I recently had an interesting opportunity to surf an iconic surf spot, and when you hear that knock…well, wax up and paddle out.
I got a call early on a Wednesday. “Can you go to Africa to…” I interrupted w/ a resounding “Yes.” We worked out the details, well mostly. There was some uncertainty about Americans being able to procure a VISA on arrival in Ghana, but nothing that some good old-fashioned straight-faced tenacity couldn’t overcome.
Sunday I was roaming around Ghana, Africa in awe and wonder. Monday brought an onslaught of intense meetings w/ government, clients, shipping lines, etc etc. I managed to find the time for some google searching, and was reminded that in the Endless Summer film the first African beach surfed was in Ghana. Target acquired folks.
I started my education on geography, ground transport, swell report, and local safety. After spending three to five solid minutes researching it, my scheme was in place.
I was flying in country for site walks etc and saw a gap between close-out meetings in Takoradi and flights back to Accra. Wednesday night I lined out a driver for the next morning, and after I completed my responsible stuff, we were off. After two hours of some interesting car traveling, we had arrived.
This place was fantastic. It had several local surf shops to rent boards on its dirt streets. The wave was great. Good solid swell made for a consistent beach break. The locals were fun. One of them provoked me into a three-way surfing competition, that just meant we watched each other and openly admired or laughed at the others’ performances. With only about 12 people in the line up, there were lots of waves to go around.
After 2.5 hours I was surprisingly chilled and had to catch a flight.
I returned the board, dried off, did a wardrobe change, grabbed my driver, and we headed to the airport. After some more interesting driving, I was at the airport and thinking about all of the unsurfed surf in the world. After that trip, I know it’s out there.
Edgar~
