CHALLENGING AN OPTIMIST FOR CHARITY

UPDATE: ...............EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.....MAC 24 hour challenge has been called off. CITY OF CAPE TOWN 17 MARCH 2017 MEDIA RELEASE Rietvlei closed to public due to algae ...The City of Cape Town is temporarily closing the Rietvlei Water Area after a blue-green algal bloom was observed in the water on 16 March 2017.The Milnerton Aquatic Club’s 24-hour endurance sailing challenge, which was scheduled to take place at the Rietvlei Water Area tomorrow, 18 March and Sunday, 19 March 2017, has been cancelled as a result.....'Original Release:Greg Bertish and his dinghy The Little Optimist will be entering this year’s MAC (Milnerton Aquatic Club) 24 Challenge to raise funds for his two favourite charities, NSRI and The Children’s Hospital Trust. On 18^th and 19^th March Greg plans to sail for a full 24 hours, stopping only for bathroom breaks. To keep the pressure on, sailing legend Kuba Miszewski of Theewaters Sailing Club will be racing against him in a Mirror Dinghy. NSRI Melkbosstrand will once again be on the water backing up the safety boats.With a beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain in the distance, the MAC challenge is usually sailed in relay fashion with six or seven crew. Competitors as young as 6 years old have enjoyed the fun and camaraderie in this kind of competitive sailing. This year, Greg and Kuba will sail the full 24 hours alone and unaided. After sailing through the night they can look forward to beautiful early morning bird song and sightings of pelicans and flamingos as this is a conservation wetland.The first endurance race in South Africa was in 1983 when James Tutton sailed non stop for 24 hours in rain and winds of 15-20 knots at Zwartkops Yacht Club in the Eastern Cape. This was not an official race and sadly he was never recognized for this feat. The following year Ian Downing, a 16 year old from Milnerton, decided to follow suit. His Scoutmaster, Dutchie von Nieuwburg, encouraged him to make an event out of it. He completed 29 hours 38 minutes and 10 seconds and his effort was broadcast on SABC. Although never recognized by the Guinness Book of Records, this was an incredible achievement as at the age of 5 he had undergone open heart surgery.The parallels make this a very special event with Kuba being a scout master and Greg having undergone open heart surgery a number of times. This year is the 20^th anniversary of the MAC Challenge, the 50^th anniversary of NSRI and this is the year that Greg Bertish boldly took on the challenge to paint the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Red. Funds raised through this challenge will be split between NSRI’s brand new rescue base at Theewaterskloof Dam and the Children’s Hospital Trust, which advances child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.Sailing is a wonderful spectator sport so bring the family and come and enjoy the day (and night) with us. Pledge your support by making a donation to your favourite cause and help us raise funds for two of Cape Town’s much loved charities.Follow this link to help Greg and Kuba raise money for NSRI through their GivenGain campaign or make a deposit into the account of the The Children's Hospital Trust. Please send us your proof of payment so that we can thank you and PLEASE USE REF: 24hours-Name & SurnameGreg Bertish is a big wave surfer and a South African Champion Lifesaver and Stand Up Paddle Boarder. He is an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital Trust and the National Sea Rescue Institute,and founder of the Shark Spotter Program. He has helped raise over R2 million for these charities to date. He has achieved all of this as a Multiple Heart surgery survivor and patient. He continues to promote conservation, water safety, healthy living and optimism; He is supported and empowered by Warwick Wealth, to go out there and Just Do Good!The 20th MAC 24-HOUR CHALLENGE will take place onSaturday 18th of March 12 noon and end Sunday 19th March 12 noon. Prize giving on the Sunday at 14h30. Click here for more info.