Update 13th November 2013

Good swells in November are rare. Late spring, although usually amazing weather wise for the start of the beach going season, is also known for being notoriously below average in the surf department.

That of course isn’t going to plan right now after that low pressure system, with all it’s bad weather, moved off shore leaving us all with a beautiful ESE ground swell. Today, even though it’s dropped a little, is what you call PUMPING!

If you have day off, lucky you! Grab your board and get on down there, it’s still off shore, clean and sunny.

Have a good one.

Billy
 

Update 12th November 2013

What an average morning! Lucky for me I was able to pull the lens out really early before the rain bucketed down. 

Bondi had one of those mornings where you could easily be fooled into thinking that you would make it out the back no dramas at all – possibly sidetracked by the reward of a nice solid right hander at the end of such a paddle. A few made this mistake this morning and paid for it, while a few others impressed in the conditions. It's a strong swell running out there with a load of water moving. North end has a little more shape and is predictable. I can predict that you will not get cleaned up by a rogue monster. 

Have a good one – Brad 😉

Up-date 11th November 2013

48 hours ago, November was living up to its word, with sun, amazingly crystal clear water, some tiny but fun waves, ….and a lot of people at the beach. Tough to find a square meter to put your towel. Then the Southerly kicked in, and with it, a bunch of low altitude fast moving clouds, playing hide & seek with the Sun, making it a pretty spectacular pre-sunset hour.

But yesterday and today are a different story. Rain, wind, cold. It's a mess ! Di-(wind)gust-ing !

We'll have to wait until Wednesday till it really gets better.

Until then, get some work done, or go get a nice hot drink at Chapter One in Bondi or at the Three Blue Ducks in Bronte.

Have a nice (productive) day.

Franck

Up-date 06th November 2013

It was a special moment for a lot of people in Manly this morning…

It was a special moment for Nick, a 15 year old kid who's been through hell, hospital and more surgery than most people would ever get through their entire lives, and who got to live on of his dearest dream: surfing with current N#1 ranked surfer in the World: Mick Fanning.

It was also a special moment for Mick, who gave some of his time, with a big smile on his face, for Nick and his cousin. He was not 50% there, he was 100% with them, talking, joking, telling stories from the Tour…and giving a little push to Nick to make sure he'd catch the best waves.

It was a special moment for Nick's family. Seeing him in the surf like this means he's finally out of trouble.

It was also a special moment for me who got asked to cover this moment for Nick and Mick. I'll be posting more soon on my instagram (@franckgazzola). It's not everyday that you can have some intimate time with such amazing people, whether it's through their incredible strength and courage (Nick) or talent and generosity (Mick).

I hope you're having as nice a day as me.

Cheers

Franck

Update 5th November 2013

I was glad I threw the beanie into the camera bag this morning but even with my hoodie pulled tight over the top, the wind was still cut through the layers as I stood on the cliffs above Bronte Cemetery early today.

The ocean is a cold, grey mess as reflected by the lack of surfers in the disjointed lineup this morning. Summer looks to have abandoned us for a day or two but by Thursday we should be back to some warmth and cleaner surf conditions again.

I spent a great day at the bi-annual Bondi Single Fin contest on the weekend. It was great to catch up with old friends and surfing buddies from years gone by and even though the waves were small, the standard of surfing was amazing on the old mono fin boards of the past.

Congratulations to winners Jake Spooner and Ian Wallace who won the Open and Masters divisions, respectively.

Have a good one!

Billy