{ISSUE 19 // 2013}
A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM
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COVER IAN KRUGER (ED) @SKELETON COAST // BY SETH PHITIDES
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“TH E S H A P E T H AT H A S GOT T EN ME TO T HIS P O INT IN MY CA R E ER . T R IE D, T EST E D & T RU ST ED”
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Wilder Shultz. @ Camps Bay By Simon Heale
Frame 2 from the cover - Ian Kruger (ED) @Skeleton Coast // by Seth Phitides
In the latest issue of sixty40 we pay homage to the time of the year we all yearn for: Winter. All I ever hear from people is how they can’t wait for summer, and how it’s so cold and they can’t wait to be back on the beach. For me, as I’m sure is the case for most wave rider’s, you just can’t beat winter. Ground swell, missioning, offshore wind’s, camp fires’ and more swell. In this issue we put together the images that epitomise this ethic. We also profile South Coast ripper, Terence Pieters, get the full behind the scenes wrap of the 2013 Tand Invitational that was taken out by Saffa supergrom, Tristan Roberts. PS: This is my first cover and truly a dream within a dream. Seth and I bought a ticket and were on Namibian soil for almost exactly 48 hours before heading home. By the time I landed back in Cape Town it took nearly a week to sink in what actually took place. But I guess that’s what dream’s are all about. The wave pictured is the longest barrel I have ever had, it is in fact probably twice as long as I have ever been barrelled for on a single wave.
ED ~ Ian Kruger
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TERENCE PIETERS AGE 22
WHERE FROM MARGATE BOARDS/FINS STEALTH MCCARTHY/REEF CAVES 41’’ WETSUITS REEF FOCUS CHEST ZIP
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IMAGES AND TEXT BY SIMON HEALE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, TERENCE PIETERS HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY SHOWING OFF ON THE SABA TOUR FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THIS FLYING SQUIRREL FREE SURF, YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY I JUST CALLED HIM THAT. IT’S ABOUT TIME WE DIG DEEP UNDER THE SKIN OF THIS SMALL-TOWN RIPPER AND FIND OUT WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON WHEN NOBODIES LOOKING.
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Introduce yourself to your soon-to-be adoring fans and give them a bit of insight on the biggest achievements in your bodyboarding career so far.
TP
Yeeeewww, as you all know, from the first question, my name is Terence, and I love bodyboarding and everything about it. I’ve been messing around with a bodyboard since I was about 8 and started bodyboarding when I was about 10. My greatest achievement, would have to be this years’ SABA tour, every other year I would do pretty well in 1 or maybe 2 contests but this year I’ve managed to stay really consistent , I’ve made 4 out of 6 finals thus far. I do enjoy winning as much as possible but I think, well I prefer to be consistent, as opposed to winning 1 contest now and again and flopping out in the first heat in all the rest. Of course it would rather be winning every contest but you know what they say, you win some, you lose some, and I do strive to win every contest, or at least most of them.
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02 TP
The best trip, local or international, that you have been on? And what would your dream trip be?
03 TP
Word on the street is that you are a pretty good photographer too. How did that all come about?
Plett wedge and Cape Town for local. Plett, because of the vibe and really enjoyable waves. Cape Town because of the premium waves everywhere and good mates. I really want to go to OZ, the amount of good waves there are in OZ is ridiculous.
I wanted to get into photography at the end of my school years. Being able to take a shot of something that catches your eye and making it last forever, is really amazing, and now being able to do so much more with that opportunity . If you love photography you will know what I mean when I say, there’s nothing too plain or too boring to take shots of because in a photographers eye’s you can see opportunities and possibilities in every subject.
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The Uvongo / South Coast area is a pretty sleepy strip when its compared to the big city living of Durban or Cape Town. How has this influenced who you are, and more so, how you surf?
TP
Being from a small town has definitely shaped who I am today because , I feel more at ease with smaller crowds in surfing and in general, if I surf a crowded break I will always try veer away from the main crowd and surf where there’s less people that are trying kill each other for waves.
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You don't like to boast about achievements at all, being the humble person you are, but here is your chance to set the record straight once and for all. The rumours of you landing a 720 air reverse. True, False or old wives tales from generations past? And if it’s true give us the run down of the day, the set up and how it was pulling the move? Also, have you been working on any other sneaky big moves? The invert reverse? The double backflip? The stone flip?
TP
Haha, ok here we go, no, my friends and strangers, no I haven’t ‘’landed’’ a 720. I think that part was just added on somewhere along the line. I have gone for a few but landing it is the main thing. You know that feeling you get when you take off on a really good wave and down the line is the ramp of all ramps? I had that and was able to attempt the move but I kind of lost sense of direction and lost my board on the landing. Good to have sections like that now and again to allow you to try moves like that. Lots of guys are going for the invert reverse air. I think I’ll try concentrate on getting those down for now.
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What are your goals for the upcoming months/years? Both in and out of bodyboarding?
I’m at the age where a decent job with good pay is a must, preferably a flexible job allowing me to surf as much as possible and hopefully still compete. I really just want to keep bodyboarding for as long as possible. I want to save up enough to do some travelling, get some waves, see new places, meet new people and just travel the globe.
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Do you think you are good enough to be on the IBA world tour? Would you want to be a part of that or do you just love the "pressure-less" side of things?
TP
I don’t know if I’m good enough but I definitely want to give it a go. Try my luck out with the big dogs’ haha.
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For a telephone with no buttons, a bag full of shredded papers, a framed life-size photo of Andrew Raath and a kiss from the ladies that sell fruit and beads at Margate, would you take a 10ft wave on the head at El Fronton?
TP
May bruuuuu Andrew Raath????? A kiss from him and a life sized framed photo and you got yourself a dik laaka deal. I’ll take a 40ft wave on the head, at Cyclopes, at low tide for that, YO!!!!.
So there you have it, Terence Pieters, telling you how it is. Next time you see him paddling out don't you dare blink, not even for a second! I guarantee you will miss him doing something crazy.
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Ericeira, Portugal by Mike Nee
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"...waking up to glorious sunshine and cranking waves is the best start to a day imaginable. A warm swim, a few laughs and an empty or 2 is the best way to finish a day." ~ Chris Clark
@Westbrook by Chris Clark
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"...getting in the water before the sun comes up is the best time of the day to shoot, the colours are awesome and the motion blur ads something different to an otherwise plain shot." ~ Chris Clark
Gerhard Vosloo @Baggies by Chris Clark
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Labenne in Les Landes, France by Mike Nee
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Shane Ackerman Kiama, Australia by Dylan Robinson
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Alan Horton @ Tand by Cobus Bosman
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Manuel Centeno @ Portigal by ZECA PHOTOGRAPHY
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Manuel Centeno @ Portigal by ZECA PHOTOGRAPHY
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Bud Bud, France by Mike Nee
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Bud Bud in the winter, France by Mike Nee
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"This "Particular" day at Cave was all time just about all day for bodyboarders and surfers alike. Steve boosting just after sunrise. Keep reading to see what else he has in his locker one particular day at his home break." ~ Alistair Jones
Steve Du Preez @ Cave Rock by Alistair Jones
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"There were plenty of waves to be had Derek cashed in on barrels and some serious stylish punts like this." ~ Alistair Jones
Derek Footit @ Cave Rock by Alistair Jones
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"From air forwards to inverts to nuggets to air reverses like this. All in a days work hey Stevo?" ~ Alistair Jones
Steve Du Preez @ Cave Rock by Alistair Jones
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"Enjoying the view from a perfect cave, just a few seconds before getting spat out into the early morning sun." ~ Alistair Jones
Steve Du Preez @ Cave Rock by Alistair Jones
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Virgil Ortoli @ Mediterranean Sea, Slab C4 by Cédric Demeautis
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"This place doesn't break very often and needs a big swell to work. But when its working its perfect for bodyboarding, a big right that ends on a massive closeout. On this winter day, conditions were all perfect, great sun, offshore wind and lots of sections to fly. In this shot, one of the locals and one of the most promising bodyboarders Antonio Cardoso takes it directly from the book and shows how to do it." ~ Bruno Aleixo
Antonio Cardoso @ Nazare by Bruno Aleixo
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"If you think, "Damn, that is deep!" You'd be 100% correct! If you think, "Damn, that is deep, there's no way possible he made it" well there you would be wrong. It was one of the longest, well ridden barrels I have seen. He got barreled past that innocent human in the foreground and made it out. " ~ Simon Heale
Ruan De Bruin @Boland Beachie by Simon Heale
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"Andre Botha deep at the horn,on the first wave of the session. This monster was nuts to watch." ~ Ant Fox
Andre Botha @The Horn by Ant Fox
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"Secret spot up the west coast, Henk is such a good bloke, he scored this pit right under Twigs' nose. Twig said later that wave was the bomb of the session." ~ Ant Fox
Henk Esterheyzen @Westcoast by Ant Fox
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"Same session same place‌. Garner is such a mellow cat on land but in the water he's a different animal. Henk and Josh got so many good waves this day. Stoked to have been there and seen it." ~ Ant Fox
Josh Garner @Westcoast by Ant Fox
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"When we pulled up to the spot we could see how much swell was about. We watched the first set unload on the slab and then I looked at Darren's face, he was grinning like pubescent school boy would look at pair of tits. When I finally made the swim out there he said " She Angry Today Jonesy" which was followed by an uncomfortable crackling as a solid lip unloaded on the slab. This wave was the last of the session as it fully dusted us both, pounded Darren into the reef and sent his board to shore alone! Good times!" ~ Alistair Jones
Darren Halse @ Donkies by Alistair Jones
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"Early morning air forward. Steve was obviously just getting loose, because he does these for fun now days and he knew what was coming his way the following day! Stay tuned!" ~ Alistair Jones
Steve Du Preez @ Cave Rock by Alistair Jones
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"Was a pretty bad season of waves and this day everyone was out from local and afar including Jimmy who had road tripped with mates from the east coast. Jimmy collecting a few bombs before the end of a trip." ~ Mark Clark
Jimmy Williamson @Box by Mark Clark
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"We got down and it was a bit overcast and the wind was a touch into it, none the less I decided to grab the housing and mate Mitch just pulled into anything that came through. We had a perfect burst of sunshine for a short while and everything just lined up for us and paid off." ~ Mark Clark
Mitch Botham @South Beach by Mark Clark
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"The sea was a bit rough during the 2013 Tand Invitational so it made life a bit tough for the photographers in the channel, I kept missing potentially amazing shots with the backwash from the rock popping into the frame or just simply being out of position. When I saw Jared take off on this wave I just knew something special was coming so I tried to get into the best position possible just in time to get this shot, he hit the lip perfectly and I managed to get the shot." ~ Alwyn
Jared Houston @Tand by Alwyn Visser
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"I was enjoying another amazing winter offshore morning, taking Surf photos of my friends and other surfers at what is predominantly a very localized surfing spot When these guys came along and managed to score some fairly uncrowded cracking waves. " ~ Scott Mitchell
Wesley Coetzee @South Coast, KZN by Scott Mitchell
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Derek Footit @South Coast, KZN by Scott Mitchell
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Wesley Coetzee @South Coast, KZN by Scott Mitchell
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"A trip to Indo isn't complete without one of these at Uluwatu. If you've been there you know just how awesome that wave can be. Buy a ticket and go , It'll change your life forever" ~ Drew Connor
Drew Connor @Uluwatu by UFO
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Joshua Kleve @Kalk Bay Reef by Eugene van der Elst
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"One of the most committed and explosive DK riders our country has to offer, Peet is always going as big as possible. Whether it be a 2ft beachy or a 6ft Reef, watch him because he will pull something that will leave you going, "whaaaaaaaaaat???" ~ Simon Heale
Peet Verreynne @Westcoast by Simon Heale
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"Henkie dominates this spot, waiting for the biggest and best shaped waves and riding them like it was Mike Stewart at Pipeline. Smooth, powerful, confident and pure enjoyment is everything his riding encompasses." ~ Simon Heale
Henk Esterhuysen @Boland Beachie by Simon Heale
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"A perfectly timed and executed backflip is always a joy to shoot and this was no exception. It gives you the clean, no spray look that throws the senses into overdrive. Watch, practice, execute." ~ Simon Heale
Ian Kruger @Boland Beachie by Simon Heale
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Seth Phitides @Famous, Westcoast by Eugene van der Elst
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Josh Chigome @Kalk Bay Reef by Eugene van der Elst
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Nothing like rocking up to the beach and seeing the waves are cranking, racing down the road and as you get there you see a bomb running across the reef and blowing out like something from Hawaii. Welcome to the slice of heaven we call cave rock. ~ Stephen.
Stephen Du Preez @Cave Rock by Alex Mcgeown
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Nothing better than taking a few of the groms up the coast with you and seeing them shred! Both Rufus and I were well impressed this day. Here's Ian pulling into yet another drainer when there were banks! ~ Jarret
Ian Viljoen @Gas Chambers by Jarret Johnson
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Australia by Jordan Barta
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David Selby Australia by Jordan Barta
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David Selby Australia by Jordan Barta
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"There is something magical about a West Coast sunrise. The warm offshore breeze. The bright orange light on the water as the first sun-rays hit it. That pure stoke when you see it going off, you look at your friends and all bolt off at full pace to change and get out there as soon as you can. To be the first one to enjoy one of those glorious pits. Everyone who has travelled the West Coast knows what I mean. Take a look at this picture, be transported to days gone by and days to come." ~ Simon Heale
@Westcoast by Simon Heale
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Nicki Gericke @Outerpool, Mosselbay by Simon Heale
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WORDS CHRIS VAN DER WESTHUYZEN
Rated as “hands down the best event in South Africa” by Jared Houston, the Tand Invitational this year once again succeeded in showcasing top-quality boogie action. Competing in the third annual Tand contest was sixteen of the country’s most experienced and talented riders including homegrown international stars, local SABA champions, up-and-coming grommets and, of course, some underground West Coast rippers. Given the impressive pool of bodyboarders and the promising wind and swell predictions for Wednesday, 26 June, spectators at Tand were guaranteed to be blown away by the riders’ performances in the water. 107
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The contest kicked off in big, testy conditions. For most of the morning a slight bump tainted the 4-6 feet sets, demanding expert control from all sixteen quarter-finalists. Still, riders managed to earn high scores. Throughout the first round, there were plenty perfectly executed backflips, inverts and ARS’s, making it very difficult for contestants to earn a spot in the semi-finals. A victim of this fierce competition was Andrew Raath, who missed the cut-off for the semis by a measly 0.6 points despite his highscoring flip-to-roll combination. Judges and spectators were particularly impressed with the barrelriding skills of Rupert La Grange. The Tand veteran showed perfect control as he navigated his way through the biggest and fastest barrels of the day. Rupert, who eventually placed fourth in the final, says he mastered the wave back in 2005 when he and AndreHugo van Zyl made regular trips to the secluded spot. “We surfed Tand practically every weekend for two years, all by ourselves,” says Rupert. “This was about four years after Neels Smit and the guys first discovered the place in 2001.” At the Tand Invitational 2013, it sure wasn’t long before people were reminded of the wave’s raw power. Seconds into the first heat of the day, Jason Fowler lost his board after getting pumped by a whopping closeout. Luckily for Fowler, old mate Josh Kleve volunteered to rescue his board, only to be duped by karma when a monster set snapped his own leash in the semi-finals.
STARTING AT TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE // JOSH KLEVE BY KYLE MOSETIC [1] MICHAEL 'RATT' OSTLER AND DEON MEYER (MC) BY SIMON HEALE [2] ANDRO BY COBUS BOSMAN [3]
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TRISTAN ROBERTS BY KYLE MOSETIC EMPTY BY COBUS BOSMAN
By the start of the semis the morning bump had disappeared, the sun was out and Tand started to really turn on. The eight remaining contestants were able to milk wave after wave. Standout rides included Jared Houston’s slick spin in the pit and flawless aerial manoeuvres by Michael Ostler, Marc McCarthy and Tristan Roberts. The clean conditions prompted several fans and photographers to paddle out to the channel for the perfect side angle to capture all the action. Jared, who won the Tand Invitational in 2011 and 2012, describes the final at this year’s contest as one of the most fun heats he’s ever surfed. “The flotilla of guys shooting and hooting each rider on was awesome and really is something truly South African,” he said. “You've gotta love this place.” In the early afternoon it was time for the final heat. With a first place prize of R20 000 up for grabs, Rupert, Tristan, Jared and Andre-Hugo went all out to impress the judges. On the mike was Deon Mumbles Meyer, who kept the Red Bull-charged crowd entertained and upto-date with the judges’ scores. Early on in the 30-minute heat it seemed Jared had sealed the deal for a third victory. Within the first five minutes he managed to pull off a forward spin in the pit and a massive invert, earning him 9.0 and 7.73 respectively. However, the heat was still far from over. About mid-way through 16-year-old Tristan busted a huge aerial manoeuvre with a twist so unique that no one could tell whether it was in fact a backflip or a reverse air. Regardless, the ride earned him a 7.83. 113
JARED HOUSTON BY KYLE MOSETIC
“I knew I had to go all out if I wanted to beat Jerry’s two opening waves,” said Tristan. And so he did. Later on in the heat the wunderkind drew wild applause from spectators on the beach when he clinched a stunning air reverse out the bowl. The move scored 10s across the board and moved Tristan up into first place. That was it. After counting down the last seconds of the heat, Deon Mumbles announced Tristan’s victory. Fans, friends and family gathered round to greet the finalists as they came in for the awards ceremony on the beach. First up was the traditional “Shaggy’s Choice” award, a prize for any non-finalist who provides the “Wow!” factor of the day. This year’s award went to Adam Morley, whose epic nose-dive in the quarter-final cost him a proper Tand beating. Finally, Tristan was crowned the new Tand champion. Having surfed Tand only three times before the contest, he said he was super stoked with his victory and very grateful for the support of his friends and family. "Winning this event was a life changing experience for sure. The level of riding was ridiculous and the supporters motivated us through every heat.” Tristan said he planned to use his prize money to fund his travels to Portugal for the Sintra Pro in August. Jared, who placed second overall, congratulated his challenger and said South Africa could expect to see big things from the young Onrus local. “Tristan is streaks ahead of the other 16-year-old bodyboarders in the world. I'm calling a Tanner McDaniel v Tristan Roberts rivalry in the coming years.”
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STARTING AT TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE // TRISTAN ROBERTS BY KYLE MOSETIC [1] TRISTAN ROBERTS BY COBUS BOSMAN [2] RUPERT LE GRANGE BY KYLE MOSETIC [3]
Jarret Johnson, one of the main organisers of the Tand Invitational, said he was unbelievably stoked with how the event has evolved since its inception in 2011 and thanked everyone who helped make it possible. “If I had to compare this year’s Tand to the one back in 2011, it’s like the difference between chalk and cheese. And nothing would have been possible without the help of everyone behind the scenes, from the riders, judges and sponsors to the parents, girlfriends and siblings.” The Tand Invitational looks set to become a popular tradition in the contest scene of South African bodyboarding. With the undying energy of those passionate about the sport, this one-of-a-kind event will continue to reach a global community of wave-lovers. No doubt everyone is already looking forward to seeing what next year has in store.
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BLAST FROM THE PAST
Taken about 10 years ago at Durban with a film camera. Rider ~ Unknown Image by Chris Clarke
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