New wave of interest after beach ban lift

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GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Surfers in Buffalo Bay and Plettenberg Bay have been enjoying a welcome return to the water these past few months, with local instructors even noticing an upturn in interest and participation after the hard lockdown.

During the first few months of lockdown, the country's surfing fraternity suffered greatly as their beloved pastime remained off-limits due to to the closure of beaches. Under lockdown Level 3, beaches remained closed, and only training for surfers registered with Surfing SA (SSA) was allowed.

"It was only under Level 2 that recreational surfing was allowed as beaches reopened, thus allowing everyone to surf again," explained SSA president Robin de Kock, who added that official SSA competitions will likely return from next month.

But instead of interest in the sport dwindling due to the prolonged ban, as one might expect, it has seemingly had the opposite effect, said Clayton Bischoff of Learn to Surf in Plettenberg Bay.

"There's been a lot more people showing interest in the sport now, especially parents of the kids at our academy," said Bischoff. A phenomenon also seen in Buffs, said Matt Schoeman of Learn to Surf's Buffalo Bay branch. "We've not only seen more locals, but outsiders too, with people preferring to break away from the busy beaches in places like Cape Town," he said.

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What frustrated surfers even more was that the beach ban fell over the winter months, typically a period when local waters create more ideal surfing conditions. But according to Schoeman, this can only mean good things in the coming months.

"We should have a busier summer season now, due to the lack of ability to surf during winter," he said.

Schoeman also believes the return to the waves has benefited everyone. "It is so therapeutic being out on the water. Besides the social aspect of being with your surfing buddies again, the healing power it holds is amazing in these times." This sentiment was echoed by Bischoff.

"The power of the ocean is not only humbling, but also incredibly comforting. When you've had a bad day and can round it off with a surf, it's suddenly not such a bad day anymore," he said. "People didn't have that during hard lockdown, and I think it took a toll. So when we could get back out again, it was amazing."

Hugo Berning makes the most of a wave at Robberg 5 Beach. Photo: Blake Linder

Overall, it seems as though local surfing is focusing on the positive side of things, and looking to further the sport not only in CX country, but across the Garden Route.

"SWD has produced great surfers over the years, and even though we are quite a spread-out union unlike places such as Cape Town, we have great young surfers coming through, and the region is powering on," concluded Bischoff.

Brian Salter rides a wave at Robberg 5 Beach in Plettenberg Bay. Photo: Blake Linder