by Franck Gazzola | Apr 5, 2012 | Daily Updates
It has been a little while since I have been on an assignment for a surf shoot, so when the chance came up to take a trip into the desert for a big Southern Ocean swell with big wave specialists Mark Mathews and Ryan Hipwood, I had to drop everything and pack a bag in a rush to make the last evening flight.
These days, it seems everyone complains about the internet and how there are no uncrowded waves anymore. Everyone is certainly onto it more but if you make the effort to go a little further, beyond where most would go, then you can score the waves of your life with absolutely no one else around.
I’m not going to say any more about this trip except that it is Australia, our home and that I’m convinced it is the best place on earth to go surfing. In fact, this trip is blowing my mind!
Billy
by Franck Gazzola | Apr 4, 2012 | Daily Updates
Good morning Frothers. Christie and I have bailed Bronte and touched down in Bali, and what a great first few days we've had. Coming back here has been a long time coming. Working on getting our Frothers Gallery off the ground has meant that we haven't had the chance to get away for a while.
So we kicked off our Balinese return by heading straight for Uluwatu, and the main peak was on fire. Memories of the good old days started to flood back as I hit the cave for the paddle out. More often than not this is when the butterflies would start to flitter, but today this was not the case – it was a nice 4 – 5 ft on the peak and a comfortable paddle. A perfect way to ease into the trip. After a quick nasi goreng, in Nyoman's Warung, I left Christie to work on her tan and I ventured back out for a swim at Racetracks. It was a bit of a test on my fitness but I survived (even though I missed the cave on the way in)!
It's looking good for the next week in Bali, with a solid SSW swell due to hit. We ran into Marty Paradisis last night and he is chasing some big ones further west while our very own Bill Morris has ventured to SA with Mark Mathews and Ryan Hipwood. The same swell is on the way down there and it's meant to hit 20ft.
With Billy down in South Oz and a good forecast for Bali we should have more updates to come this week.
Stay Tuned – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 30, 2012 | Daily Updates
I was happily surprised to see some waves rolling into the bay on my drive around this morning. It looks like we have some ENE direction in it, meaning those east facing stretches of sand have a few rideable ones. About 3 ft and consistant. Tama, Bronte and Maroubra would be the pick. Forget about Bondi unless your keen for a longboard session.
Thanks to Franck for this link to a funny video about life in Bondi….I was in stitches.
I'll be reporting next week from Bali. Adios amigo's! – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 29, 2012 | Daily Updates
It's been a busy day and my apologies for the late update. I leave for Bali on Sunday and I'm running around making sure I've crossed off all those dreaded items on the to do list! I did manage a swim though and I thought that I would share it with you. It's a whole other world under the water. As you may already know. There isn't much of a wave out there today. Mal riders only!
I hope you have managed to get outside and enjoy the sun, light winds and even the warm water.
I am starting to get super excited for Bali and the Maldives – Thanks to Perfect Wave Travel….Yes back to back trips! I have to say I've earned it!
Enjoy that arvo dip! – Brad
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 28, 2012 | Daily Updates
Grey and gloomy out there today folks. The extended daylight saving time difference is making for late sunrises and it was dark until almost 7am this morning.
The nor’easter was up early too, making Bondi the cleanest option for a surf. The waves are still small but every now and then a little south ground swell pops up and moves through. It is predicted to increase a little for a few hours this afternoon, so keep an eye on it. It may be the only swell window we get this week.
Our Macpherson Street gallery in Bronte is open today and right through until 4pm Sunday. We have some new pics on the walls and a bunch of other goodies that would make an awesome present for someone special. So come down, grab a coffee and check out some of our best shots.
Ok, we know you like the links we pop in to these reports. We received a few emails about yesterdays ‘Wipeout TV show’ link. I’m sure you have seen this version too. It was kindly sent in to us by Trav and it’s from the original Japanese show that was probably the inspiration for Wipeout. It is way more dangerous for the competitors and the voice over is hilarious! Take a peek.
Billy
by Franck Gazzola | Mar 27, 2012 | Daily Updates
It is all about being young, or young at heart. For without that at least, you’re old before you get there!
After driving from Bondi to Bronte and stopping to shoot a few frames of the sunrise over Tamarama, I threw the camera in the housing and hit the water at Bronte. It was too nice a morning to not get wet.
It’s pretty small out there but way cleaner than yesterday. A large contingent of Bronte groms were out in the line up, paddling rings around the few keen older guys who had made the effort to try and surf the tiny peaks breaking in the middle of the beach.
World Tour pro, Tom Witaker was watching the action while having a coffee with a few of his local lifeguard mates. Tom just kicked Kelly Slater’s ass in Margaret River and that is no mean feat! To have a local guy of his standard just hanging around and watching you surf, only ensures the standard of our younger crew remains high.
I was looking for a big wave wipeout link to put up today and came across this best of clip from the TV show Wipeout instead. Why do we find it so amusing seeing people getting smashed? Take a look and find out.
Billy
Recent Comments