The legendary wave at Mavericks is a notorious beast, where some of the most famous rides in history have been claimed off the Northern Californian coast. Heading to tame the infamous wave, Nic Von Rupp lined up a trip of his dreams and along the way managed to pull of a historical feat that few before him have conquered. Mavericks is a raging A-frame wave with a chunky lip that is challenging and fast, even for the world’s best big wave surfers. Famously a left, the cold-water spot can produce a rare left and it was this challenge that Nic set his sights: “On my way to Mavericks, the only thing I could think of was going left out there.. that wave has so much potential, probably the meanest, biggest paddle approachable slab around. After 3 sessions out there, I quickly saw my dream of slipping into one of these beasts diminishing. So much risk involved.. you gotta be under it, dodging 20ft sets.. seems like all the energy of the right bends into the left and dumps into edge of the ledge. You get pounded, you go to deep dark places, scraping for your life. What about trying to knife a 9.9 into a steep ledge like this. But that’s what makes it special.”- Nic Von Rupp YouTube: https://youtu.be/AQHXXw_prlA CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. . . .
Making it Easy to Find Therapists and Nearby Mental Health Services
Cape Town, March, 14, 2019: There are many barriers to mental health services throughout the world. Stigma (awkwardness at approaching doctors), limited public awareness, lack of resources, prohibitive costs, and challenges around finding the right service, and even phone number, are real. The internet has helped many by offering a private way to reach out that sidesteps the need first to overcome one's reluctance to share embarrassing and personal details with your doctor. Unsurprisingly, more and more people turn to the internet to find nearby therapists and clinics. Unfortunately, many of the directories and online resource lists available are plagued by problems. They are often managed by people outside of the mental health profession and hence are prone to misrepresenting critical aspects of the field. Others prove unreliable in that they contain outdated information or run on ancient technology that renders them difficult to navigate. TherapyRoute.com, a South African start-up, is changing this by developing a sophisticated online global platform that automatically displays your nearest therapists and other mental health service providers. The database includes clinicians and providers from all around the world. Search results are cleverly listed by distance from the visitor and are easily refined. TherapyRoute.com founder, Enzo Sinisi notes that "many people looking for services don’t know what kind of help they need. Reaching out can be confusing, and this is why we have placed a huge focus on developing an easy and relevant search that does not offer a ton of intimidating options". Results can be refined by the kind of therapist, the client group, issues treated and, perhaps most importantly, language. Communicating in your mother tongue can make therapy less daunting. The site also indicates which providers offer online services and allows users to filter results by private and non-profit facilities. According to Sinisi, "for a directory to truly . . .
Premium Eating Disorder Treatment Facility Opened in Cape Town
Cape Town, January, 31, 2019: EDSA is an outpatient treatment centre for individuals with eating disorders or who have suffered from various forms of trauma. The centre will open in Constantia Cape Town in March at 8, Klein Constantia Road under the Recovery Direct banner. “I wanted a central location so we can reach as many people as possible,” says marketing manager Doug Kemp, who has a played an intergral role in the establishment of the Recovery Direct treatment centres for non-12step addiction treatment facilities. Though treating eating disorders will be a particular focus, Kemp says he wants the centre to be “for any person that has trauma that they’re wanting to work through.” That could be a physical trauma or something that’s manifested as anxiety, anger or depression. Kemp says that healing trauma that’s been stored in a person’s body “is something that is new in the field and far more innovative and constructive and effective than the majority of treatments presently offered within the industry in South Africa.” Staff members will include a variety of professionals, such as psychologists, dieticians, nurse practitioners, psychotherapists that are what Kemp calls a “trauma-informed” specialists in their field. The centre will have a soft opening in early March 2019. Updates can be found on the dedicated Eating Disorders Website or on the following pages associated to the Eating disorders community in South Africa. (Residential ED private care treatment centre) (National ED awareness programme and outpatient help centre) (Free dedicated national help line) "The distinctions between Recovery Direct Eating disorder residential programme and the other residential treatment programmes offered in South Africa are that Recovery Direct's centres do not follow the 12 step treatment model. Recovery Direct's focus is on delivering far more intensive evidence based (one on one treatment sessions) via the registered psychologists and . . .
Freeride Mountain Biking – DarkFEST Returns
DarkFEST Episode III - Return of the Send Vuurberg Farm, Stellenbosch - We’re calling on you to join the action as DarkFEST announces its return to South Africa for the third episode of pure freeride mountain biking mayhem. All set to hit Stellenbosch in February 2019, DarkFEST is an action-packed event, with huge sends, brutal slams and massive hits with the best crew in MTB. Fronted by bossman Same Reynolds and his legendary build team consisting of Belgian trail building specialist Nico Vink and all-round Austrian powerhouse Clemens Kaudela, all have one common goal, to go bigger than ever before, if that's even possible. The year of 2019 is set to be kicked off in high gear, with some gnarly new additions planned to this already mammoth course. Sam and the boys will begin remodelling the Vuurberg farm in early January to prepare for the arrival of the invited riders and the insanity that’s sure to follow. DarkFEST dates will run through the first week of February 2019 with more public days and additional viewing sessions throughout. If you can make it out to Stellenbosch to witness the shred, bookmark the 8th and 9th of February in your calendars. The public days at DarkFEST don't disappoint either, if you want to get a taste of the excitement. "We're inviting some of the worlds best riders again, many returning faces from last year and maybe a couple other legends as well," - Sam Reynolds. The full list of riders is to be announced soon. For now we can confirm: Sam Reynolds (GB) Adolf Silva (ES) Ethan Nell (USA) Tom Vam Steenbergen (CAN) Brendan Faiclough (GB) Theo Erlangson (ZA) "We always want to make it bigger and better and it was already pretty damn big and pretty damn good last year, so it's going to be a real challenge to make something better than that. We are totally up for it and I know I've got the two guys for the job!" Sam Reynolds. So there you have it, the 2019 edition of DarkFEST is locked and loaded and . . .
Mental Health First: Preparing for the Holidays
While many experiences the year ending as a time filled with exciting thoughts of the upcoming holidays' others have an entirely different experience. For some, it’s filled with the dread of being exposed to the hole left by the absence of work while others are confronted with memories of lost loved one and better years. There are many things which can taint our experience of the holidays. Fortunately, all of them can be worked through or managed, and therapy helps. If you have the sense that this might apply to you, then now is the time to plan and set up the support you’ll need. First prize is to have a schedule that ensures you spend time with people who love you and who can be there for you. If this is not available, you need more, or can’t bear the thought of leaning on others; there is still time to arrange professional help. Establishing contact with a therapist is enormously helpful, even if you can’t begin sessions immediately. Merely knowing that you have started looking into a healing process or book a meeting for next year can produce enough hope and relief to carry you through. But where does one find this help? If you have access to private medical care, then you can consider approaching your GP and asking them to refer you to a counsellor or psychologist in your area. Those who don’t have such access can visit their local community clinic and ask the attending sister to please place you on the psychology waiting list or to refer you to a nearby clinic that can provide the necessary help. The very idea of approaching a doctor or sister is often so daunting that some people never take this first step. If this applies to you, you’ll be happy to know that several websites help you find the services you need. TherapyRoute.com is a good place to start. This platform includes informative articles, lists private practices as well as non-profit and community service facilities, automatically displays the services nearest to you and helps you . . .
Calling all teachers: Show our forests some love and win a trip to Rome!
JOHANNESBURG, DECEMBER 3, 2018 - Trees are very important as they provide our planet with essential environmental services while also giving us jobs, products and fun. To celebrate the many fantastic things about forests, both natural and planted, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is running a competition ahead of International Day of Forests on 21 March 2019. The prize: a trip to Rome! According to FAO, "the 2019 theme for the International Day of Forests is ‘Forests and Education’ and we want the world to know how you educate children and youth about the importance of trees and forests. Today, when more than half the world’s population lives in cities and are increasingly disconnected from nature, it is more essential than ever to bring an understanding and awareness of forests and their benefits into children’s lives at an early age.” FAO is inviting teachers, educators and parents to produce and submit a short one-minute video that shows how you impart a better understanding about the importance of forests and trees for our planet’s future. This could be a video of a traditional class, nature walk into a wooded area or plantation, a local park with trees, an artwork, a song or music lesson or even an exercise class. The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) and Forestry South Africa have put together some resources with specific facts on the South African forestry and forest product sector. Visit the special page on www.forestryexplained.co.za for more information. Deadline for entries is 15 December 2018. (We recognise that this is after schools break up for the SA summer holidays. It could however be a fun activity for these last few weeks of school.) How do I enter? To enter the contest, just follow these steps: Make a short video that shows how you teach children and youth about the importance of forests. The video should not exceed 1 minute and can be produced with any professional or non-professional device . . .
2018 World Rallycross Champion Kristoffersson Wins Season Finale in South Africa
Killarney - Continuing the form that has seen the 29-year-old ace take two consecutive World RX Drivers’ Championship titles, and win every race this year except for one (round three in Belgium); Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson romped to victory at every wheel turn at the 2018 World RX of South Africa. In all, Johan was one win short of a perfect score weekend - netting three qualifying race victories - ranking him as top qualifier overall - followed by a semi final and final victory at the Killarney Raceway in Cape Town. “What can I say? Winning is what we are here for,” said Johan about the victory. “This win really means a lot – and I know I’ve said that every time I’ve won a race, but it’s really true! When you come to the last race of the season, it’s really important to go to the winter with a win. We all know you’re only as good as your last result, so to start round one in 2019 off the back of this is nice.” Talking more about his incredible year, Kristoffersson revealed one disappointment. “Winning 11 from 12 is really nice – makes me a little bit frustrated about [World RX of] Belgium where [Sébastien] Loeb won – but that 100 per cent record gives us something to work towards next year!” joked the champion. “To make nine wins in nine races is also something special for me. I remember watching Sebastian Vettel winning the last nine races of the 2013 [Formula 1] season and just thinking how incredible that feeling must be, to have so much success in one season. And now I have done just that. Unbelievable. I will never forget this season, it’s such a special one.” Unfortunately for teammate Petter Solberg, his run of 2018 bad luck continued in South Africa, despite blistering performances throughout the weekend. Qualifying fourth overall, Petter went on to win semifinal two and lock out the front row of the event’s main final alongside Johan. However a spin, and contact with rival Timmy Hansen, on lap two of the final ended the triple world . . .
SITA Invests in 7th School Computer Lab at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha
SITA invests in 7th school computer Lab at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha - Khayelitsha, Cape Town - on the 28th of September 2018, the SITA South Africa team joined the learners and teachers at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town to celebrate the opening of their new SITA ICT Lab. The Academia Primary ICT Lab is the seventh school Lab funded by SITA, the worlds leading air transport IT and communications specialist, and the first time they have invested in an ICT Lab in a primary school and in the Western Cape of South Africa. Khayelitsha is one of the poorest areas of Cape Town with 70% of the residents living in shacks and 40% being under the age of 19. Academia Primary educates 557 primary school children and attains a strong pass rate making it an appealing school within this impoverished community. For this reason SITA chose to build the 7th SITA ICT Lab here with the help of Melisizwe consulting- Computer Lab Project Managers. The state of the art ICT Lab with 40 new PC’s, a smart board and academic software was revealed to staff, learners and Cape district of education delegates alongside sponsors SAA and SITA. Suren Naidoo, Senior Manager Customer Services at SITA, addressed the gathering highlighting the importance of investing in the education of the youth to provide access to critical IT skills much needed to develop the economy of South Africa. Suren noted he hoped to see some of the learners attending the ceremony working in the aerospace sector one day. Bruce Croza, head of IT at SAA, a longtime partner and customer of SITA encouraged the learners to bring their passion and innovation to their use of the new ICT Lab as this Lab is only the start of the technological journey for these young children. Tech education will be vital to enabling the kids of Khayelitsha, and their community, to rise above their circumstances and embrace the fourth industrial revolution with confidence. Around the world, nearly . . .
Final Day Of The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS – All The Results.
Final Day Of The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS – All The Results. Event: Billabong Junior Series Status: WSL JQS 1,000 rated events for U18 Boys & Girls, SAST events for U16 & U14 Boys & Girls, and U12 Boys & Girls. Venue: Seal Point, Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Dates: September 28 – 30. Seal Point, Cape St Francis – Breezy onshore conditions and a slight surge in swell greeted competitors on the final day of competition at the Billabong Junior Series Finale, and the first heat of the day – the U12 Girls Final was sent straight out. Gabi Herbst was the surfer of the morning with a few incredible rides in the mixed up conditions, including an 8.0 ride for the title. Sarah Scott was the runner up. Kai Hall was the champion in the U12 Boys final, banking one huge score for two critical turns on a big set wave for a score of 9.33 and an unassailable lead, closely followed by Joel Fowles who surfed impressively on his backhand. The U14 Girls division was a slow heat, with low scores and at the end of the heat it was Aimee Du Preez who emerged as the winner, with Olivia Winter in second place. Luke Thompson caught 11 waves in his Final heat to defeat James Ribbink in what was an exciting and fast U14 Boys heat. Thompson’s strategy of hard and fast surfing, catch anything that moves proved to be the winning formula, with Ribbink Daniel Emslie and Brad Scott filling up the minor slots. As the tide dropped out and the onshore waves continued to pour through relentlessly, the U16 Girls headed out for their final, and it was an action-packed exchange, with three of the girls on their backhand and one on her forehand. Zoe Steyn emerged victorious with a safe win against her counterparts, with Kayla Nogueira, Ceara Knight and Caroline Brown in second, third and fourth respectively. The U16 Boys was another final dogged by few sets and low scores, with Tide-Lee Ireland snagging the win from York Van Jaarsveldt with a . . .
Excellent Surf For Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS
Event: Billabong Junior Series Status: WSL JQS 1,000 rated events for U18 Boys & Girls, SAST events for U16 & U14 Boys & Girls, and U12 Boys & Girls. Venue: Seal Point, Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Dates: September 28 – 30. Seal Point, Cape St Francis – Excellent three-foot waves with offshore conditons greeted the surfers on day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series Finale pres. by BOS, and the Pro Junior divisions were sent straight out in the early morning light. It was high action from the get-go, and Bryce Du Preez and Calvin Goor were the Men’s standouts along with Ceara Knight and Zoe Steyn in the Women’s division. Steyn was awarded a 9,33 out of a possible 10 points for her best ride, in which she executed a series of radical turns along the inside, ending up on the rocks. “I just saw such a good section on that wave and managed to hook it all the way past the rocks,” said Steyn. “There wasn’t priority at that stage so I had to hussle a bit to get that wave.” In the U14 Boys James Ribbink dominated his heat and although it was a bit wave-starved he banked two good scores for the heat win. “There weren’t too many waves out there in that heat, so I got an insider just to quickly open up my score,” said Ribbink. “Then I saw another decent looking wave and paddled further out and got it. I managed a couple of carves on it and so had two decent scores quite early on in the heat.” Ribbink advanced along with Connor Slijpen. Other surfers who shone in this division were Christian Venter, an on-form Daniel Emslie, and Brad Scott. Ribbink went on to win his semifinal and will compete in the U14 Final tomorrow. In the highly competitive U16 Boys division Mitch Du Preez and York Van Jaarsveldt advanced to the Final, leaving Aya Gericke and Josh Daniel in their wake. The second Semifinal in this division was a close affair, with Tide-Lee Ireland winning ahead of Reilly Mare. Sam Bennie and Nathan Perris were both eliminated in the . . .
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