DURBAN, 28 JUNE 2016 – The King of surfski, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team), continues his reign of back-to-back victories, this time winning the FNB Durban Downwind Surfski title in Durban on Sunday, 26 June 2016. This is the first time McGregor has won this title since race inception in 2014. 

The third edition of the annual race, which doubled as a World Surfski Series title event, took place in flat ocean conditions, testing paddlers’ endurance and stamina as they raced 26km from La Mercy Beach to Addington Beach. 

McGregor set the pace from the start claiming the FNB Durban Downwind title in 1h44m50. 

Last year’s winner, Matthew Bouman, placed 2nd in 1h45m54, followed by Mark Anderson in 3rd (1h48m54), Gene Prato 4th (1h49m27) and Jeep Team’s Barry Lewin in 5th (1h50m40).

Said McGregor, “I’m stoked to take the win this time around. I narrowly lost it two years ago so it’s nice to win the Durban Downwind for the first time. I was in hospital on Friday so it was a hit and miss whether I was going to race but I’m glad I was able to get out there. Conditions were pretty tough. There was hardly any assistance really so it was a hard slog for 26kms. I managed to get out in front early and then kept the guys behind me for the rest of the race. There weren’t too many tactics involved really.”

It’s been a busy month for paddling legend, McGregor, with back-to-back victories across surfski and canoe marathon paddling disciplines. On 29 May 2016, he claimed his third Maui Jim Molokai Surfski Challenge title in Hawaii. This 53km surfski ultra marathon is considered the world’s toughest surfski event. 

Just days after this victory, and still recovering from jet lag, McGregor won the world’s oldest surfski event, the Illovo Pirates Umhlanga Pirates Surfski Race, which took place in Durban on 5 June. 

He then swapped his surfski for a canoe to claim the K1 2016 South African Canoe Marathon Championship, which took place in Cape Town on 11 June. This result means he has qualified for the 2016 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, happening in Brandenburg, Germany, in September.

Now he’s on his way to Mauritius for the 2016 Mauritius Ocean Classic World Surfski Series race, taking place on 2 July 2016. Jeep Team team mate, Barry Lewin will also be competing in the Mauritius Ocean Classic.

2016 FNB DURBAN DOWNWIND RESULTS

1. Hank McGregor 1:44.50
2. Matt Bouman 1:45.54
3. Mark Anderson (AUS) 1:48.54
4. Gene Prato 1:49.27
5. Barry Lewin 1:50.40
6. Luke Nisbet 1:50.52
7. Bailey de Fondaumiere (U18) 1:52.35
8. Jason Ekstrand 1:53.06
9. Steve Woods 1:53.43
10. Wade Krieger 1:54.10

Other Jeep Team results

MTB

On Saturday, 25 June 2016, Jeep Team’s MTB athlete, Thinus Redelinghuys, competed in Race#4 of the 2016 USN MTB Cup Series.

The 50km race took place at the Big Red barn, near Irene, Gauteng. Redelinghuys managed an impressive podium finish, placing 2nd overall.

#JeepTeamSA 

Editors’ Notes

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Warriors, are you ready?

South Africa’s largest, toughest and muddiest obstacle course race is coming to KwaZulu-Natal.

Jeep Warrior #4 of the Jeep Warrior Series is taking place at the Sugar Rush Adventure Park in Ballito from 16 - 17 July 2016.

Everyone is invited to take part in this epic obstacle course event – all you need is a pair of old running shoes and a great sense of adventure because you are going to get MUDDY!

There are four courses on offer that vary in intensity, catering to all fitness levels. 

For kids, there’s the 8 obstacles over 1km Warrior Bratz Race. Parents can accompany their children, but can’t compete in this event. 

For beginners, there’s the Warrior Rookie Race (6 - 8km with 15 obstacles). Rookie is all about fun and comradery. It is the shortest distance with semi-challenging obstacles for newbies. 

Up a level is Warrior Commando, which is fairly challenging, with a 10km course with 20 fairly tough obstacles. This event is labelled as the ultimate team-building experience.

Jeep Warrior Black Ops is the toughest of the challenges, presenting an 18 to 20km course with 30 tough obstacles. This event meets World-OCR racing standards and attracts South Africa’s top OCR athletes. 

So get your family and friends together, create a team, and challenge them to #BeBrave at Jeep Warrior #4 Sugar Rush. 

To enter go to www.warrior.co.za/events/2016-jeep-warrior4

Event: Jeep #Warrior4 Sugar Rush

Dates: 16 and 17 July 2016

Venue: Sugar Rush Adventure Park, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

Entries: Go to www.warrior.co.za/events/2016-jeep-warrior4

GPS: S 29 29′ 29.29   E 31 10′ 49.30

ATM Facilities: No. Please bring cash along with you.

Parking: 3000 cars

Facilities: Food & beer tents, parking, secure lockers and a shower zone

STELLENBOSCH, 24 MAY 2016 – Michael Lord (Jeep Team) successfully defended his duathlon title to claim his second consecutive Standard Bank Banhoek Duo victory on Saturday, 21 May 2016 in the Western Cape. Lord won the long Duo Leopard Challenge, a 20km MTB and 10km Trail Run through the picturesque Banhoek Conservancy, just outside of Stellenbosch, in 1h23m34, just ahead of Azukile Simayile in 2^nd (1h23m50), with Matthew Daneel 3^rd in 1h26m58.

Said Lord, “This is one of my favourite races, set in one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa – the Banhoek Valley. The course is spectacular and challenging, winding through vineyards and forests, with steep climbs and amazing views of Banhoek Mountain. I just love it! It’s great to win again after my victory in 2015.” Bridget Fouche won the women’s event in 1h56m32, followed by Carla Beyers in 2^nd (2h01m15) and Deleen-Marie Steyn 3^rd (2h08m58). The local community established the Banhoek Conservancy in 2013 to protect the stunning environment, which now forms part of the Hottentots-Hollands Nature Reserve. The conservancy generates an income by providing well-designed, permanently marked, off-road tracks for trail running and MTB. All profits generated from events, including the annual Standard Bank Banhoek Duo, are used to maintain the tracks and facilities, preserve the flora and fauna, and remove alien vegetation from the area.

2016 STANDARD BANK BANHOEK DUO LEOPARD CHALLENGE RESULTS: MEN:

1. Michael Lord - 01:23:34
2. Azukile Simayile - 01:23:50
3. Matthew Daneel - 01:26:58
4. Pieter Manuel - 01:31:58
5. Francois Burger - 01:40:10

WOMEN:

1. Bridget Fouche - 01:56:32
2. Carla Beyers - 02:01:15
3. Deleen-Marie Steyn - 02:08:58
4. Su-Mari Jooste - 02:15:14
5. Sandy Russell - 02:19:53

Other Jeep Team results Obstacle Course Racing Jeep Team’s OCR athletes, Thomas van Tonder, Carina Marx and Joshua Masudi, competed in Race#2 of the IMPI Challenge (Gauteng), which took place at Laurentia Farm in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, on Saturday, 21 May. Racing in IMPI Elite, which consisted of 26 to 28 obstacles over a muddy 20km trail run, Van Tonder placed 2^nd Male in 1h45, Marx placed 3^rd Female in 2h20, and Masudi finished 6^th Male in 1h58. Claude Eksteen won the men’s race in 1h43, with Carla Van Huyssteen winning the women’s event in 2h03. The Jeep Team athletes agreed that the obstacles weren’t that taxing, making it more of a technical trail run rather than a challenge obstacle course race, but that it was a great build-up race to several upcoming tough obstacle course races such as the Hollard Jura, the KZN Impi and The Beast.

IMPI CHALLENGE #2 GAUTENG RESULTS:

Men

1. Claude Eksteen - 01:43:17
2. Thomas van Tonder - 01:45:07 (Jeep team)
3. Bradley Claase - 01:46:08
4. Joshua Masudi - 01:58:25 (Jeep Team)

Women

1. Carla Van Huyssteen - 02:03:01
2. Nicolette Griffioen - 02:14:26
3. Carina Marx - 02:20:40 (Jeep Team)

#JeepTeamSA

Editors’ Notes
For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PIETERMARITZBURG, 19 APRIL 2016 – KwaZulu-Natal’s young, multisport superstar and 2020 Olympic hopeful, Mikaela Jonsson (Jeep Team), has been selected to represent South Africa in three World events this year. Jonsson (18) will be racing in the Junior Elite category.

On 24^th April, Jonsson will be competing in the 2016 Discovery ITU World Triathlon Cape Town. She has also been selected to compete at both the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Aviles, Spain on 4th June 2016, and in Xterra World Championship off-road triathlon in Hawaii in October 2016 as part of Team South Africa.

The South African leg of the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series is taking place in Cape Town on 24 April. This is Race #3 of 9 international events that make up the series. This year, the ITU World Triathlon Series is an opportunity for athletes to earn Olympic qualification points. Jonsson will be competing in the Individual Sprint event - 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run.

Said Jonsson, “In 2016, I’m focusing purely on my sport after finishing Matric last year. I want to see how far I can go. To be selected for the South African team in these events is a massive achievement and in line with my goal to compete internationally this year. I’ve been training really hard these last few months and it’s starting to pay off.”

This weekend Jonsson proved she is in top form after her 2^nd female overall placing in the Sprint Race at Race#2 of the TinMan Triathlon Series, which took place at Suncoast Beach in Durban on Sunday, 17 April. Jonsson completed the 600m swim, 18km cycle and 5km run in 1h13m just behind Tegan Gore, who won the women’s event in 1h11m. Daniella Amgo placed 3^rd in 1h20m.

Said Jonsson, “I hadn’t tapered off for this race as I need to peak for the Discovery ITU World Triathlon next weekend. So I went in with tired legs. Saying this, it was a very close race. Tegan finished the swim and cycling legs just seconds ahead of me, but then managed to extend her lead in the final running stretch. TinMan was excellent preparation ahead of my big race this weekend.”

Editors’ Notes

PHOTO CAPTION: Mikaela Jonsson in Durban at Race#2 of the TinMan Triathlon Series, 17 April 2016.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin Sawyer

DURBAN, 17 MAY 2016 – After winning the fifth and final race of the 2016 Bay Union Surfski Series this past weekend, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team) is on his way to Hawaii to compete in the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge, the world’s oldest and toughest downwind surfski race that is set in one of the roughest ocean channels in the world.

This year, this 53km surfski ultra marathon, which takes place on Sunday, 29 May, also doubles up as a World Surfski Series event, attracting the best and toughest surfski paddlers from around the world.

Now in its 40^th year, the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge is legendary for testing paddlers’ extreme skill, endurance and knowledge of ocean surfing.

The course is set in the Kaiwi Channel, between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu. Here, a paddler’s ability is pushed to the limits against the unpredictable, fast changing, and extreme weather conditions experienced in the channel.

It’s no surprise that this race has been a favourite amongst South Africa’s thrill-seeking paddlers for many years, with Durban’s legendary paddler, Oscar Chalupsky, holding the record for the most wins (12 in total) over the race’s history. Chalupsky claimed the Men’s title a record 7 consecutive times (from 1983 – 1989), and then again in 1995, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2012. Chalupsky will again be racing in 2016.

In 2009, McGregor won the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge for the first time, followed by a second victory in 2014 when the race doubled as the Surfski World Championship.

In 2015, he was a dominant force throughout the 53km race, leading the field until the final two kilometres when Australians Cory Hill and Clint Robinson managed to take an inside line that saw them leapfrog into 1^st and 2^nd respectively. McGregor finished 3^rd.

Said McGregor, “After my frustrating finish last year, I’m really looking forward to take on this year’s Maui Jim Molokai Challenge. Bring it on!”

Other South Africans on the start line of the 2016 event include Sean Rice (4^th at the 2015 race), Lee Furby and Herman Chalupsky (Oscar’s brother who tied 1^st place with him in 1995).

In preparation for the Molokai Challenge, McGregor partnered with Lee Furby to conquer the fifth and final race of the 2016 Bay Union Surfski Series, which took place in Durban on Sunday, 15 May.

McGregor and Furby won the Doubles-only race in 1h02m05, just a few second ahead of second-placed Matthew Bouman and Louis Hattingh in 2^nd in 1h02m15. Gene Prato and Bailey de Fondaumiere finished 3^rd in 1h04m15.

It was a close race with Bouman / Hattingh racing neck-and-neck with McGregor / Furby until the final 1.5km, when McGregor / Furby managed to get the upper hand in a thrilling sprint finish.

Said McGregor, “The Bay Union Doubles Race was only a fifteen kilometre race and we’ve got to race 53km over in Hawaii, but it’s great to leave South Africa with a win, and to have enjoyed a solid race with a great friend like Lee, was awesome! 

#JeepTeamSA 

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:

Website: www.jeepteam.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa
Instagram: JeapTeamSA
Twitter: @jeepteamsa 

Editors’ Notes

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN, MAY 2016 - KwaZulu-Natal’s sunny Durban is a surfski paradise famous worldwide for its golden beaches, big waves and exhilarating downwind racing conditions. The city is home to some of the world’s greatest surfski paddlers, and hosts the world’s largest surfski series, breaking world records for paddler numbers. It is the number one city in the world to live in if you’re passionate about the sport.

“Durban is the best place in the world to paddle. We have warm water year round and no real winter to speak of. For novice paddlers, the Durban Bay is a sanctuary to kick off learning the sport, and for the hard-core extreme paddler, Durban also provides some of the best downwind surf one can find. It’s this amazing environment that has aided the growth of the sport,” explains Barry Lewin, a Jeep Team-sponsored athlete, who is also one of South Africa’s top surfski paddlers, and organiser for Durban’s Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series and the Bay Union Surfski Series.

Describing how it all began, Lewin said the sport first took off in Durban in 2001 when the Winter Surfski Series, run by Billy Harker, hit the scene. Before this, surfski was considered more of a fun hobby than a professional sport.

Says Lewin, “Under Harker’s management, people started taking surfski seriously, with paddler numbers doubling from 100 to 200 in the first year of the series. In 2003, 525 paddlers took part in the series, and saw Durban break the Guinness World Record for the biggest entry for a domestic surfski event.”

Durban-born Lewin is an accomplished river marathon and surfski paddler, with a number of local and international titles to his name. Notable achievements include winning the Liffey Descent in Ireland on his first attempt back in 2007, as well as breaking the 25-year-old K1 record a year later at Australia’s Avon Descent. But it is back home in Durban where his passion and dedication to the development of surfski has really grown the sport in recent years.

Lewin has been instrumental in developing Durban’s young talent, having founded South Africa’s first surfski development programme for underprivileged youth, as well as launching Durban’s first surfski school in 2006. The development programme, now managed by Lewin’s dad, Mark Lewin, has produced a number of the country’s top paddlers, including Sthembiso Mbatha, who represented South Africa at the 2011 Surfski World Cup, and is now a coach at the school.

Says Lewin, “It all started with a small surfski school in Durban to teach people how to paddle in the sea. The joy of sharing my passion for the ocean and sport is extremely rewarding. The school is the perfect way to try out the sport. Coaches include myself as well as some of Durban’s top paddlers, including Wade Krieger and Sthembiso Mbatha. Schools travel from across KwaZulu-Natal to take part in our clinics.”

Lewin’s success with the Surfski School led to him taking over management in 2010 of Durban’s premier summer surfski event – the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series. Under his leadership, the series attracted major sponsorship from Varsity College in 2010, and then from banking giant, FNB in 2015.  Since then, the series has grown into the world’s biggest surfski event, attracting record entries every year.

 “The Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series is special because it is also an event aimed at developing young surfski talent in Durban. Every year, the final race in the 10-part series doubles as the Varsity College FNB South African Schools Surfski Championships. This places Durban on the map globally as the premier hotspot for up-and-coming surfski talent.

Other major surfski events now taking place in Durban include the winter Bay Union Surfski Series (April – May 2016), which is also organised by Lewin; the Durban Downwind from 25 – 26 June 2016, which also doubles as a World Surfski Series event; and the Wall and Back Surfski Series (October – December 2016). Surf’s Up Durban!

#JeepTeamSA

Editors’ Notes

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

I spoke with Prof EN Barkhuizen from the Talent Management Blueprint Conference and asked her for some of the Key Takeout’s from the conference held on 16th and 17th of October which unpacked Talent Management and Organisational Energy and behaviour

‘Are we making a Difference? ’Was her biggest question for Industry Leaders.

‘There are Only about 100 scientific publications on talent management. ‘There are 32, 4 million people aged between 15 and 64 years (working age population) in South Africa.

Of these 13, 1 million (40%) were employed and 4, 5 million (3, 8%) were unemployed.

This report further pointed out that 41, 0% of the unemployed were students

15, 0% were discouraged work seekers.

38 236 doctors and 5 560 dentists.

The doctor-to-population ratio is estimated to be 0.77 per 1 000.

But because the vast majority of GPs – 73% – work in the private sector, there is just one practicing doctor for every 4 219 people.

(Source: RSA.info, 2014)

From the above stats, it is apparent that we clearly need to become more Talent Intelligent.

Other staggering Stats from hashtag Marius Meyer were the following:         

Human Capital is the biggest concern for CEOs (PwC).        

Only 18% of CEOs feel confident that they have the right people in place to execute strategy (CEB).        

Human Capital is the biggest risk in business (HCI Africa).        

Skills crisis is the top obstacle to economic growth.        

Strikes cost SA R 200 million+ per day.        

SA losing R12 billion a year due to absenteeism.        

Only 19% auditors feel they use HR optimally (CG Index – Institute of Internal Auditors)        

Only 5% employees understand business strategy.        

World-wide 13% of employees actively engaged.        

Companies with engaged employees outperform others by 202% (Dale Carnegie).

Companies with good HR Practices outperform others by treating HR as critical business function, these companies are 105% more profitable.

Average ROI on wellness programmes: 300%.

‘So what do we do about all this? ‘I asked like Dr Lynne Derman, who is a renowned expert in the field of organisational energy and whose Doctoral Study was the first to investigate organizational energy in the South African context.’

‘I am passionate about employee well being, in fact managing talent effectively gives business a competitive advantage.

Aligning Talent Management with Business Strategy is imperative. It is equally important to be equipped with the correct tools‘.

For more information on individual and organisational well-being visit goldfish-consulting

Link: http://goldfish-consulting.co.za/services/talent-management

Darren August takes us through a few of the experiences and relationships with his own teachers, growing up, which changed his life. He retells the stories of others too, and will surely awaken your school memories. As an experienced motivator, the book leaves not only teachers encouraged to inspire others, but everyone else will feel inspired to reach their potential and live their calling too. 

This book offers a few giggles as we see things from the perspective of a child, but is mostly introspective of the role we play in the way in which children perceive themselves. Teachers and parents will find it particularly motivating – with practical ways you could change young lives, for good. 

This book is a great resource. It’s a celebration of teachers, as instrumental parts of society – it will definitely have you thinking of the teachers that have impacted your life. Scheduled for release in October 2014 – this book is set to motivate every South African reader to once again restore the dignity of ‘The Noblest Profession”. 

About the Author 

Darren August is the Founder and CEO of Dazz Consulting – A dynamic training organisation committed to seeing people thrive and succeed.He is a Corporate Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Entrepreneur, Radio Host & former Lecturer.He is passionate about Life; People and Education and together with his wife – Arlene, they believe in maximizing every opportunity to impact the lives of others. 

To order, for interview requests and other queries, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.