distraction

Yes, the posting has been minimal.

But, then, it about matches the amount of surfing going on as well.  Truth be told, I seem to be getting a solitary weekedn session in and leaving it at that. 

Why haven't I been surfing... I dunno.   I could blame conditions.  But, then if you're amped and you go looking there's always something round here.  And I haven't been looking.

I could claim injury.  My shoulder was acting up a while back.  It may be sleeping badly.  It may also have been trying to change gears in the Landrover.  That'll screw your shoulder for sure.  But, that mended itself.  And i've been swimming and play waterpolo, so can't really fall back on that excuse.

Maybe I've just been distracted.  I think that's it.  And it's a good type of distraction.  Typically, this time of year, the Cape starts gearing up for silly season, and everywhere you look there's another party going down.  The social calendar gets clogged with this and that and what have you.

But, I've managed most of that.

I think I've got a draft saved somewhere whinging about how the stormy winter didn't actually produce the swells we would have hoped for.  It wasn't a good winter for us.  No-one really had a good winter.  Except for plants.  They had an epic winter and so are now enjoying an epic spring.

As such its been an awesome time to get into the mountains.  They're bursting with colour and fragrance like I've never seen them before.  So, I've been strapping on shoes and backpacks and getting high in the berg.  And I'm fine with that.

Hopefully some swells will come and will regain that surf stoke soon.  But, in the Cape there are just so many activities, and only so much time.

somewhat close, somewhat far

A shot from a sunday stroll we took.

I like it.   I like the way the rocks and bushes frame it.  I like the way there is no one else to be seen, despite there being a small pack just behind the wave, and quite a few people on the beach.  It gives it a very isolated feel.  Also, if I'd lifted the camera just a bit, there would be quite a few houses on the horizon. 

Still, here's a guy, ace out, about to get shacked.

The pity is the waves doesn't lend itself to too much anticipation.  You know it's going to close out on the guy, and I think this detracts from it being a really cool shot.  Actually, there was a guy who was about to take off on the peak to the left in this shot.  I was POed when he wussed out, but then the other guy came along and almost saved the day.

If you're Cape Town based, you may be able to work out where this is.  It's well known, but I haven't seen it shot from this angle before.  It's one that may need to be explored over the coming months.

I think I'll skip

An endless left on this perfect friday.  I think I'll pass on this one.  why?  you may ask.  well, it's fairly well documented how challenging this wave is.  And you really need to have your A-game on to be able to squeeze the juice out of this desert nugget.  Lest it squeezes the human juice out of your frail tissues.

 
I compare it to a recent article I read: 3 women/waves to fall in love with.  The beachie was the party girl, the girl next door - up for fun.  The slab was the cool bitch - try me if you dare.  The pointbreak was the supermodel - you better know how to impress me because I see jokers like you all the time.  When I'm at the bar and the girl with mile long legs and angelic features walks in, I'm not going to waste my time there.  Some other guy can do all the hard work there.  I know my limitations.  I'll just survey the scene with cool beverage in hand.

Or maybe I should just man the fuck up and dare to live the dream.

Mindsurf this.

This is a little beachbreak around home that I'm quite fond of.  It's well named and often surfed, but in the spirit of things, we wont go further than that.  I've been surfing there for a long time, but on this morning, I stayed dry and behind the camera and tried to capture it in a different light.

The best part about it was seeing the place from a new angle.  I parked at a different spot, walked over the dunes and saw the place differently.  It's great going somewhere familiar, but being able to appreciate it as something else.  The dune plants were looking good after the winter rains and just coming into spring.  The flowering ones were coming on, but what I like about these is they still show it as a cool morning - the last of winter fading as it gives way to spring.

In the 2 hours that I watched this bank roll through, not one toe got wet.  The forecast had been good for the day, so I thought at least a few people would be there.  But, not.  Goes to show, with some free time and bit of petrol money, that uncrowded session you've been dreaming for can be just around the corner.