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The Swartkop Challenge Extreme event with no compromise Can you accept the Challenge? |
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Campaign Trails offers holidays and excursions using the theme of military expeditions of 18th and 19th centuries. |
The Swartkop Challenge will be at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal and will form a part of the attractions of the Ladysmith Weekend. Saturday 9th April 2011 The Swartkop Challenge is an extreme sport event for teams weighing up to 1900kg with two leaders in addition, to draw a gun weighing some 1300kg up a hill of up to 1:1 over a course of some 130m. It is inspired by feats of arms in the South African War of 1899-1902 when heavy guns were repeatedly mounted on the top of kopjes and manpower was the only resource once the incline became too steep for draught animals. The Challenge duplicates Swartkop where 14 guns were mounted by the British for the Battle of Vaalkraz - one of the several attempts to lift the Seige of Ladysmith which kept the British Empire on the edge for 118 days.The origins of the Naval Field Gun Competition are based on the feats of the Naval Brigades during the defence and relief of Ladysmith for which 20 VC's were awarded. Prize Money All teams completing a timed run will receive prize money with the fastest three teams sharing a sponsor’s purse. The fastest team will be awarded the Perpetual Trophy which is a working model of the long-range 12pdr mounted on its wooden trail. The event is organised by Campaign Trails who specialise in battlefield and historic tours to South Africa – Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’s Tour Operator of the Year 2006, 2008 & 2009. www.campaigntrails.co.za |
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