The big male ostrich started in wild gallop. What a show! 5 seconds later Geir fell down on the ground, crawling and rolling. But the ostrich didn't wait and ran away.
Photo: Geir makes his finale preparations for a ride.
Our story is from 1995 when we drove the beautiful Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elisabeth in South Africa. The road follows the coastline, which is characterised by lakes, mountains, golden beaches, cliffs and dense indigenous forests. On our way we visited the Ostrich farm Highgate in Oudtshoorn high up in the mountains.
The place is known as the "Feather Capital" of the world because of the large ostrich industry in the area. One of flourishing Ostrich farms is Highgate where we had some great fun.
Few minutes earlier before Geir`s efforts, I had my challenge on an small female ostrich's back too. It lasted for 2-3 minutes, not for 5 seconds! Me and her got on very well together. Since I am a big gentleman Mrs. Ostrich liked me. Was it love at first sight? Or was it bite?
I managed to keep good balance on the bird's back, and hold it's wings tight. I have to admit that it was a much smaller one than Geir had, but anyway I can ensure you that it was very different from riding a horse.
The ostrich was almost impossible to control, and I never knew which direction it would move. Finally I fell off too, but I did at least get applause from the audience. Was it a new record? Yes, she threw me off; after all I was not her kind type! In the mean time a big female ostrich approached Geir and started to turn her head towards him. We could all see that she felt very attracted by this charming man.
She was definitely very curious. It was almost love at first bite. The whole situation turned quite comic. We had a good laugh, but so it turned to be little bit uncomfortable. We didn't know the ostrich's intentions, so it was best to be careful. It was a relief when a farmer chased the animal away.
If you fall off an ostrich the best thing to do is to roll around on the ground. Don't stand up immediately because the ostrich can kick you. Their claws are so sharp that it would cut up your body at once. If you lie down they will not be in the position to kick or stamp you.
We also attended an ostrich race. An ostrich can run at speeds up to 80 km/h over short distances. An adult ostrich weighs approximately 100 kg. A male can reach up to 2,4 meter high and weight 150 kg (300 pound). It is the world's heaviest bird. It can't fly because their wings are too small.
Photo: An Ostrich race.
The Ostriches speed was impressive even with people on their back. Riding a ostrich is an exciting activity you should not live without. Would you like to take this challenge
Riding an ostrich is an exciting activity you should not live without. Would you like to take this challenge too? I can ensure you; it is great fun!
Stein Morten Lund, 6 July 2000
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