The windsurfer who nearly ate it, but emerged in triumph

Haakgat, my local break. 19th January. The set waves were about 6 to 8  foot with 12 to 16 foot faces.
The deck that had been constructed there recently was a good row of onlookers. A few kiters and windsurfers out.
One windsurfer, who had really been performing well, was on his way back out after taking a wave. He was confronted by a good sized white water, which he negotiated his way over, but which slowed him down. He appeared to be struggling to get speed as a large wall headed toward him. From the onlookers close to me there was  a gasp as the lip started to curl above him as he went up the wall. It looked like he was going over backwards - but this what actually happened was impressive: 

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Triumphant and well on the way to completing a clean 360

Haakgat, Cape Town - Sunday 22.12.13

Haakgat is a waveriding spot, about 7km north of Blouberg. There is a rock shelf and a kelp forest that clings to the rocks that forms a good left hand break. The wave is favored by windsurfers and kiters alike. When the wind exceeds 25 knots the windsurfers are in the majority. The prevailing south easterly wind is slightly off shore at this spot which is good for cleaning the wave face but adds a bit of risk should you drop a kite.The windsurfers sometimes struggle out through the white water as once brought down in the breaking zone, to take off and get momentum between walls of white water takes skill. Those kiters with more skill can hoist themselves over the breaks.

On this day the swells were 3.2m deep sea with a 14 second wave period. This resulted in sets of between 5 and 6 foot, with 10 to 12 foot wave faces.

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Between the peaks

Whitewater can get intimidating

On a wall

The wave can run for up to 100m or more to the left.

First photo of a windsurfer on this site, but I figured they actually deserve a feature, as the skill involved is substantial and they have what it takes - STOKE.

In the car park - "Hey mom that's my dummy "