{"id":7691,"date":"2017-07-04T20:45:34","date_gmt":"2017-07-04T18:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/?p=7691"},"modified":"2017-07-04T20:45:34","modified_gmt":"2017-07-04T18:45:34","slug":"from-wines-to-whales-for-charity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southafricatoday.net\/sport\/press-release\/from-wines-to-whales-for-charity\/","title":{"rendered":"From Wines To Whales for Charity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Business partners and mountain biking novices, Francois Retief and Russell Looms have taken up an impressive challenge that will see them donning lycra, learning to mountain bike and taking on the three day stage FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Ride, all in the same year, in support of the FNB W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative.<\/p>\n

Co-owners and founders of EPT, a South African based company specialising in health wellness, Francois and Russell are both qualified Biokineticists and advanced sports massage therapists that are usually on the other side of the fence at events fulfilling the role of official Sport Massage Service Provider.<\/p>\n

According to Retief, he entered W2W for two reasons.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to experience what the riders experience.\u00a0 More importantly I also wanted to give back to society and the community, what better way than by supporting the event\u2019s charity.\u00a0 I know that W2W is a lot of fun.\u00a0 It\u2019s well organized with well built and maintained tracks and lots of single track.\u00a0 Russell and I make a great partnership.\u00a0 We can laugh together and cry together.\u00a0 We\u2019re also sure to have a weight advantage on the downhills.\u00a0 The FNB W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative lies close to our hearts as we both have young children.\u00a0 We love to help people, educate and make a difference.\u00a0 The FNB W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative ticked all the boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looms proudly professes that up until this year, he had not ridden further than 1 meter on a mountain bike.\u00a0 \u201cFrancois and I will proudly be riding in the Whale Category,\u201d laughs Looms.\u00a0 \u201cWe are both passionate about our families, our business and giving back to the less fortunate.\u00a0 Our team goal is to \u2018ride for the children\u2019.\u00a0 We are thankful to the guys at BMT that have been guiding us.\u00a0 They\u2019ve insured that we\u2019ve invested in the proper gear and also take great care of our bikes and equipment.\u00a0 Chris is also a huge supporter of W2W and the W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative.\u00a0 The support that we\u2019ve received so far has been overwhelming.\u00a0 We\u2019re extremely privileged and cannot wait to get to the start line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cW2W is the best three day stage race in the Western Cape,\u201d says Chris Norton, Owner of BMT Bike Shop in Stellenbosch.\u00a0 \u201cIt supports the local communities along the route, a concept that BMT strongly supports.\u00a0 Francois and Russell have chosen to ride for a great cause.\u00a0 BMT strongly supports this kind of community spirit.\u00a0 We are proud to support them on their journey and look forward to witnessing their progress.\u00a0 We will definitely help where possible to ensure that they get to the end comfortably.\u201d<\/p>\n

The FNB W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative was launched in 2016 as part of the event\u2019s continued drive to make a sustainable difference to the communities that feature along the event\u2019s route.\u00a0 Four cr\u00e8ches in Bot River and one cr\u00e8che in Lebanon are currently the beneficiaries of this initiative.\u00a0 The organizes of the FNB W2W MTB Events have also enlisted the services of Francois and Russell, who together with students from the Department of Sport Science at the Stellenbosch University, will make weekly visits to these cr\u00e8ches.\u00a0 The goal is to improve each child\u2019s physical wellbeing and quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to be able to incorporate the expertise of Francois and Russell, two qualified and highly recommended Biokineticists, into the FNB W2W Cr\u00e8che Educational Initiative,\u201d says Michael Meyer, FNB W2W MTB Director.\u00a0 \u201cMovement is an essential part of everyday life, irrespective of one\u2019s age,\u201d continues Meyer.\u00a0 \u201cIt affects development, learning, communication, working, health, and quality of life.\u00a0 With the help of Francois and Russell we hope to help improve the physical wellbeing and ultimately the quality of life of each and every child that is currently part of our Cr\u00e8che Initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n

EVENT INFORMATION<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
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