The Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA jet ski team reached the halfway mark of their epic 2800km jet ski journey yesterday (5 May), and also rode past the most Southern Point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, on the previous days leg from Mossel Bay to Klein Baai (4 May). The expedition is aimed at raising funds and awareness for cancer and CANSA and is supported by SPAR and IT partner ACER. The team ran into adverse weather conditions as they reached Cape Town, forcing the five jet ski riders and 4 crew members to delay the 150km ride to Big Bay, and the subsequent journey up the West Coast to the Namibian border.


The team has ridden a massive 440km over 16 hours in the last two days, and as such the rest day which they are taking today (6 May) could not have come at a better time. One of the jet ski pilots, Barry Lewin, said that “the last two days have been hugely challenging – in terms of both the distance we have covered and the conditions we have had to deal with, and our skills and fitness have been tested to our limits. It was great to see the guys pulling together and toughing it out. As bad as the weather was, we knew that it was going to get worse over the next few days, and as such we are relieved to have reached Cape Town before the worst of the weather arrived”.

The jet ski team, which also includes SA surfer Jason Ribbink (Durban North), ex-Protea cricketer Lance Klusener (Mount Edgecombe), marine conservationist Mark Addison (Widenham) and former Dolphins cricketer Russel Symcox (Scottburgh), passed the 1400km mark 60km into the 136km 13th leg between Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay. Another significant milestone was achieved when the team travelled past Cape Agulhus, the most Southern point of Africa, on the 4th of May. They had time to pause and take a few quick pictures, but were soon on their way again as they were in a race against the light. The jet ski crew rode an additional 85km, over and above the 160km planned for that day, as they aimed to ensure that they would reach Cape Town before the predicted three-front weather system which was rapidly closing in on the Western Cape.

For more information, to donate or simply just to track the progress of the crew throughout the C2C4C campaign, log on to the official website at www.coast2coast4cansa.co.za. For the official C2C4C blog, log on to http://www.getaway.co.za/page/coast-2-coast-4-cansa, and for daily updates follow or join the Twitter and Facebook feeds which are updated many times each day.

As part of theC2C4C fundraising drive, a SMS line has been opened, and by SMSing C2C4C or DONATE to the number 38501, you can make a donation of R10 to the Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA campaign. The SMS donation line will also have a unique tracking application whereby people will be able to SMS “TRACK” to 38501, and a map and co-ordinates will be sent to the user which will show where exactly the jet ski crew are.

Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA would not be possible without SPAR and IT partner Acer. Yamaha has provided the FX WaveRunners with RMR providing trailers and Thekwini Toyota sponsored a Quantum bus and Hilux vehicles for the back-up crew. RE/MAX has also contributed financially to assist with fuel expenses. Tigon Sports and Barron Clothing supplied clothes for the entire team.