It was a sunny, windless, bikini-cladding day when I confirmed my first surf lesson at Muizenberg, Cape Town. Lifestyle Surf Shop’s Facebook page even bragged about “golden hours all day”. But when I woke the next morning to the wind punching trees at 40km/hour, I knew Murphy was sniggering behind the scenes. Driving out to “the Berg”, the sea was as choppy as the Karate Kid preparing stir fry. A quick check on Lifestyle’s wall confirmed it was “a crash between a bubble bath and a hurricane”. My luck.

Still, I set out to discover why surfers only have one sense of direction: to the beach.

Moms on Board

I’ve always loved the laid back surf culture and have wanted to learn to surf for over 15 years. I finally had my chance when my friend Emma introduced me to Moms on Board. Lifestyle Surf Shop sponsors these fab ladies to surf together every Tuesday morning.

Founder, Geathe Sinclair Langridge, explains, “Moms on Board is an encouraging event to uplift women. I am a mother of 3 boys and I know how it feels to be lonely, tired, depressed, and to feel the pressure of being a good mother. I believe we need to do something for ourselves that makes us feel good. We need to oil our own lamps first before we can help others. Surfing has always uplifted me and it’s healthy so I wanted to bless others with this beautiful experience.”

Surfing 101

Honestly, I was more nervous about donning a wetsuit than a potential shark encounter. No one ever raves about how easy it is to get into or how flattering it is on your tube of mommy-tummy. But it wasn’t so bad! Kitted up, I battled my board through the blasting onshore winds and narrowly avoided a black eye.

I expected to spend half the session pretend paddling on the sand. But I just jumped on the board 3 times before they told me I was Goofy (shot guys!). Actually, “goofy” means I stand with my right foot in front, as opposed to “regular”. Black shark flags up, we waded into the water (a warm 21,8°C) knowing we wouldn’t spot a shark unless an orchestra popped up playing the Jaws soundtrack.

Most of the moms have only surfed a couple of times, so I was relieved that I wasn’t about to impersonate a drowning cat in front of bronzed pros. I could relax, have salty water spray up my nose, and not worry about how unfabulous I looked spitting it back out again.

“The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun.” – Phil Edwards

A combo of inexperienced paddling and bad waves that tackled each other beneath the surface made it difficult to catch the first swells. But I soon got it right. It was exhilarating to have no concern for daily issues that plague your mind. The whipping wind, crashing waves, and occasional shriek of someone wiping out blurred into a static noise that enhanced the strange feeling of being alone yet in good company.

The call for last wave came too soon and I was determined to ride this one standing. Emma said to leave any double ups (most common waves in these conditions it seems), so I waited for a good single swell. I paddled hard (more of a flappy arm at this stage) and when I felt the wave boost me forward I jumped on (there was some knee involved), stood up (wobbled), and rode out to the beach like Jack and Rose on the bow of the Titanic (arms flailing). Perfect!

I felt like a super surfer! As my friend Jo put it, “I go into the water feeling like a beached whale and come out feeling like the sexiest chick on the beach”.  Surfing has a mystical way of washing the weight of the world from your shoulders.

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” – John Kabat-Zinn

Why Muizenberg?

Muizenberg is “Surfers Corner” for good reason. Tucked in the elbow of False Bay, the gentle sloping sandy beach and consistent waves make Muizenberg one of the safest and most user-friendly beaches in the world for beginner surfers.  The surf is good all year round and you’ll struggle to find Muizenberg surfer-free. But the north-westerly winter winds create an ideal swell with gentle lines and long rides.

Shark Awareness

False Bay is notorious for sharks, but according to Shark Spotters Project Manager, Sarah Titley, the only attack at Muizenberg was in 2004. There was another attack nearby at Sunrise beach in 2006. Employing the only warning system of its kind in the world, Shark Spotters keep a close eye on the ocean from an elevated position on Boyes Drive. When they spot a great white cruising around, they blast the sirens and send out alerts on social media. Sarah encourages the public to learn the flag system and to speak to the spotter on duty about recent shark activity and safety precautions.

Shark Spotter Flags

Green: Spotting conditions are good.

Black: Spotting conditions are poor.

Red: High shark alert. A shark has been spotted in the last hour, but you may enter the water at your own risk.

White: Don’t be misled by thinking white is safe. A shark has been spotted!

Learn to Surf

Muizenberg has several surf shops that offer lessons and rent out equipment.

• Lifestyle Surf Shop has a comprehensive range of learn-to-surf packages to suit all ages, genders, and abilities. Get your friends together and take advantage of their family and group rates!
• Xpression specialises in SUP (stand up paddle) board and surf lessons.
• Gary’s Surf School is the oldest surf school in South Africa. They offer 2-hour surfing lessons, full day equipment rental, surfing parties, and corporate events.
• Learn 2 Surf offers private or small group lessons, weekly after school lessons, children’s parties, and corporate team building events.
• Roxy Surf School. Become a member of the surf club and receive half price on all your surfing equipment hire.
• Surf Shack offers a variety of surf lesson packages.
• Cass Collier Surf Academy offers daily surfing lessons operated by big wave surfing champion, Cass Collier.

Check out The Corner Surf Shop’s live webcam of the Berg’s waves.

Grab a bite

We enjoyed pre-surf cappuccinos at Empire Café and ended the session at Knead, but there are other eateries to fill that whale-sized post-surf appetite.

• Knead has a sit down or quick take away option for people on the go. But you’d probably enjoy the sea views, so sit tight and enjoy a cuppa.
• Empire Café is on York Road, just across the railway tracks and easily accessible from Main Road.
• Yoffi Falafel is a friendly gem on the corner of the beachfront brasseries.
• Luckyfish & Chips on the beachfront will satisfy your salty cravings if you haven’t gulped enough sea water already.
• Gaslight Café is next to Lifestyle Surf Shop and although it looks rustic on the outside, you’ll find good food at reasonable prices.
• Primi Piatti (on the other side of the Lifestyle Surf Shop) is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Lagerchinos has a family-friendly garden setting on the corner of Beach Road, as you enter Surfers Corner.
• Majestic Café on Beach Road is Muizenberg’s oldest shop where you’ll find local fast food favourites like the Gatsby.
• Sirocco ice-cream kiosk – ‘nuff said.

After only an hour in the water, I’m already fighting the gripping waves of addiction and can say with confidence that a surfer’s life is swell!

Do you surf? Where did you learn?

Moms on Board photos courtesy of Geathe Sinclair Langridge