Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Are Chinese Mothers better than Western Mothers?
Education is a big challenge in the Eastern Cape. Can we learn from the Chinese? Read this (click the link) and comment! With a clear indication that China is becoming more and more interested in the African subcontinent, the article is more than just interesting. What would unions think of a carryover of this mindset to management policies.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Great Swimming in Port Elizabeth
Swimmers at Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth. A view from the pier.
 |
| Copyright: Stephen Bartels, London |
Online Herald vs. Print Edition
The EP Herald stated on its website on 6 Jan 2011 that to protect print sales the Herald "could not duplicate newspaper content online". Question: Which edition will reflect the most important news about Port Elizabeth? Will international surfers get a different picture of PE compared to people living in PE reading the print edition?
Online Herald vs. Print Edition
The EP Herald stated on its website on 6 Jan 2011 that to protect print sales the Herald "could not duplicate newspaper content online". Question: Which edition will reflect the most important news about Port Elizabeth? Will international surfers get a different picture of PE compared to people living in PE reading the print edition?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Best places to surf in Port Elizabeth
Have surfed in Port Elizabeth for several years I have chosen my favorite surf spots for this article:
1. Pipe. An oldie but a goody. Most of us learned to surf at Pipe and there is a reason for this. It is safe, a decent left and right break on the ride tide and often the only place in the bay that is breaking when the surf is small.
2. Fence. A goofy-footer's dream on the right day. Wedging lefts bouncing off the harbor wall and excellent at high tide. Also a great place to learn as the waves break close to the shore and so there is not much paddling at all.
3. Millers. Wow, on a good westerly swell and high tide, Millers is just amazing. Short boards or long boards. It has a real J-Bay feel when it fires, especially on the inside.
4. Rincon. On a good (but not too big) swell, Rincon has power and lines. Great place but quite a big paddle and watch out for the rocks.
5. Swartkops river mouth. Careful of the locals! This place can be as good as anywhere in the world on the right tide and swell. Best at low tide I find. Being in a river mouth there is the current to consider and so not for the lazy surfer! Rights and lefts as good as it gets when right.
Okay, that is it for the Bay. What about outside the Bay... the so called "Wild side"?
1. Main Rights. Just great. Powerful right hander that breaks in front of a whole lot of rocks so make sure you nail that take off. Not sure what it is like now but very few crowds when I surfed it. Careful walking over the rocks when you go to paddle out as they are sharp as pokers. We used to call the walk the "fire walk" because it hurt our feet so much.
2. Loch Ness. Nice right hander to the left of Main Rights (as you look out to sea from the car park). Easier than Main Rights and can handle good size swell. Not easy getting in and out though.
3. Noordhoek. Ok, a paddle ski paradise but great for long boarding and even short boarding on occasion.
4. Beachview. What? Yes, when there is no swell anywhere, there will be swell at Beachview. I surfed it a few times and it was just amazing. Nice beach break barrels and water so clear you think you are dreaming. It has a reputation for sharks though so be careful.
That is it. These are MY favorite spots in PE. I am sure that others will find this list way to short or too long but that is me. Ok, that is what I think, what do you think?
Surfer from PE
1. Pipe. An oldie but a goody. Most of us learned to surf at Pipe and there is a reason for this. It is safe, a decent left and right break on the ride tide and often the only place in the bay that is breaking when the surf is small.
2. Fence. A goofy-footer's dream on the right day. Wedging lefts bouncing off the harbor wall and excellent at high tide. Also a great place to learn as the waves break close to the shore and so there is not much paddling at all.
3. Millers. Wow, on a good westerly swell and high tide, Millers is just amazing. Short boards or long boards. It has a real J-Bay feel when it fires, especially on the inside.
4. Rincon. On a good (but not too big) swell, Rincon has power and lines. Great place but quite a big paddle and watch out for the rocks.
5. Swartkops river mouth. Careful of the locals! This place can be as good as anywhere in the world on the right tide and swell. Best at low tide I find. Being in a river mouth there is the current to consider and so not for the lazy surfer! Rights and lefts as good as it gets when right.
Okay, that is it for the Bay. What about outside the Bay... the so called "Wild side"?
1. Main Rights. Just great. Powerful right hander that breaks in front of a whole lot of rocks so make sure you nail that take off. Not sure what it is like now but very few crowds when I surfed it. Careful walking over the rocks when you go to paddle out as they are sharp as pokers. We used to call the walk the "fire walk" because it hurt our feet so much.
2. Loch Ness. Nice right hander to the left of Main Rights (as you look out to sea from the car park). Easier than Main Rights and can handle good size swell. Not easy getting in and out though.
3. Noordhoek. Ok, a paddle ski paradise but great for long boarding and even short boarding on occasion.
4. Beachview. What? Yes, when there is no swell anywhere, there will be swell at Beachview. I surfed it a few times and it was just amazing. Nice beach break barrels and water so clear you think you are dreaming. It has a reputation for sharks though so be careful.
That is it. These are MY favorite spots in PE. I am sure that others will find this list way to short or too long but that is me. Ok, that is what I think, what do you think?
Surfer from PE
Online Herald
It seems that the full Herald is no longer available free online, only a collection of selected summaries. Is this a setback for expats? Will there now be a real challenge to provide balanced content online? Any comments?
Cold in London
In London at the moment. Wow its cold. Missing the PE summer. How is the rain? What about the dam levels?
What's going on in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth and the surrounding area is a great place to visit. There is plenty going on. This blog will bring you up to speed. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)