The diving conditions have been well below average due to Cyclone Dineo’s ripple effect on our weather. Every river on the north and south coast came down in flood. Saturday morning a light offshore blows with smaller 1.3m swell running and later in the day a moderate southwest blows. Sunday the southwest continues to blow with the swell running at 2m. Saturday conditions are right early morning but finding viz is going to be a problem. As always dive safe and straight spears
Radical new IGFA rules

Radical new IGFA rules
The new IGFA rules published recently include some long overdue and revolutionary amendments.
The main one to me, is that you are now allowed to tie your top line ie the line class you are fishing, to your backing, no matter what backing!
There is a minimum stipulated length of top line required, of…5 m! Yes, five metres!
This means that when you break off on a fish, only the lighter top line will still be attached to it as it swims off. A minimal impediment compared to being stuck dragging 200m plus nylon. A very cool, and commendable change.
It obviously makes for using a lot less line – you can change line classes more efficiently and quickly. So much less waste and line pollution.
Another cool change, is that you are allowed to assist an angler who is fighting a fish – promoting safety. No assistance is allowed in pulling the fish in, but someone can hold on to you when things get crazy rough!
Read more here…
http://www.marlinmag.com/igfa-new-angling-equipment-rules-2017

Port Shepstone things to do

Port Shepstone things to do
Port Shepstone things to do…
Since forever, Port Shepstone’s south bank has been the start of many an adventure up or down the Umzimkulu River. But a few bridges, and many boats later…the floods have made their mark – and you can still stick with tradition, and take a river cruise.
The Umzimkulu is a great big old retired commercial ski-boat with a roof and seating all round. Safety equipment, three motors and qualified skippers and crew make sure of everything.
Various ways are available, to get out on the water…
- daily trips from Spillers @ R120 pp (call Sean on 0793269671)
- catered party boat trips (includes Egyptian meal)
And for the fishermen in the family…
- R120 per hour per person
- R450 per person night fishing
We have also been doing corporate gigs for companies in Port Shepstone and surrounds. We can brand the boat and prepare it for all kinds of functions or events.
In fact, the only thing we don’t do anymore, are bulls parties. And that’s final!
Contact Sean on umzimkulu@gmail.com or call +27 79 326 9671 for more details.
Umzimkulu Adrenalin
Or check out our official boating and and adventure website Umzimkulu Adrenalin. This is the place to see exactly what it is you can do on your next trip to the waters of Port Shepstone.
Deep sea fishing is on offer. Lots of boats to choose from and fish to target. Our Ocean Safari trips are jam-packed with thrills and you might even get to swim with a dolphin. Estuary cruises for more chilled vibe. And estuary fishing is a great combination of it all.
More things to do in Port Shepstone:
https://thesardine.co.za – never miss a single sardine
https://masterwatermen.co.za – by The Bear
https://portcaptain.co.za – Egyptian food in Port Shepstone
https://umzimkuluadrenalin.co.za – get out there!
https://spillershouse.co.za – BnB and Backpackers
https://fishontheriver.co.za – epic seafood
Chris Bertish Stand up Guy

Chris Bertish Stand up Guy
It’s all fair and well being a Bertish, and crossing the Atlantic Ocean ace-out on a SUP, but when you get a song written about you, then you know you’ve made it.
And made it Chris has. He has crossed the oceans for charity and this stand up guys deserves all the support he can get, as he nears the coast of Venezuela!
Well, he’s over half way anyway…750 odd Miles to go still.
It’s all very well documented…
http://standupjournal.com/news/chris-bertish-almost-home/
And if you are willing and able…DONATE here…
http://www.thesupcrossing.com/donate/
The rad tribute was written and performed by Anton Smuts (Mr. Bardo)
Keep up on Facebook here…
Umzumbe Backpacker options

Umzumbe Backpacker options
The good old days of living out of a camper van, or in a tent…carpark to carpark…in the sixties, gave us the dream in the first place. Those days are long gone now, and all we have to compensate for the lost nostalgia is the backpacker scene.
Umzumbe back in those olden days was heaven. Nobody. Not even cops!
Surfers lived in the carparks. For weeks/months/years at a time! Surfing. Fishing. Diving. Living.
But that golden birth of the surfing adventure is now way gone. Everywhere seems to be blown up by now…
Including Umzumbe.
And even then, backpacker spots, which were just that, are now, star worthy. If you don’t got en suite for the lady, you are nowhere in the backpacker business. Yuppies and all. There are now a bunch of accommodation offerers around the place, queuing up to serve you a marginal percentage slice of the dream. They even got hot showers?!
Justin Maisch and his highly motivated wife Hayley, run the Pumula Surf Camp. The closest thing to the dream, since Justin’s Dad lived and surfed and fished and dived at the very same beach. Peter Maisch. Nuff said.
Justin works at Wedge Surfboards, where he and his ilk have been thumping out bespoke surfboards of the elitest type, for decades. Justin, Hayley and Roosta run surf tours and coaching, for the lucky few. It’s a small and unique operation. You need to book way in advance. And, you can get hands on and help shape your own surfboard. Packages available.
So, there are remnants of the golden era of surfing lying around the south coast of Natal, you just got to look really hard, through the jungle, to find the real deal.
The rest is just imported capitalism looking for a place to grow money.
Enjoy another surf video shot near Umzumbe, on the way to the Transkei Wild Coast – featuring Calv and The Roosta, remembering the fun times of yesteryear…
Get in touch with us for advice about Umzumbe Backpacker options.
We will make sure you get the right vibe!