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The first ever entirely Zulu contest goes down at Dairy Beach.
26/11/2012
 


Sihle Mbuto ripping the Dairy Bowl to pieces. © Jon Ivins


The dark horse of the event was Magolide, who finished 4th in the final. © Jon Ivins



The pumphouse has seen thousands of events over the years, but this was the first one run entirely in isi-Zulu.
© Jon Ivins



Lucky Nozisali is a radical character both in and out of the water. © Jon Ivins


Andile leading the way on the run araound. © Jon Ivins



Stylish, powerfull and radical, Sihle has it all. © Jon Ivins


Sihle Mbutho, winner of the Kushay'gagasi surf contest and also a qualified ISA surf coach. © Jon Ivins



From the streets to the surf, this is an extrordinary story of ubuntu in the SASurfing community. © Jon Ivins


Second place went to the determined and talented Ntando Msibi. © Jon Ivins


3rd place went to S'fiso Mhlongo, he has KZN colours for surfing. Umthombo reintegrated him with his
family and he now lives back at home safely off the streets. © Jon Ivins



Stoked groms, post event celebration. © Jon Ivins
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Posted by iain on the 26/11/2012 08:56
Well done John, Tom, Anne and everyone else involved. I watched a bit of the contest on Saturday and even though the conditions were appalling the groms were having a great time. It was great to hear the isiZulu commentary from the Pumphouse. Siyabonga Khakulu! And well done on the pics Jon Ivins!
Posted by Dominick on the 26/11/2012 14:48
Awesome, completely awesome. Great work everyone, makes me an even prouder Saffer. Phambili madod'! Would be interesting to know who the shapers are supporting/discounting/sponsoring these okes. I see Clayton boards ridden to first and second place?
Posted by Sam on the 27/11/2012 12:45
I was there to witness some of the action on Saturday, and the amount of energy in and out of the water was contagious! Well done to all invovled from the financial backers, Tom from Umthombo, Ann, and countless others. It was a proudly South African moment. I hope to see one of these guys on the CT one day, here's hoping.
Posted by Gulu on the 28/11/2012 21:17
Sorry to be "that guy" but this crazy. In a non-racial country, you held a race specific surf contest?? How about an Afrikaner only contests then?
Posted by John McCarthy on the 01/12/2012 19:55
Aaa Gulu I was waiting for you... ;) This wasn't a race specific contest. It just so happens that 99.9% of the people in this event including the judges and the offficials first language is isiZulu. It was simply more practical to run it in isiZulu. That said it was pretty cool to have a surfing event in 'The Kingdom of the Zulu' actually in isiZulu. Moving forwards we'd like to keep that part of it, because it is unique and it does pay homage to a large part of our population, but bring in other Saffas to make it more fun and representative of who we are as a nation.
Posted by Matthew on the 19/12/2012 11:57
@Gulu Language specific, not race. There are plenty of events run only in English or Afrikaans. All the surfers are former street children who happen to speak isiZulu.
Posted by Julio on the 31/12/2012 14:30
Alas we were not invited, which is all right. Instead we made a fire in the pit and had some mecdoire South African wine, but some outstanding South African liqueur named Amarula made from the fruit of the African marula tree. Very delicious. I remember seeing a documentary on HBO when I was a teenager about this fruit which when ripe drops to the ground and ferments. The animals will then eat it and get drunk. We did not as we were stopped by the rain. Hope you slept well.
Posted by Vianey on the 31/12/2012 15:11
I'm truly enjoying the deisgn and layout of your website. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a deisgner to create your theme? Outstanding work!
 

TheBOMBsurf Issue 16, Summer 2013 hits post boxes this week.
26/11/2012
 
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Posted by aechorg on the 09/12/2012 20:17
Rakeback is an Great Way to get a great deal more Money only for Playing Poker.
 

From the Rock and a hard place.
25/11/2012
 
Hawaii provides some very good Golden Hours, holding on for the last possible frame pays off sometimes.


Another view that never grows old, looking to the East on the North Shore.



The first event of the Triple Crown has been on hold for a week but sadly the South Africans have already bowed out. Shaun Joubert made it into Round 2 before Occy got the best of him.


Travis Logie was seeded into Round 3 but tricky conditions played against him.


Dale Staples had the right heat tactic but it didn't pan out.


And so the sun set on competition a week ago opening up the grovel sessions.


Surfings version of the umbilical cord.


Small surf means super groms get head high surf.


Dustin Barca throws a solid punch in the surf and the MMA ring.


When it is small you learn how to compress, Mitch Crews getting more than head dipped.


Tom Curren was riding a pickle stick.


Another super grom Finn McGill.


The womens tour may have finished in August but Carissa Moore has certainly not been slacking.


Dale Staples late arvo speed blur.


Tickle me tender tickle me sweet, the swell is coming.
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Posted by Merbabu on the 07/12/2012 16:58
I have noticed that most of the posts pelpoe make that get the most comments are usually nothing all that thought-provoking (though this isn't always the case, of course). I guess I just like getting feedback, having discussion, that sort of thing. Of course, that's also the reason why I run , so I guess I have no room to complain.'
Posted by home on the 09/03/2013 04:37
I critically delight in your posts. Thank you home http://www.8768gug66ftf4.com
 

Matt Pallet Gets Kreepy on Innersection.
16/11/2012
 
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Posted by Dhs on the 22/12/2012 15:24
Almonds, is good for your heart, the more you eat the more you lower your cholesterol, imvproe your complexion and digestion, and reduce your risk of cancer. Go to Google and you would find the info you are looking for.
 

Durban through the ages.
16/11/2012
Catalina in Durban Bay 1940's


Bowling Green 1940's (those cars look more from the 1930’s era…)


Beach front 1940's (also more 1930’s)

Fresh fruit n veg – 1950 / 60’s
Beach front 1940's



BEACH FRONT 1960's / 1970's




















BEACHFRONT 2009














DURBAN BEACHFRONT NEW YEARS 2011






Durban Beach New Years day 2012


· 69 children were left behind and by the end of the week, 31 had still not found their parents. And all parents/adults had gone home to JHB by that stage.
· 9 bodies washed up on the beach in the week after New Year. None of them were ever reported missing, and none have yet been identified.
· The beach was so full of defecation that they had to plough/dig it in to the beach rather than pick it all up!

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Posted by jared on the 19/11/2012 08:48
hahahahahahahah! T I A
Posted by Erle on the 19/11/2012 11:41
Glad the south coast doesn't look like this... :/
Posted by Justin B on the 19/11/2012 12:37
It's a Monday and I don't want to start a debate but I think this pictorial is walking a fine line between wrong and right.
Posted by Billy Harker on the 19/11/2012 13:15
This Pictoral is utter BULLSHIT and Biased. Durban beachfront has been completely redesigned and Upgrade and is Now South Africa's BEST Beach!
Posted by Jade Lee on the 19/11/2012 13:32
This is both very sad and disgusting. Poor children that were left behind to fend for themselves, people dying and no-one actually caring enough to file a missing persons or go identify bodies, and the defecation issue! Sis sis sis!!! I believe there are toilets down at the beachfront that are kept quite clean too....... WTF!
Posted by Domestos on the 19/11/2012 15:07
That TBS ran this pictoral has me seriously considering cancelling my subscription. It is sly, manipulative and covertly racist and I am angered and offended. You okes should be ashamed.
Posted by Domestos on the 19/11/2012 15:15
@Billy - and you're right bru, the Durban beachfront rocks. If the author of this stupid and insulting pictoral wants to discuss the facts around drowning, abandoned children and shitting on the beaches, then discuss it directly. Rather than making his/her point through false comparisons and misrepresentation of one of the most awesome beaches where so many South Africans enjoy happy memories (yes, even on New Years days)
Posted by John Smith on the 19/11/2012 15:24
Inappropriate and all that aside, I don't see how this has anything to do with surfing. Was honestly expecting the pictorial to be about SURFING (you know because this is a surf mag) in Durban through the ages. Might as well have been an pictorial about the plant life. Is the editor sleeping?
Posted by jono on the 19/11/2012 15:31
looks like most of you have no eyeballs in your head - the pics reveal the reality. you seriously think that a handful of 'clean toilets are going to suffice for this???. the sea was the better option as the ecolli levels measured were off the scale! Your heads are in the sand .... oh.. by the way ...were you there on the day??. I was and on duty.
Posted by Concerned on the 19/11/2012 16:25
Ouch Bomb team this kind of propaganda is reminiscent of the apartheid era, WTF were you thinking? Sorry but I'm out & won't be renewing our subscription! This kind of stuff will only destroy our already fragile nation!?!
Posted by S7UW13 on the 19/11/2012 16:32
I think its an excellent article, I remember Durban as a kid in the 70's. It was epic, I was born at Addington and spent most of my young life on the beach. So sad now. Now I constantly have to fish glass out of my 4yo kids feet.
Posted by ML on the 19/11/2012 16:46
Bombsurf.....this is a shitty piece of journalism....take it down! Time to go back to the Zag.
Posted by dave long on the 19/11/2012 16:49
This has got to be one of the most bogus, outrageous posts from the bomb. Seriously poor.
Posted by Brian on the 19/11/2012 16:56
The intention of this is difficult to understand - it seemed to start out as a interesting pictorial documentation of how the beachfront has changed, went to a "before and after, what is this country coming to" commentory like those terrible joke chain mails one sometimes gets and finishes by highlighting some real issues. Very sad however you look at it.
Posted by TrevorG on the 19/11/2012 17:52
Am I missing something here? The overcrowding and associated risks are reality. How only 9 drownings took place was only due to providence and/or excellent life savers. The numbers on the beaches should never have been allowed as it is a time bomb! What is the issue, the shit? Impossible for that quantity of people to be adequately serviced regarding toilets etc. I live 300metres from T.View beach and dread Xmas and New Years day. The beachfront is a no-go zone purely due to the sheer volume of people.Cold water or not, I always anticipate fatalities especially when the weather is good. Sirens from rescue vehicles,ambulances etc start from 11h00 and end at 22h00. TOO MANY PEOPLE!!! Who said anything racist? Billy Harker and others seems to think that the article disses the beachfront. I do not see this. All I see is too many people in a confined space with facilities that will never cope. By the way this has everything to do with surfing as we use the beaches all year round. The glass left behind is not bio-degradable and is as dangerous as shit! Also remember that P.E. East London and all coastal venues suffer from an influx of biblical proportions on these days. Bottom line is that beaches need to be closed once it becomes a danger to those using them. Only problem is that this could incite a riot/anarchy. The post has opened a can of worms and irrespective of your political leanings showcases the extent of the issue. No amount of sugar coating will lessen the facts!
Posted by Brian on the 19/11/2012 20:44
Yes, you are missing something here - the article's only intention seems to be to compare how the situation was previously to how it is now, hence the title. If the intention was to highlight and try to generate debate around how to resolve these issues, what was the point of the photos shown prior to 2009? Let us not forget that these facilities and beaches were available to whites only until very recently and even though you are correct in saying that racism was not mentioned, the insinuation is glaring and has been pointed out by a number of people who have posted here.
Posted by John McCarthy on the 19/11/2012 22:53
To anyone who thinks there is apolitical agenda in publishing these pics, you guys are smoking your socks! Around about now I guess I should be hiding behind some disclaimer about publishing some other guys pictures and words and absolving myself and theBOMBsurf of any responsibility of the consequences. Except I'm not going to. I found this slide show fascinating for what the images present about the waves themselves and the draw that the ocean has to humanity, regardless of your skin colour. If anyone wants to investigate my (or by extention my publication/ website) racist tendencies perhaps start with a short chat to Cass Collier who defied the group areas act while staying at my house in Durban while we were still groms and surfing North Beach when it wasn't open to 'black surfers'. Then move onto the records of the old feared special branch about a crew of surfers (me, Mark Schroenne and Carl Preller) who stopped the longest train in the world at Elands Bay on a national 'go slow day' orchestrated by the then banned ANC, then go to any of the kids at the Umthombo surf club in Durban and ask them which of the local surfers at The New Pier has donated more of his own personal surfboards, spent more time encouraging and guiding them and teaching them about the nuances of The New Pier than I have, once you are done with that get hold of Nic Vaughn Jones in Mozambique and ask him how the Mamoli Breakfast club started and how 62 orphans in Mozambique have had a decent breakfast for 2 years as a result of the project that theBOMBsurf started in partnership with one of it's advertisers, future Life, then when you have finished doing all that how about you come down to Dairy Beach this weekend and help us to run the first entirely Zulu surf contest which was funded by a partnership between a BOMBsurf reader, SSA and facilitated and organised by theBOMBsurf in partnership with Umthombo and SSA? Now re-look at these pictures and see the following: 1. The old 'sawtooth' beach shape fascilitated by the solid groynes that saw true world class waves at the head of both the North Beach and Bay groynes. These were the waves that Shaun Tomson refers to as having allowed him to figure out tube riding the way he did and become a global pioneer in tube riding. FYI there is a group of surfers right now of which TBS is a part that is lobbying the City of Durban to re-fill the hollow piers to try and recreate some of that perfection of yesterday. 2. The huge opportunity of taking surfing to the masses in SA. This weekend coming up is the first step with the Kushay' igagasi competition at Dairy Beach. The City of Durban, Umthombo, SSA and theBOMBsurf are all working together on an extraordinary project that sees the products of the Sports and Recreation upliftment program combining with The City of Durban, SSA, Umthombo and a local surf media entity (TBS) to fascilitate the first entirely isizulu surfing contest in the world... pretty cool actually. 3. The unbelievable operating conditions of ALL of our lifeguards on certain days regardless of their colour and how incredibly under-resourced they are in trying to safely manage that incredible demand. To 'concerned' 'ML' and 'Domestos' who attempt to threaten or play us off against Zag, (which we happen to believe is an excellent though very different product to ours) we'll never take you seriously. You guys are the ultimate cowards of cyberspace - if you are bold enough to have an opinion, then be bold enough to put your name to it. To everyone else thank you for your comments. It is through dialog that we break down these kind of stupid stereotypes.
Posted by Beverley Smith on the 20/11/2012 07:01
How can photographs from different time periods with no comment besides the date be racist? Grow some brains and perspective the people who commented that these photos are racist. All they show is the change in the beachfront which reflects the change in the whole country. This is reality not racism.
Posted by kel on the 20/11/2012 07:04
I read and follow this with some mixed emotions, I feel the pictorial is a little directed to the lack of civility and social structure of the black African as opposed the that of the white South African. I am a little surprized and slightly annoyed at the Ivory Tower clowns, I suggest those who are pointing their crooked little fingers and threats worn like baseball caps, (pointless and only fashionable if you are on the beach front on news day) hit the beach and join the mass pool parties and bathing ritual with the rest of our bretheren on this celebration day 01012013. take pics to share with us that this infact was your choice of new years day celebration and then perhaps we would take you guys serious. for those who claim we have the best beach front !!?/? we have toxic water, effluent flowing down storm water drains from the very same section of society who choose to use said drains as toilets, we have few if any showers running to wash of the dirty water, you cannot park your car anywhere on the beach front without the risk of theft or break in. I am on the side of the Bomb guys esp JM. however this is the now and the future, how we deal with it and how we continue to interact whether from our PC leveling gay claims of action against those who bring this to the attention of us all or those who are actually willing to show the decline, rock the boat and stand up to get the attention that is required to change. oh and just for the record those who head to the Zag and those who hate reality so much your prepared to bury your heads in the sand , shame on you, society in SA has 11 languages that means many cultures, your dreaming if all cultures can actually be the same , and shame for you if you think we should all accept and adopt the weaker Kelvyn Davidson.... real name, real opinion.
Posted by Michelle on the 20/11/2012 08:22
Can some people just get of their political bandwagon for once in a while. So what if they found the photos offensive - that's life. We are always going to offend someone at some time - that's the reality. I found it interesting.
Posted by pat flanagan on the 20/11/2012 08:23
I've seen Facebook groups with this same kind of content that denigrates the political status quo. The distinct difference between the 'good old day' pictures and the more recent ones on this page, tells the same story that some expats get so excited about - pictures that reinforces immovable twisted racist beliefs. Durban Beachfront as it is now, provides pleasure to a large and diverse local and visitor population on a daily basis without much incident. The exception being a handful of days each year when every popular beach in SA experiences overcrowding. So I ask what purpose do these pictures serve?
Posted by Justin Baker on the 20/11/2012 08:45
This is just my opinion but to me these photos serve only to show a comparison between white apartheid South Africa and the country we know today - though from a jaded perspective of a few days a year. I do however. agree that better controls need to be put in place to manage such huge crowds. I have no doubt that Bombsurf does great work through it's good work in Moz and with Umthombo etc. The fact is that this same pictorial can be found on some very right wing websites which I dont think promote anything good about our country.
Posted by Trevor Gray (G) on the 20/11/2012 09:33
Well said John! It would seem as if the inequalities and racist practices of the past have now morphed into a form of baton that can be used to beat down any observations regarding the abuse of power or the inability to do what is needed to ensure ALL segments of our population are catered for. The facts are indisputable, too many people with insufficient facilities and services to safeguard them. If you have 100 000 people in a confined space, there should be adequate measures in place to ensure the safety of all. Example is a stadium event.Imagine if there is a shark spotting or such( I know there are nets) The ensuing stampede in water will cause mass deaths.Mecca stampedes last year is a good example. This is not happening! Instead some hide behind accusing others of perceived agendas and justifying the issue with bland comments that it only happens a couple of times a year. I guess that means it is OK to have numerous children lost, multiple drownings, chronic fouling of the beach and an element of anti-social behaviour that results in criminal acts. Those who condone this will be nowhere near the zone on the days. Come on guys, play the ball not the man! Too many people are at risk. The authorities need to ensure that the volume of people is equal to their needs.Anything less is negligence!!
Posted by ML on the 20/11/2012 10:16
Well done John, impressive stats. However, no one was questioning your commitment to the cause. I just feel the article is in bad taste, and not a true reflection of the Durban bechfront at all. Please enlighten us on what the picture of the Catalina, or a picture of a fruit and veg truck, compared to the thousands of people (black or white, in this case black) using the beachfront on one or two days of the year has anything to do with Durban through the ages. Get off your high horse, do some research, and you will see this pictoral has history. I simply do not understand what this article is trying to convey.
Posted by Syd on the 20/11/2012 10:58
This pictorial is labelled "Durban through the ages" and it jumps from what looks like the 1960s/70s to only Christmas/News Years pictures post-2009. I do not see how that is a fair depiction of what the beachfront is like on a daily basis 365 days of the year - The Durban beachfront is a vibrant multi-cultural safe family environment. These pictures show what happens 1 week out of the year. I don't think this pictorial does Durban any justice and it definitely does nothing for Durban tourism. This is poor/ biased journalism and we can only hope that this website does not have an audience outside of South Africa. Shame.
Posted by Jess Cash on the 20/11/2012 12:58
Goodness me, those images from the 60s look horrific. Who on earth would want to go to the beach with a handful of boring white people?
Posted by Jamii on the 20/11/2012 13:33
Honestly, I don't understand what all this fuss is about! All I see is the gradual transformation of the Durban Beachfront of the over the past 70's year or so which includes the shift & increase of popularity. I'm certain that the DBfront built environment was ever designed to adequitely cater for such a hugh influx of people and the city managers must cringe at the difficulties they face each peak season. Why do we always have to association everything to the inbalances of our current liestyles and cultural difference that exist? By doing so we just prepetuate the intolerences of our differences of racial paranoia and scratch open the wound we want to desperately heal! Personally, on Boxing or New Years Day I look for the most remote beach to try avoid the overcrowding. I know that on an average summer day at Strand ( and any other popular and accessable beachers ) we see enourmous litter,cars break-ins, overcrowding, drownings and lost children with awal parents which unfortunately is reflectitive of our current circumstances. Rather that berate John for being the messenger, rather use your frustration in healing our social circumstances and seek a way to provide a solution to these indifferences that upset up.
Posted by Warren Loom on the 20/11/2012 13:57
Those picks of the seventies paddling pools bring back so many cool memories of when I was about 6 years old. I can actually feel the steel that covered the slides and taste the chlorine in the water. Thanks for the flash back. Excellent. The Durban Beachfront is still the best place in the world to be every morning before work. Mmmmm. Surf or coffee this morning?
Posted by Andy Davis on the 20/11/2012 17:27
John this photo story is racist because of two things. Context and omission. The whole thing is set up to show the 'digression' from colonial / apartheid Durban to the present day. The final 'facts' at the end of the article give it away. This is not a piece of journalism focussing on how Durban has changed through the ages, it's a racially loaded indictment of how things have changed for the worse and it only shows a small fragment of the story. Answer me this, why are there no images of a normal day at the Durban beachfront, which is hands down the most democratic and racially integrated public space in South Africa? Where are the Zulu families taking a walk, the black and white surfers, the Indian rollerbladers, all the young families pushing prams, the joggers, the white bergies, the mime artists and street hustlers, the fitness freaks? The only images of post-apartheid South Africa are of the one day, at the height of the summer season, when the Durban beachfront is radically overloaded with people. If you want to take issue with what happens at the Durban beachfront on New Years each year and over the summer season, write an article focussed on that. Do some research, present your argument logically and debate the issues. Don't conflate it with some kind of historical timeline that paints the racist pleasantville of enforced racial segregation under apartheid and colonialism as a nostalgic and idyllic situation in comparison to what it is today. That's just stupid. Your history of activism means nothing in this case, because everyone's judging the article on its merits alone - which in my opinion is a massive misstep from TBS. It's horrible. You should just recall it and apologise for any offence caused, because frankly it's indefensible. In fact your history of activism and TBS' support for the Kushay' igagasi competition at Dairy Beach and Umthombo in general, just makes it even more bizarre that you can't see why this turd of an article is so offensive to so many people.
Posted by C on the 20/11/2012 17:30
Well done John... You are a fucking muppet.
Posted by Raymond Joseph on the 20/11/2012 17:41
I think that John McCarthy protests too much in his explainer in the comments appended to this pictorial. Going by what he says he's done in the past, he should have known better - and should have anticipated the response from some. I find it deeply offensive and wonder just what was going through the minds of theBombSurf's editorial team when they decided to publish it. And judging by McCarthy's response, he might as well have added the disclaimer that "some of my best friends are black" alongside the pictures. I'd be interested in what Cass Collier and his other black friends have to say about it?
Posted by Charlie on the 20/11/2012 18:41
I am totally blown away at how poor an effort this is to depict Durban beach front...it is offensive. You must be smoking your own socks John McCarthy if you think this is interesting, engaging and valuable content. Very poor show Bombsurf.
Posted by John McCarthy on the 20/11/2012 23:17
Wow, 'Durban through the ages, a pictorial journey by Justin Gurr' certainly has attracted a lot of attention this week. Frankly I'm surprised at all the righteous racial/anti racial commentary this has evoked. To be honest I didn't see any of that going into posting this piece, but then again maybe I'm just a shortsighted waterlogged fool, who looks for the best in people. I'm not hiding behind that, neither am I passing the buck for publishing this slideshow which was ultimately my choice, but I am surprised by the reaction. I'm also surprised at how little discussion there has been about the wave quality of yesteryear vs today. The one image in this slideshow clearly illustrates the 'saw tooth effect' that helped create the legendary breaks of yesteryear. In surfing archaeology terms this picture is gold as it shows the engineers of today what they need to do to recreate that incredible wave quality, yet everyone has seemed to miss it, I find that strange for a bunch of surfers. Every slideshow we publish is guilty of 'context and omission' on some level. If everyone so passionately involved in this discussion went out and created their own slideshow of Durban through the ages, they'd all be different to varying degrees. What is wrong with that? John McCarthy's vs Andy Davis's gee that would be an interesting one ;) My point being that we should all be free to express our individual opinions and yes, also take umbrage at something you find offensive provided you have the balls to comment under your real name. Nowhere do we say that this is the definitive slideshow of Durban through the ages. This is one man's perspective facilitated by theBOMBsurf, that is all it is, no more, no less. Me thinks we're turning this into a storm in a teacup. As the editor in chief of theBOMBsurf I find myself in a curious position. As the corridors of cyberspace echo with the feared taint of the 'racist' brush, I can't help but grin at the irony of my own personal circumstance. That said I will not kowtow or apologise for loading this slideshow. If you are offended, I'm truly sorry that you are, but understand that you are welcome to send me your own edited, contextualised version and I reserve the right to publish that even if it might piss off even more people.
Posted by charlie on the 21/11/2012 08:02
John McCarthy - that is the most ignorant load of sh1t i have ever read....i actually hope your website and magazine go away if this is what you have to offer.
Posted by pat flanagan on the 21/11/2012 08:38
The sociopolitical angle on the Durban Beachfront has been thrashed to within an inch of it's life. What we might find of more interest is the history of Durban's waves and how they have changed. From the day that the first sailboat landed, when the first 'beach boys' rowed in on the 'breakers' in their cutters. When there were no piers and the Umgeni flowed into the harbour, when the Ovington http://www.fad.co.za/Resources/ovi/Pic-312.jpg was wrecked at Tramps in the middle of the last century. When the South Pier was extended and virtually eliminated South Easterly swells getting into famous breaks like the Wedge and Lido.http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomopouli/2807728751/sizes/l/in/photostream/ The negative impact that occurred when the rock piers were replaced by concrete ones at the Bay and North and the positive impact of the New Pier. This post does a job though, because it underlines the fact that the pictures on it irritate the respondents and that is good. Whats more, there are people talking to the council of Durban about grooming the beaches without the mandate from the surfers of Durban who they supposedly represent. The question I ask these people (and I know who they are) is: Have they taken the time to reference the natural history, the marine topography or institute any scientific study of how to reinvigorate the dead breaks south of the New Pier and north of North Beach?
Posted by Trevor Gray (G) on the 21/11/2012 10:05
The Durban beach front post has certainly created much hype! As Pat correctly states, the real issue is for the correct stewardship for ensuring that all true water enthusiasts are able to voice their opinions and concerns. This is not limited to Durban.Though the proposed enlarging of the harbour will have huge consequences up the coast. The average member of the public has no clue of the dynamics and frailty of the tidal zone and cannot be expected to fathom the potential damage that is caused by poor planning/incompetence, arrogance or greed. Our coastline is littered with examples of this The biggest being the container terminal in Cape Town,St Francis harbour, the proposed nuclear station,Vetches etc. Could we please stop posturing and start to align ourselves with those that can influence the powers that be to refrain from seeing the coast as a dumping ground or source of revenue. If we do not do so, our sea we enjoy will become a toxic bath and cocktail of fatal microbes.
Posted by Lance Reed on the 21/11/2012 10:49
"Best beach in the world"......my arse!!!!!!! The pics bring back fond memories....my dad would take me down every weekend in the seventies and we would watch the surfing at bay and wedge , trampolines at XL - it was good. I will not be flogging myself over the changes. Nothing wrong with the article John ! Just take a look at the town beach sand ..... if you can call it that
Posted by Lance Reed on the 21/11/2012 10:50
"Best beach in the world"......my arse!!!!!!! The pics bring back fond memories....my dad would take me down every weekend in the seventies and we would watch the surfing at bay and wedge , trampolines at XL - it was good. I will not be flogging myself over the changes. Nothing wrong with the article John ! Just take a look at the town beach sand ..... if you can call it that
Posted by Lance Reed on the 21/11/2012 10:50
"Best beach in the world"......my arse!!!!!!! The pics bring back fond memories....my dad would take me down every weekend in the seventies and we would watch the surfing at bay and wedge , trampolines at XL - it was good. I will not be flogging myself over the changes. Nothing wrong with the article John ! Just take a look at the town beach sand ..... if you can call it that
Posted by Martin McCrory on the 21/11/2012 13:08
@ Domestos https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151546560283677&set=a.10150374458833677.436106.683558676&type=1&ref=nf Someone's got their head in the toilet here. Only stinking thinking can interpret this as racist. "Mr/Ms Anonymous" must have been born way before 94, still got their brain stuck in the drain, did nothing during the injustice, and so medicates his retro guilt by tossing soggy loo paper at TBS. And hey, howz the manipo on your subs?! Jeez bro, if you need an appointment, call me!
Posted by Raymond De Lange on the 22/11/2012 17:02
These animals call themselves human beings,its in their DNA to destroy and live in filfth!!!
Posted by John McCarthy on the 23/11/2012 09:36
Raymond your comment is out of line for so many reasons. Please do not use this forum for expressing unashamedly racist views.
Posted by Samora Chapman on the 23/11/2012 15:57
This slideshow has nothing to do with the waves or your social work John McCarthy... and your attempts to divert attention from the fact that it is a piece of racist propaganda are not fooling anyone. Big up to Andy Davis for hitting the nail on the head.
Posted by dave long on the 23/11/2012 16:48
john, don't you think raymond's racist comment makes it pretty clear that this is a terrible post? Just remember, nobody is saying that you are a racist, perhaps just an oversight on your part, thats all.
Posted by MAGDA on the 27/11/2012 15:51
PATETIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Antonie on the 27/11/2012 17:45
Its just another true scenario of a burning corrupt country folding.......wonder how many libtards will go spend the day there? Come on ...it should be nice....
Posted by Bill Sonoghue on the 28/11/2012 10:28
Ah......Mr. Editor-in Chief you foolish, silly, bigot of a man. This is exactly the type of misguided, sub-standard hypocritical journalism we've come to expect from the muppets at 'theJOHNsurf'. Touche Andy Davis, you've hit the nail on the proverbial head. I only wish Mr. McCarthy was humble enough to admit his faux pas, cease trying to redirect the content attention to wave quality deterioration and subsequently do us all a favour and pull the plug, on what has been from the start, an abhorrence in an already-corrupt domestic surf media scene.
Posted by TREV on the 03/12/2012 15:06
While I don't always agree with what John or TBS has to say, I do agree that there are a lot of racial biggots amongst you. I don't see any of you helping the previously disadvantaged on the beaches or in mozam? Please get of your righteous temples and face reality. From tranquil beaches and bowling greens to smashed windows, stolen cars and equipment, to using the beach as a toilet. And that's not just one day of the year but too often. Just today I witnessed an incident in the beach front that is racially charged from one side but plainly just a matter of common decency from the other persons perspective. How can a kd still be left there days later. Never mind the bodies that just never get id'd. Get a grip you lot. John keep up your hard work with TBS and your humanitarian efforts.
Posted by TREV on the 03/12/2012 15:39
Ps. Andy we will see you at the beach then new years day, having a surf? Or are you helping out at the lost children office
Posted by cnut on the 20/12/2012 14:08
Lol @ Andy Davis posting from CT and his leftie mob of 'journalists' backing him up from the mahala.co.za head office.
Posted by Johann on the 25/01/2013 17:59
Shit the hell up you complaining dumbass bastards. Get a grip on reality and stop smoking meth. !! look at the pics and see it for what it is... reality
Posted by Theo on the 15/02/2013 16:39
I'm still trying to understand the point of this series of pictures and the comment at the end. Is it to show the Nirvana of the past against the apocalypse of the present? Other parts of the world celebrate when the local populace use facilties in their thousands or better in their millions. When millions descend on Rio or Miami or Bondi or Brighton it is celebrated. The sub-text is quite obvious here. If you don't get it then toughies ... For the record the beachfront has had a multi-million rand upgrade and looks nothing like it once did.
Posted by cahippy on the 21/03/2013 13:21
It is what it is, but sadly all good things must come to an end. To all those bitching about this post being racist, let me ask you all this would you mingle with the masses? The difference back then and now is who is in charge.
Posted by David Smillie on the 31/03/2013 21:46
I see now why we were so protective about hogging ownership of our beautiful beaches. It so good while it lasted
Posted by John Doe on the 21/04/2013 13:16
It's a conspiracy ! The beaches are actually marvelous, those pictures were photoshopped ! Also Farm murders are not higher than the national average, in fact, there are no murders. Nobody get's raped in South Africa either. Apartheid killed 6 billion blacks and in the New South Africa whites numbers have increased exponentially because blacks give them jobs and build infrastructure, schools, hospitals, 10 universities at mostly their own cost.
 

Three Perfect Waves.
16/11/2012
 
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Posted by Muzza on the 19/11/2012 11:49
Sick ekse - Twiggy on a sikky !!!
Posted by Warren L on the 19/11/2012 13:04
Pigdog it Twig!
Posted by ash on the 19/11/2012 14:22
I think the problem with twiggs surfing is that he doesnt get barreled enough, if he worked on that he wouldnt be half bad........
Posted by Wyan on the 21/11/2012 16:43
Talk is cheap bra. . . .
Posted by Anii on the 22/12/2012 00:53
Hi Robert,WOW!! You have come a long way I have fallen of the grid a llitte bit since I am supporting my husband in marketing his iPhone game. (Whew)I am very impressed with your site and content. Thanks for keeping in touch.Many Thanks,Svenja
 

This is the story of the surfing community rallying around abandoned street children.
16/11/2012

© Matt Van Wieringen

This is the story of the surfing community rallying around abandoned street children.
From life on the streets, to where they are now, these kids have come a really long way through surfing.

The Second Umthombo Surfing contest will be held at Dairy Beach on Saturday 24 November. The event will start at 7am and conclude at 1pm. Prize giving will be immediately after the event and will be followed by a casual lunch of a boerie roll and a cool drink.



"Kushay'igagasi 2012"
Umthombo Street Children, Surfing South Africa noBombsurf bayanimema okuwesibili Umthombo umncintiiswano: "kushay'igagasi 2012!" eDairy lwandle eThekwini ngomhlaka 24 November 2012. Lomncintiiswano uvumelekile kuze zonke ezingane eziyingxenye yo Mthombo Street Children nalabo bantwana abakade bekanye nathi ohlelweni loMthombo eminyakeni edlule konke kwenzeke ngemizamo emihle yobunto of the surfing community of Durban.

Umthombo Street Children, Surfing South Africa and theBOMBsurf invite you to the 2nd Umthombo surf classic: "kushay'igagasi 2012!" at Dairy beach on the 24th November 2012.

More Information
There will be 22 competitors competing in 2 divisions, a pro and a beginner division.

All competitors will receive:
• A T-shirt with the attached artwork printed on it.
• A medal of participation.
• R100 in cash in an envelope with their name on it.
• A beanie sponsored by DC.
• A boerewors roll sponsored by Mr Mozzies Butchery.
• A cool drink.


© Kierran Allen

All competitors will have the opportunity to surf twice in accumulated percentage rounds. The 4 finalists in each division will be those that have accumulated the highest percentages in the two previous rounds.
The two percentage rounds will be 20 minutes each and the finals half an hour each.
Non finalists will also receive R250 to be held in trust for them by Umthombo.
All finalists in both divisions will also receive a new wetsuit from O’Neill.
4th place in the final earns R500, R400 of which is held in trust by Umthombo. 3rd place earns R1000 of which R900 will be held in trust by Umthombo. 2nd Place earns R1500 of which R1400 will be held in trust by Umthombo and the winner of each division earns R2000 of which R1900 will be held in trust by Umthombo.
The money held in trust will be available to that individual based upon their individual needs and subject to the supervision of Umthombo when spending it.
The competition is open to any youngsters who are part of Umthombo or who have been through Umthombo Street Children's programmes.


Program of events:

6am, set up.
6:30 – 6:45am, competitors briefing.
7am-12pm, Surfing competition.
12:15pm, Awards Ceremony.
12:30pm, Lunch.
12:30 – 1pm clean up and pack away.




© Kierann Allen

Interesting facts
1. This is the world’s first surfing competition to be run in isiZulu.
2. All of the competitors are former street children who through the use of surfing as a form of therapeutic intervention have been taken off the the streets and in many cases weaned off glue sniffing and entered into rehabilitation programmes run by Umthombo. Many have gone on to become productive members of society holding down real jobs and supporting themselves.
3. This will be the first surfing event where all the judges, the commentators, the tabulator and the contest director are isiZulu speaking products of the KZN and SSA development programs.
4. The man who donated the bulk of the prize money for this event, Mark Snowball, grew up in the exact same streets that these children have grown up in. He rose above a troubled and impoverished childhood to become a successful businessman and dedicated family man. He has surfed the same waves these children are surfing today from his youth to the present day and attributes much of his positivity and success to the uplifting experience and simple enjoyment of riding waves. His message to the children is, “Against all odds you can survive and indeed flourish if you believe in yourself and stay positive.”
5. Tom Hewitt the man who started Umthombo and introduced the idea of surfing to these children still surfs on the Durban beachfront whenever he gets the chance.

 
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Posted by Jared on the 19/11/2012 15:26
This is AWESOME! Well done to all involved and for those truely making a difference.
Posted by JHL on the 20/11/2012 09:26
Epic!
 

Love me tender, Love me sweet!
15/11/2012
 
A wind swept Pipe face is still a dream for many.


With wave size on the decline and the circus in town you can expect some photo worthy throw away airs.


Not quite the backflip Gabriel Medina landed the other day but still pretty to look at.


Ezekial Lau getting some elevation for a better view of the other waves along the shoreline.
Minutes later he paddled over to Rock Piles.


Dusty Payne riding the foam ball while mixing it up with a 50mm lens.



Gavin Beschen and the 50mm Backdoor.


Dale Staples paid the price of admission and broke a brand new stick during his first day on the North Shore.


Small days allow for testing new setups, 50mm lens in a fisheye port makes for some new fun while the
Brazzo surfers have theirs.


A one day bump in swell and clean skies make for pretty pictures.


Another one for the memory bank.


This little girl took full advantage of the drop in swell and had her dad pushing her into waves her little arms
weren't quite strong enough to paddle into.


Another girl show the boys how it's done.


Ezekial Lau giving Rock Piles the once over.


Someone else giving Rock Piles the standing tall no claim claim.


When it's small and blue a lip is pretty, and when it's big, when the wave break here don't be there.


One simply can't get tired of this view.
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Posted by Shahna on the 09/12/2012 18:52
dear morroco surf trips crew,my name is tomer tihdar and im interested about making a surf trip with some friends to morroco how are the waves usually? (they look kind of amall in the photos), how much does a ten day stay in your resort cost? when is the best time to come?please answer my mail: thanks a million,,,,
 

Matt Wilko as you see him.
13/11/2012
 
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Subscribe to theBOMBsurf magazine...
12/11/2012
 
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Posted by outlet on the 13/12/2012 18:17
Thanks for the info provided! I was finding for this data for quite some time, but I wasn't able to see a trusted source.
 

Your contribution could end up making a huge difference!
12/11/2012


A devastating fire swept through the Canal area of Cape St Francis on Sunday November 11th.

Strong winds made it impossible for fire fighters, residents and helpers to get the blaze under control and between 6pm and 2am 100 houses were affected.

Up to 80 of these homes were burnt to the ground.

Thankfully there was no loss of life but for 80 or so homeowners all that is left of their houses is a couple of walls.

South African surfing’s legendary coach, mentor and elder Graham Hynes (83) could only watch as the fire took his hose all his possessions and his memories.

As a surfing community it is up to us to ensure that Hynsie gets our love, support and financial assistance.

He is a special person and he needs our help so Surfing South Africa has set up a bank account to help him get his life back.
The details of this fund are available on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HelpGrahamHynesRiseFromFromTheAshes
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Posted by Warren L on the 13/11/2012 13:26
What terrible news. I cannot even imagine what that must feel like. Donation will be done with pleasure.
Posted by Chad on the 09/12/2012 12:33
I have observed that over the cousre of creating a relationship with real estate managers, you'll be able to come to understand that, in most real estate purchase, a commission amount is paid. Ultimately, FSBO sellers never save the commission payment. Rather, they fight to win the commission by doing the agent's job. In doing this, they expend their money as well as time to accomplish, as best they might, the jobs of an adviser. Those assignments include displaying the home by marketing, presenting the home to buyers, developing a sense of buyer desperation in order to make prompt an offer, preparing home inspections, taking on qualification inspections with the bank, supervising maintenance, and assisting the closing of the deal.
 

Keep the loonies... in the water!
11/11/2012


The Kommetjie Festival is happening once again this year on the 24th of November. Book the date!! It is guaranteed to be a blast.

The Kommetjie Surf Shop is running the surf event again.We will run a few expression sessions for the groms with spot prizes. For the Main event I have a custom surfboard and a wetsuit to give away
There will be prizes for 
1. the most original craft ridden
2. the best dressed
3. the most entertaining wave ridden



As for the Rules. There are none so don't ask! the Judges will make them up as they go!



Monster will be setting up the sound gear, tents and Judging tower. And sponsoring a few cases of Monster to keep the energy levels at a max. Jack Black are throwing us a couple of cases of their delicious craft beer.

After the surfing the Fax Police a young local band will be rocking some tunes on the deck!

R50 gets you an entry into the event. Register at the Kommejtie Surf Shop or R70 on the day at the beach.

The Kommetjie Surf Showdown is all about bringing the Community together for a couple of hours of fun on the beach and in the surf. All the proceeds go to local Community projects! So get creative and come down to the beach for a fat Jol on Saturday the 24th.

I've attached the Agenda for the day!


See you on the beach 
Rod.
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Posted by Willwant on the 07/12/2012 00:47
Yes they have some. It is first come first serve though.The City of Newport Beach prvdioes fire rings in 3 locations. Fire rings are located on both sides of the Balboa Pier, west of the Balboa parking lot, and at B street on the east side of the pier. There are also fire rings at Corona del Mar State Beach. Have a romantic evening!!!
 

Who needs to do what to win...
11/11/2012
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International

ASP World Championship Tour 2012
ASP World Title Possibilities Heading into Season-Ending Billabong Pipe Masters
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, November 7, 2012) – Event No. 9 of 10 on the 2012 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the O’Neill Coldwater Classic at Santa Cruz’s Steamer Lane, has been completed and won by Taj Burrow (AUS), 34. Heading into the final event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters, three surfers remain mathematically in contention for the 2012 ASP World Title: Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, Kelly Slater (USA), 40, and Mick Fanning (AUS), 31. Due to the altered format for the Billabong Pipe Masters, all three surfers will automatically be seeded into Round 3 of competition and finish no worse than Equal 13th (1750 points). ASP WCT surfers’ year-end rankings are based off their top eight finishes from the 10 ASP WCT events in 2012. As Parkinson is the current rankings leader on the ASP WCT, the following ASP World Title scenarios will be based on his potential finishes at Pipeline. If Parkinson finishes 13th, 9th or 5th at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
- Slater needs a 5th or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
- Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title.*
*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline. If Parkinson finishes Equal 3rd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
- Slater needs a 3rd or higher to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
- Fanning needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title.*
*Contingent upon Slater finishing 5th or Lower at Pipeline. If Parkinson finishes 2nd at the Billabong Pipe Masters:
- Slater needs to win at Pipeline to take the 2012 ASP World Title.
- Fanning cannot win the 2012 ASP World Title. If Parkinson wins the Billabong Pipe Masters, he will take the 2012 ASP World Title. The Billabong Pipe Masters, the third jewel of the Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing, will be run from December 8 – 20, 2012. For more information, log onto http://www.ASPWorldTour.com

DAVE PRODAN
ASP International Media Director
dave@aspworldtour.com
+61 400 455 228
+1 805 758 5586
www.aspworldtour.com  
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Posted by Kylo on the 12/11/2012 09:37
Nice and tight, just how it should be.
Posted by Hans on the 29/12/2012 05:35
your staying at suenst ? the yellow house ? sweet now we know where to come barrow some camera gear. Is that pete taras guy there ? would love to thank him for his photo skills of third dip
 

Current action from The Rock
09/11/2012
 
  Mark Healey has his finger on the pulse and knows the right time of day to paddle out.


 Pipe cares not if you are a known or unknown, she will break you and she will reward you just as equally.


 Gavin Beschen on a Backdoor behemoth.


Occy is well acquainted with Pipe, he did win the Pipe Masters in 1985 while only a teenager.


Grab your rail and dodge the guillotine.


 t's not all death swell in Hawaii, you do get those ankle snapper days.


 Upon being washed into a cave or seeking refuge this would be your view.


It's not quite understood what forms these vortices as a wave breaks, all we know is they help create the fun we have.


Again Mark Healey knows how to bury a rail.


Frothy Pipe wash backs are not fun.


Jack Johnson weaving his aquatic melody.


SUP bra.


Amazingly time stands still the moment you hit eject only for your world to turn upside down in a fractional amount of time.


You find weird things swimming around the reef, this day the normal swim fin and a Hilton Hotel door key.


Arvo surf time for the nine to fivers.


It is a mesmerizing thing the sun setting.
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The Queen of Java
09/11/2012
The Queen of the Southern Sea

“All along the steep south coast cliffs of Java, in deep caves, you’ll find the small swallows building their nests.” Nolte tells us, having just returned from another successful Indonesian adventure; the light of his fully stoked soul shining brightly from his deep and piercing blue eyes.
“There are people there that earn their bread, by daily risking their lives just to get their hands on those little swallow nests and sell them. The nests are used to make a lekker soup, which is especially popular amongst the Chinese.” He says as he continues, about to start the story.



“Close by the town of Rongkob,” he begins, “on the south coast of Java there lived a man with his wife and first child. His name was Pak Sidin and his wife was Moena. They had a nice little rice patch and two big Indian buffalo with which to plough it. Living there in their modest little house built from bamboo and palm leaves, they were perfectly content – (now ask yourself, ‘who wouldn’t be?’ because remember; this is Indo and Pak Sidin is a surfer.)

“But then one day disaster struck. A flood came and washed away their little rice paddy, their two buffaloes as well as their young first born son. Now suddenly they were dirt poor and soon thereafter without any food.”

Nolte is a real surfer; an artist too, which is why we loved listening to his travelling tales, the way he composed them and the gist they give. His stories were more like a cultural exchange, allowing an insight into the psyche of his travelled to destination.

“This disaster then forced Pak Sidin to have to stop surfing everyday, and come up with a plan to put food on the table and provide some sort of living for him and his wife.” Nolte continues telling us, and although he is speaking, one can almost hear the voice of the Indonesian boat captain relaying the tale to him after another day of surfing as the sound of the diesel motor can be heard drumming away in the background.
“Then, when he was still moping around not knowing what to do along came Pak Moor, one of the bird nest collectors, and asked him why he didn’t try his hand at picking some nests from the cliffs.”

“But Pak Sidin was afraid of climbing down those rickety palm fiber rope ladders dangling down those steep cliff faces. ‘not to worry’ Pak Moor assured, and further told him that they would be working with a good and responsible foreman.

After that Pak Sidin obviously only wanted to know how Ratoe Kidoel, (the spirit queen of the south sea as well as the patron goddess of the nest pickers) would feel about him collecting birds nest? But again his friend reassured him by saying that one merely had to make an offering to her, and everything would go smoothly.

Early the next morning they were up and away. Pak Sidin with the last bit of rice that had been left in his home as an offering to the sea queen, Ratoe Kidoel.

Pak Moor walked right at the back of the picking party. His offering was a great big pile of rice, a full ge-braaide chicken as well as a few bananas and fish. But along the way he naturally developed quite an appetite, so that the thought of all that delicious food became just too much for him to handle.

When they got to the place of offering and Pak Sidin laid down his humble little offering with gladness in his heart, everybody was surprised to see that Pak Moor had no gift to offer. But he told them that he had lost it along the way.


A painting of Nyai Rara Kidul, the Queen of Java’s Southern Ocean by Basuki Abdullah, a famous (and murdered) Indonesian painter.

After this the pickers used their rope ladders and climbed down the steep sides of the cliffs, with the blue sky above them and the blue sea far beneath them, clouds above foam below. The sun was shining and with a cool off shore breeze it was another perfect Indonesian day. Once they reached the bottom the foreman took Pak Sidin with him and entered a certain cave. Because Pak Sidin was still new at all of this the foreman told him to stay near the entrance and look for nests there, while he would go in deeper by himself.

Once Pak Sidin was alone looking for nests, he saw a huge big rock sticking out of the water and it was covered in the most delectable looking oysters.

“Ag, nooit bru,” he thought sadly to himself, if only there had been a way for him to get some of those oyster, so that he could take them home to his wife, who really loved oysters. But even though he too was starving, for he had offered the last bit of rice to Ratoe Kidoel and so had gone without breakfast, he continued thinking that he couldn’t sneak off to collect oysters, for he had a job to do. He was being paid to collect nests, not a personal stash of oysters to keep the wife happy with. And that is what he planned to do.


A painting of a right hand barrel and flowers, by Nolte van Staden, an infamous (and living) South African surfer.

Just then he heard a Voice from the water.

“It must be Ratoe Kadoel!” he cried out in terror. “What will happen to me now!” he screamed.

But instead he heard a distinct and gracious Voice saying to him “Your gift of gladness has satisfied the wrath of Ratoe Kadoel– you are free. Go ahead, take your oysters, eat and be filled, then stash the rest in the bottom of your bag beneath all your other belongings, take them to your wife.”

Pak Sidin did as the Voice commanded him, (for it spoke with authority) and then spent the rest of the day diligently working at collecting nests. When they got back to the top his foreman gave him a fair and proper pay.

“What happened to Pak Moor?” everybody wanted to know, for he had not yet come back.

That morning, after they had left, Pak Moor’s wife also went to the place of offering to make her prayer heard. She prayed loudly and continuously, begging Ratoe Kadoel to hear her prayers. She asked that her husband be but allowed to return home safely – for bird nest picking was a rather dangerous occupation.

She then also asked Ratoe Kidoel to bless her husband with wealth and riches – in accordance to the offering he had made. (For she had put together the gift herself.)

Pak Sidin’s wife, Moena, also came to make her prayers, she prayed quietly inside herself asking that her husband be but safely returned to her, even if unsuccessful at making any money. For, she knew that their offering had been small, and her husband had no experience at picking nests.

“Ag, woman!” Pak Moor’s wife laughed and scorned at Moena, “why even bother asking for riches from Ratoe Kidoel, when you know your husbands’ offering was so meagre and small?”

“But what happened to Pak Moor?”

Well, once they got to the bottom of the cliffs, Pak Moor was so lazy from having such a big breakfast that he snuck off and found a shallow cave in which to catch a little nap in.

How long he was asleep for, he doesn’t quite know, but when he awoke there was a massive bellowing storm on its way, with wild wind, thunder and lightning – as if from a scene of the day of reckoning.

From the howling wind and crashing waves of the sea Pak Moor imagined he heard the menacing voice of Ratoe Kidoel. She was very angry at him for having eaten her offering, and sommer wanted to kill him right there and then by dragging him down into her underwater cave. But for the sake of his wife and children she allowed him to live.

When he got to the top he saw his wife, his children and his wife’s dear old dad all standing there by the edge of the cliff, crying in the face of the storm.

“Don’t cry!” he shouted with joy at his family, “now we shall be rich, Ratoe Kidoel has allowed me to live, and now we shall be just as rich as you asked her to make me!”

But he was not very happy for very much longer. Because, his wife then told him that lightning had struck their house, that all their coconut trees had been uprooted and that the livestock as well as the poultry was all gone. Even the rice storage shed had been washed away by the rain. At first Pak Moor was very confused,

“But then, what did you pray for? He asked his wife.”Didn’t you ask for wealth and riches?”


Another painting by Nolte

“Yes,” she replied, “Wealth and riches – in accordance to your offering.”

Still, and deeply impressed by the day’s events – Pak Moor and his family went back to go stay with some friends.

Pak Sidin, meanwhile, also returned back home to his wife with the oysters he had collected. When they sat down together to feed each other with the food he had found, they discovered a perfectly shaped pearl in each and every oyster.

“Praise Ratoe Kidoel! Praise the Queen of the Southern Sea!” Moena, Pak Sidin’s wife shouted at the sight of the costly pearls, “see what she has given us in return for our offering of rice! Oh thank the great Ratoe!”

But Pak Sidin wasn’t so sure if it had been the measly meal, or even Queen Kidoel herself that had done the deed, because even now he could hear still hear the unmistakable Voice he had chosen to obey – the One that had said; “You are free.”

Now they were again just as rich as they had been before. Pak Sidin was again surfing every day; and thanks to the oysters his wife soon became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy son. They built themselves a new bamboo shack, bought a couple of buffalos and continued to live a happy and humble life satisfied with all the blessings they had been provided with. Stoked.

But poor old Pak Moor – he always remained poor old Pak Moor.



 
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Posted by Henk on the 16/11/2012 12:22
Leka story!
 

Jordy Launches Signature eyewear with Oakley
03/11/2012



For more information or to find a stockist check out the link below:
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Posted by kurt on the 05/11/2012 20:24
ZEEEE Brah
 

Before the destruction...
03/11/2012
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Posted by Exams are HELL! on the 05/11/2012 17:24
DA-YUM! When others pray to God and cry of armageddon. True warriors just wax up. RIP to those Lost to Sandy...
 

Oh Hawaii how we have missed thee!
01/11/2012

Aloha, welcome back and stay safe. 


Ambulance lights flicker, a crowd gathers. All in a day on the North Shore.


The swell started with exceptional surf at Sunset Beach.


Pipeline followed the act on Saturday.


Newly married Reef McIntosh gave the encore on smaller Sunday.


Only the brave go left at Sunset Beach.


John John Florence snagged a little Pipe Masters practice before jetting off for the Santa Cruz event.


Alex Grey is no stranger to the North Shore or Pipe or Barrels.


54 years old and Buttons Kaluiokalani still charges the Sunset Bowl.


How much jealousy does the guy paddling hold towards Koa Rothman!


Let us have a little peek up the Pipeline skirt.


The kid is not old enough to vote or drive or drink a beer but surfs where grown men don't.


Jamie O'Brien gets a little bored with Pipe at times so he mixes it up with a little switch stance.


Oh the warm tropical blue waters of Hawaii, how we have missed thee.


Surf till it's dark before the circus arrives. Mahalo.
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Posted by Darryn Mountfort on the 05/11/2012 09:24
Define jealously... Watching you fanny about in warm tropical waters, with perfect waves. While we have to contend with summer east wind slop and dirty cold water. - Slummies local
Posted by Iain on the 05/11/2012 14:46
You could take it one degree further , I'm sitting at a desk in Jo'burg - looking forward to getting to East London this weekend for some summer East wind slop and dirty cold water....... Iain
Posted by Tank on the 07/11/2012 15:23
leka pics bru
Posted by Arisk on the 14/03/2013 22:10
kaffirmania
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