Cyclone Durban » Cyclone: a rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure centre

By Ed Magicseaweed - Published on 18th March 2009 | Viewed 142348 times.

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[PT-Cyclone: a rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure centre]

In the lead up to the weekend, local wave forecaster Spike (Steven Pike) was quoted as saying something along the lines of, "The swell on Saturday going to resemble the WWE Smackdown", and true to his word, 8-12ft heaving slabs unloaded across Durban's sandbars. Hammering Durban from Wednesday, 4 March, until by Friday afternoon when it was just getting ridiculous, with 8ft bombs detonating on the sandy banks of the New Pier. The swell reached 8-10 feet on Saturday when all hell broke loose. A straight east swell chundered straight off the end of the production line of a seriously strong 40-50 knot gale. Slamming straight into Durban, with not even 100 miles to really clean up and straighten out, it was heavy stuff! Timing-wise, this is pretty much the season for cyclone surf. It was just the magnitude of this pulse that made it epic.

Mike van Heerden

This article has been given an average rating of 3.6 from 772 votes.

Comments

Archived Comments

	SurferBC1156 days ago	+9 Rating
	I was the first and only guy to paddle out next to the pier at North Beach on Saterday (7:45am), got out at The Bay and had to paddle against the river-like wash for 30 mins to get back to the line-up. Had a 8ft tube and had to paddle another 30 mins to get back again. Had a final BOMB of a close out barrel and almost drowned because I got stuck next to the Bay pier... Thank GOD, a jet ski pilot saw me and rescued me. I also used to think that the jet ski fraternity were scared pussies... Now, I want one!!!! Brant Collins

	Mobsta0071104 days ago	Unrated
	Roy of the ROVERS !!!! Robsta da Mobsta!

	PD1157 days ago	Unrated
	There is a reason the guys were using ski's on the saturday, the rip at New Pier was a nightmare. We were all paddling around on boards that were around 7 foot just to keep our positions in the lineup. The jump off the pier was a nightmare, so a lot of guys were getting lifts out on the skis, even that wasn't a guaranteed easy way out as some guys got caught. I know it's easy sitting on your chair in the comfort of your office to say that towing into 8 foot waves is gay. If you had seen some of Twiggy and Jason's barrels you might have changed your mind.

	rebllioneditor1157 days ago	+111 Rating
	also, props to all the other rippers who paddled. I realize Jason Ribbink could have paddled and made the same wave, which is exactly why he should have done it.

	rebllioneditor1157 days ago	+93 Rating
	This is why there's such a resistance to tow-in surfing... people generally aren't against towing into 50-foot Jaws or Maverick's. They're against towing into beachbreak. I'm not trying to say these guys are bad surfers, in fact they're probably better than I am, but no matter how good you are, towing into waves just because it's easier or you're tired is cheating. Beautiful shots, though, I'd have loved to be there. I know I would have paddled.

	doublevizion1159 days ago	+18 Rating
	getting towed into 8 foot perfection looks totally gay skis are big surf this is perfection.

	kazbal1155 days ago	+15 Rating
	I love Oregon surfers. They suck and they have attitude. What a combo!

	pitmonkey1160 days ago	+25 Rating
	Awesome! Seen these cyclones hitting the coast north of Durban (Zinkwazi) in the late 70's/early 80's and I'll be honest, went out, managed to fight rip long enough to get one, got pummelled, paddled in to lick wounds and watch nature rage. Good to see Rudy still shredding. More of the same please.

	deathbyrichards1160 days ago	+3 Rating
	sick

	Gromi1160 days ago	+16 Rating
	Quick thinking CJ :) Glad you escaped with a cool story to tell the Grand-kids (and only a few scratches!) I love you

	Baboon Barrels1162 days ago	+101 Rating
	I Remember standing on the end of the pier as a grom watching a handfull of brave Durbies getting pummeled every time a cyclone swept in. Durban is best when its biggest but if you get caught by the set you gonna be saying hello to the crabs, mussels and barnacles clinging for their lives on the pier-ouch! can we please get a cyclone come to south west England bru?

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