Extreme Adventurers embark on Kitesurfing Odyssey powered by Kitesports

Two South African extreme sports enthusiasts will attempt to battle their way into the history books by kitesurfing a grueling 430km route down the East Coast of Africa.

The Unlimited Kitesurfing Expedition - Hailed as one of the most ambitious kitesurfing expeditions ever planned off the African coast - this epic voyage promises to be the ultimate contest between man and the elements.

During this thrilling endurance test, Durbanites, Zack Buchan (36) and Ross Walters (35) will set out from Ponto do Ouro in Southern Mozambique on Monday, 13 August – weather permitting – on an intense journey down to Durban. A straight line distance of 430 kilometers!

The intrepid pair is planning to kite for up to eight hours each day, covering between 70 and 100 kilometers depending on weather conditions.

If the conditions are favorable and their equipment holds up, they can potentially complete the journey in five days, but realistically it is expected to take between eight and ten days. “Your body really takes a beating in kitesurfing so this journey will be about endurance and pitting ourselves against the elements,” stated Buchan at a training session in Durban yesterday.

On a trip like this the equipment plays a vital role. When planning this expedition Zack and Ross contacted Kitesports for advice regarding what gear to use. The kiting gear will play a vital role during this expedition. Buchan and Walters chose Kitesports as their partner to organise and supply the best gear for this expedition. Kitesports is able to source the very latest in kitesurfing technology and is very proud to be a sponsor of the Unlimited Expedition.

Buchan and Walters will be using the Ozone Reo Wave kites and Xelerator Waveboards. The quiver consists of 8,10 and 12 Ozone Reo’s and 6’1 Xelerator Epic Waveboards. The Ozone Reo wave kites have a huge wind range are very fast, and extremely easy to ride. The Reo, being one of the best wave kites on the market, is extremely stable and with excellent downwind drift is the right choice for this expedition. The Xelerator waveboards are boards that have a lot of flex which make them very easy to ride in choppy conditions. Xelerator waveboards are also known for their durability, which is vital in an expedition like this.

In addition to fitness training, rigorous preparation has been required to ensure that the team is primed for all eventualities as the route presents numerous trials for kitesurfers. The most imminent threat will be losing a board or crashing a kite in big surf whilst on a rocky stretch of coastline. Added to this is the prevalence of marine life. Whilst the warmer waters off KwaZulu Natal are notorious for sharks, they will also have to contend with crocodiles while around the St Lucia estuary.

Safety is a priority and a support crew will be following the team from the land with GPS trackers, and will be able to communicate with them via two-way marine radios. The kitesurfers will also be equipped with electrical shark repellent units and they will each have an emergency beacon, which once activated transmits a mayday signal that will mobilise the nearest search and rescue operations. In addition, there will be an emergency evacuation helicopter on standby provided by Helivac.

“This journey has its dangers, and if one of us is seriously injured, just knowing that we have a direct line to Helivac and its helicopter emergency evacuation will give us peace-of-mind.” Buchan adds.
Follow the amazing journey of The Unlimited Kitesurfing Expedition with daily updates on Kitesports Kitesurfaris Latest News: The Unlimited Kite Expedition