Update 7th June 2012

There is something mesmerizing about watching giant storm surf. It always looks like slow motion to me as those massive white, foam covered waves fold over and release all their energy in one massive explosion. Yesterday was the biggest its been for a long while.

It has all calmed down to a disjointed 8 feet this morning and I wouldn't be surprised to see people surfing Bronte and maybe even Bondi later today. It will be interesting to see how the banks have shaped up after all this. I'm sure there will be some holes but hopefully so improvements too.

I went surfing on Tuesday afternoon before the mayhem hit. I needed to get a fix in because I thought it may be a few days before it would be surfable again. It was howling off shore and freezing, with a few nice little peaks coming through at Bronte and Tama. As the wind strengthened and the rain began to pelt down, a huge manta ray swam beneath me, scaring me half to death! Nature is so eerie yet so beautiful sometimes. Local photographer, Mark Tipple was swimming around shooting video next to me for most of the session. Click HERE for a look at his version, of the calm before the storm.

Billy 

Update 6th June 2012

Down at the beach today it is almost cyclonic. Gusts of wind out of the south are currently topping out at 40 knots creating havoc everywhere. Whiz bins have been turned over, the promenade at Bondi has been blanketed with close to about 50 ton of beach sand and I even saw an old guy on crutches lose his hat! 

At about 5.30pm yesterday Sydney Ports measured a gust of wind at just over 60 knots. Now that is wild and wooly and as a result the pond has been whipped up into one big giant soup bowl of whitewash. I even saw waves break well outside the bay of Bondi probably hitting the 12 ft mark. I wouldn't go rock fishing today or take the dingy for its monthly test run. Go and find shelter. Maybe Nielsen Park in the harbor might be worth a look for a wave on the low tide. There were 6 or so guys already on it this morning. 

We are still in for a couple more days of wind and rain. Friday should be back to normal conditions with a bit of sunshine and light winds. 

Thanks – Brad

Update 5th June 2012

The conditions this morning are pretty nice, 2 – 3 ft ENE with light offshore winds. Hit it now or for the rest of the week hold your peace. Whilst the Pros are ripping it in the clear blue waters of Fiji, we are about to get hit by pretty strong winds and swell. Hold onto your hats because unless you windsurf or kite surf, you probably won't have much fun in the water in the next two days. It is currently blowing 40 knots down the south coast and it is expected to reach Sydney by the early afternoon.

You can still enjoy some 2-3 foot clean-faced, playful waves if you hit it now. Bondi was crowded this morning, with a lot of team waves, sharing the pleasure: that must be Bondi's hippie heritage! Everyone can glide this morning: short boards, logs, groms or man groms for that matter. I was jealous, being on the shore with the camera gear, getting my feet wet, not paying attention to the rising tide…

Check this video out. Those are some of the best big wave riders I've seen !! Waves are huge, but it's all relative…

That's all folks !
Franck''

Update 4th June 2012

What a nice surprise waking up to a bit of sunshine, light westerly winds and a few waves. A great way to start off the working week! If you were one of the few to get out of bed for the early you would have scored some clean 2 – 3 footers out of the ENE without any hustle and bustle. That's of course if you headed to the right beach. While Bondi was rideable with a fun little wave Maroubra was showing a bit more class.

Make sure you get a wave in today because it looks like things will turn very ugly tomorrow. 40 knot windy whoppers will hit us in the afternoon and we might be locked in doors for a couple of days. 

Are you keen to train and run in this years City 2 Surf? If so Eastside crew have got a great 9 week program to get you ready and across that finish line! Most importantly you will have a blast doing it!

Last weeks CARVE competition winners areN.Obbelode, J.McHugh, F.Gooch, G.Waters and R.Moar. Thanks to all for taking part! Please collect your pair of rockin Carve shades from the Frothers Gallery – 145C Macpherson St Bronte. Open 10am –  5pm Wednesday through to Sunday.

Ok – Back to Volcom Fiji Pro – Brad

Update 1st June 2012

Today's CARVE question is – Which team rider is a Bondi Rescue Lifeguard? Go in the running for 1x pair of cool Carve shades by replying to this email with your answer. The lucky winners will be announced on Monday. You gotta be in it to win it!

I ventured to Maroubra this morning and I wasn't disappointed. Blake Thornton's doozy of a barrel made it all worth while. Shooting from the shore I was keeping a close eye on the left at Dunny Bowl, both Blake and I knew that it had potential. The only trouble being a bit of a wait and that not every wave was fully doing it. Was it worth a swim? I didn't know – but I decided to go and give it a crack. I whacked on my cold moist wetsuit, put my borrowed housing together (thanks Billy) and 5 minutes later we had the shot. Blake is known for his backhand tube riding and this morning he surfed the dunny bowl left perfectly. We both had a good old laugh – Like two stoked groms!

It is 3ft and clean out there. Mid tide will be your best bet, and it's worth hitting it – as the weekend is looking like it'll be smaller.

Enjoy the weekend – Brad