Last week the Quicksilver ‘Get Free’ surfing competition was held at Bronze Beach here in Umhlanga, and we just happened to be there to capture some of the action. These fantastic photos were taken by hubby, who unlike myself, is able to hold the camera as steady as a rock.
Umhlanga Rocks is well known for having some of the best waves for surfing in the country.
I marvel at how these guys manage to stay on their boards. Maybe they’re super-glued to their feet. 🙂
I was wondering how long ago it was since man discovered surfing as a sport, and was amazed to read that way back in 1779, after Captain James Cook had been killed by Hawaiians, Lt. James King who assumed command of his ship ‘The Discovery’, wrote two whole pages in Capt. Cook’s journal, describing surfboard riding as practised by by the locals at Kealakekua Bay on the Kona coast of the Big Island. Surfing was already an ancient Hawaiian tradition, and is thought to date back to the 4th century AD.
photo courtesy of Bishop Museum archive.
This post is linked to this week’s ‘Photo a Week’ challenge, which calls for action shots.
Wishing you all a great action-packed weekend.
Oh, we miss those big waves.
Yes, I imagine that you do. They are tremendous to watch.
Those are some amazing action shots Sylvia! I wasn’t aware surfing as a sport dated back to the 17th century!
wonderful photos- there is such grace in surfing
Thanks, Lisa. I so agree with you. 🙂
Totally rad!
Thanks, RoSy. 🙂
Schitterende actie photo’s.
Thanks, Marylou. Glad you enjoyed these. 🙂
how amazing to be so close to all that action. living on a great lake, we see “transplants” from California , trying to surf on the lake on High Wind days.. yes it is pretty comical , but never seeing up close like you, it does draw a hugh crowd..
your Husband did an awesome job.
Thanks so much, Kathy. I’m sure you have fun watching the would-be surfers on your lake. 🙂
Well.. It’s interesting 😉 I’d love to one day see a comp. on the ocean
What a wonderful event to see. But what I like most about your Umhlanga photos is the ships on the horizon. Takes me back to my childhood. I could watch the ships for hours.
Thanks for your comment. I saw those ships every day for 15 years, when I looked out of my bedroom window. I do miss them.
I can imagine how much you miss them, but it’s good you can get back to see them from time to time.
A big sport here in Cornwall of course Sylvia, super photos and some very interesting history to boot! 🙂
Thanks, Adrian. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Fantastic shots, Sylvia. So difficult to catch people in motion, your husband did it perfectly. love every one of them! 🙂
Thanks so much, Giana. Hubby is great at catching difficult shots. 🙂
Great images. I think I once mentioned that my son was rescued there during an ill fated surfing attempt – not a place for amateurs! What a fascinating illustration from ancient Hawaii – you so rarely see people at play in old illustrations.
Surf is one of the things I miss when I am here in Italy. I grew up near a great surfing beach and I love it.
wonderful history!! great images!
Thanks, Cybele. So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
I also have a few issues holding that camera still, Sylvia 😉
I absolutely love surfing – growing up on the beach it was my favorite pastime (watching those gorgeous boys!) 😀
Hahaha. Lucky you, growing up near the beach. Maybe if I had, I would be more of a water baby, instead of a ‘water wuss’. 😀
Great shots taken by your husband Sylvia , of course I’m sure you told him when to click 😉
A mighty strong surf there … I really do admire their skill .
Much time spent bobbing and waiting for THE wave I’m sure , but when it happens – it must be thrilling !
Thanks, Poppy. I’ll pass on your compliment to ‘hubby of the steady hand’. 🙂 I must admit that surfing does look very thrilling, but far too thrilling for water-timid me. 😕
Great pics by hubby! They make it look so easy…but I know from experience that it isn’t, didn’t try super glue though 😉
Thanks, Tiny. I’m sure it isn’t at all easy. I do so admire their skill. 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Sylvia! Thank you for the short history lesson. I had no idea about the origins 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much, Lucy. 😘
Interesting Sylvia! I never knew that about surfing. Tell hubby I love his surfing photos. Not as much as your photos, of course, but he doesn’t need to know that.
Thanks, Carol. Hehehe….of course I won’t tell him about the second bit of your compliment. 😀
Amazing captures. Thanks for joining the challenge!
Thanks, Nancy. 😃
Great photo’s and interesting info!
Thanks, Aletta. 🙂
Love the action shots, a real nudge to taking a few classes.
Thanks, Charlie. Good luck. 🙂
Brilliant shots taken by hubby. What a surfing show. I am sure it was fun to watch. Surfing sure has been around for a long time. Nice bit of history there 🙂
Thanks, Mabel. Glad you enjoyed the photos and bit of history. 🙂
Cool action shots. I would have loved to have learned to surf, but I am a lousy swimmer and hate my head under water and now it is far too late as I don’t have good balance any more 😦
You and I have the exactly the same problems, Jude. We can enjoy watching others though. 🙂
Surfing is one of those things I’ve always wanted to try, but I know I’ll never get over my fear of sharks and other things that lurk in the waters. Do very much admire the great action shots though and your take on the challenge!
Thanks so much, Torrie. I also know that I could never in a million years feel comfortable out there in the ocean with all it’s possible surprises. 😯 I really admire people who are so adept at water sports.
Cool action shots!
Thanks, Mona Lisa. 🙂
very cool action shots – and I like how he captured different angles of the waves too – must have been a great show!
Thanks, Yvette. Yes, it was such good fun watching these amazing young guys. 🙂
🙂
These remind me of beach in Fl. where I used to live. I often see serfers at the beach year round. However, the waves were not as spectacular as this place. Your hubby has great steady hand, indeed. No coffee for him?
Thanks, YC. Yes he does have a very steady hand, even though he drinks two cups of coffee a day. 😀
Great action shots!
Thanks, LuAnn. 🙂
Those Hawaiians! Who’d have thought? 🙂 Great surfing shots, Ad. I can neither surf nor hold a camera steady. Woe is me 😦
Thanks, Jo. You and I are both ‘woed’. 😕
Groan! 😦 I will if you will, Ad 🙂
Great photo’s Sylvia’s (hubby) :). I love the last more distant shot, its awesome. Plus I loved the history lesson….who would have guessed!!
Thanks, Pennie. Glad you enjoyed the pics and history lesson. 🙂
Great shots! That must have been fun to watch. Have a great weekend, Sylvia.
Thanks, Geralyn. Great fun indeed. 🙂
Reblogged this on Eu Vivo a Melhor Idade and commented:
QUERO CONHECER A AFRICA DO SUL
Thanks, Sonia. 🙂
Cowabunga, Dude!
😆
Great photos, it looks so exciting!
Thanks, Gilly. I’m sure I would find surfing much too exciting. 🙂
That’s interesting. I hadn’t realised that surfing went back that far, but I guess it’s logical that as long as there have been amazing waves on the sea and boats, somebody would try riding on boards, too. I wonder if they ever speared fish while surfing.
Yes, it does make a lot of sense, Sarah. I think you’d have to be a real multi-tasker to spear fish at the same time as keeping your balance. 🙂
Perfect action shots of a popular sport. What a history. I had no idea.🏄🏻
Thanks, Lynne. I was also amazed to read the history of surfing. The internet is a wonderful thing. 🙂
Love the archive photo of the old timey surfers! cool post!
Thanks so much. 🙂
Great photos! I had assumed surfing was a relatively recent sport.
Thanks, Elaine. I was surprised too. 🙂
What fun & great clicks too!
Thanks, Cindy. 🙂
awesome captures by your Hubby, Sylvia! look at the waves! what an interesting history of the sport. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. 🙂
Stunning photos and best surfing waves indeed:-)
Thanks, Cocoa. 🙂
I had no clue surfing dated back so far, Sylvia. Great photos!
Thanks, Jill. I was also surprised that surfing had been a popular sport for so many centuries. 🙂
Can’t help but notice…I thought you’d also be on the waves, showing the so-called-pros a couple of tricks?
Hahaha That will be the frosty Friday that you catch me trying to surf. 🙂
Hehe and there I was thinking that winter in your neck of the woods was warm and balmy 🙂
Congrats to hubby for these wonderful shots!
Your post is terrific, thanks!
Thanks so much. I’ll tell him. 🙂
ah.. surfing, something that will last a very long time 🙂
That’s very true, Andy. 🙂
😊