The week that was...

Where the road ends © Chris Scott

Another slow week for waves in the bay. The weekend had a few onshore bowls, followed by some super windy lil lines early on Sunday. If you put some gas in your tank and went for a drive the pickings were a bit better. As they generally are...

If you went really far west, and then a bit north - you got even better waves!

© Eugene van der Elst

News of the week was the public participation meetings held about Thyspunt in St Francis and JBay. Things got a bit heated in SF, where some ou's heckled the panel of experts stukkend. One muppet even had a swing at the nuclear physicist. The police got called to babysit the hecklers for the rest of the meeting. Besides that bit of entertainment, nothing much new was raised or answered. Both sides just sticking to their stories. Nuke peeps say it's wonderful, residents think it's a kak idea. 

Thyspunt © Bev Mortimer

Even Andy thought nukes were kak

Another shark incident along our coast - this time at Stillbaai. Local Stuart Anderson was bitten on the leg whilst surfing the point. He was helped in to shore by fellow surfers and the NSRI was on hand with the emergency shark medical kits which are set up along the beach there. He was later airlifted to George in stable condition. Get better quick mate.

© Zigzag

Not sure if it's the El Nino that's sparked the spike in shark activity this year - but there have been lots of incidents all over the world - with many in Aus and Hawaii recently. So surf safe - keep your eye's peeled.

This ou looked a bit pissed off about being landed. He got put back. Brighton Pier recently. © Chantelle Flores

Anyone wondering why there were so many fishermen lurking around in all their flash fishing kit on the beaches at St Francis - it was the annual Free State Sea Fishing Champs. Yes. Free State. Seafishing. Any excuse for a brandy 'n coke mos.

© Richard Arderne

If you see a bright orange truck hanging about the beach front pull in for some lekker chow. Run by local surfer Dewald Hurter they park at various possies around town dishing up super tasting chow. Dewald used to run a restaurant but got gatvol of the mission that involved and decided to go mobile instead. Probably helps that it makes it easier to grab a quick surf whilst at work!

Makoy @ Millers

You may have noticed that Deno from the Boardroom has a kiff new cabbie to replace the rust bucket he used to cruise in. Local ballie (and ex EP surfer back in the day) Vince Barnes hooked him up with it. So if you looking for a decent used car - give Vince a yell and he'll sort you out. Cos local is lekker, and buying from a surfer-run business is as lekker local as you get!
https://www.facebook.com/Vince-Barnes-Vehicle-Sales-783593968415194

Came across a great community project run by Bluewater Bay surfer Luc van der Walt, Called True Colours - Art to Uplift. Luc works with local communities to brighten up their homes with colourful murals which he helps them paint. He recently did a project with the lighties at Aleph, in Jbay - and they did some rad surfboard designs. He looks to couple the painting projects with some surf lessons whenever he can. Giving the kids a double whammy of stoke.

Actually met Luc in the surf for the first time last week, and is so inspiring to hear what he does. If anyone can assist with paints or materials for Luc's projects that would be great - drop him a line via his FB site (linked above).

Props to EP Masters surfer Andre Venter, who owns Decor Pro, who has donated a whole lot of paint to Luc. Nice one Andre! Also to Dave Lippie - who's offered his rental boards & wetties to Luc for when he does his community surf lessons. Lekker to see surfers helping surfers!

© Kayoka Shutoh

Looking at the charts for the week - there's some good swell about, but unfortunately it's gonna get blasted to pieces by the stupid easterly. Which is Ok I guess if you love onshore bowls. I don't. Cos I seem to get drilled every time I try! Will stay safely behind the lens if the bowls start to fire....

Say cheers to the week that was... © Sarah Jones