Riders of the surf
Text: Gareth Evans. Photos: Gareth Evans and Rory Taylor. Article from the April/May 2012 issue of DO IT NOW Magazine.
Scottburgh is a quiet little town on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal, nestled into the coastal dunes amongst the sugar cane fields. The beach is a curving crescent of white sand that arcs into the small river, which outlets just inside a rocky point.
It is at this point where the Indian Ocean dashes itself before curling over into hollow tubes that peel across the shallow sand bar pushed out by the river. And it is also here where the Jeep Apparel South Coast Surf Carnival saw an epic tussle between the competitors and Mother Nature in November 2011.
Now in its ninth successful year, competitors poured into Scottburgh from all over the country for the briefing on Friday 25 November. The tranquility of the beach was broken by the buzz of excited longboarders, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) and waveski surfers, all checking their equipment, checking each other out and lining up for their competitor packs filled with goodies. A complimentary beer for all the surfers, in the seaside bar, helped break the ice before the Nerve Events team outlined the weekend’s programme. The only group missing was the kiteboarders, as they were competing on the Sunday.
The swell, wind and weather forecasts dominated the conversation after a week of miserable, wet and windy conditions. With only a small window of good surf showing, the mood was pensive.
Gathering early on the beach under a pale grey sky, all pessimism was blown away as smooth, solid swells pulsed through the bay. A light offshore breeze caressed the waves into velvet perfection and as the sun burnt through the light haze, the translucent green peaks beckoned, promising a day of sunshine, golden suntans and great surfing.
As newbies to the event, the waveski surfers were relegated to the less predictable, but very hollow beach break, quickly getting started to maximise the tide and good conditions. Their inclusion was all thanks to Duane Schwarz, from the newly formed KZN Waveski Association, who was the key figure in arranging for the first KZN Waveski Open to take place in many years, as part of this bigger event. Backed by the experienced Western and Eastern Cape competitors, the first heat was soon underway and it was not long before the top competitors began to shine; throwing critical aerial moves, slashing the wave crests to shreds and sliding into crystal, hollow tubes over shallow sand banks.
Meanwhile at the premier break, out at the point, the SUP surfers were enjoying consistent take-offs that sucked hollow beneath them, while those less capable were dumped unceremoniously and slammed by the heavy waves. However, their misfortunes gave the more experienced and capable the opportunity to tuck in or slam the lip, as it hovered above them before peeling off into deeper water.
Enjoying these same conditions, the longboarders disappeared into heaving barrels or swung their big boards in graceful arcs through the lip, landing with legs tucked to perfect the drop, then boosting down the line to carve an arcing bottom turn before driving for the crest again.
All through the morning each group of surfers reveled in the magic conditions as they ground through the heats to separate the men from the boys, while the spectators lazed around, trying to stay cool and dodge getting sunburnt.
A lone surf kayaker, Dean Bottcher, came out to play with the waveski surfers and quickly showed his mastery of surf moves, despite his surf kayak being a little slower and heavier than the waveskis. On a day of fierce competition, some very memorable rides occurred. Andre Burger from Border Waveski consistently showed why he is a world champion, leaping clear of the wave or throwing buckets of spray in perfectly controlled whiplash turns. Chris Jones from the Western Cape surfed solidly all day, then managed a caught-on-camera perfect barrel. Young KZN waveski surfers Duran Martin and Liam Kerr Smith both displayed their resilience and enthusiasm to score some excellent rides, with Duran showing dramatic improvement and becoming a serious challenge to the more experienced waveski surfers.
The thrills and spills not only belonged to the young guns, it was also a day for fathers and sons to share their love of the waves. Andre’s father, Johann, used his vast experience to great effect; Duran’s father, Henry, showed everyone where his son gets such coordination and ability; and Liam’s father, Craig Smith, carved his name in the waves despite his relatively recent introduction to waveski surfing.
It was a long and busy day for the longboarders, waveski and SUP surfers as they battled it out to claim a place in the ultimate showdown on Sunday. As the day drew on, the idyllic conditions gradually deteriorated with a strengthening onshore wind and a layer of cloud rolling in to cool and then chill sunburnt skin. As the exhausted competitors wound down with the sinking sun, it was evident that the finals would be a fight against the elements, as well as their rivals.
Howling onshore, the wind whipped the ocean’s surface into choppy peaks and troughs. Sunday could only be loved by the kitesurfers, for whom a messy, growing swell and whistling wind provided perfect conditions for their need for speed and a huge variety of launch ramps to leap skyward from. The waveski surfers, longboarders and SUP surfers faced nightmare conditions as they struggled against the wind, before slipping into wind-torn peaks that heaved onto the shallow bar with crushing force. This unpredictable thumping took its toll, snapping boards and ending the hopes of higher places for some. But it also highlighted those who were truly at one with the ocean and able to elegantly find gaps and workable faces, and drive their boards into spectacular moves, even in such terrible conditions.
In the longboard experience department, Hughie Thompson showed that smooth and controlled were key to managing the finals slop and pulling in the points to oust his rivals Colin Whitmore, Bushy Greet and Dave Hanson.
Justin Maisch had perfect timing and pinpoint wave sense to pick the right waves and read the right moves into the broken surf. While the top lady competitor, Nix Trickett, struggled out valiantly in the teeth of the storm to show how to grace the wave with fluid riding. It was the Men’s Open that pulled no punches, as arch-rivals Josh Schmeltzer and Dylan Macleod (EP) went head-to-head in a display of power and precision that perfectly showcased the speed and versatility of a light, modern longboard.
The bigger, heavier SUP boards were most affected by the wind and standing tall against the gusts, while paddling over chop and foam, took phenomenal balance and strength. With the choppy surf suddenly heaving up on the sand, even the usual early drop-in ability of the paddle powered boards wasn’t really providing much advantage. Caught late the lip or tumbled by the wind, these boards would really deal out a thumping, so it was amazing to watch as the top riders carved the face, throwing their paddles out for balance and leverage, turning on a dime and giving some change. Consistency and poise were crucial to Tammy Robarts staying ahead of the other women, while Brandon Ribbink looked comfortable standing tall in whatever the conditions threw at him, judging the right moves at the right time. There were no easy wins though, as their rivals snapped at their heels throughout.
Waveski finalists Percy Louw, Doug Copeland, Ian Macleod and Andre Burger really showed their determination and fitness by managing to grab a few waves each. Even in the treacherous conditions both Ian and Andre managed to surf with flair. But it was Andre who surfed an extra wave in the dying seconds, powering down the line, carving a tight turn and finishing with a big flick into the air, corkscrewing into a barrel roll and landing lightly on the foam before surfing out over the shallow sand, to snatch first prize.
Throughout the day, the weather conditions continued to favour the kitesurfers, who were in their element riding in the powerful NE wind and four-foot waves. Judging was based strictly on wave riding, with all scoring manoeuvres on the wave face. Using the speed and power of the wind, these wind jockeys tore the swells apart with huge power moves and massive aerial flights. All of these were unerringly landed with precision back on the wave face. The ease with which the kiteboarders take to the air is only surpassed by the control with which they manage their kite and position themselves precisely to land. Tearing out to sea to gain speed or wait their turn, they pass each other at warp speed and it is amazing that kitelines don’t get tangled and no collisions occur. While all the finals were strongly contested, the Men’s Open final was an exhilarating display of wave riding without the usual 2D restriction to the water’s surface, as the action extended high above the waves as well.
Wave riding is often a family passion as was seen with surf kayaker Dean Bottcher’s brother, Lyle, who fought for a place in the Men’s Open kitesurfing event and was runner up in the Elite Waveski Open. Ian Macleod’s brother, Dylan, was runner up in the Open Longboard.
Overall it was a fun and professionally organised event that delivered despite the weather. Prize-giving was well attended with competitors paying tribute to the top athletes, and there were great free sponsor products and some sought after spot prizes to be won.
The 10th anniversary event in 2012 promises to be the surf competition to attend, and a venue change to Durban’s New Pier should deliver a spectator-friendly surf carnival in the heart of the city, at an exceptional surf spot. We hope to see you there!
More info on the town of Scottburgh | More info on the Umdoni Coast area |
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