Just so easy

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I‘ve never tried surfing. But I did try windsurfing – twice. The first time I had the pole (or whatever you call it) pierce my groin and almost lost my manhood. I did suffer a loss of my dignity as I emerged from the sea, bleeding and with a sail wrapped around me like a blanket.  Apparently, Hout Bay in gale force conditions is not the place to learn to windsurf. The second time, I managed to stand up on the board and was blown two kilometres down river. It was another undignified experience and a long walk back, dragging a reluctant board – or whatever you call that plank with a sail.

Watching the surfing competition at Herold’s Bay last weekend provided me with a fun outing. I arrived at the beach, well prepared with a couple of apples, a cold drink and water. (I did buy a Russian hot dog for lunch – not to be recommended.) I also remembered to take a hat, a chair and suncream. To add to the occasion, I stood (and sat) next to an old hand at surf photography and he was happy to chat and share settings. He also explained how the competition was run, improving my understanding of what I was photographing.

The surfers, all young, bronzed and fit, put on a magnificent display. The weather almost played ball, becoming a little foggy at one point and then clearing. The sea did its thing, mostly. The event, scheduled to take pace at Victoria Bay, was moved to Herold’s on the morning, due to the lack of waves at the former venue. Although the receding tide reduced the height of the waves, there was enough for the surfers to do their thing.

In a way, surfing is like a water ballet. Surfers gracefully glide along the barrel of a wave, swivelling to make cutbacks (as seen above) or elaborate, airborne manoeuvres. They pack in as much variation as possible during the short duration of the ride. Rides are scored out of 10, with eight or more considered excellent. For me, just standing up would be beyond excellent.

I packed up and left after about four hours of watching and arrived home with enough pics to make me happy.

I can’t balance, but I can take pics. Winner.