SA paddles for AI

In Port Elizabeth, Kerry Wright reports that "I think we were the first city to hold a paddle out, arranged by Jaryd Mason and Brad Beck via FB  - Thursday afternoon at the Pipe. Attended by 40-50 guys, John McCleod and Dave Lipshitz shared some thoughts and prayers".

At Surfers’ Corner in Muizenberg, about 70 surfers paid tribute to the three-time world champion when they paddled out to just beyond the breakers, bearing flowers held between their teeth. Spike and surf elder Tich Paul said a few words to the assembled, with Tich saying a prayer to commit Irons to the big kahuna in the sky. Paul commented on Iron’s prodigious abilities, and how, even in far-away South Africa, his talents were recognised.

Paddle-out ceremonies were also held out at the backline in Big Bay, Bloubergstrand, as well as Llandudno, the Strand (30 or so people in beautiful 2-3ft offshores), Jeffrey’s Bay (atleast 40-50 folk bearing flowers in clean, flat seas and cloudy skies) and Durban, the biggest paddleout.

A few hundred surfers paid homage off the New Pier along the city’s golden mile, lead out to sea by Shane Thorne. It was a moving gathering to see so many people out there. In Durban, according to Justin and Faye Klusener, once the circle broke up a single dolphin appeared amongst the surfers and swam around them for some time. Eerie.

It might seem strange to outsiders that a bunch of surfers in a far-away land make such a big thing when another surfer they have never met dies.

This is the brotherhood of surfing. Like him or not, he was an outrageous talent.