Discovery Shark Week

By Ryan

Aug

1

For those of you who are know me and are familiar with the business, will know that during the winter time in Cape Town I often talk about going to sea. Now Some people might think this is crazy, but it is during this time that the Great White Shark population in False Bay concentrates its feeding habits to a smaller area around Seal Island. This Island is situated not too far from the mainland and harbors, so access is not too difficult for those who brave enough to dare.

The sharks found here have overcome their camera shyness and can be found on numerous documentary reels and the odd facebook album of cage diving adventure seekers. Despite the experience being surreal, adrenaline rushing and completely mind blowing, there are many important conservation lessons that are learnt and can be drawn from, being there in person and watching on TV.

Some of these conservation messages are brought home during the Discovery Channel SHARK WEEK. The sharks are meant to be admired, provide inspiration and feared as a natural predator of the sea. I will attempt to update the blog once a week recording the awesome events (most not my own material) regarding the fascinating world of sharks in oceans.

We begin this homage with something seen on our last trip but not captured on film. Thanks to Chris Fallows and his team these videos are available on the net to be shared and admired.

 

 

 

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)

OUR FREEDOM SWIM

By admin

Aug

22


The Cadiz Vista Nova Freedom Swim is an annual event whereby very enthusiastic people come together and swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand Big Bay. Robben Island, once home to a prison, is in close proximity to Cape Town (South Africa). There are numerous well documented accounts of prisoners and the history of Robben Island which I will not go into here. However, I reckon if Mr. Nelson Mandela had to attempt the swim South Africa might have had a very a different history. With a distance of 7.5km in water averaging 13C (55.4F) only the brave attempt the swim.

The morning of the 26th April was a frantic rush. The decision for the swim to take place was only made at 7am that very morning. The boat had to be launched and at the Island waiting for the swimmers to leave Murray Beach by10am. Not an easy task when over 100 boats are jostling for position on a tiny launch site. Having launched at roughly 935am a very bumpy but quick ride to the Island followed. Unfortunately the weather conditions were not ideal and a fairly large swell (for swimmers anyway) made it a difficult swim. Our swimmer Luke Whiteman coped well with conditions. Our role was to support him and guide him to Big Bay in one piece. A brief scare with a fin swimming towards us (turned out to be sunfish) was followed by a fairly large Cape Fur Seal feeding directly in his path. A swim time of roughly three hours saw Luke enter Big Bay amoung the top twenty five.

It was truly awe inspiring to see so many people take on the rough, cold water of the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness and funds for Vista Nova School. Enjoy some of the photos of the swim.

A Rainy Day in Cape Town

By admin

Mar

12

With a weather report indicating a maximum of 20 degrees with a 30% chance of rain one tends to look on the bright side and overlook that small chance of rain. Today in Hout Bay “Conquest” was one of five RIB’s preparing to take tourists to Chapman Peak and Seal Island. Normally a beautiful run, but today the weather added to the adventure by providing a decent swell and some rain. Unfortunately the passengers got a bit wet but much fun was had by all. Since we took it “easy” the trip was gentle and even the slighlty faint hearted could relax and enjoy braving the seas of the Cape of Storms. Highlights included the dramatic mountainside views of Chapmans Peak, The Sentinal and Seal Island, home to numerous Cape Fur Seals.