To make his company’s office party stand out from the rest, a 50-year old Cape Town businessman took on a new challenge, lost weight and performed a surprise trapeze act with Zip Zap at his company’s circus themed year-end function last week.
Martin Dippenaar, founder and MD of software development firm Global Kinetic, shocked a crowd of 300 colleagues, partners and clients when he walked on to the stage as part of his Zip Zap Circus’ final entertainment act. Dippenaar swung from a single hanging bar performing complicated manoeuvres as part of a three and a half minute solo trapeze show that took two months to prepare.
“It was exhausting, but exhilarating,” says Dippenaar, who joked that his first priority during the act was not to fall off the bar.
When planning Global Kinetic’s year-end function, Dippenaar had been inspired by his childhood fascination with circus acts and trapeze artists.
“I saw a conceptual link between my team of incredibly talented and creative software developers and those in a circus who display the same highly skilled qualities as performers.”
Ready for a new challenge, Dippenaar asked Zip Zap to include him in the circus entertainment for the event.
Brent van Rensburg, co-founder and artistic director of Zip Zap, comments: “At first we suggested something easy but Martin was determined to be in the air and learn technical skills so we began with intense trapeze training sessions.”
“At Zip Zap our motto is ‘dare to dream’ and that is exactly what Martin did. From struggling to hold his own weight when he began two months ago, he resolved to put fears of failure aside and become the trapeze artist he had dreamed about. His performance was exceptional.”
The intense training for the year end function has had a great effect on Dippenaar’s mental and physical health. Despite enduring sore hands, blisters and bruises as a beginner, he is nine kilograms lighter, with toned muscle and more flexible ever.
“It has changed the way I think about what is possible,” he says. “You’re never too old to do something that you’ve always dreamt about.”
Zip Zap teaches circus skills in the greater Cape Town area and provides circus entertainment at private functions and public events.
