LOVE, SPORTS, BUSINESS AND TOURISM

                             

 

 

A year ago, having returned from a 15 month sabbatical in Jersey Channel Island, Nicola Lockhart decided to finally stop talking and to follow her dream of sports tourism. During her time alone on the Island, she realised that sport, and running in particular, was her passport to the world. She made great friendships and worked for the company Greenlight, that was the sponsor for the Island's first ever Ultra Marathon – Round the Rock, boasting seventy-seven breath taking kilometres around the Island. She became involved in week-end training sessions with athletes and took part in the run – placing 3^rd lady.

On her return to South Africa, she became involved in assisting with management at four star guest house “The Bay Atlantic” in Camps Bay. She mentioned her plans to start a sports tourism business and her friends that own the guest house introduced her to Patrick Hendriks – tour guide from Cape Escape Tours, Cape Mountain Biking Tours and Cape Hiking tours.

They met to discuss business and their love of sports and the outdoors. They became inseparable and their friendship eventually turned to romance. The first week of their relationship was exhausting admits Nicola, “we both tried to do as much as possible to impress the other from cycling ,running, hiking and even surfing – eventually I asked Patrick if we could just relax for the day and we were both relieved to know that we also enjoyed chilling out.”

Patrick assisted Nicola in setting up her business Energy in Abundance – A sports guiding business that assists athletes with local companionship for running, hiking and cycling (including bike hire) featuring The Big Five Running Tour (5 of the most scenic run routes in Cape Town) private transport is offered for all tours.

Patrick introduced Nicola to hiking and all the flora on the Table Mountain and Nicola introduced Patrick to trail- running. However, on 14^th February, Patrick presented Nicola with a Protea she had never seen before – it was enclosed with a ribbon and had an engagement ring inside! They were married on 28^th of July.

The two have since started Cape Mountain Hiking and Running Tours – they take guests on beautiful hiking and trail-running routes, including an overnight tour on Table Mountain.

Nicola has a background in fashion, business and sports. She is an experienced runner and triathlete, and she holds Western Province colours for triathlon and duathlon. She has represented South Africa internationally in both triathlon and duathlon worlds and finished Ironman twice. Nicola has also raced Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Puffer – Ultra Trail Run.

Patrick started his tourism business, Cape Escape in 1995 and later ventured into technical mountain biking Tours – including 7 day tours throughout the Western Cape. He has competed in The Epic Mountain bike race, was placed 3^rd in his category at SA trail running champs.