Youth and energy versus age and experience

Posted on 3 May 2010

Having returned the favour and tormented Jay Ribbink for the past few days, the C2C4C team has finally been able to free up some time and have a meaningful debate. With the jet ski team consisting of young bucks Russ Symcox and Barry Lewin, and ballies Lance Klusener, Mark Addison and Jason Ribbink (haha!!), the ‘youth and energy’ versus ‘age and experience’ debate has predictably, although belatedly, made an appearance.

It all began when dot-see-oh-dot-zed-ay Barry Lewin shared his ‘ballie power’ theory – that somehow, and for some unknown reason, you gain extra strength reserves when you cross that unquantifiable line into balliehood. There is some justification to this theory – alpha ballie Lance (Klusener) is probably in better shape than he was in his playing days, having recently completed the Two Oceans marathon. Lance has been quietly holding his own, although his ability and stamina may have more to do with the 16 hours of sleep he has each night, and less to do with this mysterious ‘ballie power’.

Mark Addison is another ‘ballie power’ case study – after seven grueling days of riding I have not heard him complain once about how sore or tired he is. His only complaint was originally thought to be a medical one – toothache in one of his molars. An emergency visit to the dentist in East London would reveal one of the strangest injuries I have ever encountered – strained tooth ligaments! Molars must not be part of the ‘ballie power’ deal.

The third and final ballie, Jay Ribbink, is a real threat to the credence of Lewin’s ‘ballie power’ hypothesis. A few days back, at The Estuary in Port Edward, Jay and I were involved in a highly intellectual post-dinner conversation. Our witty banter and amusing repartee were obviously not mentally stimulating enough for the old chap as he fell asleep mid-sentence. No jokes. He has since insisted that he is a narcoleptic. He has also claimed to be “big in PE (Port Elizabeth)”. How do you take this man seriously?

As the jet ski team near the halfway mark of their 2800km journey (on the way to Mossel Bay tomorrow, 3 May, they will pass the 1400km mark), the entire group was lucky enough to be victims of some extreme Eastern Cape hospitality. The evening of 2 May was spent at Plett local Wayne Craig’s Off The Hook Seafood Caf, where he hosted a CANSA fundraising fish braai. As a result of the hard work of Wayne, and his friends, family and staff, they were able to make a donation of almost R5000 to CANSA. Thanks guys, your contribution has not gone unnoticed!

Brian and Liz Phillips, the owners of the magnificent Fynbos Ridge, were kind enough to allow the C2C4C team to rest their weary heads at their beautiful cottages, situated up a valley just 10 minutes South of Plett. The cottages and B&B, which are nestled in picturesque fynbos-covered hills, are nothing short of 5*. The main building (where the B&B is) is built to the exact specifications of the original farmhouse, and the self-catering cottages are outfitted with anything you might need to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing holiday. Hosts Brian and Liz, and manager Martin, really went out of their way to ensure that we had all the warmth and nourishment we could handle! If decisions made on this expedition were democratic, the C2C4C team would be enjoying a second night in luxurious comfort, instead of waking up before dawn and traipsing down to the beach in the mist and dark to embark on the second half of our epic expedition. Coup d’tat, anyone?






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