From a single event in 2004, Michael Meyer, the director of Stillwater Sport & Entertainment, has built XTERRA South Africa into a lifestyle sports juggernaut with thousands of competitors, several big events and TV shows, major media coverage, and the sports’ biggest stars (think Conrad ‘the Caveman’ Stoltz and Dan Hugo).
“XTERRA is really popular here,” said Meyer. “It’s now the biggest participation triathlon event in South Africa (on-road and off-road). It has really become a South African lifestyle. While we’re not perfect yet, we like to believe our team of race organizers put on great events. Our venues are exciting, the people that compete are great, it’s inexpensive to enter, and doing the event is a great excuse to have a fantastic SA holiday.”
Dan Hugo, the 2010 and 2011 XTERRA South Africa Champion, agreed. “I am so proud to be a part of the XTERRA community here, and it is amazing to see how it has grown,” he said. “There were well over 1,000 competitors at each of the races I raced at last year. This year’s first race in Buffelspoort drew 1,500, and there were 2,000 this weekend.
“It seems every year more and more South Africans are realizing what a fun adventure the sport of XTERRA can be. It is safe, welcoming, social and closely intertwined with nature.”
On Saturday 25 February more than 1,000 athletes took part in the XTERRA Lite course designed for newcomers, and on Sunday 26 February a further 1,000 took part in the main event. Conrad ‘the Caveman’ Stoltz and Carla Van Huyssteen captured the ninth-annual Totalsports XTERRA South Africa Championship presented by REHIDRAT SPORT on a ‘stunning day’ at the Grabouw Country Club in the Western Province.
‘Kahuna Dave’ Nicholas, the Managing Director of the XTERRA World Tour, has been thoroughly impressed with the beauty, organization, and camaraderie of Grabouw. “What an amazing place. The weather is fantastic, the people are unbelievably friendly and helpful and beers are only 15-20 rand… or about $2 to $3!”
While it’s still freezing in January/February across much of the continental US and Europe, weather conditions are warm and welcoming in South Africa.
“It’s a great time to visit us,” added Meyer. “Stay in Stellenbosch, the home of XTERRA in South Africa! It is driving distance from the sea, and when you’re not training you can catch some great waves, enjoy the great weather, and have an awesome dinner at one of our many outstanding restaurants.
“Alternatively you can also go on a tour of the spectacular Winelands, visit Cape Town for a trip up our renowned Table Mountain, stop off at the V&A Waterfront for a magnificent shopping and/or dining experience, the list is endless.”
The XTERRA South Africa Championship race was the first world tour event to qualify amateur athletes into the XTERRA World Championship to be held in Kapalua, Maui (Hawaii) on 28 October 2012. Next up, the XTERRA Asia Tour features three straight weeks of championship events in Guam, the Philippines and Saipan.
Feb 26 – XTERRA South Africa Championship, Grabouw
Mar 10 – XTERRA Guam Championship, Piti
Mar 18 – XTERRA Philippines Championship, Cebu
Mar 24 – XTERRA Saipan Championship, Northern Marianas
Apr 14 – XTERRA New Zealand Championship, Rotorua
May 27 – XTERRA Italy Championship, Orosei, Sardinia
Jul 8 – XTERRA France Championship, Xonrupt, Gerardmer
Jul 15 – XTERRA Brazil Championship, Manaus, Amazon
Aug 4 – XTERRA Czech Championship, Prachatice, South Bohemia
Aug 4 – XTERRA Mexico Championship, Tapalpa, Jalisco
Aug 11 – XTERRA Germany Championship, Zittau
Aug 25 – XTERRA Japan Championship, Marunuma
Sep 2 – XTERRA Canada Championship, Canmore, A.B.
Sep 8 – XTERRA Switzerland, Prangins
Sep 16 – XTERRA Venezuela, Villa Caribe
Sep 22 – XTERRA USA Championship, Ogden/Snowbasin, UT
Oct 28 – XTERRA World Championship, Maui
