If anyone is traveling in South Africa, through the eastern cape near Port Alfred. I would seriously suggest staying at Shaka Surf Shack if you like all of the following. Sun, sea, sand, dune surfing, long board or short board surfing, skate boarding, wildlife, rivers, sunshine, freedom!!
Shaka Surf Shack was started about 20 years ago using reclaimed building materials from around the area and what has been washed up on the coastline. Every corner has a story behind it, with art all over the place. Every little piece of this maze of chill areas, tree houses is built into the nature situated about 200 metres from the coast of Port Alfred and blue flag beaches. It has all the amenities for a chilled relaxing holiday, and the treehouse cabin is built into the trees, so you experience wildlife on your window sill with a view over the beach and dunes.
Dave, the host, is a pro surfer who also offers surf lessons for beginners to pro. Surf is normally very good in the area, 6-8ft waves that can be powerful depending where you surf. The cost per night for stay is only $17, bargain… If you interested in skateboarding, try their skate ramp built under the house, or just chill in the many chill out zones. These guys are 420 friendly, and awesome hosts with a lots of knowledge of the local areas!!! Dave is a seasoned journalist and surfer who brought huge attention through media about the Cannabis crop spraying in Transkei 5 years ago. The crop spraying has since stopped because of a huge public outcry.
I spent the morning there with Dave and a couple other surfers… It was activism in the purest. We meet at Kellys beach 6am where 5 surfers took to the water in protest of the current lockdown regulations that have been imposed for the last several months. Beaches are banned since November!!! This has killed tourism and Daves income is based on surf school and tourism , effectively making his entire livelihood illegal for months. Due to people being fined and arrested for going to the beach, I went as surfer support and watched from the shoreline surfers have an hour surf, refreshing their souls.
Loved every minute being part of this, smoked a little joint in remembrance of my mate Chippa who passed last week peacefully. Chip was a surfer and pioneer in hemp resin and started making boards and flippers using hemp fibre and resin. This is a board he made for my father about 6 years ago. Lighter, stronger, faster.
Shout if you have any questions or planning a trip to sunny South Africa.
“Live your life be free” - Dank Dave
