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A Race with a Difference

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The Treble team has been challenged during a pandemic that has caused unprecedented disruption in the Sports and Entertainment space. This year has provided nothing “normal” and so with a great shining light, Treble is looking forward to the 2020 edition of the Prescient Freedom Paddle – one of the first events taking place in Cape Town since the introduction of the hard lockdown in late-March.

South Africa’s top paddlers will race for line honours and the prestige of finishing a 27km paddle around Robben Island. Previously set for Freedom Day on the 27th April this year, the race was put on hold until a green light to go ahead was granted. The current date, along with all the compliance requirements, is the day the paddlers will celebrate their freedom by circumnavigating the iconic island.

Among the top contenders in the Doubles (or S2) category will be Hank McGregor (Euro Steel) and Josh Fenn (19), who is proving to be a top ocean paddler. Exposed to the ocean and paddling from a young age, thanks to a family deeply involved in the sport, Fenn is the perfect fit to the legendary McGregor – an 11 times World Marathon Paddler, winner of the previous Freedom Paddle race and winner of the famous Molokai Crossing in Hawaii.

McGregor partnered with another talent youngster at the recent SA Marathon Championships, Hamish Lovemore, where they took the K2 title, while Lovemore took the K1 title, showing that there is a changing of the guard. McGregor offers an incredible amount of experience and brilliance, so any combination with him would be a potential winner. The Cape crew of Kenny Rice (Euro Steel), a winner of the Cape Point Challenge, and Nic Notten will be looking to claim the title for a local crew and keep the major Surfski titles in the Western Province.

Rice had a breakthrough year in 2019, winning four World Cup Surfski events and was looking forward to a stellar 2020 until the global pandemic put paid to those aspirations. Regroup and rebuild has been the order of the day for many contenders for honours on the world stage. Given a lack of competitions this year, there is much unknown about the current form of the athletes. It does mean that the Prescient Freedom Paddle will mean so much more to these athletes than the title. It will indicate where each athlete is physically and mentally as they finally return to racing.

The top Ladies crew will have a similar pairing of youth and experience with Jenna Ward and Saskia Hockly (16), a young talent with great potential. Ward is no stranger to the open ocean or racing on the world stage, being a World Marathon Championships silver medalist and holding multiple Surfski titles. The two have combined to create an exciting partnership, which has seen the two gel quickly. Hockly will benefit from the massive experience that Ward will share as she drives them home on the 27km trip around Robben Island.

There will be many rivalries and competitions amongst the field as many will be vying for the right to claim a personal best or fastest time around the Island. Despite all the challenges this year, the event is proving to be a relief for many, and the outcome is eagerly anticipated.

It is with thanks to the partners of the event; Prescient, Euro Steel, City of Cape Town, Dunlop, Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages, Devil’s Peak, Mocke Paddling, Department of Culture and Sport (Western Cape Government), Carbonology Sport and Brian’s Kayaks that the 2020 Prescient Freedom Paddle will indeed be a great success.

For more event information please go to www.freedompaddle.co.za

PLEASE NOTE:

We have appointed Event Plan and Medics in Motion to assist with the entire event compliance and safety plan. CSA’s Covid-19 protocols have been provided and we have engaged with the City Health and Safety Officer and National Health Department to ensure the event is complaint. The events application has been accepted for consideration by the City of Cape Town and we await approval. We are being guided by the National Government and National Health Department Covid-19 regulations throughout the process and all measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of all participants and crew. At this time, we are confident that the event will go ahead as planned, however final confirmation can only be determined closer to the event in line with National Governments adjusted risk assessment protocols.

 

Prescient Freedom Paddle secures key partnerships

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The Prescient Freedom Paddle, set for the 24th October 2020, is partnering with local businesses to support its competitive journey around Robben Island for surfski, SUP, prone and Ocean Skull paddlers.

Treble has been integral to the operations and securing sponsors that have ensured the seamless planning and putting together of this event during these testing times. The synergy of these partnerships has proven invaluable to ensure the safety and success of all those competing in the Prescient Freedom Paddle, which was postponed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

One of the most important partnerships is with the City of Cape Town (COCT), who have allowed the event to proceed under strict compliance protocols, while still being mindful of its significance. Alderman JP Smith (Mayoral Committee Member for Safety & Security) has been encouraged by the magnitude of putting this event together and the added value it brings to the Mother City.

“The Freedom Paddle is one of the new, exciting additions to our annual events calendar and in such a short space of time it has become popular among enthusiasts as well as professional kayakers.  The City of Cape Town is proud to partner with and support the Freedom Paddle, an event that honours the history of this city. We look forward to hosting the competitors in our beautiful city and for them to experience the magic of the Cape Town surf.”

Treble is mindful of the difficult current circumstances and are extremely grateful for the contribution of all parties including welcoming Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages on board as a new partner, along with the continued support of the event partners in Euro Steel, Dunlop, Mocke Paddling, Department of Culture and Sport (Western Cape Government), Carbonology Sport, Brians Kayaks and Devils Peak.

Race Director, Rob Tindall, has been overwhelmed by the positive support from all sectors. “It’s really not possible to host these events without the support of local authorities and business and we are just thrilled to have kept past partnerships and even secured new ones, giving us great hope that we are putting something together that stands for more than the physical achievement of circumnavigating the island. We wish to showcase the Freedom of ALL South Africans.”

Tindall also echoed his gratitude for the new race title sponsor, Prescient, who have ensured they stayed the course during uncertain times and have provided much needed support to ensure the race can proceed.  Those who are fortunate enough to be there and earn the 2020 finishers medal will remember this race for more than just one reason.

For more event information please go to www.freedompaddle.co.za

Prescient Freedom Paddle Sponsorship Announcement

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Organisers of the Freedom Paddle are pleased to announce that Prescient has partnered with them as the title sponsors of an iconic event that has become a firm favourite on the paddling calendar. In a celebration of the freedom of Surfski paddling, Prescient’s core values are in alignment with the resilience and team camaraderie required for competitive paddling.

Already in its third year, the Freedom Paddle sees competitors paddling around Robben Island – South Africa’s symbol of freedom. Having Prescient on board will further enhance the magnitude of this event, which was scheduled to take place on Freedom Day (27 April) – a day that celebrates our country’s unique journey to freedom.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions implemented by the President of South Africa, the Freedom Paddle was postponed to a later date and we are glad to announce that it will now take place on Saturday, October 24, 2020. The Freedom Paddle takes place from the Oceana Power Boat Club at the V&A Waterfront, around Robben Island and back, a distance of 27 kilometres. The journey around the Island will hold major significance for those who complete the race as it will acknowledge the restrictions of the past few months and give them the opportunity to recognize their freedom from restrictions and restraints.

Prescient believes slow and steady wins the race – an approach that will serve the paddlers well if they want to make a strong finish – and is core to their business approach, which allows them to remain surefooted and steadfast in their mission to serve their valued clients.

The Freedom Paddle organising committee extends its heartfelt gratitude to Prescient for its overwhelming support to take the Freedom Paddle to a whole new level. “We are over the moon to have Prescient join the team. Freedom Paddle has always been about paddlers supporting paddlers and Prescient fits that philosophy well,” says Race Committee Head, Robin Tindall.

“Several of the Prescient guys are long-time members of our paddling community. The Freedom Paddle is about celebrating the freedom this country has achieved after a long struggle and against all odds. It is about connecting with that struggle with a tough Surfski paddle, pushing through and achieving the goal of finishing.

“Prescient has the same values with their objective of staying the course and delivering results through commitment and follow-through. For me personally, this partnership makes it possible for us to stage a Surfski race that is world-class and something every South African paddler can be proud of,” Tindall said.

Over its 22-year journey Prescient has grown from humble beginnings to a multinational company that spans sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Asia. It services a broad range of clients across several disciplines around the world.

“Prescient has always believed in the power of partnerships – with its staff, community, clients and companies. Their client-centric philosophy, approach and process, combined with a strong competitive and entrepreneurial spirit, has resulted in substantial growth” says Craig Mockford, Executive Director Fund Services.

When others zig and zag, Prescient stays in formation – delivering exceptional results for their clients, to remain on course to achieve their goals, even during the most turbulent market conditions and when others falter.

The organisers of the Prescient Freedom Paddle’s intention is to hold the event on 24th October. We have appointed Event Plan and Medics in Motion to assist with the entire event compliance and safety plan. CSA’s Covid-19 protocols have been provided and we have engaged with the City Health and Safety Officer and National Health Department to ensure the event is complaint. The events application has been accepted for consideration by the City of Cape Town and we await approval. We are being guided by the National Government and National Health Department Covid-19 regulations throughout the process and all measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of all participants and crew. At this time, we are confident that the event will go ahead as planned, however final confirmation can only be determined closer to the event in line with National Governments adjusted risk assessment protocols.

https://freedompaddle.co.za
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https://www.instagram.com/paddlefreedom
https://www.linkedin.com/company/prescient-investment-management
https://www.prescient.co.za

Richard Kohler’s Ocean X

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This passionate South African is at it again! After becoming the first person to paddle the entire circumference of South Africa, Ocean X is Richard Kohler’s odyssey to paddle unsupported from Cape Town in an eight-metre paddling torpedo across the Southern Atlantic Ocean to Salvador in Brazil.  Later this year Richard will embark on an unsupported paddle in aid of raising funds for his charity of choice, Operation Smile. The Treble team has been hard at work behind the scenes supporting Richard as the countdown begins in earnest.

Sailing has always been in Richard’s blood. He began that journey at the age of six, and has sailed at international level, including the 2007 Americas Cup for South Africa aboard the Shosholoza. Kohler has also taken part in numerous competitive paddling events, achieving his provincial colours twice, until a back injury forced him to paddle less competitively.

Kohler is certainly no stranger to the ocean, which is why Ocean X is a story about endurance, courage against the odds, and the indomitably of the human spirit. As the world shrinks and the opportunities for adventure diminish, it takes a man of unique vision to be the first person to paddle a kayak solo and unsupported, across the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Treble is excited and privileged to have secured the premium publishing house, Highbury Media, as Ocean X’s official media partner. Highbury will assist with the content generation and PR strategy leveraging their extensive digital and print magazine portfolio.

Preparations are underway to secure everything Richard Kohler’s needs for this tough and uncompromising expedition. Treble is very aware of the current challenging economic environment, but has taken up the challenge to assist Richard to raise the funds to make this odyssey every success both for Richard personally and for Operation Smile.

Treble looks forward to Richard successfully completing the experience, with some local corporate partners in the team and first hand being able to witness the real effect of their efforts to raise awareness and funding for this great initiative. If you would like to get involved please contact Treble, as we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you to come onboard and assist. For more details please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

THE ADVENTURE

The remarkable aspect of this journey into the unknown is the vessel that will carry Kohler along the way in achieving his ultimate goal of paddling from South Africa to Brazil. An 8m paddling torpedo allows very little leeway to move around after 15 hours and 100km of paddling every day, and every single inch of space needs to be utilised for optimal performance and comfort.

Seaport Supply, Cape Town’s largest boating retailer are supporting Richard with the equipment for the boat build, safety equipment and supplies for his craft. “The design brief was to keep it as close to a traditional kayak but that it should include a sleeping area that can protect me from the uncompromising elements typical of being out at sea,” says Kohler.

“The kayak is 8.5m long and 90cm at its maximum width. Considering an average shoulder width is around 50cm, it does not leave much room on the inside for me and my gear.” The cramped conditions are one of Richard’s biggest challenges. Avoiding leg cramp and debilitating salt sores are daily requirements to ensure he remains at optimal levels to complete his heady task.

From the outside there is a large array of solar panels with the two forward side panels that can lift upwards to present better solar absorption of the sun for drinking water. Research indicates that having enough electrical power to make water is one of the highest priorities. In Kohler’s survival of this mammoth task that awaits him; water equals life.

It remains a stiff challenge nonetheless, but Richard Kohler certainly has the drive and determination to succeed in his endeavours. Having been attacked by a shark during his trip along the entire coastline of South Africa, nothing will stop this brave man from dipping his toes into the cold Atlantic Ocean yet again and raising money for Operation Smile.

To stay updated and follow Richard Kohler’s journey click here or check out his social media handles and subscribe to his Youtube channel: Richard Kohler
Facebook: @RichardKohlerAdventures
Twitter: @AdventureRich
Instagram: @richardkohleradventures