STORM WARNING – CAPESTORM e-newsletter March 2010
By on March 5th, 2010
It’s only March and we think that at CAPESTORM we have the most exciting news in our history. Although we have progressed from a garage operation to a 10 store, multi-million Rand business, we have never forgotten our roots. We are trusted by the World’s leading explorers, adventurers and those pushing the limits and boundaries of what can be achieved. Having put climbers on all the 7 continent summits, most of the highest mountains in the World, helped them walk unaided to the South Pole and complete many extreme events, 2010 is a year where we literally hit new heights. Later this month two teams leave for Everest; Ronnie Muhl’s Summit Strategy team which includes 5 South Africans and 5 Australians will attempt to summit the World’s highest mountain from the South Side. They will ALL be kitted out in CAPESTORM ASR 8000m down suits. These suits are custom made for each climber and are, we believe, the best high altitude suits in the World. We think it’s probably the first time that a complete expedition has been reliant on one company for its apparel. Having put 5 climbers on the summit, we are confident that the team will be well protected against the elements.
As well as the 10 climbers in the party we have 3 other unique climbers in the party: Mandy Ramsden is a South African, working single mother who has climbed 6 of the 7 highest peaks in each continent and now tackles the last of the seven summits: Everest. If successful, Mandy will become the first South African women to achieve this feat. Mandy is also using a CAPESTORM ASR custom made down suit in her attempt. We are very proud to be associated with Mandy’s attempt at making history and will be charting her progress both on our website and Facebook page (which will be updated daily) as she moves up the mountain via her sat-phone.
Finally, CAPESTORM is clothing two of the leading sherpas on the Summit Strategies team who between them already have 15 Everest summits to their names! Lhakpa Rangdu Sherpa is the main Sirdar, is 38 years old and has summited Everest 5 times and has climbed the mountain from both sides. Ngima Nuru Sherpa is the assistant Sirdar. He is 28 years old and has summited Everest 10 times already.
You will be able to follow the exploits of all the climbers as they make their way towards the summit on our Facebook page, website and in our stores. We are very excited about the possibility of having a number of CAPESTORM clad climbers on top of the World, and wish them the best of luck for the trip. We would also like to invite our customer to a farewell party and press conference at our Wynberg store on Tuesday 16 March. Places will be very limited and on a first come, first served basis. There will be a free finger buffet. Ronnie, Mandy Ramsden and many of the staff involved in the making of the suits will be present to chat, as well as the 13 down suits!
Facebook page
We have a growing Facebook fan page with over 1000 fans. News on events, promotions and specials are posted there regularly, so if you can’t wait for the newsletter each month, the CAPESTORM Facebook fan page is the place to go. This week we are giving away R1000 worth of CAPESTORM vouchers just for posting your pic on our wall. Go the CAPESTORM Facebook page and become a fan and part of the CAPESTORM community.
World Wetlands Day
CAPESTORM teamed up with Cape Nature to support the World Wetland Day on 2 February. We were delighted to support this excellent initiative. For further information on the work carried out by Cape Nature click here. www.capenature.co.za
Alex Harris – Bryanston store
Following in the footsteps of the explorers from the Age of Heroes, Alex Harris and Sibusiso Vilane embark on their own unsupported trek to the south pole. Alex and Sibu, both seasoned explorers who have climbed the 7 summits and led expeditions across the globe, find themselves in their most challenging and potentially life-threatening environment. Watching the beauty of Antarctica quickly shift to desolation, Alex and Sibu trudge day after day on their life-long quest to be modern day explorers.
www.switchvert.com -> Projects: South Of 80
WHEN: Wednesday 3 March @ 6.30 – 7pm
WHERE: CAPESTORM Bryanston Store.
COST: R20.00
TO BOOK: Please email bryanston@capestorm.co.za
Bridget Ringdahl evening event
An illustrated talk by Bridget Ringdahl on her recent book detailing her year long bicycle ride through South America in support of FREE-ME KZN. “Determination and my keen sense for adventure fuelled my year long, 13110km bicycle trip across the South American continent (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia). Starting off alone in Ushaia, the Southern most town in the world I finished in the colonial city of Cartagena set on the Caribbean in Colombia. Following the Andes mountains all the way I crossed the glacier encrusted paradise of Patagonia, more than 15 excruciating passes between 3000m – 4700m, the incredible and bazaar Salar Uyuni (the worlds largest and highest salt pan, Bolivia), the Central Cordillera of Peru, the ‘avenue of volcanoes’ in Ecuador and the high mountains of Colombia down to the Caribbean coast.
Books on sale: R170
Date: Thursday, 18 March 2010 Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Venue: CAPESTORM Wynberg Store, 45 Lester Road, Wynberg
Cost: R20.00 RSVP: info@capestorm.co.za & specify the number of places required.
Evening Events
We have seen an unprecedented increase in the demand for evening events, both from our customers and from prospective speakers. With such a wide variety of topics and some amazing stories, it’s impossible to say no. Therefore, over the next couple of months you will see events on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursdays, and quite often more than one in a week at our Wynberg store. ALL our events with details of time, date, presenter, format and how to book will appear on our Facebook page under the ‘event’ section. This is updated as new events are added so is the first port of call for our customers. Please go to the page (put link here) to keep abreast of new events. We will also send out email flyers approximately 2-3 weeks before each event so also watch your inbox.
CAPESTORM Cycle Team Podium
Stuart Lang from Team CAPESTORM continued the good run of form of the team with a 4th place at the recent Bouckaert Soenen League race. Stuart tells me that 4th is a podium in cycling because it’s so hard! Having ridden a long way behind him I can’t disagree with that. Stefan Ihlenfeldt managed to win his 3rd race in a row and with the bonus seconds moves closer to Ryan Kemp and the Pink Jersey.
Winning Time: 3:04:20
1. Stefan Ihlenfedt – Cape Town Market
2. Dean Hopf – Cycle Lab
3. Pierre Henri Olivier
4. Stuart Strang – CAPESTORM
5. Alex Heward – Olympic Cycles
New Products
This month the first of our new winter range start to come off the production line. A women’s version of one of quickest selling new products ever: the ACTIVATE jacket will be in our stores very soon. Look out for this stunning ‘twin shell’ in a concept store soon. The ACTIVATE is a completely windproof jacket with a microfleece lining. Unlike traditional Softshells, the two layers are not bonded together, making for an ultralight weight jacket that defies its weight to keep you warm even when the temperature dips and the windchill rises.
Corporate Cycle and Running wear
We have long be known for the quality of out cycling and running wear and are approached on a daily basis by clubs and company requesting the quality of our product by in their colours. We now have the ability to meet those requirements and produce printed and logoed apparel for all needs. What we will not do is compromise on quality therefore we are unlikely to ever be the cheapest but we will offer you a product that will last and will enhance your company or club’s reputation. For details or a quote email friedericke@capestorm.co.za
We can also put your company logo on any of our other products either print, transfer or embroidery, including fleece, our extensive golf range, softshells, waterproofs and moisture management tops.
New Activewear
You can see some pics of our new activewear items by going to the CAPESTORM Facebook page and going to photo albums. The winter items will be in our stores soon!
WSAR
Those of you living in Cape Town city bowl can’t have missed the sound of helicopters racing overhead toward the mountain. With some pretty gruesome temperatures these last few weekends, the number of people on the mountain in trouble from dehydration, exhaustion or just plain lost seems to have increased. Luckily there is a group of men and women who are always ready to help. The Western Cape Search and Rescue team (WSAR) are made up of volunteers and are on call 24 hours a day to assist with rescues on Table Mountain. A number of our staff are active in the service and therefore we are happy to sponsors and support WSAR with apparel. Seen here at a practise session, they have specially made bright yellow jackets which certainly catch the eye! For more information on their work and how to get involved go to http://mcsacapetown.co.za/
www.capestorm.co.za
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