by Franck Gazzola | Apr 13, 2012 | Daily Updates
Do you ever have those days where you wake up and the world seems like a better place? Where the sun is shining and you just can’t wait to get out of bed and live it? Of coarse, not every day can be like that but every so often, it happens. It can be triggered by so many different things and if you can find the one that does it for you, try to hold on to it, no matter what.
Today is one of those good days for me. The waves have dropped but the weather is perfect, with warm clear water and a light off shore wind fanning a clean 3 foot east swell. If you were lucky enough to get wet this morning, I’m sure you are feeling close to the same buzz that I am right now. Only a surfer knows the feeling, right? I actually don’t have to surf all the time to attain that feeling. Swimming with my camera gives it to me as well. Well, maybe not quite the same as a long 6-foot barrel but close. Sort of.
I took the family to the premier of Tim Bonython’s new surfing movie ‘The Immersion Tour’ last night at The Seymour Centre. For those who missed it, it will be on at North Bondi RSL mid May. Don’t worry, we’ll remind you. It’s an amazing movie. An edit of the last 10 years of his work, plus the craziest Teahupoo session ever recorded from last year. No wonder I’m frothing so hard today!
A quick heads up to all the junior surfers in the area. The Regional Titles for the Southside will be held at Maroubra on the 5th of May. See HERE for entry details.
Ok! That’s it! I hope you all have a spectacular weekend! See you soon.
Billy
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 12, 2012 | Daily Updates
It's been a jam packed last couple of days here in Bali. The swell dropped off and we decided to do other things like play golf in the highlands and climb the Mt Batur Volcano. However I did manage to sneak in a late surf yesterday at Uluwatu as well as a couple of sundowners with my girl Christie. The waves were not really anything to get stoked on but the sunset was – especially while sipping away on a cold beer. The swell looks like picking up again tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to shoot a couple of frames around the Canggu area with some local Balinese whiz kids.
If your heading to Bali soon and want to take your partner somewhere really special for dinner in a beautiful setting then make a booking for the Mozaic restaurant in Ubud. My taste buds are still having a party and yes I am still in Christie's good books.
Looks like another cold one back in Sydney. At least by the sounds of things there are a few waves about. Tomorrow is looking a little bit better with W winds forecast for the early. Or just get yourself over to Bali!
Have a good day – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 11, 2012 | Daily Updates
I have to get a grip on my late night eating habits and stop eating so many chocolate eggs. It doesn’t make for a great start to the day. Maybe if I eat them all tonight and deal with one more ugly morning, I can get back on the program.
The surf is still up and so is the wind. The cool southerly has brought a little touch of winter but the water is still beautifully warm. It’s only the walk down that gets the goose bumps rising.
If you follow the WCT and have enjoyed watching the Aussie leg, then you know what a great final it was between Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater the other day. Besides the level of surfing and how close it was between the two, a lot of talk has been taking place about that crazy reverse air 360 Kelly pulled for a perfect 10. If you would like to hear what Josh Kerr thought about it and he is arguably the best air guy in the business, click HERE. It only proves Kelly is really a 40 year old alien from another world.
SILathletics is giving our Frothers the chance to win one of their doozey surf shirts. With all the qualities of a rashie and designer tee combined, simply tell us what colours they come in and you go in the running. More giveaways to come – so click HERE and stay tuned!
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 10, 2012 | Daily Updates
Being away from family at Easter has its pros and cons. Pro – we are away from home because we are in Bali. Con – we missed out on seeing our nieces and nephews smash chocolate eggs for breakfast and run an absolute muck at the family get together. By the way, has anyone in Bali seen the Bunny? He must have been cooped up in customs because I'm still waiting for my own chocolate hit.
While Bill was in the desert chasing big swell last week we were getting our own front in Bali. Friday saw 10 – 12ft sets sweep into Uluwatu with only a handful of guys game enough to take it on. One of these men was Central Coast local Jughead Allport, who made pulling into the sets look like a walk in the park.
As for me, I've been having a ball. I surfed Keramis the other day – just me, one American and 2 local groms. I couldn't believe my luck! I also had a crack around the Canggu area- while the waves weren't epic the banana smoothies certainly were. So far it's been a great trip, I feel like a grom again chasing waves about the island and showing my girl all of my favourite spots.
Check out the boardies from SILathletics Roland slung me a pair to try out on this trip to Bali and they are going great guns! If you can tell us what colours the MOD board shorts come in you're in the running to win a freebie from SILathletics.
I'll be back on Thursday with a fresh batch of images from Bali.
Cheers – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 5, 2012 | Daily Updates
It has been a little while since I have been on an assignment for a surf shoot, so when the chance came up to take a trip into the desert for a big Southern Ocean swell with big wave specialists Mark Mathews and Ryan Hipwood, I had to drop everything and pack a bag in a rush to make the last evening flight.
These days, it seems everyone complains about the internet and how there are no uncrowded waves anymore. Everyone is certainly onto it more but if you make the effort to go a little further, beyond where most would go, then you can score the waves of your life with absolutely no one else around.
I’m not going to say any more about this trip except that it is Australia, our home and that I’m convinced it is the best place on earth to go surfing. In fact, this trip is blowing my mind!
Billy
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