A strong showing of Helderberg pilots were on full display at the 2022 Six Gun Grill Trans Agulhas Challenge at the end of December.
The pilots are collectively committed to growing the sport of inflatable boat racing throughout the country and beyond borders.
Somerset West local Marc Gleed won the modified class, 16-year-old Parel Vallei High School learner Dylan Bamberger finished second in the standard stock class, fellow Somerset West resident Rico Meyer marked a debut performance, and previous winner Nikki du Bois of Gordon’s Bay was immensely satisfied with his showing too.
The world’s toughest inflatable boat challenge took place over four days, from Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 December, and covered more than 700 km between Plettenberg Bay and Strand. It, however, finished in Kleinmond as a result of gale-force winds on the final day.
“It was an incredible experience, attracted thousands of spectators and one of the best organised ever – but not the easiest,” Gleed pointed out.
He participated in his 12th Trans Agulhas, teaming-up with co-pilot Hermanus Erasmus in the Rusgenoot Transport sponsored inflatable and crew.
“We’ve been training since June, which intensified since August, and it all paid off,” Gleed said. “We had a great day one from Plettenberg Bay to Mossel Bay, which we won overall and even took the King of the Waves trophy. It was a positive start and we were under early pressure to maintain focus.
“The next two days we didn’t push too hard and were cautious not to make a mistake. Our main setback was when a propeller blade broke and had to be repaired in the water, which took some time off. We also battled very windy, choppy conditions and high-risk waves, but managed to hold on to our lead and win the class.”
Gleed last won the modified class in 2019 and sustained an injury at last year’s event. Therefore, he is satisfied with a returning to winning ways.
Dylan Bamberger and co-pilot Brandon Langeveld of the Garrun Group team pulled off a sensational second in stock class finish.
“I went into the Trans Agulhas overwhelmed with excitement together with intimidation, as I would be the youngest competitor in the whole event at 16 years old. It was challenging to navigate along the coast with extremely rough conditions throughout the majority of the event,” Bamberger said.
“I struggled with the big surf at some of the beach stops, and in Stilbaai we had an unfortunate flip in the surf racing. It was extremely tight and exciting racing between myself and the competitor in first place as we were only 54 seconds behind them heading into the last stage of the event.
“We finished the race in second place for the standard class, and we were gratified with our result as well as the challenge I put up as the youngest competitor.”
The youngester labelled the event as “truly special”, living up to its reputation as the toughest in the world. “I was very fortunate that I had already done three Trans Agulhas events as crew for my uncle (Gleed). It gave me a good idea of how the event is run and what it takes on the preparation side to participate on a competitive level.”
Meyer partnered with Thys Buitendag and relished his first-time experience.
“This was our first Trans Agulhas, a childhood dream and definitely something every adrenaline junkie and enduro fanatic should consider,” he said.
“The event forces one to look after your body and equipment with challenging conditions, many beach checkpoints, and afterwards a high-paced surf race in view of thousands of spectators for four long days. The Appsource-sponsored team M32 would like to thank the organisers, our sponsors and fellow competitors for making the 34th Trans Agulhas a memorable one.”
Du Bois and newly appointed co-pilot Tertius de Kock, sponsored by Port and Starboard, finished third in the stock class. He admitted he spent the past season focusing efforts to grow and develop the sport among peers, some even international.
“We helped train and guide teams that are new to the sport, with the understanding that they would in turn do the same for others next season,” he said. “We had a fantastic event and the participants really did very well, and we’re proud of our performance.”
Gleed concluded the 2022 Trans Agulhas rates as one of the most well-presented and organised events in which he has participated.
“Well done to the event organisers, Boost Performance, and title sponsor Six Gun Grill for staging a world-class event. The spectator presence at the event was amazing with crowds at every beach stop along the route,” he said.
“The finish points of every stage was something that had to be seen. If the 2022 event is anything to go by, then 2023 is going to be huge and definitely one not to be missed.”
