After a month of reading the trip updates from the London office the tables have turned, and it's my turn to be sitting in sunny S.A putting the latest trip news up on the blog.

After a couple of exciting weeks in London with Will and myself hatching plans left, right and centre, I flew out on Sunday morning and met the team at Umtentweni yesterday evening. After regularly reading and hearing about the clear skies, scoarching sunshine, and pumping waves (bla bla bla) I wasn't sure whether it was just hyped up propodanga, a big wind up, or the real deal. I can assure you it's the real thing. After a very hot night's sleep I had to go for a quick swim in the ocean on our door step, it was 8 am and already building up for an absolute belter. So after an outdoor rinse off, I sliced my fresh mango and grabbed some shade under a palm leaf, and I had one of those moments when you promise yourself never to take anything for granted; the South Coast is a special strech and having missed this leg last year, so it's great to be back inthe Natal coastline.

My being out here means that the legendary Chris Bond time running the trip has come to an end. I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all the group to thank Chris (and Sam, but he's still here with us) for doing such an excellent job. He's passed on fountains of knowledge to all the group, and it is clear to see that they have all learnt a huge amount from him and that he has really added to everybody's experience so far.

We all had time for a few drinks last night before he had to shoot off early doors to get his new Uni Semester underway (off the plane at 12, first tutorial at 2 impressive stuff!) Chris and Sam have been running the trip with utmost efficiency, and have together built a huge amount of love and respect from the group. There were a few emotional good-byes this morning as Chris headed off to the airport and left the group wondering who this pasty Engligh replacement was (English winter into the S.A Summer gives you quite a glow!)

From here on in they'll be in mine and Sam's capable hands, and with the Lifesaver and Surf Instructor Courses starting on Monday it's time to switch the attention to these, and make sure that everybody is as best prepared as possible. We had a good run through all the syllabus' today making sure that everyone is clear in their minds exactly what we hope to achieve next week.

So it's down to business now, and time for runs along the beach, laps in the pool, out with the drinks and in with the fitness (Saying that it is Wigszy's birthday tonight so I think these new leaf's might be turned over tomorrow!)

All in all a great first day, and a busy schedule planned including a days surfing with Ant Brodovicz (a 1978 World champ), taming the might Oribi Gorge Swing (bungee-esq with a bit more of a pendulum effect), and running-swimming and running to get that stamina through the roof.

Over and out...

L

The time's ticking by, and we've been fortunate enough to have plenty of sunshine, aswell as nightly rainfall to keep the humidity levels to down. With the courses starting on Monday we've been taking advantage of having our own piece of paradise to ourselves and have inividually gone through the course syllabus with all the group making sure that everyone stands the best chance of tackling the awards to their highest standard.

The Surf Instructor Course requires every individual to give a talk for 10 minutes on a topi of surfing that they have been designated by the course assesor. This could range from -Wave Prediction and Weather Forecasting- to -Surfboard designs-, everyone has to show not only that they have a depth in knowledge, but that they can also engage a group of people for an extended period of time, as ultimately that is what Level 1 surf coahing is all about. There are 4 further criteria including a surf assesment, written exam, a pre-prepared course booklet, and a lesson demonstration. which we are all working hard towards.

The second course is the Surf Lifesaver, which covers ocean water rescue, and first aid response. The main preparation for this course has been building up fitness levels, as well as some pool time to prepare for the much anticipated timed swim. We've had the fortune of using the local pool which has been a great help, Tom has set the new TTRide record, and is the first to break the 6 minute mark. He's followed quickly by Sarah with Gabby (temporarily out of the water) Jack and Triccia not far behind. Alex, Frosty, Charlotte are all sub 8, with Rob, Max, and Johnny hot on their heels. Ollie, Millie, JT and Harry are getting quicker by the day, with Harry shaving a record 2 minutes 10 secs off his previous time. (Jonty's already got his award which is why he didn't get a mention.) All the group have reacted extremely positively to this hard work, and genuinely seem to be enjoying pushing their own fitness levels above what they previously knew, which is grea for Sam and myself to see.

Even in amongst all this hard work we still managed to spend the majority of the day surfing in the presence of the great and mighty Ant Brodowicz who is a former 1978 World Champ and is still highly involved in the S.A surf scene.

A very busy week here, and in The Spot we've got our own secluded piece of paradise which has proved the perfect setting for everyone to knuckle down, and ge the business side out of the way.

More lifesaving tomorrow, with an early morning surf, and the Oribi gorge in the afternoon, so time to get some sleep (I've recently heard that 7 hours is the optimal amount, which is a good thing as I'm still on schedule!)

Until next time....

L

Sam and I are currently sitting in the heat of the Durban sunshine, soaking up the rays that the sunshine has been fortunate enough to offer us. The group are no where to be seen because as of today they are spending the next 6 days in class taking part in their surf lifesaving, and surf instructor courses.

The past few days have allowed everyone to relax, and recharge the batteries, and concentrate their energy on the final leg of the trip. With the timed swim looming the boys started to wonder how they could cut those few vital seconds off their time, and there were multiple requests for the annual Speedo shopping trip. We gladly obliged, and as you can tell for the photo’s this made for a very entertaining experience. Taking the style straight back to the 80s I don’t think the girls knew that life could get so good.

So would swim caps and Speedo’s as uniform be enough to bring the group down to suitable swimming standard? I can proudly say that this group are officially the fastest swimmers TTRide has put forward for the timed swim. Tom W set a new record of 5 mins 31secs which will take some beating. Sarah also came it sub 6. The times were so good that 12 of the 16 will be going for the full beach lifeguard award which requires a sub 8 swim.

In amongst all of this the most hardy of the group still had time to throw themselves off yet another world record height. The Oribi Gorge Swing is the highest of it’s kind in the world, and offers a 3 minute free fall, followed by a full pendulum swing across the vastly impressive canyon (photo’s to follow). I had to show the team how it was done so took my place on the edge first and was quickly followed by Max, Ollie, Jack and Harry. Definitely a more enjoyable experience than the bungee, quite a bit smoother!

We are now up in Ansteys which is the home of the infamous Palmboom family, one of South Africa’s most famous surfing names. Father Rudy, and son Rudy Jnr are two of the most respected characters in the KwaZulu Natal surfing scene. Yesterday whilst on the Durban beachfront we stopped for a quick look at the KwaZulu Natal trials. Heidi Palmboom (the daughter) won the U18s, Rudy Jnr won the Mens Open (given the competition this is a hugely impressive feat), and Rudy Snr came 3rd in the Veterans. Not a a bad day out for the Palmbooms, but yet such is their modesty that you simply would not have realised Rudy jnr was quoted in a recent ZigZag (S.A’s top surf mag) that his motto is to “win without boasting, and lose without excuse”, which he calmly manages to live to.

In amongst all of this I think we all need to spare a thought for Will who is holding up the UK fort with so much strength that even Sampson would be proud. Ticket to Ride sponsored the UK student Nationals this weekend, which required Will to be setting up, packing up, and talking to all the University Clubs on the beach from 7 am Friday, to 5pm Sunday returning to London at 1am, completely unaided; and he still popped up on my Skype having got to the office at 9am. This is real ‘on the road’ season, so taking it on all by yourself is no mean feat.

Until next time…

L

(I will be getting some photo's up as soon as, been having a couple of internet problems, sorry for the delay TIA afterall!...)

We've been up in Durban for just over a week now, and we have been blessed with some beautiful weather for the guys to complete their courses. With the bulk of the surf lifesaver and surf instructor course completed the finish line is now in sight with just those upgrading their lifeguard course, and a final ABC (surf lesson) assessment needing to be finished.

We are now up at The Secret spot which is a bed of luxury, and a truly fitting place to spend our final 10 days. We are surrounded by Palm tree's and tropical wildlife, the monkeys that swing from the trees enjoy spending their time teasing the dogs. It's a quick dip in the pool before breakfast, and then off in the minibuses to the buzzing waterfront to go and surf on the infamous Golden Mile, or partake in the courses from Durban's Lifesaving Club. An extremely tropical setting enabling everyone to soak up the sun's rays and make the most of hte warm water waves.

This week we are wrapping up the courses, getting surf coaching experience, and generally getting all of the hard work out of the way so that the final days can be spent in pure relaxation. We'll be visiting the local Flowrider, which is a standing wave and despite it's difficulty makes for a very enjoyable few hours, those who want to visit a Game Park have the opportunity to head up to Hluhluwe which is the second largest reserve in South Africa, we'll be visiting Clayton's surfboard factory, seeing South Africa's answer to the late Steve Irwin at the local crocodile farm, venting our frustrations paintballing, and obviously making sure that we make the most of the elctric Durban nightlife.

So all's good from sunny Africa, I've got the news on in the background and seeing the storms that are hitting the UK, so I can assure you our thoughts are with you, we'll make sure we get enough sunshine for everybody back home aswell!

Until nxt time...

L

We are now through nearly all stages of the courses, with only the final ABC lesson assessment remaining. 11 of the group upgraded their lifesaving qualification to the full beach lifeguard, and were fortunate enough to be blessed with perfect conditions on the assessment day which consisted for a run-swim-run, line swims (rescuer swims out with a line around his waist whilt the rest of his team control him), torpedo rescues (Baywatch style), board rescues, and then a thorough section in the class room running over CPR, first Aid, and water knowledge.

Since the courses have finished the wind has swung, and is now coming on from the West which has bought in a colder front some much needed rain aswell as a huge swell that we witnessed crash onto the famous Durban beaches yesterday. The best place to watch these waves coming through was from the end of the pier where we had a perfect view of the sets crashing through and the small handful of body boarders mad enough to take it on. The waves were breaking at a solid 6-8 foot (double overhead plus) but it was not so much the size that is intimidating more simply the sheer power of the wave, with the heavy lip throwing from top to bottom greating a green room large enough to park a small vehicle inside. The shifting peaks meant that is was unsuitable for surfing with only 3 surfers out all day (2 of them being Rudy Palmboom Snr and Jnr), between them they caught 3 waves, it was that kind of day!

When we had finished feasting on these visual delights we went down the beach to Addington which is much more sheltered, and the guys grabbed some waves for themselves aswell as practising their ABC surf lessons on themselves and a handful of local KZN children.

We have just got one week to go, and are going to make sure that it goes by as slowly as possible. Late to bed, early to rise with busy days in between. Hopefully this swell will calm its rage and produce a few epic walls that can be shared around the group!

All the best...

L