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Living life imperfectly, with great delight, every single day.

Building up to full compression! Ernst is retired

Building up to full compression! Ernst is retired now, but what a mega competitor he was in his many years of racing. When he shakes your hand it remains shaken for days.
#wheelchairsports #paracycling

60mm of rain turned the route to rivers the day be

60mm of rain turned the route to rivers the day before—then race morning arrived cool, crisp, and ideal. Golden Gate Highlands National Park showed off in moody perfection: riders winding through golden grasslands, weaving beneath sandstone cliffs, pushing over steep climbs. Light, landscape, and raw effort in perfect sync. A photographer’s dream. #MalutiDouble90

The 42km route of the Cape Town Cycle Tour is not

The 42km route of the Cape Town Cycle Tour is not about speed.

It’s about starting a cycling career, or even resuming one. It’s about community, fun, and ‘the vibe’. It’s about growing the sport of cycling and giving people the motivation to perhaps step up to the longer version of the tour—but only if they want to. No pressure, no pointing fingers. Not here.

No one really cares who is first across the finish line of the 42km tour, except the person who was, and that’s what makes it so joyous.

After this, the third iteration of the 42km cycle tour, I think we can call the concept a massive success.

For the past 8 or 9 years, I’ve had the stressfu

For the past 8 or 9 years, I’ve had the stressful honour of being the photographer tasked with capturing the elite women’s race at the Cape Town Cycle Tour. It’s a whirlwind of pressure and adrenaline.

The race kicks off in Fish Hoek shortly after 6:00am, when the sky is just light enough for the Commissaires to deem it safe to ride. But for my cameras it’s still pitch dark, so cue the technical tricks and some creative problem-solving to make the photos useable, and if all else fails, make the image black and white and call it art.

My moto rider and I have a rhythm: ride a kilometre ahead of the riders, stop, shoot, and then charge past the team cars and peloton to do it all over again. Rinse and repeat. But make sure every shot counts because you have no more than 10 chances. The pressure is real.

Speaking of moto riders—these guys have what the kids call ‘the skillz’. Safety is non-negotiable, and as a biker myself, I’m in awe of what they can do on two wheels while a large lump of photographer is perched behind them.

Once we hit the top of Suikerbossie, we leave the race behind and make a dash for the finish line to wait for the winners.

What’s the best part of the day? Being inside the race. Being able to watch Pia Grünewald break away at Smitswinkel Bay, while her team masterfully controlled the peloton, was pure joy. The dilemma that comes with it? Do I photograph the breakaway or the chase? Spoiler: I probably spent too much time concentrating on Pia.

This may be my job— but I’m so aware that it’s a massive privilege. To witness the grit, strategy, and sheer power of these women up close is something I’ll never take for granted. So here’s to the riders, the moto crew, and the magic of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
#ctcycletour

A Friday flashback to the Discovery Triathlon Worl

A Friday flashback to the Discovery Triathlon World Cup in Cape Town on the 11th February 2018. Nothing like a win from Richard Murray to get the home fans going crazy.

I had to fight for this photo because I wasn't allowed to balance on the top of the scaffolding and look through the camera eyepiece. I ended up using a long monopod, a remote trigger and a lot of faith that I'd pointed the camera in the right direction.
#triathlonsouthafrica #ituworldtriathlon #ituworldcup #swimbikerun

Twice the heat, twice the ice cold beer. It's a ru

Twice the heat, twice the ice cold beer.
It's a rule.

Back on the boats today. Average conditions for a

Back on the boats today. Average conditions for a Robben Island swim
Straight out of camera photo. Sony A1.
#sonya1 #sonyalpha #swimphotography #coldwaterswimming #islandedcape

Another morning in paradise. Robben Island to Big

Another morning in paradise. Robben Island to Big Bay, 7.2km and the water is a chilly 12 degrees. #coldwaterswimming #iceswimming #robbenisland #capetownmag

Another plot of land sold this morning. A combinat

Another plot of land sold this morning.
A combination of a tiny rock and dusty trail took his wheel out in a nano second. No harm done though.

Have rock, will ride it. #singletrack #mtbenduro

Have rock, will ride it.

#singletrack #mtbenduro #mtblife

Very early #lightbru at Oak Valley. . #mtblife #oa

Very early #lightbru at Oak Valley.
.
#mtblife #oakvalleymtb #singletrack

When the trail hands you a dirty cocktail, you toa

When the trail hands you a dirty cocktail, you toast to the ride. 'Here's mud in yer eye'.

This photo from a few years ago.
#MTB #MountainBikingVibes #DirtAndGrit #TrailTales

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Throwback

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Throwback to when world-class fields lit up our local triathlons! Who remembers these big names? Drop your favorite memories below! 👇

#Triathlon #TriLife #SwimBikeRun #Triathlete #TriTraining #TriCommunity

The entry speed was insane, and he took the perfec

The entry speed was insane, and he took the perfect line, just not for that corner. No harm done to @luke_moir_ and no panic or anger from him. He only lost 30 seconds thanks to my ‘heroic’ one man rescue mission🤣
#big5mtbchallenge #mtb #otb #mountainbike #singletrack

Those early morning swim shoots are always worth i

Those early morning swim shoots are always worth it. Even 2:00am pitch dark mornings can produce the goodies. All the photos can be had at https://photofrog.co.za/buy/wedlz
#OpenWaterSwimming #WildSwimming #SwimLife #OutdoorSwimming #SwimAdventures

Sometimes, the early wake-up call is worth it—ev

Sometimes, the early wake-up call is worth it—even when your Garmin bluntly tells you, “No sleep data recorded last night.” My alarm went off at 2:00 AM, and by 3:30 AM, I was on the boat on Langebaan Lagoon, shooting the 12km swim start.
The lagoon was perfectly still, with no wind or mist, and as the swimmers reached the turnaround at the famous Preekstool in the Westcoast National Park, the sky was slowly beginning to transform. The typical African sunrise that followed was nothing short of spectacular, briefly painting the horizon a gorgeous gold.
It’s mornings like these that remind me why I love what I do and that I’m often lucky enough to be part of something better than the sleep I sacrifice.

#OpenWaterSwimming #WildSwimming #SwimLife #OutdoorSwimming #SwimAdventures

Shooting fashion and scrambling around to find the

Shooting fashion and scrambling around to find the only available natural light in a grandstand basement.

I guess that’s one way to stop your swimming cap

I guess that’s one way to stop your swimming cap from slipping off the back of your head.
#openwaterswimming #swimmingbloopers #coldwaterswimming

I took this photo of Swedish cycling rock star @je

I took this photo of Swedish cycling rock star @jenniestenerhag 6 years ago today. It still gives me serious Stellenbosch summer feels. Jennie has since retired, but the trails are just as good.
#dirtopia

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