Update 12th March 2012

by Franck Gazzola | Mar 12, 2012 | Daily Updates

We have certainly been blessed with the sun and good surf the last few days. The regular weekday workers even scored their fix over the weekend too, which is always a bonus considering they get skunked a lot of the time.

I shot at Maroubra this morning but I’ve also thrown in two images from the end of last week – one from the Cape and one of Shark Island, just to keep it fresh in your mind of how good it really can get sometimes, here on the south side of the bridge.

There is still 3 feet of swell hanging around today but it looks to be dropping fast as we start moving through the week and I think we will be struggling for some power again real soon. Perfect for the groms and backpackers though, God bless them!

The world’s biggest premium surfing website – Surfline.com ran a feature on my Cape Solander images last Friday. Click HERE for a peek-a-boo.

Have a great week people!

Billy
 

Update 9th March 2012

by Franck Gazzola | Mar 9, 2012 | Daily Updates

I’m falling in love with autumn, because she always comes through. After some solid waves yesterday, it’s still pumping and this is just the start.

Nice to see the Bronte boys going mad and charging their local yesterday. The swell peaked mid morning at around the 8 foot mark, 2 jet-ski’s and a few paddlers shared a solidly, disjointed lineup which resembled a poor man’s Sunset Beach in Hawaii. All the boys got a couple but Luke Daniels was the man, with some nice power surfing and big hacks in the pocket.

I got a call from Mark Mathews after lunch that Kelly Slater was about to paddle out at Ours with Taj Burrow, so I jumped in car and scooted on down there as quick as I could to record the action. It was actually “Middles” which is the middle break of the 3 separate surf zones that make up The Cape Solander peninsular. Middles is a real bowl and a bit slower than the main break but still very thick and intense as all the slab reefs are in that area.

Kelly was his usual freakish self, grabbing all the biggest and best waves but it doesn’t matter who you are, The Cape will eventually sort you out. Slats took a couple of mean floggings, snapped a board and even got bowled over by a sneaky set walking back to jump off and then after picking himself up off the rocks, turned and took a bow to the applauding crowd. Classic! It is good to see that the eleven-time world champ is actually human as well.

I’m back over here again today and it’s a little smaller but clean as a whistle. We can’t complain. It’s autumn, it’s pumping and you have to love that!

Have a great weekend!

Billy
 

Update 8th March 2012

by Franck Gazzola | Mar 8, 2012 | Daily Updates

I could hear the rain overflowing the gutter and running down the wall outside the window this morning, even before my alarm went off. I knew it was blocked with leaves and as I lay there, knowing I had no choice but to get up there and clear it, I couldn’t help but curse myself for putting it off all summer, knowing this day would eventually come and that it would have been much easier on a nice sunny day than doing it at 6 am in the pouring rain, dressed in nothing but a pair of boardshorts. How I hate domestics!

Needless to say, it was a wild and windy night and the rain is still coming down hard as I type. I didn’t shoot this morning, as it was just too wet. Hopefully the rain will calm down a bit later.

The surf has picked up to 4-6 feet with a few bigger ones hitting Ben Buckler headland. There are actually some big barrels out there and if you had a jet-ski and a death wish to charge the inside ledge, you could possibly score a crazy shack… or the beating of your life! It would be nice to see some tow-in crew attack this wave one day. A couple of guys are towing “The Cemo” off Bronte right now. It would be nice to get a couple of shots of them, if they are still out there after I get this report up.

For all you Indo junkies, I have thrown up a bunch of shots from a trip I did last year. It’s moving towards that time of the year again so I’m sure this will help push you towards ringing your travel agent soon.

Winds should swing more off shore through the day, so keep an eye on the ocean. It could get good!

Billy
 

Update 7th March 2012

by Franck Gazzola | Mar 7, 2012 | Daily Updates

This morning was the first real indicator that the season’s are changing, like the dial has been turned slightly to the left in nature’s climate control system.

The brisk SSW wind was biting when I jumped from the car at the beach early and I was immediately scrounging for the hoody I had thankfully left in the boot.

The surf is still a mess and even though it may have picked up a little, you will have to be content with some sloppy, choppy rides if you are keen to get wet today. A little rubber on the body wouldn’t go astray either.

Our gallery, at 145 MacPherson Street, Bronte is open today and every day this week including Sunday. We have a few new images on the walls, a new supply of our famous Frothers caps on the shelf and heaps more items that would make the perfect gift for a friend or loved one. Pop in and see Christie, she will be the good looking one behind the counter, greeting you with a smile.

Have a great day!

Billy