Step-by-step guide to skydiving

 

Skydiving is one of the sports that features most on many people’s bucket lists. There is something about it that makes people crave the adventure and adrenalin that comes with falling out of an airplane at terminal velocity. 

 

While it is something that can easily be done by a beginner with the help of a trained professional, it is not as simple as strapping on a parachute, flying up to 20,000 feet and jumping. 

 

There is a whole host of safety procedures, failsafe’s and safety checks that need to be performed to make the experience a successful one.

 

The first thing you need to do is to dress according to the weather on the ground. It may be necessary to bring an extra layer, since temperatures and wind factors are much harsher at higher altitudes. Once you get to the drop zone, or depending on how you’ve made your arrangements, you will need to decide on what kind of jump you want to do. Tandem jumps are the most common for beginners, and involve no more on the part of the inexperienced jumper than to get strapped to a professional, then to hold on and enjoy the fall. 

 

Static line jumps allow the jumper to exit the plane by himself or herself, with the chute deployed automatically via a lined connection with the carriage. Inexperienced jumpers will have radio contact with the ground to assist in maneuvering and landing techniques. Accelerated freefalling is the easiest way for a novice to experience jumping without being tethered to someone. 

 

In this situation, the diver jumps and is joined by two instructors who hold on to their waist or arms, assisting in positioning techniques, and instructing them on when to pull the ripcord. Once this happens, the divers are on their own, enjoying the scenery from under the canopy of the parachute. These kinds of jumps are preceded by ground training sessions on positioning, instrument checking and emergency deployment.

 

After a number of assisted jumps, training exercises and courses, individuals will be able to obtain a license, allowing them to jump on their own in future. 

A typical jump takes place from between 12,500 and 18,000 feet, and jumpers can experience up to 185km/h before having to pull the cord between 4000 and 6000 feet above ground level. 

 

In order to determine how high they are, jumpers use altimeters attached to the wrist. Once they've reached the pull altitude, the ripcord is pulled, and the pilot chute is deployed, which creates drag and subsequently pulls the main chute out of the bag. 

 

Failsafe procedures follow if the chute fails to deploy, and emergency chutes are either automatically deployed, or have a dedicated mechanism to allow deployment. Modern packs are also equipped with advanced detectors that will automatically deploy the chute if the diver crosses a certain threshold while still in freefall. 

 

When freefalling, typical positioning is the spread eagle position, with both arms and both legs spread out horizontally in line with the torso, creating some level of drag and stabilizing the body to balance when the drag of the chute is initially felt.

 

 

Written by Wesley Geyer

Creative writer at ATKA SA

Mountain biking in South Africa

South Africa is widely known as one of the most scenic countries in the world. Landscapes vary significantly from region to region, and because of that, many nature enthusiasts have taken to exploring it in any way they can. 

 

Mountain biking is one of the most fast-paced and exhilarating ways to explore the terrain, and South Africa has some of the best trails in the world.

 

The following is a list of a few of South Africa’s choice routes, adapted from various sources and related lists.

 

Baakens River – Intermediate to Difficult (24km)

 

The Baakens Valley is a long and narrow green-space running through the heart of the Port Elizabeth metropolitan area. It stretches in a general east-west direction from just above the harbour to the western outskirts of Port Elizabeth, on the Cape Town side of the city.

 

Local riders rate the contour paths and jeep tracks as one of the best urban rides in South Africa. Expect sharp climbs, rutted downhill’s and heaps of obstacles to test your technical skills to the max. For personal safety reasons, it is always recommended that you cycle the route with a friend or two.

 

Longmore Forest Route – Moderate – Various Lengths

Situated close to Port Elizabeth, this seemingly endless network of gravel roads (840km according to the resident plantation manager) will put miles into your legs, with more than enough jeep-track links to keep it adventurous. Park at the Longmore offices, then head uphill along the gravel road and follow the Kings View signs for an enjoyable 90min (or up to 5-hour) circuit.

 

 

Woodridge/Thornhill XC – Moderate/technoical – Various lengths

 

Your first stop is Woodridge School, one of the few educational institutions in South Africa to boast its own Nationals-quality XC (cross-country) route. The purpose-built route offers some exhilarating and challenging single track riding. It’s great on a windy day, as the plantation offers both shelter and shade. Permits are required and these must be shown at the gate when entering the premises. No less than 95% of the 8km course is groomed single track, dipping and diving through forest sections, plantations and some open grassland.

 

From Woodridge, it is a doddle to get to Thornhill, a tiny village just across Van Staden’s Gorge and approximately 6km further along the N2. This is a more recent, but no less exciting riding venue, catering to both rookie riders and the more hardcore XC racing snakes. Local mountain biker Grant Puttergill has put together a killer 6km route on his Sunny­vale farm, and again you will be bombing into a veritable single track paradise.

 

PwC Toyota Cycle Park – Beginner to expert – Up to 15km

 

Situated in Bryanston, Johannesburg, this secure cycle park offers custom built single-track trails for mountain bikes that are suited for all ages and all skill levels. All the routes are graded, clearly signposted and include beginner, intermediate and advanced circuits. Besides the many kilometres of man-made trails, there is also a world championship standard BMX track at the park.

 

The obstacles increase in number and complexity as the grading goes from novice to advanced level. Enjoy the single-track and tight turns that will make you concentrate on your cornering techniques on the easier trails before heading into the intermediate trails where you will have to pay a bit more attention, as on these you will have to deal with a drop or a log or a steep bump to avoid being bounced off.

 

For the expert riders, the ladder bridges and berms will assure some exhilarating cranking and a serious rush of adrenalin. And finally for the hooligans looking for interesting ways to commit suicide by mountain bike, the Dirt Jump Heaven seems like the right place to be. 

 

 

Written by Wesley Geyer

Creative Writer at ATKA SA

Fuel Prices over the past few years

As a country we hang our heads in defiance when hearing another announcement of a fuel price hike. Over the last ten years the price of petrol per litre has more than tripled. 

 

Let’s look at fuel prices over the past few years and also discuss some factors that contribute to the consistent rise of fuel prices.

 

 

The above image (sourced from www.cars.co.za) may be no news to you. In 2003 South Africans had to pay R4.00 for a litre of petrol.

 

This sound unrealistic in comparison to what consumers must pay now. On average, the petrol price gains nearly a rand a year, although the jumps in the prices have been erratic. Between 2003 and 2013 the petrol price was pushed up with a whopping 339%!

 

 

The year between August 2008 and August 2009 have seen a drop of nearly R2,50 per litre – a welcome reprieve for consumers in South Africa. But the last 4 years has seen the price nearly doubled.

 

This leads us to ask the question – why do fuel prices rise and fall constantly? What factors determine the cost of filling up my car? In the long term the biggest factor influencing fuel prices is the cost of crude oil. In the marketplace however, factors include forces of supply and demand and also competition.

 

Figures released in July of this year indicate that nearly 28% of fuel costs are attributed to taxes. This means that R3,69 of the R13,23 per litre goes to tax. Other factors that influence the fuel price are local market conditions such as supply, demand, competition and government regulations.

 

In the short term supply and demand imbalances will definitely affect prices. Supply shortages due to whatever reason (including transport and worker strikes) will typically cause an upward price pressure. Length of supply, where supply exceeds demand, can result in a downward price pressure.

 

Due to the fact that our oil is  mostly imported, foreign exchange and geographical location play an important role in determining the fuel price. Consumers who live in coastal areas will typically pay a lower price due to the fact that they bypass the costs of transporting fuel inland.

 

So what awaits fuel consumers in the future? Well, that’s difficult to determine with certainty. Some fuel suppliers are starting to implement a comprehensive national energy policy that addresses both fuel conservation (in other words, reducing demand) and increasing the supply of crude oil and refined products. This includes streamlined permitting for petroleum infrastructure as well as increasing domestic oil production in environmentally responsible manners.

 

Ultimately fuel prices are determined by global supply and demand and the market will always decide the price. Consumers who are finding the fuel hikes problematic, should look for alternatives such as public transport or carpooling. 

 

In the end fuel is a much needed commodity, regardless of the effect on its consumers’ pockets.

 

 

Writtem by Marleen Theunissen

Creative writer for ATKA SA

How to get ready for Tax season

 

 

Every year, tax season seems to come quicker and quicker. As we get busy, preparing for the end of the year, planning holidays and business functions to close out the busy year, many of us tend to forget that Income Tax returns need to be filed. 

 

Dates for 2013 have been set between July 1st and the 22nd of November. The cutoff date at the end of November is strictly for returns through the e-filing system, however, and physical returns will need to be filed by the 27th of September.

 

Because the e-filing system implemented by SARS is so much more accessible, convenient and gives you almost two months extra, it is recommended that you get acquainted with it beforehand. There are a few things to keep in mind, however, whether you’re filing manually or through the SARS E-filing system.

 

Firstly, even though it is something that we all tend to do from time to time, avoid waiting until the last possible moment to file your return. For one, if you get it out of the way early, you will give yourself extra time to focus on other things that may take more time. Filing early also gives you the peace of  mind that you won’t have to deal with any congestion that may arise on the e-filing system from overloading, or face any challenges at the post office if that’s how you’ve chosen to do it.

 

Secondly, make sure to be as accurate and honest on your return as possible. Avoid inflating your expenses, or not declaring all of your income (since this is illegal, and since the implementation of the e-filing system, there has been a huge increase in the number of random audits done every year, as well as the efficiency and accuracy of these audits).

 

To make the process easier for yourself, make sure to keep all relevant documents in one place, so you have easy access to them for reference while you’re filling out your return.

 

 

Written by Marleen Theunissen

Creative writer at ATKA SA

Larger tax burden for South African Mining industry

 

 

At the Mangaung conference hosted by the ANC late last year, early talks of a revised mining tax code began, but didn't surface again until the middle of this year. 

 

In a statement released in July of 2013, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that documents related to the State Intervention in Mining proposal would be reconsidered as part of a complete tax review that could include revised tax rates for the mining industry.

 

The State Intervention in Mining document has lead to speculation that the ruling party would want the taxation of mining commodities to rise to 50% on all activities. A rate similar to this has been implemented in Australia, being stated as a resource rent, but has been met with a lot of opposition throughout the opposition political parties and members of industries that are being affected.

 

As part of the consideration set into motion by Gordhan, an executive committee will review every aspect of the proposal in order to determine whether or not the current tax rate on the mining industry is enough. 

 

The committee, which will be required to provide interim reports to the Finance Minister while making their decision. The decision will require them to consider factors such as the economic instability faced by South Africa, low commodity prices, declining profit margins, rising costs and commodity shortages.

 

Analysts and tax authorities have advised, however, that a higher tax rate would be crippling to the industry, which remains one of the most vital industries in driving the South African economy. 

 

Current tax systems on the mining industry make use of brackets that allow companies and startups with lower profit margins to pay less tax on the use of the commodities than those with higher profit margin, while a set tax rate across the board would mean even more of an unequal balance and causing potential startups in the industry to have to fight an even steeper battle to be sustainable.

 

More information on the revision of the mining tax laws will become available over the next few months, while a more solid decision should be expected during the 2014 State of the Union address in parliament.

 

 

Written by Wesley Geyer

Creative writer at ATKA SA

Fuel Prices

As a country we hang our heads in defiance when hearing another announcement of a fuel price hike. Over the last ten years the price of petrol per litre has more than tripled. 

 

Let’s look at fuel prices over the past few years and also discuss some factors that contribute to the consistent rise of fuel prices.

 

 

 

The above image (sourced from www.cars.co.za) may be no news to you. In 2003 South Africans had to pay R4.00 for a litre of petrol. This sound unrealistic in comparison to what consumers must pay now. On average, the petrol price gains nearly a rand a year, although the jumps in the prices have been erratic. Between 2003 and 2013 the petrol price was pushed up with a whopping 339%!

 

The year between August 2008 and August 2009 have seen a drop of nearly R2,50 per litre – a welcome reprieve for consumers in South Africa. But the last 4 years has seen the price nearly doubled.

 

This leads us to ask the question – why do fuel prices rise and fall constantly? What factors determine the cost of filling up my car? In the long term the biggest factor influencing fuel prices is the cost of crude oil. 

 

In the marketplace however, factors include forces of supply and demand and also competition.

 

Figures released in July of this year indicate that nearly 28% of fuel costs are attributed to taxes. This means that R3,69 of the R13,23 per litre goes to tax. Other factors that influence the fuel price are local market conditions such as supply, demand, competition and government regulations.

 

In the short term supply and demand imbalances will definitely affect prices. Supply shortages due to whatever reason (including transport and worker strikes) will typically cause an upward price pressure. Length of supply, where supply exceeds demand, can result in a downward price pressure.

 

Due to the fact that our oil is  mostly imported, foreign exchange and geographical location play an important role in determining the fuel price. Consumers who live in coastal areas will typically pay a lower price due to the fact that they bypass the costs of transporting fuel inland.

 

So what awaits fuel consumers in the future? Well, that’s difficult to determine with certainty. Some fuel suppliers are starting to implement a comprehensive national energy policy that addresses both fuel conservation (in other words, reducing demand) and increasing the supply of crude oil and refined products. This includes streamlined permitting for petroleum infrastructure as well as increasing domestic oil production in environmentally responsible manners.

 

Ultimately fuel prices are determined by global supply and demand and the market will always decide the price. Consumers who are finding the fuel hikes problematic, should look for alternatives such as public transport or carpooling. 

 

In the end fuel is a much needed commodity, regardless of the effect on its consumers’ pockets.

 

 

Written By: Marleen Theunissen

Creative Writer for ATKA SA

 

Enzo Van Vuuren’s quest to save the Rhino!

 

 

In 2011 Enzo Van Vuuren, at the age of 48, began a 6000km journey around South Africa as part of a fundraising and awareness campaign focused on the Youth of South Africa, as well as promoting healthy living and educating the country on the health benefits of clean water.

 

Van Vuuren, as a member of Heal The World, has now decided to dedicate the last 4000km of his journey to the cause of the Rhinoceros, an animal that has recently been under major threat from poaching and the illegal trade of horns.

 

 

Van Vurren’s Rhino Challenge began at the end of 2012 with the support of many organizations around the country, including The Little Logbook – makers of the popular GPS trip-logging device. 

 

The Little Logbook have created a unique device that is being used by Van Vuuren on his journey around the country that will contain the details of his distances and route as he makes his way around the country promoting his cause.

 

The Little Logbook, also dedicated to the plight of the Rhino, has teamed up with the Rhino Orphanage, situated at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in the Limpopo Province, by introducing the ‘Rhino Promotional Code’.

 

Any purchase of a Little Logbook product from the company’s website entering the voucher code ‘Rhino’, will allow the Little Logbook to pledge R100 of the purchase to the Rhino Orphanage!

 

 

By Wesley Geyer

ATKA SA