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Adventure couple Riaan Manser and Vasti Geldenhuys ties the knot
Image Credit: Ilse Belle Photography
Adventure couple Riaan Manser and Vasti Geldenhuys ties the knot
This couple survived rowing across the Atlantic together and married life is their next adventure.
Adventure is in Riaan Manser’s blood and after meeting Vasti Geldenhuys in 1999, he circumnavigated Africa as she finished her law studies. Their relationship continued as he kayaked around Madagascar, Iceland and more, until the day they finally decided to get married.
Vasti watched Riaan and Dan Skinstad’s journey around Iceland and told him she wanted to do something incredible with her life. He planned a world first row from Africa to North America and off they went. Friends know Vasti as the girl whose smile lit up Riaan’s life. When he called her, it was the first time he’d used a number he got from a girl and it’s still the only number he’s called.
The groom always loved how down to earth his bride is and Vasti’s dress was a study in understated elegance with our national flower the star of her bouquet. Every guest got a ride on the Cape Wheel and for their venue the couple chose the graceful Table Bay Hotel who are involved with the Mansers’ next expedition.
Vasti’s husband is someone who captivated our nation’s greatest inspiration, Nelson Mandela. Though this wasn’t an evening dedicated to Riaan’s exploits. It was evidence of how normal the couple are. If you still love someone after ten thousand kilometres together in a rowing boat surrounded by sharks, waves, storms and very large ships – then you’ve found the one.
