MP

Don't want the schizophrenic demons that he battled, the anger - I'd even pass on the gold aviators...but his cutback has been etched in my envy basket since I saw the grainy shot in the 70's.
This years Bells contest is dedicated to him - R.I.P. Michael Peterson.
Deon

Aqua Auction

A funny thing happened at the auction...We've been fundraising to help get the SA Protea Team to Peru for the first ever ISA World SUP Games. They'll be building brand SA, blowing the vuvuzelas, flying the flag, wearing their green blazers at the march through the streets of Lima - paying every cent out their own pockets to be ambassadors for the country - so the team came up with a plan. I was the auctioneer of fantastic donated prizes. A great crowd arrived and the loudhailer was attacked with meaning, selling everything. When it was over and R56 000 was raised (thanks everybody!!) it was clean up time. Justins contest paddle was missing. Next day we get a 'measured' call, thanking us for the night and happy with his wifes generous final bid - but had anticipated they would have received a new paddle...oops - so thats where it went ;-) - Hey Dave - can we have the paddle back please? - he flies to Peru Friday!
Oh...and shot for the cash...
Deon
Pic Brenton Geach

Pilchard Park Off

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

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

Wash this space

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

Rebel Sessions

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)

Red Fish, Blue Fish

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

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

Unbelievable tow surfing

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

Swell Arrives

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.

Boardroom

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

Gotta go!

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

Octogenarian hits on top surfer

Retired bellyboarder, plucky Gladys Pimms, an octogenarian from Sun Valley, was bust in a predawn raid in her retirement home this morning.
Her overt advances at beaches on the surfing world tour had not gone unnoticed, and it was a question of time before she managed to get up close and personal in the members jacuzzi at the recent Surfabout pro. However, the spurning by top international surfing star, Jawme Smyth, and the loss of her upper set in the foam, proved too much for Gladys to handle, and she set about restoring her pride. A fortuitous posting on Gumtree led to her acquiring an ex stock Mythbuster mechanical shark, which she crudely repurposed with components from her hearing aid. This she launched at a bay around the corner from Haleiwa, the site of the most recent Pro Surf contest. Thankfully, her planned attack on Jawme fell apart, as the shark sprung a fuel leak and contestants were alerted to the threat by billowing smoke and a mock charge in reverse. Forensics traced Gladys as her name was on a pill box that was left behind during the rebuild. The tour continues under stricter security.
Deon

Cape Doctor

Waters 10 degrees cold! The winds 60 - 80km's an hour, and yet we'll still trek into the teeth of it for a blast of surfing reality - which makes the quieter days even sweeter.
While in the suburbs, it was a balmy 35, and not a breath of wind - a City of contrasts.
Deon

Hawaii

Our Longboard guys are over in Makaha Hawaii, waiting for the next swell which gets there on Tuesday - a solid one of 15 foot and 16 seconds!
Warm water, fantastic waves - but know your place in the lineup - or prepare for consequences.
Deon
Pic acknowledgement- Sarah Lee

Pick a winner

Over the years, the usual suspects have grown old together, and continue to meet in surf contests around the country. Last week, in Tableview, the WP club held their Champs. Its twee to say 'everyones a winner' and the 'it's the guy having the most fun...' - but can you tell from this picture who was first and who was second? It really is a jol to be blessed with good health and still be surfing with your mates after all these years - ( and next time I'll try harder...) - Well done Dave!
Deon

Yes we can...

OK, so heres an option if you're mired in the Corporate treacle (use it...don't use it...) You can see a good day coming, even if the surf report gets it wrong. Pack a sundowner basket, grab a cold something as you leave at 5:00 - you'll still be in the water by 6:00, for an evening 'glass off' session in Cape Town. Meet the family, take a walk - leave the 'Choos' in the car - and clear the brain. Its free. Add the daily 'mini retirements' together and you don't have to stress about making the real one - if we ever get there...Take some time out.
Deon

Another minute more...

Deon Bing Surfing from Mark Chipps on Vimeo.
We've all been there...the Joburg gig ends sooner than expected and you try and grab the earlier flight back to Cape Town. So, 3:15 from OR Tambo means CT around 5:30, into the car, back roads through Athlone and a chance of sneaking a wave at sunset around 6:20 - tight but makeable - with each day giving us a minute and 50sec longer, timing is everything.
Frantic, breathless run down the beach, dive into the water as the sun sets - and catch that wave. Not the best, but better than a slippery metal chair outside the boarding gates - don't you love it when a plan comes together! Use that minute!!
Deon
Thanks Mark Chipps for the video

Wots SUP

SUP - Stand Up Paddleboarding, also known as street sweepers and gondoliers... Not as easy as it looks, but great for core strength once you get the hang of it. I eventually caught this wave after lying down and paddling into it, then didn't have a clue what to do with the paddle...In the contests, use of the paddle is critical in scoring points, as the guys, and many girls, use it for extra power and a pivot point. Give it a go, but not in an area where surfers are catching waves - keep the peace, love and harmony flowing.
Deon

Big Wave at Chopes

With the Wildcard Trials over and the main event on standby, due to 2 foot surf, this is the type of wave that hits the reef when the swell comes to Tahiti.
Good luck Jordy - our 22year old South African, World ratings leader. First time we've been at the front in 3 decades!
Deon