Up-date 19th June 2013

G’day !

8 degrees, rain, empty beaches, threatening clouds and big-lumpy-chunky-choppy waves.

Tough to shoot today: late sunrise, wind, rain…but just like the few runners I’ve seen, we’re committed !

Tomorrow is the universal winter for the South Hemisphere…and we’re right in it today.

BUT, you could have Bondi to yourself today…a rare commodity in 2013 !

As the swell drops, towards the end of the week, conditions my improve wave-wise…but you might want to chase the South protected corner: wind is gonna be the good-surf’s worst enemy. I am sure Billy is happy where he is right now, not missing home for one second !

Cheers !
Franck
 

Updated 18th June 2013

If your a surfer, then you know that The Mentawaii Islands are right up there at the top of the list for wave riding destinations. It's crazy how many perfect waves there  are, all crammed into to a 4000 square kilometers chain of around 70 individual islands that are situated off the south west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Over the last 20 years, I have been fortunate to sample many of the amazing setups throughout the 70 odd islands which make up The Mentawaii's. Personally, I think the best concentration of reefs lie in an area of small islands known as 'The Playgrounds',  which are situated off the southern tip of a larger island, Siberut. In this group is the Island of Kandui. This small round island has always been my favorite , mainly due to the long, hollow, grinding left called No Kandui that peels like a runaway freight train down it's northern side. But the Island is probably better known for the long right that runs down the other side – Rifles, which is arguably THE best wave in the world.

Kandui Villas will be our home for the next week or so and if you like quality in your surf trips, I suggest you put this one on your future hit list. As far as land camps go up here, it's top notch! Click HERE to read more. It has only been small so far but I've already locked in 3 good surfs and definitely feel like I'm in front already.

This is not a photo assignment for me this time. It's a surf trip with some friends so I wont be shooting my normal volume of images but will endeavor to bring you a glimpse of what goes down all the same.

Enjoy your 3/2 sealed. I'll be back to join you soon enough. But for now, I'm breaking into a sweat  in 29 degree water wearing a just a pair of boardies.

Billy

Up-date 17th June 2013

Sorry for the late one. You can thank Mrs. Technology…

Anyway, given how spectacular the Ocean was yesterday/today, I decided not to give up and bring you a snapshot (snapshots) of this morning.

It was a really quick session, so I did not really capture what the few brave souls in Bronte must've surfed. As you can see, it was big, mean, shifty and the current VERY strong. Therefore, they had to choose very carefully before paddling on one…and I had to go.

Nonetheless, the sun came out, and the scenery was beautiful…but gee: 8 degrees !!! In the Australian standards 8 degrees is the temperature when water become ice ! Shooting out there felt like queueing for the ski lifts ! I almost envied the boys who were paddling (almost !).

Congrats to Messy Jessieee who won the photocomp' organized by Brad Malyon and Carves sunnies ! To find out more, and if you also want to win some sunnies, hook yourself up with @bradmalyon on Instagram.

Have a nice evening.
Franck 

Update 13th June 2013

G'day Frothers – Sorry for the late report. By now I am certain you know what the waves and weather are up to. 

But just in case you don't know here it is – it was another fine morning down at Bondi and as the sun rose over the apartment blocks at North Bondi there was a quick burst of golden light that filled in the bay. It almost felt like summer again but as I hit the sand in a wet wetsuit I was quickly reminded that in fact it wasn't the case. It is barely hitting the 2 ft mark and I feel that high tide is better than low tide. 

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon – Brad

Update 12th June 2013

I've been actively chasing the sunsets and sunrises of late. It's time for a refresh of images in the Frothers Gallery and nature hasn't disappointed me at all. I've managed to get a couple of keepers in the last few days. Two of which I have included in todays report. Hope you like them! Hmm Hmm – They may just look nice on your wall! 

There is lack of action out in the big wet today but the conditions were great. A light puff of NW wind kept things looking silky smooth on the 1 – 2 ft of east swell at Maroubra. It's a long wait in between waves. I got a little bored waiting for waves to shoot so I guess today is best suited to a larger vessel that's for sure. 

It looks like we should have a new pulse of swell arriving late Friday early Saturday morning. Time to get your froth on for the weekend folks!

Enjoy the day – Brad 😉