Deon Bing

Go surf

2012-02-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Theres lots of stuff to deal with, stuff that gets in the way, clouds the day, the past, the future - don't sweat it. Get Wet. Check out Bethany and Nick going surfing - now go grab a board and get perspective...
Deon
Thanks Spike for the heads up on this link!

Stoked Grom

2012-02-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

Aaah grab the stoke again! Strapping the boards, choosing the music, anticipating the perfect wave, the cars too slow, the lights always red, hoping its not too crowded, and the wind doesn't switch. Smell the wax, taste the salt, feel the push under bubbles, straining to stop being dragged back, breaking free for a moment before the next one, catching your breath as you make the back and get your line up. Seeing it coming and letting it go, cos the ballie was out before you, but the next ones better and by some fluke you're in the spot and you've just got to go, and everyones watching and you can"t blow it. Drop in like a cover shot, look at a wall full of options, risk losing it or pump through the section at warp speed and you are the wave until the whitewater closes you out, spitting and smiling...then pull the board back, crawl on and do it again.
Thomas - thanks for sharing the stoke!
Deon
PIC - Steve Symons

Duck Dive

2012-01-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

Wet wet wet - flat water, big boards and a Standup Paddleboard tour around the Canals at Crystal Towers. Kfm listeners joined us for a day out.
Cruising past the ducks and birds and the people chilling on the grass at lunch time, you forget that we're in the city - why mission around the world when we've got it right in front of us? Come paddle, surf, climb the mountain, fly a kite, cycle to Tableview...the Cape Town 'to do' list is endless.
Deon

Merry Gondoliers...

2012-01-18T23:46:00.000-08:00

Hottest day in a long time - the back story was nearly fainting from heat exhaustion off loading the boards in a 40 degree carpark - but what a jol we had with the Klub VIP listeners. All eager to learn and doing really well. Stoked to have Gary van Rooyen with us, Coach of the SA Team to Peru next month. It's good fun and you don't realise you're having a core workout - until the next day...If you'd like to book a lesson, we're setting up a SUP school at Crystal Towers, so you can contact Justin or myself at www.bingsurf.co.za - be great to have you along.
Deon
Pic-Ziningi
( ...where the behind the scenes rules of venturing into the ocean and surf etiquette will be shared ;-)

Whats in a tweet?

2012-01-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

I've been tweeting a beach report for Cape Town over the December season, finding the best places, out of the wind, the traffic - sharing the stoke of being in our beautiful city. Whats been interesting, is that when the folk have returned home to Jozi - or even further - they continue to follow and interact. Why would anyone want to follow a local beach report when they're a thousand km's away? But it's obvious - while preparing for a holiday is an exciting time, the reliving of it through photos and stories is just as much fun. If I'm tweeted the daylight hours for Merzouga, it's remembering the Saharan sunrise over the Algerian blue mountains. The Costa Rican water temperatures or a traffic snarl up in Kuta, a train strike in Paris or a restaurant review in New York - it sparks something and the smells, the sights and the memories are back. Its not a punishment, or wishing I was there - just a good feeling of having done it, been a part of it, with the hope of returning one day.
Deon
twitter: deon_bing

Madonna on form

2012-01-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

Click the Youtube link to watch - about time someone chirped him back!
Deon

The Maple Kind

2012-01-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

It's been viewed nearly 110M times - but you gotta luv it. I've learned it off by heart, and my friends just mention "the maple kind..." and it gets us going again - enjoy it for the gazillionth time...
Deon

Loves people and beach walks...

2012-01-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

The run of fantastic holiday weather had people flocking to the beaches - this was Muizenberg around lunchtime on January 1st, 2012. Safe swimming, family fun and no serious incidents. Sharkspotters did their thing, Law enforcement took away the booze and lifeguards blew their whistles. And with the queue to the toilet snaking round the block, the water temperature increased to a balmy 25 degrees...
Deon
pic Brenton Geach

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Not much was ever heard from the 4th Wise Man who went surfing...
Happy Christmas holidays to you, friends and family - and keep the 'gees' going...
Deon

Dancing down the Highway

2011-12-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

Heading down the highway with your mates, open road and a good mix of tunes - stuff you haven't heard for a while, where you hit those high notes, but you can't be sure, cos the windows are all open, the exhaust is banging and the speakers are rumbling that cardboard section above the boot.
'Hold me closer Tiny Dancer,
Count the headlights on the highway...'
Elton Johns' Tiny Dancer - resurrected in Almost Famous and finally going platinum this year - 40 years on.
Deon

OK - so I'm a groupie...

2011-12-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Constantly blows my mind with her creativity - I want to be part of that crazy brainstorm session that lights bright ideas with phosphorous and dynamite. Who suggested wearable meat - probably a vegetarian...and now Gaga arrives at the Trevor Live awards in Hollywood dressed like a princess. Game changing on a daily basis - u go gaga!
Deon
pic:pacific coast news online

Summer Madness

2011-12-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

The two week frenzy is 2 weeks away and we're going to squeeze the 50 weeks of missed out life into that short holiday burst. The jailers, wardens, and demigods have slackened the chains and we will run free...but can we be trusted? Our first tourist was blown out to sea a few days ago - no wetsuit, lifejacket or flares. A gale South Easter and 10 degree water should have been his clue that he was unprepared - locals and NSRI got him safely back. People will drink and drown, toddlers will go missing in crowds, cars will overtake on blind rises and tons of litter will be removed daily. Thats just the way it was last year and the year before that.
Watch out for each other and lead the change.
Deon
pic Christoph Schmid

Splish Splash Trash

2011-11-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

The tropical countries I've surfed in generally have poor quality tap water, so bottled water in plastic containers keeps the thirst away..and in that heat, you need litres a day. Everyone does, every day - do the math and its a mountain of waste bottles that get sluiced into the midocean plastic gyre that just keeps growing. I've taken responsibilty for the container I drink out of, so at least thats a few less going into circulation - you know the facts -you make the call.
Deon
pic Peri Pelaracio - Phillipines

iPhone lens

2011-11-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

OK - so the megapixel, HD race is maxing out if we're distributing content on the web, but how's these new lenses? All three on a rotating wheel - a fish eye, a .7 wide angle and a telephoto attached to your iPhone - go shoot that movie!
Deon
pic -photojojo

Pilchard Park Off

2011-11-20T22:04:00.000-08:00

The Sardines run, but down in the Cape, the Pilchards just park off, herded into the shallows by fat seals - and whatever larger fish are out there. Two weeks ago we could see the waves sparkling at night with lumo green plankton, being the forerunner of what we've got now. Surfers are wading through the schools to get their waves, but I'm keeping out of the food chain for the moment - bit too much activity for me.
From Hout Bay to Kommetjie, the bait balls are hanging out and the feeding frenzy continues - we've got our kreef bait stock for the season in a single throw of the net!
Deon
Pic - Brenton Geach

Washed Up

2011-11-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

The most perfect day of madness down at Kommetjie. Giving Chris and I the mic and the loop of insanity was complete - what a day! First the Grom expression session, tagging waves instead of walls, to the crazy themed surf contest, dressup compulsory. Superheros, bluebottles, Lumo crabs and the Grim Reaper ripped up the waves - with the boat people arriving late. They're busy on a circumnavigation and were 50 meters into their trip before getting washed up. What seemed like a good idea the night before - a portapool, strapped to 3 windsurfers, with cane garden furniture and a sail, proved less seaworthy than planned, with the inshore boulders claiming their craft - fat jol, big prizes and a return to the fun stoke that got us surfing in the first place.
Deon
Pic: Mail Online

Klub VIP Surf Lessons

2011-11-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Wax rubs on and experience rubs off... after travelling with the SA Team to ISA World Games in Costa Rica and Panama, having our top coaches and managers as mentors, then following the Longboard Pro Tour to the Maldives, Biarritz and Sri Lanka - Justin is currently joint 5th on the circuit, with the final event in a weeks time in Levanto, Italy. He started http://bingsurf.co.za/ as a means to help fund his costs to the events. Lotto contribute a portion to the SA Team, but personal costs range up as a 'journeyman' hanging in against contestants on full sponsorships. From foreign tourists to school kids, moms and contest surfers - they've all shared the stoke at the surf school - now it's time for a lucky Klub VIP member to get wet - it just might change your life...
Deon

Good blow

2011-10-31T23:56:00.000-07:00

Talent abounds in forgotten orifii...Never say never until you've tried everything, just don't buy a second hand nose flute. Silence of the Panthers in concert with the reflux ensemble...

Deon

Big wheel keeps on turning

2011-10-31T13:14:00.000-07:00

Once a year we get together for the WP Longboard Surfing Champs - a tradition going back decades...to a time when we surfed in the Open Division and looked up at the Legends as an infinite age too far to ever reach. Now we are those older okes, but still hanging in and getting the stoke! Check at the fresh new talent coming through - the future and legacy is secure.
2011 Winners at the weekend Champs.
Deon
Pic - Clive Maasch

Fake Elephant escapes on unicycle

2011-10-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

OK -so these random okes had a brainstorm about shooting a music video, and someone mentioned a unicycle, and dressing up as an elephant in jail and jumping on the London Underground, scoring a trip to Cape Town, and finding 3 other okes in elephant suits playing music in the Karoo...and the secretary said "sorry, Mr Smith can't take your call - he's in a meeting" - so then he says he's Chris from Coldplay and everyone said - smashing - lets throw money at it and make it happen.
I've got a plan to wear a gorilla suit in Bali and I'm Jimi Hendrix ghost...
Deon

Oos Bes

2011-10-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

After being booted out of the Common Room for not booking (I'd obviously misread the 'no reservations' policy to mean I didn't need to reserve...) fortune smiled opportunistically on us restaurant window shoppers. Maybe it was the lighting, laid back lounge sounds or the really happy staff, but the mix was enticing. I'm up for anything so bring on the Pork noodles - it had a whole bunch of interesting ingredients that I forget now, but the bottom line was someone backstage knew their wilted bok choy from their birds nest...turns out theres a lady focused just on getting the noodles right - she stayed behind when Reuben left to go grinding at the Waterfront - his loss. Dutch East in Franschoek - I'm sure all her noodles hit the spot.
Deon

November 3rd

2011-10-21T00:59:00.003-07:00

This isn't a sponsored message, but something bigs coming out of Canon on November 3rd in Hollywood. The hypes been generated for 2 months, everywhere you read rumours about what it could be, local camera shops are guessing it might be a video camera building on the success of their 7D and 5D cameras.

But the gut feeling is a gamechanger is approaching - and I'm going to have to find some cash...And if it's all for naught, then I won't believe the press release they send out ever again - pressures on!

Deon

Wash this space

2011-10-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

The SA Masters Surfing Team is over at La Libertad in El Salvador for the ISA World Games. The President has just declared a state of emergency after a week of non-stop rain, so the guys and girls have got involved with the relief effort, as many locals have had to leave their homes. And when that work is done, nothing better than a surf to keep loose - never mind its a mud churning mess...We're in with a big chance this year to reclaim the title from the Aussies - C'mon SA!!
Deon

Classic

2011-10-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

Traditions...every year the guys make a plan to get together at the Sunset Classic. Longboards, beers and the only criteria being switchfoot - goofys surf regular and vice versa. For some, it would probably have been better if we'd surfed that way round all along...with each averaging 35 years of surfing behind us, it's great that the okes are still out there having a jol, sharing the stoke, catching waves. Same crew, same place -see you back again next year.
Deon

Heaven

2011-10-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm normally the first to take the back, 'less travelled' road - but had never turned left up into the Hemel and Aarde Valley outside Hermanus. Mountain bike trails, walks and endless rows of vineyards, the setting is perfect. Try it sometime, taste some wine, stop for breakfast or lunch, stay over - leave the madness far below, back in town.
Deon

Claim your Steak

2011-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

After the second week spent out with the whales in Hermanus, you start to get a handle on whats happening, where to go, where to eat. A menu that boasts life is too short for bad food sets the bar, and when locals recommend the steak, I'll mission to find it. Tucked away at the Hemel en Aarde turnoff to Caledon, Bruce and his team pulled it off. Steaks I remember are from Black Angus and Brads in the 80's, recently 1800 in Greenpoint - and now B's...with good vibes and local wine.
Deon

Know the Signs

2011-09-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts are with the swimmer who lost his leg to a shark while swimming at Fish Hoek yesterday, and we wish him strength over the tough times of recovery, rehabilitation and physio. Apparently the beach had been closed to swimmers after a shark had been spotted earlier. With such a large beach and multiple access points, its possible he wasn't even aware. I am sure there are a number of people who don't know the meaning of the different flags. Heres a guide. Thanks to the City and the Shark Spotters program for keeping a eye out for us. GREEN is good visibility and no sharks have been spotted. BLACK means poor visibilty, but no sharks seen, RED means a shark has been seen recently, but is no longer visible and WHITE with a Black Shark and a siren means a shark has been sighted, leave the water calmly, but immediately.
No flag means no spotters. The spotters are dedicated and help us to be safer, but using the sea is at your own risk. Hope this helps - be safe out there
Deon

Rebel Sessions

2011-09-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

This was the Atlantic swell that was 4 foot at first light and grew with each set until it got to 15 foot+ by lunchtime. The guys were out paddling and towing Sunset.
Deon
(Pic - Rebel Sessions)

Everyday People

2011-09-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

So Sly is now living in a van in LA - had the killer set at Woodstock in the 60's, coming on after Janis Joplin and handing the rocking masses over to The Who in the wee hours. Can't even guess the creative forces at work to forge the funk that came from the Family Stone - hey they push both ways...so if you wanna judge the man, check out the music.
Deon
(bit of a slowboat download...get those peace-out fingers ready...)

Splash

2011-09-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

You can write your own caption to this photo taken by Agustin Moniz of a cliff diver in the Caribbean, off Jamaica. A perfect day, a perfect dive, crystal clear, warm water and the freedom of momentary flight, captured perfectly.
The skill and the photography set a standard I'm in awe of. I can't stop staring.
Deon

Chicks at the Bar

2011-09-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing pretentious, no canapes, mood music or uplighting...just a mix of gaslight noise and a wave cracking across the sandbar you've surfed for the last 3 hours. The chickens eyeing you across the room, but you're too stuffed to care, and the cold Lions hitting the spot. Until it climbs up onto the light and fries its toes, squawking you out of your daze - dof...
Deon

Riaan takes on Chuck and the Hoff

2011-09-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Saw this last night for the first time...Riaan rocks!! For me, Riaan always trumped a tag trio of the Hoff, Chuck Norris and Conway Twitty - and now he's streaking ahead. Thats one massive leap for the aliens - go you viper tounged body morpher go!!
Deon

Lngnerfnngghjnn!*

2011-09-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

* Jeez that was close...

Dunno bout you, but if Schalks about to take that big step and drop his shoulder, look for me in the missed tackle stats...after 30 years of dribbling waves and limp paddling, I'm creaking around the lineup - how these okes gonna feel when they hit 50? I'm wearing padding just sitting on the couch - brutal! Boks a bit too close for comfort, but a wins a win - and don't tell me the All Blacks, England or France looked convincing either. My new next best team has got to be the Japs - loved their fighting spirit!
Deon
Pic AP

Same old story

2011-09-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

The teams are there, spread out across the 11 Regions, crowds are pulling in and they're only going to be about $33 Million short...but it'll be justified with the tourism exposure and a longer term return. Aussies will do the weekend commute to the games cos local prices have increased too much. Do we see a trend emerging? Same old Same old - but upside is the games are going to be fantastic, Springboks are peaking and we don't have to pick up the tab for the shortfall this time. Blow that whistle ref!
Deon
The Herald Pic

So Long Board riders

2011-09-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

The first wave of the Villa crew head off to Colombo airport - then scatter across the globe like grains of rice. It's been a fantastic week of competition at the Aragum Bay contest - but we're leaving with way more than we came with - without buying a thing...Great times, memories, people, places, waves - come over and see for yourself...Sri Lanka style - where the living is easy.
Deon

Red Fish, Blue Fish

2011-09-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

A week ago, I'd hauled the Yellow fish off the plane in Sri Lanka, and over the edge of a few fun waves. First day was a mix of wobbling, slow up on my feet, rubbish surfing, getting the winter stiffness out of the joints. A week later, and these endless little walls peeling down one of 8 points in the area, and the fish is flying. Fitter, healthier, happier - all good! Another 2 weeks and I'll get the cutback right...watch your back Jordy - two months here I'll be on the Tour!!
Deon

Nuts

2011-09-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

The tuk tuks scurry around the dust tracks like little beetles, backs groaning under the weight of boards. Haring and hooting round a bend, theres a constant to and fro of surfers on a mission to find the next spot - tick it off the list. There hasn't been a bad call yet. Even though the swell has dropped over the last few days, the quality of the wave gives enough power to have a fun session even at 2 foot. We surfed Peanut farm with a couple of the Hawaiians and South Africans taking a break from the Longboard tour - the contest is on hold till the new swell arrives on Saturday. Hot water and waves - you're never sure if its cooler in or out of the sea. Heading for the shade of the jungle after another day roasting in the fun waves of Sri Lanka
Deon

Early Breakfast

2011-09-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

OK - so we suspend the other reality and live this dream for a while...and realise that its not impossible to follow an Endless Summer. The template was set with Bruce's movie in the 60's - it's out there and a whole lot cheaper than what chews up the cash back home. Bed for the night R 100, first surf and fresh shower - free, breakfast smoothie R 5.00, second surf - free, paddle down the point, leave your board under a tree and pop into the Gecko for a full breakfast and coffee and a view up the point towards the contest site - R 30.00 - go surf again...life could be on this loop and it wouldn't be all bad! Chilling out Sri Lankan style.
Deon

Spring is Sprung

2011-08-31T23:26:00.000-07:00

Spring Day! The World Longboard Pro is on hold down at Aragum Bay in Sri Lanka, so a quick banana pancake at 6 a.m. and a bodysurf to get the morning off to an energetic start. Normally, you can't get out of bed at this time in Cape Town - dark and cold...here you just wanna 'hit it and klap a dawnie' Well done to SA's Sarah Baum for her great run at the 6* Ladies event on here at the moment. Looking good to be joining the WCT elite on next years World Tour. can't get enough of this warm water...
Deon

Good day at Aragum Bay

2011-08-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

What a day! After great rides from the best Longboard surfers in the World, the first day of competition ended with a welcome party on the beach. Great food and hospitality, with traditional dancing and costumes. Justin ended up winning in the dying seconds of his heat and is into the top 16 - best result ever! Lets see what tomorrow brings, as more South Africans take to the water - our vuvuzela is making its presence felt!
Deon

Sri Lankan World Longboard Surfing Pro

2011-08-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

After 4 days of free surfing around the Eastern Sri Lankan Coast, the World Longboard Pro event started down at Aragum Bay. We've been welcomed by everyone here, from the cafes, in the streets, on the tuk tuks, on the beaches - we've even been asked if they could take photos of us! Tourism authorities very keen to confirm that it is safe to travel here - already been interviewed for National TV... Good vibe over here on the first stop of the tour.
Deon

Unbelievable tow surfing

2011-08-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Tahiti contest was on hold for a few days, waiting for the swell to arrive. The world was watching, and when it came, these were the guys and girls that took it on. Too big for paddling, they gave it a go on a tow rope. Nothing like this has ever been done since Laird tried a few years ago, and that mutant wave gave us all nightmares of what would have happened if he didn't make it. Well now we know that you can make it through the wipeout, damaged, but alive - the bar has just been raised a whole lot higher.
Deon

Whats the point

2011-08-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

Around this part of the coast, everyones got a story, a scar, a friend or family member they lost in the tsunami that came through Pottuvil on 26th December 2004. Things are returning to normal, new roads, bridges and a fantastic welcoming, friendly energy amongst the locals. Each morning starts with a dawn paddle off the point, fruit breakfast and chat with your mates about a plan for the day. Grab a team of tuk tuks and head south or north -this is the point we found about a half hour drive away, and ended up with just us out. Hot sand, 28 degree water and lucky waves that would run for 300 meters. I'd give you a clue to where the spot is, but come over and have some fun finding it.
Deon

Schweet Lanka

2011-08-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

7 a.m. and it's already 25 degrees with 40 people out at the Aragum Bay point. The girls are in town for their 6* event and the World Longboard Champs is taking place at the same time. Grabbed 2 tuk tuks yesterday and headed North to find a freakish wave with just our crew out - memorable session with a fun crowd. Great people, good food, waves, vibe - couple of grazes amongst the guys, but nothing a squeeze of lime won't sort out. Mumbai still hasn't loaded the surfboards after Jozi airport didn't load them the first day - need our boards for the contest - tense times!
Deon

Swell Arrives

2011-08-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday - Paris Basson Backhand Bomb-Pic- Nic Bothma

It's shown signs of life over the last winter - but this was proper, the one the big wave crews had been waiting for. While most Capeys were sipping merlot by log fires, the guys surfed out at Dungeons, the big wave spot off the back of the Sentinel in Hout Bay. With the extreme conditions, the better option was to tow into the waves. Big cash on the line for the biggest wave caught over the season, as part of the Rebel Sessions contest, whose window period ends in October.

Going Gaga with Gauguin

2011-08-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

You can see why Gauguin lost the plot in Tahiti...Photo from the opening ceremony at the Pro Contest in Teahupo'o which is going to start in a few hours. ZAF surfers,Jordy and Travis, amongst the worlds best getting ready to face up to a serious swell heading their way. One of the most dangerous waves on the world tour, a barrel of a lifetime if you get it right. Andy Irons did - many times, and would have defended his title had he not passed away. Beautiful surf, beautiful people.
Deon
pic Billabong

Plan ahead

2011-08-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

At 8 this morning, my dad is having a multiple bypass op on his heart.
So he went out and bought himself a new pair of hiking boots - I like that...
Deon
pic inclined to hike

Going Analogue

2011-08-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

How can a few 100 blank pages create such anticipation? Apparently van Gogh and Hemingway had them...so I went out and got my first Moleskine - feels strangely liberating to write on paper again - and get that callous building on my middle finger that I last felt when I pressed too hard with my crayon...Got the paper, got the pen - give me a break...got to start somewhere.
Is Redro retro...there it starts...
Deon

Heading East

2011-08-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's a few days left and we're heading to the land of rights! Bit of surf, couple of beers - actually double both of those orders! Its gonna be as hot as the curries - but I don't want to find out too much before I go - c'mon Sri Lanka - blow my mind!!
Deon

Travel Writing 101

2011-08-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're off to Sri Lanka in just over a week - hot weather and hotter Tamil curries. Sri Lankan Airways are holding a World Longboard Champs at Aragum Bay - flight costs are pretty good at the moment with Jet to Mumbai - but still a crazy amount of time to get to Colombo and then 14 hours across to the East side where the surf is this time of the year. Surfboards pretty much take up the full baggage allowance on the budget flights - but apparently all we'll need is a sarong and sunhat - sorted! Going to try my hand at a daily travel blog - wouldn't that be a cool job...traveling, writing, taking pictures - gotta start somewhere!
Deon

Shosholoza Showboating

2011-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

The smell of Wintergreen and knee strapping, the crowd edged over the side, touch judges urging them to get back so they could run the line. commentators going wild, Werner Greef at outside centre - how could we lose? Getting chosen as the last team member to join seemed strangely familiar. The curtain raiser game of touch and we were psyched, prepped and in the zone… A sluggish start and a few tries down brought back the inner resolve, those glory days revisited, when the no -hopers would overcome the odds to emerge triumphant to strident strains of trombones. Finally, out on the wing, the ball spun down the backline and it was time to shine…ghosting past the kid in the walking ring left him grasping into space, then a leap over the toddler sucking a fizzpop, dropped a shoulder at the girl in the pigtails and she backed off as we moved into open space, with only the baby in the stroller between us and glory. Running straight at him, his eyes grew wide, a drool of fear as his dummy popped, drew him, putting Werner into open space to run in and dot down. What a move! Minor showboating and a delicto incident with the corner flag - a euphoria so removed, I was enveloped in a deathly silence…I'm sure I should have heard the cheering, but those glory day trombones were blasting through my head!

Deon

Toad Nuts

2011-08-04T23:47:00.000-07:00

~You can hardly see them at first, squatting in the headlights in the driving rain from July to September, but it's a Noordhoek toad nut, who's migrated from their log fire and mulled wine to escort a Western Leopard Toad across the road. They're on their way to find a mate by the pond (the toad that is...but with us banjo playing Noordhoek locals...). Frogs are an indication of the health of a local ecosystem, so if theres toads, the balance is OK. If you comin down south, and you see dem crossin, slow down, put on your hazards and help it cross in the direction its facing - you never know when a toad will be able to return the favour.
Deon
(pic Alison Faraday)

Ramadan Mubarak!

2011-08-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Where is this and what is its special significance?
Answers on one of my earlier blog postings - enjoy the search ;-)
Or better still - go there sometime, thats where you'll find the real answers - on the road!
Deon

Great Lakes Cape Town

2011-08-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

A few years back - actually, about 30...we used to bust out of our Woodstock office and go for a run at lunchtime. Usually Sea Point promenade, shower at Rocklands and head back to the desk for a second sweat. If I had a town job now, theres no question where I'd be at every opportunity - the biodiversity park in the shadow of our new stadium. Can't believe I didn't know it was there - or that so few people were out on a perfect day in the middle of winter. Take a walk, run, push a pram, ride a bike, watch a duck - or check out a goose...a venue for your next meeting - Cape Towns Central Park.
Deon

Mandela Day

2011-07-31T22:46:00.000-07:00

Don't know if you followed the making of the Mandela Legacy Canvas, but interesting people from around the world covered their palms in paint and placed their print onto squares of canvas. These were sewn together to form our National Flag, and auctioned at the Mayors Gala dinner. A few million was raised, with BAT chipping in R2.5M for the 'Legacy Canvas'. I put this short video together of the evening.
Deon
(photos -Bruce Sutherland)

A load of Scrap!!

2011-07-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

I put this video together at UCT the other day - amazing! Look, it's been working in the East for years, but the set up at the Varsity residence canteen is a first - and it works. What they don't eat, gets put into the biodigester. gas is created and heats the next days breakfast - a perfect loop.
Go Green bruddahs!!
Deon

Jordy Smith - Diamond of a day

2011-07-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

Got the waves, got the win, got the jewel encrusted watch, got the girl, got the cash, got the board, got the beach house, got the guitar shaped swimming pool - a diamond of a day, it ended in a perfect way.
Well done Jordy!
Deon
(Thanks - Robin Auld, Pic Billabong)

Phone Tapped

2011-07-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

How was I to know? After all these years, I thought it was just my paranoia - voices in the background, the sounds of running water - and the surf report was on Twitter before I'd even put it out. Beware folks - there are subtle, but tell tale signs that you're being monitored - someones listening...
Deon

Extreme Alps

2011-07-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's crazy - I've got a permanent online feed 24 hours a day! Twitter is updating me through the night. The worlds most hectic adventure race from Salzburg across the Alps to Monaco, running or paragliding. We've got one SA guy out there in the top 16, Pierre Carter. I'm glued watching the different strategies - all in realtime as you track the flags across the contours. Checking him breaking off the main path, straight up the mountain, setting up for a long flight across the valley first thing, while the rest decide to save their energy and take a slow walk around the bottom. Will fortune favour the bolder tactic...aargh - I wish I could drag his icon across two mountain ranges and put him in front...finish this race already - I'm turning into a cyber nerd!! Redbull XAlps
Deon

Dogs Life

2011-07-10T01:40:00.000-07:00

5 kilometers of beach - no leash! There and back in a couple of minutes, add a few seconds to chase seagulls, roll in something vrot, chew some beach foam and bark at a shallow seal - then do it again! Hell I need to get fit again to go charging off into the wind like that.
Or maybe I'll just go roll in something vrot...
Deon

Ballito Barrels

2011-07-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

Another Ballito barrel at the Pro Contest, with John John Florence deciding his Pipeline boards work best whenever he comes to South Africa - I mean - hows that for an endorsement of the quality and power of the waves that we've got on offer? Some bruised and battered contestants, but images that will go around the world promoting us to millions as a destination on every surfers radar. The Municipality must be kicking themselves that the contest isn't in Durban any more - it was an option, but the hassle factor became insurmountable, so they found waves up the coast - good move!
Deon
Pic: Cestari

Just add water

2011-07-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Summer winds, golden winter light and perfectly groomed waves running along the inside sandbank. Sure it's 1 foot and 10 degrees, but aiming your 'log' down the inside towards the channel, and sharing it with your kids...don't see how it could be any better...
Deon

One wave is worth R50K

2011-07-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

The Best of Oakley One Wave Wonder 2011 from Zag Tv on Vimeo.

Which of these waves would you go on for R50K, which of these moves could you pull for R 50K?
Twiggy won the money - check out his wave amongst the selection of SA's best. Stoked for Deen as well, watched him grow up surfing our local spot with Justin - and he scored R10K in the earlier rounds - local is lekker!
Deon

Final Day for Team SA in Panama

2011-07-02T02:55:00.000-07:00

When its all over - these are the memories that'll go home with Team SA - the camaraderie, the highs of wins, the lows of a narrow loss, and your buddies pulling you through so you're back out there screaming for them in the next round. The guys and girls trained,surfed, focused, competed and gave it their all, every second of the day at the World Games in Panama. Proud of every one of you who represented South African Surfing on a World stage - maybe next time you'll get funded to represent us at the Olympics of surfing - but what you got back is worth the cash you had to raise to get there and market South Africa.. Thanks to the Lotto for helping towards the trip.

Deon

Team SA Surfing in Panama

2011-07-02T02:27:00.000-07:00

Justin Bing on two Vuvuzelas at Playa Vanao in Panama. It's been a tough week for the guys and girls, fighting through each round, getting another'life'. The team spirit has been incredible and they were back in shouting distance of a podium finish at the end of Day 5.
30 degree water, max humidity, the teams' coming back fit, lean and mean. Some are continuing to different contests around the World, and the rest back into a winter reality. SA has been represented at the highest level and have mixed it up with the worlds best - just a pity they each had to cough R 12 500 to get there to promote brand SA to a global audience of millions - thanks to Lotto for contributing the balance of funds.
Deon

Michelle Obama not going to Robben Island

2011-06-23T03:45:00.000-07:00

This is the sea thats raging around Cape Town at the moment. The strong wind is swinging west and pushing the size even bigger, with some 25 foot waves off the Outer reefs and a mixed up swell - with the best intelligence available, not even the secret service could effect climate change that quickly - so her ferry trip out to Robben Island is cancelled. The Cape of Storms is living up to its name.
Deon

Board Games

2011-06-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

3 spaces where the boards used to be...the best damn longboards that have been tweaked over the years into perfect foils for speed and style, trim and flow - from our trusty rusty boardrack in Noordhoek - on their way to Panama for the World Games. The teams on the bus down to Playa Vanao after 2 days travelling...and the best damn boards just haven't arrived! But guys who travel to comps like these know - you spread your boards amongst each others boardbags, and one of them arrives - so at least you've got something to ride - and where the others are...? Watch this space...
Deon

Aloe Aloe...

2011-06-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

I told you I saw it...on a road trip with my daughter heading up the coast - the worlds biggest aloe. It's a whole industry going on down there. We always looked at the flowering aloes as a sign of the right time to head to J Bay - good surf, good times. The okes even have aloes in the garden as a reminder of the waves that are going off down in the Eastern Cape when they can't make the trip. And, like buchu and rooibos, the medicinal, health and rejuvenation properties are legendary - I used a whole tube on the drive up...maybe I should change my mirror?
Deon

Slab Surfing

2011-06-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

The guys have been pushing themselves into bigger surf, training, towing and tweaking equipment. Boogers have pushed the boundries on sucked out shallow slabs of rock. So then the surfers towed into the slabs, and, for the hell of it, went big wave surfing on a slab of granite off Shipsterns. It is impossible to comprehend what they are doing out there - check out the video. Its worth the wait for the download - about as long as the hold down...
Deon

The SA Surfing team leaves for Panama

2011-06-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

20 June 2011 - 4:30 a.m. - Cape Town International airport...and half the SA Surfing Team are ready to leave for Jozi to pick up the rest of the members before heading to Sao Paolo and then Panama for the World Surfing Games. From L - Isaac February, Manager, Llewellyn Whitaker, Captain, Matt Bromley, Matt Moir, Justin Bing. 'Coffins' of boards have got to be shipped half way round the planet and arrive in one piece at the right place on the right day - these aren't just any surfboards, but pieces of craftsmanship that have been tweaked over the surfers lifetime. Chile ash cloud has cleared - lets fly!!!
Deon

Girls at Play

2011-06-16T23:36:00.000-07:00

Cape Town in a new light - I was asked to put together a promo video clip about girls having fun in Cape Town - ja - tough gig... This is why people travel from all over to be part of the vibe in the 'happening' city.
Fun day all round!
Deon

SASSI

2011-06-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Another pic from our World Ocean Day shoot. SASSI protects and conserves fish that are overexploited. Instead of creating more laws to stop people catching endangered species, we can contribute by being aware of what we are eating. By reducing demand for rare seafood, we reduce the marketability of the catch, and force the industry to become more responsible. If its on the menu - what is it, where is it from and how was it caught? It's our problem - help make the difference!
wwfsassi.mobi or text the fish name to 079 499 8795 to check its status.
Deon

World Ocean Conservation Day

2011-06-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

The wind was 60km/h plus, water freezing - nobody out, but we wanted our shot of the sea at sunset. Looking back, you could see the hugging couples in snow gear and beanies toasting the evening, but we were raging like crazy kids, laughing and bouncing around in the surf. This was the shot. Getting out was a bloody mess of mussel cuts and barnacle grazes as we sluiced between the rocks, but the laughter just got louder! Whisky coffee, a few plasters and a story to finish a day that could have ended with a wimper.
Get out there - it's fun for free!
Deon
Thanks Brenton Geach for the pic

But you can't make it drink...

2011-06-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

After generations of trekking Nomads around the Sahara - whats going through this camels mind? "Jeez, what was in that grass - this is one serious mirage!"
Essaouira is known for its consistent, strong winds from about April, and hordes of kite and windsurfers head down from Europe for the perfect conditions - but we found ourseves in the calm few weeks between winter swells and spring winds. I've never found a wave more limp than Muizenberg - but this is definitely it - so it was ideal to try out Stand Up Paddleboarding. Definitely an option when theres no swell around.
Deon

Smoking sucks

2011-06-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Kiwi inmates have been on nicotene patches for a year in preparation for next months smoking ban in prisons. But, the worry is they'll still have a natural urge to suck on something after so many years, so carrots will be provided as a way of encouraging a healthy option. Although my personal favourite is the Montecristo #1 Parsnip handrolled on the the inner flank of a Friesland, once you get the leafy end of a bulbous Colombian Tap Root alight, theres no turning back...Oh man, life is great!
Deon

Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille

2011-06-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ja - so I put some larney clothes on yesterday (relatively speaking) and squeezed through security at the Council chambers...amazing what goes down there. Lekker warm inside and good snacks - this is the video I shot...she seems nice.
Deon

Cole Shoulder

2011-06-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

After leaving the American audience 'frightened and confused' Cheryl Cole was axed and is an ex X- Factor host. Wozzup widdat ey?
Deon

Sean Kingston hits bridge

2011-06-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Mini Retirements

2011-06-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

My point exactly...Lots of celebratory mini retirements along the way, rather than saving for the big bang at the end - when theres no bang left...
Have a good day - no, have a freekin great, bust down the door, screamer of a jol with your mates and people you don't even know and shout about it - cos we're all gonna end up in the same place -better make it pleasant getting there...
Deon

Gatsby vs bunny

2011-05-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Chicken Curry bunny...Mutton Curry bunny - no bones and all! If you're doing Durban you'll find the places with the best ones - it's almost folklore. And if the cafe owner reaches that status, people drive across town and the queue at lunch is out the door - so while it may look like a brick of sludge in a bag, if you've never done a Durban bunnychow, you've missed out.
And if I compare it to a Diep River Gatsby with garlic and chips...hmm - it was late and nobody remembers much...
Deon

Fes

2011-05-08T23:18:00.000-07:00

Fes is about 1500 years old, and within its walls, much of life continues as it did in medieval times - so this donkeys great great (X10) uncle Monty weaved through the alleys all those years ago. Bizarre - you have no option other than to get lost and discover in the labyrinth of alleys, but the donkey train knows each turn, depending on where they're working that day. Its a bakkie that brays... first thing in the morning, they're the dirt truck, with bags of rubbish. Then its the gas attachments to deliver the bottles to the restaurants, closely followed by the water refills. Bricks and cement bags are next, as they head to the building site to restore the riads - the original 4X4.
Deon

Eyup

2011-05-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Heading into winter down south, swells arrive with strong winds, but spring is in the North, and the complete opposite. With a few days to hang out till our transfer home, we caught the public ferries around Istanbul, checking out the City. You learn stuff - normally on a flat day, I'd be thumbing through surf magazine back issues - 'Renos great Sunset drop' or 'Danes first lay-forward' - but I don't read Turkish...Everywhere you look, tulips are popping up. And every local is keen to share that they originated in Turkey - not Holland... more than 400 years ago. Trading was massive, with breweries and carriages being offered for a single bulb and markets were buzzing with the news of a possible black flower. Spring, on the day we went up the Golden Horn to Eyup, was a blistering 8 degrees - but the tulips showed summer was round the corner....
Deon
Pic - The Eyup Sultan Mosque, mausoleum for Mohammeds flag bearer and Istanbuls holiest site

The Dorchester Hotel

2011-04-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

I see the Alain Ducasse restaurant at the Dorchester is booked out completely for the whole of next weekend, when the Swazi King, his wives and various others pull in for a chow and a wedding. Bugs me a little that the food looks so great - 3 Michelin Stars - and that I'd have to sell a lot of stuff to comfortably afford a meal, but its on my list of things to do. However, when Mswati III decides it's the place to be on Friday, and can't decide between the Scottish Langoustine with sage and caviar, or the foie gras ravioli and duck consomme' - thats what really bugs me. Three quarters of Swazis don't earn more than R 1500 a month, but he's worth $ 100M. Hmm... the roasted scallop and Jerusalem artichokes, ... but its not like he has to check his wallet to see if he can cover the mignardises and gourmandises as well - AA Gill " As I looked around, I realised that nobody in this room was actually paying for their food: it was all on expenses. And, ultimately, all expense accounts are paid for by people who use goods and services. I hope it's scant joy for you to know that, although you will never eat, nor be able to afford to eat, at Alain Ducasse, you are still able to pay for those who do." So King, as you catch your reflection while placing a forkfull of sea bass and endives in your mouth, refocus on the street outside to the million Swazis looking in, and consider if you're still going to be around for the coffee and liqueurs...

Deon

Duty Free

2011-04-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

Too much time on your hands between flights is a dangerous thing, especially when the hypnotic lights of Duty Free send out their glow.
An amble past the aftershave testers could be fun. Its free, and after 12 hours flying, I could do with a freshen up. Hmm, poster shows an outback gaucho look on a good hair day, with those blue contacts, leaping for a volley ball - squirt-squirt...actually a spray of that polo player could work, dab of solo yachtsman - now we're talking - maybe a walk through mist of open necked jazz muso on the last dry patch...the combination has an altogether different result. Pong now hints at gaunt, olive skinned thin person wearing rose tinted tear drop glasses, nuzzling a coiffed chihuahua with a diamante collar, lying back on a veneered Italian motor launch in a white speedo with gold loop trim.
Scores me a wink and an extra dinky of Dimple when I board again though...
Deon

Getting High

2011-04-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

OUKAIMEDEN - 3273 Meters. A short drive out of the Marrakech mayhem, you start to climb rapidly up into the Atlas. Flash floods are common with the spring snow melt, with rock washouts and collapsed road edges as you wind up through the villages. The ski resort is at the top, and you can ride a donkey to the lower lift - but the snow has been poor this season, and the locals that rely on the winter snowfall have got more desperate to make a buck, even the cops. I was bust 7 000 dirham going the wrong way down a minor road after forgetting there was a sign there when I arrived - but it seems I wasn't the only one to get set up like that. Most tourists were pulled over for the same reason. But after a lot of arm waving, rapid talking and some hysterical crying ( a dirham is worth a rand...) he let us through. The hotels were triple as expensive as anywhere else, the food, twice - and both were pretty empty. Budget squeeze is the mother of invention...we found a fantastic Berber guy from a village about an hours walk over the mountain - with hand signals interpreted by his deaf buddy, we ended up with a 2 roomed 'villa', vista of the mountain through double sash windows, and a box of wood - which is pretty impressive seeing there're no trees. Go where the air is rare. He disappeared after leaving us with our names written in 2000 year old Abjad symbols - as well as his e mail and facebook details...just can't seem to find the letters on my keyboard.

Deon

Yao Lu

2011-04-09T03:45:00.000-07:00

OK - I'll admit I'm not so sharp on the arts, but thats what getting on the road is all about, checking out new things - just when you think you've seen it all, theres so much more the next day. I'm never in a gallery, but a promo for the Istanbul Modern had me hooked. A walk across the bridge past the hot chestnuts, fish on a roll and mussels with a squeeze of lemon got me to the museum on the Bosphourus. Yao Lu is a Chinese photographer, whose used the traditional way of Chinese painting to inspire his reworked photography. It first looks like those temples and landscapes shrouded in mist, until you see the green is netting covering up rotting mounds of rubbish, dogs are scratching around, rubble is everywhere and factories pollute the air. Chinas rapid urbanisation is endangering their environment - Yao's photography sends a powerful message...I should get out more often.

Deon

Women of Straw

2011-04-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Hardcore! The guys hang around sipping mint tea, but the girls are up the cliffs with the goats and a sickle, cutting grass. Not sure what its used for - probably added to mud bricks for building, or stored for feed when the donkeys are on the go and not close to grazing. Shared our bottled water with them, before they headed down the side of the mountain...loaded and bent over, where a footslip would send them headlong into the valley, they only crossed the road to get to the next goat track - the quickest way home. They were probably back before I got to the bottom, driving at 30km/h round the hairpins in the gorge.
Deon

Headstand

2011-04-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

The only time I get into a cistern, is when that little orange ball floats off the metal bar, and the flush water won't stop running. So now the hustlers around the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul want to charge me for it - what - 50 bucks to check out the bog??? Hmm - cultural slothhead...decide maybe it'll be fun, also he said theres a sea nympho down there...cheap at the price! What I found out - the Basilica Cistern was built in 532 - feels like a number missing there - but then you realise how sussed they were back then. The Palace needed water, so they channeled it from the Belgrade forest 20 kms away - one thousand five hundred years ago! And thats the hottest of the 3 sea nymphs,Medusa, on her head at the bottom of one of the 300 columns that holds it up - apparently she got adventurous with Poseidon at Athenas place and got her head taken off. That'll teach her for getting busted...upside down in a cistern for a few millenia...
I put their orange ball back on, so its working again.
Deon
.

Boardroom

2011-04-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Bluebird of happiness sticking out of the boot of a Casablanca Grande Taxi...written, it evokes exotic thoughts...'meet me at the kasbah my brah' - 'we can play it one more time down at Ricks'... - in reality, 24 hours of flying from Cape Town, strung out. The surfboard arrives in one piece, save for a few pressure dings, and things seem sorted, until the driver won't fit it inside the cab, jams it under the boot lid and heads into 'dodgem derby' downtown traffic. We hold tightly to an orange roller coaster bar welded across the middle of the car - the madness has just begun...

Deon

52 days by camel to Timbouktou

2011-03-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hey° theres so much to tell... but more when I get outta the Sahara° cant believe I found a place to write° keyboards in Arabic, but works good//// thought my haggling was sorted... hahahaha these okes have been doing it for centuries° down to my last " dirham and they invite me in for mint tea and a carpet° I shows him the last few coins°) 8 he says thats fine and takes them///...so now I,m smousing my t shirts for fossils///... I think Im coming home wearing a carpet, turban and striped jallabah... great people, good times; berber music and big dipper in the dark saharan sky ) its been a great trip...you should join us sometime/// Anka point was é2 to 3 foot... weesh u waz here. dat camel massage makes eggs into berber omelette ) later
Deon
Ali baba...

Gone surfing...

2011-03-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

Hey - I'm outta here for a few weeks, surfing, taking pictures, writing, drawing, meeting cool people and hanging out - sure to be some great inspiration out there, will share whats legal when I get back...
Good luck to the surf reporter taking over - have a jol - they're beautiful people and its a beautiful life - share the stoke!!!
Deon

Gotta go!

2011-03-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

How could you not be drawn to this? Sunset at Anchor Point, with 20 other surf spots in a 100 km stretch. Booked, got the visas, wrapping the board Thursday lunchtime - even checked swell reports for Saturday in Agadir - find me a good lookin camel and heading South for the summer! Morocco here we come!
Deon

Wall of Water

2011-03-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Brunhilde gets around.......the classic longboard was the Guest (Maid?) of Honour at the launch of the massive water mural on the side of the Dutch Consulate General in Cape Town - and I got to tag along! Go check it out - fantastic. Holland has an ongoing leak problem with the North Sea, for some reason, it likes the Dutch, who, in turn, put up bigger dams - so they know from water and rising damp. Perfect candidates to launch water awareness - conserve it, save it, keep it clean - its not an infinite resource. Great bunch of people, and a big turn out from local Kapenaars! Couldn't get their hands off Brunhilde though...
THANKS BRUCE SUTHERLAND FOR THE PIC!

Universal Soldier

2011-03-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

He's five foot-two, and he's six feet-four,
He fights with missiles and with spears.
He's all of thirty-one, and he's only seventeen,
Been a soldier for a thousand years.

He's the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame,
His orders come from far away no more,
They come from here and there and you and me,
And brothers can't you see,
This is not the way we put the end to war.

Buffy Sainte-Marie 1964

Written in the basement of the Purple Onion Coffee House in Toronto. "It's about individual responsibility for war and how the old feudal thinking kills us all"

My cousins Kenyan - you probably know him..

2011-03-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

You get it travelling " You're from South Africa - you might have met my cousin from Kenya..." So we need to be careful not to do the same - or maybe I'm putting a positive spin on the situation? In a little over a week, we're grabbing a car and heading for the surf of Hash and Anchor Point, Immesouane and Killers - Morocco. And already its being linked to the revolutions of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt ,"Watch out! - you're mad to be going" Tunisia is 200km from Italy, Libya is 300km from Greece - refugees are pouring onto Lempedusa, the kite surfing beaches of Benghazi are a flash point - and Morocco is more than 1000km away. I'm just a surfer heading down the coast, and if I meet folk along the way that need a hand, no worries. Excited to be going - food, waves, people, camels, Atlas snow and Sahara sand. ..and hope that influential people apply reasoned thinking for the good of their country...
Deon
pic - icspac

Holy Ganges

2011-02-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

We were following a whitewater trip down the Ganges, spring melting the snow in the Himalayan foothills, sending ice water raging through the rapids. Apparently Nepalese are the best boat pilots, with experience of even faster rivers and steeper gorges - and then it flows out at the holy town of Haridwar. Nightly the Ganga Arati takes place, with pilgrims travelling across India to share prayers on behalf of friends and family. Noise, chanting, gongs, bells, dripping fires, beeswax candles and flowers floating downstream, rice patterns. The Beatles first came through in '68, hanging out in nearby Rishkesh - I doubt if much has changed down by the river...
Deon
(PHOTO OBIBI)

India

2011-02-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

First ODI down and Tahir and AB show the way to a seven wicket victory! It'll be a tough, long time in India, an assault on the senses, an energy that exists on the street unlike anything in any other country. I would love to be back there. Too many years ago we bussed through Bombay, New Delhi and continued off the plains through to Shimla (PICTURE) Cooler and with a slower pace, with houses impossibly hanging on the edge. Getting furniture and fridges to a home requires guys, 3 abreast, with scarf straps around their foreheads, lashed to a deep freeze. Leaning at a 45 degree angle, they head straight up the miles of stairs.
It works, and with over a billion people, India works
Deon

Fridge poetry

2011-02-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

Home of the Beat Hotel, with 1 bath, filthy bedrooms and the birth of fridge poetry...the cut up technique actually started in the 20's - basically taking a written piece, cutting it with a blade and rearranging it, 'cutting into the present reveals the future'...some struck backwards into light fast routes claim negative stream flow - fashion caution connect into bad routine chopsticks - and this was written before using the 'cut-up' technique...
Deon

U2 - Mega 360 Concert!

2011-02-19T02:35:00.000-08:00

You had to be there...the biggest, most mindblowing concert ever - ja, I went to the Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull, Killers, Sting, ZZ Top - hey, over time, you collect your tour T shirts, and share of standing behind tall okes, or hippies on shoulders - I'd pretty much given up on stumping up the cash for bad sound and a distant view of someone who could be a rock star - but one last whirl of the dice and the best show I've ever been to happened at the Cape Town Stadium. Soccer Schmokker = this place is built for concerts! Staging engineering, perfect sound and visual effects, didn't overshadow the power of the 'small to medium' four from Ireland - what a night!
Deon

The Claw

2011-02-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

Jeez - these okes go all out! Looks like they're testing their smoke machine down in Noordhoek - can't see a thing through this Irish mist!!! But Cape Towns clear, hot and ready to get hotter - nearly 5000 people behind the scenes to pull off a show like this - and then of course theres the band...
Deon
pic - Martin Myers