South Coast
A throwback to the origins of surfing on South Africa’s east coast, the area’s low key nature and the core surfers that inhabit it, reflect what surfing in the country is all about. Described by those in the know as South Africa’s premiere surf zone, the South Coast boasts an overwhelming amount of incredible setups. Known primarily for their sand-bottomed point breaks, the sleepy coastal towns that occupy this region prefer to keep a low profile, enjoying crowdless waves. Just ask Dane Reynolds, a man who chose this zone for SITD, citing the crowd-to-wave-quality ratio as his reason. The only problem; the waves are tricky to find. Thankfully you’ve got us on your side, two men who’ve spent years locating the waves and figuring out what makes them fire. Blessed with empty beaches and empty waves, you’re sure to get your fix when it comes to high quality surf with no one around.
The Waves
Out of respect for the various local crews in the area, we’ll refrain from specifics. What we can tell you is that this region is home to numerous world-class sand-bottomed point breaks. Heavily dependent on sand-bars, the waves in this zone change year on year, and in-depth knowledge of the area is required to ensure you score cooking waves. While it's not always the same, the South Coast is always good, offering a spectrum of waves from hollower, barreling points to slopier, more mellow setups. Exposed to more swell than Ballito, the South coast feels the full force of swells making their way up from the Cape — the one ingredient needed to set the point breaks alight. What’s more, with several options to choose from, and a small, tight-knit group of local surfers, you’re likely to score cooking waves with very few people in the water.
