Back to my Roots

Last weekend I headed over to Muizenberg to pick-up my surfboard after a repair from a mishap the previous weekend. The waves in Muizenverg were nonexistent so I took a drive to see some of the other breaks that I have not visited yet, namely Kommetjie (co-mick-ee) and Long Beach.

Well I never got to Kommetjie as I spent much of the late afternoon watching and photographing surfing at Long Beach. There were quite a few people in the water and as I was unfamiliar with that break, and recognize the territorial nature of surfers, I decided not to surf but watch and shoot. I titled this "Back to my Roots", because my professional photography career started out by photographing sports. I really like the action and the fact that you have to anticipate where the peak point of action will happen to get a good shot. Additionally, I've always preferred shooting sports in Black and White. I converted this and made specific adjustments to my taste. I like the overall drama of the image. The point at which you don't know if the surfer is going to make his turn and the dramatic sky and mountain behind him. I did not have my long lens with me, but I quite like how this wider shot turned out.

Surfer, Long Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Going Out for a Surf in my Backyard- 193/365

I spend a lot of time surfing on the weekends, and one of my favorite time is when I can go right out my door and go straight into the water. No traveling, or hassle, but I do miss seeing my friends in Muizenberg. As I've said before, it is very meditative for me just being out there on the water. Maybe that's why surfers and surfing in general is so mellow and laid back. Never really grasped all of this in my earlier days of surfing. Road-trips and girls were the order of the day then. Will never forget those days, with Hector, Jimmy, Willie, Lee, Bobby, Shelly (he didn't like Sheldon), Joe, Pepe, Billy, and many others. Good times.

Rainy Day on Surfer's Corner, Muizenberg - 183/365

I happened to be in Muizenberg on a not so pretty day, but the waves were nice. There was a slight drizzle and the train passed by when I made this image on what is called Surfer's Corner in Muizenberg. Muizenberg is the cradle of surfing on the African Continent with everything basically starting here.

One of my First Surf Coaches - 180/365

This is Darren, one of my first Surf Coaches from Roxy Surf School at Surf Emporium. I got a lot from Darren especially not to take things too seriously and have fun above all else. He was able to give me some more advanced tips after I was already able to stand up on the board again. Anyone who wants to get better at anything needs lessons and a coach. I plan on taking lessons and getting coached regularly. The Pro's do it. That's incentive enough for me! No matter whom I talk to in the surf community the pervasive desire is to have fun above all else!

The Old Wetsuit Had to Go - 177/365

While it served me well, my old triathlon wetsuit had to go. Not warm enough for Cape Town. Especially the Atlantic side! The funny thing is that in all the years I owned it I used it here for surfing more than use in all of my triathlons. It was also starting to tear. Not tough enough for surfing. Fortunately the Billabong store had a 20% off New Wetsuits if you trade in an old one. The really good part was they they reconditioned and repaired them and gave them to those less fortunate. Way to recycle Billabong! Plus, now I am warm! The Old Wetsuit Had to Go - 177/365

Surfboard Casualty - 172/365

I ran across this poor guy at one of the surf spots near my place called Hagaat. It's about four miles from my place on the way to Cape Town and has quite a hectic break. Evidently, he and his board ran into a large powerful wave. I never really saw this in Florida unless someone actually hit something like a rock or a reef. Here it's just the power of the waves. I've seen about four of these casualties recently. Wouldn't it be great to harness that power?