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A local KZN beach break doing a good Puerto Escondido Impersonation.

30/01/2013

Jono getting to work on the racy inside section.

Scotty Venter charged hard.

Ross on a screamer.

Whenever it gets a bit juicy Mike pops up from out of the wood-work.

Ross was a standout.

Check the water drawing off the sandbar! Jono was on it all day.

JM dropped in to pay his respects.

Jared was stoked to get his passport stamped in conditions like these.

Ross in what we’d call a pretty good Puerto Escondido Impersonation.

Unidentified local easing into a long wall.

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by c-dog on the 31/01/2013 10:14

how is this like puerto if nobody got barreled?

Posted by Gulu on the 31/01/2013 17:10

No-one get shacked? Looks like a kak impersonation of Puerto.

Posted by Jonny on the 01/02/2013 07:32

Mike is 61, I know some younger surfers who wouldn't even paddle out in this. Waves were reeling all morning, barrels were had.

Posted by Will on the 08/02/2013 07:56

green gold

Help the Durban City Officials understand the danger of Dirty Water.

28/01/2013

Hi

Please see the attached Water survey questionnaire created by the Municipality. As you can read below we have a committee that meets with the council to work together to upgrade our city, the beachfront , the promenade and the quality of the water. The assessment is trying to get proof of whether there is a rise in water-borne infections after rains and other specific events.

As you are all regular surfers in Durban I would really appreciate it if you could take some time to fill in the survey and send the info back to Andrew Mather at Ethekwini municipality ( his contact details are below in his email – don’t send to me, send straight to the council please. Thanks)

YOUR 10 MINUTES ON THIS CAN HELP US GET PREVENTIONS PUT IN PLACE TO IMPROVE THE SEA WATER QUALITY ESPECIALLY AFTER HEAVY RAINS AND THE RIVERS FLOW INTO THE SEA AND HARBOUR.

Please also pass this on to any other surfers you know who will take the time to fill in and send the report. If we don’t take action ourselves in working with the council to fix up our beaches and water then we will only have ourselves to blame later on when it is ruined and too late to undo.

Thanks
JM Tostee

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by frothdog on the 28/01/2013 09:51

wheres the form?

Posted by Mark on the 28/01/2013 09:54

er...no form???

Posted by Zot on the 28/01/2013 10:18

Wakey wakey...!

Posted by Bruce on the 28/01/2013 14:08

click on "attached..." to open the form. Just interested in what income level has got to do with perceived water quality?

Posted by Stephen on the 28/01/2013 14:23

The beach sand ...need s to get cleaned ..the tractor that pulls that green scoop ...I don't think He !! Even puts it on the sand goes up the beach (north beach) looks around them leaves The water ......give up its bad !!

Posted by Chilli Chairman on the 28/01/2013 16:54

I dont want to criticize this initiative as its very good that we have the attention of our city managers, so thanks & much appreciation goes to JM & committee. However, the outcome of such a survey should only be viewed as a ''very basic non-scientific indicator'', and not whether our beach water quality is acceptable or not. International (or SA or blue flag) bathing water quality limits (eg E Coli counts) are likely to be substantiated by years of peer reviewed scientific research linking water quality with health impacts. These limits, which may have allowable frequencies of non-compliance, should rather be considered to be our key indicator of whether our beach water quality is ok or not. Where non-compliance is evident at certain beaches, additional E Coli etc data from nearby rivers & stormwater drains upstream should be made available to us, as well as specific actions taken by our city managers to identify & reduce sources of our beach water pollution.

Posted by Zot on the 29/01/2013 07:42

2 comments : 1.Last night 17h00 afternoon session at North Beach north pier , once the rain started , about 15 minutes later, the water suddenly smelt very bad and full of filth , literally in 10 minutes from the start of the rain. 2. Met a person who works for waste water treatment, and they admitted that there is a huge problem when it rains , basically all the treatment plants just ' overflow' and it all goes straight into the storm water drains. He admitted there is a big problem with the beach front and the drains. It was also revealed that tests occur often, they are just not publishing thr results. So much for Blue Flag status. Time for a serious investigative reporter to give it a crack

Posted by tom on the 29/01/2013 08:55

guys the forms are attached on your personal email address.

Posted by Andrew Mather on the 29/01/2013 14:28

Thanks to the Bomb surf website for listing this questionnaire. We hope to get a better understanding of how water quality affects our regular beach users. Currently 80% of the 42 sites we test water quality at fail both the Blue Flag and South African Water Quality Guidelines but the question remains does this level of water quality present health problems for users?. The questions on income we included to try and understand what the financial impact (to the city/business/surf shops/surfing goods manufacturers) of users could be if they go elsewhere or stop using the sea. We acknowledge it's not a CLINIC study but hope people will participate and settle the debate about how good or bad Durban's water quality is Andrew

Posted by Zot on the 29/01/2013 16:41

Andrew , I hope this is just not another PR exercise by the council. You state as fact '80% of the beaches tested fail both Blue Flag and SA Water quality guideline!!!" and yet you want to check if it affects us. This must be the biggest load of sh...te I have heard in a long time. Why do the other guidelines exist ....too strict for only the Durban city!! You guys must stop trying to make the dirty water issue fit into your poor water management problems. Fix the real problem. You can start by supplying BombSurf with the daily tests of the water, and they can publish them. You guys already now the problems , gypo guts , surfers ears etc etc etc, just visit any specialist in this field!. Why are you so concerned about the financial impact. This tells me that you are only worried about this , and not the users. What about all the surfers and beach users that pay millions in rates??? Fix the problem and stop trying to do the PR bullsh..t

Posted by Helix on the 30/01/2013 09:22

I have had to have serious antibiotics twice from surfboard fin cuts in Durban water. just chat to any Durban doc to hear the serious level of infections caused by Durban water.

Posted by Paddy on the 04/02/2013 10:19

Got a staff infection from surfing blue lagoon - got this enormous boil after not sticking to the doctors orders and eating something more than toast - have been given two courses of anti-biotics

Posted by Zot on the 05/02/2013 10:06

Comments Andrew? I also find it amazing that a few photos are pasted about the old Durban vs 'new' Durban , and the whole world comes out of hiding. Yet , when something as serious as this is posted....silence!

First Young Adult Cancer Survivor Adventure Weekend is a Go!

25/01/2013

Participants wanted for Young Cancer Survivors Surf Camp

Cape Town Survivorship Retreat & Surf Camp 2013

People Living With Cancer/PLWC is excited to announce it’s first YSA – Young Survivors Adventure. A survivorship workshop and surf camp taking place in Noordhoek, Cape Town on 5th – 7th April 2013.

This is the first event of it’s kind to occur in South Africa runs as part of the PLWC Cancer Buddies program. The weekend camp takes place with the support of Billabong, Stoked School of Surf, Living Art Farm, Bos Ice Tea and The Vrede Foundation.

Renowned psychologist and avid Cape Town surfer, Dr. Helgo Schomer will participate as a guest speaker at the first camp in April.

The weekend-long surf camp will include beginner surf instruction, ocean knowledge lessons, outdoor activities, survivor education and plenty of fellowship and fun. Attendees will have a chance to share insights and learn coping skills for many of the physical and psychological challenges cancer survivors and fighters face.

The group will share the joy of the sport - both the thrill of riding a first wave and the therapeutic beauty of the ocean.

Linda Greef from People Living With Cancer says “Integrating the YSA surf program into our ‘Cancer Buddies’ survivor mentoring service is wonderful opportunity for us to help young people connect with fellow cancer fighters and survivors, participate in new challenges and feel empowered to reclaim their lives and identities. This is going to be an unforgettable experience for our program participants and YSA staff alike. We are grateful to the support of all our partners such as Billabong for helping us to make this idea a reality.”

About PLWC/People Living With Cancer
PLWC is an NGO dedicated to providing peer support and mentorship for cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. Their aim is to provide innovative support activities that meet the needs of Cancer patients in the diverse country of South Africa.

The Cancer Buddies program is geared to providing peer support, carefully matching a newly diagnosed cancer patient to someone that has fought and survived the same cancer. The program also makes connections between family members and caregivers of those fighting cancer. PLWC will be helping to facilitate some of the weekends activities that are geared to help participants who may feel challenged by aspects of their own cancer experience.

For more information please view the website at www.cancerbuddies.org.za

About YSA – Young Survivors Adventure

The mission of each YSA project is to enable young cancer fighters and survivors to experience healing natural environments, learn new skills and develop confidence through action sports and outdoor activities and to develop and maintain bonds with fellow survivors.

Some of the goals of the forthcoming Surf Camp are:

• Provide a space for young cancer survivors to meet in a fun environment and learn new skills.
• Enable participants to get to know other young cancer survivors and share experiences.
• Offer mentorship for navigating the cancer challenge.
• Grow a community of like-minded young people to develop an innovative support and mentoring project for young people affected by cancer.

For more information please view the website at: http://www.plwc.org.za/ysa-young-survivors-adventure

About living Art Farm:
This weekend residential camp will be hosted at the Living Art Farm in Noordhoek, Cape Town. Living Art Farm is fantastically situated for the participants surf lessons in nearby Muizenberg. Living Art Farm has a large organic vegetable farm providing all the meals for the duration of the course and will offer guidance to participants regarding healthy eating practices.

Living Art Farm can host up to ten people in a variety of fully equipped and comfortable rooms. There are workshop areas and shared dining facilities.

For more information please view the website at www.livingartfarm.co.za

Sample Itinerary:
The course runs over two days Saturday and Sunday. Participants will need to arrive at the accommodation on Friday evening. There will be two surfing sessions on Saturday and Sunday morning. Food and refreshments will be provided. Time after lunch on will be spent sharing experiences and participating in some sessions based around the work of PLWC and Cancer Buddies designed to develop confidence amongst the participants and equip them with coping skills as young cancer survivors.

The workshop will end on Sunday evening.
A more detailed itinerary will be made available once the workshop dates and are confirmed and the places are filled.

Learning to Surf with Stoked School of Surf:
YSA is fortunate to be partnered with Stoked School of Surf who are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all our participants regardless of age of athletic ability. The lessons will take place in Cape Town’s recognized learner environment of Muizenberg. Instructors will teach participants safety in the water, ocean knowledge and of course how to surf and have a lot of fun. All the instructors are fully qualified and accredited ISA surf coaches.
For more information on Stoked School of Surf please view their website www.stokedsurfschool.com

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by Austin on the 17/05/2013 09:31

All the Best to PLWC's YSA program. These type of out-door events refreshes the minds and provides great relief to the people in distress. Mille Grazie Pizzeria

An open letter to the SA surfing community

23/01/2013

Recent events and reports in the media have compelled me to reflect on our situation in its entire context. We need to look at how we got to this point, and what it might possibly mean for our future in the waves. The sad part is many of the ills that affect our country as a whole are found in line-ups these days. Greed is one, exclusivism another and violence is the ugliest. The good news is we don’t have to be prisoners of our past. And much like the rest of this country’s still undetermined future, it’s ours to grasp, or let it slip between our fingers.

I don’t know quite when it first happened, or for that matter even where, but somewhere along the line, catching waves became a selfish thing. We sought to catch many waves, and at the expense of others. We began competing for waves, instead sharing a session. We took the steps down the individualist path where surfing became focussed on waves ridden, and not moments enjoyed. It spread and soon this attitude came to dominate all but the least crowded places. It didn’t have to become like this.

It’s been justified in so many ways. It begs a few questions, though: When have earned the right to take a wave from someone else? What gives you this precedence? And then why are these good reasons? I don’t have answers here. You can answer them for yourself. And saying that ‘that’s the way it is’ is not good enough. It doesn’t have to be like this. Imagine saying this: “Nah, I didn’t get anything good on this epic day. But I saw X and Y get cookers, and just being out there was such a jol.

Yet, here we are. The most common cause of angst in the line-up can be attributed to localism. Localism, as I’ve seen it expressed (in most instances - I’ve happily experienced exceptions, too) isn’t about custodianship, about teaching manners to newcomers, or maintaining a sense of order when things get busy. It’s a form of exclusivity. It’s a method of drawing a line between ‘us’ and ‘them’, and denying ‘them’ of any privileges that ‘we’ may enjoy. It pushes anyone outside a tight circle to the periphery and leaves them to fight for scraps on the margins. That might sound familiar in the broader context of our country’s history.

In creating these tight rings we push as many people apart aside as possible. Reasons fall into 3 rough categories: lack of familiarity, lesser ability, and likelihood of returning aggression. Basically, any excuse to prey on the weak. This means anyone who’s not recognised as from there, not quite as experienced, a girl, or of colour gets marginalised. And this is not only seen as excusable, but endorsed as legit.

Attempts to challenge this system are met with aggression and violence. And this is contagious. The recent shootings in America have prompted researchers to now look at violence as a contagious disease. Staying at home, we managed a peaceful transition to democracy under the auspices of truly great men – icons of our time, true examples of human potential. The international community lauded it and sought to learn from our willingness to discuss our differences and forgive our transgressions. Then we lost our way, because we couldn’t truly get a past an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mind-set.

The incident that set the ball rolling here was a racially charged one. Whether it began as a racial incident, or morphed into that either in the heat of the moment, or because of the angle the media spun is an unknown quantity. Racism in the line-up (or anywhere) needs to end. Not just because of a sense of fairness, but because it will be our undoing in the long term. Having chatted to some coloured surfers since the incident, the most chilling comment was “When you paddle out, you can see the scorn in their eyes.” It’s unclear whether this is motivated by deep seated racism, or part of the attempt to make an unfamiliar unwelcome. But, the offended surfer isn’t going to react well to it. And the race card – justified or not – is often played. The consequences as we’ve seen follow on.

I come from a farming background. It’s an industry battles with the image of being the preserve of white males. Surfing is going to suffer under the same perception unless we actively work hard to avoid it. Then the best case scenario will be apathy from the authorities. Anything from ‘could the city please fix the showers at the beach’ to ‘putting this sewage pipe here will be a bad idea’ will be ignored. At worst, government will actively try to undermine us with any tool at their disposal. Such as deliberately ignoring car break-ins at the beach, or purposefully placing sewage pipes where surf spots are. These are just examples off the top of my head. You may think they’re farfetched, or may come up with even more sinister ones of your own.

You probably won’t agree with this, but we need more surfers in the water. As a democracy, the more we are, the better voice we have. And unfortunately in our racially charged political climate, black voices are recognised above white ones. As inland water resources in the interior become scarcer, our industries will move to the coast. This is going to put enormous pressure on the marine environment. Unless we have a large and inclusive community to defend it, we’re going to lose everything that we have. Then we’ll all know what it’s like to fight for left overs.

And our waves can take more surfers. As a Capetonian, I recently enjoyed a post-work session at an urban spot that was firing with only my mates on it. Just yesterday, I sat on the beach at one of our premier spots with a Californian visitor. He couldn’t believe how uncrowded it was. He said in the previous week he’d been there with no-one out. I could believe him. I’d been there on weekends and had multiple peaks to pick from with me the only taker. And it’s not like I’m especially dialled to these places either. I can’t speak for Durban, PE or the Garden Route, but think back and you know you’ve enjoyed uncrowded waves where you really shouldn’t have. Cities will always have crowds, our best waves are going attract visitors. Much like daily conditions, you can’t do too much about that.

Those who know me have definitely seen me lose my cool. But apart from my weak pop-up, and stiff posture, it’s something that I’m working on. The correct attitude is arguably the aspect that the will help me enjoy my surfing the most. Your attitude is your own – you can use it make your session, or undo it for yourself and those around you. And if you want to use a bad attitude to chase others away, it’s going to count against you in the long term. In the end, you may have caught more waves, but I’ll still be the one smiling and laughing, and you’re still the one pissed off with life.

With all the above, you can dismiss it or take it to heart. I’m not suggesting anyone to go out there and klap the neighbourhood bully into his place. Change needs to come from within. Like violence is contagious, so is stoke. Surfing began with something called Aloha. We have our own Ubuntu. It’s time it made itself known in our waves.

Yours in surfing,
Anton Louw

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by JBAY! on the 24/01/2013 08:31

reading this the whole time thinking "Every break has locals" what do know blah blahblah, but i must apologise,,, the last 4 lines of your article is so spot on! AND QUOTE " With all the above, you can dismiss it or take it to heart. I’m not suggesting anyone to go out there and klap the neighbourhood bully into his place. Change needs to come from within. Like violence is contagious, so is stoke. Surfing began with something called Aloha. We have our own Ubuntu. It’s time it made itself known in our waves. UNQUOTE"

Posted by Mark on the 24/01/2013 08:36

I have to agree with your sentiments on some of the so called "locals", but there is another side to this coin and that is in the attitude of the other "non locals" - be they visitors, new surfers, girls, different wave craft riders and even some competent surfers...RESPECT is something that you need to take with into the ocean, don't leave that at the shore line, "locals" show some respect to "non locals" and vice versa and then everyone will get along...when last did you give anyone a wave be they a stranger or a friend?? Try it sometime...you will be amazed at how it makes you feel. Nicely written there Anton

Posted by Ryan H on the 24/01/2013 12:51

Whats really missing is general lack of understanding of the unwritten "rules" of the line ups, and basic water etiquette. When you started surfing as a grom - this gets drilled into your mindset by the older guys or "locals". This happens at most spots from Durbs to Cape Town and all over the world. Nowadays though surfing has moved past being a sub-culture, a lifestyle that you live by, an aspiration to be a true waterman with full respect for the ocean/nature, it's inhabitants and fellow watermen. It is now full blown mainstream,guys making millions a year and becoming celebrities. It a professional sport just like soccer or rugby and now everyone is jumping onto the wagon. A more diverse crowd of people are taking up surfing, most of them without the slightest clue of the heritage, the tone of it's culture (by this i mean its definitely frowned upon when some beefcake paddles around tuning everyone and their mom that these are his waves, his spot etc and anyone that differs is going to get a PK), the general etiquette needed in line ups etc (the concept and "law" of inside and outside, if a guy has sat back and let your bunch have set wave after set and decides he would like to get one, sit back and guide him into one etc). The racism card is bullshit - i hate how it gets thrown around at will, and now its hit surfing. How many friends of ours are non-white and i mean do you really shit yourself and feel uneasy when you see a black/coloured guy paddle out - or does it just piss you off when you see that he surfs better than you and been surfing for the half years that you have? Localism - what the f**k? It is purely down to lack of respect for the "rules" of surfing that this shit even still exists. Its common basic human decency to respect a spot that you are only visiting. When you visit someones house - do you really act like you are at home? Shit with the door open, get naked with a brewsky in the lounge - hell no kid! So why we do have no respect when visiting surf spots? Elands for example - How many people actually live in Elands that surf there (i dont mean having a holiday house on the point, i mean a 24hour resident) Surely this number is under 25 people. Yet when you go there and its cooking you have 50-60 "locals" out claiming the waves as their own? Just because you travel up the west coast 3 or 4 times a month would never make anyone a local (in the true meaning of the term) you are just a regular f**ken visitor - so know your role! I still think that we are luckier than anywhere else in the world in terms of surf spots and crowds especially in Cape Town as Anton Louw says. Surfing aint going anywhere, the number of surfers will never decrease only increase, so the quicker we can whip out some Ubuntu/Aloha spirit - the quicker the stoke will return. I have a surf school and my motto that i give the groms and newbies is simple - "If you're smiling, you're styling" I dont think any surf session is meant to leave you swearing and more pissed off than when you entered the water - if this is the case - then YOU DOING IT WRONG! Max the stoke okes

Posted by John McCarthy on the 24/01/2013 14:54

If you ever want to see a community that is getting it right, go check out how things happen in East London. I have surfed all over the world but have yet to see a surfing community that has the same kind of positive localisim and surfing culture that Slummies has. They nurture their groms, but they also teach them respect. They are hospitable to visitors who behave themselves. There is an established heirarchy in the water and it works. They are competitive amongst themselves, but it is a friendly rivalry and all it does is push the performance levels. This probably explains why so many hot surfers come from Slummies even though it is one of our smaller cities.

Posted by Human Nature on the 24/01/2013 14:56

Put a bunch of people in the same space and they will compete with each other. Some fairly, and others not so fairly... That's just the nature of us beasts. Not everybody has a cool outlook on life, and no amount of crying will make "them" change their attitude. Take traffic for example, plenty people just trying to get home but a few knobs tail gating and flashing lights to get past. The human race is a diverse sea of personalities, and unfortunately not all of them are nice to be around.... The "why can we all share the stoke" mantra is a noble one, but unfortunately a bit of a pipe dream. That knob hussling everbody loves things just the way they are.

Posted by citysurfer on the 28/01/2013 14:12

Ubuntu starts on the beach. How many modern surf rats arrive at the beach and leave all their rubbish lying around. Be that wax/wax wrappers/ fast food containers....... If each surfer made an effort for the environment first and above all, peace in the water would automatically follow.

Posted by Trevor Gray (G) on the 28/01/2013 19:28

This whole issue has morphed into a serious introspection of our surf tribe.Many have vented their spleen behind aliases and threatened various forms of retribution that seems incompatible with the whole point of surfing. We cannot be distracted by the key issue, violent behaviour! For many the justification of localism is paramount. However this particular individual was not a local. Many felt he was justified, eye witnesses dispute this and suggest he dropped in! Many considered this a racial issue.No one heard racial slurs. Many identified said individual as a perpetrator of numerous violent incidents. These include pulling guns in car parks as well as physically forcing a gun in the mouth of a visiting surfer. Due to no charges being laid, no criminal sanction has followed resulting in no factual proof. However these anecdotes have not been refuted by said person and his silence may be a sound legal strategy, this does nothing to quell the sense that this person believes himself to be a law unto himself and offers justification in the cloak of racial oppression. What is the impact on all code adhering surfers? Can it be to ignore blatant aggression? What if your son/daughter/girlfriend /boyfriend/ husband /wife encounters him? Personally I believe this person has carried the baggage of land into the water and this has resulted in a toxic bomb of anger. We need to debate localism, racism and all the isms of the world, however look to the points raised and base your response accordingly. In my book violence has no place in the line up, especially on such a feeble premise!!!

Posted by yaseen on the 29/01/2013 00:33

I agree Anton and; to highlight your racism point, I actually had racist comments and obvious snares while I surfed a Cpt urban spot ( Solly's) in sea point. Till today it still happens and I have since stopped surfing there. So...technically...locals-1 me-0 but that being said I dont punish alk the ither white folks because of four guys who frequent that spot. Sadly, not all guys will turn the other cheek and I think the problem will continue into perpetuity if we dont define "local". Does it mean 1.I surf there all the time; 2. I can afford to buy a house there because I am not historically disadvantaged; or 3.My parents were ALLOWED to live there during apartheid when people if colour were forced out of "white areas" and shot if they returned, so I just inherited the family home and the "local" status. Your comment about the sewerage pipes is funny 'cos ironically the beach 9miles from muizenberg ( where coloured ous surfed during apartheid) has two giant sewerage outlets that turn the water black when it rains needless to say we drink loads if immune booster ( lol). After all said, im.stoked to.be a capetonian and ill surf till.die regardless of who hates or loves coloureds, blacks, whites. Here's a though: Duke Kahanamuku wasn't white....nobody cared... Much respect.... Yaseen

Posted by TrevorG on the 29/01/2013 09:44

There is no place in the surf for racism. Perhaps it is time for those who have experienced this scourge to name the spots they have encountered this at. Perhaps then we can see the extent of the problem. Whilst I have been on the receiving end of this as a "white" I would be most uncomfortable with others assuming I was the same due to my colour. Makes me think localism can be used to entrench privilege by the minority!

Posted by gavin@hluhluwe.co.za on the 03/02/2013 08:28

I paddled out at Dairy in Durban this week Tuesday morning after dropping my kids at school. A small left hander and maybe 4 guys out. I'm getting back into surfing after a 15 year lack of waves due to business commitments and I live 300 kilometers up the north coast. After a two hour session I have met 3 guys in the water, they are in their early fifties and I am 48. Plenty of good vibes and banter prevail and we talk about how we have somehow managed to keep doing this thing that we love so much. My three new friends paddle in and I stay for a few more as the easterly flattens the small swell. Looking over my shoulder I see a new arrival floating out on the rip. He's got sun bleached long hair, tanned like a Florida pensioner and I can just see that this guy is a seasoned surfer. My conditioned brain tell's me he's going to be an unfriendly self important local type far removed from the three individuals I have just spent the last two hours with. As he paddles up I look at him and he immediately flashes a huge smile and raises his hands, his palms together in a classic Buddhist style prayer salutation. Taken by surprise I return a stalled greeting no where near as spontaneous as his. After a few more waves and watching the new guy ripping the heart out of a few waves I head for the beach. In the comfort of my car I take a moment to savor the morning and the awesome strangers that shared the waves. I think about how I so wrongly stereotyped the 'dude' and decide that next time out I will be open to the possibility that we can all surf the waves and enjoy them together no matter what age, how we surf or where we surf. It really does start with a smile, a greeting and respect.

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You thought bodysurfing was bodywhomping?

21/01/2013

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by Murray on the 21/01/2013 09:24

classic - best i have seen and so much control on the drops - awesome

Posted by Jared on the 21/01/2013 13:11

My first time out at big Pipe, I was filming the bodyboarding comp at Pipe at the end of 2007, was solid maxing 8-10ft plus Pipe. Mark was part of the water patrol and I'm sitting in the channel sh!tting bricks and praying for the day to end so I can swim in, when Mark swims over and calmy asks me to hold his cap, then he turns around to catch and bodysurf a wave between heats. Needless to say I manned the eff up after that...

Posted by Jonesy on the 25/01/2013 15:33

Whaaaaaat! That is epic!!!! Time to don the speedo and get into some chunky ones without my board. Awesome, so stoked to have see that.

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The Inaugural Durban Summer Board Swap goes down on the 24th Jan.

21/01/2013

Summer Board Swap will give surfers and collectors the opportunity to swap boards, surf paraphernalia or simply show off boards of any description to like minded attendees. Whether long, short, vintage or brand new, all types of craft, surf art and gear are welcome.

This is the first event, I have no idea what to expect or what I am doing, all I can promise is that the beer will be cold. - Sam Edwards, organiser, bartender and curator.

24 Jan 2013
14 Ray Paul Drive La Lucia
5:30 - 9pm

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by Sam on the 21/01/2013 08:59

If you want to contact me regards info or anything else, drop me an email: sam@edwoodtimbers.com

Posted by Andrew Black on the 21/01/2013 10:10

Cold beer and surfboards? I reckon you'll do just fine Sam...

Posted by rex lowe on the 21/01/2013 10:19

from the looks of it, you run a surf shop ? I'm a veteran surfer (80) having started at Kommetjie in 1962. I have two boards made for me by Spotty Watt in East London where I lived for 14 years. They were designed to ride Nahoon Reef and Yellowsands river mouth. Both boards also have long experience surfing Kommetjie inner and (those were the days) the Outer and Long Beach. I lived there for eleven years. Surfed many other surf spots in SAf during a career lasting to 2006. Wish I could be there for your swop shop, just to see whats going on in the surfing world these days, and to remind myself of when and what the stoke was like getting locked in at the GREEN ROOM at JBay. I have a son Martin of 57 and three grandsons Greg 31, Andrew 28 and Chris 25, all taught by me and all avid surfers. Good Luck Rex Lowe

Posted by Trevor on the 21/01/2013 20:48

Rex, you were probably getting shacked before I was born. Respect. Sam, sounds like a plan.

Posted by BD on the 22/01/2013 08:49

checking 5:30 am or pm?

Posted by Sam on the 23/01/2013 07:59

Rex: Thanks for the support, I dont run a surf shop, its my private home, I have always wanted to attend something like this, but due to nothing in Durban/SA, I decided to do one myself. I am an avid Longboarder and sometime shortboarder, and the same age as your Grandson! Its our rich SA Surfing history that has shaped all surfers in SA, so thank you for your contribution. BD: Event starts at 5:30pm, I am surfing at 5:30am. TO EVERYONE: I have had a call for Surf Magazines and DVD's, so if you have these please bring for guys to swap or borrow etc.

Posted by jason on the 24/01/2013 11:18

An event for core surfers, that is not sponsored buy some surf clothing company, no egos. well done sam

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Posted by michael ginsberg on the 11/02/2013 14:24

Sam, great idea please build it into an annual event. We have such a deep,rich surfing history especially in surfboard construction that it needs to be appreciated and presented to all those younger surfers who have very little idea of our heritage . Anything i can do to help please ask

Posted by Andrew van den Heever on the 12/02/2013 11:57

Rex. I have a Spotty Watt twin fin in excellent condition that I rescued from a business partner of mine's garage. I would love to know the history of these boards as all I know is that they came from East London. Andrew Noordhoek Cape Town

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Africa ain't for wussies!

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Posted by KC on the 16/01/2013 12:24

taken from Ezemevelo KZN Wildlife Facebook page - In spite of a shark being blamed earlier for decapitating an estimated 3.5m crocodile at St Lucia (http://www.2oceansvibe.com/2013/01/14/shark-blamed-for-decapitated-crocodile-head-washing-up-on-st-lucia-beach-video/), it was later discover...ed by Ezemvelo staff that it was more likely to be a victim of a poaching incident. Suggestions were also made that it may have been a hippo, until staff turned over the remains of the head of the croc, it was apparent that the tongue was missing. It was clear that someone had used a sharp object to cut it underneath to remove the tongue. Further south, towards the Mfolozi mouth, two other pieces of the croc were also discovered. It was strongly believed that these belonged to the same head that had been found initially. The crocodile is estimated to have been dead for about 3-4 days judging by the carcass smell, and the evidence of maggots on the head. It should therefore be noted that suggestions of a giant Great White are unfounded. However, it also suggests that the fight against poaching is not only limited to Rhino, and in some areas elephant. Other species such as Oribi, vultures, cycads, orchids and many others are poached, and more often than not persecuted. It is Ezemvelo's hope that poaching on a larger scale will be highlighted, and that the nation as a whole, who are charged with conserving biodiversity, would learn the value of biodiversity, and the provision of ecosystem services that we freely enjoy.

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Why the GoPro is one of the biggest revolutions of modern surfing.

14/01/2013

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Posted by jamii on the 14/01/2013 16:30

Some 40 years ago George Greenough produced Crystal Voyager with the iconic 23 mins long Echoes segment with Pink Floyd sound track showing the inside of tube to the point of educing a mild trance.....sure the GoPro has helped surfer Joe become a DIY movie maker, but hardly the biggest revolution in modern surfing.... that title belongs to Kelly Slater!

Posted by Trevor on the 14/01/2013 21:50

One of the biggest, Jamii.

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You don't have to make it realistic, baseuce everybody has an idea of what Hawaii is like based on movies and TV shows. In fact, take advantage of the collective consciousness that informs most people's ideas of Hawaii rather than relying strictly on authenticity.kathy867 recently posted..

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Hurley Scoops John-John Florence.

14/01/2013

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Posted by George on the 18/01/2013 18:07

What a CV to back up the phenomenal surfing?!

Some really classic beautiful and stylish longboarding back in 1967.

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You only need one...

14/01/2013

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There is a storm brewing in the Pacific.

14/01/2013

Serious Big Wave surfers are frothing at the prospect of the first BIG swell of 2013, as a pretty decent sized storm seems to be brewing in the North Pacific. Surfers everywhere from Hawaii to California will be stoked to see this swell make landfall, but the big wave hell men especially will be licking their lips in anticipation of some real juice. The swell should hit Hawaii over the weekend and move across to California in the first few days of next week. Ad to that a trifecta of possible events in The Eddie, The new Red Bull Jaws event and the Mavericks contest along with the XXL Award opportunities that a swell like this brings and you can see why.

Imagine they run The Eddie on Saturday, The Jaws event on Sunday and The Mavericks event on Monday or Tuesday? Technically I suppose that is possible even if you’ll have a bunch of pretty broken guys by mid-week next week if they do. But hey as Micky Dora said, “You gotta surf when there is surf!”

Waimea

Mavericks

Jaws

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Dream Jobs, take 1. Are you passionate about surfing, studying journalism or media and looking for some amazing work experience while you complete your studies?

14/01/2013

theBOMBsurf has several internship opportunities opening up in 2013 that you might want to check out if you want to hit the 2014 Job market freshly qualified with a year’s worth of work experience already under your belt.

Entering the job market is always a daunting prospect for fresh graduates because of the age old catch 22 of not having any real work experience. Don’t be fooled into thinking that prospective employees don’t see through the one week internship that you did at your dad’s mates business. They are looking for real skills and experience that will ad value to their own businesses.

theBOMBsurf online is looking for fresh energy, new ideas and some off the wall creative input. In return we will provide you with the opportunity to gain a full year of practical content generation, web management and marketing skills.

There are 7 internship opportunities opening up in 2013. They are all part time and designed to fit in with your studies. The internship is a year long and is unpaid for the first 6 months. You will have the opportunity to work in a digital editorial capacity sourcing and loading content for your designated channel. You will work with an existing network of contributors and be expected to expand on that and develop your own. You will learn how to source, package and load compelling content. You will also be expected to seed that content into social networks to capitalise on it’s viral potential. You will be exposed to real life digital marketing strategies and be expected to work with the publisher to explore and develop revenue opportunities within your channel. The internship opportunities are listed below. You can be based anywhere in the world to apply for these internships and are not expected to keep regular office hours. You will have content delivery deadlines but how you meet them is up to you. You will be taught how to use theBOMBsurf CMS. Photoshop and design skills are a bonus but not a prerequisite.

The internship opportunities are as follows:

Surf Alert Internship. Ideally you are studying oceanography and are passionate about tracking and following swells all over our coastline. You need to have the ability to write about them in layman’s terms but also to understand the science behind what makes them happen.

BMT Internship. For this role you need to have your finger on the pulse of global and local surf news. It is a current affairs channel with a humorous twist. An interest in current affairs, creative writing and humour are all important.

Adventure Internship. You need to love surfing and adventure and have a passion for finding and sharing incredible stories.

theBOMBshell Internship. You need to source images of and interview really beautiful woman. You will be expected to work with model agencies, photographers/videographers and the girls themselves to create a unique salt water and beach flavoured portal where readers can enjoy and explore the relationship between beautiful women, the beach and the ocean.

Retail Internship. You will be expected to work with various brands, products and advertisers to conceptualise, plan and execute a weekly online sales promotion. This will include both ecommerce and regular sales promotions.

Environmental Internship. You will be expected to source one cool environmental feature per week which assists surfers to lead a more environmentally conscious lifestyle by sharing best practice. The idea is that this content inspires people to change by showing them how they can rather than pointing fingers and telling them what to do. This content will be loaded onto the www.thegreenersurfer.com website and marketed off www.thebombsurf.com and other sites.

Art Internship. The emphasis of this role is on the discovery and creation of interesting and unusual visual imagery for the site. As the internet becomes more visual so we find we need to be able to communicate more effectively using still images, graphics, video and art. Ideally you are a photographer/videographer who is studying graphic design.

©Jon Ivins

To apply for any of these internships simply email a motivation to john@thebombsurf.com. In the header put the internship position that you are motivating for, ie ‘Art Internship’. Please keep it short. Ideally it includes an example of the type of content you would produce in that channel as well as examples of what you have done in your own capacity or in your studies. You need to include what you are currently studying and when you expect to complete your studies. You may apply for more than one internship, but please do so in a different mail with a different header. Successful candidates will be informed by the 14 February. If you have not heard from us by then your application has not been successful.

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by Loop on the 14/01/2013 13:19

So in other words you are going to run the bomb surf on the backs of unpaid interns? Nice. Good business model.

Posted by Jay on the 14/01/2013 13:55

I personally wish that more companies were offering these sort of internships when I was studying back in 2001 as its a great way to experience a real working environment, gain some skill and make some contacts within the industry. Imagine managing and training all these interns, its no easy job so well done guys on your efforts to help out.

Posted by Charlie on the 14/01/2013 13:58

SERIOUSLY.........!!!!

Posted by frothdog on the 14/01/2013 14:41

righto, so this means all the content we are getting in 2013 is going to be written by green novices.. in that case i would like to apply for the bombshell internship..

Posted by Graeme on the 14/01/2013 14:51

so for each of these internship roles you have a fulltime employee, or are you just getting cheap labour?

Posted by Jdawg on the 14/01/2013 15:15

i'm sure it is illegal to not pay a salary to an intern? even if it is very small, you should at least be paying for their transport to and from work, as well as food money... Either way, this is such a crap way to make someone's life easier by dishing out all the 'bits' of work that take up his time, by disguising it as a 'fun intern job'.

Posted by Les on the 15/01/2013 18:54

Guys why all the fuss? people can choose not to accept the position if they feel hard done by.. if i cold i would love to take a year and learn and make connections.. its for school leavers and nice for people who are wanting to gain experience within the industrywhich could leadto a future inmany areas .. if the person is pssionate enough they will seize the opporunity! anyway aloha!

Posted by Bill Sonoghue on the 17/01/2013 15:16

Am I missing something here? Is Mr. McCarthy being serious? This is one of the more audacious/shameful and indeed amateurish stunts ever pulled by this publication.

Posted by Mathugh on the 21/01/2013 11:00

This is a vital step in the careers off many varsity students and the recently qualified, particularly in this field. Some folk just love to hate...

Posted by Loop on the 21/01/2013 13:09

Mat. 7 interns is also a vital step to get other people to do all the work for you for free.

Posted by John McCarthy on the 08/02/2013 13:41

No Loop, not for free. In the text above I clearly stated that the internship is a year long, the first 6 months of which are unpaid.These interns will be drawing on the expertise of experienced media people. Initially they are actually more of a liability than an asset. They slow us down while we teach them what has taken us years to learn. Also quite a few interns flake when they realise what real work is all about. Out of 7 positions if 3 make it I'll be surprised. If you are not damn hungry and willing to learn, then simply don't apply. Once you have proven yourself capable and have acquired some marketable skills we're happy to start paying you, because if we don't, you'll be able to take those skills and market them to someone else. If you already have those skills you shouldn't be applying for an internship position in the first place. Instead go out and find yourself a job.

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Dream Jobs, take 2. The Coffee Bay Surf Instructor Job is up for grabs.

14/01/2013

Howzit Johnno

I hope you can help me, your dream job is available again.
Please keep an eye out for a new surf instructor for us. Daniel has sadly caught
the travel bug whilst at Coffee Shack, so is going to be leaving to travel
at the end of February 2013, so Coffee Shack is looking for another surf
Instructor. The basic package is Accommodation, food and between R4k and
R5k, so they do not really have many expenses other than their bad habits
(booze).

They do not have to be qualified, just a reliable, reasonable surfer. We will
train them and get them qualified if necessary.

Cheers
David

David Malherbe
PO Box 19231
Tecoma, 5214
Mbl +27-(0)832369251
wackypt@iafrica.com
www.coffeeshack.co.za
www.facebook.com/coffeeshackbackpackers

Got something to say? Then leave a comment!

Posted by Sean Roberts on the 15/01/2013 07:44

I think I am suited for this job, is there an e mail which I can post my CV

Posted by John McCarthy on the 15/01/2013 16:00

Hi Sean get hold of Dave at wackypt@iafrica.com Good luck!

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