Ex-Toti contender wins RV reality show

Ex-Toti resident, Byron Branfield and his teammate and compatriot, Deanna Grace have won the Survivor-style reality TV series they’ve been competing in.

RV Rampage is a 10-part travel reality series, pitting five international selected couples against each other to compete in a series of challenges as they explore New Zealand. Itconcluded on the travel channel on DStv on Friday, 6 June.

Throughout the trip, they lived and travelled in RVs (motorhomes) and were given no information about where they were going and no clue as to what challenges they would undertake.

“It was a wonderful surprise (to win),” said Byron.

“We were leading from episode three, only to lose the lead at the very last minute by going to the wrong bungee location.

I honestly did not think we could come back from that, but luckily we made the right decision by going back to where we started the day before and managed to bolt to the flags in good time.

The pinks had done so well in the final, but their mistake cost them dearly.

The whole experience was unreal and a rollercoaster ride of emotions, so to win was just the ending we had been fighting for.”

In light of the early lead, Byron said they expected to win, but this changed when they were told it was going be a popularity contest. That reset the game and introduced a wildcard option.

“Deanna and I as a team got along very well with the rest of the group, but because we were winning so much, it can make you a target.

I personally helped the contestants as much as possible through each challenge. As I am competitive I want my best to be matched up against someone else’s best, so if I could help them be better I would.

I hoped this would show through in the end, which I think it did.”

According to Byron the lows of the show were the heights and having a camera in his face for 16 hours every day.

“Close quarter RV living also took its toll,” he said.

“During filming, your life was not your own and I am not a fan of being told what I can or can’t do, so things came to a head a few times.

Every location had its highlights. The ones that stood out for me was learning the Haka on sacred ground. You just got this feeling of great honour and respect. New Zealand is rich in culture and history, it is actually quite amazing.

I really enjoyed the white river rafting, not so much the challenge, but certainly the paddle home. We were stuck for light and literally had to paddle for our lives.

When we got back to base, all the production staff thought we were going to be angry, but when we arrived we were all screaming with excitement.

The show taught me that if you make a simple decision you can overcome anything. Decide to do it and nothing will stop you from doing it, no matter how scary it may seem.

New Zealand is a special place, it is truly blessed with so much beauty. Every bend presented a new painting to marvel over. My favourite place was Queenstown by far – a super cool and trendy town.

Byron has no plans to buy an RV after his experiences, but confessed he would hire one for a road trip, but limiting it to only two people per RV.

“I want to come home at the end of the year. I want to experience SA again after this trip, because I feel like I have changed in so many ways and will appreciate so much more about home and what it has to offer.

My folks and sister are still in Doonside, so I will definitely be visiting them in about October. I miss them so much.”