Update 20th February 2013

by Franck Gazzola | Feb 20, 2013 | Daily Updates

Early this morning was one of those days where you may have stuck your head outside the window and thought – I think I might just go back to bed. There was a mass of dark and gloomy looking cloud cover out to sea and it looked like the day would be written off before it even started. But if you thought a little deeper and realized that there was not a breath of wind and that we were expecting a bump in swell from the ENE then you would have had yourself a very nice old start to the day if in fact you decided to hit the beach. 

I did just that and was rewarded with a glorious golden shower on sunrise and fun 3ft waves out of the NE. Many other punters had the same idea of heading to east facing Maroubra. Well over 100 heads in the line up out there. 

The swell will increase in the next couple of days. Solid 6 ft so best get prepared. Check your leg ropes, fins, buy a fresh block of wax and maybe even watch a surf video to amp up! 

Later skaters – Brad 😉

Update 19th February 2013

by Franck Gazzola | Feb 19, 2013 | Daily Updates

Another mild and windless morning with a thick band of cloud hugging the horizon of what was a clear, blue sky. That put the breaks on anything amazing in the sunrise department but it was still quite pretty as the sun broke through the cloud around 7am.

I had a little wander around Tamarama, which besides Maroubra would be the best bet for a wave today as there still isn’t much surf on offer.

The Reddam House School groms were out ripping up Tama Reef for morning sport. Surfing was so far from making the agenda when I went to school. It was actually frowned upon as a ‘no hoper’ activity. How things have changed from those caveman mentality days.

Looks like a new north swell building on Thursday but the S-E winds will kick in as well and probably ruin anything local. More rain for the weekend too. Could be time to jump in the car and head for a protected point down south if you want some decent surf.

Cheers

Billy
 

Update 18th February 2013

by Franck Gazzola | Feb 18, 2013 | Daily Updates

What is it with Mondays? I remember when I was at school that Monday was always the hardest day to get up and going. Just the thought of 5 full days of no beach, at least until the afternoon, made me reluctant to get out of bed. Even the sugar hit from my favorite Fruit Loops breakfast cereal couldn’t change my mood as my mum screamed at me that I was going to miss the bus and be late.

This morning wasn’t anything like that. Maybe because I didn’t have to work, except for doing this report and you couldn’t really call that hard labour. The sunrise was a beauty, except for the rain squalls that had me running off the beach every 5 minutes for cover. You’d think I’d be smart and take an umbrella like all the other photographers that were lined up around Bronte pool getting their sunrise shots today. It must be the most photographed pool in Sydney these days.

The surf is tiny but the water is amazing, so unless you are a beginner or really desperate you’re not missing anything and that always makes your Mondayitis that much easier to swallow.

Have a good week.

Billy
 

Update 14th February 2013

by Franck Gazzola | Feb 14, 2013 | Daily Updates

With love in the air and sleep in my eyes, I was a bit late out of bed this Valentine’s morning having had a big night (for me) at Surfing Life’s Oakley Big Wave Awards held at the swish ‘Simmer on the Bay’, a swanky and beautiful spot down on the harbour at Dawes Point.

After many years of just missing out, Tasmanian Marti Paradisis took out the big one with his giant drop at Pedra Branca, a 2.5ha partially submerged rock island 26km off the bottom tip of Tassie. You deserve an award just for getting out there, as it’s without doubt one of the scariest places in the world to go surfing. I think every time they take it on they see a huge white shark cruising the lineup. They breed them tough down there. Click HERE for a peak.

There are a few small clean waves around today though the banks look pretty average. Bondi is probably the pick and the water is as warm as it’s ever going to be in our neck of the woods so I suggest you take advantage and have a paddle, or at least a dip.

Billy