We are thrilled to announce Investec Asset Management have chosen to support The Sisterhood SA. They have given generously to our charity and of their time… and will don us in hot pink Investec Jackets for our challenge to Robben Island.. you won’t miss us!

” Our philosophy as a business has always been to be out of the ordinary. As a group of ‘ordinary girls doing extraordinary things’, the Sisterhood shares this philosophy. Investec Asset Management is proud to sponsor them both in their physical challenges and in their quest to raise funds to help the most vulnerable members of our society through Malamulele Onwards.” 

This is sister Jules’s account of the day:

On Saturday 17^th March, 14 intrepid Sisters, 4 trusty Sisterwoods and our amazing cameraman, Neil Hermann met at dawn at the end of Tafelberg road with one common goal in mind; to climb the magnificent 3 peaks of Cape Town – Devils Peak, Table Mountain and Lions Head.

Packs were double checked, water was doused with electrolyte mix and excitement levels were high, despite the cold, dark 6.30am start. The sun was just rising and the route was still murky in the early dawn, but we carefully picked our way upwards taking in the view and waking up to the idea that we have to keep walking for the next 9 hours! Oh my word, what had we let ourselves in for?

The ascent of Devils Peak was remarkably quick considering it was meant to be the hardest part of the hike and we stormed the summit with relative ease in just 1h15mins. As the sun broke through over the Cape Flats, with the beath‑taking views in every direction, it didn’t take much work for Kirsty tp persuade Cameraman Neil that a tasteful topless shoot would be fun. With the wind picking up, temperatures barely in the mid teens we stripped off to our shorts and Red Socks and posed on top of the Beacon for the fastest snapshot of the day.

The crew moved on down the Saddle and over to the slow and arduous climb up Platteklip Gorge. Zigzagging across the mountain face we inched slowly higher, legs burning as the temperatures rose and tummies began to rumble. Picnic time came at the top of the gorge with giggles all around when Charlie brought out the smallest bag of biltong on the planet and proceeded to offer it around to all his Angels. It is still a wonder and possibly a small miracle that he actually made it home with some to spare.

We pushed on to Maclears Beacon to celebrate Peak 2. The red-socked-pink-topped snake of hikers wound their way like a centipede along Smuts track, passed round the reservoirs and descended Table Mountain via Kasteelpoort. Talk about the long way round!

From here the views of Camps Bay and our final destination, Lions Head looked terrifyingly distant yet strangely alluring. We stumbled down on weary legs carried by the amazing energy of the group, so positive, so cohesive, so uplifting that the smiles, chat and camaraderie fuelled us on. Not much further to go… along the Pipe Track and the end was in sight.

Lions Head, the relatively baby slope by comparison to what we had already mastered, proved a deceptively daunting final hurdle. Each at their own pace, flanked by friends who had come to support us up the last big push, we set off headstrong up the hill. Despite some people “hitting the wall”, through amazing teamwork, constant support and incredible collective energy of the team, we all reached the summit. Elation, joy, jubilation and an overwhelming sense of achievement overtook us all and as the champagne corks popped we knew we had conquered something we would never forget.

Here’s to all the hikers for achieving something extraordinary…..3 peaks, 9 hours, 45kms…………we did it! SA Sisters have shown the world… we have the “gees!”.

Onwards and upwards to the next challenge…..

Thanks to Neil Hermann for his generosity in giving of his time and skills. We are sure you will agree awesome footage!

Susan and Hood trainer Jonny Sayle have put together a tough training programme for their fellow Sisterhood buddies to ensure a solid Class performance at Cowes from this relatively novice buch of sailors.

Susan says

“High performance yacht racing is the ultimate true team sport, it requires eveyone to do their own unique job on the boat perfectly, in sequence and at the correct time! Whilst alot of the girls havn’t sailed before they are highly intelligent, fit, team players and always up for competing and I beleive this is something that they will perform well in.”

We will be updating you on the girls progress for Cowes week but in the meantime read one of Suey’s blog from the middle night on her 5 day Sydney to Hobart Campiagn. The conditions really sounded quite something! On the Sydney to Hobart Suey saw 50knts of wind at some stages. Last year conditions at Cowes on some days saw 36Knts of Wind!!!!………. Hang-on Girrrrrls!!!!

Read one of Susan’s Blogs from mid voyacge during the 2010 Sydney to Hobart Race.

http://www.stridersedge.co.uk/

www.sawleyshoot.com

Egerton Pink gin are now sponsoring the hood in all the fundraising social events providing pink cocktails and ‘pink bars’.  Several hood girls went along to the opening of the new Rockwell bar in the Hilton sponsored by Egerton

Two of SA’s sisters have been getting grubby. Sister Kirsty took part in the 4 day, 330km, Tour de Tuli mountain bike ride through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and Sister Lucia has just summited Mount Kilimanjaro last week. Read more about their adventures in the Missions section.

The Sisters threw one of Cape Town’s wildest fundraising parties ever! Naughty-cal House Party was the theme and Naughtyness was certainly on display that night. There were around 250 aptly attired guests and thanks to the generosity of Flower Walker (Petals) for the decor, and Mike Townsend (The Harbour House)for the fish and chips… and all the hard work of the Sisters, a great little sum of cash was raised for our charity. HOT photo’s and full story to follow soon.

In preparation for our GREAT CHALLENGE – to go where no beautiful girls (infact no-one) has gone before: to paddle a dragon boat from Cape Town to Robben Island and back in November, TransfitX gym and owner Johno is personal training us into shape! .. conveniently in time for bikini beach days too! MTN have come on board and donated R10 000 to our charities and Glider Sunglasses are giving us great shades to make sure we see where to go! Training in the boat has stepped up a notch and Sea Paddles are next on the program!…. watch this space!