While the crowd at Mr Price King’s Park watch the Sharks take on the Cheetahs in sultry Durban summer weather conditions this Saturday, intrepid South African adventurer and popular author, Riaan Manser, will be freezing his butt off at the very same rugby ground.
How does that work? Well, as the players sweat it out in the opening round of the Super Rugby tournament, Manser will have to endure temperatures of close to -20C in a refrigerated trailer set up at King’s Park – all for a good cause.
Picture: Riaan Manser (right) and Serco Industries managing director, Clinton Holcroft, in the near completed refrigerated trailer. Picture by Greg Dardagan.
Then on Sunday he starts a week-long journey which will see him travel in the icy conditions all the way to Newlands in Cape Town arriving in time for next weekend’s Stormers/Lions clash . . . after which he exits the ice box!
Manser (37) is using the trip to raise awareness about his next adventure – kayaking around Iceland, a journey of close to 5000km – but the main purpose of the experience is to raise money for the No Food for Lazyman Trust; he has started to buy sporting equipment for less privileged schoolchildren.
“I hope to raise funds through radio interviews I’ll be doing but also direct from the public at places we stop at along the route to Cape Town. I think we spend our first night in Port Shepstone.
Enormous challenge
“Dan Skinstad – younger brother of former Springbok and now television commentator Bobby – will be my doubles partner on the kayaking experience in Iceland. Dan suffers from cerebral palsy so it will be an enormous challenge for both him and me,” said Manser.
“Dan and I have had two kayak training sessions together but we aim to get a whole lot more in before starting the Iceland adventure towards the end of March.”
It’s estimated the trip will take them between three and four months and – if they make it – they’ll be the first South Africans to achieve the feat.
Skinstad will join Manser in the trailer at Newlands on the last day of the “fridge sit-in”.
Manser has previously cycled right the way around Africa – a 37 000-km journey which took him two years, two months and 15 days, leading to his book: Around Africa on my Bicycle, which has to date sold more than 45 000 copies worldwide.
Modified
He has also kayaked around Madagascar – a 4 400-km trip he completed in 11 months and resulted in Around Madagascar in my Kayak, with sales topping the 20 000 mark.
Serco managing director, Clinton Holcroft said his company – which manufactures refrigerated trucks and trailers – had modified one of its trailers to suit Manser’s project. “We have cut some big windows into the trailer and installed a shower and toilet.
“There’s also a separate dry section which is cold, but not quite as freezing as the fridge area, where Riaan can get some sleep without icing up too deeply as well as being able to use electrical equipment. Cycling and rowing exercise gear will be available for Riaan to keep up his fitness levels,” said Holcroft.
“I think people want to know about the excitement and adventure stemming from Riaan’s exploits so what we are doing is a series of customer breakfasts in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town at which he will be our guest speaker using the theme: Be Inspired.
“I think the association with Riaan links in well in terms of all of us setting new goals and motivating ourselves to do better,” said Holcroft.
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Manser said he thought the experience of being in the deep freeze trailer was going to be tough. “I’m nervous, really nervous, but I have to stick it out. I’m doing this for the trust and all deserving young sports people.
“I’ll have a TV in the trailer but no dish so I’m really worried that I won’t be able to watch the rugby on Saturday although I’ll be right there.”
The public will be able to follow Manser’s progress on his interactive website
* Manser’s “fridge trailer” will be set up on the outer fields at Mr Price King’s Park on Saturday and the public is encouraged to visit and give him support. He’s promised to wear a Sharks jersey!