Great adventure stories often rely on two elements: vivid characters and incredible venues – easy finds in Plett.
Here we feature seven of Plett’s most extreme, hair-raising, legendary adventure icons – each accomplished and competitive enough to challenge some of the world’s most elite athletes. If you’ve got the mettle, add some of their adventures to your lifetime to-do list. Ready yet?
MTB | If you want to get to know what visitors and Plettonians love, trade in your car for a bike. With kilometres of amazing road, forest trails and off-road tracks, you can go far and wide. Stay tuned for the future of MTB along the Garden Route with the Cape Town to Plett Cycle Route.
Kevin Evans: One of SA’s most successful cyclists, Kevin has chalked up an impressive list of achievements in his cycling career. He finished fifth at the Tour of Egypt, ninth at the Tour of Ireland and 19th at the Tour of Britain. He won the South African XCO Elite title twice and the XCM title four times, which is still a record. He won the SA National Marathon Series title for six consecutive years and contested 10 ABSA Cape Epics, finishing on the final overall podium four times with four stage wins. Not shabby! Born in Johannesburg on 6 June 1978, Kevin started riding his bike alongside his father and as the saying goes – he’s never looked back (a wise thing in cycling). Driven by a desire to excel, he throws everything he has including the kitchen sink, at whatever he puts his mind to. With such an illustrious cycling career to show for it, I wanted to know what he has planned now that he has officially retired from the sport. Apart from operating his bike shop in Plett and enjoying his family, his answer was simple, “Enjoy life to the full!” And so say all of us.
Kevin Evans
Sipho Mthembu: Odds are you’ll find Sipho whizzing past you on a mountain bike most days. As the coach of the group of young development riders from the Kwano Cycling Academy, under the auspice of local Colin Shave, Sipho has his hands full. He is no stranger to success and is proud to tell me all about how he led a group of young soccer hopefuls to national level in the FNB Soccer Tournament, his proudest achievement to date. Currently he is instilling the principals of the club values – integrity, accountability and responsibility, respect and commitment in these young riders. Born in Durban on 19 August 1983, he moved to Plett when he was a teen. The area with its natural beauty and outdoor friendly nature has had a big impact on his views on sport. The dream of the team at Kwano Cycling Academy is not merely to see riders on podiums around the country but more than that, they wish to produce well rounded, responsible and productive adults through sport’s training. Now that’s a goal to strive for.
Sipho Mthembu
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE RACING | This is typically a multi-disciplinary team sport involving navigation over an unmarked wilderness course with races extending anywhere from two hours up to two weeks in length. There is typically no suspension of the clock during races, irrespective of length; elapsed competition time runs concurrently with real time, and competitors must choose if or when to rest. Check out the highlights from the 2016 Expedition Africa event where iconic Plett terrain was featured in the forefront.
Netski Wylie (nee Jeannette Walder): Half woman, half machine, completely fabulous female Adventure racer Netski, is holding her own in a sport dominated by men. Her motto is, “It’s not about the successes for me. I can come last or first, it’s about how it makes me feel.” An excellent approach, however Netski isn’t likely to come last anytime soon, that’s for sure. Invited to join top SA Adventure Racing Team Cyanosis to race at the World Adventure Racing Champs in Tasmania in 2011, she’s been blazing trails both locally and internationally. She has an extensive racing pedigree to boot, having competed in Primal Quest in the USA, Wilderness ARC in Scotland as well as Bull of Africa and Expedition Africa races. Born in Germany on 7 May 1974, this busy bee has never been able to sit still for too long. Having achieved 8th position at the race in Tasmania stands out in her mind as one of the best achievements to date – not counting motherhood of course. Currently Netski is teaching Grade 000 at Greenwood Bay College in Plett and is thankful to live in such an amazing town that offers the adventure enthusiast more than enough opportunity to shine. Netski is a member of the BUCO Adventure Racing Team, one of Plett’s most elite and experienced adventure racing team (formerly the Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team).
Netski Wylie (nee Jeannette Walder) – Photo: Glenn Murray
WATER CRAFT SPORTS | Bodyboarding, Wave Skiiing and Paddling are extremely popular in Plett, alongside other water-based activities like Stand-Up-Paddling and Surfing. With five Blue Flag status beaches and an assortment of beach types to choose from, there is no doubt you will find the perfect venue for whichever craft you choose.
Neal Stephenson: Plett has seen many sporting heroes but few of them can boast a mention in the Australian Bodyboard Hall of Fame. Neal lost his right lower leg in a shark attack off Plett’s coast in 1998 but even this hasn’t dampened his adventurous spirit. The attack finished his bodyboard career but undeterred, he is now a champion wave-ski surfer. Before the attack he was a Morey Team Rider and SA Champ scheduled to represent South Africa at the World Surfing Games. Neal competed in World Wave- Ski Championships in 2000 and 2001. After he was born on 29 March 1976 in Swaziland while his father was working there, the family moved to Plett when Neal was just two months old and rest as they say is history. He is driven by the sheer fun factor of his sport plus he enjoys keeping fit. As a boy growing up in Plett the ocean, fantastic rivers and outdoor living in general played a significant role in his choice of sport. When asked what his ultimate past adventure experience was Neal didn’t hesitate; “traveling overseas as a pro body boarder.” These days he is managing the family business, Jireh Custom Interiors, and as for future plans, he says he’s staying fit for the local stuff and the bigger SA races.
Neal Stephenson – Photo: Glenn Murray
Michelle Eray: Local legend and all round wonder woman, Michelle is ripping across continents, collecting medals and impressing as she goes. After cutting her teeth on two Junior Canoe World Sprint Championships, Michelle studied Biokinetics in Natal and then moved on to achieving 7th at the Olympics in paddling. Amongst her many accolades is her nomination for the prestigious World Paddling Award. She was also part of the training team for the USA female canoe sprint team at Rio Olympics in 2016. By her own admission, Michelle is a planner and the process of getting to the actual race – the training etc. – is all part of what makes her tick. Born in Johannesburg on 5 May 1979, she moved here with her family when she was three years old. “Plett is the perfect playground, you have endless water opportunities, great trail runs and mountain biking, and the weather is pretty good most of the year,” says this sporting sensation. She currently owns her own business and coaches in California in the USA. Last year she went to Tahiti for the Surf Ski World Champs and then stayed on for a week to do another epic race (island crossing) in Bora Bora. She had a lot of fun touring the islands, paddling, running, and swimming in the most beautiful place in the world (besides Plett of course!) Future adventure plans? “Of course! Tahiti hopefully soon, and now that I am based in the US, Hawaii is on my doorstep. Plus I really want to explore all the great parks and canyons here in the USA.” Michelle we wish you all the best.
Michelle Eray
SAILING | It’s not a sport, it’s a lifestyle! Pioneers of sun-kissed beaches and masters of the sea, sailing along the coastal towns of South Africa is not for the weary. With sometimes treacherous and unpredictable waters, Plett is not an easy waterway to navigate. But it is one well worth the wait… patience and diligence will pay-off!
Blaine Dodds: When it comes to sailing, few have made such a marked impact both nationally and internationally as Blaine. He holds 31 South African National sailing titles and is currently honing his skills in preparation of defending his Hobie 14 World Title in Holland later this year. Born in East London on 31 August 1959, Blaine learned to sail from his dad when he was in his teens. Enjoying the challenge of competing with his peers, drove him to reach higher and further and the proof is certainly in the pudding. The Plett life has kept him fit and in touch with his sport of choice. When I asked him what his most memorable achievement is to date he replied, “I have competed in numerous Hobie World Championships and have been on the podium many times but my greatest moment was winning The Hobie 14 World Championship in Lake Garda, Italy.” When he is home in Plett, he by no means rests on his laurels but is busily at work as General Manager of Robberg Fine Foods. We look forward to hearing of his success in Holland later this year.
Blaine Dodds
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE | Adventures of all kinds await you in Plett. It’s always a good time to be here with moderate winter temperatures. This is your ideal place for getting away in the great outdoors. Abseil through craggy kloofs. Hike or cycle along coastal trails. Kayak the Big Blue with the majestic Robberg Penninsula and Tsitsikamma Mountains flanking you. Whether your sights are set on the destination or the journey itself, Plett is where you’ll discover wonderful outdoor adventures.
Phumzile Sonjani: Phumzile has been working for Outward Bound for 16 years now and his ‘work’ (pleasure actually) involves high ropes, abseiling, rock climbing, sailing, sea kayaking and river kayaking expeditions and hiking and camping for 21 days in the jungle. Hailing from Hogsback, where he was born on 13 July 1972. His love for adventure started when he was a young boy, scouting new routes to and from school. Moving to Plett in 1989 simply cemented his love for adventure. He was selected for the Outward Bound student instructor programme in 1998 for a period of two years and after the training Phumzile was sent to Malaysia on an attachment programme for a year, working there and learning different cultures. His proudest achievements to date are having been an Eco challenge volunteer in Malaysia, Sabah, Boneo and Sarawak in 2000 and operating as corporate hiking lead guide for 400km from 2009-2014 – this is a mega hike that is based solely on navigational skills and leadership ability. Currently he owns his own laundrette and as for future plans, he hopes to inspire the youth to succeed by promoting an NGO known as South African Youth Expeditions – focussing on developing the youth in adventure skills and training. What an excellent goal.
Phumzile Sonjani
