From injury to inspiration: Carel Botha's extreme triathlon for a worthy cause

Carel Botha from Jamestown, Stellenbosch, recently completed the Extreme Triathlon, becoming the 16th person to do so. He undertook the challenge to raise funds for a wheelchair for a friend in need.

The triathlon included three major endurance events: the Comrades Marathon on Sunday June 8, the Freedom Challenge — a three-week mountain biking event through difficult terrain — and the Berg River Canoe Marathon, completed on Saturday, July 5.

He ended in 5th place in the Berg River Canoe Marathon.

Mr Botha attempted the Berg River Canoe Marathon in 2023 but had to withdraw due to hypothermia and poor weather conditions.

All three of these events tested his physical and mental endurance to the limit.

He said the paddling leg of the triathlon was the most difficult. “I found that the paddling was quite a challenge this year, just because of the extreme weather associated with it. I wasn’t as fit for the paddling and did not have so much river experience, so it was daunting and I didn’t think I would make it, and the weather on the Friday and Saturday was brutal,” he said.

“Strangely enough my shoulder started to pain, and I was in pain and agony for about six hours, just trying to move forward, so that was quite challenging.”

His wife, Marié Botha said: “I was always interested in how my husband’s brain works and I knew it wasn’t in an ordinary way, so I’m extremely proud of him (not surprised) but just to see the level of coping with stress and endurance he has, just from a psychological perspective it really tickles me to know and to see how somebody can motivate himself to such an extent. He went through pain, coldness, hunger and all of the normal things that will stop the average Joe, but not him; he overcame them all and just continued.

“I saw firsthand again that giving up never comes to mind, he’s not scared of that, just scared that he’s body won’t endure what is required of the triathlon, or the race, or whatever he is doing. He has a totally different way of thinking about endurance sport and it’s lovely to see it in action.”

In April 2024, Mr Botha sustained serious injuries when a tree branch fell on him during strong winds. He broke his back and pelvis and spent six weeks lying flat, followed by a three-month recovery process.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in the future — you will function normally again, be mobile in a normal way, or lift up and play with your kids again,” he said. “On the other hand, I knew that I could trust in God and that he has a plan for me, despite everything that has happened that was injury related.”

He said support from the community and his belief in God helped him maintain a positive mental state. “I really appreciated that, and it helped me to not give up. I’m a spiritual guy and believed in Jesus and my prayers, and that of my family really made the difference.”

After competing in the Freedom Challenge, he heard about this young man who was unable to walk and decided to dedicate his endurance efforts to raise funds for a wheelchair.

Mr Botha is a member of the Stellenbosch Running Club and the Stellenbosch Canoe Club. Francois Loedolff, who rowed alongside him during part of the Berg River Marathon, said:

“Carel’s story is so inspirational not only because he was injured while trying to protect their house in Jamestown, but also because after his injury while focusing on his recovery, in the midst of his own pain and experiences he still thought of someone who was wheelchair bound and thereafter started to run, cycle and row, to be able to provide this young man with a new wheelchair.”

The estimated cost of the wheelchair is R18 000.

Mr Loedolff said: “On rowing in the Berg River every morning Carel would always be cheerful and greet all the people around the river and just be a living testament of the joy and gratitude that comes with him being able to move freely again after such a serious accident, and in showing this gratefulness to his own recovery is what he aims to achieve in giving this young man more mobility with the wheelchair. He is a true inspiration to all of us.”

The fundraising initiative is available on BackaBuddy. Donations can also be made by contacting Marié Botha at jmvdm7@gmail.com