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
by Franck Gazzola | Feb 13, 2013 | Daily Updates
After yesterdays little bump in swell I was hopeful that there maybe some fun little waves about the place this morning. A quick scan of the line up revealed the opposite. The wind is on shore and occasionally a couple of 2 footers are rolling in but it's terribly weak and mushy with not much boof factor at all – unless of course you are Perth Standlick who has just returned home from another stint in Hawaii. Perth is in fine form at the moment and looks set to give the WQS a good old crack this year.
I have a day on the tools today (first time in 6yrs) – Arh the things we have to do when you have a wedding and a little grommet on the way!
Enjoy your day – Brad 😉
by Franck Gazzola | Feb 12, 2013 | Daily Updates
These morning shots are all about dedication.
Dedication to wake-up before sunrise, whilst the rain softly taps onto the windows, making you feel comfy in bed, to walk the dog, thinking ''why didn't I buy a cat ?!''. Dedication to put a wettie on, and get a fews before work, even though you know it's gonna be junk (uncrowded, but junk). Dedication to keep training hard, being soaked before even starting warming up. Dedication to run the extra mile or swim the extra strokes. Dedication to put the boots on, knowing it's gonna pour all day on your shoulders.
Dedication to wake-up, pack the camera gear and get down to the beach, even though you know that colours will be dull, that shooting in the rain is a nightmare for the gear, and that your minutes to do so are counted.
But because despite the weather you guys commit to wake-up every day, to surf, run, cycle, swim, train, walk…we commit as well to bring you the shots of the day.
Have a nice day.
Franck
by Franck Gazzola | Feb 11, 2013 | Daily Updates
Don’t you just love this crazy Summer weather? One moment you’re swimming in a sheltered, picture perfect North Bondi and the next you’re copping a sand blasting from a howling southerly change that has you running to your BMW or scooter to escape!! Then later, just while you're relaxed and taking your first sip of your favorite frothy amber while watching the cricket, the evening thunderstorm hits and has you hanging off the ceiling!!
The N-E wind swell that was producing some fun waves for Tama and Maroubra is also just a memory now and it looks like ugly surf and weather conditions will remain for the rest of the week.
I expected it to be raining this morning and many must have had the same prediction. The coastline was fairly bare, with not too many making the effort to get out and about it in what turned out to be a fairly reasonable morning.
Bondi actually had a few fun 3 foot lefts on the rising tide and the few who made the effort scored what turned out to be, a very un-crowded early surf.
Billy
by Franck Gazzola | Feb 8, 2013 | Daily Updates
It’s a cracking Summer morning ! And if you make your way to Bronte, Tama or Maroubra, you could even get some surfing action ! What else could you ask for ?!…(yeah ok…I know: a couple million $, an understanding wife, a penthouse in front of the surf break…)
Since the swell was on the low end of the scale, I reckoned I’d explore an area where surfcrafts are not allowed. And I must say that I quite liked it. The place was bubbling from 5:45am ! Fitness ! Fitness ! Fitness ! ‘’C’mon ! 2 more !’’ ‘’Stay strong ! That’s it !’’ ‘’Don’t think about the pain ! Think about the gain !’’…Boot camp Central.
Making my way back to Bronte, I found some cute 2 footers, relatively clean, enough to have some fun in this warm water. And if you open your eyes, you might see this massive pod of dolphins hanging around. I haven’t been in Australia for too long, but that was the largest pod I’ve ever seen. I’d say maybe 30 to 50, when usually they hang out in groups of 5 to 15. Unfortunately, they did not jump too much or surfed during the time I was there…and my zoom limitations did not allow me to capture a good shot of them. You might be luckier if they stick around for the day.
Swell (and wind) are on the rise for the week end. Tomorrow seems to be a winner. I hope you’ll enjoy !
Have a nice day
Franck
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