7 minute read
J-BAY’S EnDLESS SUmmER
Jeffrey’s Bay gets under your skin, writes Nicci Collier – and it’s not only for those whose second skin is neoprene
n 2015, an unbelievable moment played out on live TV: Australia’s Mick
Fanning – at the time, world number two surfer on WSL’s rankings – fought off a great white shark that had bitten through his surfboard leash. Tweets of the J-Bay Open, where the action unfolded, neared 450 per minute. Fortunately, the shark seemed curious not hungry – Fanning punched and swam to safety. He braved the same waters in 2016, riding his
Ibeloved Supertubes all the way to the number one spot on the podium. A year later, he had to be plucked from the waves once more after a threemetre great white was spotted videobombing the line-up.
Fanning’s tale proves how J-Bay gets under your skin. ‘I love the place. Nothing could ever change that,’ he said. ‘That wave is like no other, the people are pure gold and it's maybe my favourite stop on the schedule.’
Making up a section of J-Bay’s famous right-hand point break, ‘Supers’ is rated among the world’s best waves, with 300m of surfing perfection for advanced boardriders. Then there’s Kitchen Windows, Magnatubes, Boneyards, Tubes, Impossibles, Albatross, Point… and a Blue Flag beach for non-surfers there to sample the warm Indian Ocean too. The best time for surfing J-Bay is during the winter months of May to August when the winds are offshore and swells come through more consistently. Despite Fanning’s experience, sharks are not an everyday occurrence; you’re more likely to encounter a pod of dolphins or, in winter, whales swimming by.
The town’s warm welcome extends beyond the waves as well. In the past decade, the relaxed fishing town and surf mecca has developed into one of the fastest growing urban areas in the country. Along with new residents have come trendy new delis, beer brewers (award-winning Brewhaha does a mean burger too, with epic fries or pap and sous to have with your Endless Summer Blond Ale), coffee shops, churches, guesthouses, restaurants and surf outlets. And, less than half an hour out of town, new lodges and eco-estates, where endless tracts of gorgeous green stretch as far as the eye can see.
Of course, there are the old faithfuls too: the famous factory shops of the Surf Village where mega-outlets sell rails and rails of bikinis, boardies, hoodies and everything in between from all the major surf brands, and Andy Thuysman’s InStep – home of the original hug for feet: JBayBoot sheepskin surf boots handmade in Jeffrey’s Bay, plus sheepskin slippers and wildebeest leather vellies. In 1974, Andy started making shoes for the surfers on the beaches of J-Bay, individually tracing the leather to the shape of their feet before cutting and sewing it by hand. Today, customers still say his shoes feel like they were made for them.
And, when you’re done stocking up on clothing, there’s the comforting embrace of lovedby-locals Quitschy’s Pizza, a 100% real-deal Italian restaurant in Ferreira Town. And just nearby, in the Wavecrest Centre, Nina’s Real Food is an institution known for the scrumptiousness of its grub – whether you want something wholesome or sinful, or just want to ogle the surfboards that decorate the slightly bohemian space, you’re in for a treat. Not to mention the chance you’ll be surrounded by surfers waxing lyrical about that humungous wave. Aweh, dude!
J-Bay interrupted
The J-Bay Open has been canned due to third wave fears. But for cycling fans, the Trans Baviaans MTB race makes its way to J-Bay in August. Dubbed the ‘toughest single stage race in the world’, the 230km team cycle marathon starts in Willowmore, ending in J-Bay 24 hours later. transbaviaans.co.za
Play with us
Jeffreys Bay is a world-renowned tourist destination and is especially famous for its beautiful beaches along an approximately 15km coastline. Huge waves and one of the longest right-hand waves in the world makes it an attractive tourist destination. Jeffreys Bay caters for everyone’s budget, from backpacking to 5-star establishments. Jeffreys Bay is well known for a family destination, where memories are made generation after generations. The two main hiking trails, Noorsekloof and Kabeljouws Nature Reserves, are ideal for visitors wishing to enjoy a bit of fresh-air-exercising whilst appreciating one of the few areas where renosterveld trees and shrubs are still intact, as well as other indigenous fauna and flora. Safe travels to Jeffreys Bay, and we would like you to share your memories with us!
• Your journey right from the pick-up point to drop point, we assure you a customer friendly journey with us. • Your journey is expected to be safe and on time. • As we know it, we take care of the qualitative services to our customers. • You journey can be from somewhere to anywhere. • Availability of our services are facilitated thereby. • Your journey needs to be an affordable cost. • We understand the value of money and made it easy to pay.
We do pickups and drops off’s and town tours
Dude, what to do? Where to go?
First, learn to surf
Whether you’re a total beginner or a bona fide barrel-blaster, the coaches at the Jeffrey’s Bay Surf School will guide you to your perfect ride. Learner lessons are at J-Bay’s Blue Flag Dolphin Beach – where you’re protected from any major currents and won’t get shredded to pieces on a rocky outcrop if you fall – while more advanced surfers will up their game at various breaks according to their level of wave-cruising skills. jbaysurfschool.co.za
Plan to see the sights
Want to visit J-Bay’s Shell Museum? And then head to the Kabeljous Nature Reserve for a hike, followed by fresh, line-caught fish at Kitchen Windows? With Riksha Tours’ Open Cart option you can book a colourful tuk-tuk for a full day of exploring. Or, opt for a town tour of the best spots to surf, eat and visit. rickshatours.com
Stay in super style
It doesn’t get closer to Supers than at the Supertubes Guesthouse, with digs ranging from comfy en-suite standard rooms to the luxurious Khaya Zinza villa, directly facing J-Bay’s most famous swell a mere 30m away. Keep an eye on the action in the ‘wave-watch’ room, cook freshly caught fish in an open-plan kitchen, or fire up the coals in the indoor braai area, which leads out to a deck and garden. Moses cooks satisfying breakfasts for guests and there’s even an outdoor hot shower, surfboard racks and a wetsuit dryer. 042 293 2957
Feast like royalty
Jayne Davies cut her culinary teeth learning from the likes of Jamie Oliver and catered for Prince William’s 21st. There is Infood Society, in the Surf Village, which could be in Bali (palm trees and timber; smoothie bowls; falafel; vegan chocolate cake); Infood Coffee Roastery (beach views; great coffee; a killer savoury waffle with eggs Benedict); The Bakery and Deli (craft gins; fresh produce; baked yums; a new lifestyle section; local tribes hanging out); and J Bay Bru Co., a must-visit bar and restaurant with classic surf feels and great food. infood.co.za
Catch your breath
Some 26km from J-Bay, Intle is a romantic nine-room boutique hotel in the bush. Lavish rooms; views of the Baviaanskloof mountains and Indian Ocean; and enfolded by 800 hectares of hills, valleys and thicket. As you hike or cycle the reserve’s trails, there’ll be giraffes in the distance, zebras trotting off. Watch the evening’s last golden rays being cast out to sea as animals drink at the waterhole. Plus: bush picnics, gorgeous stargazing, and J-Bay’s twinkling lights visible, too! intle.co.za
DISCOVER
People. Ideas. Things.
LEAP INTO WINTER
Winter needn’t interrupt your training routine. The last thing you want when you’re training hard and building up a sweat in the middle of winter, though, is feeling your sweat turn cold while it clings to your skin. Take it from this guy, decked out in Under Armour’s new stretch woven shorts and TriBase Reign 3 shoes. Keeping his legs warm and dry? A pair of Iso-Chill perforated leggings – find out how these super-cool tights operate on page 47.
The late, great Mr Bourdain 44 Reads to warm your soul 54
