Adrian Tregoning

In the beginning of this year I managed to meet up with Michael Schubert from Paderborn, Germany. He was here to do some sort of research for his studies at a hospital near to me and with him being a kayaker, we met up. Not having ever met him before, except via Facebook - it seems that’s a very handy way to network, and meet up with fellow kayakers.

Our first mission was to Noordhoek on 24 February. The forecast was for average sized waves and because Michael was getting a puncture fixed and time was limited I decided to pick him up in town and then drive down to Noordhoek beach. I had never surfed there before so we thought we’d check it out. The ‘Hoek’ as it is known with the bodyboarders, is a seriously hollow spot breaking in the northern corner of the beach. This is too hardcore for kayakers as you’ll land up on the rocks and get seriously hurt. So we went a few hundred metres south into the cold, turquoise coloured waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The water at Noordhoek is almost always this colour, especially when the South-East wind has been blowing. The waves were a lot bigger than what we thought they’d be and although they were mostly closing out we had some fun and took some big beatings.

Michael Schubert surfing at Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa. This was the first time he had ever paddled in the sea, but of course he is an experienced river kayaker.

  Michael surviving the shore break which was quite evil every now and then!

Adrian Tregoning surfing around at Noordhoek. I offered for Michael to use my boat but he was enjoying the Nemesis too much. Photos by Michael Schubert.

Michael with a nice aerial blunt. Michael managing some of the bigger waves that thumped through.

I decided to try my own Nemesis to do some aerial moves but the dumping nature of the waves made life very difficult. Photos by Michael Schubert. Me still at Noordhoek, but in my Nemesis. Photos by Michael Schubert.    

Two days later we hit the surf again. This time the forecast was looking a bit better and we decided to meet up at Melkbosstrand. Tubewaves wasn’t looking great so we drove the few hundred metres north to Corner and surfed mostly off Slabbert se Klippe. There were some very big sets coming through but again, the waves were mostly closing out. Still, we had some fun and finished off the session with some beer and a good lunch.

The day before our Corner session I took these photos at Tubewaves, Melkbosstrand. In case you didn’t know, I’m a very keen bodyboarder too. Damn, I love it!!!

Connor Eastment getting barrelled at Tubewaves. Too bad I messed up this last shot, it would have been a winner! 

Dylan Saville at Tubewaves. Peet Verreynne with some stylish DK (drop knee) bodyboarding at Tubewaves. 

Off Slabbert se Klippe in Melkbos. It was juicin!!!!

Michael Schubert heads out to prove himself in some bigger waves. 

Oh yes, too bad I left my bodyboard at home that day!!! The very rare and endangered African Black Oystercatcher. Less than 5000 birds in the world. Beautiful birds, I love watching them on the beach here at Melkbos when they’re around.

Michael Schubert rides a beast. He came out very happy!

Michael at Corner. 

More of my friends buzzing around.  Michael Schubert loving the waves! What a great day we had!

Adrian Tregoning getting a few waves at Corner. Great fun! Shot for the photos… Photos by Michael Schubert. 

A few days later Michael was nearing the end of his time and so I suggested a hike down the Witte River, possibly South Africa’s finest creek. Because it was March it was ultra low and makes for a good, if not strenuous hike. The water is cold and clear and this hike is known as the Rock Hopper Trail. Once you’ve done it, you’ll realise why it’s called that – there are a lot of rocks…

Michael climbing out of a siphon on the Witte. This is a dangerous but very fun river to kayak in winter here in Cape Town!

Michael diving into the pool above Pilkington Falls on the Witte River. 

Me being me :) Cool photos by Michael.

The bottom of the gnarly rapid known as Double Drop. 

Hope you enjoyed the photos, we certainly enjoyed taking them! Michael returned back to Germany but vows to come back to Cape Town, soon. Another fan of South Africa was born :-)

Photography by: Adrian Tregoning. Unless otherwise stated.
Words by: Adrian Tregoning.