First OCC brings fond memories
Saturday will see the 14th Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge taking place.
While going through old documents, Hentie Coetzee discovered a few photos taken in 2002 when the very first OCC took place in the Outeniqua Pass, with all of 27 athletes taking part. He recalls the events of that day.
The race started just after sunrise on the top of the Outeniqua Pass, ending at the municipal offices.
Ernst van Dyk easily took first place but he was quite pale when he reached the winning post, barely able to state that he had never gone as fast in a racing wheelchair before. He reached unheard of speeds, barrelling down the Outeniqua Pass.
The main body of 22 athletes in ordinary wheelchairs required just a little push to get them started down the mountain, and from there on they just went faster and faster with plenty of speed wobbles.
The helpers had to run for all their worth to keep up with them.
There were a few anxious moments with the athletes negotiating the twists and turns, but luckily no one went off a cliff. The athletes were of the unanimous opinion that they never could have imagined that an ordinary wheelchair can go that fast.
Esther Watson wisely decided there and then that the next OCC Wheelchair Challenge will not be down the Outeniqua Pass.
I wonder whether Esther could’ve envisaged in 2002 that this event will become so big and prestigious. The OCC Wheelchair Challenge will always be a monument to Esther.
(OCC founder Esther Watson passed away in 2013 after a fierce battle with cancer.)
Article: George Herald