THE PLACE
Lüderitz is a quirky town lodged on the least hospitable coast in Africa. It was founded in 1883 when Heinrich Vogelsang purchased Angra Pequena and some of the surrounding land on behalf of Adolf Lüderitz, a Hanseat (First Family) from Bremen, from the local Nama chief. It began life as a trading post, fishing and guano-harvesting town, but when diamonds were discovered in 1909 in nearby Kolmanskop, Lüderitz enjoyed a sudden surge of prosperity. Now the diamonds are mostly found elsewhere and offshore, so Lüderitz has reverted to its former self. Its appeal as a town lies in the fact that little has changed since the early 20th century but they have wind…lots of wind and now the town is exploiting that.
The town has a few good restaurants and a great pub called Barrels, all good value with the good exchange rate as it is. Accommodation varies from good quality self catering apartments at about £15 a night to the 5 star Nest Hotel who is a sponsor of the event and offer a discounted rate for competitors from £45 a night. There are a few things to see and do if it’s not windy. The tourist bits are the old diamond-mining ghost town of Kolmanskop and boat trips to see the abundant sea life of penguins, seals, dolphins and the occasional whale but let’s be honest if your reading this then that is of little interest if it’s a world record you are after.
So over to double world record holder Zara Davis who has just succeeded in getting her women’s world record back at this event, about why she keeps coming back, what equipment and preparation you need for the event and what a typical day is like.”