Full Moon Bomb

Eerie rays of moon light filter through the pines, casting soft dappled light on the weather worn asphalt. Looking skywards through a parting in the forest canopy I watch as the South Easter, howling up amongst the Jonkershoek mountains, buffet clouds in front of the full moon. The wind, snarling in the stratosphere, is less intense on the valley floor, but still it tugs at my hood. A sudden chill races up my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck rise as my pulse races.

Anticipation - fight or flight. 

Bombing Guys'

On Friday the 12th of October a bunch of the Stellenbosch Longboarding crew got together for a little speed training in the Cape wine-lands, nothing to quick mind you. But still fast enough to get a good slide in when you hit the asphalt...

Surf for Life 2012: Results

Adin Masencamp winner of U18 division

On the weekend of the 13th and 14th of October Natural Energy in Strand hosted the 2nd Surf for Life contest to raise funds for Taryn Pratt's cancer treatment. 

Despite the Cape Doctor blowing up a gale on Sunday afternoon the event was a great success, with some top class surfing in the water and good times on the beach. 

The Crime of Skating

For as long as I can remember the common perception of skateboarders has been that they are a bunch of hoodie wearing, pot smoking vandals, hell bent on the destruction of all road infrastructure. It seems (especially in traffic cop circles) that this belief reigns unchallenged. But as the skating scene continues to grow, and who in Stellenbosch can refute that it is growing, now is surely the time to start changing perceptions.

Surf for Life 2012

On the 13th and 14th of October Natural Energy, Strand's core surf store and long time supporter of the Maties Surf Club, will be running a fundraising surf contest to help owner Taryn Pratt with the costs of her cancer treatment. 

Entry is a very reasonable R100 and will go to not only helping Taryn with her treatment but also to helping establish a charity to help other surfers battling cancer. 

The contest will start at 7 am and feature an open, masters, juniors, ladies and men's and ladies SUP divisions. But if competitive surfing isn't your thing you can still get down to the beach and soak up the sun, sea and good vibes of the event. To sign-up download the entry form by clicking here and then email the completed form and proof of payment to naturalenergy@telkomsa.net

For updates on the event keep an eye on Natural Energy's Facebook page and for an update on the surf conditions visit Magicseaweed's Strand Surf Report. Otherwise pop into the shop this weekend at 188 Beach Road in Strand to grab and entry form and find out all the details first hand. (You might also be tempted into a little retail therapy.)

For any further queries drop them a line at 021 853 1151 or an email at naturalenergy@telkomsa.net

Surf Etiquette: Surfline's Bill of Rights and Lefts

How not to do it...

With summer rapidly approaching its a good time to remind everyone about the basic courtesies all board riders should practice in the water, especially when it's crowded. Take a look at Surfline's 10 point "Bill of Rights and Lefts", by clicking here.

"When Being Brave Isn't Quite Enough" published on the Bomb Surf's website

Please check out my article entitled "When Being Brave Isn't Quite Enough" on the Bomb Surf's website by clicking here.

Surf Club Fire Poi

Here's a brief snippet of the action from the last Maties Surf Club party in August 2012

2013 Surf Club Committee

'12 & '13 Vice Chair Ricki Allardice

So it’s that time of the year again and the old committee has stepped down. They have been replaced (only some cases) by the next batch, who are all rearing for action and looking to take the club from strength to strength in 2013.

Bay View Slide Show

Here is a little slide show from a Bay View session a few years ago with Bjorn von der Heyden, Pat le Vieux and Ryan Hill. Enjoy...

Paperback Clichés and Inspirations

Bjorn Checking the Surf

Paperback philosophies might be cheap and simple, but they contain idealised truths, values we could or maybe should all try to live by.

Show Your Support for the NSRI

The NSRI in Action

As surfers we're constantly putting ourselves in positions of potential danger and when things go wrong it's essential to know who to get hold of. In any emergency situation, be it rip-tides, sand-bar collisions or the dreaded shark inflicted lacerations, the NSRI is always a good option for the all important first call.

Lisa Auditore Crowned WP University Surfing Champion

Lisa Auditore with her competition winnings

On Sunday the 26^th of August the surf teams from UCT, Cape Peninsular University of Technology and Stellenbosch University gathered at Big Bay for the revival of the once annual Western Provence Inter-University Championships. Grey skies and blustery conditions remained from the cold front which passed over during the night and reminded everyone that the Cape winter had not quite given up for the year. But with June’s national student surfing championships still fresh in everyone’s memories the competitors were keen to reignite the rivalries.

Semi-Secret Gem published on the Zag Site

From left: Ricki, Bjorn, Myself, Pat and Ryan

Check out the collaborative effort between myself and Ryan Hill on South Africa's premier surf magazine, Zig Zag's website by clicking here.

Betty's Slide Show

Just a little slide show of photos from Saturday the 4th of August taken at Betty's Bay, featuring a few ex-surf club surfers, the current vice-chair and a few randoms. I hope you enjoy it. 

Maties Surfing set to take on all comers at Vic Bay

Chris Faure, first round action in 2011

From the 27^th to the 29^th of June 2012, the Maties Surf team will be duking it out with surfers from five other institutions of higher education, for the right to call themselves the top surfing university in the country. As they take to the winter waters of Victoria Bay on the Southern Cape Coast they will be taking up the challenge of University Sport South Africa’s Student Surfing Championships. Or as most students still call it, SAU’s.

Fear and Loathing in the Suburbs: The Skaters are at the Gates

Few activities still insight such radical reactions in some polite, middle class, suburban folk as a hooligan on a piece of maple – with four urethane wheels attached to it – racing down a hill. They look upon these youths with expressions of similar disdain, as they roll past, as one might look upon a junkie shooting up H on a quiet neighbourhood street corner. The bizarre animosity is palpable. No amount of smiling, or courteous greeting can change the views of some. Skaters are scum. And it serves them right when they come-a-crop, skidding across the asphalt, grating away layers of skin and flesh.

Stillbay, “Waar Jy Will Wees”

Guys and Gals at checking the surf at Kak Gat

Over the weekend of the 3^rd and 4^th of March the Maties Surf Club made its annual Stillbay mission. Once again the swell pumped, Puffies pumped like December holidays and needless to say some people’s hangovers pumped while others surfed.

The Surf Girl Hand Book Review

While shopping for a surfing related gift for a mate of mine a while ago, my girlfriend came across, and purchased, a great book called The Surf Girl Hand Book, which claims to be “the essential guide for surfing chicks everywhere”. Now I’m far too macho to have read it, but from a brief perusal I’d definitely recommend it to any member of the fairer sex involved or looking to get into the sport.

The Modern Beach-Front

A Futurist at work, rising above the crowd

The futurists would love it, but it’s not for me. The relentless hum of tires on concrete drowns out the crash of the ocean. The florescent tubes above cast too many strange shadows and offer no clue as to the exit. So I follow the markings on the road - dodging shoppers, soccer moms in 4X4’s - clad from neck to ankle in neoprene, surfboard in hand. It’s a surreal sensation, parking underground to go for a surf.