Lost in Tanzania
All photos thanks to Jon Bowen (Localsurferphoto)
When 16-year-old, Errant team rider, Josh Hughes returned home one day and asked his parents if he could come on an exploration surf trip to East Africa, they must have thought he had gone mad.
Sadly he hadn't, and top surf guide Stuart Butler had already booked his flights. Talking on the plane the boys decided the surf was going to be pretty average, but it was more about the adventure.
Once the plane landed the guys jumped in a 4x4 with armed guards and headed to the coast.
To the guys surprise the coast was littered with quality right hand point breaks, double overhead swell and a trade wind that blew offshore everyday!
We talk to Josh about his first trip to East Africa;
How did you feel before heading to Tanzania?
Well this was my first trip outside Europe, so I was a little worried. I was really worried about the big sharks I had read about. I really did not know what to expect, I brought a travel book on the place but could not find anything online about the surf in Tanzania. I just thought the surf would be pretty average.
What surfboards did you take?
I took a 6'6" pin tail and two 5'10" boards. Pretty average quiver, as I had no idea what to expect. These are the boards I would hit the road with when going through Europe on the contest scene.
What was your funniest moment in Tanzania?
The funniest moment was when Cain thought he saw a shark. We were all on the beach and he paddled so fast got to the edge of the cliff, threw his board and scrabbled up the cliff edge. I have never laughed so much!
What was the scariest moment in Tanzania?
One night we were walking through the jungle to get from our huts to a resort, which had a bar. Out of nowhere we heard this low, loud noise. The next thing I know we are running for our lives, as a bunch of elephants are stampeding our way. I could not help but laugh as I ran, but only because I was so scared and full of adrenaline.
How was the surf?
It was so much better than any of us thought it was going to be. We scored great waves from day one. Reef breaks and such hot water! The wind blew offshore the whole time we were there. I thought we were going to be surfing mush burgers the whole time!
How were the locals?
The locals were great, so friendly and interested in surfing. The village we stayed in, had not seen white people for three years. I found it hard to get to grips with the poverty gap in Tanzania. you would have these big hotels run by companies in South Africa and Germany, all charging 120us a night. Then down the road people getting by with no running water or electric. I saw lots of malnutrition in young children, which was really sad.
