I haven’t done a personal post for some time, obviously the last 2 months have been dominated but the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series and some pre season training but thought I would share a milestone.

Just a couple years ago I was a green student at Varsity College using my paddling to see the world. With adding little elements of business into my life in my own time I have enjoyed the process of turning my passion for paddling into a business....

I rarely get to do much work with my girlfriend Kirsty as we are in very different industries but thanks to close friend Olivia Symcox, Kirsty and I have been invited to take part in Decorex Durban.

Excited to be brought into Kirsty's world of design. More details to follow but this was announced on the Decorex Durban facebook page Read More..

The Varsity College Marine surfski Series was amazing. To see something I run grow makes the hard work all worth it. I also races this year with Shtmebiso Mbatha.

My best Lifesaving Champs ever. Picked up a gold in the double (with Mark Mulder) and bronze in the single at SA Lifesaving Champs in Camps Bay. Racing for the best club in the country, Marine, managed a couple more in team events. Who said Cape Town or Camps Bay was flat? Will be rememb...

Monday and the wind down for Cape Point has started. The last couple weeks have been good training with solid session every afternoon in a Durban training group with some solid long session on the weekends. It is funny how the less I race the better my body reacts to training and the consistency of training without distraction. Things were kicking nicely.

Morning paddle in a light west off Marine (trying to get used to the early start at Cape Point) to start the day fo...

It’s been some 3 weeks since I posted a blog. Asking myself what have I been doing? Poking my head out the chaos to see what else is happening has been rare but the focus has been good.

Training has been great. Have been logging some nice longer paddles in prep for the Cape Point Challenge and with little racing on the KZN surfski calendar right now, not racing each weekend has given me a change to put in some good time in the seat of my Bull...

It’s been the longest break between blogs I can remember for some time. I have not fallen off the earth, more of the opposite. Raging hard on the training front with a fresh approach and pushing on with other business projects.

I really have been battling to find any consistency in training after picking up some flu in Mauritius and a nasty tummy bug last weekend. The stop start training is so disheartening when the mind is trying to push the body and getting no return. I really thrive on consistency so the last couple weeks have been hard. There are positives. I started train...

Got mailed this article from Tim Noaks. He needs no intro. I have lots of coaches and I am going to give them all a high 5 today for their influence and guidence. A must read!  

Patience is not one of my strong points but after the last week I think I am starting to master the art is some small way. 

I am a mommy's boy of note and proud of it. My mother is a shining light.

A lesson in life a learnt and keep close. Appriciate those you love and tell them every day. Hope you spoilt your mothers not just on this day but every day whether it be a kind word, hug, present or love!

Once in a while you need to pick you head out the sand and realise what’s right in front of your nose.

I always take a break over this time of year to recharge the batteries. The end of 2010 was no different with a couple weeks of very little paddling. 

Monday Morning and reflecting one classic weekend. I spoke is a recent post of how the goal for my holiday was to fill it with stoke and the things that make me tick. Words on the weekend pointless I would rather post a couple photos off my phone to show. Bad quality photography but should show what LIVING is!

Pre road the Urban Rage course on friday afternoon with some mates 

I got chirped quite hard from some of my readers about how negative my blog on the Dubai Shamaal was. I really appreciate your feedback and keep it coming. 

The last week has been manic. Have finalised most of the sponsors and logistics on the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series for 2011 and trying to train hard for Dubai coming up. Leave in exactly a week. 

Travelling is sometime stressful, always tiring and not as glamorous as it comes across. I tell my mates often that sometimes it would be great to just stay home a settle a little.

On the other hand there are moments or experiences that pop up out of nowhere that surprise me and leave me wanting to never stop living a dream. 

It’s been two weeks since my last race and blog. It has me a chance to reflect on the winter season. Loved every second of it and almost feel like I am enjoying it even more than when I started (if that is possible).

I think the break on C2C4C did my motivation and perspective wanders. Realising the sport is more about doing what you love than anything else. There is always pressure to perform but if we break it down, winning a battle (a race to me) in not winning the war (life). Winning at life is way more important!

One stand out this year has been my...

If you have been following my twitter feed you will have noticed I have been sneaking in some surfing sessions in between my paddling training. There is a purpose for this. It may not be performance based but one of balance.

I set a number of goals at the beginning of the year which included getting into some event management, charity work with C2C4C and achieving an element of personal balance between work, racing and play.

The year to date has gone really well with the eventing and charity but that elusive balance I was aiming for has fallen by the way side...

 ...

The year has got off to a frantic start. Not quite out of control but certainly somewhere close.

I am sitting with mate Max setting up my racing calendar for the year and have just realised how much I have taken on this year. I am running my first events, in a crew to riding waverunners around the South African coast as part of a fund raising drive, that’s above existing racing career and Surfskischool business. WOW!

My first event as race organiser last Friday (Varsity College Marine Surfskischool) went off well. A solid 200 people pitched. Quite good co...

Hey to all my website readers, wishing you a very merry xmas and a happy new year.

This is a time for family and friends, a time I rage to back home, loving the simple little things that make it sweet.

Have had a rocky travel home from Dubai with some hectic delays. Got back at 2am and flew out at 6am. Had enought time in my 4 hours in Durban to shower, repack my bag and see my dearest mother half asleep.

Spent the day with my team mates Richard 'chopper' Von Wildermann and Bevin Manson. Tested out some combo's in a double and looking good for the first day tomorrow. Day 1 will be from Port Alfred to Woody Cape. Chopper with be doing singles first up tomo...

Been in Dubai for the last couple days training out of DIMC where the race next week will be based. Really been looked after well by the locals and my awesome hosts, Big up to the Randell's, Wayne, Linda and Jade for having me.

Training is going really well, have had a chance to chatch up with some local mates and do some solid sessions. There is quite a large gap between The Dragon Run and the Dubai Shamaal which means back to the hard work on the wate...

Spent the weekend in the berg at my housemates wedding. Inspiring to see fairy tales come true! Great people I have come to call extended family over the last 2 year living together in our digs. So stoked for Warwark and Hev. Go you good things.

The wedding was in Underberg and got a chance to stay at http://www.karmichaelfarm.co.za/ again. Best spot I think I have ever stayed. The view in the morning lookin...

Amoungst my admin chaos there is light, haha. My computer is down, the one I borrowed is not grafting and the mails on my phone are pilling up. I have given up the fight and will deal with it on monday, time to focus on the oos kaap.

This weekend there are some national trials for the Southern Shamaal relay challenge in a couple of weeks. The trials are in the quite little town of East London in the Easter Cape. It's a really special place with classic peo...

Living in South Africa and specifically Natal there is an element of freedom you just don't find anywhere else. Weather has been top the last 2 weeks and have been loving training. Stolen a word from the surf industry I tend to use a lot these days, the STOKE of where I live and what I do is classic! Even got a chance to hit a little MTB session last week and dig this photo taken of my phone of a very warm spring evening.

The lack of blogging of late is due to the stress on the free time in my day to day routine. Man I have been all over the place. The pressure to get back into shape after a shoulder niggle in hectic, feel like I have been thrown in the deep end and told to swim with no water wings, well I am kicking for dear life!

Training is coming on nicely. I am trying to be realistic, as I have started way to late for the end of year tour to Hong Kong and Dubai. If I do enough quality before then I will be on form, just cant miss any sessions are mess around, at this late stage some focu...

Its Monday morning and have lost a week of training but gained a year in living! Have spent the last week in Joberg hanging out with sponsors and attending some top class functions.

The details deserve their own blogs so read on in the next posts!

There is some very exciting stuff in the pipeline for the rest of the year and don’t think I have been this positive around my choice to follow a career as a sportsman. They ups and downs are huge but the reward of a path less travelled ultimately is a dream I am will to invest in!  

Lookin...

What am I doing in the states?

Is it the place? Is it the cool people? Is it the lifestyle? Is it the accents? Is it the unknown?

What do I want and where am I going?

This mystery is yet to be answered! Maybe it’s as simple as chasing a dream.

Mate Dan Hugo has written two classic blogs on the torment of chasing such a dream. I really enjoyed reading these and they are certainly worth checkin...

With the race on Sunday I decided to take Monday off training. My states trip is looming and needed to get away so decided to meat up with some friends in the berg. It’s quite a drive, some 2,5 hours inland but I have never been up Sani Pass, something every Sout...

I am working on a new Twitter appilaction for www.barrylewin.co.za, watch this space. For now you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/BarryLewin

Been looking through my blog posts over the last couple weeks. My word is been a great local season but what about what’s to come.

In 2 weeks I head out the USA to race in 2 races.

USA Surfski Champs on the 22nd and 23rd of August, www.ussurfski.com.

Chicago Shoreline Marathon on the 29th of August, www.chicagoshorelinemarathon.com

I have been to San Francisco before but Chicago will be a new. I really enjoy the states, probably my best trips to date. Missed out last year but thanks to some saving and my awesome sponsors ...

The whether man has been bleating all week about the swell hitting the coast over the weekend. Well obviously has to can Varsity College Surfskischool Lessons as the reports didn’t disappoint with massive surf. Lets say training was land based!

Read More..

Organised my best mates Rus's (left) bulls party on Saturday. Golf and Braai on the South Coast.

First downwind of the season.

Bought a new car, about time!

Friday was a reality check for me, signing autographs for little kids, explaining to their amazement what surfski was and what I do day to day in the sea.

Was special to see the smiles and spirited national anthem. Thanks to Fearne Gilson and his team for the invite and a cool interview and punt by Max Cluer. I wish the school all the best!

Photos soon, I cant find my camera!  
 

The last couple days have been a blast. Went tow surfing on the south coast with my best mate and his wife to be. Was the cleanest day ever, so blessed to be able to do this in winter, hehehe! Rusty who's ski we were using and I are still learning but what a jol.

On the road tomorrow down to the OOS KAAP (east cape) to race the opening races of the season. There is a world cup event In PE on Friday and then SA single and double surfski champs in Plett. Three races in 3 days.

At the race in Plett Last year!

Had some of the USA lifesaving team stay with me over the last week. Classic people. They got a chance to see some game parks and hang out in Durban. I took some time out to take them down the south coast for a surf at green point. Top day!   

Have had a shocker of a week. No other way to put it. Pinched nerve in my shoulder and plenty time in pain on the physio table. No training in a critical period 2 weeks before SA surfski champs. Sickness to injury. Cant win! 

The hospital stay was short, blood tests good (only a small bug that was smashed with meds) and I am almost back to 100%. A true feeling of confidence now that I dodged a bullet is some way. The way I felt when I rolled through the hospital front door (in pain) to now is quite some contrast and really expected way worse. Count my blessings I can start moving the arms slowly tomorrow. Wahoo! I can only read books on the coach for so long before I go mad.

I am in bed sick as a dog with a throat infection, not fun at all. Doc has booked me off for a couple days. Hate not being able to do anything! 

Body probably telling me something as been super busy the last week hanging out with 2 mates that were about to leave for London. They both had there 21^st, been a top time. Here are some photos from the week! 

The elections are about to happen here in SA. Went down and registered to Vote today. It’s a short and sweet process, smoothly run. The real day of voting still to come. Exciting times in this very dynamic country! 

I always wonder how much holiday to take in December? Is a month long enough, is two months two long. So have used my state of mind to tell when I am ready rather than the body. 

Filling Ant's bottle on top of Berma!

I am currently in the amazing little town of St Francis in the Eastern Cape at the moment taking some valued time out. After a mammoth effort in training for Dubai I have been super blown out. Body telling me something so listening for a change. 

To family, friends and readers I wish you a very merry Xmas!

With Cape point under the belt and I well deserved break on its way over the Xmas period I was stoked to find out that Goldfish were playing in Cape Town on Sunday evening. I have been dying to see them but have missed their shows in Durban with my travelling and racing. 

It is late, I should be in bed and am still packing my bags. I won’t lie and say I am a little apprehensive about tom. The weather looks KAK and should be lucky to break 4 hours. Bit FAR!

Hit a massive training session this morning. Was great to get the weekend off racing but with the Fenn Cape Point Challenge looming had to go long. Too little too late I suspect but for the mind it needed to be done. 

The worlds elite! Pic but Alain Jaques (www.surfski.info) 

Well the first 2 days on tour were a without my luggage. Lucky got tons of mates on tour to lend me some kit. Finally my bags got here this evening and most importantly got my blades before the race. With only 2 days to the race blades would be a good thing to have. 

A good friend Matt always says the tan lines on an athlete are a great indicator if they have done the mileage for a race. Think this is more relevant for his cycling buddies than the paddling crew but I think Matt would be scared of me at the moment

Well the tan or hard work is done and I Fly out to Duabi this evening. This is the 3^rd year I am off to Dubai for the Shamaal, the richest race in the world. It’s amazing to see h...

The training team, Mike, Me, Cam, Nick, Julia, Ant 

Hit the road yesterday for the long drive down to Plett which was to be the base for this weekend’s Knysna to Sedgefield SA surfski champs.  

An old friend I haven’t seen in some time, Neil Cunninghame (national sprinter in years gone by) gave me a ring last week out the blue. He asked if I could come into the Tech and get tested on a paddling ergo.

I am really and proud to be part of a close family. Basically I am a total and utter mother’s boy. Nothing wrong with that! For years my mum has been my secret weapon feeding me, driving me to races and always there to give me a decent clap if I step out of line. Dynamite comes in small packages for shore. Well is time to celebrate my mum’s birthday. Hope you have a classic day mum.

It’s very hard to explain the vibe at a rugby game in Durban. The atmosphere at Kings Park is world renowned. It is simply electrifying. 

It’s been really positive for me to get a good couple email from readers of www.barrylewin.co.za about articles I have posted over the last couple weeks. 

New friends Kymmie and Bianca who have been staying at the digs the last week or so with house mate Hev unfortunately had to say goodbye to Peace Cottage on Friday. Hev wanted to celebrate their time with us and show off her parent’s restaurant that we have heard tons about. 

Hev’s parents have been to the digs on a number of occasions and I was dying to check out the hype. Gilbert and Annick Bordier have run their restaurant, LE TROQUET in its current location at the Village Market in Westville for the last 4 years and before that for the last 25years in the Westvi...

People find there inspiration in totally different places. What makes you tick, gives you a chill down your spine or gets you amped like never before? 

Coming out the bottom of Cradock Wier in the last K2 Fish with Partner Jeff Smith! 

It’s Saturday evening, dark and very silent as I sit on the deck in front of my 5 start tent in the Shongweni Msinsi reserve. The frogs on the waters edge the only sounds in the night. Why would you ask am I sitting in the dark on a Saturday night? 

On my recent travels to Sydney I paddled the traditional Manly Saturday Morning training session. Good fun! I wrote a little story on the paddle for surfski website and information hub surfski.info, check out the story at http://www.surfski.info/content/view/787/147/ .

Woke this morning to the sweet sound of birds chirping outside my window and the drone on the surf through the trees in front of the digs after some 18 hours worth of traveling yesterday. The beauty of Durban always gives me a classic wake up call every time I get home form a trip. Glad to be back even if it means catching up the work I have missed over the last 2 weeks.

One of the best things about being a paddler is you get to travel. With a very tender body I hopped on a plain to Sydney for a well deserved week off to visit some mates. 

Sitting in the airport waiting for my connecting flight to Perth, West Australia. I am on my way to the Avon Decent this weekend. Always excited to head out on a new adventure. Travelling has become a way of life for me and my paddling has seen many parts of the world over the last 3-4 years. 

I am really lucky to have a close nit family who are really supportive. Well is the Bullets birrthday. Have a great day dad. You rock!

Just got home to a warm Durban after 3 days in PE. Went to train with my doubles partner for this weekends SA double ski champs. My dad wrote an awesome article last year after the Dolphin Coast Challenge last year that really hit home for me. Basically saying what the results for that weekend produced, the doubles teams that knew each other well were first and second. Keeping it in the family Dawid and Jasper Mocke won with the Bartho Brothers second. It shouted, Do your homework when you have to race doubles. Well trying to learn from this and headed to PE to get used to the double. ...

With all the hype and pressure that comes with World Cup week leading up to the biggest race in SA any excuse to take the mind off the chaos I extremely welcome.

There has been some hectic flooding on the Durban south coast this week with massive effects on the coastline. Unfortunately this weekends Winter Solstice Festival has been cancelled as most of the run and bike course are under water and the sea in just a mess.

Check this photo out of what it looks like.