Is South Africa the Greatest Surf Nation on Earth?

South Arica has one of the most varied and unique coastlines on the planet.

In fact, in just the stretch between Cape Town and J-Bay (8ish hours driving), there are more waves than you could surf in a lifetime. So of course the No Contest crew had to visit the Rainbow Nation as a part of their very good travel and surf series.

"To millions of intrepid travelers South Africa is an incredible country teaming with wildlife and outdoor adventure, but for surfers “The Rainbow Nation” is even better still," writes Red Bull in the description of their latest "No Contest Off Tour" episode.  "From the gritty city vibes and sand-bottomed barrels of Durban, all the way down to the world-renowned right points of Jeffreys Bay and Cape Saint Francis, 1000km away at the southern end of the Transkei, lies a ribbon of ocean that is as wave rich as any comparable coastline on the planet.

"It's not just the waves that draw you to Africa however, as Ashton Goggans discovers in the latest episode of No Contest. Aided by South Africa’s preeminent surfing adventurer, the venerable Alan Van Gysen, and hosted by global surfing icons Jordy Smith and Mikey February, Ashton and a crew of local characters surf their brains out in world class waves while discovering the history of this colourful corner. The big names like Jordy and Mikey aren’t the only ones to steal the show. Zulu surfer “Surprise” Maphumulo is a beautiful revelation, demonstrating why he’s affectionately known as Little Italo; hard charging Durbanite young guns Shane Sykes and Sophie Bell prove to the world their invitations to the Vans Pipe Masters last year were no fluke, and Luke Thompson and Luke Slijpen showcase that the future of South African surfing is bright.

"Never one to miss a meal, Ashton samples local fare the length of the coast, and learns the fun way that in South Africa the exchange rate is always in your favour. As boardshorts and bikinis give way to heavy duty rubber, the crew sign off in Jeffreys Bay, the jewel of African surfing, and the world’s greatest pointbreak.

“J-Bay is South Africa’s pride and joy,” says Mikey February, before Jordy Smith, the best to ever do it out there, sums his favourite playing field up even more precisely. “It’s everything a surfer could ever want; speed, power and flow in one wave.” Hit play on the video above then start booking your flights to one of the wildest wonders of the surfing world, South Africa.

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