Monday. October 25. Day 87.

With a big uphill to facing us Puddy started the day skating up the Houwhoek Pass towards the St Lowry’s Pass. On the summit we had a quick team meeting and realised that from our vantage point we were able to view Table Mountain for the first time. This felt great and, especially Puddy felt proud that he had come this far.

We were warned that once on top of Houwhoek Pass Puddy would have to bomb the St Louries Pass. From what we gathered this was the zenith of downhills. After some discussion Puddy Padded up and took the Hill head on.

Gaining a lot of speed really fast Puddy mange toride it out most of the way. He foot braked on occasions but once he reached the bottom he said that he was pretty bummed that he didn’t suck it up, tucked in and went full speed. Safety first I suppose. Especially when we are critically close to the finish. A fatal possibly fatal thing happened however. One of his wheels overheated from the speed and duration of the speed that it melted and finally burst open almost causing a vicous bail. Pulling off from the road he quickly set up a new set only to have them do the same thing on another downhill we encountered further along the road.

After another change of wheels the skating continued to just past Gordonsbaai where Tertuis Vivier caught up with us to chat with Puddy.

Tonight will be our last evening in the Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch so a greatest of thanks you’s to the staff and all who looked after our every need. You guys have been spectacular.

We are so close to done that we can taste victory. But let’s not count the chickens before they hatch.

Sunday. October 24. Day 86.

We took the day off from skating to prepare the van and finalise the last few arrangements for skating into Cape Town next week. We were one man down as Human spent the weekend with his loved ones in Hout Bay and is only to return tonight or Monday morning.

Late afternoon we hooked up with some of the friendly folk from town we met on our day off yesterday and played some soccer on the local sports field. Last night we had a tour off the town and its night clubs. Thanks to Nicola and Ruark who showed us a good time in Stellenbosch.

A band playing in one of the local joint; Bohemia even supported the cause and did some punting from on our behalf over the mic.

The St. Luawries Pass awaits and the local kids say that it’s going to be way too harsh to bomb. We’ll have to wait and see till tomorrow....

The tour is nearing completion now and we would like to thank everyone who has been involved to thus far and showed their support. The show is not over yet and if you happen to see us on the road please do not hesitate to stop us for some photos or make a donations.

Skate for Change 2010. From Jo’burg to Cape Town on a skateboard.

Sunday. October 17. Day 79

Today was by far the hottest day on the road. After almost a week of rain we are now facing the extreme sunshine and over powering heat. We started the session right in front of the hotel where we were staying. At first the road was a bit rough but smoothed out a bit later. Puddy skated behind the van for the most of the day just to try and stay in the shade. We ended the session on a 19km’s for the day and made our way back to base camp. Tomorrow we pack up and leave for Riviersonderend.

Distance for the day 19 km
1674 km skated on tour
top speed 33km/h
average 22km/h

Support the cause - buy a shirt!

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By ordering these on of a kind shirts not only would you be supporting the cause we are working towards but you get a one of a kind Quicksilver quality shirt to sport in the summer sun too.

Shirts are selling for R150 including postage.

All you have to do is send an e mail with your contact and postage details and size to human@skateforchange.co.za

Tuesday. September 28. Day 60.

Double time.....

It was evident today that the weekends rest paid off as Puddy pushed whopping a total of 51km’s today.

We woke this morning to the friendly faces of the guest house owners and after a healthy breakfast made our way to the marker.

The weather was great for skating with no wind pumping from the front.

The weather was great for skating with no wind pumping from the front.

The road surface was abit rough and after a couple of k’s Puddy started complaining about the constant vibration in his calves. Puddy kept pushing though, and soon the surface took a turn for the better.

A visitor from “another planet” joined Puddy, for a brief moment on the road. A team of engineers were driving a solar powered car past us, escorted by a van. Much like we are doing. They contacted us a while later and organised that we take a photo with them but unfortunately we couldn’t manage to locate each other.

Trucks were a bit of a problem as they sped past dangerously fast causing Puddy’s cap to blow off.

We made it back around lunch at grabbed something to eat at a local coffee shop. The friendly owner gave as a friendly R100 donation after he heard what we were doing.

Puddy felt recharged after lunch and said he wanted to go out on the road and do another session. So off we went to burn some more rubber..

DJ Fresh from 5fm phoned Puddy while on the road. He does this on Tuesdays and Fridays to get an update on the tour. Soon after Puddy said good bye people started responding and recognising us on the road.

Further down the road the road looked better as the surface smoothed out again. Some more "visitors" came to say hi to Puddy as he skated along. A pack of baboons lurked over the road to have a look at this strange being that is Puddy. At first Puddy was scared shouting "hulle gaan my buit" but luckily he moved past them without being attacked. Planning this trip we never thought we would have to prepare for animal threats.

We made it back to camp with a great 51 km's on the clock for the day. 31 during the morning session and then 20 in the afternoon with a 19km/h average and top speed of 24km p/h.

Be sure to catch Puddy on 5fm during the Fresh Drive show on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Saturday. September 25. Day 57

Saturday might as well not have existed as the weather was so terrible that skating would have been close to, if not impossible. Luckily we are ahead of schedule on the tour. Like true “binne landers” we made it outdoors whilst on the coast, took the weather head on and made it to the beach front. We spoke to some friendly locals and pushed the sms line to everyone we met.

That night we went out to a local eatery known for its incredibly hot Habanera. Puddy made a bet with Max that he wouldn't be able to eat it without breaking a sweat but Max took it like a man.

Thursday. September 23. Day 55

Skating against a strong coastal wind is no easy task, throw in a rough and worn out coastal road and you get the conditions Puddy had to embrace and conquer on the days skating. None the less fitness and perseverance prevailed and Puddy pushed through and we made it to our next marker in J bay. Our base camp is still in St. Francis so after the session we went back to unpack. We also managed to misplace our 3G connection thus the blog being a bit behind schedule over the weekend.

The local supermarket in St Francis organised a meet and greet with Puddy and some local kids in the parking lot. The wind was really troublesome but the enthusiastic crowd and response from the locals made it worth it And Pud managed some tricks for and "over" the kids.

Arriving in J bay over the September holiday, and being ahead of schedule we decided that we would spent the weekend J Bay after our stay in Cape St. Francis as to push our cause and gather support from the large amount of holiday makers in the area. The legendary Jack Parrow was performing that night and we set out to get him to punt the cause to the fans.

Thanks to all who supported the cause and for their donations.