Nostalgic Nights

My younger, bigger brother is with me (well he is actually fast asleep on my bedroom floor at the moment) but he flew over the large pond from the Yankee side of the world to come to South Africa, to come see me.

Our days have been leisurely and lovely – with the Billabong Pro having off days the past two days it has allowed me to give my full attention to Kellen (and Gunner his mate who joined him for this African adventure). Yesterday, their first day here in Jbay was quite chill – showing them around the town and teaching them as much as I could about South African culture.

While today got off to a chill start, and a walk to the beach this afternoon - it was topped off at the lion park (which was amazing) and then we drove onward to PE for the premiere of Soul Surfer (that we, CSA, were hosting) that went amazing as well. So our time in the sunshine has been enjoyable and relaxing so far.

But my time in the night may be my favorite with my little brother. We grew up sharing a room for years, with our bunk beds we would always stay awake late into the nights, either laughing or annoying one another. And now here I find us – sharing a room, again – ages 22 and 21 and on the other side of the world. On the other side of life.

These night times definitely bring me into a bit of a nostalgic state, so thankful for my childhood, for my family, for my brother. Kellen and I both have a ridiculous habit of sleep talking – sleep talking a lot and quite loud actually. So the first night with my American brother in my African home consisted of us waking one another up with our random dreamy bursts and both of us shooting up in our beds, talking in our sleepy state to one another or to ourselves; I guess we’ll never know. A habit formed because of our late night shenanigans as kids; possibly.

And night two didn’t necessarily give me nostalgia for those past childhood days – or make me reminisce on the attributes my brother and I share. But it made me thankful for the people we are today and for the friendship we have developed. Sharing our hearts we talked about life and things we don’t tell others and then to cap off our ‘goodnight-sleep tights’ we prayed (just like those childhood days). But instead of it beginning with ‘now I lay me down to sleep…’ it began with a little more maturity, a little more vulnerability.

I love South Africa. I love surfing. But those things do not match up to the love I have in my heart for my baby brother. I want him to be on every adventure I take for the rest of my life, I want him to have the best and nothing less, I want to know his entire heart and bear all of his burdens.

But for tonight I will sleep soundly – because I am warm in my African home after a day of playing with lions and I have my brother sound asleep right by my side.

Road, show me africa

And so it has carried on. The days have continued, never stopping even in the midst of trials, tribulations, challenges, pleasures, beauty – anything can happen, from death to birth and I feel as if it all has happened within these last 6 months. And none of the events, the occurrences, the people – have made time stop or slow down.

Roy (CSA’s national director, my boss, the man who lives in the flat above me with a beautiful wife & two insane blonde children) had an idea to do a Road Show, to travel up and down South Africa’s coast line – visiting Son Surf clubs, encouraging leaders, running surf competitions and showing Christian surfer films. As the planning went along, more and more holes began to open up, causing a hectic planning period far from the ideal ‘Road Show’ event. Everything, from no vehicle to massive waves, to awful weather, to a tight budget – created an experience I think none of our staff will forget: the first ever trial run for South Africa’s Road Show Tour.

Our first stop was Mossel Bay, a place known for sharks and a rad downtown vibe and great history. So we headed west on the garden route our team split into 3 different vehicles, with another vehicle headed east from Cape Town to meet us. We arrived in cold rain and mammoth size waves. Just in time though to head down the stairs to the basement of a local surf shop where we had our first event: a Son Skate jam session. I think we were all surprised and stoked at how well this event turned out, loads of kids with a couple great skaters who grinded the small ramp and a couple beginners who left snot stains at the bottom. With loads of skating and prizes to hand out we had a blast and then closed our evening with showing the groms the ‘Walking on Water’ dvd and launching CSA’s new ‘When a Surf/Skater gets saved’ promos.

The next day – the surf competition day – was cancelled due to messy, massive waves. So free day for the staff. Had sushi at a pub and a family-vibe night at the house we stayed at. The next day we made it to church, where Roy preached, then headed to the beach for some lunch, sun and surf before getting back on the road to head back to Jbay. And as we headed east, so did the rain.

A few days passed and we were back on that African tar, this time we had 3 cars – one, the one I was in, was myself and 6 men. So all seven of us packed like sardines made the drive to East London. The EL weekend couldn’thave gone more perfect, Friday night we had the opening function – with Janie Bay as entertainment and food and filling in on Saturday’s event.

Saturday the sun shone all day, giving us an American spring day in this south African winter. All day long the sun shone, the waves came in and the surfers had a blast, it was a perfect surf competition – with everything running smoothly and everyone smiling. That night we had the prize giving and the closing function, filled with coffee and chatter to top off the sharing of the gospel and the prize awards. A perfect day followed by a perfect Sunday – off to church (by the way this was a small local church with the entire back wall as a giant window which overlooked a beautiful river and large hills – a beautiful scenery to worship in) after church we had a relaxing Sunday afternoon, filled with naps, walks, surfs, and some rain just in time for our braai.

Monday to Thursday we called the Mdumbi Backpackers home. With tribal huts as our sleeping domain and a small café to keep us out of the noon rain.

I’ve been up South Africa’s entire west coast, up to the northern border – and it was indeed beautiful. And this, the eastern cape, the Transkei can’t really be compared to that, because it was so gravely different in sight and culture but it was indeed just as beautiful. We had to take our 4x4 up and through the back roads, through the gravel and dirt that was dispersed around the pot holes. Taking these barely made roads, we traveled through mountains to get to the top of the Mdumbi. There our backpackers sat, just barely separated from the local tribes and indeginous lifestyle that still exists there. In our little huts we could overlook the sea below, as the hills climbed on forever so did the swells in the ocean’s tide. Every day was full of surfing for part of our group and every night was full of conversation by the fire side that filled our indie, hippie wood carved café with smoke. And every night the stars came out to dance, so glorious and bright and innumerable.

So there’s the outline – just the outline as to what our little adventure of a road show looked like. But within this outline there were many things that happened, many and a plenty things that made this trip unique to the individuals on it and the people we met along the way. So next to come: some colour for this picture.

This picture was taken in Mossel Bay - just around the corner from where our surf competition would have taken place.

This is the judges stand for the East London 'Jesus Retro' surf competition

The roads we took through the Transkei to get to Mdumbi & the backpackers we stayed at

And this is where we surfed - and the beach I ran along in the morning - in Mdumbi