Surfer Travels Over 24,000 Miles, Scores Unforgettable Wave in South Africa
JEFFREYS BAY, SOUTH AFRICA – A recent surf trip to South Africa culminated in a single, defining wave for surfer Chris Dodds, making a grueling 24,000-mile journey worthwhile.Dodds’ quest took him across continents, through five flights and 36 hours in the air, and even involved an unplanned road trip, all for the chance to experience a perfect set at Jeffreys Bay.
The trip, initially a general exploration of South African surf, quickly focused on the legendary point break. dodds recounted a particularly memorable session where he rode a powerful wave, describing a “dream state, yet, lucid enough to know that I had gone the distance.” He navigated a high line, pumped for speed, and experienced ”underwater ecstasy” as the wave broke.
The session also featured a standout performance from World Champion Caity Simmers, who Dodds observed driving through the inside barrel. ”She just looked at me like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I do…’ and then she was off paddling back up the point,” Dodds wrote.
Hesitant to risk shattering his idealized memory, Dodds initially refrained from seeking photographic proof of his ride. He eventually found footage on Surfline, confirming he had indeed caught and ridden a notable wave. “It’s just good enough quality to tell that it is indeed me, making it down the line on a proper set wave and pulling off some big turns,” he noted, adding, “But it’s bad enough that you can’t see any more specific details, even the two times when I nearly fell and totally blew it. Thank you Surfline.”
The trip wasn’t without its challenges. dodds’ rental car sustained damage on the final night, courtesy of a drunk driver, leading to a continuing insurance claim. Despite this setback, and the possibility of returning empty-handed, Dodds emphasized the overall positive experience, crediting the people he met along the way – documented in a recent Surfer piece on Nelson Mandela Day and the spirit of Ubuntu in Pellsrus – for making the journey amazing.
“That one unforgettable wave really made it all worth it,” Dodds concluded. “Thank you South Africa.”
https://www.surfer.com/news/on-nelson-mandela-day-the-spirit-of-ubuntu-pulsed-through-pellsrus
