Skeleton Bay does it again

In early August, a desolate stretch of beach just south of Walvis Bay, usually adorned with a few fishing rods and dedicated fishermen, transformed into a bustling scene of 4x4 vehicles, cameras and enthusiastic surfers. Skeleton Bay, or as it is colloquially referred to, Donkey Bay, surged with intense activity as it delivered waves of unprecedented quality. Local surfers believe these were possibly the best conditions the bay has ever witnessed.

With the ideal conditions in place for this uniquely angled bay to catch swells from winter storms, some of the world’s most renowned surfers promptly booked plane tickets for the chance to ride what is acclaimed as the longest left-hand wave globally.

Among the professional surfers gracing our shores, the legendary eleven-time world champion, Kelly Slater, stood out. Slater’s visit was a swift one, as he was en route to Tahiti for what might mark his final professional contest at Teahupo’o. Having declared his retirement from professional surfing earlier in the year, Slater mentioned that he demolished three surfboards in a single session, with one of them ending up two and a half kilometres down the beach.

Even the well-known World Surf League commentator, Strider Wasilewski, embarked on an extensive sixty-hour journey from Los Angeles to partake in this experience. He shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “Why? This is why… because you only live once, because you love it so much it’s all you think about, that’s why. 60 hrs of travel round trip, the craziest, longest, most barrelling wave ever and a very satisfied, adrenaline-filled soul! The freedom of the desert and the beat down of my body, the greatest equaliser ever, thank you surfing.”

Koa Smith, famous for his 27-second barrel GoPro footage of Skeleton Bay in 2014, was also in the country, alongside fellow surfers Benji Brand, Brett Barley and Jamie O’Brien. In an online video, Smith noted that this was the most crowded he had ever seen Skeleton Bay.

Skeleton Bay's magical transformation welcomed surfers to ride waves of unparalleled beauty and exceptional quality, creating an unforgettable chapter in surfing history.

However, perhaps the most awe-inspiring feat was accomplished by Nathan Florence during an endurance session. Over an incredible span of 11 hours and 50 minutes, he covered a staggering 51 kilometres through a combination of paddling, surfing and walking back up the beach to re-enter the water. Notably, this distance does not even account for the energy expended while paddling against the current and navigating countless waves.

Locals estimated the wave heights to be around 8 to 12 feet, while international surfers gauged them to reach between 12 to 15 feet. Irrespective of the specifics, the prevailing conditions this year created an optimal environment for the legendary wave, known to come to life only a few times annually.

As FlyNamibia launches its new route from Cape Town to Walvis Bay this month, there are now no excuses to miss out on riding the world’s finest wave the next time it graces us. Keep a watchful eye on those weather apps and ensure your surfboard remains waxed and ready to shred.