruise Cafe in Knysna, taking 54 teams from 19 different countries exploring the Garden Route while canyoneering, cycling, running the SA National Parks (SANParks) hiking trails and paddling the sea surrounding Knysna.

Muller described the Garden Route as the home of adventure, with amazing support from the residents.

To the teams Muller said, "You sacrificed so much of your time, work and money, enjoy the over 500km of adventure."

Len du Plessis from SANParks was one of the main speakers, as a large portion of the race took place in the Garden Route National Park. The race organisers were invited by tourism body Knysna & Partners to host an event in the Garden Route.

"We thank the race organisers, our team for the race from SANParks led by Du Plessis and Carel van der Merwe, the Knysna municipality, participants, landowners, citizens of the Garden Route, media, sponsors and everyone who took part in making the race a success," SANParks Garden Route spokesperson Nandi Mgwadlamba said after the welcoming function.

Knysna & Partners chief executive Greg Vogt said, "There is no home team advantage – you are all at home."

Vogt introduced Louise Hart to deliver a speech as Sedgefield's ward councillor, and also on behalf of Knysna executive mayor Georlene Wolmarans. Vogt thanked her for the role she played in making Expedition Africa a reality and he described her as a stalwart of Sedgefield and Knysna.

In her welcoming speech Hart said, "According to people in the know, adventure racers sometimes suffer from what they call 'sleep monsters' brought on by exhaustion. While this might come true for some of you while making your way through our wilderness, I am sure of one thing – the magic majesty of our forest will ensure that even these monsters are friendly and welcoming."