Hi everyone, its Thursday evening. I joined up with the July group in J-Bay on Monday the 5th August, after their epic journey from Cape Town past Plettenberg Bay and up to Jeffreys Bay.
We said our sad goodbye to Gill Horn today. The days I've known Gill have been fun and good times had. Her last surf, seeing her out at the backline catching a few good rides was great, its the reason I love this job. Seeing someone's smile after that wave they have been waiting for . We also said a sad goodbye to Nikita Robb (TTR Trip Leader), who has been with Gill Horn and Jack Kiff since the start of the trip. Jack and I had a pleasant meal before a good nights sleep, cause we had an 8–hour drive to Coffee Bay the next day.
It was a relaxing drive that morning. South Africa is a lot bigger than most people think. On the drive you see how the landscape changes and how you start seeing less technology and more rural structures. As you drive down from Umtata to Coffee Bay you get your first glimpse of rural South Africa. We arrived in good time and got a warm welcome by everyone at The Coffee Shack Backpackers. We settled in with our welcome beer. Jack was very surprised by Coffee Bay and soaked it in that evening. It was Women's Day, so as to show respect to women a few of the guys staying at Coffee Shack dressed up as women, and played the part for the night. Jack feeling the festivities joined in for a laugh and to show his respect to women. We ended the evening with a couple of games of killer pool (everyone takes turns to play a shot and if you miss you lose a life). A Great way to start our stay.
We awoke to clean 2-3ft waves. The walk down from Coffee Shack which is in Bomvu Bay to Coffee Bay beach is peaceful and short, you might encounter a few grazing cows or a friendly dog that will follow you to and from the beach. The walk having the effect that you feel you are in the jungle. Jack surfed that morning, there were rights and lefts peeling along the beach. We had breakfast and rushed back down for another surf. It was still cooking. Jack ended up surfing four times that day. He caught lots of waves and paddled more than I think he had ever before. Our last surf that afternoon was enjoyable with the walk back seeing the sunset over the hills. Awesome beauty. Jack had a smile from ear to ear. Good thing they serve the best dinner at Coffee Shack as Jack was super hungry after all his surfing. We relaxed around the fire and spoke about how fun the waves were that day, about the dolphins that came out of nowhere and just how great the waves were the whole day at every tide.
The next day we had an early morning, Jack surfed and I filmed. Dave Malherbe was out there with him. Dave and his wife Belinda own Coffee Shack, and Dave is a great surfer and member of the South African Springbok team. There was a fun left bank that was running and doubling up again on the inside. Watching jack work the sections and doing well was good to see. We absorbed the South African sun and healthy beautiful land, and relaxed for the day. That afternoon before sunset Jack and I went up Bomvu hill and watched the sun set, what a beautiful sight. I always look forward to that sunset.
Monday morning a light wind was blowing and there were some ridable waves so we had an early surf. Once again it was just me and Jack in the crystal clear blue warm water. I'd been told about a place called Umdumbi every time I had come to Coffee Bay. Its not often gone to, the roads can be bad and it it a little out of the way but still worth it. So it only being Jack and I, we took a drive out there. It has a backpackers on the hilloverlooking the right point. We arrived at the empty point to see 2-3ft waves coming in. The owner of Umdumbi backpackers offered to show us around the point and where the jump off spot was. He said he always surfs alone and only on rare occasions other surfers pop in. After a good surf we had a snack at the backpackers. We said bye to Umdumbi and headed back to Coffee Bay. That evening we had a cocktail and enjoyed a much needed supper. Xhosa bread is a traditional bread made by Xhosa people, Maize (and sugar) being the main ingredient. Its really tasty and always gets served with the starter soup.
We were meant to walk to Hole in The Wall on Tuesday, but unfortunately Jack was ill sowe just relaxed. In the afternoon Jack was feeling better and we ended up watching the sunset on Mapuzi Cliffs, which i've never done before. The sunset was amazing of course. That evening we had an early night, we were off to the Bluff in Durban on Wednesday.
The following day Jack was feeling a lot better and was ready for the journey. We packed the car and said bye to the staff at Coffee Shack, they are always friendly and make you feel at home. We headed to Umatata and on to Kokstad and the back to the coast at Port Shepstone and finally the Bluff, Durban. We stayed at Ansteys Backpackers. It's a relaxed place and is right on the beach with cooking Ansteys and Cave Rock to surf.
Jack being out the water for two days was super amped to get in the water in Durban. We headed to Durban central for a surf both Thursday and Friday. We surfed North Beach where the Night Surfing and Gunston 500 use to be held. We also surfed New Pier, it was fun and can be a world class wave with the right swell and wind conditions. Durban is host to many of South Africa's surfing talent and cream of the crop Jordy Smith. The waves on offer are fun, and are different at each surf spot, giving you a bowl next to the piers and running waves on the outside.
Saturday we took a drive down the South Coast to Scottburgh. It is a sand bottom right point and left beach break. Jack did some good turns. His surfing is progressing every week. We surfed at scottburgh until mid afternoon. In Durban on weekends there are often bands playing and DJ's jamming. For a little spice of Durban nightlife we headed to a club called Live. There were a few local and abroad bands playing. Finley Quaye was the main gig and had people going crazy. We enjoyed the evening.
The next day we surfed New Pier.. Jack was getting some good long rides and it was fun and clean so we surfed most of the day. We had a look at Ushaka Marine life and the waves down there. That night we had a braai and enjoyed some boerewors.
Monday the swell was massive, Cave Rock and Ansteys were maxing out at 12-15ft. We checked it out for a bit and headed to Durban where the swell was getting in but not as big luckily, and was a fun 3-4ft. There was a left and right at North Beach. So Jack and I went out there and surfed for a few hours. We made the most of the waves and swell. After lunch we went to The Firm, where they do electrotherapy and infrared treatment thatisolate areas for workout treatment. We had a free 45min session and got a little shocked! That evening we relaxed and had a good pasta for dinner.
Tuesday we packed a lunch. We were doing a game drive at Tala Game Reserve. Tala is 3000 hectares and has over 250 different species of bird, as well as Water Buffalo, Hippos, Giraffes, Rhinos, Zebras and Rear Sable Antelope. We saw all the animals; seeing the tall Giraffes was Jack's favourite, and we were very lucky to see them right at the end of the game ride. After Tala we took a drive to the Sharks Board in Umhlanga. Jack was very excited to see how the shark nets work and what a shark looks like inside. It started with a video, which told us about the 3 main dangerous sharks in South Africa and the world; the Zambezi (bull shark), Tiger shark and Great White. It explains how sharks are not man-eaters and are just misunderstood. How since the shark nets have been implimented in Durban there have been no shark attacks. After the video they cut open a shark and showed you the liver and stomach, and how basic but advanced animals they are. We had an animal filled day with wild land animals and sea animals.
Wednesday was Jacks last day so we headed to Durban for an early surf and it was nice and consistent. Jack showed me how his surfing had improved and what he had learnt from all the coaching he has had on the trip along the way. It was good to see him progress and enjoying every minute. After the surf we went to the flow rider and had a few standing waves and wipe outs. It was something different. It made us super hungry so we stopped at House Of Curry and got a bunny chow and roti wrap. A bunny chow is a curry in a quarter or half load of bread, it is a 'Durban thing' and enjoyed by all people, local and visitors. After a good traditional meal we went down to Durban piers and had a surf. It was Jacks last surf in South African waters and he wanted to make it count. That evening we had a good braai. We got some boerewors and ribs, and some Black Labelbeers to relax for the evening. We chatted about the trip, shared memories, and laughed all night.
The morning of Jack's departure I could sense that Jack was sad and was going to miss South Africa. All its different world class waves, the beauty of the land and its kind people. Saying bye to Jack and seeing him walk through security was a sore sight, but knowing he had the taste of South Africa and the trip of a lifetime made it ok. He's a surfer to the bone and has the stoke of Africa.
'Til next time
Klee Strachan (TTR Trip Leader)