Shot Bru: Alan van Gysen Portfolio

Ponto D'Ouro is relatively unknown outside of Southern Africa, but to surfers from Durban it's their version of Jeffrey's Bay, only tropical. Magic blue water, dolphins, flawless square barrels and cheap living make it paradise when the waves are on. I joined South Africa's WCT quadruplet, Jordy Smith, Travis Logie, Ricky Bassnet and Royden Bryson for three epic days this autumn. All four surfers showcased their ability on the perfect, barrelling righthand point, but it was Jordy especially who impressed me with his attitude, true character and hard working professionalism. Not just the rock-star talent that is seen on the surface. I got to see something a bit deeper about Jordy on that trip.

Self portrait in the reflection of a charter-boat window.

This photograph captures one of the more interesting practices occurring in the Maldives these days, sand harvesting. It is perhaps not unique to the Maldives, but definitely quite interesting. With the rising sea levels claiming islands all along the Maldives, this practice has become more frequent. Belinda Baggs watches on as young school kids slave in the extreme midday heat with their dad to heft heavy sand-filled bags onto their dhoni.

When driving up the west coast of South Africa it is imperative that you have the following: A trusted old 4x4(in this case, a Land Rover), surf buddies, firewood, a tent, warm clothes, a 5mm wetsuit with boots and gloves, beer, stouts or Old Brown sherry and good old SA boerewors (a kind of sausage perfect for the barbecue).

Dane Patterson nose-gliding effortlessly over another shallow Maldivian reef pass.

On the coast of the world’s most desolate, least populated country, Namibia, David Richards finds himself being catapulted to the bottom of a Pipe-like giant. Unlike the slightly more crowded waters of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Luderitz offers crystal-clear green water, powerful slabs and with one surfer in the area, zero crowds.

South Africa’s next world title hopeful, Jordy Smith, trots down the beach towards another flawless un-named South African lineup.

Statistically one of the sharkiest places along South Africa’s coast, The Dunes in Cape Town provides the experienced surfer with a South African version of Puerto Escondido. A long, flawless white sand beach stretches for miles with perfect A-frame peaks barrelling across the crystal-blue waters. If you’re brave enough to paddle out before the sunrise, this is the view of the barrel.

Madagascar is one of the most interesting countries I’ve ever travelled to. Unique, wild, beautiful, untamed and unexplored, it has creatures and plants seen nowhere else on earth and perfect waves, many of them never surfed. This is one of the perfect little bays within a short drive of Fort Dauphin on Madagascar’s east coast. A local surfer lives in the hut on the beach, with few worries besides fishing and his next surf

Elands Bay is famous for two things: It’s abundant supply of crayfish (lobster) and South Africa’s only real lefthand point. Or should I say, only real, commonly known lefthand point. Jeremy Hewitte enjoying a late afternoon guitar solo while the rest of us watch the sunset and set waves after another long day of surfing on South Africa’s west coast.

Local Madagascan kids catching waves while en route to their fishing grounds.

South African export Reubin Pearce bottom-turning another dreamy section somewhere in the Philippines at sunset. The location isn’t important, what is, is the feeling conveyed and felt.

With the creation of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa event 10 years ago, XXL award winning performances and massive international media coverage, Dungeons has been put on the map, and along with it, South Africa’s small group of underground, devoted and hardcore big wave surfers. Simon Lowe in the sweet spot at first light.

Living in Kommetjie, Cape Town, surfers like Wesley Grey are extremely blessed and gifted with a multitude of surfing options within short walking distance. With bits of coast facing in almost every direction on the Cape Peninsular, the words ‘on-shore surf’ are seldom spoken. Wesley reaping the benefits of an early morning walk.

As a literal translation from Afrikaans, ‘Kom’ in English means to arrive, or to come. I suppose the bay or inlet was named because it was welcome place to arrive safely from the stormy, raging waters of the cold Atlantic. Here local Kommetjie surfer Davin waits for a gap in the sets to dash across the slippery rocks for a few quick waves before dark.

Young South African Jaco Steyn making the most of small, fun waves while waiting for the next typhoon in the Philippines. The Philippines has some of the most perfect set-ups in the world, but needs the seasonal typhoon swells to turn on.

One of the last giant trees left standing on the shoreline of Macca’s. Thanks to rising sea levels and the low-lying Mentawai islands, sights like these are common all along island chain. Taken four years ago, I wonder if this tree still stands. This is one of my favourite lineups of Macca’s, taken from the highest vantage point of the Mentawais charter fleet – the crow’s nest on the Indies Explorer. This particular evening session is still one of the best I’ve ever encountered in the Mentawai islands.

Ponto D'Ouro is relatively unknown outside of Southern Africa, but to surfers from Durban it's their version of Jeffrey's Bay, only tropical. Magic blue water, dolphins, flawless square barrels and cheap living make it paradise when the waves are on. I joined South Africa's WCT quadruplet, Jordy Smith, Travis Logie, Ricky Bassnet and Royden Bryson for three epic days this autumn. All four surfers showcased their ability on the perfect, barrelling righthand point, but it was Jordy especially who impressed me with his attitude, true character and hard working professionalism. Not just the rock-star talent that is seen on the surface. I got to see something a bit deeper about Jordy on that trip.