Durban Sports & Outdoors

16 June 2005,The Comrades Marathon is arguably the greatest ultra marathon in the world. Athletes come from all walks of life across the universe to combine muscle and mental strength to conquer 90 kilometres between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The Comrades Marathon attracts thousands of runners and tens of thousands of television viewers every year.

Equipment: Running Shoe`s , Jogging Shorts and Top.

With Aqua Planet who is the resident dive centre to the uShaka Marine World you can arrange to dive in the Ocean Tank of the Marine World.
And that is what you can see: Guitar Sharks, Spotted, Giant, Eagle, and Marblel Rays, Queen and Gar Fish, Daga Salmon, Prodigal Son, and Pompano Fish.
The sharks and rays are up to 2.5-3metres in length and weigh up to 250kg - ranging in size from adorable to breathtakingly huge!

Equipment: You can hire your equipment in the dive centre of bring your own.

About an hours drive south of Durban is the town of Scottburgh. From here launches are made to the Aliwal Shoal a spectacular reef some 5 km off the coast.
Quo Vadis Dive Charters are my preferred operator and I have taken many dives with them to the shoal. They are next door to the Cutty Sark Hotel and run a very professional operation. Launching from the beach just outside the dive centre you will be taken some 5 km off the coast to dive this spectacular reef.
Make sure to book - since they are always very busy - especially during weekends and public holidays.

Equipment: You can hire all your equipment here, and also refill your cylinders.

South Africa is a sport fanatic nation – and the stadiums that are available today in the country including in Durban are some of the best in the world. The ABSA Stadium is the normal rugby ground, but also home to soccer games and athletic functions

Durban’s beaches are one of the best areas in the world for surfing. Some beaches are protected against shark attacks with nets and a strong surf from the Indian Ocean during most times of the year give optimal surfing conditions.

I visited the ABSA Stadium to watch a friendly football (that's soccer to you yanks) match between South Africa and England.

The stadium was only a short bus ride from the hotel on the North Beach and the first thing we did was find a pub. We caught a taxi back after the game so I'm really not best qualified to discuss the location of the stadium in Durban.

What I will say is, that it was a fairly modern stadium, even by European standards and I've definitely visited worse in England (yes, I mean you Norwich !!!)

Equipment: Absolutely nothing, we were even given free beer !!!

This definatley an adrenalin junkies dream!!!!

Visit the awesome Oribi Gorge near Port Shepstone, just over an hours drive south of Durban, for a truley vain pumping experience.

Enjoy the views from both sides of the Gorge as you leap off the top of water fall and plumet towards the ground below at a breath taking speeds!!!

Situated at the top of Lehrs falls, it is the highest swing in the world.

One steps or jumps off the waterfall to swing into the depths of the gorge in a 100m (33 Storeys) arc.

Unbelievable!!

Equipment: Some courage juice!!!

Oribi Gorge is a stunning Nature Reserve situated on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal, about an hour and a half's drive from Durban.

It is home to what is apparently the worlds highest commercial abseil...... 180m!!!

Not for those suffering from vertigo, but certainly something for those adrenalin junkies!!!

The first 45m is a cliff abseil where one traditionally abseils with their feet against the cliff while the remaining 65m is a free abseil allowing one to take in the beauty of the gorge from a different angle.

Beginners are welcome to abseil and will be given full instruction on the techniques and only when they have satisfied certain requirements will they be lowered over the edge of the 170m waterfall

Equipment: Abseiling Equipment is supplied at the Gorge.