by Franck Gazzola | Apr 3, 2013 | Daily Updates
The city streets were awash with heavy rain early this morning. At 7:45am it was still quite dark down the beach as the cars, headlights blazing, began to bank up around the coastal feeder roads heading for the big smoke.
Dressed in my 3/2 steamer wetsuit and holding a bright yellow water housing in my hand, I must have looked like an idiot standing in the pouring rain on Campbell Parade shooting the commuters boarding the 333 to work. I’m just glad it wasn’t me trying to hold my umbrella open until the last second before jumping on that cattle truck!
I saw all of one surfer this morning leaving the water at South Bondi as I drove away. I would have loved to have taken a shot of him and got his name. So keen to be out in this when no one else is. The beaches are a virtual ghost town.
A mate of mine I ran into asked, surely you have something in the files you can put up today instead of shooting this crap. Answer was "I do! But if it was me, I’d rather see a bit of what is happening today…"
Stay dry!
Billy
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 2, 2013 | Daily Updates
Good morning Frothers! Did you have a fun Easter long weekend?
We certainly did! They say Macaronis is one of the funnest waves in the world – And they're right! You surf better here than you ever have. But so do the pros. Exhibit A here is Jadson Andre, of Brazil, lighting it up as the sun goes down. Brad (The Big Man) Morgan and Aaron (Whippet) Buchan did us proud; ripping, despite having a few more birthdays under their belt than young Andre.
And, as with any good adventure, the fun ultimately comes down to the people you're with and your mode of transport. In both cases we've scored. Great mates and the Southern Cross, of Sumatran Surfariis, with its top notch crew delivering us perfect surf and plenty of good times already (we're not even 1 week in yet)!
I'll be back with you on Friday, via TC Communications satellite, for more tropical escapism. Hope you're scoring back home. Cheers, Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 1, 2013 | Daily Updates
G'day – all the way from the pumping waves of the Mentawai islands. I am away on a well earned break with 7 of my best mates. These days it's so hard to get together regularly so there's no better way to do it other than a surf trip right!
It's hot up here. There is no escape. Even the water temp up in these parts is on average at 28 degrees. Jumping in for a wave is by no means refreshing. We booked our trip with SUMATRAN SURFARIS and The Southern Cross is our floating home for the next 12 nights. Part bucks trip, part reunion and all parts a surf trip. 8 Froth Monsters united, albeit briefly for an adventure. Day 1 HT's delivered. Both barrels and beatings for two days straight in the 3 – 6 ft range. The razor sharp magnet that is the surgeon's table scratched a few arms, asses and egos. Ouch!
We will be heading south tonight hopefully in search of a few waves at Macaroni's. A wave I've never surfed but hoping to tick off the list on this trip.
Thanks to the great team at TC Communications for helping me get this update off the ground here on the boat in the remote Mentawai Islands and all the way home via satellite.
Hope your getting waves back home! – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 28, 2013 | Daily Updates
Another one. That's a few in row, hey !
Another cloudless sunrise, as warm as it looks, but with a little difference: there is a but more punch to the swell.
Only Bronte looked ok for a ride. Not exceptional, but good enough 2 footers. Bondi is flat, perfect for a swim.
We're that close to a long weekend that I can feel everybody getting excited already ! Any plans ?
If your only objective is to surf your arms off, tomorrow is the day to pack up a lunch box and go to Manly or Maroubra. You want to look for South protected corners. It may not be as big as Bondi could be, but it'll be cleaner, due to the Southerly. If you go to Manly, pay a visit to Taylor from the Shop Next Door: he's got the best surf shop in town. If you like handcrafted jewels, you'll be served !
Saturday might be the perfect day to the Eastern Suburbs Light winds and southerly swell.
I'll be exploring the rock in Ulluru, hopefully scoring some good shots. No surf for me.
Don't be a bunny, and have a great Easter weekend !
Franck
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 26, 2013 | Daily Updates
Have you ever skin-dived or snorkelled on a ship wreck? It’s a pretty cool feeling, gliding over and touching an old, sea going vessel, that has at one time in the past come to grief in the ocean.
Right now, The Hereward wreck at Maroubra is once again uncovered. The 254 foot iron clipper ran aground at the north end of the beach during a storm in 1898 and was unable to be re-floated.
Randwick Council removed most of what was still protruding from the water line in the 1950’s, due to fears that surfers would be injured. What they left behind is usually buried under sand but right now it’s probably the most exposed it’s been in decades. If you wish to read a little more about it, click HERE.
As for current surf news, it's picked up a little but not much. Looks like a little pulse of something towards the end of the week but for the harder core local, I don't think it will be that exciting. Plenty of fun for all the intermediates though.
Cheers
Billy
Recent Comments