For some, surfing is just a fun water sport to take part in now and again, for others, it’s a lifestyle. It’s more than simply getting in the water and riding the first wave. It’s like therapy. With surfing, you can take your time clearing your mind and body of any and all negative energy and simply enjoy life in the moment. Simply letting go while calmly sitting on the azure waters of the Mother City is a feeling only a surfer knows.
We decided to have a chat with our surf instructors at Stoked on why they choose to surf, how they started, and what their favourite surfing spots are in Cape Town and other parts of Africa.
Stoked Surf Guide & Instructor: Michelle
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
18 years
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
I love surfing various spots along the West Coast for two reasons — there are plenty of lefts (and I am a goofy-footer) and the quiet, sparsity of the coastline is food for the soul.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
Muizies (nickname locals love to use for Muizenberg) is always a great way to start surfing. The water is often a few degrees ‘warmer’ than the Atlantic, the waves are generally gentle and the ocean bottom is sandy.
However, Big Bay can also offer really fun learning conditions — one just needs to be sure not to venture there when the swell is too big, as it can then be a bit of a rough ride for beginners.
The key to improving one’s surfing is to not get ‘stuck’ surfing easy waves and to progress out of your comfort zone to other more challenging spots (with guidance from a more skilled friend or coach of course) as your surfing improves.
Where Did You First Surf?
I first stood up on a wave in Muizenberg on my friend’s Dad’s home-made board from the ’60s wearing a wetsuit from a similar era. Needless to say, that first wave changed my life forever… I soon quit my job to work and travel around the globe surfing amazing places.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
A wave on the South Coast of KZN. The spot needs a few factors to be in sync to produce incredible, rippable waves from the right phase of the moon, perfect amount of sand, a very specific swell direction and swell height and light offshore winds. I have been lucky enough to score it for two years in a row. And look forward to getting back up there again soon.
Stoked Surf Guide: David
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
40 years
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
The reefs around Kommetjie because of the varied and exciting waves they offer.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
An uncrowded beach that suits their surfing level which would provide the best chance for maximum waves and stoke.
Where Did You First Surf?
My earliest memories of standing up on a board were ‘skurfing’ behind my Dad’s boat on the Keurboomsriver in Plettenberg Bay over December holidays at the age of 6 years old. Since then, it’s been 40 years of many waves across West and East Coasts of South Africa.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
Not telling… but somewhere where I would only take one or two surfing buddies to enjoy the incredible waves and the solitude.
Stoked Surf Instructor: Jack
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
40 years
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
The reefs around Kommetjie because of the varied and exciting waves they offer.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
An uncrowded beach that suits their surfing level which would provide the best chance for maximum waves and stoke.
Where Did You First Surf?
My earliest memories of standing up on a board were ‘skurfing’ behind my Dad’s boat on the Keurboomsriver in Plettenberg Bay over December holidays at the age of 6 years old. Since then, it’s been 40 years of many waves across West and East Coasts of South Africa.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
Not telling… but somewhere where I would only take one or two surfing buddies to enjoy the incredible waves and the solitude.
Stoked Surf Instructor: Jack
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
I started surfing when I started my last year of primary school. That was in 2013 so around 7 years ago. But I do surf almost every day so that’s why it feels like I’ve been surfing my entire life!
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
My favourite spot is DEFINITELY Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay. The wave is so perfect and so fast that the thrill is amazing.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
I think Muizenberg is the perfect wave for beginners because you can get a long ride and the wave is very easy to surf. Everyone loves Muizenberg no matter their surf level.
Where Did You First Surf?
My first experience surfing was at Muizenberg. I had an 8ft minimal and I could catch any foamy I wanted and could ride the wave because of how stable the minimal was.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
Last year I had the opportunity to venture down the south coast of KZN. The waves down there are insane and there are so few people in the area. Also, another bonus is how warm the water is compared to Cape Town. I am really excited to go back there and try some other waves in the area.
Stoked Surf Instructor: Henri
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
I’ve been surfing regularly for approximately five years now.
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
Tofinho Beach in Mozambique.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
Any beach that is easy and spacious, as long as they abide by the surf “law” they’ll have fun.
Muizenberg is a good spot!
Where Did You First Surf?
At my grandparents’ beach house when I was about 10 years old in Kleinmond.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
It’s a town in Mozambique I stayed in for about two years called Tofo and they have a couple of good spots there.
It has everything from absolute beginner to advanced and even pro. It’s tropical water, so nice and clear and warm! The locals there are super welcoming and it’s just an absolute sick spot to surf.
Stoked Surf Instructor: Gabe
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
10 years
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
There’s a slab out on the east coast with two-barrel sections and plenty of space to do turns. Graveyards need a spring high and can work on almost any size. Definitely my best wave yet.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
Muizenberg, Cape Town is an amazing mellow wave where beginners have plenty of time to stand and still get space to ride. There are a couple of others but nothing else quite compares.
Where Did You First Surf?
My first surf was at Robberg Beach, Plettenberg Bay. My mate’s dad had a board at the beach and asked if I wanted to give it a go.
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
My favourite waves must be on the Wild Coast, super isolated with only a couple of cows and crayfish to keep us company. It’s all about the mission getting there, through rough roads and rural villages early on a cold morning, to jumping into warm Indian Ocean water infested with sea life everything from sea turtles to whales.
Watching endless lines run empty for hundreds of meters down toward the beach and getting to experience this with only a few best mates. It’s gotta be my favourite way to surf!
Stoked Surf Instructor: Tam
How Long Have You Been Surfing?
+-10 years
What’s Your Favourite Spot?
Muizenberg — I think it’s misrepresented as a crowded beginner spot among the surf community when really it’s the best longboard wave in CPT.
Where do You Think New Surfers Could Have the Most Fun?
Muizenberg — even a bad day is a good day!
Where Did You First Surf?
Big Bay — surf movies got me itching to become a surfer, so I bought a board, took it out by myself, watched an instructor give a lesson and tried to copy that — the waves were ankle-high and I surfed on my knees but that was enough for the surf bug to bite!
What’s Your Favourite Off-the-Beaten-Track Wave to Surf and Why?
I mostly surf popular spots but for the sake of answering the question I’ll mention I once surfed Small Bay — this is surprising as it never gets waves except for one rare day that a friend and I were lucky enough to come across a small rolling wave at sunset.
Seems like our instructors fell in love with local waters and have been riding waves almost their whole life. Now it’s your turn.
If you’d like to experience surfing waves at local beaches like Muizenburg or Big Bay feel free to book your next surfing lesson with Stoked School of Surf. We offer both private and group lessons, your preference. Get in touch with our Stoked surf team and book your spot to start learning how to surf on beautiful Cape Town waves.