(07/14) Showcasing South Africa's most famous left pointbreak, Elands Bay

July 14, 2013

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For many years, the west coast of Cape Town was all about Elands Bay. And if there were any other spots in the area, they were real secrets, kept tight by the local diamond diving surf community. Elands was a little bit inaccessible, and fairly uncrowded back then.
Things changed. Accessibility improved. Surfers (and photographers) discovered all the other surf spots in the area - of which there are many -- and more and more surfers started making the short drive up from Cape Town on day trips for the variety of waves in the vicinity.
Despite nearby discoveries, Elands Bay remains the crown jewel of the area. Discovered by John Whitmore, Elands, or E-Bay as it is commonly known, is oft-referred to as a mirror image of J-Bay. It's not true. Elands Bay has little in common with Jeffreys Bay, apart from the fact that they are both points and are both quite long.
Elands is a long and rippable pointbreak, at times thick with kelp and at other times thick with surfers. It needs a solid swell. If Cape Town is six to eight feet, then Elands will be around three to five feet, and the point maxes out with anything bigger than about six-foot, so do the math. If it does get too big for E-Bay, there are some very good spots within striking distance.
As a wave, Elands has lots to offer. It throws a few tubes over the shelf at times, but is more well known for long, peeling walls allowing multiple hits and carves. It works through the tides pretty much, but enjoys a pushing tide if the swell is bigger. The point is offshore on the prominent southeast wind, and hangs offshore with a southwesterly, and even a southerly is fine. It likes a southwest swell.
West Coast water gets really cold, and the wind can howl up there for days. A good 4/3 is essential, as is a hood. Booties are a good idea as well, if not for the cold water, then for the fairly gnarly (at times) jump off.
To hit it, walk up the point and watch a local jump off. Otherwise, look for the little hook in the point, just before the takeoff area. Time it right and you're in the lineup with your hair dry. On a bigger day you can walk around the top of the point and find a spot to paddle, and just get washed down. If you do this, your head may get cold, as you'll have to duck under a few.
There is a hotel, the Elands Bay Hotel, that offers reasonably priced rooms and good breakfasts. There is also a bar at the hotel where people can watch afternoon sport while having a few dops with the locals.
Elands, like J-Bay, does get exceptionally crowded and was the site of a well-publicized surf-rage incident in 2012. There is also constant tension between surfers and foreign windsurfers and kiteboarders who love the afternoon wind. But there are always windows. Catch it on a weekday with no wind and a surprise local swell, and you'll see what all the fuss is about. --Craig Jarvis.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/surfline-rss-surf-wire/~3/9DLCs1jw9Mg/article_light.cfm

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