I have been surfing a Reef off Seapoint for a few years now, when the swell is “larger” than normal! For many years we rode it on our surfski’s during training sessions from Clifton to the waterfront. It was always a bonus when there were waves and we could Score some long waves into the bay.
A year or so back, my brother Chris and I tow surfed this BEAST of a wave at 15 to 20 foot! It holds Giant swells and breaks into relatively safe water. It breaks off, beyond a dry rock and sucking, Ledging pit, that you generally stay away from. But there is an IN just beyond it or wide of it, depending on the swell. On this day we towed it, it was maxing at 20 foot and a local seapoint surfer said he recons this wave of mine ( pic 2) was the biggest wave he had ever seen ridden in his 30 years in sea point.
Not really SUP conditions, but close. Ha ha… My brother Conn and I did SUP it at about 10 foot plus (15 ft faces) a month or two back, and it was a RUSH….. Unfortunately we got no photo’s that day but swore to come back and ride it when it broke again. I have dabbled with it in the last 2 months, and only had it up to 8 foot face again…. REALLY fun and challenging on take off. Yesterday was head high plus stuff and Paul Stafford, Craig Scarpa and I gave it a go. It was marginal with waits , but every now and then a cooker streamed thru. It really needs a Large Cape swell – 4 meters plus , to get going… so we will be watching.
I also caught a great wave in at the super hollow and ledgy, low tide Off the Wall on my way in. It was good for one attempt, as there were no surfers there and no one to see me if I ate Carrots. Watch this space for more pics and reports on this elusive wave.
PLEASE NOTE: No surfers were harmed in this session :)
IT IS NB FOR ALL SUP RIDDERS TO KNOW, THAT SURFERS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY ALWAYS, AND THAT SUP RIDERS SHOULD NEVER SUP AT REEF OR POINT BREAKS THAT SURFERS HAVE SURFED FOR YEARS- if you do find yourself at one of these spots, ASK for permission to join them, and then give them right of way on all waves- We are Guests to the lineup!
I have looked longingly yet with much awe at that wave you when it breaks big ... but have only attempted a few times in medium size swell -- there is a lurking rock from which waves materialise out of nowhere; so position is the key when waiting for a wave.
unbelievable waves and great pictures. not so sure about the bit on sup rights in the water though. we are all guests of the ocean, not some more than others. there is no title to the water, and not all parties have agreed to this perspective presented regarding the surfers inherent rights. the above statement smacks of localism and entitlement, which do not serve the surfing community at large, and only increases hostility and seperation. Sure, take extra care with the board, be polite, be generous,dont abuse the position afforded by the paddle and dont drop in. but i think sups can come as equals, not "ask permission" and not buy into these "rights of way" as articulated above.
Dear Anthony Unfortuanetly there are too many SUP riders out there who are Dangerous, and do not come from a Surfer or ocean rider back ground. This is a huge problem, as they "maybe you" do not know the "rules" of surf and surf riding which have been in place for many decades- way before SUP. I am a local of the ocean and not one spot! I ride SUPs, Kites, windsurfers, short boards and i tow surf. If I decided to take your view, and arrive with my jetski and slingshot into any wave i wanted between the surfers, not only would that be rude and unsporty but it would be dangerous. What is happening with SUPers - who are well below par on ability in the surf- they are paddling out among small kids and others at Glen beach, Muizenberg and other spots. They have NO CLUE of surf ettequete, cant ride or control their SUPs ad they put lives at risk by paddling into waves they think they can catch and ride cos they "can". SUP like a surfski, like a Jetski and tow surfer
continued from above: are dangerous in the waves and among people and surfers. Maybe SUP riders should get a licence before being allowed in the surf! Not a bad idea, seeing some of us with our 12 foot leashes and 12 food boards - basically have a 24 foot KILL ZONE around us when you wipe- You know what that fin will do to a 10 yr olds head! If you SUP - respect the ocean, respect the surfers and areas that are more surfer friendly & have been for years - just find another peak, or as you say BE POLITE and if you can SUP properly ( you have a licence :)) ask if ok to SUP and do not take all the waves! Yes, the ocean is for all- But some of the "Biggest with a paddle" are starting to take what they want and its giving SUP a bad name! Peace on the water- just know your place and respect the ocean , the locals and the other codes!
Anthony, I agree with you too. When I first read Greg's post I got a little p'd and thought who does this guy think he is telling me that I need to ask for permission to surf somewhere, but then I know Greg, and i know where his heart is, so I thought about it for a moment and remembered seeing a guy at Llandudno who was clueless and took a beating, then sent his teenage daughter out in 4' Llands on a SUP with no experience. She got a broken nose because her dad is an idiot.
So, on Monday (last week), I SUP'd a spot I had surfed many times. There was me and 2 other guys out and I asked them before I paddled for a wave and I was met with so much respect for having asked that I made a couple of new friends in the surf, and they were backing off to let me have some of the longer waves.
Thanks Zaheer Ja, you got my jist. Its just good to communicate with other water users. You dont need to "ask permission" but just be friendly , chat and let them know you are respectfull and will not take all the waves. THEN ensure you do not drop in, do not take every second wave ( i know its tempting) and stay well away from kids.
We just dont want the situation we see with german windsurfers, kiters at E bay riding thru the zone and taking every wave they want and can. ill definately be on the surfers side, even if i practice all of these disiplines. It could all turn very nasty with one or two BAD APPLE SUP riders.
Comments
I have looked longingly yet with much awe at that wave you when it breaks big ... but have only attempted a few times in medium size swell -- there is a lurking rock from which waves materialise out of nowhere; so position is the key when waiting for a wave.
And you posting on SUP etiquette is spot on!
GlenT
not so sure about the bit on sup rights in the water though. we are all guests of the ocean, not some more than others. there is no title to the water, and not all parties have agreed to this perspective presented regarding the surfers inherent rights. the above statement smacks of localism and entitlement, which do not serve the surfing community at large, and only increases hostility and seperation.
Sure, take extra care with the board, be polite, be generous,dont abuse the position afforded by the paddle and dont drop in. but i think sups can come as equals, not "ask permission" and not buy into these "rights of way" as articulated above.
Unfortuanetly there are too many SUP riders out there who are Dangerous, and do not come from a Surfer or ocean rider back ground. This is a huge problem, as they "maybe you" do not know the "rules" of surf and surf riding which have been in place for many decades- way before SUP.
I am a local of the ocean and not one spot! I ride SUPs, Kites, windsurfers, short boards and i tow surf. If I decided to take your view, and arrive with my jetski and slingshot into any wave i wanted between the surfers, not only would that be rude and unsporty but it would be dangerous.
What is happening with SUPers - who are well below par on ability in the surf- they are paddling out among small kids and others at Glen beach, Muizenberg and other spots. They have NO CLUE of surf ettequete, cant ride or control their SUPs ad they put lives at risk by paddling into waves they think they can catch and ride cos they "can".
SUP like a surfski, like a Jetski and tow surfer
are dangerous in the waves and among people and surfers.
Maybe SUP riders should get a licence before being allowed in the surf! Not a bad idea, seeing some of us with our 12 foot leashes and 12 food boards - basically have a 24 foot KILL ZONE around us when you wipe- You know what that fin will do to a 10 yr olds head!
If you SUP - respect the ocean, respect the surfers and areas that are more surfer friendly & have been for years - just find another peak, or as you say BE POLITE and if you can SUP properly ( you have a licence :)) ask if ok to SUP and do not take all the waves!
Yes, the ocean is for all- But some of the "Biggest with a paddle" are starting to take what they want and its giving SUP a bad name!
Peace on the water- just know your place and respect the ocean , the locals and the other codes!
Anthony, I agree with you too. When I first read Greg's post I got a little p'd and thought who does this guy think he is telling me that I need to ask for permission to surf somewhere, but then I know Greg, and i know where his heart is, so I thought about it for a moment and remembered seeing a guy at Llandudno who was clueless and took a beating, then sent his teenage daughter out in 4' Llands on a SUP with no experience. She got a broken nose because her dad is an idiot.
So, on Monday (last week), I SUP'd a spot I had surfed many times. There was me and 2 other guys out and I asked them before I paddled for a wave and I was met with so much respect for having asked that I made a couple of new friends in the surf, and they were backing off to let me have some of the longer waves.
I tried it and was surprised at what happened.
Mahalo Greg.
Ja, you got my jist. Its just good to communicate with other water users. You dont need to "ask permission" but just be friendly , chat and let them know you are respectfull and will not take all the waves. THEN ensure you do not drop in, do not take every second wave ( i know its tempting) and stay well away from kids.
We just dont want the situation we see with german windsurfers, kiters at E bay riding thru the zone and taking every wave they want and can.
ill definately be on the surfers side, even if i practice all of these disiplines.
It could all turn very nasty with one or two BAD APPLE SUP riders.
SUP on! SUP safe!
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