The Go West team has completed their first round of compulsory equipment testing for the pan-Indian race set to launch later this month. The boat, named the “Whatever it Takes” will complete its inspection phase soon and needs to be in top condition to handle the rough waters ahead.

After passing their RYA Yacht master Theory courses on the 1st of April the crew have given several interviews and have now begun to mentally prepare themselves for the arduous task ahead. While training has dwindled in intensity due to boat preparations and yacht theory training courses, the crew feels they are ready to take on the Indian Ocean.

Vision Direct sponsors the Go West team and applauds their dedication to extreme sporting. Vision Direct has also supplied the four crew members with the best in designer sporting eyewear, including Rudy Project, Oakley, Burberry and more.

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Four lads from Perth set out across the Indian Ocean with little more than food, water, a firm boat and the best gear in the industry (provided by Vision Direct) to protect their bodies. With extreme sporting, such as this, protecting one’s eyes is of the utmost importance. Here is how two of the team mates protect themselves in style. The Go West team is comprised of Andrew, Pete, Matt and Dave.

Like his teammates Andrew and Pete, Matt has chosen his eyewear for the Indian Ocean race very carefully. After carefully perusing through Vision Direct’s vast collection, Matt settled on two pairs of sunglasses – Serenget Bromo’s and Oakley Radar Range sunglasses. The Serengeti Bromo’s are perfect for low hassle eyewear across multiple weather and terrain conditions while the Oakley Radar Range sunglasses will be donned whenever Matt encounters rough waters. With rimless bottoms and a firm fit, the Radar’s stay in place and allow optimal peripheral vision in dangerous situations.

Dave, perhaps, chose his eyewear the most carefully, for he ultimately went with a pair of the finest eyewear in the industry, something spoken of only in whispers by athletes lucky enough to land a pair- Rudy Project Zyon’s. These sunglasses have experienced more stages of R&D than some space shuttles, their designs are simple in their intricacy, and leave nothing to chance. The very shape of the lenses was designed for optimal speed, safety and performance enhancement. Dave will not be disappointed to find these bad boys carrying their share. For a back up pair, Dave is bringing Oakley Conducts, which are stylish and cool for light rowing in minimal sunlight or clam waters.

The Go West team launches their boat April 19th, keep checking back for further updates as the team pushes out into the great wide beyond!

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What could be more exciting than four blokes rowing across the ocean, the wind in their hair, the sun on their backs and not a care in the world? For the four home-grown Aussies about to embark on a 6000k race across the tumultuous Indian Ocean, this is no mere joy ride. They are the only Australian team competing in the Woodvale Challenge Indian Ocean Race beginning April 19th, 2009. The race leaves from Geraldton, WA and ends in tropical Mauritius and is aptly called the Worlds Toughest Rowing Race. The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the racers will have the support of a safety boat in case of extreme emergencies, but are otherwise expected to be self-sufficient in their boats for the entirety of the trip.

The members of the Aussie team ‘Go West’, are determined to complete this arduous task in safety and style, and have accepted a sponsorship by Vision Direct, the leading online designer eyewear company, that will not only supply them with the best eyewear gear in the industry from Oakley, Bolle and Rudy Project, to help with the expedition.  Vision Direct adores those who face nature head on, and these rowers fit the bill with their sense of adventure, love of the outdoors and dedication to extreme sporting.

Currently the Go West team is completing months of extensive training, packing their boat full of dehydrated food and plenty of water, and gearing up in high quality designer eyewear, one of the most essential items for a 6000k over water-trek where sun reflection can cause blindness if not protected against. The team, composed of Andrew Taylor, Pete Tomic, David Louw and Matt Hort, all from Perth, are eagerly anticipating the impending launch date, and are excited to embark on this empowering and challenging race, and Vision Direct will be cheering them on in style.

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Have you noticed that more and more color is seeping into our accessories? Even the most high-fashion of sunglasses designers have infused their look with color, check out Prada, for example. It is almost as if our clothing has become more bland, fashion-less and stark while our accessories take up all the weight of our lagging clothing fashion.

During fashion week this year many were sourly disappointed. There was little innovation in clothing, and many designers simply looped back to previously well received designs, like polka dots and plaid, both of which have been covered already! Innovation in designer clothing has reached a new low. Where clothing is lagging, however, accessories are soaring! Designer sunglasses, wallets, shoes and to a lesser degree bags, have all skyrocketed in creativity. Check out Oliver Peoples, Dior, D&G, Versace. All of the biggest names in high fashion accessories have added color!

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are donning color to hide the fact that their clothing designs have not changed in several seasons. How are they expected to stay hip and modern when clothing designers have all experienced designer’s block? Where clothing lags, accessories are favored. Get the look in 2009 by wearing plain or simple clothing fashions in black, grey or denim and then adding sparkles of color with a nice watch, designer eyewear and stunning shoes. Check out some classic designs in bold colors, like the recently released colored Ray Ban Wayfarers or the ever modern Jackie- O designs in bold red and blue. Similarly, Kanye West has brought simplicity back into eyewear with his love of the traditional designs in color.

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     From March 23-26th, 2009 the Meriton Sydney Invitational Golf Tournament dubbed the “tournament with a difference” will commence and span across four golf courses in the Sydney area. In keeping with tradition, the money raised will be donated to the Westmead Children’s Hospital. The charity golf tournament has been in existence since 2004, with a total of over $250,000AUD raised for the hospital so far. In 2008 the tournament had over 250 players, with professionals vying for $122,000 and armatures competing for $40,000. The ante has been upped for 2009, and professionals will play for an unprecedented $137,500! Winners will be announced on the final day at an awards ceremony and banquet dinner where the cheque for the children’s hospital will also be presented. To make such an event possible requires several sponsors. This week’s sponsor highlight is on Vision Direct.

Vision Direct has been involved with the charity for several years. Vision Direct, the leader in designer eyewear, is dedicated to helping the world’s improvised and ailing children, and the company is involved in several charities, NGOs and other organizations including ties with Orbis International where, in 2008, Vision Direct donated $10,000 worth of prescription eyeglasses for children in Inner Mongolia. Vision Direct believes in helping their local communities as well with events like the Meriton Sydney International Golf Tournament, where the company hopes to help the children at the Westmead hospital, but also raise awareness for the necessity of high-quality eyewear for children with vision disabilities. Finding, diagnosing and then equipping children with the necessary tools to improve their lives are firm missions of Vision Direct’s charter. Vision Direct hopes that their efforts in assisting children across the globe will improve children’s ability to see, learn, and thus enhance their lives.

For more information on the Meriton Sydney Invitational Golf Tournament, please visit the organizing site. Fox Sports will be carrying live coverage of the event. For more information on Vision Direct please see their website or contact them via email at customerservice AT visiondirect.com.au.

Vision Direct Sponsors Meriton Sydney Invitational Golf Tournament

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