Riding on the crest of a wave... on a step ladder: Meet the alternative Cape Town surfers

For most mortals, merely balancing on a board skimming its way back to shore is a task that requires hours practice to master.

But these guys have taken the skill to a whole new level.

These boarders from Kommetjie, in Cape Town, South Africa, are taking part in a surf competition with a difference, where the the prizes go out for best dressed, most outrageous craft, and most entertaining performance.

Balancing act: Surfer Michael Grendon rides a wave on his ladder board

It's magic: Surfer Tony Button rides a wave dressed as a fantasy wizard character. The alternative surf contest awarded prizes for the best dressed surfer, most original craft and most entertaining surfer

Surfer Michael Grendon wowed onlookers by not only leaping onto his board to ride a wave, but then climbing a step-ladder he had strapped to the top of it.

His beach buddy Tony Button meanwhile showed that wetsuits were not the only things a surfer can wear by gliding back to the beach dressed as a fantasy wizard, complete with rubber mask.

Other surfers took to the waves dressed as clowns or aliens, and one brave man attempted to ride a his shed door back to the shore.



Floatation aid: A surfer dressed as a clown and another clad in empty water bottles ride the breaking waves back to the shore

Two surfers try to ride a craft constructed from surfboards strapped together, but appear to be having some difficulty

One fancy dressed surfer practices his moves before taking to the waves on a shed door

The event, which took place earlier today, was a part of the inaugural Kommetjie Festival.



The small surf village located in the south peninsular of Cape Town held the festival to build community relations.



Competitors entrance fees raised funds to support a string of local projects, including cash to build a swimming pool for a local primary school.