Johnny Bakker new Surfing South Africa prez – Featured Blog

“On behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders family, we would like to congratulate Johnny Bakker on being elected as the new President for Surfing South Africa.
 
Johnny, your enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to the sport of Surfing is really appreciated by the district in which you reside. Since you first joined EP Surfing in 2008 you have been a hard working, hands on, loyal and a positive member of our Executive committee. For the past couple of years, you have been part of the SSA Board and we as NMB Surfriders, are proud of the work you do nationally.
 
You truly deserve this and we know you will continue to head SSA together with your Board of Directors and General Manager, in a successful and professional manner  to ensure that Surfing continues to grow in SA.

Congratulations and Good Luck – you have made us very proud !!!!!!!”

Regards,

Shirley Fairall
NMBS Secretary

ML – Yip, no doubting Johnny has served both EP and SA Surfing way and beyond the call of duty. Ou is dedicated beyond belief and puts plenty of hours in behind the scenes, making the missions to ensure everything runs smoothly. Well deserved appointment!

​Everyone owes him a wave (or ten!)

Thursday was the day. Absolutely perfect conditions, hardly a breathe of wind, coupled with some super fun lil waves coming through. There were some lully periods, but for the most part there were really lekker waves. Just had to apply a bit of lateral thinking when the spring highs killed off the normal spots.

Not to be outdone by the waves, the sunset decided to put on it’s best show of the year. Ou’s reckoned they nearly rear-ended cars they were so busy checking out the spectacular display. For all the challenges of Africa, nothing can beat our sunsets.

Rincon local Gavin Rother has been having a blast on his new twin finned mini-simmons, and decided to see how it handled something a bit meatier than the usual PE lumps n bumps. Looking like it didn’t mind the Car Park section at Supers at all. 

On the subject of meaty – Lippie’s new board is glassed and ready to go. Be afraid, be very afraid! Nothing like having Big Dave bearing down on you to part the line-up like the Red Sea. That…or stay put and get sliced in half. Ou’s wondering when he’s gonna get a paddle for it…..
​(8ft x 26 1/4 x 4 1/4!)

Steve Sawyer had a lekker gig at the Roof Garden Bar on Wednesday night. Local longboard style-meister Dean Simpson on drums, and Chaim Simmons kicking in (showing he has tunes as well as tube-ability). Plenty of amazing local musical talent in the Eastern Cape.

Ricky Bobby had the chance to get funky on Mick Fannings home-made sled during the week. Looks like a heap of fun with those keel fins and massive channel. Probably over-clock the speedo on your Search watch for sure.

Ex-PE’ian Garth Venter snapped this shot of a rad coffee cup in West Aus. Looks like not only do they have good surf in WA, they like to stick it on their coffee as well. Nice! Donovan McLagen – reckon Urban Express should start doing cups like this!?

Weather looking laaaaaank hectic for the start of the week. Be interesting to see if it does actually klap us as badly as predicted. Weather peeps have over-called a few systems this year, so wait n see. A big front from the west bonks into a big front from the east, and may result in some cut-ff low mayhem. If the winds just play ball could be some really good waves too! East groundswell is a precious thing!

Saw this pop up on my newsfeed during the week. Jacques Ferreira snapped a classic kid’s book – cos hey, how could you not want your lighties to learn their ABC’s from a surfing raccoon!! Not sure if available in SA, but zip over to Fogarty’s in Walmer Park and they should be able to order one for you (and grab Hagen Engler’s new book whilst you there too!) Suddenly bed-time reading to the groms won’t be such a schlep!

Pokeman Go has everyone’s attention this week. He was even spotted at Surf Centre, Josh Kidd got to give him a pat on the head! Haven’t spotted any on the beach yet – so shoot us a pic if you catch one there!

Finally got the Hilti and nails out and popped up our 2 lekker paintings by JBay surf artist Stephen van der Walt up in the lounge. Lekker to have some bright waves up, at least get to look at surf even if there isn’t any out the front window!

At least winter threw us a bone this week, as Thursday didn’t disappoint. Here’s hoping it keeps up the good work and gives us more waves this week.