Time has really flown by and we are now in fact up in Mozambique. I have named this as part 1 as I have so many photos and so much has happened that this is the prequel to the final blog from the South African leg of the trip. In light of this we will go back a good few weeks although I know many of you have seen the videos.
The last leg of the trip is spent in and around Durban, from down the South Coast up to Ballito. The South Coast is a beautiful part of the country with lots of river mouths and therefore good waves and lots of sand-bottom points. We arrived for a huge swell which made it almost unsurfable. Because of this it was swimming time as the guys got there last few practice swims in before the lifesaving course got underway. It was great to see how the times for their swims improved steadily for the duration of the trip. The lifesaving and surf coaching courses are a great bonus of the 10-week trip giving the guys a chance to leave the trip with a qualification to teach surfing anywhere around the world and make a bit of money.
As the swell dropped we got luckier with the waves and ventured down the coast to get some great waves at St Mike’s and even further down. St Mike’s was one of the more challenging spots we went to and the rockjump to get out claimed several boards and bodies! It is a great right point though and there were some epic waves ridden. Every evening we would also get a little peak right in front of the backpackers. When I say in front, the backyard literally opens up onto the beach so it was a great place to get some quick surfs in and enjoy the warm water. Yes, finally the water was warm enough for the guys to wear boardshorts every surf!
From the South Coast we headed up to Ansteys Beach, just twenty minutes outside Durban. This was a favourite stop for many of the group. We were just up the road from the beach (100m) and we got really lucky with waves the entire time we were there. We stay at the Palmboom’s backpackers who are a famous South African surfing family. The son, Rudy jnr, has been competing on the world tour for several years, whilst daughter, Heidi, has competed successfully as a junior in South Africa and is deciding where to go next. Dad, Rudy snr, has a reputation for being one of the best barrel riders in the country especially when the waves get solid, and also for charging the big stuff. And mom, Tash, holds the fort while they all go surf!
For the group getting to surf with that caliber of surfing every day could only mean that they would improve and it was the spot where many improved the most. There were early morning surfs as well as late evening ones, and despite the group finishing off there lifesaving course and ISA level 1 surf coaching course there was still lots of surf time. The courses went well and the group all did really well putting in a good effort. It is hard to sit down and focus on a course after traveling the coast for eight weeks just surfing, but on the most part it is interesting and valid information as well as being beneficial for a bit of summer work, or who knows, even running a Ticket to Ride trip at some point in the future!
Check back in tomorrow for a final round up of the trip with more surfing, the wavehouse, game reserve and sad goodbyes.
Ciao
P.s. Just a quick Mozam update, it is absolutely awesome here, everyone is loving it, the waves and weather have been great!! Update with pics coming soon!