Nyamezela, Pete van Kets
Weight training
27/Oct/09 11:38 Filed in: Nyamezela
Pete is tapering his training and concentrating on rest and putting on some weight. He's currently weighing 87 kg (Pete's 6.2ft/1.86m) and aims to weigh 92 kg at the beginning of the race. So, everyone, send a pudding or Black Label to Pete to help his cause!
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Paperwork and admin
26/Oct/09 18:40 Filed in: Nyamezela
Now that Nyamezela is on her way, Pete and his team are finalising the paperwork to get themselves over to the start. Virgin Atlantic has sponsored the flights for Pete, Cliff and Nic. And also for Kim and Hannah to meet Pete at the end of the race. The team will fly into Heathrow, and then take a bus to Gatwick to catch a flight to the Canaries on Easy Jet. There’ll be a ferry trip to La Gomera for final preparations. Pete and Cliff leave on 20 November ... still in good time to do what is necessary to finish Nyamezela for the race.
The visa shopping isn’t Visa shopping, or as much fun. In fact it is an exercise in giving over just about every ounce of personal information barring what colour your underwear is ... However, with the able and enthusiastic assistance of Mariska Smith at Visa Connect in Fish Hoek, the process is being made much smoother, especially for Cliff who requires a visa for the UK (transit) and also a Schengen visa for the Spanish leg (The Canaries).
The visa shopping isn’t Visa shopping, or as much fun. In fact it is an exercise in giving over just about every ounce of personal information barring what colour your underwear is ... However, with the able and enthusiastic assistance of Mariska Smith at Visa Connect in Fish Hoek, the process is being made much smoother, especially for Cliff who requires a visa for the UK (transit) and also a Schengen visa for the Spanish leg (The Canaries).
Sea trial 2
18/Oct/09 22:51 Filed in: Nyamezela
Today’s trial took place in Table Bay ... Pete took Nyamezela for a downwind row, almost to Robben Island, before heading back with a tow from an NSRI craft from Station 2. There were some great photo opportunities - particularly with Table Mountain and the new World Cup stadium in the background.
Murray Williams was on hand to interview Pete - an article appeared in the Cape Argus a few days later. Of interest to Capetonians was, of course, the fact that Pete is an ex-SACS teacher. How’s that for inspiring a generation of young adventurers?
Murray Williams was on hand to interview Pete - an article appeared in the Cape Argus a few days later. Of interest to Capetonians was, of course, the fact that Pete is an ex-SACS teacher. How’s that for inspiring a generation of young adventurers?
Sea trial 1
17/Oct/09 15:59 Filed in: Nyamezela
On Friday 16 October, Dave Colly from SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Association) surveyed Nyamezela and made sure that everything was functioning correctly so that Pete could get her registered as a ship. He also set-up the auto-helm (mechanical steering device) and it works perfectly.
Saturday 17 October and the day dawned cloudy and still. Perfect weather for a sea trial. Pete and Cliff took Nyamezela from her Capricorn Park berth to False Bay Yacht Club in Simonstown where they launched. The NSRI Station 10 craft oversaw the process - and helped with support as Pete put Nyamezela through her paces.
Why trial in perfect sea conditions? Aren’t trials supposed to test the boat in, well, rough seas? Well, not really - the idea is to get a sense of how the boat performs when conditions are just perfect for rowing ... if she yaws to one side then that yaw will be magnified many more times in rough weather. That’s not something you want to be trying to fix in the middle of the ocean. By yourself.
Why trial in perfect sea conditions? Aren’t trials supposed to test the boat in, well, rough seas? Well, not really - the idea is to get a sense of how the boat performs when conditions are just perfect for rowing ... if she yaws to one side then that yaw will be magnified many more times in rough weather. That’s not something you want to be trying to fix in the middle of the ocean. By yourself.