The week that was....

© Dean Cothill

Plenty of swell still around on Monday last week, how better to kick off the week with a public holiday AND surf. The holiday plus surf combo meant that there was a bit of congestion in the line-up's, but at least quite a few waves to go round. Things quietened down as the week progressed, but a bang down to a whimper beats a whimper to a whimper!

Perfect waves at Pipe for the Billabong SA Grommet Games. Our NMBS lighties did flipping well, hooking second possie overall, and taking home the Surfing Trophy, 3 SA titles (Zia Hendriks, C-Jay Posthumus and Daniel Orpen), as well as a 2nd in tag team event. You can check out the full wrap, results and shots here:
http://www.millerslocal.co.za/comp-news/cape-town-surfriders-win-mandela-bay-trophy-at-the-2016-billabong-sa-grommet-games

© Petronel Posthumus

Some more waddling tuxedo's got released from SAMREC on Monday. The organisation does an awesome job of rehabilitating seabirds and other marine wildlife, and is always on the lookout for volunteers. So give em a should on info@samrec.org.za if you keen to help out. Otherwise pop in to see the penguins, as entry fee's go towards funding the centre.

© Rod Green

Was waiting at the pedestrian crossing with Galed Smith recently after a surf, and laughing about how no-one ever stops at them. Some of the worst offenders being fellow surfers who'll yell a greeting and ask how the surf is as they drive past without stopping to let you cross. Spotted this on my newsfeed later in the day and thought it was a pretty clever idea - Two ladies from Ahmedabad in India have designed a very creative 3-dimensional zebra crossing that gives the illusion to oncoming drivers that it is a actual blockade, making them slow down.

Galed mentioned that Dieter Kuhn seems to have the right (or downright crazy) approach to pedestrian crossing. After an EP trial once he didn't even look and just walked across, making cars come to a schreeching halt on either side. Not sure I'd place that much faith in ou's brakes to be honest!

Been digging around our early surfing history and interviewed a few ballies to get an idea of how surfing started in PE. Pretty interesting darn story they had too. Go give it a read here: http://www.millerslocal.co.za/pe-surf-history.html

​Jogged quite a few memories, with Craig Cuff coming up with some classic old shots of his pop, Peter, on a home-made crocker ski - almost like the first SUP. The first surfboards made in PE were called (confusingly) Seal Point Surfboards, and Craig has one of the originals in his collection.

Lionel Daniel remembers he couldn't afford one of the Seal Points or Swifts, so his first board was a Sunsurf - which cost R50 bucks. He had to save up and pay R25 towards it, which was tough going when his pocket money was only 25c a week! He made up the difference by catching and selling a lot of snakes to the Snake Park that year!!

Peter Cuff on an early "SUP" with Craig in front

Muzzy Musgrave at Kings beach after surfing the Fence (in the background). His board is a Swift (which was the cheaper version of the Seal Point - made with local foam, not Clarke foam). This one was made at the shop in Walmer Rd.

Another pic which surfaced after the article - from Mike Mee of his dad Dennis with his Seal Point at Pipe in 1964. Later got cut in 2 - with Mike getting the back half and his boet the front!

Ever wondered if anyone uses that gym equipment on the grass patch near McArthur Baths? The answer to that is "yes"! A group of peeps called Zeus Calisthenics regularly do calisthenics and streetworkouts at the King's Beach possie. Shoot 'em a message on FB to find out about training times etc. Working out on the beach beats working out in a smelly gym any day of the week. Fresh air rules.
https://www.facebook.com/Zeus-Calisthenics-518259875014378/

© Zeus Calisthenics

Some of the Zeus crew

Surf Centre held a few grom surf camps over the hol's, and also hosted some lighties from Missionvale for a 2 day camp - with 6 kids coming each day. Dave Lippie contacted Annie and Willem from NMBS and asked if they'd like to arrange some kids, which they did. The groms had an absolute blast, with great weather and waves both days. Nice one Surf Centre, Dave and surf coach Alan Buchanan.

© Alan Buchanan

© Alan Buchanan

Josh Enslin's Guinness World Record is now officially official - he was awarded his certificate by SA Surfing Johnny Bakker at the opening function of the Billabong SA Grom Games last Wednesday night. Josh surfed for 30 hours 11 minutes and rode 466 waves; as well as raising over R30k via the CYOH Charity Drive for disadvantaged communities and animal shelters.

Head's up if you dig Killer Whales. Everyone's invited to attend a public talk about these finned friends that hang around Marion Island, by NMMU's Dr Ryan Reisinger. Venue is Bayworld next week on Tuesday 29th of March at 17:15 for 17:30.

Dr Reisinger is a world-renowned specialist on killer whales and a post-doctorate fellow at the Institute of Coastal and Marine Research, at NMMU. He will be talking about his amazing experience with Killer Whales on Marion Island.

© Chris Oosthuizen

Still another week of school holidays left, so expect a few extra peeps in the line-up all day. Charts looking like the odd wave or too during the week - nothing spectacular, just enough to rinse off in.

Monday Madness © Robbie Irlam