Having made a name for himself internationally as a fearless big wave surfer, it is no surprise that Durban-born Jason Ribbink finds himself on this extreme expedition. It was Team Leader Russel Symcox who came up with the idea for the C2C4C campaign at Jason’s mother funeral, and so the journey has extra significance for the husband and father of two.

Jason was instrumental in introducing tow in surfing in South Africa, where jet ski riders tow surfers into waves that are too big to successfully catch by paddling. As such, Jason said that “I would like to believe that I can add some ocean knowledge and WaveRunner experience to the expedition”.

Although he has been very successful as a competitive surfer, he still considers “surfing big waves all around the globe” as his most memorable moments. As is the case with many top surfers, Jason has a career within the surfing industry, and currently owns the surfboard manufacturing business called Bilt Surf.

Jason believes that “bad weather conditions are going to be the most challenging part of the journey, but being with a great bunch of guys who all share the same goal and are giving their all for a great cause. The project means a great deal to me, and I am sure that it will be an experience of a lifetime”.

Barry, as one of the country’s top ocean paddlers, is arguably the most physically suited to the C2C4C mission. Most recently, Barry had the distinction of being the SA National Team Captain at last year’s Southern Shamaal, 244km surf ski race between Port Elizabeth and East London which sees paddlers from all of the major paddling nations battling out in epic and often difficult conditions. The SA team won, and Barry had the added pleasure of edging out our old rivals Australia into 2nd place!

Growing up in Durban, Barry spent a lot of time at the beach, which is where started surfing, lifesaving and which is also where he was introduced to the sport of surfski paddling. He now owns the Varsity College Surfski school, which he believes is “a great tool for growing the sport and putting back”.

Barry’s love for and knowledge of the ocean will surely be an asset to the C2C4C mission. As he will tell you, “I have extensive experience out in the open ocean in almost every type of condition. From big surf to strong wind and swell, I have seen it all so nothing will surprise me, especially on the raw South African coast”. He has also “paddled a ton of the South African coast, but to get to experience the whole coast on one go will be life changing. From tropical warm water in the North to start, to cliffs through the uncharted Transkei, the friendly people of the Eastern Cape, the cold and mountainous Cape to the desert on the West Coast - all of this in 3 weeks will be a sensory overload!”

Although Barry’s first proper WaveRunner experience was a few weeks back, he is confident that he will be ready once the expedition kicks off. Apart from the fact that he is under the expert guidance of expedition leader Russel, his “passion for the ocean will stand [me] in good stead, we are going to be spending massive hours out at sea so you have got to love the ocean and its many moods to get through such an extreme trip”.

“I love the concept, the extreme nature of the expeditions and the amazing cause. Every person is in some way affected by Cancer and I am no different, from grandparents to very close friends. When the journey gets tough, which I know it will, we will push through and do our best to get our message out there”.

As an avid surfer, surf ski paddler and experienced WaveRunner rider, Russel’s knowledge of the ocean is going to be one of his greatest assets during the Coast2Coast4CANSA expedition. And this is despite having been born in Kimberley! Luckily for Russel, his family relocated to KZN, allowing him to complete his schooling at Hilton College. He now lives in Clansthal on the KZN South Coast, with his wife Olivia.

The amount of organisation that it takes to get a massive campaign like the C2C4C up and running is mind-blowing, and Russel has almost single-handedly made it happen. This is a man who knows what he wants, and when he sets his sights on a goal you can be sure that he will achieve it. As a natural born leader, Russel has not only assembled a team capable of completing the demanding journey, but has also secured the kind of sponsorships required to make an expedition of this magnitude possible.

The son of former South African cricketer Pat Symcox, Russel is also gifted sportsman. He enjoyed 5 seasons of first class cricket with the Dolphins, with his hat-trick against the Lions at the Wanderers being one of the highlights of his career. At present, Russel works for REMAX Coast & Country on the KZN South Coast as a commercial property broker

The idea to do a massive jet ski journey to raise awareness and funds for cancer first came to Russel at Jason and Brandon Ribbink’s mother’s memorial service. “Olivia and I felt and uncompromising urge to make a difference in the fight against cancer and, being a passionate jet ski enthusiast, I thought it would be a fair challenge to ride from border to border to increase awareness about cancer. Along the way I encouraged a few good men to join me on this quest, and we’re all equally passionate about the cause”.

When asked about what his biggest challenges will be as event organiser and expedition leader, Russel said that “finding the sponsorship to pay the bills, and ensuring we get around the coastline with as little hassle as possible are obviously very important. I also think the riding will be very challenging, both physically and perhaps even more so mentally, but I’m passionate about our quest to make a difference! I’d like to urge everyone to join us in the fight against cancer and to support our campaign and the wonderful work CANSA are doing. Support could come in the form of donations, volunteering time or even just attending events and showing your support to our cause. I’d also like everyone to consider taking steps to leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle and caring for each other”.

Mark Addison is a familiar name to anyone who knows anything about diving in South Africa. As a world-renowned marine conservationist, Mark has brought the wonder of marine life to people through all forms of media, having contributed significantly to a 22 page article in National Geographic Magazine in 2002 on South Africa's seas, and earning an Emmy Award for his work on the BBC blockbuster Blue Planet.

When offered the chance to be a member of the team, Mark jumped at the opportunity as he “really believes in what Russel is doing. I have unfortunately had family members who have been affected by cancer and know of many friends who have succumbed or suffered with the disease in its various forms. Too many good people affected too early in life. Some have fought the battle and won and some have fought it and lost, but all have fought. It is for these people, as well as all those that have gone before and all those that will no doubt come after, that I ride”.

His knowledge of South Africa’s oceans will no doubt add immense value to the experiences of all who will share in the expedition, as well as to the book and DVD which will be produced once the mission is completed.

Although he spent most of his schooling days in Johannesburg, and then at RAU after his time in the army, his constant missions to the coast every weekend to dive cut into study time. So he cut back on the study, and the coast is where he has been ever since!

Mark too is an accomplished sportsman, having played cricket, rugby and squash at school first team level. As a professional squash player he represented both Transvaal and Natal, and at one stage achieved a Top 10 ranking in the country. He also finished in the top five in his one and only appearance at Spearfishing Nationals in 1992.

As the founder and owner of the hugely successful Blue Wilderness dive charter company, Mark started out with a boat, compressor and 4X4, offering the first mobile boating operation in South Africa and Mozambique from 1990 and pioneered the diving on Mozambique's Southern Peninsula from this time. In recognition of his contribution to marine science, the sleeper ray was named after him, which apparently is “absolutely no reflection of any sleeping on the couch all day - that is genuine sports fanaticism on Saturdays and five day tests!”

Mark is married to Gail Addison, with whom he has had a daughter named Ella (7), “who is as crazy as her mom, who was a National Waterskiing champion”. Mark also has a daughter Ashleigh (11) from a previous marriage.

During the mission, Mark will be conducting a marine census, noting all of the marine animal activity that he will encounter along the route. “I have many years of data from around the coast and this will be used as the basis to see how the various pods of dolphin and other residents are doing. Of interest to all KZN folk will be where we find the big shoals of sardines, and how the biomass is looking with regard to a push onto the KZN coast in early June”.

For Mark, the most challenging part of the trip will be “every day in the saddle on one of the wildest coastlines on earth. On a good day we will cover over 200km and on a bad day, well let’s just say that we probably won't get too far. South Africa has an amazing coastline, and being proudly South African is easy when you see our amazing coast and its marine inhabitants. I don't want to be anywhere else on the planet. Add to this the awesome team Russel has put together and the cause - let’s ride already!!!!”

Lance Klusener is one of two former South African cricketers who will be undertaking the C2C4C expedition. Lance, who is born and bred in KZN, currently lives in Mount Edgecombe with his wife Isabelle and three children Matthew (8), Thomas (4), and Anna (4 months).

After an impressive international career, which included being named Man of the Tournament at the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England as well as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2000, Lance will still tell you that his favourite sporting memory is beating Shaun Pollock at golf!

Although he is still busy these days with fishing, golf, coaching cricket and bowling endless balls to his two sons, Lance was still able to find time to participate in the campaign as “it is a fantastic cause and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s also a great adventure!” Like many South Africans, Lance too has been affected by cancer, with various members in his extended family battling the disease. 

Despite the fact that Lance has been fishing off WaveRunners for many years, he still expects the journey to be a challenging one. His preparation for the mission has included “vertical jigging to strengthen the arms, and trawling Pulsator lures to put some miles on the clock for endurance!” He said that “the most challenging part of the journey will be the first mile, and the most enjoyable part the last mile”.