Klee Strachan checking in. It was a beautiful Sunday morning in Coffee Bay, the surf was still big and wild. We knew that the chances of surfing were very slim, but we had to make the most of the sun. We headed down to Coffee Bay beach and spent a few hours just taking in the sunrays, throwing a small rugby ball to each other. While we were down relaxing we did bring our boards as the swell was meant to drop off. Sarah and Nicola went for a little surf on the inside, catching a few foamies and making the most of the warm water after the past few days being very cold. They surfed without a wetsuit for the first time and loved it. The waves didn’t get smaller and the crew were hungry, so we took a short stroll back to the Coffee Shack for lunch. We ended up just staying in for the evening and had a potjie for dinner. It’s a stew that’s just cooked over a fire in an iron pot.
Monday we woke up to another lovely sunny day, the swell had got smaller than the last two days and was definitelyly more manageable. We had breakfast and some coffee to get the blood flowing before a couple of the group went up the hill in front of Bomvu where Coffee Shack is and watched some dolphins swim past. There has been so much sea life around Coffee bay, while we have been here. We have seen dolphins almost every day, the group even had a dolphin swim in between two of them during a surf. Whales have been breaching and showing off the fact that they are massive mammals, but can still launch there bodies right into the sky.
We waited until the tide was high and then went down to the beach. Nikita and I decided to do a fun little contest where the group had 25 mins to try get one of the criteria’s, best turn, best wave, best wipeout, best dismount, best foamy and best cockroach. The conditions weren’t the best, but still fun. Best dismount meant after the wave had been ridden how you get off the board, Ryan did an awesome back flip and took that criteria. Best wave went to Chris who had an awesome left, he also took out the best turn. Great work Chris. Best wipeout went to Dayne who was trying to take Chris out, but just didn’t manage to get the right waves. Best foamy went to Manuela who had a sweet foamy. Last was the best cockroach, its when you catch a wave flip your self over on the surf board, wave your hands and feet in the air and act like a dying cockroach, Sam took this criteria.
It was our last day in Coffee Bay on Tuesday, and we were blessed by beautiful clear skies and cooking 2-3 foot waves. The crew went down for an early surf and loved the clean conditions, there were loads of waves on offer and the water had warmed up.
We had an epic breakfast and went down to flat rock, or other wise known as Nikitas rock and jumped into the water. It was super fun and relaxing. Rusty, Coffee shacks dog, came down and was swimming circles around Tobias and Sarah. We had an early lunch before heading down to the beach for another surf. The waves were going off, Ryan started his surf off with a bomb right, working the wave and coming around the foam section onto the open face. Tobias got an awesome left that doubled up and he went left and rode the wave like a king. Dayne got a few fun ones, Sarah got two really good lefts and was stoked to end her surf on a high note. The crew put a solid section in and were very happy. It was the closing party that evening for ticket to ride, the theme was crazy t-shirt and hat. Not everyone had a crazy t-shirt, but Sarah and Nicola did. The rest of us had made some funny hats for the evening out of cardboard. It was an awesome night and fun evening dancing and having a few cold ones with the group.
Wednesday morning we woke up to a scorcher of a day. It was also time to leave Coffee bay and head up north to Durban. It’s a beautiful drive, we had clear skies and everything was on par. Our last stop before Durban, just a pit stop to refuel and have a little snack was Kokstad. As we got to Port Shepstone and saw the sea and feel the heat and humidity I just got the biggest smile. We stay on the Bluff at Ansteys backpackers, which is right on the beach. You hear the waves crashing while you sleep and wake up to the sea. A surfing family, the Palmbooms, run Ansteys backpackers. Rudy Snr is a well known big wave charger and a waterman at heart. Rudy Jnr competed on the WQS (world qualifying tour) for a few years and can do airs at will and loves his barrels, Hiedi is the little sister and rips, she’s a South African champ and runs a Café at the backpacker. She is also our cook while we stay at Anstey’s and makes amazing food. We arrived in good time, unpacked and had a well needed dinner. We were all super tiered to hit the sack early.
While in Durban the group does their level one surf instructor course. They started the Thursday morning with a surf in front of the backpackers, the conditions weren’t the best, but we were all stoked to get in the water and catch some fun. They then had their theory part of the course, Chris Bond runs the course. He fills them in on all the do's and don’ts. Shows them the basic technique to get a good surf lesson structured.
The course once passed allows the guys to go coach beginner surfers to stand correct and have the opportunity to work in other countries as a surf instructor. It was also Sarah’s birthday, so we got her a surprise chocolate birthday cake and sang to her during their one coffee brake. Once the group had ended the course we headed out to Spur restaurant for dinner and Sarah’s birthday. Everyone was super full and ready for their last day of the course on Friday.
It was a beautiful summers day Friday morning. There was fun 2 foot swell and great conditions in Durban city centre. So after breakfast we headed to town for the surfing assessment part of the surfing instructor course. We surfed at Ushaka beach, it was ideal conditions for the crew to get lots of waves and put everything they have learnt together. Everyone did really well and Nikita and I were super stoked with the effort everyone put into the surf. Josh had a really good right, doing a nice turn and working it to the end, he was a clear stand out for me. After the surfing assessment we went back to Ansteys and had lunch before the crew did their last bit of theory. It was a great day and we needed to celebrate. We had a few drinks before heading out to tiger tiger in Durban centre city. It was an awesome night that had many laughs and a lot of dancing going on.
It started off looking like a overcast day on Saturday which turned quickly into a very sunny and hot day. We went down to Ushaka beach. The waves were small, but everyone was frothing to get out in the warm Durban water. We had a base camp in front of the lifeguard tower and swam and surfed until the afternoon. It was the South Africa and Whales rugby game, so we had a braai that afternoon followed by watching the rugby and relaxing. Everyone got a little burnt and were super tired and amped to have an early night.
Sunday was packed with loads of surfing and relaxing down on Durban beach. The crew surfed north beach and dairy bowl, the waves are both situated in between piers which make amazing sand bottom waves. The crew also have had the privilege to be able to surf in board shorts. They all are loving the freedom of movement. It’s also a first for a lot of the crew. It’s a great way to explore a different part of surfing, being able to move quicker and to surf longer. We had lunch on Durban beach and had another surf that afternoon. I live in Durban, not in central Durban itself, but down south. I moved here to better my surfing and it has in many ways. Being able to surf with a lot of people and learn from them helps your surfing a lot. Being able to adapt to different situations in the water, from lots of people to watching someone like Jordy Smith doing massive airs. That evening we had another braai, the crew watch a dvd they had got and had a good nights sleep.
On Monday we woke up at early for breakfast from 7-8 and then headed to a swimming pool just up the road from the backpackers. The crew will be doing their lifesaving course later this week, so we got them in the pool to get those arms back in motion and to get them more comfortable they swim in a 50-meter pool. Its a lot more challenging and you have to just relax, they do the test generally in a 25-meter pool. Everyone did really well and I could see a lot of improvement in every ones fitness and stroke. After the swim we went to Claytons surfboard factory. Where the crew get to order a custom made board. Doug is who runs the factory gave the crew a run down on all the different models and what they each did. At Claytons they have a surfboard shaping machine that shapes the board, just by doing the dimensions on a computer. You type in the person’s height and weight and then decide what the rider wants from their board. Everyone was really excited and couldn’t wait to get their boards. You also get to put a spray design on your board, a few of the crew got some good ideas and it’s going to be very exciting to see them come out.
We had a surf that afternoon in Durban; Ryan, Chris, Manuela, Tobias all had a couple fun waves and seem to have adapted well to the new break. Dayne and Nicola were working hard and had some fun too. We came home to Ansteys backpackers to the smell of curry, and it was all ours. Heidi cooks really great food and everyone is really enjoying a good meal after an active day.
Till next time
Klee Strachan
Ticket to Ride Trip Leader – South Africa and Mozambique
Join the next trip in South Africa – Landing in Cape Town 24 January 2014
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