My shearing journey has taken me to New Zealand and Australia and led me to start my own shearing business in South Africa.  I have worked with, and learned from some of the best shearers in the world, and I’ve found myself at a place where I too, can be called a shearer.

Shearing gives you a strong back, tough hands and helps you to understand the meaning of honest work. It is one of the toughest skills to master but also one of the most rewarding:  Shearing changes you. Shearing tempers you. Shearing teaches you to embrace and harness pain. Shearing humbles you. Shearing gives you confidence. Shearing is one of the best and harshest teachers in the world.  Shearing also keeps you honest.  I have been through the gauntlet and have been pushed to the limit on many occasions. My shearing career has been a good one, but it would be even better and meaningful to step away from it having achieved something I have only dreamt of.

This has led me to a decision to attempt to set a South African shearing record.  I never claimed to be the best or the fastest shearer. By international standards I am slightly above average, but by South African standards I would rank in the top 5%. There is no such South African record as the one I will attempt.  My hope in doing this is to inspire young South African shearers to strive to be better, to push themselves further, to climb higher than me on the ladder - so that one day they will be able to rank themselves in the top 5% of the world.  Someone has to set the bar and take the first step - so that others may raise this bar in the future. Today marks the start of my journey.

I would like to invite you to join me as I step into the realm of the unknown, trying to balance work, family life and many hours of strenuous training. 

If you would like to become a sponsor, please get in touch with us. We need funding and equipment to make all of this a reality. This is an excellent advertisement opportunity for your business as we are striving to create more awareness around sheep shearing, health and general well-being.

Our aim is to raise R1 000 000 which will be donated to PINKDRIVE Cancer awareness organization. Breast cancer has been a reality for many of the women in my family and if we are able to give back and help others it will only make the record attempt more worthwhile.