WATCH LIVE: Thomas van Tonder Takes on 600 Monkey Bars Beneath Bloukrans Bridge

South African obstacle course racing world champion Thomas van Tonder will attempt to cross more than 600 monkey bars beneath the arch of Bloukrans Bridge on 26 October 2026, tackling a route suspended 216 metres above the river.

The course follows the bridge’s curve, requiring him to climb the rising arch, cross its flatter crown and descend the other side. Van Tonder describes it as his hardest challenge yet, with no certainty he will complete it.

“One version was probably possible,” Thomas says. “The other will push me to my limits, and I don’t know if I can do it.”

Following the Arch Makes the Crossing Harder

Van Tonder deliberately chose the curved route over a straight crossing along the top of the bridge.

Each section places different demands on his body: pulling strength on the ascent, endurance through the middle and controlled resistance on the descent.

Although a straight route appeared achievable, nobody around him was able to confirm whether following the full arch was possible.

“This is by no means something I know I can do,” he says, “which means it’s the right challenge.”

A Challenge Years in the Making

The idea grew from Van Tonder’s Guinness World Record rope climb between Johannesburg’s Soweto Towers in 2020.

Having raced obstacle courses across four continents, he wanted another challenge difficult enough to bring back the uncertainty he experienced when he began competing.

Fatherhood has also influenced his motivation.

“The people who look up to you learn far more from what you do than from what you say,” Thomas says. “The best way to teach that is to take on something really difficult myself, figure it out and train for it, because the process is where the value is.”

Specialised Training Brings Injuries and Setbacks

Preparation has involved months of specialised training and renewed attention to upper-body strength.

Despite his natural ability on obstacles, Van Tonder says he had neglected this part of his training for years.

“It takes far more strength and endurance than I thought,” he admits. “I’ve picked up injuries along the way. I still have tendonitis in my elbow and my shoulders are sore. It’s been a reminder of why this sport is hard.”

Seeing the bridge in person reinforced the scale of the task.

“The arch looks much bigger in person than on camera,” Thomas says. “It’s like standing at the base of a tall building. I thought, what have we done?”

Riggers Design a Course Without Drilling Into the Bridge

The attempt also requires a purpose-built course along the curve of the 451-metre bridge.

Richard Lievaart, Head of Rigging and Safety Director on the project from Vertical Safety Systems (VSS), leads the team responsible for designing, testing and certifying the installation.

A central requirement was avoiding permanent changes to the structure.

“The hardest problem to solve was that we couldn’t bolt the bridge at all,” Lievaart says. “Nothing we installed could be permanent. No bolts, no drilling, no marks left behind. Once we solved that, everything else became workable.”

The team developed two independent safety systems.

“We’ve got two completely independent points of safety,” he explains. “One is a rail system strapped to the truss. The other is a separate line running directly to Thomas, with no connection to the truss at all. If one system ever failed, the other is still there.”

Trust Is Central to the Attempt

Lievaart, who has climbed with Van Tonder for years, says protecting the athlete is the team’s priority.

“It’s a big responsibility, building something you know someone is going to trust with their life,” Lievaart says. “I’ve climbed with Thomas for years. My job is simple: he does what he came to do, and he goes home safely to his family. Safety is not a compromise here.”

Van Tonder says his confidence in the people behind the installation is essential.

“Having people I trust enough to build this, and knowing I’ll get home safely, is a big part of why this is possible at all,” Thomas says.

Beyond completing the crossing, he hopes the project encourages others to pursue ambitious personal goals.

“It doesn’t matter how weird your dream is,” he says. “If it’s big enough and you’re passionate about it, go for it.”

Attempt Details

• Date: 26 October 2026.
• Location: Bloukrans Bridge, Tsitsikamma, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• Challenge: More than 600 monkey bars following the bridge’s arch.
• Height: 216 metres above the Bloukrans River.

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