Risking it all for the love of the surf
Justin Clark’s love for surfing and bodyboarding started at a young age.
SPENDING most of his Sundays on the beach, learning about the ocean since he was five, sparked Justin Michael Clark’s love for the surf.
The 34-year-old thrill junkie quickly found himself sparking a passion for ocean sport and began bodyboarding.
Although a freak accident left him with a broken shoulder bone, putting a stop to bodyboarding, this did not deter Clark, who then tried his hand at surfing.
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“As long as I can remember, my family have always spent a lot of time on the beach. When I was five, my older brothers and I joined Nippers at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club. After Nippers, my dad would teach me how to bodyboard. This is where my passion for the ocean and the sport began. When I was 24, I broke my shoulder bone and although I couldn’t put pressure on my shoulder, I could still paddle. It was the perfect opportunity to learn how to surf. For the past 10 years, I have continued to surf or bodyboard, depending on the conditions,” Clark said.
Whether it’s surf trips, early morning sessions or sneaking in a quick wave in-between work, the avid sportsman says his most memorable moments have come from sharing good waves with friends.
Learning the hard way that the surf can be rough, Clark said he was filled with false confidence when, without checking the surf conditions, he jumped off a pier and attempted to paddle out with his cousin.
“Seemingly, out of nowhere, a 10ft wave loomed. Wisely, my cousin turned and paddled for the beach. I attempted to make it under the wave but was obliterated by the lip. I was rag-dolled under water, losing my fins and bodyboard in the process. Stuck in the impact zone, taking a few more waves on the head, I was dragged up the beach and eventually made it to shore at another beach,” added Clark.
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When he isn’t surfing, Clark can be found beer-brewing and helps run the Durban Home Brewers’ Club.
He is also actively involved in canoeing, skating, hiking and snowboarding.
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