The courses are now all done and dusted and we find ourselves in the strange position of enjoying a holiday within a holiday, which isn’t bad at all really. It comes as thoroughly deserved as everyone has put a great deal of work into the last few days.

Of the 9 that did the full Beach Lifeguard award all passed, and of the 9 that did the Surf Lifesaver Award all passed. We also have a 100% pass rate for the Surf Instructor award, unfortunately conditions for the final surf assessments were less than ideal so Oli B, Lizzy, David, Adam and Harry have been deffered for that section of the course. We will be waiting for some favourable conditions next week to do a couple of video sessions that we can then send off to the SSA and hopefully get that side of things wrapped up. But all in all its smiles all round.

The courses finished on Thursday and the plan was to celebrate in town. However, with the 5am start and a hard day on the beach we quickly re-hashed our plans and opted for a party back at the Secret Spot. Mike and Roz got the bonfire going and fired up the wood oven for a pizza night. There were a few brave souls still hanging on into the early hours but for most it had been a long day. Friday night ended considerably later...

With the courses over we have had the chance to enjoy some of the other attractions on offer here in Durban. We headed into town on Friday night to check out a pro20 game at Kingsmead park and again yesterday to see the Sharks take on the Reds in the super14. Both were great games and good fun. In the shaping bay, Jimmy and Adam are near to completing their boards. Hugo finished his yesterday and it looks sick! Clayton has just finished the final board order for the other guys and we will be picknig them up tomorrow. New boards all round, happy days!

The guys have been getting to grips with the heavier waves on offer here in Ballito. The swell has remained pretty consistent and there have been a few good sessions at Saltrock and the more challenging Surfer’s Lane and Tiffanies. It is impressive to see the group taking on the heavier waves when just 3 months ago we were in the softer waves at Muizenberg. It takes no small amount of courage to launch yourself into the waves up here and there’s been no shortage of that! With the weekend now almost over we will be heading back into Durban over the next few days to check out the piers again and give everyone the chance to surf till they drop. We finish on Thursday so every minute of water time is now precious!

We’ve got an action packed few days coming up with a trip to the wavehouse planned and a morning with the guys at the Natal Sharks board. We’ll be heading out on the boats to check them setting the nets and then heading back to the HQ for a short presentation and shark dissection. In between we are also planning a bit of a surprise for the final night, but for now that’s a secret so check back soon for final photos of that.
The last week is approaching, it’s going to be a good one.

Cheers

Tim and Nikki

The majority of the group flew home yesterday morning and it's with a heavy heart that i can now draw Trip 2 to a close here in Durban. Many of the group will now be home so to all those who are reading this from the UK, i would like to send mine and NIkki's heartfealt thanks for an amazing 3 months! It has been a pleasure travelling with you and we will both miss your company very much. I hope your bones and bodies have recovered from the flowrider, ours haven't!

To try and summarise the past three months is impossible. Africa has played a great host and we will all leave with memories of beautiful waves, wonderful people and new friends. Though it's always sad to say goodbye, the future is bright for all the group as they leave us as competent watermen and women with some solid qualifications under their belts to stand them in good stead wherever they may go.

As i mentioned in our speeches the other night, the last 3 months are just the beginning for the group. They are all at the beginning of their surfing lives and should be excited for the adventures that lie ahead. The great thing about surfing is that it will take you places that usually go overlooked. We've just travelled 2000km of coast, there are hundreds of thousands more to explore, adventures to be had and waves to be discovered. The life of a travelling surfer is not a bad one and i for one will be very interested to see where the guys and girls of the trip end up next.

The attached photos (to follow shortly) will tell the story of the last few days. It's been quite a special end to the trip with Beach Braii's at secret spots, trips to the flowrider, mornings out on the boats with the Natal Sharks Board, trips to the rugby and cricket, and some great waves in town in between. Boards have been bought, boards have been shaped, suitcases and coffin bags have split under the strain of all those last minute impulse buys with the depreciating rand..... We've been busy!

A final thanks to all the riders, we will miss you all; it's been an unforgettable 3 months. All the very best for the future and we will see you all in the summer when we get back together.

Shot O's

Tim and Nikki