Tabla de contenidos para August - September 2019 en Zigzag

Traveling is never easy. For starters, unless you’re a trustafarian or professional surfer, riding on your sponsor’s dime, money is hard to come by. So, if it means delivering pizzas into the heartland of the Cape Flats ganglands in a beat up VW Beetle for R30 a shift to get your travel fund going, so be it. At least that’s what I did. I once did a delivery deep in Grassy Park at 10:30pm with around R1000 in takings pouched in my moon-bag. Big money back then. I passed a burnt out car, flames still licking the paint work and thought I even heard the rattle of gunfire in the distance. There were no street lights and there was no one around. It was dead, dead quiet. The type of…

CAPE TOWN → J-BAY Remember that old chestnut about the journey being the destination? Well when it comes to the road from Cape Town to J-Bay, that pretty much sums it up. Until, of course you arrive at the destination and discover the perfect alchemy of the Supertubes’ reef and a southwest groundswell, cocooned in all that facebrick. But that’s another story. That’s the destination, which could be heaven, or could be hell. But here, we’re just talking about the road that gets you there. If you ever lose faith in the abundance of world class, still largely uncrowded surfing options in South Africa, you need just take a slow drive from Cape Town to J-Bay, to sort yourself out. No wonder this embarrassment of riches, this surplus of set-ups…

GRAHAMSTOWN → PORT ALFRED Hanging pawpaws, tequila stained shirt, mouth so dry my tongue feels like a piece of wood and still seeing double… I’ve missed the surf bus to Port Alfred, fok! Being a surfer first and a student second in Grahamstown doesn’t come easy but when East Beach offers up some low hanging fruit, best believe the boards are strapped, tires pumped and petrol’s shared! Being the most liberal university in the country, surfers have chased degrees at Rhodes University for decades. With ‘G-Vegas’ being landlocked, the R67 has served as the main artery between Port Alfred and every frothing surfer since the early ’70s. Featuring overloaded cars packed full of stoke, pothole-ridden roads just wide enough to squeeze a car past a donkey cart the R67 remains…

“This wave was discovered by a good friend of mine, he found it and surfed it for years before inviting me on a swell and I will always be grateful for his trust in me. In this day and age of instant social media gratification, it’s good to know there are still individuals out there with the integrity and forethought to do what’s right for a wave, a village and a region that’s fortunate enough to have a wave like this. The lessons from places like Hawaii, Bali and the Mentawais need to be learnt. Go surf and leave it for others to enjoy the feeling of discovery for themselves, rather than spoon-feeding directions, where to stay, what boards you need and when to go. Discovery. That’s the true thrill…

Travel is in every surfer’s blood. In quite a few cases, there is also alcohol and tetrahydrocannibanol in their blood. But that’s one of the consequences of hitting the road. Local customs in far-off lands often require the visiting surfer to partake of indigenous brews and substances. It would be rude not to. The worst thing about travelling is flying, and I don’t only mean the horror of economy class. Airports themselves have become terrifying places. From the moment you walk through those sliding doors, you never know when a man in a uniform is going to drag you into a room so that he can look up your bum. Then you find out later that he was just a random dude who walked in off the street with a…

We open the Splab account with Beyrick de Vries, who earned the Corona Open J-Bay wildcard, surfed hard and went down swinging, narrowly losing to Aussie Ryan Callinan by less than a point in the elimination round. Rumour has it that Beyrick went on a bit of a tear afterwards and and left J-Bay without his personalised contest jersey. Thankfully, long time Zag lensman Alan van Gysen grabbed hold of it for safekeeping. Beyrick is making a bit of a habit of leaving things behind at contests, after he left his board in Lamberts Bay at the Vans Surf Pro Classic. Luckily, it was returned by some friendly locals who found it on the beach at one of the nearby surf spots. We’re seeing a pattern here… Staying with all…

DROP THE ZAG A LINE ON LETTERS@ZIGZAG.C0.ZA AND BE HEARD AN ODE TO THE A TO Z OF SURFING I’m a long time British surfer, who has spent many years surfing the cold waters of Britain and more recently the warmer seas of Asia. I love the iconic films of Bruce Brown, the beautiful cinematography of Alby Falzon’s, Morning Of The Earth, and over time have turned my love of all things surfing into an art form. I wanted to introduce you to A Surfing Alphabet, a series of surf-inspired linocuts relating to surf history and trivia. Some of the subject matter is iconic in relation to surfing and where I have used other peoples’ images, I have sought their permission. This was the case with Alby Falzon for both…

CAPE TOWN → ELANDS BAAI My most memorable Elands Bay session was constructed around a lie. Celebrated big wave surfer and former competitor, Doctor Phillip Chapman’s orders were clear: Pull a sickie at school and be ready to make a move at 10am, allowing us enough time to get to E-Bay right on the high tide. Call me from the School ‘tickie box’ when you are ready and await further instructions. I duly followed Doctor Chapman’s instructions and the plan went without a hitch. The Principal’s secretary fell for my ‘stomach bug’ set up and I waited patiently on the school steps for Phillip to arrive. He arrived all right. Boards packed to the heavens, The Pixies ‘Where Is My Mind’ blasting from the open windows of the blue Opel…

DURBAN → PORT EDWARD “Winter is coming” has been a common mantra amongst KZN surfers way before Ned Stark lost his head. Normally muttered under their breath as they shuffle their flip flops around the baking North Beach parking lot, surveying the miff onshore bowls and wondering about their chances of being stung by blue-bottles. But once the land cools sufficiently for all that cold Drakensberg air to drop down the escarpment each night and deliver those consistent morning offshores that bless the refracting South West swells marching up the coast, then winter is, indeed and finally, here. And that means rising at some ungodly hour and leaving the house without waking up the wife, kids, nor even the dog, like Santa Claus sneaking out to stuff his own stocking.…

A Meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body; they flow within the body and not on the surface. Meridians exist in corresponding pairs. We pass by in air-conditioned cars. Faces selling curios are lost in the dust. Sharply dipping, sandy roads are devoured by 4x4 beasts. Seat belts stretch, loosen, then quickly tighten again. Bags and boards violently tossed around on every corner, take away coffees spill from their polystyrene cups. Heads bounce and strain on tired necks, looking for a sliver of ocean. Gears click and engage, the engine screams. Then. Everything. Suddenly. Stops. A solitary, perfectly foiled, overhead wave, breaking from right to left, passes between a sand dune and our line of sight. Its pace is metronomic. Higher up the point, more lines approach. Somebody…

Four fins for any condition. SMTH SHAPES Trent model SHAPER: Graham Smith DIMENSIONS: 5’7 ½” x 18 ¼” x 2 ¼” - 24L FIN SETUP: Thruster For Travis Logie. R&D has been done with Jordy and models will be available soon. Built for speed, power and flow as we’ve seen Travis showcase in surfing over the years. EMAIL: info@grahamsmithboards.com TEL: (+27) 31 368 4022 WEB: www.grahamsmithboards.com SAFARI SURFBOARDS THE MISSILE SHAPER: Spider Murphy DIMENSIONS: 6’0” x 19” x 2 ⅝ - 31.14L FIN SETUP: Thruster Wood veneer. The Missile has been a 5 year project which started in 2014. The updated version has been very successful, everyone loves the board. The first thing you notice is the incredible speed and acceleration as you get to your feet and it just…

New Zealand dangles into the depths of the Pacific Ocean like two pieces of an ancient jigsaw puzzle, created 100 million years ago when it broke away from the Gondwana supercontinent. In Maori mythology, however, it’s the demigod Māui who brought the North and South Island into being. Using a fishhook carved from the jawbone of his ancestor, Māui caught a gigantic fish as big as an island, which his brothers helped him haul to the surface. The older brothers were supposed to wait until the God of the sea had been appeased before cutting up the fish, but they grew impatient and began to carve out pieces for themselves. These became the valleys, mountains, lakes and rocky coastlines of the North Island, which is still known to the Maori…

In many respects, tube riding is the Dark Art of surfing. Dangerous, habit forming and a skill reserved for a select few who know how to tap into the power source and manipulate it. Everything is on the line, all the time. Get it wrong and the consequences are painful and embarrassing. Get it right and you feel like the world’s best magician performing to a sold out show. Josh Redman and his Cave Rock disappearing act. If tube riding enthralls the crowd with its mystery, then the air is the ultimate half-time show. Countless variations, mid flight adjustments and tweaks, seemingly impossible heights, all without a safety net. People love a show and both the air and the tube deliver. Adin Masencamp provides some aerial entertainment of his own…

On the 16th of December 2017, the Two Oceans Aquarium released a loggerhead turtle named Yoshi, back into the big ol’ blue abyss. Given her age, excellent health and display of certain behaviours, it was decided that it was time for her to return home. Weighing in at 183kg or roughly 3 x Mikey Februarys, Yoshi was released 27 nautical miles off Hout Bay to embark on the trek of her life. This is her story. Dial it back to 1997, Yoshi arrived in Cape Town aboard a Japanese fishing vessel as a light weight 2kg juvenile with a very distinctive injury etched into the side of her shell. It was the captain of the vessel who dubbed her Yoshitaro, after the cook onboard who resembled a stocky little turtle.…

DURBAN → MOZAMBIQUE If any journey has changed over the years it’s the run from Durban to the point breaks that lie between Maputo and Beira. But as the journey has become easier, so has the realisation that the perfect waves that beckon are in fact some of the most elusive on the planet. And the myth of it being empty is just no longer applicable. Swell is not guaranteed, winds are tricky, tides play a huge role and sand comes and goes. For those who went in the mid and late 1990’s, after the end of the civil war, it was an off the radar surf adventure. And empty. A 4x4 was essential if you went the coastal route past Ponta, skirting the edge of the elephant park along…

CAPE TOWN → BOLAND The R44 between Gordon’s Bay and Struisbaai is a trove of popular beaches and secret spots. I open my eyes to see a baboon sitting in the open boot of my Mazda Sting. He has managed to open a packet of Smash instant potato powder and is busy scooping the granules into his mouth like a toddler with a sugar bowl. The stuff is all over his face and my wetsuit, which I’d hung over the bumper to dry. When the baboon notices that I’m awake, he stops eating, his hand half way to his massive canines, and checks me out. I slowly raise myself onto one elbow, suddenly very awake. I’d fallen asleep under a tree in my campsite at Kogel Bay after my dawnie.…

When to go Mozambique’s surf season runs from February to August. February to May is normally clean and consistent, plus you’ll still be surfing in boardshorts! June/July is a bit colder, however, winter always delivers the goods. There are waves all year round, just keep an eye on the charts. Waves Right hand point breaking over coral and sand. Not as epic as Ponta point, but not far off either. The region offers more exposure to swell, meaning you can get anything from fun, rippable 3ft waves to 6ft barrels. Crowds No crowds, just you and your friends trading waves for days. Gerring there Using the services of an experienced driver and surf guide to get you there safely is highly recommended. Travel is strictly limited to 4x4 vehicles, a…

SHARKBANZ 2 SHARK DETERRENT Designed for beachgoers, swimmers and surfers, Sharkbanz use patented magnetic technology developed by marine biologists to deter predatory shark species. Effective: technology based on proven science, published research and testing Simple: no battery, no charging - always on Affordable: RSP R999,95, safe for everyone Universal fit: ages 5+ Dive, swim, surf: 100m/330ft TSA and airline travel-friendly Magnetic shielded box for safe storage Weight: 3 oz / 85 grams Warranty: fully guaranteed against faulty workmanship and materials for one year Reduce the risk! For more info visit: www.sharkbanz.com ENQUIRIES: EMAIL: info@karmanow.co.za TEL: (+27) 21 020 0152 WEB: www.karmanow.co.za THULE CROSSOVER 2 TOILETRY BAG An essential travel accessory that is perfectly-sized, thoughtfully organised and easy to use and clean. RRP R899 Available at Thule Partner Stores nationwide or…

Getting there Qantas Airways has flights from Joburg to Auckland via Syndey which are surprisingly seamless (two-and-a-half hour layover) and don’t feel any longer than a trip to Bali. Getting around Public transport is good and it’s easy enough to hire a normal car and stay at hotels, motels or Airbnb, but by far the best way to do New Zealand is to hire a campervan. There’s a glut of outfits offering all kinds of deals, from budget jalopies to motorised spacecraft with all the bells and whistles. Britz (www.britz.com/nz) run an excellent service with a wide range of vehicles and are highly recommended, but shop around to find the best deal to suit your pocket. Just make sure to factor in good insurance. There are also a few Airbnb-type…