DT May 2018

“She has taken the modelling world on
by storm by hitting SAFW 4 times in a row
and walking for 5 of SA’s top designers.
She also won Miss Queen of Gauteng and
was a Regional finalist for miss SA in 2016.
She was also the host for the SABC sports
awards for women last year and voted as an
Icon to Women in Extreme Sports in SA.”
athletes and upcoming stars how to build
themselves up as a brand.
Dayna is one of the most diverse woman
with such an incredible story to tell.
At the age of 16 she decided that she
wanted to race despite all the odds being
against her.
With her dads help, she got a part time
job after school hours and weekends as
a mechanic to learn everything she could
about dirtbikes… she knew if she was going
to race, she couldn’t rely on everyone to do
everything, especially if you stuck in a river
bed alone. After teaching herself everything
she could, she took her first steps into
racing and in 2015 she had a great year. Not
only was she winning the ladies class but in
2016, she raced against the boys and came
2nd in the OR2 pro-am class.
She has taken the modelling world on
by storm by hitting SAFW 4 times in a row
and walking for 5 of SA’s top designers.
She also won Miss Queen of Gauteng and
was a Regional finalist for miss SA in 2016.
She was also the host for the SABC sports
awards for women last year and voted as an
Icon to Women in Extreme Sports in SA.
She has made a career out of travelling
and teaching younger upcoming athletes
how to build themselves up as a brand and
conquer the journey they want to walk.
Last year, after recovering from a very
big accident and being in ICU for a week,
she got up, trained hard and completed
the Botswana 1000 Desert Race, winning
her class.
After her accident she explains,
“everyone has always told me that racing
comes with the risk of falling and every rider
will have his big accident that will forever be
a story to tell... this day is inevitable but the
comeback and recovery is what will always
determine the strength and passion of the
rider” “I will admit it has taken a huge toll on
my confidence and strength but in order to
be back to the top step I knew I had to fight
my worst enemy, my mind. I took the step to
hit the gym and track non-stop for 8 months
until the 1st of January 2018 and make the
biggest comeback I could possibly make…
not for anyone else but for me and my
absolute love of the sport.
With a following of 43.5 thousand people
and appearances on many TV programs
such as SABC SPORT, PASSELA, YO TV,
RADIO 2000 ETC. and a huge fan base
Dayna has become quite a personality in her
own right. Great to have someone like this
representing our sport.
Quickfire Q&A
Q: What bike do you ride?
KTM 350 exc-f.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
Sweat during training so you won’t have
to bleed in the battle.
Q: What advice can you give other
riders?
NEVER give up… it sounds so cliché but
I can promise you working as a mechanic
for 2 years while my friends were partying
wasn’t my ideal way of spending a
Saturday .. but I knew what I wanted in
the long run.. I DIDN’T GIVE UP!
Q: What are the funniest Questions you
have received?
- Do you have a stunt double?
- Riding bike is super easy, you just sit so
why do you need to be fit?
Q: Favourite race you have ever raced?
Botswana 1000
Dayna has definitely shown some Moxy
coming back to the Offroad Nationals and
we are keen to see what this year holds
for her, stay tuned and watch this space.
INSTA dayna_nienaber_888
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74 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE MAY 2018