It has now been over a week since the trip ended and has given me some time to soak it all in and reflect on the amazing experience had! We had an amazing last couple of days together with some fantastic waves and a fun session on the flow rider before a great last evening together where we made our own pizzas in a woodfired oven and reminisced on the good times spent.
We really scored waves wise whilst up in Durban and surrounds, getting some of the best waves that I have seen whilst up this side and it just kept coming. The level of surfing in the group, and more importantly their improvement was really rewarding to see. Steve and myself could end off feeling confident that the group will be able to go to any place in the world and have a well-rounded knowledge of surfing, understand surfing etiquette and of course feel confident in their abilities to go out there and have some fun!
The standing wave in Durban is the only one in the world to have both a right and a left and Ticket to Ride hired it out for an hour so that we could have some fun. It is a lot more difficult than it looks, and the wipeouts can be pretty spectacular but everyone did well and some of the group moved up from the bodyboard onto standing which is quite tricky. Will’s brother Guy lead the charge even getting barreled, but Tom, Luke and Sam as well as a few of the other gave it a good shot. It was loads of fun all-round and a great way to spend our last day after a fun surf in town in the morning.
Quite a lot of the group had ordered Custom surfboards from Clayton as well as shaped their own ones so many of the group left the trip with a new surfing challenge ahead of them and a new tool to improve on. Johnny and Sam decided to stay on and come up to Mozambique with us to explore more tropical waters and surf spots.
For the final night we all got together at the Secret Spot and drank a few beers whilst watching some amazing dancing from some guys from the local township, they put on a fantastic display. After that we made our own pizzas with the help of an Italian chef and enjoyed them down by the pool, where I inevitably got thrown in!! We watched video footage from the whole trip and relived some of the good times on the trip with a good story-telling session before heading to bed. It was a great evening together and a nice way to end off an epic trip.
In finishing I would just like to say a massive to everyone on the trip. Steve who was the other trip leader was a massive asset and it was great getting to know him over the ten weeks. To the group of course it was an exciting trip good to get to know you all. Every group is different of course, and I really enjoyed the friendship and spirit with which this group approached the whole course. I really enjoyed it and hope to see you all again either at a Ticket to Ride reunion or if you ever come over to South Africa then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Off to Mozambique next for me and if you stay tuned in to the website I will keep you posted on what we are up to.
Thanks again,
Chris and Steve