The Friday Mix - Distant Shores Trailer, Erzberg Enduro and California Summer Surf

Welcome to my Friday Mix, fresh from the hi speed bandwidth of the West coast of the USA. It has been a trip having such unfettered and fast internet access and I have been making the most of it. First up check out the trailer for Surfer Magazine's "Distant Shores" film, which will be free to download shortly. Then we have the highlights video from the Red Bull Erzberg Rodeo, the craziest enduro race on the planet. Next up I thought I would show you some summer waves in California, though I have yet to find waves this fun, as the June Gloom bites and the swell continues to be tiny. Enjoy the mix...


 
 

The Friday Mix - XGames, Brian Deegan, Bodyboard and Surf

Welcome to the Friday Mix and this week has a slightly XGames heavy theme, as I am confirmed to attend the event for the first time. Talk about stoked! First up there is the official XGames 2012 teaser, followed by the first "Road to Xgames" with rally and bike hell man, Brian Deegan. After that you get to see the final days action from the IBA World Tour in Arica, Chile. I cannot believe Mike Stewart is still giving it horns in competition. Finally, check out some good vibes from the West Coast Boardriders in Cape Town, as they sponsor a new surfboard for one of their own...

 

 

 

Rolling Retro 2012 - Best Day of the Year

Rolling Retro Smiles - 2012 was amazing! (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

I am sitting at my desk, 4 days after the event and I can't help but smile. The photos, the video, the messages from people who came, the write ups on all the other blogs and websites and of course my pure and joyous memories of the day (Those not addled by all the beer consumed.), all lead up to one simple conclusion - Rolling Retro is the most fun and awesome day on the SA Surf calendar and boy I am proud to be a part of it. A large part of the success must go down to my home and beach of Llandudno. There are very few places where you have such beautiful surroundings, the amazing Lifesaving Club and waves that do not suck! The people, the rad peeps, who came out in their droves, dressed to the hilt and ready to have a good time - they helped to. Then there was the weather, baking hot, hardly a breath of wind and of course the freaky warm water that saw many people surfing in boardshorts and costumes. All of these lead me to one inexplicable conclusion - the Rolling Retro is blessed!



I don't think I have ever seen so many people enjoying the stoke of surfing together for one day in one place. It was hard not to though. With over 40 classic retro surfboards from Vudu Surf to choose from, a heat with just you and your mates being allowed to dominate the line up and gorgeous people everywhere, this was a day made for enjoyment!

Huge thanks must go to the team who assisted with making this event a reality again. Namely Robby McDonald and the Vudu Surf team, Cheo and Arno from RVCA, Roosta, Debi, Amy, Caylin, Sally, Gavin, the Llandusno Lifesavers and community, Dene Botha, Seth and the Red Bull Team, Warbot for the beats, all the photographers and journalists, Paul and troy with theGoodLife and of course you guys, the people who came and made the day what it was. (If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me!)
Sponsors: Vudu Surf, RVCA, Red Bull, theGoodLife, Hurricane, Backsberg, Indo Sole, Wet Sac, Reef Wetsuits, Mrs Palmers

We are seriously looking forward to more great events in the future and of course the return of the Rolling Retro in 2013. Enjoy the photos:

Jordy Smith doing what he does best - Ripping! (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

The viewing Gallery at LDD Lifesaving Club (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

Vudu Surf's awesome Retro Collection. (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

Pottamus the Bull Dog gets in on the action. (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

Llandudno delivering once again for Rolling Retro. (Photo: Ant Fox)

Roosta ripping an old Quad Fin (Photo: Ant Fox)

The beach was packed & covered by RVCA Brollies. (Photo: Johnson)

I was one happy Captain! (Photo: Johnson)

For more photos go check theGoodLife's page for the big Rolling Retro Album - HERE

Crazy Summer

Well, it has been!

How else does one describe a summer where we have had multiple big waves sessions, tubes galore and hardly any gale force winds? Its simply been a crazy summer!

For years the Cape Town surfing fraternity have languished like sharks in a bathtub, just waiting for someone to get in - but almost always the water has been freezing, the wind has howled like a demented dragon and the waves have been small to non-existant! What changed? How did we end up with the exact opposite?

We had a 2 week period in February that could have rated with one of the best periods of surf on the planet! The water was warm - ok, it was warm for the Cape - and guys were getting so tired of being blown out of barrels we all thought they had been for a perm at the hairdresser. Many of the out of towners must have been wondering if they had stumbled upon nirvana, or if the surf press had simply been lying to them about Cape Summers all that time.

What caused it? Gobal warming, El nino, Cows farting the atmosphere away or simply absolutely random weather patterns that the Incas actually predicted before being blown up by aliens. We simply don't know. Will it keep happening? Will the winter still be epic? Again, we simply dont know. 2009 was probably one of the best big wave seasons in history. The guys got more big wave time than anywhere on the planet - this is backed up by the crew dominating every big wave event over the last year. Twig, Greg Long, Chris Bertish and the rest of the crew got more training than the rest of the planet, hence it makes sense that they were more well prepared! But what of this winter - will it happen, or has the unseasonal cooking swells this summer meant that winter will suck?

Who knows, who can tell - perhaps we are in for a glut of waves the entire year. Or, maybe the flatest winter in history. What are your thoughts? Did you score this summer? Let us know!

If you don't believe me about our summer, just check these out:
http://www.zigzag.co.za/db_images/block_images/80x55_7efe1c35ef942adbe080bfc5cd7cd81f.jpg
or
http://www.thebombsurf.com/thebombsurfslideshows/361/fresh-cape-shots
or
http://www.wavescape.co.za/surfing-lifestyle/slide-show.html

Lukka
Captain Kai