Ten years for Quads4Quads
The Quads4Quads event that takes place from Carnival City to Durban will once again take place this year, marking its 10 year anniversary.
The off-road adventure is bigger and better than ever, according to Ari Seirlis, National Director QuadPara Association of South Africa (Qasa).
The adventure gets rolling on September 26 from Carnival City, with the first part of the event ending at Cane Cutters in Ballito on September 29.
The return ride starts on Thursday, October 3 from Durban and ends at Carnival City on Sunday, three days later.
Approximately 600 riders, some on quad bikes, some on motorbikes, including quadriplegic riders on adapted quads, face the challenge of covering 250km a day.
The Quads 4 Quads event was started ten years ago by a small off-road adventure business called Family Adventures, run by Glenn Foley and Corinne Andrews, who chose Qasa as the beneficiary of the fundraising ride.
Seirlis will be participating again for the eighth time in this year’s event.
Phil Case, a well-known quadriplegic, will be riding his adapted quad bike for the fifth time in a team with successful bike rider Alfie Cox, who has three podiums and eight stage wins in the Dakar.
For the last ten years, Qasa has benefitted from the funds raised by Quads4Quads, particularly their computer digital training centre, funded entirely by the proceeds of the event. The Driving Ambitions programme, also a beneficiary, aims to instruct people with disabilities to pass their driver’s licence and become independent.
“Qasa has identified the need to provide a service to develop the capacity of people with mobility impairment to drive, as well as those that would need to use adaptations on vehicles.
“Achieving a driver’s licence is a life-changing accomplishment that comes with the gift of independence, in addition to the employment opportunities that can arise, thereby empowering many individuals who are disabled,” says Seirlis.
“Qasa also employs quadriplegics and paraplegics in the national road safety programme to encourage South Africans to use their seatbelts.
“Ten years of gruelling riding through tough terrain, enduring some difficult weather conditions have improved the lives of quadriplegics and paraplegics in South Africa. The riders taking part, whether able or disabled, are the true champions of this cause.”
