South Africa’s top university cyclists have descended on the Wellington Campus for the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Cycling Tournament.

Hosted by CPUT, this five-day event will see students compete in a number of challenges that will put their cycling skills to the test.

Tomorrow students will participate in the Nedbank/Old Mutual Mountain Bike Challenge, which will see them negotiate a route of just over 6 km in Welvanpas, situated outside of Wellington.

Cyclists will compete in the Protea Toyota Short Stage and Time Trial events on Wednesday and on Thursday their endurance will be put to the test as they take on the 125 km Drakenstein Long Stage event.

The final day of the tournament is sure to be the highlight as cyclists take to the hills during the Primi Piatti Paarl Hill Climb at the Taal Monument.  The week ends with the most popular race, the Nedbank/Old Mutual Criterium, which takes place in the streets of Wellington.

Event Organiser and USSA Cycling Chairperson, Etienne Joubert says cyclists can expect a top-class event this year.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In four weeks time the streets of Wellington will be abuzz with hundreds of cyclist as they compete for the prestigious title of SA Champion.

The University Sports South African (USSA) National Cycling Tournament is the most prestigious student cycling event and this year the CPUT Wellington Campus will play host.

Taking place from 2-6 July, the cyclists will compete in several road and off-road challenges in and around Wellington.

Event organizer, Etienne Joubert says more than 200 cyclists from universities across the country have already registered to participate in the week-long event.

And this year students can expect a first-class tournament.

Joubert says the local organizing committee that is made up of CPUT staff members from various departments, is already hard at work.

“Everything is on track for the event,” he says.

For more information on the event see the Event Calendar.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT will host one of the most prestigious university cycling challenges soon.

South Africa’s top young cyclists are set to descend on the picturesque town of Wellington where they will compete in one of the country’s top cycling events.

The University Sports South African National Cycling Tournament attracts more than 250 cyclists from across the country.

Lecturer and event organizer, Etienne Joubert says playing host to the event is a huge honour.

Taking place from 2-6 July, Joubert said cycling is one of the fastest-growing sports at universities.

This year alone, the CPUT cycling team has doubled, while a number of other universities have reported a huge increase in riders.

“Cycling at South African universities is a serious sport. There is a misconception that it is just for fun, but these cyclists are pro-riders. They are serious about what they are doing,” says Joubert.

During the five-day event, the cyclists will compete in several road and mountain challenges in and around Wellington.

The first day will test cyclists’ endurance as they take to the hills of Wellington. The remainder of the week will see cyclists compete in lap challenges in the streets of the picturesque town. The final day will test climbing skills, as students take on a route along the Taal Monument, situated high above Paarl.

Wellington campus Sports Development Officer, Tyrone Africa, said the local organizing committee which is made up of CPUT staff members from various departments, is already hard at work.

From organizing on-site pamper treatments for tired cyclists to bicycle washing stations, participants can expect an unforgettable week at the Wellington Campus.

By CANDES KEATING

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Sport Management Department is not only expanding but planning to tap into the adrenaline-pumping adventure sports industry.

The department, which previously only had offices at the Mowbray campus, has now set up shop at the Wellington Campus.

With a first-year intake of just over 40 students, lecturers at the Wellington campus say the programme is off to a good start.

However, opening a department at the Wellington campus is not the only plan lecturers have in store for this popular course.

As from 2011 students studying Sport Management will have the opportunity to specialise in adventure sports.

From white river rafting to windsurfing, adventure sport is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

Across the globe, adventurers of all ages are signing up for adventure holidays, adventure tours, extreme sports and adrenalin experiences.

With a global demand in this type of activity, there are now opportunities for extreme sport enthusiasts to start up adventure sports businesses.

The adventure sports module, which is the brainchild of Etienne Joubert, a Sport Management lecturer and adventure sports enthusiasts, will be offered to students in their second and third year.

Joubert, who is coordinating the Sport Management course at the Wellington Campus, said he saw the need to enhance the skills of CPUT students.

“Adventure studies will be an extra module that will give students skills which they can use to specialise in adventure sports,” he said.

The course will have a strong focus on entrepreneurship, thus providing students with the necessary skills to start up adventure sports businesses.

Joubert said while they have a range of facilities at the Wellington campus, they will have to acquire more equipment in order to run the adventure studies module.

“This is going to be a resource intensive course,” he said.

However, adventure sports at the Wellington campus will not only be limited to those studying Sport Management.

Earlier this month, the Student Affairs Department launched the Adventure Club.

Sports Development Officer Tyrone Africa said the club will allow students who are not interested in mainstream sport the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.

Working hand in hand with Joubert, the club will also benefit those studying Sport Management and give them an opportunity to take their sporting to another level.

Africa said the Adventure Club will not only be for social purposes.

“We want this to be a competitive club,” he said.

Africa said the club will not be limited to a specific sport and that students will have an opportunity to participate in a range of adventure sports, from land to water-based activities.

By Candes Keating 

Written by CPUT News

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Africa’s most notorious mountain bike challenge, the ABSA Cape Epic is definitely not for the faint hearted.

But riders Etienne Joubert and his race partner, Leanne Brown-Waterson, are prepared for the grueling challenge that will see them traverse across nearly 800km of some of the most beautiful routes in the Western Cape.

Joubert, a CPUT staff member and Brown-Waterson are being sponsored by CPUT and Display Mania.

Both are veteran ABSA Cape Epic competitors having taken up the challenge several times since 2006.

Joubert, a lecturer in the School of Sport, Events, Tourism and Hospitality, says they spent the past several months training for the event and followed a strict training schedule under the watchful eye of their coach, former Springbok cyclist, Michael van Staaden.

The duo trained up to 30 hours a week and clocked 4 000 km in training.

Having competed in the event in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2014, Joubert says the race is not just about stamina, but about having a race strategy as well as a good understanding with your race partner.

Brown-Waterson, who took up the challenge in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, says the ABSA Cape Epic “grabs you.”

“This is the toughest mountain bike stage in the world, but it’s something that all riders must experience,” she says.

“I hope this year it’s a perfect race in every way.”

To follow the duo’s race progress visit the CPUT Facebook page

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.