Period Epic

A British endurance athlete, Andrea Mason has completed a gruelling three-stage swim/cycle/run to help raise funds for disadvantaged girls

Fresh from swimming Cape Point in February, Andrea swam across False Bay (10hr21), then cycled from Rooiels to the Seweweekspoort in the Klein Karoo (360km), and then hiked 2 325m up Seweweekspoort. All in under 48hrs.

This was Andrea’s first southern hemisphere extreme challengeto raise money for Lady Talk Matters, an international charity founded by Andrea in 2020, which  assists girls and women with what has become known as period poverty. The charity has established a centre in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch where affordable reusable sanitary pads are manufactured and distributed free of charge in the local community.

Andrea said the challenge was tougher than she expected. ““Despite having swum the English Channel and done numerous return swims to Robben Island, nothing can prepare you for the False Bay crossing,” says Mason. “Ocean currents, sun on your back and grinding out stroke-after-stroke for 10hrs and 21mins had me in tatters, to tell the truth. I was not looking forward to getting on that bike, trust me.”

The 360km cycle had to be broken-up to meet curfew regulations and took 18.5hrs in total with intermittent refuelling stops. “It really was a relentless peddle with a few thigh-crunching climbs, but the amazing scenery along the Klein Karoo helped to keep the mind clear.”

Andrea says the climb up Seweweekspoort Pass, the highest mountain peak in the Western Cape, was brutal. “Besides the toll the incline took on an already battered body and bruised soul, the rocks kept sliding away under your feet, making any form of grip a real challenge – we are renaming the Seweweekspoort the Valley of the Skateboards after this!”

Mason says 50% of the population living in Kayamandi is female and an estimated 75% of those women are unable to afford basic period products. Some 30% of South African girls miss school due to their monthly period.  Once established in Kayamandi, Lady Talk Matters plans to extend its work in this field to other townships.

Donations at: https://ladytalkmatters.enthuse.com/cp/52740/donate#!/