The week that was...

© Vaughan Deacon

Everyone should have a smile on their dial cos at least there were a few funs lil waves whipped up by the wind. Nothing flash but certainly enough to get your salt water injection for the week. Coupla barrels if you went looking.

Some photags shooting Hummies - you can check out Johann's shots from Friday here, and Vaughan's shots here.

Humewood © Johann Stassen/Jays Knots

Die Huis © Marcus Ducker

The big news of the week was the line fishing boat which got washed onto the rocks in front of Barneys on Sunday morning. Thankfully the crew were all safe, and Xtreme Projects were quickly on the scene to remove all the fuel so that there would be no environmental issues.

After a number of attempts the vessel was finally successfully towed off the rocks and back to the harbour - with much cheering from the large crowd which had gathered to watch.

Bad week for boats. These poor guys washed up onto the rocks at Coffee Bay. Apparently their engine packed up and they where taking in water. They tried heading in at the beach but current pushed them onto the rocks. 

© Uge Duppie

The first ever Salty Hour was held at Pipe on Saturday arvo. Really great turnout for the free surf lessons on offer. The Salty Hour initiative was started in East London by Jono Burton and Mervyn Goddard and Dennis Ellis are running the Port Elizabeth one. Together with surf coach Alan Buchanan they got over 30 peeps out into the water and catching their first waves. From lil tykes to older folk, everyone was stoked, and there were smiles all round.

Salty Hour will be held every Saturday afternoon 3-4pm, and it's free and open to everyone. So pull in for some fun. Currently the venue is Pipe, but this might change in future.

© Mervyn Goddard

© Mervyn Goddard

Skelm alert for the Fence. James Flood came back to find the ou's had tried to jimmy his surf lock and get at his car keys - but thankfully some locals saw what had been going down and chased off the rubbish. 

Just be aware that you should check with your insurance if you are covered for theft or loss of your vehicle if you use a surf lock, as previously guys have reported issues cos the insurance just goes "no sign of forced entry into the vehicle" if the dude has used your keys to get in (this is of course forgetting the fact that your surf lock has been forcibly broken - but insurance ou's are also skelms!)

© James Flood

The DEA announced last week it has given approval for land based aquaculture development at Coega. Despite not being related to the offshore aquaculture development that was proposed for the bay, hopefully one aquaculture project for the town is enough and the planned bay development will stay off the table.

Not so good news is they've started with those seismic surveys along our coast. Despite the dudes doing the surveys being of the opinion they don't do any harm to marine life, there does seem plenty evidence to the contrary.  Even more so - when will peeps realise that fossil fuels aren't the future. The seismic survey program covers a large area of the South and East Coasts, extending roughly between Mossel Bay and Port Edward, although don;t expect to see them from your window cos they can't come within 15k's of shore.

The skies clouded over plenty of times last week but nothing much fell from the unfortunately. Things remain dry as a bone. Here's hoping the clouds finally decide to let loose soon.

Rain threatened - but that's all it did © Luc Hosten

© Luc Hosten

What would a week in PE be without a lovely sunrise and sunset - and as always Schoenies photag Luc Hosten and JBay local Robbie Irlam oblige with a lekker shots. Looks like it was gonna be a green flash. Anyone actually seen one of those?

© Luc Hosten