March Madness

By Ryan

Mar

10

The summer season has proven to be rather quiet as many travellers tighten their belts and explore different options to entertain themselves, abroad or in Cape Town. But as history often repeats itself, March has proven to be a regularly busy month for boating tourism.
With that Conquest Charters and Marine Scene will be doing weekly trips to the mighty ocean. The past trip proved just how connected our oceans can be. Large swells, a reminder of the tropical cyclone affecting our north eastern coastline, provided an interesting trip for the overseas tourists.
You never quite know what to do when half the people ask for more speed and the other half are perfectly comfortable as things are. You can’t please them all, but we sure do try

SMS! Send the word “table” to 34874

By Ryan

Nov

3

A small part of Table Mountain

Cape Town and Table Mountain needs your vote to name this iconic geological feature as one of the “SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD”

I have Worked on (as botanist), Hiked (a few of the many amazing trails), Swam (in one of Silvermine’s dam), Studied (as a UCT student), Leisured (jogging and picnics), Photographed (plants and animals) Cycled around (as part of the  Argus Cycle Tour), Driven up (when I managed to get a permit) and Sailed around (by sail I mean power boat…and as a crew from Hout Bay to Table Bay – once). During one botanical survey I spent a two months walking, counting and resampling the amazing vegetation on the mountain.

For these and many more reasons Table Mountain “the sleeping giant” deserves your vote (more information here).

Sharking around

By Ryan

Jul

14

Last year we ventured out to the film site of Air Jaws. A BBC documentary focusing on the Great White Shark in False Bay, Cape Town. This is not too far from our usual tourist run and naturally we were curious to see more about the famous island. Well we did! and it was awesome, so good no-one took pictures for fear of missing the ‘real deal’.

It’s a year later and we are planning to head back to experience the feeding frenzy that is well captured by the professionals on film and DVD for your viewing pleasure. However, there is something about being there in real life that is magical. Maybe its the rocking of the boat, the smell of the fresh sea air or seals themselves. Then of course there the really quick strikes followed by a tiny adrenaline rush.

Since I am feeling the urge to get to Seal Island again to view the Great White shark feeding habits, I have been scrolling through some interesting online stories. Wired magazine featured an innovative online education and innovation program to protect the sea and its top predators (SharkTagYourIt). I thought I would share it as it speaks to both the environmentally minded as well as the social entrepreneur.

Enjoy the sites and I will posts some pics as soon as we head out next.

Winter won’t stop us!!

By Ryan

Jun

16

June in South Africa signals the arrival of the winter season and is usually accompanied by the cold and the rain, many reasons to stay indoors. However , there are many beautiful days that nestle in between the cold fronts that make their way with ferocity over the Peninsula and the beauty of the Cape tends to shines through on these rare days.

A winters day boat trip to Cape Point on one of those rare days provides a special feeling to those aboard. Their knowing that the sea can be a mean beast, yet the safety of the boat instills a sense of calm and allows them to relax and just enjoy the ride. A Marine Scene tour saw a large group of French tourists require the services of Zangetsu. With no time restrictions and a large swell (to make the journey more enjoyable) we set off for Cape Point at a leisurely pace. The ride was exciting and the group was eager, despite an earlier request  to keep it slow. The waves tend to get a bit bigger as we approach Cape Point and the anticipation clearly rises the closer we get. After a few pictures and some historical stories we set back along the coastline to Millers Point.

At the end of the day another happy group that enjoyed the Cape Point experience by sea.

All smiles after a fun trip

But first, we wait for the French to arrive

2011 Freedom Swim

By Ryan

May

22

2011 was the 10th time the Freedom Swim was officially held. Starting at Robben Island and ending at Big Bay the swim distance is an impressive 7.5km of cold water swimming. This is the forth or fifth time we have taken part in the swim accompanying various swimmers across the channel. Including Natalie Du Toit on our older boat and more recently Luke – our resident swimmer.

Unfortunately the weather was not accommodating and infamous South Easter wind kept the sea swell too big to swim. The swim did not take place from the Island but rather from an altered route from Big Bay (see www.cadiz.co.za for more details). I have uploaded a video and you can see why it was unsafe to swim  in these conditions.

Freedom Swim Condition Highlights

Having said that, Zangetsu handled the sea conditions with ease although the skipper had to keep alert as visibility was not exactly 100%.  To all swimmers, hopefully next year will be better.and this was definitely the worst conditions I have seen in which a swim was potentially going to happen.

The Go team supporting our swimmer

End of Summer

By Ryan

May

21

Once again UCT exchange students joined us for a mid-semester team building excursion. Last year, we took them from HoutBay, however this year we left

from the Oceana Power Boat Club on the Atlantic seaboard. This route includes highlights such as vistas of the beautiful Table Mountain and the marvellous new Cape Town Stadium. Next we pass the Green Point lighthouse (built in 1824) and the very public Sea Point promenade on our way to beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton.

Recently, the oceans have been rather full of sea life and we were lucky to have encountered a large sunfish, many basking seals and some playful dusky dolphins enjoying the boats wake. The dolphins have a way of letting you know if you boat if fun to ‘play with’ and do so by staying around for a while before leaving you wanting more. The feeling Enjoy the pictures.

 

Italian Stowaway

 

the packs

The Stadium

View from the front

Coming soon a video of the dolphins, stay tuned for more Conquest Adventures

Cycle Tour update

By Ryan

Mar

15

What a fabulous day! And what a blessing for the perfect weather! During my cycle I heard many people comment on how beautiful our coastline is. Especially Hout Bay, where Chapmans Peak starts to eat at the muscle fibres in the legs, the beauty of Hout Bay seems to give people the distraction and inspiration needed to make the climb!

We are still raising our funds for St Luke’s Hospice and the weather for this weekends Prize looks amazing. It looks like Saturday will be the day of choice for the Hout Bay trip.  But I will keep you posted on that.

Feel free buy tickets for the raffle. Alternatively if want a guaranteed trip book a seat! This weekend we have a special discount rate upon request only.

Kind regards and happy cycling but most importantly happy boating…

Cycling, Charities and Boats

By Ryan

Mar

15

I will be cycling in the 2011 Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour.

As exciting as that bit of news is on its own, I will be doing for St Luke’s Hospice.

St Luke’s description: ” St Luke’s Hospice provides palliative care to people who are approaching the end of their lives. A team of skilled professional staff and volunteers improves the quality of life of these patients through early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and the other physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients and their families. This is given, irrespective of the patient’s ability to pay for the service.”

I can attest to the work and the care to which they give sick people, as my grandmother was with them before she passed on.

For that reason and others we are raising funds for St Luke’s as well as cycling in the Argus event. BONUS…

To raise funds we are holding a raffle.

Three lucky winners for every 100 tickets sold for only R50 a ticket.

To enter you can: a)  join the facebook page

b) mail your chosen raffle number and contact details to                                              info@conquestcharters.com

c) respond via twitter

Indicate which numbers 1-100 you would like to buy then mail me or arrange a meeting for payment and entry. Entrants should ideally be based in Cape Town to claim the prize.

Find me on the St Luke’s Website (Ryan Blanchard): (feel free to sponsor online but it does not gain you entry to the prize draw)

Thanks in advance and look forward to seeing you on the road.

Ryan

Summer on the Sea in Cape Town

By Ryan

Feb

3

The year started out well with more locals getting on the boat than internationals as is normally the case. The trip in the picture was planned for an 8am pre-work boat ride from the waterfront. It was amazing; the sea-life – seals,birds, all out in morning light. Glad to say we were back by 9 and everyone was happy.

GREENPEACE: Climate change needs basic leaders

By admin

May

14

As any respecting Sea Dweller would do, we gladly answered the call to work with GREENPEACE during their Cape Town protest. Climate Change is a serious issue and any action to raise awareness or bring about change is a step in right direction. Read the real story here.

We covertly snuck up to the Twelve Apostle Hotel and proceeded to wave lumo yellow banners. It was mostly a photo shoot, taking a few pics and completing a video documentary, but drivers on Victoria road stopped to take interest. We alsoattracted some media attention but nothing like what was expected from usual GREENPEACE protest. This is Cape Town after all.

I love the large banner in front of table mountain! So iconic



Ashe’s no good

By admin

Apr

20

The effects of the volcanic eruptions in Iceland have finally filtered down to Conquest Charters in the Cape Town.

We recently received these two emails regarding future bookings:

Mail 1:

Hi ghgjje,

Our client kjhjkhkre, from Switzerland has cancelled its conference on Tuesday due to the volcanic eruption and fallout.

ALL delegates are stranded in Europe and can’t get on to flights.

This is out of anyone’s control and they are extremely stressed and disappointed due to this crisis.

Please relay to the other company that we need to cancel all reservations.

They have the conference once a year, so they won’t be able to reschedule for anytime soon

They have however, guaranteed to come back next year and do these activities.

Kindly reply should you have any questions

Mail 2:

Hello

Unfortunately due to the volcanic ash scenario in Europe at the moment, Thursdays charter is postponed until later in the year because the clients are stuck in the UK!!

Many thanks


We are but one company that has only recently been affected and I wonder how the rest of the world is dealing this. Especially those cannot afford to so.

The arrival of a German U-Boat

By admin

Nov

12

For those of you who have been to see the new stadium, as seen from the Sea Point area, you might also have noticed the commotion in the ocean.

Namely a German U-boat (submarine), a Tug boat and many little worker boats ferrying precious resources to the mother hive.


Here are some close-up pics of a German WWII movie taking place in Cape Town. I am not sure of the details (we only had to carry the all important German Press) but it allowed us to get pretty close to the dangerous submarine, although only a replica I believe.

Also included in this post is the get-away boat! Enjoy.

Lights, Camera, Action

By admin

Apr

15

It’s been a while but this some of things we’ve been up to?

Cape Town is a favoured destination for movie makers and a recent German mini-series being shot here saw Zangetsu being required for some all important media shots. The all familiar movie crew, the grips and production agencies bustling around the streets of Cape Town often spill over into the sea.


Here are some photos of a recent media shoot. You might notice that the original Highlander (Christopher Lambert) appears in some of the pictures!

More of the Volvo Ocean Race Cape Town Leg

By admin

Jan

20

I recently recieved some more photographs of the Volvo boats leaving Cape Town. Enjoy these photo’s courtesy of Michael North!

If you need a photographer (outdoor, underwater, indoor etc.) let me know.

Sunset or Sunrise?

By admin

Jan

20

It is an amazing thing to watch the sun set across the vast Atlantic Ocean. And I am sure you have your favourite place in Cape Town to do just that where you can enjoy the colours that go so well with the surroundings. I recently enjoyed one from the top of Kloof Nek Road overlooking Camps Bay.
(Picture taken from Kloof Nek)
(The colours seen from home)

But putting the land lubber in me aside, to see the sun rise above the Hottentots Holland mountains aboard a boat is truly another thing altogether. Unfortunately for this experience to come true you have to be at sea 530am. It’s early, I know, but a cool experience as you ride from Table Bay to Hout Bay in the calm of the morning. The early activity of the birds and seals is always a treat.
Enjoy some of the early morning photographs and my favourite, Lions Head shielding the sun from view…for just a bit.

(Lions Head Sun Rise)
(Making the most of great morning…coffee in Hout Bay next)

Winter in the Cape

By admin

Aug

22

Well winter has set in to Cape Town and our main charter runs come to end. However if you are keen for diving, now is the best time to get out to False Bay and see some of the awesome wrecks and reefs that can be found along the coast.

As with most seasonal businesses this time spells the maintenance period that the vehicles so desperately crave. “Orlando” the mighty Landcruiser has been responsible for towing Conquest, and now Zangetsu, around the Cape Peninsula. Not fast and not the most luxurious but still reliable and enjoyable to ride. Some pictures include an unforgettable trip up the West Coast and an ill fated sampling trip (alone I might add).
Also featured is another tow vehicle that we hope will live up to the Landcruiser’s strength (feel free to comment on your vehicular affiliation).
(land rover pic coming soon…sorry)
Well guess I best get back to fixing the wear and tear that is becoming evident from a life close to the sea.