{"id":188,"date":"2012-01-11T22:13:49","date_gmt":"2012-01-11T20:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chappypix.co.za\/blog\/?p=188"},"modified":"2012-09-01T12:50:16","modified_gmt":"2012-09-01T10:50:16","slug":"happy-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/chappypix.co.za\/blog\/2012\/01\/11\/happy-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a week before 2012 was to dawn, the local swell charts started to suggest a decent swell for the South African coast. These same charts were also suggesting unseasonal, offshore winds for the Eastern Cape coast.<\/p>\n

There was a thought of heading up to st Francis but this was more a dream than anything.
\nAs the week dragged on, the charts were not changing much and a little itch began to intensify.<\/p>\n

I then received a call from a parent of a couple groms (young surfers) that I needed to shoot with to say they were keen on a surf trip.
\nThey left the next day!<\/p>\n

I was still uncertain.
\nI had no idea, except for 3 groms, of who was heading up for the swell or which of the J-Bay crew were available.<\/p>\n

At the last minute, I got my camera gear and drove up on my own.<\/p>\n

This ended up being the best surf trip yet!
\nThe waves were sick, good hot weather, warm water and so many people I know made the mission to J-Bay for the swell.<\/p>\n

The original idea was to shoot in St Francis, but we never did!
\nSupers in J-Bay was just so good and the surfers I had organized to shoot with were ripping.<\/p>\n

3 surfers stood out on this trip for me.
\nDylan Wichmann<\/strong> ripped on his backhand. Once he figured out the wave he was doing some stylish turns and the occasional air<\/p>\n

Emma Smith<\/strong>, one of our top female surfers and Current SA junior surfing team member, Impressed with her style, flair and committed turns<\/p>\n

The third surfer to impress was Matthew McGillivray<\/strong>. The newest member of the SA junior team just ripped.
\nI had never seen this kid surf before, but what raw talent coupled with a good-looking style.<\/p>\n

All 3 of these surfers were on a list of surfers I needed to shoot for an up coming feature in ZigZag surfing magazine. All three nailed great shots!<\/p>\n

Not only was this the most enjoyable surf trip yet, it also yielded some great images.
\nSadly I need to keep my good images under wraps so the mag will consider them for print.
\nHowever I have selected the next best 30 images for this gallery!<\/p>\n\n\n \t

\n Show as slideshow<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t