Thomas van Tonder to tackle 600 monkey bars at Bloukrans Bridge
South Africa's obstacle racing world champion will attempt a 280m monkey bar crossing beneath Bloukrans Bridge on Monday, and admits he is unsure he can finish it.
Thomas van Tonder, South Africa’s world champion in obstacle course racing, is preparing for what could be the toughest test of his career: a monkey bar crossing high above the Eastern Cape, The Citizen reported.
A crossing 216 metres above the ground
The attempt is set for Monday at Bloukrans Bridge, where more than 600 monkey bars hang under the bridge’s arch. The structure stands 216 metres high. The course is 280 metres long and follows the arch’s 45-degree incline. That means Van Tonder must first work his way upwards, move across the top of the arch, and then make a careful descent on the far side.
There is no guarantee he will succeed. According to the report, Van Tonder says he is not sure he will get all the way across, despite the long build-up.
Six months on a home-built rig
To get ready, he spent the last six months training at home on a rig made specially for the task. It includes almost 50 metres of monkey bars that slope uphill, which is meant to mimic the climb he will face on the bridge.
The preparation has taken a physical toll. He has dealt with elbow tendonitis that will not go away, as well as sore shoulders. The challenge demands strong grip and upper-body endurance over a long stretch, so any weakness in those areas could be exposed high above the ground.
It is also a very different kind of feat from his earlier work. In 2020 he completed a rope climb between the Soweto Towers in Johannesburg that earned a Guinness World Records title.
Why he is doing it
Van Tonder grew up in Hartbeespoort and is a father. He says the attempt is about more than adding another record to his name. He wants to show the value of perseverance and encourage others to chase goals that look out of reach.
“It doesn’t matter how weird your dream is,” he said, adding that anyone passionate enough about a big goal should go for it.
What to watch for
The outcome will only be known once the attempt takes place on Monday. The report did not say whether the crossing will be streamed or open to spectators, so anyone hoping to follow it may need to look for updates closer to the day.
This story is based on reporting by The Citizen.
