Over the last week or so there were 2 events that really got my attention and got me thinking about how strangely 'fcuked up' our society has become. The 1st incident: The recent shark attack at Muizenberg and the subsequent investigation into the attack. It seems that everyone and their cousin (even non surfers!) had something to say about the incident. They wanted to blame someone - the sharkspotters & the city of Cape Town took the brunt of it. It was in all the local newspapers, facebook and twitter. A full investigation was launched, some minister apparently said that 'they wont rest until the shark is tracked down'....... Thankfully the surfer involved survived. (Wishing you a speedy recovery bru!) The stats for Shark attacks in Cape Town reads as follows: 1960 - 2014: 30 shark attacks. On average 1 every 2nd year. The last shark attack at Muizenberg was in 2004 and the last shark attack in Cape Town was in April 2012. The 2nd incident: 3 people died in Hout Bay on Tuesday 05/0/2014. The taxi that they were driving in collided with the pavement, went thru the steel barriers and plunged into the Disa River. Eyewitnesses said that there were 2 taxi's involved, the one swerved out for the other - speed was involved. The backdrop to this is the fact that it was raining heavily that day, poor visibility and wet roads - not a day to be speeding! There was outrage in the community, a few pics on facebook etc. No full investigation was launched. It was just another accident involving a taxi. I googled some stats for road deaths in Cape Town and flabbergasted by the numbers, it appears that on average 100 odd people die EVERY MONTH on our roads. Thus a conservative figure for a year would be around 1200 - those are people with families, friends that will never see them again...just gone! We all know that the majority of taxi's on the road are not road worthy, the drivers have no licence (or the licence is fake, bought over the counter etc) and they have no clue re the rules of the road. They are literary death on wheels, yet the authorities seem to be unable to launch a sustained campaign to ensure that all taxi's are monitored. As a surfer / ocean user I know and accept the risk involved when it comes to sharks. I am in their territory, they are wild animals and they are predators. Look at the stats- given the ratio of surfers / sharks you can safely say that we are not being targeted by sharks as easy meals. I've been surfing, sup'ing, diving, snorkeling and swimming in our oceans for years. From the wild waters in Namibia, the rugged West Coast..Elands Bay down to Cape Town, up to beautiful Mossel Bay, the Garden Route and beyond - think I saw 3 sharks at most. Can we say the same thing about taxi's? Even if you don't use them the chance of you being affected by their reckless driving is far more likely than being attacked by a shark! Why not demand a full investigation on that?
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I surf because it sets me free from the crowd, it makes me feel alive.... When you ride a wave it is such a paradox - you are in control, guiding your board with your feet, steering, following the contour of the wave - but we all know when you are in the ocean you are everything but in control, you are always at her mercy. There is no denying that. To me that is the attraction, it's your skill against the might of the ocean. It requires all your attention, you simply forget about the rest of the world out there on land. It's just about you and the ocean then. Her energy surrounds and embraces you completely. It sounds selfish when you say it out loud but it is what it is. I always feel totally de-stressed after a surf, the stresses of the day is forgotten. Every session always has that one wave, that one moment that stands out from the rest - and you always want to come back for more, to repeat it or better it - it is addictive! It's a lifestyle... I am not talking about the 'movie' version of surfer, the long blond hair blowing in the wind with the air for brains style. I am talking about always being aware of the weather conditions, what the wind is doing, what the wind will be doing tomorrow, what the swell is like, what the swell prediction is for tomorrow. The lines around your eyes because you are always squinting into the sun, the salt on your eyebrows and the sand between your toes, sand in your car and in the shower at home. Sand everywhere.... You plan your life according to the ocean and her moods as best you can, if conditions are favorable after work then it's straight to the ocean. Same for weekends and any other free moment - the rest of your life is fitted in around that. I surf because it makes me happy, it makes me a better person..... Ever wondered if you should get a SUP? Let me tell why you should..... Surfing requires waves. With SUPs, you do not need waves – as simple as that. All you need is a flat body of water, a stand up board and a paddle and away you go. Take Hout Bay as an example, there is the big wave spot, Dungeons - but lets face it - it is way out of the comfort zone of the 'average' ocean user and the bay itself has no waves. Thus unless you only want to go for a swim, SUP is the answer. You can paddle across the bay or just play next to the harbor wall, there is fun to be had. With the popularity of Stand Up Paddleboard as a sport, you are seeing SUPs in just about every line up and I’m sure soon on just about every lake and river. As the numbers increase you will see them everywhere, because riding a SUP is easy and lots of fun. There is also the health and fitness aspect of it; I mean there are actually people doing yoga on them. I predict that very soon the guys inland, where there are only lakes and rivers will start to get into SUPs. You will see more and more people riding them young, old, male and female. It is that accessible – simply anyone can do it. Most guys who have taken up riding a Stand Up Paddle Board have more than one SUP in their garage or on the surf rack of their car as they head out to the water. Another great aspect of SUP is that it allows you to get together with your friends, social groups, clubs, or just yourself and spend some leisure time on the water, sightseeing, cruising, and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. While you are paddling, you are getting good exercise and some special time alone or with your friends in a very healthy atmosphere. Many who ride a SUP use it for physical training. It is especially good for core, legs, and shoulder training. An hour of steady paddling will wear you out and give you a terrific workout. While you are training or just paddling, it will clear your mind and get your blood flowing for a good cardiovascular workout. All you need to do is get a board and a paddle that are suited for you so that you will have a smooth stable ride. Proper sizing of your SUP and paddle is very important. It might also be a good idea for you to take a lesson or two from your local surf shop or water sports facility. The experts in the shop and your instructor will make sure that you make the proper choices. SUPs come in different types and designs. There is beginner hard and soft SUPs, intermediate and professional SUPs. Depending on which SUP you choose, the cost of a board starts about R6000,00 onwards. Remember that you also need a paddle, they start at about R800.00. Initially it might be easier to purchase second hand equipment until you know all the ins and outs. So get out there and just do it!. I've been surfing in and around Cape Town for about 20yrs now and when the 1st SUPs appeared in the backline about 5- 6 years ago I wasn't too impressed. I mean, you stand on a board with a paddle and it looked so clumsy. It also looked way too easy, all you have to do is paddle and there you go. Nah, I wasn't interested. As time went by the number of SUPs in the water increased and you could hear talk in the surfing community about how awesome this new sport is. Then people who had nothing to do with surfing started talking about it, people who lived far from the ocean. They were talking about health and fitness, the stress release, yoga and paddling on rivers and lakes. It made me wonder. Then in February this year I heard about a RED PADDLE promotion day at Hout bay beach. So I went down to the beach and was issued with a 10'6 inflatable SUP and paddle. A few quick tips from red paddle guy on where to stand, how to hold the paddle, how to paddle and steer and off I went. At first I was on my knees paddling out past the small breakers and then got to my feet. Ok, wake up call - It's not THAT easy - I slowly (and awkwardly) paddled around for a while in flat water. After a couple of tumbles I was laughing at myself, why haven't I tried this years ago, this is fun. It seems easy enough but there is certainly an element of challenge. Facing the (tiny) swell directly and paddling over it was a lot easier than going sideways or facing the beach. Once I got relatively used to standing and paddling around I looked at the rest of the people around me, it hit me like a bomb. This was really something anyone could do, there were kids, moms and dads, old and young. Everybody was having a blast. Amazing. Ok, so then I decided to try and catch a wave, jeez I was laughing so much. After surfing for so long i.e lying prone (on your stomach) on the board, paddling with your arms and then getting to your feet is so ingrained that trying to catch a wave standing up was so foreign to me. Your whole view is different. Anyway, as mentioned the waves were really tiny and not really meant to be ridden but I persevered and managed to catch a wave in. That was enough - I was hooked, there is so much satisfaction associated with stand up paddle boarding. Thus I have to sheepishly admit that the old saying of never judging a book by its cover applies to me here, SUP is anything but boring or clumsy. In fact a whole new world awaits...... |
The sup guy...
a 40something surfer from Cape Town that discovered SUP recently. The bug bit me hard. Archives
March 2016
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