A Dark & Misty Night
Monday 18 May 2015 Twas a dark and misty night deep in the southern Cape peninsula. Around a fire, big wave surfers murmured of daring feats in the big blue. Dougal Patterson recounts story night at Kommetjie.
Dougal and Deborah Patterson are resurrecting the ancient art of storytelling by hosting story evenings with interesting or authentic salty sea souls, who congregate to share and speak and listen.
Here is the latest, as recounted by Dougal, from this weekend beneath the stars as an outstanding winter swell pounded the shores nearby.
"We gathered beside the cold Atlantic ocean in a thick sea mist ... to tell stories. The outer reefs had been booming all day with 10-15ft surf and many of the crew were pleasantly surfed out.
"Tales of snapped boards, snapped leashes and long swims and tales of fierce beatings and glory-slides were relayed to hungry ears. We lit fires on a flat shelf of rock surrounded by large boulders. The rocks forming a natural amphitheater for the 40 or so seadogs & mermaids that now used them as armchairs.
"Our friend Mike Schlebach had been appointed the chief storyteller. He spun yarns of the highs and lows of his relentless pursuit to ride the worlds biggest waves as his wife Belinda sat beside him laughing and gently encouraging him.
"His story was framed by the lives of those who had gathered to listen. Max had to be carried down on his Dad's back because his body is too damaged to walk alone. Greg soberly told how he came round in an ambulance after being knocked unconscious in giant waves, having had his friends pull him up by his leash to give him mouth to mouth ... and bring him back to life.
"Mickey spoke from the edge of the circle of light with a voice that resonated with authority and wisdom, whilst James laughed as he waxed lyrical about the horrors of riding Jaws for the first time.
"When all was said & done and the fires had burned down low, the stars had punctured the cold mist and a silhouette of table mountain cut a stark relief against the inky-blue sky. We drifted in as individuals, but left feeling deeply connected to our tribe of Mountain-Sliders & Mermaids. Friendship and Trust are the currency of relationship. Thank you friends."
Dougal & Deborah