by Franck Gazzola | Jun 6, 2012 | Daily Updates
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
by Franck Gazzola | Jun 5, 2012 | Daily Updates
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''
by Franck Gazzola | Jun 4, 2012 | Daily Updates
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 are – N.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
by Franck Gazzola | Jun 1, 2012 | Daily Updates
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
by Franck Gazzola | May 31, 2012 | Daily Updates
To go in the running to win today's CARVE giveaway, (1 x pair of shades), simply head to Carve's ski goggles page and tell us which pair of goggles look the slickest to you. Easy! CLICK HERE
I was here, there and everywhere this morning, before I finally decided to throw a wetsuit on and have a swim with the camera. I checked Bronte, Tama and Bondi and I was amazed at how average the waves were. To confirm my thoughts lifeguard Luke Daniels sent me a text saying "Wow, it's bad!" Hopefully it was just because of the 10:06 low tide. Things may improve throughout the day as the tide fills in and the swell picks up (19 sec period) but, with the sandbanks looking the way they are, I can't see anything spectacular unfolding.
I ended up at Bronte in the end and hit up the reef. As expected it was very average but I managed to get a couple funky shots! I've been itching to get in the water and shoot. I had to borrow Billy's gear as my new Nikon D4$ is still on back order. Oh, when will I have my new weapon! I can't wait.
See you tomorrow, hopefully with some better waves! – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | May 30, 2012 | Daily Updates
There were some great responses to our Carve Eyewear giveaway competition yesterday. All the daily winners from this week will be announced next Monday and you still have 3 more chances to win this week!
Ok, today's question for the chance to win another pair of groovy Carve sunnies is; Which Carve team rider sufferers from the mild autistic condition known as 'Asperger's Syndrome'? And when was he last in Australia?
It seems to be clearing up outside at the moment. The sun hasn't been co-operating with me this week on my early rounds of the beaches. It waits until I get home and then decides to pop out and brighten the place up. Oh well, at least I might get the washing dry.
I know you guys love a good wipeout clip and this one is a beauty! South African Grant 'Twiggy' Baker talks you through his close to death experience at the world's worst big wave to fall on – 'Jaws' in Maui. Click HERE for a look.
Have a good one!
Billy
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