Local adventure couple geared up for Trans Agulhas

The Trans Agulhas inflatable boat race is not known as the toughest in the world for nothing.

Stretching over five days and 700 kilometres between Plettenberg Bay and Gordons Bay in the Western Cape, local adventure couple Reghard and Dagmar Roets will be representing KZN in this famous race for its 31st edition.

The Ballito business owner entered last year for the first time with entrepreneur Kevin Mackridge as co-pilot and the pair finished in a well-deserved second place in the novice category.

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Dagmar filled the position of co-pilot shortly thereafter and together the couple raced the national series finishing in third.

She is no stranger to adventure water sport having competed in breathhold freediving both locally – earning the title as South African Champion – as well as internationally, where she represented SA at the world championships in Hawaii.

Her love for water as well as endurance sport has allowed her to get comfortable in this male dominated extreme sport racing a high speed inflatable boat on the ocean.

The couple follows a strict training regime as the sport can be brutal and they can often be seen keeping their boat fitness fresh with some low flying in their Infanta inflatable just behind the backline.

A typical practice run would be from Tinley to Amanzimtoti and back.

“On a smooth day this can be done in under two hours but we expect to double that when the sea gets rough,” said Reghard.

The Trans Agulhas Race kicks off on December 28 in Plett and the finish is a different town every day.

Overnight stops will occur in Mosselbay, Stilbaai, Struisbaai, Gansbaai and finally Gordonsbay on consecutive days with the infamous Motul King of the surf race every afternoon entertaining the huge crowds.

A highlight for many is the daunting night race at Struisbaai where competitors race a triangle course after nightfall braving speeds of up to 100km/h while negotiating everything the ocean can throw at them.

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