The week that was...

PE local Piter-Ben van Rhijn getting a pre-work shack at Supers © @chasedell

What was meant to be a less than stellar week still managed to throw out a few gems nonetheless. The heat was enough to inspire most peeps to go for a paddle. Hot as Hades. Water temps are peachy too. A pre-dawn start to the day and drive out to Jeffery's saw Pieter-Ben getting shacked.

The bay didn't do too badly either. Sunday was the pick of the bunch with an unexpected south west blowing through. Pier had some cookers and Fence did it's thing late arvo.

© Alfonso Peters

Cape Town had it's fair share too. Their Noordhoek is a lot better surf spot than our one, albeit about 15C colder! An unlucly rider about to rinse and spin in the Hoek. Probably one of the most awesome places to watch surfing - like a lil rocky amphitheater. Surfed there a few times back in the day. #$^%&  freezing.

Noordhoek - the one in CT - not PE! © Neil Bradfield

Fasten your seatbelts. The first WSL BIg Wave challenge at Nazare had a green light for Tuesday. The black blob will detonate in Portugal with what is expected to be light winds. So tune in for some insane big wave charging. Maybe the biggest wave ever ridden? The weather system that is causing the swell also set some other records. A BA Boeing flying from NY to London shaved over an hour off the fastest time recorded to date thanks to the pomping winds on it's tail.

The Wildside had some waves as usual (not often it's flat!) A few misty mornings though so you had to know where to go.

© Luc Hosten

If you've been eating all your carrots and your night vision is up to scratch there was the chance to get some zero crowd waves under the glare of the full moon. 

© Frans Gerber

One of PE's hottest surfers Bruce Campbell continues to rip local breaks to shreds (and do incredibly well in triathlons, bike races and adventure races) despite having a rare disease called Pompe Disease. the disease is a rare genetic disease characterized by the abnormal buildup of a sugar molecule called glycogen inside cells. This buildup impairs the working of different organs and tissues, especially the heart, respiratory, and skeletal muscles. Bruce has to be hospitalised for enzyme replacement every 2 weeks. Despite the huge and ongoing challenge Bruce remains incredibly active and always has a smile on his face. Inspiration for us all!

© Bruce Campbell

Summer time is log time. If the bay is flat just whip out the big stick and get in your car. 

Some epic sunrises this week. Wednesday's took the cake. 

Pipe © Frans Gerber

© Ralph West

A bit later that same morning © Nick Graham

Groms got to do their thing at Pipe in the Grom Game trials. Lighties froth no matter what the conditions are like.

© Petronel Posthumus

The windless conditions for most of the week meant ou's could paddle out to the Bell Bouy on the sheet glass lake that the Bay became. 

© Andrew Stewart

Given the rising fuel prices, JBay's Arman Perez-Pou has got the solutions sorted. Horse power for the win!

© Armand Perez-Pou

No waves, no problem, just stay prone and get slotted! Which you might need to do this week cos not a helluva lot on the forecast. 

© Tristan Wright