Update 11th May 2012

Wow! It was a beautiful sunrise this morning. I was forced to watch it from the Fire Station as I was on night shift last night. I grabbed a quick shot from the yard but wish I had been at the beach for it.

The surf has finally dropped but it's still warm after yesterday’s hottest May day in 70 years. It was beautiful and sunny this morning, until the sky went black around 8:30 ruining my late update photo session. I managed to jag a couple of pics before the sun went away. One of a very jetlagged Perth Standlick, who just returned from the 6 Star Prime Nike Lowers Pro in California and was out surfing Bronte with his pro surfer mate, Chris Friend from the Sunshine Coast.

We certainly run into some interesting people while out shooting our daily reports. A group of very retro looking blokes were out surfing and hanging on the beach at Bronte while I was there. It turned out they’re a band – The Otchkies. They hail from the Northern Rivers area on the NSW North Coast. They had just driven down through the night and stopped at Bronte for a wake up surf before trying to find some accommodation and settle in before starting their Sydney gigs tomorrow night. They class their music as ‘subterranean psychedelia’. Here is their facebook PAGE which has the venue details to see them if you feel inclined.

With all this cloud, I’m not sure if it will make the predicted record breaking 29 degree mark today but it’s still going to be a lot warmer than tomorrow will be. Enjoy it while you can.

To all the Mums, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ for Sunday. Our Bronte gallery will be open on the weekend in case you need a last minute gift. Have a great weekend everyone! See you all next week.

Billy
 

Update 10th May 2012

Just when you thought summer was over, the warmest few days in May for  decades fall into our lap. With cloudless skies, light winds and warm water, surfing in boardshorts only days before the official start to winter, is again a reality and not a dream.

The surf has dropped to around the 2 to 3 foot mark and with such unseasonably warm conditions, the lineup was quite crowded with all age groups up for the dawn patrol this morning. Tamarama was the spot with some nice wedging lefts running into the Twins and as you would expect, not many went unridden.

The world’s largest Surfing website, Surfline.com is currently running a feature on my South Coast day trip from a couple of weeks ago, featuring world tour #5, Owen Wright in some classic beach break conditions. This is an extended feature with captions, compared to the few images we were only able to run as an exclusive here on Frothers. To take a peek – click HERE.

Don’t forget, Tim Bonython’s ASMF ‘The Immersion Tour’ surf film is playing tonight at North Bondi RSL. It’s really good so don’t miss it.

Enjoy!

Billy

Update 9th May 2012

How lucky are you guys in Sydney! Top temp of 26 big ones. Sun shining all day. A few fun two-footers around the beaches. You can't ask for much more than that in May. Make the most of it!

I'm not real sure of the temp here in the Maldives but it's damn hot. I've been sweating bullets – even in the water! While a dip at Bronte today would be refreshing, jumping in here is like taking a hot bath (not that I'm complaining, just stating facts). Yesterday we enjoyed an all-day session at a break named Five Islands, a super fun right hander. Apparently a resort developer isn't too far away from starting construction on a 450 room hotel there. Say goodbye quiet line up, farewell serene surf spot. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to experience it pre mega development.

Today's main pic is of Cedric, whose massive carve one him 'wave of the day' yesterday. All the Basque country boys will be proud!

For everyone back home, Tim Bonython's ASMF 'Immersion Tour' is on at North Bondi RSL this Thursday evening 7:30pm. Make sure you get down there for a cold one and some great footage that he's compiled from the past year. Buy tickets.

Over and out from the Maldives – Brad.

Update 8th May 2012

It's been a fun past couple of days here in the Maldives. A surprise swell out of nowhere has kept our spirit alive and kicking, but our bodies are still aching in pain – wait, is that old age I hear calling? Regardless of the sore muscles we've been spending entire days in the water making the most of the few days we have left out here in the middle of the Indian ocean. 

The big buck Franck Gazzola has not escaped the shenanigans of a usual buck's and was made to wear 'The Thing', a red all-in-one body suit, out in the surf. He was under pressure to get a good shot on a wave sporting The Thing and he nailed it perfectly. He was also forced into a 'mankini' but no-one wants to see that photo.

I'm seeing alot of pics of the swell back home at the moment. It looks like it's been well and truly pumping. Much the same today I hear! Lucky bunch!

Enjoy the day – Brad

Update 7th May 2012

I had one of those surfs late yesterday, the type where everything goes right, when you seem to be in the spot for every good set wave, where you actually make a barrel and do a few good turns. That is what we all aim for ever time we paddle out, right?

The ocean is so random and luck has a hand in every surf you have but when it goes your way, it definitely puts a smile on your face. No wonder we are so addicted to this passion of finding and riding moving masses of liquid. There is definitely nothing in this world that comes remotely close.

It’s still pumping today folks – 5 feet of east swell, perfectly groomed by westerly winds. We have all been waiting for this time of year to roll around and it’s finally delivering the goods with back to back swells over the last month. Make the most it.

Time to get back into my wet wetsuit.

Have fun!

Billy