Ranting's of a mad man: Surfing Safari

This was to be my first overnight surf trip. I had heard stories about them and they sounded awesome. No detailed plans except for hours of feet planted on a board on best possible waves.

The broken finger was a consideration although not an insurmountable obstacle...

So it was off to Stillbaai for a surf trip and to collect a couple of very special wooden boards for the local long board classic competition. A fantastic excuse if ever there was one!

We chatted like little old ladies for the 3 hour trip to Stillbaai. On arrival we headed straight for the main break at the point, donned our suits, and slipped into the cold water. The broken finger found itself snugly encased in a pill tube and thoroughly wrapped in duct tape. You really can use duct tape for anything! The waves were not brilliant but there were enough set waves to delight both of us. So special, just two of us in the water, trading waves and thrills!

Beyond Stillbaai Point

Bionic finger

Later, much later, we stumbled over the moonlit rocks and back to the car. Tired and happy. A lone pizza shop welcomed us in and exchanged our money for boxes of cheese drenched salami. Sitting on a wicker couch outside a friend’s holiday home, we surveyed the beautiful night time vista, drank our beers, and mused about the goodness of life.

Day two found us surfing a spot called Dolphins. Crystal clear water revealing the ocean floor in all of its broken beauty and of course dolphins swimming in the waves. With the wind beginning to get annoyed, we headed off in search of the strange and wonderful surf boards we had come to collect.

Interesting, talented and patient people educated us in the arts of board making; solid wood boards made from Agave (sisal plant), boards made of clumps of bamboo, and beautiful wooden boards painstakingly built piece by piece.