Surfers accept risk and ride with sardines

AN outraged Gonubie man has written about surfers risking life and limb to enjoy a few rides in the midst of the sardine run.

PA Brink took photographs and wrote to the Dispatch: “How irresponsible, reckless and stupid can one be. On Saturday, a shoal of sardines came close to the shore at Gonubie. In the water, probably 50 to 60 metres from where the gannets were diving and feeding on the sardines were five surfers as per photos.

“One can only guess what creatures were beneath the surface also feeding on the sardines!”

Well-known Border champion and surf and angling journalist Nick Pike responded: “That was on Saturday at Black Rock Gonubie. North west wind and fairly full tide – best time to surf Black rock. I was about to paddle out myself but went to Bonza Bay because the waves at Black Rock were a bit inconsistent. And also a bit crowded – about six guys out.

“All were fairly experienced surfers well aware of what lives in the sea. One school of thought may be, the sharks have so much fish to eat, they need not bother to eat surfers – not a normal part of their diet.

“I tend to agree with a sentiment sometimes expressed by (international WCT campaigner and East London local) Greg Emslie – driving to the beach in a car is dangerous, the moment I get out of the car and am in the water, I feel safer already.

“That is not to say I encourage every kid to paddle out anywhere, any time regardless.

“A good 10 or so surfers were in and out at Black Rock on Saturday during the day. If the sharks were really a problem, six or so of our friends would be missing now.” —