The week that was.....

The much-hyped purple blob didn't deliver. Purple wind we got. Purple waves? Nup. Sure, there was a bit of swell, but nothing like anyone had expected after what the charts led us to believe. But at least there were some waves about after the wind backed off, and it certainly was the best day of the week - which wasn't hard to achieve seeing as it'd been flat in the bay all week anyhow. Beggars can't be choosers.

Waiting for waves © Christopher Scott

If you were patient and nabbed the right spot at the right tide there were a few nuggets about. Saw Greg Saunders hook a screamer from Chomp Rock all the way through to Millers. 

JBay and surrounds picked up more swell, but also not in the purple-people-eater category either. Cape Town did klap it though, with reports of big waves at Dungeons, Crayfish Factory and down the drag at Bayview in Hermanus. 

JBay was OK © Robbie Irlam

Bruce's was hungry © Richard Arderne

Seapoint © Gary Luke

Riders in the storm. Noordhoek © Neil Bradfield

Noordhoek beach the next day - washed out © Mark Fine

Bayview in Hermanus © Howard Briscoe

Donkey Bay

Whilst there was much hype at home about the impending swell, PE local Anthony Adler was charging giants over in the Ments. On his annual pilgrimage to Kandui, Ant's first wave out at Bank Vaults didn't work out too well - getting lip-launched then pummeled. No prob for Ant, he just saddled straight back up, and his next wave the Kandui surf guide reckons was the biggest wave of the year so far. PE ballies charge! Not bad for 62 years young.

Lots of motion in the ocean at the moment. Tropical cyclone Fantala just made history as the strongest-known storm in the Indian Ocean. The mighty tempest spun itself up to 150 knots (280 km/h) on Monday - a Category 5 hurricane. Must have been plenty of right points all the along the east coast of Africa firing off their pips. Surf in Somalia anyone!?

Kiff right sand points in Somalia. Pity about the pirates.

The locals in Plett were restless this week. Bunch of ballies surf-ski'ing at Robberg this morning near Wreck Beach, and one ou's ski got smashed from behind by a shark. Knocked the poor dude outta his ski, and then the ski sank cos the back was bitten off. Guy had to hang on to his mates ski for a lift back to shore. Eish.
http://www.algoafm.co.za/article.aspx?id=15486

© NSRI Plett

Wreck Beach Plett

Shot to the Beach Manager Fernando Caine for getting the bushes on top of the dunes at Millers cut down. Plenty of dodgy dudes had taken up residence along the top of the dunes, no doubt contributing to the increase in petty crime in the area. So hopefully your cabbie should be safer at Millers carpark again now that the skollies have nowhere to hide.

Some of the local pro surfing crew are sunning themselves in Martinique - nup, not the marina near Jbay - the lekker lil island in the French West Indies. Matt, Dylan and Dale competed in the Martinique Surf Pro
Men's Qualifying Series #17, but unfortunately didn't make it past Rd 4. But hey, what's not to like about lurking in the Caribbean!?

© Dale Staples

The NMMU Madibaz surf club came up with a kiff new pop-up comp contest to get everyone frothing to hit the water. They held an hour long expression session, with prizes being awarded for Best wave, Best maneuver, Kook of the day and Stylemaster. The R20 entry fee scored you a free bar of wax and a beer - double whammy! So if you're a student at NMMU and surf, keep your eye's peeled for the next pop-up, everyone welcome.

Props to Keala Kennelly for making history by winning the 2016 WSL Big Wave Awards Tube Ride of the Year for her black hole at Chopes. First time a chick has won it. ‪#‎noballsneeded‬

© WSL

The ou's made the mission this weekend to get down to Mossel Bay for the SA Longboard Champs being held there this week. The McGregor family from Port Alfred displayed some pretty impressive packing skills to fit 2 bro's, a zillion surfboards, and other assorted necessities into their cabbie for the trip. 

Things looking pretty fun for the coming week, charts are showing a few bumps. Here's hoping they don't disappear like the purple blob did. 

Spectacular Sards © Dean Cothill