Hi all and welcome back to J-Bay.

The conditions have been quite variable these past few days with the winds playing a bit of havoc on the surf. However, a few gusting days hasn’t been enough to get our crew down.

On Sunday the weather really turned on us. The easterly wind brought in the rain and the mist. There was precious little we could do so we decided to use it as a chance to get in a little rest and relaxation. A good call in the end, as there are some tired bodies among the group from all the surfing. Having said all that though, there were a few guys in the group who didn’t seem to perturbed by the conditions and paddled out anyway.

Fortunately the bad weather didn’t last and by Monday the clouds were gone and the waves were pumping again. We met Ettiene in the morning for lessons at Phantoms Reef. The waves peeled perfectly down the rocky point all day and we sure made the most of it. The group have been progressing in leaps and bounds and Monday saw another great day of surfing by everyone. There are still a few creases that need to be ironed out, but other than that we’re looking at well-oiled surfing machines here on TTRide South Africa.

Yesterday the weather remained good for the final lesson with Ettiene in the morning. Our time to with the Junior national coach has definitely been a profitable one and I’m sure the guys have really appreciated what they’ve learnt from him. No doubt everyone will look back on these days and remember them for the time that they had to “PADDLE, PADDLE, PADDLE!!” We have one more excursion to get to before we say goodbye, but more on that still to come.

In the afternoon we decided to do something a little different so we all hopped in the van and headed off to Papiesfontein just outside of town for some horse riding on the beach. The trail took us along a quite pathway through the vynbos, which opened out onto the sand dunes on the beach. As soon as those horses saw the sea it was all systems go! In true cowboy style we all galloped off into the sunset along the shoreline. It was a classic way to end off the day and one that produced a lot of stories around the dinner table that night.

Today the easterly is howling again so the ocean is a bit of a mess of foam and chop. But that’s no real problem for us as today we’re meeting up with Melisa who runs a township project in J-Bay as well as Alison from the Supertubes Foundation. So we’re about to get our hands dirty with some community projects. But more on all that next time.

Till then
Take care

Bevan and Nikki.

We are now just over 4 weeks into the trip and time is flying past for the group and myself. Since last week the group have been getting involved in some more volunteer work allowing them to give something back to the town that they are staying in. On Wednesday the group headed into the local township in Jeffery's bay to pay a visit to a couple of the local creche. We were welcomed in with open arms and lots of squeals of excitement by the kids who were all around 4 or 5. The kids put on a performance for the Ticket to Ride group as they sung some African Nursery Rhymes. I was at one of the creches with Pat, Jack, Alex, Toby, Jonty and Johnny while Bevan took the rest of the group to a nearby creche. It was brilliant to see the boys throwing themselves into the kids games and even remembering all the words and actions to "the hokey tokey". Many of the kids in the townships don't eat at home as they do not have the means to buy food so the schools and nursery's have a feeding program to allow the kids to have an all important meal. The group got involved with making a maize meal for the kids also know as pup. Pup is similar to porridge, the maize is mixed with water or milk and sugar is added for sweetness and to add extra flavour and ends up looking a lot like semolina.. A simple meal that means a lot to these kids.

After a couple of hours the group were exhausted by the hordes of kids hanging off of them and running around playing games so it was time to say goodbye and head back to Island Vibe for a quick bite to eat before the afternoons activities. After lunch we headed into town to meet Alison Kuhl who runs the Super tubes surfing foundation in Jeffery's Bay. Alison took us into a local house that has recently been renovated to exhibit art work from local artists and she showed the group around explaining what the foundation does before heading over to the Super Tubes park for the group to get their hands dirty. The sun was beaming down as the boys (and Kat) helped with the upkeep of the park as the edged the flower beds and did a beach clean up removing rubbish from the super tubes site. After some hard work the group made the most of the sun in the park and in true brits style to lay sun bathing soaking up the sun, a great days work for everyone.

On Thursday we packed up the trailor and headed over to Cape St Francis which is home to the world famous surf break Bruce's Beauties. Bruce's featured in the endless summer surf movie so everyone was excited to see the spot . Ettiene met us in the water and the group were put through their paces as they charged the bigger sets that rolled through into the bay. Pat and Sam sat further out than everyone else waiting on the big waves to roll through as they took off on some of the biggest waves of their trip so far.

After a good day of surfing I took the majority of the group back to Jeffery's to surf at the local break Phantoms, while Bevan stayed in Cape St Francis to squeeze in another surf on the beach break with Pat, Jack and Sam. As the tide turned Bruce's started to break and the boys had the treat of surfing the famous break. With a steep take off and shallow rocks Bevan was very pleased as the 3 boys threw themselves into it with Pat scoring the best wave he has ever ridden.

On Friday we packed up the vans once again and loaded all the boards into the tailor for a short journey up the coast to our next stop Chinsta. We were all sad to leave Jeffery's bay as it is always a favorite spot on the trips but there was also excitement for Chinsta as the group have only heard good things about the stop.

After a 4 hour drive we arrived at Buccaneers backpackers. Buccaneers is spread over 8 hectares of wild coastal forest and right on the stunning Chinsta beach. With a sauna, massages, yoga, a host of different activities and waking up with the beach on your doorstep Buncaeers is bound to be a memorable stop for the group.

On Saturday it was an early wake up call and we headed into East London for a surf at Nahoon Corner, the surf was small but clean and the group had another fun surf. In the afternoon it was back to Chinsta beach for some fitness and lifeguard training where everyone did some running and we taught them how to body surf. After some laughs at everyone launching themselves through the water we gabbed our boards and headed in for a quick evening surf before dinner.

Chinsta is a truly beautiful place set in the spectacular scenery which reminds us we are in South Africa. Something tells me that the next 5 days are going to go by too fast and we will once again be headed up the coast, but until then there is a lot more fun to come. So until next time, take care.

Nikki and Bevan

Hi all and welcome back to Cintsa

The guys have really been working hard during this section of the trip. After the relaxed vibe of J-Bay it was time to get back down to business and focus on the more serious side of the course and get trained and ready for all the various assessments that await our crew in Durban.

On Sunday we did our Rider Diary session with the group where the guys got their lecture topics for their presentations. As part of the Surf Instructor’s qualification the group are required to present a lecture on a particular topic relating to surfing. Some of the topics include, Considerations when buying a new surfboard, Safety in surfing from a coach’s point of view and different kinds of surf breaks. Once a rider has his topic he then needs to research the subject and compile a 10-minute presentation that will be assessed by Dene Botha in Durban.

Earlier on in the day the group also got in some lifeguard training doing beach runs and swims to prepare them for their SPA lifeguard awards. As part of the course riders are required to perform a number of physical exercises within a certain time limit to ensure that they are fit enough to qualify for their award. It wasn’t all hard work though as the group got involved in some touch rugby on the beach as well.

In the evening we all decided to hit the water and get in some surfing time. We split the group and half the guys stayed with Nikki to surf the Cintsa beach break while the rest came with me to check out Yellow Sands just down the road. It was a classic end to a really busy day and it was no surprise then to see everyone turn in for an early night.

On Monday we decided to head into the city to do our timed swims at the East London pools. It’s been a little while since we were last in the pool, but the guys put on some good times with vast improvements by most even in the longer 50m pool. We followed up the swims with a little swim training, just to work on some technique and breathing before we headed back to Cintsa.

Yesterday we decided to give the timed swim another bash and headed back into East London for the morning session. After the swims it was time for some more fun as Steve taught us all how to play water polo. It’s an intense game and one that takes a lot out of you but it was so much fun and a real good way for us to keep fit in the water. Before we headed back Pat stunned the crowds with his springboard diving skills. He put on quite a show and very soon he had the rest of us trying to imitate his acrobatics, but to no avail.

Back in Cintsa and we decided to head out for an evening surf at a spot called Glen Eden. The waves weren’t the best we’ve ever seen, and the wind was quite strong, but even so, some of the guys managed to get in some really good rides despite the challenging conditions. Such is the way of these things – sometimes you do some of your best surfing in the worst conditions.

This morning we decided to make use of the clear skies and sun shine and headed back to Yellow Sands for the day. The waves have been really clean and fun so everyone’s been in there giving it a go.

Tomorrow is our last day in Cintsa before we make our way further into the heart of the Transkei. But more on that next time.

Till then.

Take care,
Bevan and Nikki.

Welcome to the Coffee Bay, where the cows roam free and the stars shine very brightly! This stop of the trip gives the group a insight into what real Africa is like. Since Bevan's last update the group have been on the move. On Thursday we discovered that South Africa too can not avoid the rain as the heavens opened paving the way for a very muddy wet day. The group made the most of the conditions as a few of the boys set off mountain biking for the morning around the hills of Chinsta. After some hard chilling out around Buncaneers the rest of the group got their helmets on and headed for a near by game reserve. The game reserve is host to some of South Africa big 5 and the group got to see them in style as they jumped on their quad bikes and made their way round the huge reserve. On route some of the boys got the opportunity to get very close to a ostrich which was displaying a typical mating ritual of pretending to eat while snapping its beak off the ground. It stopped and sat down for long enough to let some of the boys touch its wiry feathers before heading off again to find a mate, quite an experience being so close to these giant birds. For the rest of the day the group enjoyed chilling in their tranquil setting, preparing for the journey up the coast the next day.

On Friday morning we all woke to blue skies and blazing sunshine quite a contrast to the day before. Making the most of the weather we made our way down to the volley ball court for a quick game before making our way North once again. After a display of ball skills it was time to jump in the vans and get back onto the N2 on route for the transkei. The N2 is the main motorway that runs up the east coast of South Africa, which we have been on since Cape Town. This stretch of the road has to be one of the most impressive as the country side turns into vast rolling hills covered in roaming cattle and traditional Africa villages consisting of bright green round huts with thatched roofs. It was quite a journey and an eye opener for the group as we passed through the Africa countryside with local children waving to us as we went and quite a cultural experience as we drove through Nelson Mandela's home town.

Once we leave the N2 turning off onto the road for Coffee bay it gets slightly more adventurous. Its not that far from the N2 to the Coffee Shack where the group will be staying for the next 8 days, but it takes a few hours having to dodge the deep pot holes amongst other obstacles. Every now and again you have to sit beeping at a large heard of cattle that makes their way onto the road or the odd goat...or truck that is dragging a very large dead donkey behind it, yes somewhat different to the M4!
After a 5 hour journey Coffee Bay and the Coffee shack came into view and the group certainly didnt look disappointed. The coffee Shack is right on the beach and the boys and Kat stay in the traditional round thatched roofed huts that are seen in the local villages. Once they arrived David Malherbe who runs the Coffee shack and is a former pro am world surf champ gave them a quick tour of their surroundings before the sun went down.

On Saturday the group headed out to sample some of the waves Coffee Bay had to offer. To get to the surf the group have a short walk along a peddle beach and up a small hill which brings them out on top of the hill to a breath taking view overlooking a beach break and a point break. Unfortunately Saturdays conditions weren't epic as the wind picked up and went onshore. Everyone made the most of the conditions and then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling playing board games. Its a hard life in coffee bay! After a traditional Africa dinner the group partied the night away to the beat of African Bongo drums preformed by some of the locals.

Today the wind turned off shore so it has been a hard day of surfing. The group have surfed the beach break and the point since this morning and got out of the water about an hour ago before the sun went down. Im sure if they had any energy left and it was still light they would still be out there.

We are here for another 6 days so Bevan will be back with tales of lots of Transkei activities from the group. I am off to join the group in the bar for a pub quiz followed by a traditional South Africa Poike for dinner.
So until our next update, bye for now!

Nikki an Bevan

Hi All and welcome back to the Transkei.

I’m happy to report that our exploration of the Transkei has yielded results as the group have been getting some of the best waves on the trip so far, not to mention they’ve seen some of the most amazing beaches in the country.

Monday and Tuesday were unfortunately not very good for surfing. The wind howled from the east and with it came the rains, which meant that we were left to our own devices in order to keep busy while we waited for the weather to clear. The guys took to games of 30 seconds and the likes while some of the more eager ones opted to do a hike in the rain to the top of the Coffee Bay Cliffs to get a good lookout over the sea.

Luckily though, the weather didn’t last too long and by yesterday the westerly was blowing again and the sea looked epic. Dave came out in the morning to meet us on the beach and gave the guys a lesson in paddling and turning. Dave’s experience from his days as a pro/am champion is a tremendous resource to draw from when you’re looking to improve upon your surfing and nobody knows the Transkei better than him, so it was a real treat to get to have him give us a few tips.
We didn’t spend too much time on the beach though, as the guys were just frothing to get in. The waves were really fun!! The easterlies from the previous days had kicked up the swell and when the west finally came along, that entire, raw wind swell got groomed into neat, running lines on the beach.

We ended up surfing all morning. The conditions were really fun and the nice, powerful waves gave us all a real run for our money. In the afternoon, with conditions still looking good, Nikki and I decided to take the group exploring so we loaded all our boards into the trailer and headed out. There are just dozens and dozens of epic surf spots along this stretch of coast and we decided to take the guys to see 2 of them. Our first stop landed us in Umdumbe, which is infamous for it’s long point break and barrelling reef sections. The swell wasn’t quite right for the bay so we decided to mission on further. Our next stop was the amazingly beautiful Lwandile point. It’s virtually impossible to find these beaches unless you know where to go, but the rewards for looking are well worth all the effort. The wave looked so nice on the point that we decided to give it a go. We spent the rest of the afternoon surfing and just enjoying the beauty of the area. Some of the guys came back with stories of getting the best waves of the trip out there. It was an awesome way to spend the afternoon.

We surfed until sunset when it was time to head back to Coffee Bay and get in line for dinner, which was another classic braai. After such a long day it wasn’t surprising that the guys all turned in for an early night.

This morning we went out again in search of waves and this afternoon we’re set to go and visit the Hole in the Wall just down the coast

But more on that next time…
Till then,

Take care,
Bevan and Nikki.