ExpAfrica: It’s tough, but someone has to do it

“How do you wrap up and experience that you are still trying to comprehend. I have been home for a few days and  yet the life of Expedition Africa is still pumping through my veins and which, I feel, will for a long time keep me alive with passion, adventure and hope,” says Expedition Africa photographer Bruce Viaene.

Let’s do this

To be asked back a second year in a row by the Muller’s to come photograph their flagship event is such an honour.  This is the biggest adventure race on our beautiful continent and they entrust me to do it justice – what a daunting task! However, I am not the type to bow out from pressure so the preparation began. From last year I learnt having the right gear and food is paramount to pulling off an event of this magnitude. You don’t want to be stuck past sunset on a mountain without a headtorch and try get off in the dark. (yes, that did happen!). Preparation favours the brave.

Don’t blame your tools

Early this year I purchased a Lowe Pro Sport 200 AW. I love the convenience this bag gives me as I can get my gear, food and hydration quite easily.  Weight is critical so I have found ways to shave off a few kilograms. I now only shoot with 1 camera, 2 lenses and a flash with transmitters.

I love how rugged my Canon 5d mk2 is and the way it performs in poor light. She is getting tired but still performs like new. My lens choices is the unconventional Canon 15mm f2.8 Fish Eye & Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L. The fish eye is amazing and I love this lens. It’s fun and is able to share a story of athlete and  surroundings. My 70-200mm is my go to lens with the quality vs weight being absolutely perfect.  To be able to get up close in the tired, broken faces sharing the story of 570km, I find no lens does it better.

To take the story even further I have a SPL Water Housing which gives  me a great perspective from the water.

Clothing wise was far easier from last year! Drakensburg was cold – and I am a soutie!  I remember buying thermals, etc just to function. Well this year was opposite . I hardly had to wear a shirt since it was so hot and nights were cool even when shooting till 3 or 4 o’ clock in the morning. I lived in my First Ascent P3 tights as they are so comfortable and they protect my legs while running through the bush yet cool enough to not overheat in. Salomon Cross Max 2 were on my feet and even working day in and day out through sand, mud, dust and water they kept my feet in good condition.

I am fortune enough to have expanded my gear over the years (I once rocked up at Wartrail in slops, board shorts and a jacket = FAIL!) and believe that I could not do the work I do without the high quality build of what I work with.

Honey, I’m Home

And then we arrived at Port Edward Holiday Resort. Driving into the entrance with the Expedition Africa banner gave me such Goosebumps.  Meeting friends that I hadn’t seen in a year and making new ones is all part of the game. Any Adventure Racer will tell you that the people who race are like family. I have yet to race, but I see them as family! Friends from Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden & Bloemfontein all coming together to celebrate together in various ways. I firmly believe that Heidi & Stephan are the reason for this bond, It starts with them and they make you feel part of their family.

I must note that I have never been treated so well as a media person. We were sent to dinners, taken on tours and everything was taken care of. Heidi, Stephen from me and the entire media team of Expedition Africa, I want to thank you for the bottom of my heart for taking care of us in every single way.

And then the Vuvuzela blew

The AR gods came out and lit the warriors arena with absolute fire. A berg wind was blowing and a sunrise like I have never witnessed before greeted the hushed teams.  As each team took a step onto the warm beach the trepidation in the air became more and more tangible.  The 4-5ft waves did not help nerves as captains eyed the horizon to work out the best and safest way for their team.

I entered the water to shoot the mass start. The Vuvuzela blew marking the start of Expedition Africa 2014. Teams raced into the sea. 80 boats all heading straight towards me. Fantastic! They came powering past me, leaving me alone in the warm sea, but then something happened. Most of them came back! Teams were getting battered by the surf and were getting pulled back to shore. I loved this, more footage and everyone likes a good chaos photo. Teams finally made it out and that is how the greatest race started.

Is this a sprint?

Paddling, trekking, abseiling and more trekking was on the menu for Day 1 which pushed the teams. Lisa de Speville (EXP  Africa writer) navved us to a beautiful spot in the canyon which she thought would be the best place to catch the teams swimming across. I was a bit sceptical but not one to argue (too much) I sat quietly and had lunch. Around 45min later we see some movements up river and 4 of the top teams came around. What a relief! But not only that, Lisa was so good with her navigation that they crossed right in front of us. Now that is good! Lucky I thought, but over the next week I would rely on my nav’s more and more and realise how much of an important role they played in helping me get to the right place. It was great to be able to run with these teams and get feedback.  The next 3km of huffing and puffing I ran beautiful single track in Umtavunu forest with the top AR athletes in the world. I love the fact that I am able to be in their playground unlike most sports where one would sit on the sidelines.

Stop and smell the roses

Teams abseiled down into a beautiful canyon and hiked out the other side. Seeing as this is a great photo opportunity Lisa, Steven Freitag (EXP Africa Video guy) and I hiked down. We were met with a beautiful, deep pool of water to be able to cool down in the 31+ degree weather.

This is one of the perks of my job. The things we see and experience is like none other. Like having breakfast on the top of Poenskop somewhere north of Port st Johns, watching the most stunning sunset up some mountain while teams worked their way up, setting up camp and cooking dinner at Magwa falls under a star filled sky or having coffee with a very tired and broken team to hear their war stories.  The children we past, the homesteads we stopped by showed me just how beautiful our country is. TIA.

Team Media Van

What makes a good team? You can read many books which will tell you how a great teams works, but let me tell you from my experience. Put a bunch of people from different backgrounds together in a bus and throw them in the bush with a good dose of adventure. We relied on one another 24/7 and we became a team.

In no particular order:

Lisa De Speville AKA Adventure Lisa (reporter, 1st Navigator)

Vanessa Pires AKA Listen Linda (2nd Navigator, team cheerleader)

Steven Freitag AKA Stevie (Video guy, chef,)

Pedro (not sure, but it was cool having him along!)

At times we lost and gained some members but as Lisa said it was a odd feeling when one of our team mates were missing. I really thank every single one of you for the support and help during the race. Even if we got lost for seven hours (I won’t mention names, hey Vanessa?).

The Madness Continues

In a total of seven days, I worked out that most of Media Team worked approximately 128 hours. Going night hunting for teams till 4am was one of the highlights of my trip and sipping Bioplus just to function became the norm. I remember clearly waking up one morning to find out that Team Merrell Adventure Addicts were close by, so Vanessa and I set out to find them. I hadn’t seen them for a few days so when we stumbled upon them I was ecstatic! I have worked closely with the Addicts for two years and they are family (I say that a lot, but mean it every time!).  Don is instrumental in opening my doors to adventure photography and has been a great friend over the years. Tweet, hired me to shoot my first trail run (Hobbit 100km) and then taking me on few more events. These guys are my guys and I wouldn’t be the photographer I am today if it wasn’t for them. Anyway, we found them and I trekked back to Mboyti with them, hearing the stories of chaff in some very unfortunate areas!

Throughout the day and nights the madness continues – we are capturing the story of heart break and elation of each team, of each athlete. Whether it’s in the dreaded canyon or crossing the finish line.

All good things come to an end

Waking up to the last morning of Expedition Africa was surreal. Had 7 days really just passed? The moments we captured, the laughs we shared would all be just a memory. As one racer said, “No one can fathom this, Sunday we drive home and Monday we back at the desk working like everyone else”. My job was to show the paper pushers at home what you went through.. your highs and your lows. Your sleeping in the bush, your tears as you tried to put your shoes on your swollen feat. Did I do a good job? Well, I hope so. I hope these images will bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes for years to come. And as I finish this report, I cannot but feel gratitude towards each team for inviting me into their journey and allowing me to show the world how bloody mal  you all are!