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"Ok Brett we're going ‘bru', I'll call Cradock (Ryan Louw) he'll drive, Ran-ga (Luke Mcnish) will be ground crew.
Matt's coming to second and film, this trip is ‘gonna' be ‘sick'!" - Richard
von Wildemann to his partner Brett Holmes a week before their paddling
adventure was to start.
 Wild Rich (R) and Brett Holmes
The end goal of the trip was to paddle from Cape Receife to Cape St Francis. A feat that was yet
to be achieved by paddlers (as far as we know
according to the old sea dogs) which in itself was an attraction added to
that, the stunning scenery we would encounter between the two Capes. Three days
were given to complete the 103 odd kilometres for our chosen course from
December 22nd to Christmas Eve the 24th. Talk about
pressure to get home to mom, ‘jeez'!
December 22nd Day One: 11 am Start The weather was
unbelievable, perfect conditions zero wind to start building into a fresh
easterly downwind, hot and sunny. Blue water and a bit of surf the crew was
rearing to go, there was just this awesome atmosphere. No pressure to get to a
start line or get psyched up we were on an adventure. We roll into Cape Receife, Matty interviews the group after which
Brett and I run and touch the beautiful lighthouse that watches over one of Africa's most notorious points. Day one Cape Receife to Van Stadens River Mouth a distance of
50km. The first 15kms were ‘pretty' tough, but fun due to the large swell that
was breaking on the ‘bommies' (reef pinnacles) which gave us enough adrenalin
to carry through till the wind picked up and gave us some awesome runs.
 Day 1: Cape Receife to Van Standen's River Mouth
It must be said that my 19 year old partner Brett
had never paddled further that 20km in the Ocean so the first day was an
experience. He handled awesomely and had a ball the first day was sublime. The
surf at the end of day one was pretty large I even took my mobile out of its
waterproof case to take a few snaps from the backline!
We proceeded to set up camp and restore energy
levels with a good old fashioned ‘braai' (BBQ).
I always thought my tent was a five man turned out to be a four man, spooning
for warmth enough said!
December 23rd Day Two: The race to beat the buster west
that was forecasted to ‘pump' through in the late morning. The two intrepid paddlers
woke pre dawn put in on the blind lagoon that is the Van's River. Literally 5
meters from where we were camped this was really cool. The route Van Stadens to
the Surfing Mecca that is Jeffrey's Bay a distance of 29 km. The sea was an oil
slick the sky was overcast and mimicked the colour of the water. Brett and I
commented to our ground crew that we felt really good and were ready to tackle
the relatively short day. We even stated that there was a possibility that we
might go for Cape St Francis after a break in J-Bay to finish in two days.
 Day 2: Van Staden's River Mouth to Jeffrey's Bay
Sea sickness struck me an hour across Jeffrey's
Bay a first in my 10 years of Surf Ski paddling, the ProNutro (Cereal brand in South Africa) and Game (Sports Drink) obviously did not
cohabitate in my stomach too well, laughs. Feeding the fish literally, at about
the exact moment on feeling ill a large shark was spotted by Brett cruising
straight for our nose. I couldn't give a ‘rats' (unconcerned) I was feeling that sick, the shark swam straight
under us and luckily we never saw it again. We arrived in J-Bay and caught a
wave at Supers the worlds best right hand point break, awesome! After an hours
rest Brett and I after loads of encouraging persuasion by Ryan and Matt to get
moving. Put in at the top section of the point known as Bone Yards. The paddle
did not last that long as the predicted west came roaring through ending the
day at Aston Bay a further 7.2 km up the coast, a
respectable 36.2km completed. The paddlers and crew were generously hosted by
the Scott Family on the banks of the Kromme
River in St Francis Bay.
December 24th
Christmas Eve: Monday
the 24th was to be the shortest day, but a challenging day nonetheless. 17km
lay before us into a 22km Easterly headwind to Cape St Francis and its 130 year
old Lighthouse. In we put and off we went, to make the paddle seem fun we
decided to do 15 x 200 strokes one side at 80% and 50 off. It really worked and
the paddle felt great. The ski rounded Shark Point and entered the bay and
after 1:57:43 we landed
and completed the adventure by running the last kilometre to touch the famous
Seal Point Lighthouse. A great feeling of accomplishment was felt by all
involved.
 Day 3: Jeffrey's Bay to Seal Point
Many thanks must go to our parents for the use
of the vehicles, video equipment and supplies. Brett and I could not have done
it without Ryan Louw 24, Matt Elliot 27 and Luke "The Grommet" Mcnish 15 thanks
guys it was awesome! To the next adventure cheers and happy paddling.
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Richie mahboy, shot for showing the rest of the world how its done. Dream it, See it, Do it! Thats you china, thats you! I love you!