The week that was...

© Dave Randle

Yeeuw, we finally got some waves last week. A short-lived swell, but definitely enough to get everyone wet and happy after a 3 weeks surf drought.

Dave Randle grabbed some shots of the action at Pipe, so you can check them out here:
www.millerslocal.co.za/latest-shots/pipe-2-april-2021

© Dave Randle

Pipe sucked in most of the swell, but there were fun slides to be had at Millers. Big Eddie even hooked a wave right from outside Millers all the way through to the beach at Hobie. The guys got smashed a bit at Fence, with wild peaks slamming heavily into the sand and making it hard work to reach the backline without a nice rinse and spin cycle for your troubles.

© Marcus Ducker

The rest of the week was pretty much same old, same old. Small and onshore with the usual dedicated bunch of ou's out at Pipe for the dawnie. Guess that's the secret to surviving as a PE surfer - set your standards lank low and you'll be happy for anything that the ocean spews up. Probably an admirable attitude to have. 

© Dave Randle

Wildlife is notoriously difficult to photograph. Most of us have tried to catch a whale leaping up or track some dolphins surfing a wave, and by the time you have your camera all ready to go the afore-mentioned critters have buggered off not to be seen again. JBay's Deon Lategan puts the hours in though, and snagged this lekker one of the Supers locals doing a family wave.

© Deon Lategan

No surf means that surfers actually got to get some work in instead of bunking to get a few waves. JBay kneel Stevo has been getting some great art out during this lull period. If you have a empty wall in your house give Stevo a shout and he'll get you something lekker to colour it up. Better yet - give him your brand new stick to colour up, he does awesome board sprays too.
www.facebook.com/stephen.vanderwatt

The flat spell has made the swimming crowd happy - the oceans been like a giant pool for a while. Kiff shot of them short-cutting through the 6 pack.

Summer days mean boardshorts and zinc. Always cool if you match your zinc to your board colour. Fonzi keeping it real. When asked if his micro-grom was a goofy like dad or a regular footer, pop says at this stage he is still hanging on his back like a lil limpet so no news on what stance he is gonna be as yet.

On the subject of groms - great to see plenty of second generation lighties splashing about. But dad's, please remember to educate your kids in the important art of line-up etiquette, and how to wait and take their turn and not just paddle straight back to the outside expecting the next wave to be theirs.

​If they have the usual zero-patience-and-more-energy-than-a-6-pack-of-Red-Bull attitude then shuttle them off to a quiet peak away from the main surf zone where they can catch any and every wave they want without irking the other ou's in the line-up.

​You know those Youtube video's of ou's when they see massive spiders and jump sky high - this shot of Frans has me wondering if he saw something like that to get him going with that foot-in-the-air-I'm-outta-here action? Probably one of the few uses for a SUP Paddle - great to moer a crawly flat!

On the topic of big boards - anyone looking for a decent condition longboard - not always easy to find but Chris Taljaard has one up for grabs if you looking. Tune him at the surf shop.

Most of the last few weeks have looked like this. Perfect if you a 6 inch mini-me-grom, but otherwise you outta luck.

© Dave Randle

The grom games took on a different approach this year due to covid, and were held on a regional basis. PE hosted the NMB surfriders and Buffalo City Surfriders, with NMB taking the wind. Well done lighties.

© Petronel Posthumus

The Boardtalk hosted a Art of Surf event which was well attended. Some of the best photags from the Bay and JBay had their work on display. A number of these awesome prints are up for auction, to raise funds for charity as well as the Faulkner family (who lost their son, a well known and well-liked EP surfer, in a shooting tragedy). 

© Ryan Hartell

Check the video out below to see which prints are available and make your big. They are large A2 size, so will go great on your wall.

Normally the Easter period gets it's fair share of good swell, we got one short taste of it last week but hopefully some more early season swells start rolling in soon.