Three young surfers, Leo, Slayde and Luc, joined Luke from The Store for an afternoon paddle at the right off the Anne Avenue groyne. The ocean had been unsettled earlier, but by the time they headed out, it looked manageable enough to give them ideas. It was one of those sessions that offered no guarantees.
First Pulse
The early waves arrived with that familiar mix of hope and mild disappointment. Some stood up and went nowhere. Others fizzled out before anyone could commit. Others shut down with no chance of entry or exit. A few had enough shape to make the lineup shuffle around. Everyone was trying to read the water.
Barrels and Bruises
Then the bank finally produced something worth talking about. A couple of decent lines wrapped around the groyne and ran along the sandbar with just enough attitude to make things interesting. There were barrels of sorts. Some rides looked promising until they did not. One board came up with an injury that suggested grom ambition had slightly exceeded reality. Some excitement and some drama, and enough beat-downs to remind everyone that the newly-formed sandbar does not know you, nor care about you, or your paltry little problems.
Signs of What Could Be
As the sun beat down, the session settled into a quiet rhythm. The groms were pushing each other without saying much. Edging a little deeper each time. Reading the water with more confidence. It was not heroic, but it was real. A small hint that the future might be shaping up; for the groms, for the waves, for the beaches.
A Moment That Matters
They eventually trudged up the beach with that super-rare muted grom satisfaction. Chunky sets. Tricky waves. Close-out bombs. A few makes. Very few. A wounded board. Nothing perfect, but enough to make them quite psyched for more, as groms can be.
A major boost has arrived for the community raffle supporting a local surfer heading to the North Shore of Oahu this December. One of the headline prizes is now a Billy’s Beach Season Pass, one of the most sought-after tickets of the summer. Its inclusion has added real excitement to the fundraiser and has already drawn strong interest from locals. Thanks to those legends at Billy’s for the incredible donation and support. Entry details on poster, below.
Local Surfer
Among the group of surfers preparing for this journey is 17-year-old Cape St Francis local, Rylan Jarvis. He forms part of the dedicated crew aiming to test themselves on one of the most demanding coastlines in world surfing. The North Shore is a place that rewards discipline and humility. Waves from Haleiwa to Pipeline push even seasoned professionals to their limits, and for young athletes, it can be a life-changing experience. The group has spent months training on heavier local surf and building fitness.
Getting young surfers to Hawaii is a costly endeavour, especially during peak season, and the community has stepped in to help close the gap. The raffle is a transparent and straightforward way to support the trip, and adding the Billy’s Beach Season Pass has significantly elevated the prize pool while preserving the spirit of the fundraiser.
Raffle Ends Sunday
Trips like these shape young surfers in ways that last for years. They return stronger, more focused and more aware of their potential. The raffle runs until Sunday, and tickets are R100. With the prize list growing and the purpose clear, this is a chance to support the next generation of South African surfers while standing a good chance of winning something genuinely special.
A crew of young South African surfers are heading to the North Shore of Oahu this December, answering the call of the sport’s most famous proving ground. For generations, Hawaii has been the place where surfers travel to test their courage, sharpen their skills and stand in the shadow of the legends who shaped the culture. This group is no different. They are young, talented and hungry, and they know the North Shore is a teacher like no other.
The stretch of coastline from Haleiwa to Pipeline is the centre of the surfing world during the northern winter. It is a place that rewards preparation and humility. It is also a place that pushes every visiting surfer to find something deeper within themselves. The crew has been training for months, working through fitness programmes, pushing their rail game in heavier surf at home and studying the lineups they will soon paddle into. They know the waves will be bigger, sharper and far more demanding than anything they see in South Africa, yet that is exactly why they are going.
Surfer’s families and a ton of friends and supporters have stepped in to help make the trip possible. Travel costs for Hawaii are pretty rude, especially in season, so the community has rallied around the surfers to close the gap. One of the young athletes is running a raffle to help cover the final stretch of expenses. It is a simple, transparent fundraiser with a clear purpose: to give a committed teenager a shot at experiencing the North Shore at its best, surrounded by a focused group of peers.
Trips like this change young surfers. They return fitter, wiser and more motivated than ever. More than that, they return with a renewed sense of what is possible. December is going to be a defining month for this crew, and South Africa will be watching proudly from home.
Tickets are R100, and there are so many cool prizes.
The ever-prolific Brad Peens returns with another beautifully shot film entitled ‘It’s Getting Groovy,’ an update from the St Francis Bay groyne project — this time capturing that golden-hour magic and the quiet transformation of our coastline. His latest video, aptly titled It’s Getting Groovey, follows the evolving shapes of the new groynes, the subtle movement of sand, and those rare, ruler-straight waves that have both locals and engineers equally transfixed.
As construction progresses and the beach begins to rebuild itself, Brad’s lens finds rhythm in the details — the textures, the tides, and the patient precision of coastal renewal. He wraps up the piece with a short run across to Seal Point, where the local groms are out there putting in the hours, practising hard in clean, crisp Seals lines.
It’s getting groovy, that’s for sure. More here – Is This Real?
JEFFREYS BAY – Jeffreys Bay’s world-famous Supertubes has received a new wave of pride. A striking sign that not only honours the iconic wave but also celebrates the artistry and collaboration of the local community.
Unveiled earlier this month, the sign was spearheaded by the J-Bay Surf Alliance (JBSA) in partnership with Kouga Local Municipality. It forms part of ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the town’s beaches, parks, and public spaces.
“For us, conservation isn’t just about preserving the environment,” said JBSA co-founder Cheron Kraak. “It’s about creating beautiful, welcoming spaces where both locals and visitors can take pride in the natural heritage that sustains our community.”
Robbie Ponting
Designed and constructed by local craftsman and artist Robbie Ponting, the bamboo-inspired structure was built with durability in mind. Unlike traditional materials such as wood and steel, the innovative design is resilient to harsh coastal conditions. Thus ensuring the sign will stand for decades with minimal maintenance.
“Robbie is one of the most talented craftsmen in the world,” Kraak added. “It’s a privilege to know him and to see his vision come to life in such a meaningful project.”
Stephen Bibb
The sign also carries special significance as the final artwork of the late artist Stephen Bibb, a beloved figure in the Jeffreys Bay creative scene. Known for his surfboard art, murals, and clothing designs, Bibb completed the painting on the sign just days before his untimely passing while surfing.
His contribution, alongside Ponting’s craftsmanship, leaves behind a powerful legacy. It reflects the deep bond between JBay’s people and its coastline.
The unveiling highlights the importance of local conservation partnerships. Through projects like this, JBSA and Kouga Municipality continue to promote environmental stewardship. From maintaining parks and beachfronts to protecting dunes and raising awareness about sustainability.
A New Wave of Pride:
“Supertubes is precious,” said Kraak. “It’s not just a wave – it’s part of who we are. We must look after it.”
Proudly declaring “Welcome to the Supertubes Jeffreys Bay,” the new sign does more than mark a destination. It stands as a symbol of community pride, cultural identity, and a collective promise to preserve what makes Jeffreys Bay unique.
Kouga Deputy Executive Mayor Timothy Jantjes said the initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved when the municipality and community work hand in hand.
“Jeffreys Bay is world-renowned for its surf, but it’s the spirit of collaboration and care for our environment that truly sets this town apart,” Jantjes said. “The Supertubes sign is more than a landmark. It’s a testament to our shared commitment to keep Jeffreys Bay beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming for generations to come.”
The event is presented by the City of Cape Town, supported by SMTH Shapes, Reef Wetsuits, Advanced Health Private Day Hospitals, Jack Black Beer and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports.
Long Beach, Kommetjie, Cape Town – it was a sublime opening day of Long Beach perfection for all competitors in the South African Masters Surfing Championships.
Long Beach, despite her flaws, is a nifty venue for a surf event. Lefts and rights with great scoring potential reeling through, the occasional barrel, and the lefts teasing you into a kamikaze shorebreak that can either end in a big, high-scoring close-out bash, or a possible broken board and a damaged ego.
The day started bright and early with the O40 Men in the water, and stand-outs were Tyrell Johnson and Orrin Johnson (Buffalo City) and defending champion Simon Fish, surfing for Ethekwini.
Over 45 Men
Next in was the 045 Men. The seasoned competitive duo of former CT surfers Greg Emslie (Buffalo City) and Paul Canning (Ethekwini), along with Tristan Johnson (Buffalo City), dominated the round with high-performance surfing in the glassy lefts and rights that Long Beach was delivering on tap.
Wayne Monk continued the Buffalo City domination in the O50 Men with a decisive win over Ugu’s Frankie Oberholzer, with Warwick Heny (Buffalo City) and Cass Collier (Cape Town Surfriders) also putting in some stellar performances to win through to the next round.
The 1991 ASP World Pro Am Champion, David Malherbe (Buffalo City), put in one of the performances of the day with a massive 17,50 heat total (out of a possible 20 points) in the O60 Men’s Division, leaving his opponents in the dust. Other surfers in this division who stood out were Mickey Duffus and David Stubbs, both representing Cape Town Surfriders and using local knowledge to their advantage.
“There were some fun waves out there, but it was a little bit slow for my heat. I think I only caught four waves,” said Malherbe. “There were Long Beach peaks out there, but I stuck to the lefts,” continued the goofy-footer.
Long Beach
“At a place like Long Beach, it can either go your way or not, and I was fortunate to get those two good waves and get decent scores for both rides. Either way, Long Beach, with only two other guys in the water, is an absolute pleasure to surf.”
Then it was all eyes on the ladies as the O35 Women hit the water. Penny Stemmet (Buffalo City) took charge of her heat for the win, along with other division heat winners Heather Clark (UGU) and Roxy Davis (Ilembe).
The forecast for tomorrow looks good again, and it will no doubt be another early start for the competitors as they prepare for their battles for both team and individual titles in the icy Cape waters.
Competitors and team management are reminded that there will be a closing function and awards ceremony at Camel Rock Restaurant in Scarborough on Sunday Evening, starting at 6 p.m. Jack Black Beers on tap.
Spectators are encouraged to attend and support the competitors throughout the weekend. Friends, fans and interested surfers can monitor the event and follow heat results live via LiveHeats.
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