Trans Agulhas Challenge

The Trans Agulhas Challenge is a fast-paced, action-packed water sports event with over 40 inflatable boats battling it out in the waves. Starting on the 28th of December at Plettenberg Bay, this four-day event will visit beaches along the South African coastline. Stopovers include Mossel Bay, Stillbaai, Struisbaai, Gansbaai and Gordon’s Bay where the race ends on the 31st of December 2022. Clocking a total distance of 700km, the Trans Agulhas Challenge is known as the toughest inflatable boat race in the world and has become a tradition with contestants and extreme sports fans alike!

About

The Trans Agulhas was established in 1988 and over the years has become a firm festive season tradition on community event calendars.

History

Hermanus resident Sparks Esterhuyzen, a See-and-Sand trainer and water sports enthusiast, shared his idea for an epic boat challenge with Jean Engelbrecht a friend from Stellenbosch. By this time Sparks had already rowed around the southern point of Africa five times, the longest journey being from Nature's Valley to Cape Town (± 700km) by canoe. Jean conveyed the idea to the members of his inflatable boat club, and after a meeting or two, they decided the game was on! And so, the Trans Agulhas Inflatable Boat Challenge was born.

On the 26th of December 1988, thirty-three boats set off on the first Trans Agulhas Challenge at Nature's Valley and ended at the Old Harbour in Hermanus on the 3rd of January 1989.
Today, the Trans Agulhas Challenge is hosted annually by Agulhas Inflatable Boat Club (AIBC). The event attracts thousands of spectators who gather on beaches for race activities along Nature’s Valley coastal stops to the endpoint in Gordon’s Bay.

Stages

Covering 700km in four gruelling days, the Trans Agulhas Challenge has earned the title of being the toughest inflatable boat race in the world.

28 December 2022 - Day 1 / Stage 1

Plettenberg Bay to Mossel Bay
Total Distance - 188.5km

Take a closer look at Stage 1 with live weather updates here.

29 December 2022 - Day 2 / Stage 2

Mossel Bay to Stilbaai
Total Distance - 86km

Take a closer look at Stage 2 with live weather updates here.

30 December 2022 - Day 3 / Stage 3

Stilbaai to Struisbaai
Total Distance - 161km

Take a closer look at stage 3 with live weather updates here.

31 December 2022 - Day 4 / Stage 4

Struisbaai to Uilkraalsmond - Gansbaai to Gordon's Bay
Total Distance - 215km

Take a closer look at Stage 4 with live weather updates here.

World’s Toughest Inflatable Boat Challenge