KNYSNA CYCLING NEWS - Recycled top-quality bicycle helmets were handed to the Knysna Sport Academy recently as part of the many local charitable initiatives supported by the Buco Lions Karoo to Coast mountain bike challenge and Dr Evil Classic three-day stage race. These Garden Route-based events have become highlights on the national cycling calendar.
The helmet donation is the result of an innovative activation during the two annual events that take place over the Heritage Day weekend in September. Scott Sports Africa handed over 80 new Scott helmets – fitted with the latest multi-directional impact protection system technology to riders during these two events. The riders then gave their existing helmets worn during the race to Scott Sports Initiative, for local charities.
The "Get Your Head in the Game" helmet giveaway is aimed at raising awareness of safety in cycling, something close to the heart of Scott Sports Africa brand manager Joggie Prinsloo.
'Safety gear important'
"The goal is simply to raise awareness for the importance and need for quality safety gear while cycling. While we handed out 180 brand new helmets during this national initiative, through the riders' generosity we were able to collect 218 to give away to charity and that is what this initiative is all about," Prinsloo said, adding how grateful he is to all the riders who participated in the initiative.
The helmets collected were distributed to the Kwano Cycling Academy in Plett and the Knysna Sport Academy (KSA), among others, to be used in their cycling programmes.
The academy runs a range of mountain biking programmes, currently catering for 60 learners, with a large proportion of youth from disadvantaged communities. Some of the more senior riders take part in cross country and marathon races, and last year some of the academy's riders took part in the Karoo to Coast. In 2017, a team from the academy won the team prize at the Dr Evil Classic.
'Helps to motivate youngsters'
KSA manager Iain Coetzee says the opportunity to take part in big races really helps to motivate and encourage their young people to excel in their chosen sport. "These helmets will be used for our cycling programme, during four training sessions each week, as well as at events that we participate in during the year," he says.
Sporting some of the donated helmets are (back from left) KSA coach Paulus Sigonyela, Karoo to Coast and Dr Evil Classic organiser Zandile Meneses, KSA manager Iain Coetzee, Jadrien Pietersen, Ziandré Jordaan and (front) Tyrese Harker. Photo: Supplied
Most water points and marshalls at these events are provided by charities such as the Knysna Education Trust, Plett Animal Welfare, Kwano Cycling Academy, Cansa, Knysna Rotary, Eden Lions and the KSA. They receive a donation from the events for these services, which again, goes back into local communities.
The Karoo to Coast is hosted by the Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna and most of the proceeds from the event go towards SightFirst projects across the Southern Cape. SightFirst is a Lions Club International initiative to fight the major causes of preventable and reversible blindness by providing eye health care in disadvantaged communities.
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