Kiteboarders, sharks and other interesting things

And so the waveless summer continues. Thankfully another light west snuck through unannounced this morning. Pity it wasn't accompanied by any waves, but beggars can't be choosers.


The usual floating circus greeted the desperate wave hunters at Seals, when even paddling down the beach couldn't get you some breathing space. Didn't matter much as the waves were rubbish wherever you went! Still, water was warm(ish) and you could at least stand up.


The St Francis beaches have been a bit quiet since last Wednesday, when a large finned visitor sent everyone scattering from Anne's through to Main Beach as he patrolled the line-up looking for a midday snack. Timing couldn't have been worse as it was the first day of west in ages and there were some east swell peaks to be had. The persistent east has churned up the bay, making it a dirty, murky brown. 


I've lived here long enough to know that means avoid the beachies for a few days, as there's plenty of activity underwater when the sea looks like that. You know when all the shark fishermen pull into town and start chucking their lines in at your surf spots, it probably means you shouldn't be surfing there! The guys pulled in a bout 35 sharks in and around the mouth of the Krom on Monday and Tuesday night last week. The biggest weighing in at 160kg's!! I saw a photo of it, flipping monster.


Despite being known as the Windy City, we're really lucky to not have to deal with the infestation of kiteboarders at our surf spots like the Cape Town peeps. Problem is, all those muppets come down here on holiday and bring their bad manners with them. 


Rumour has it there was a bit of an altercation in the water at Seals a few days back, where some out of town idiot thought he was being clever kiting straight through all the surfers. After politely being asked to leave and declining, he had to be given a little taste of East Cape hospitality before he got the picture. Luckily the locals out here don't put up with crap, good for them. Nothing against kiting, just keep away from other water users who aren't that keen to get sliced in half by wafer thin kiteboard rails or guillotine kite strings.


Hope everyone had a great Christmas, even though Father Christmas forgot to deliver the waves. Roll on January....the wave machine might just kick into gear again.