Adventurer makes ice gesture for charity

While the crowd at Kings Park watches the Sharks take on the Cheetahs in sultry Durban summer weather on Saturday, intrepid South African adventurer and popular author Riaan Manser will be freezing his butt off – at the same rugby ground.

How does that work? Well, as the players sweat it out in the opening round of the Super Rugby tournament, Manser will be enduring temperatures of close to minus 20°C in a refrigerated trailer set up at Kings Park.

But it’s all for a good cause.

On Sunday Manser begins a week-long journey in which he is to travel in icy conditions all the way to Newlands, arriving in time for next weekend’s Stormers-Lions clash, after which he can finally leave the ice box.

Manser, 37, is using the trip to raise awareness about his next adventure – kayaking around Iceland, a voyage of close to 5 000km.

But the main purpose of the experience is to raise money for the No Food for Lazyman Trust, which Manser has established to buy sporting equipment for less-privileged schoolchildren.

“I hope to raise funds through radio interviews I’ll be doing, but also direct from the public at places we stop at along the route to Cape Town. I think we spend our first night in Port Shepstone,” Manser said.

“Dan Skinstad – younger brother of former Springbok and now television commentator Bobby – will be my doubles partner on the kayaking experience in Iceland.

“Dan has cerebral palsy, so it will be an enormous challenge for him and me.”

The pair have had two kayak training sessions together, “but we aim to get a whole lot more in before starting the Iceland adventure towards the end of March”.

It is estimated the trip will take them three or four months and – if they make it – they’ll be the first South Africans to achieve the feat.

Skinstad is to join Manser in the trailer at Newlands on the last day of the “fridge sit-in”.

Manser has cycled around Africa – a 37 000km journey that took him two years, two months and 15 days, leading to his book Around Africa on My Bicycle, which has sold more than 45 000 copies worldwide.

He has also kayaked around Madagascar, a 4 400km trip he completed in 11 months and which led to another book, Around Madagascar in my Kayak, with sales topping the 20 000 mark.

Serco managing director Clinton Holcroft said his company, which manufactured refrigerated trucks and trailers, had modified one of its trailers to suit Manser’s project.

“We have cut some big windows into the trailer and installed a shower and toilet,” he said.

“There’s also a separate dry section which is cold, but not quite as freezing as the fridge area, where Riaan can get some sleep without icing up too deeply, as well as be able to use electrical equipment.

“Cycling and rowing exercise gear will be available for Riaan to keep up his fitness levels.”

Manser said he thought the experience was going to be tough.

“I’m nervous, really nervous, but I have to stick it out. I’m doing this for the trust and all deserving young sports people,” he said. “I’ll have a TV in the trailer but no dish, so I’m worried I won’t be able to watch the rugby on Saturday, although I’ll be right there.”

– The public will be able to follow Manser’s progress on his interactive website riaan.manser.com.