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Miles of
Road Wo rk:
- Country solitude in WA - Deep Down in Vicco - North Coast NSW SLABS
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welcome.
long story short: Free up some time. Grab a few mates. Check the charts. Plan your journey. Organise your boards. Wetties. Spare fins and leashes. Gather the camping gear. Grab the tie-downs. Boards on the roof. The rest in the car. Kiss loved ones good bye. Fill the tank. Rev your engine. Choose the playlist. And hit the road‌ Because in 2016, the dream’s still out there. Andy Morris.
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18seconds is self-published six times a year in Currumbin, Australia: PO Box 86, Tugun, QLD 4224. Views expressed by authors aren’t necessarily those of the publisher and editor. Copyright is reserved, so please don’t reproduce our pages for anything. Email addresses are published for professional communication and swell alerts only.
editor andy morris andy@18seconds.com.au designer alicia smith alicia@18seconds.com.au photo editor russell ord ordy@me.com
contributors ted grambeau chris burkard ed sloane billy morris lee pegus peter 'joli' wilson leroy bellet jesse little jack dekort asher king james driscoll – proof reading
ABOVE: Russell Ord stands in front of his car, at a four-BY-FOUR only wave in the west. Sure, it’s not six foot, but it’s empty and glassy, and we had a hell of a time getting there... it’s the adventure you’ll remember. Photo: Andy Morris (iPhone). COVER: Matt Banting keeps his tail high while floating through a lien air during WA’s finest hour. Photo: Andy Morris
= Miles of
Road Wo rk Stage 1:
North Coast New South Wales
A fickle patch of reef rears its head and bites back with vengeance After being buried for a year under tonnes of sand. Photography Jesse Little
No.34
This isn’t like any normal reef break. Sand moving up the coast constantly creates problems for the setup: without giving away too many secrets, generally speaking, the less gold stuff the better, as Mitchell James experiences here.
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Robbie Richard putting his equipment and skills through the ringer.
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Road Wo rk Stage 1:
north coast new south wales
No.34
Sheldon Simkus draws a casual line after making the not-so-casual takeoff.
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north coast new south wales
No.34
For a man accustomed to 20-foot slabs, you’d think this wave would be a walk in the park for Ryan Hipwood. Fact is, once you’ve made the jacking takeoff out here, the wave’s unpredictable nature can cause all sorts of problems for even the most seasoned charges.
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Road Wo rk Stage 1:
north coast new south wales
No.34
Mitchell James enjoying the colours and vibe and the thrill of it all.
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k r o W d a o R Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICCO
We load the car, pick the tunes, fill up a the tank, hit the on ramp to the Pacific Highway and head south for the annual Easter road trip to Bells. Photography Andy Morris (unless credited)
No.34
Bells has a lot of haters amd a lot of lovers. but there's one thing for sure, when the elements combine during the Easter long weekend, you’d be hard pressed to find a better surf town vibe anywhere in the world.
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No.34
Kelly Slater putting on a display at Winkipop. he showed up and cleared sections of the wave like no local’s ever done. HERE He’s riding a Simon Anderson shaped craft supplied during the Rip Curl Pro. Kelly later admitted Simon has made him, arguably the best board he’s ever had.
25
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICCO
No.34
Mick Fanning enjoying the small 45-minute window of freesurfing, before the WSL dived into competition.
27
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICCO
No.34
Bird Rock works on small to medium swells and is the go-to place for the upcoming kids who want to try their luck in the tube.
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No.34
Matt Wilkinson, the man who stole the media limelight for turning the WSL ratings on ITS head.
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No.34
Surfing Bells requires a certain type of rail work and long, drawn out turns - A STYLE THAT CAN'T BE TAUGHT – either you have IT or you don’t. PARKO PICTURED HERE, MOST DEF' HAS IT.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICCO
No.34
Jordy Smith warming up at winkipop, before relocating to bells for a heat.
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No.34
Unknown, sliding under a tasty peak somewhere along 13th Beach.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICcO
No.34
Caio Ibelli throwing everything at the end section of Bells.
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No.34
Why slow shutter you ask? well, The thing about Vicco is, most days are under cloudy skies, which gives the photog flexibility to be a little more creative – cue Migual Pupo’s speed blur at Jan Juc.
41
No.34
Caio Ibelli enjoying his rookie year on the World Tour with freesurfing sessions like this at Winki.
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No.34
Shooting different angles of Bells can be challenging in 2016. it seems every vantage point has been done. With some time up our sleeves, a stroll around the headland opens up a whole new angle of opportunities.
45
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Gab Medina throws a huge oop at 13th Beach. The wind had just swung northwest (blowing from right to left on this page) which gave him a superhuman floating effect through the rotation. For a second angle turn the page. Photo: Steve Arklay
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No.34
Gab Medina and the pulled back angle of the WIND ASSISTED oop from the previous spread.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Mick Fanning: three times world champ. Six times Australian Male Surfer of the Year. And four photos at Winki, which by the way, handles anywhere from 2-to-15-foot, which is why it’s a favourite when Bells is too small.
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No.34
2015 World Champ, Adriano De Souza has impeccable wave choice, but in this case, he shoulda gone the second wave!
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= Miles of
Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VICcO
No.34
Tyler Wright, Winki gold.
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No.34
Medina (pictured) and Pupo share a peak at 13th beach with two other guys. for two hours, they go wave-for-wave on the lefts... clocking up some serious toobe time.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Dawn at Torquay’s most consistent reef, Winkipop.
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No.34
Jordy Smith soaking up the Vicco vibes at Winki as he negotiates the rocks, before cutting another lap up the point.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Always the entertainer, Mason Ho throws a little fun into the bowl at Bells.
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No.34
Dawn patrol at the site of the 2016 Rip Curl Pro.
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DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Italo Ferreira and a high speed drift any coach would be proud of.
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No.34
Vicco doesn't barrel... unknown, busting the myth.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Migual Pupo and the peak down the beach he shared with Medina.
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No.34
Mick Fanning makes his way in at low tide Winki‌ gets stalked by photogs.
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No.34
Steph Gilmore stands still for a split second (for a slow shutter shot) as she contemplates the paddle out at early morning at Bells.
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No.34
How’s the delight of the blonde-haired grom in the far right of picture? Imagine spending a couple of hours with just two of your idols (Medina – pictured and Pupo) watching them trade left barrels… all while letting you into a couple.
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Here’s that famous patch of reef again. Winki, first light delights‌
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Road Wo rk Stage 2:
DEEP DOWN IN VIcCO
No.34
Jake Paterson showing the kids out at Bird Rock how to carve down while throwing maximum spray.
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No.34
it's Striking how uncrowded this day was recently down the surf coast. When we lived in Torquay, 13th would get as crowded as the reefs (and this was back in ’97, ’98, ’99) on any given day of the week. 16 plus years later, with housing development rife in the area, surfing popularity and participation at an all-time high, it’s more uncrowded than back in the day? don't think the locals are complaining!
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k r o W d a o R Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
After securing our gear (and the comfiest beds) at Russell Ord’s bungalow on a quite property near main break Margaret River, we hit the road chasing rivermouths, beachies, reefs and anything in between. We said it two years ago and we’ll say it ag ain, you can complain in the west, but no one will listen! Photography Credited
No.34
A 45-minute trek along a steep cliff top and you could be splitting the peak with your pals. Photo: Andy Morris
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Matt Banting keeps his tail high while doing a lien air during WA’s finest hour. Kids who wanna see a good lookin’ lien air. Study this. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
Julian Wilson hits Gas Bay for a quick freesurf in between CT heats over at Main Break, Margaret River. Photos: Andy Morris
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Crowd favourite and all round funny guy, Sebastian ‘Seabass’ Zeitz takes to the air only days before winning the main event at Margaret River. Photo: Tom Pearsall
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No.34
John John tweaks a frontside grab at one of the most perfect air waves you could ever imagine: the wave starts off with a relatively mellow takeoff, then runs quickly down the line into a big scoop section as it hits the inside reef. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
Kanoa Igarashi enjoying one last wave before the sun sets and the marine life springs to life. Photo: Andy Morris
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Mikey Wright’s made a real name for himself in the last 12 months. From a little Weet Bix grom, we’ve watched him grow into his frame and develop his own personality. with a bit of punk in his style, You dig, we dig, everyone digs! Photo: Andy Morris
97
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country solitude in wa
No.34
This wave isn’t high on Jack Robinson’s list. He usually sticks to the more perfect waves WA has to offer. But when he hits it, he hits it good. Real good. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
All box jokes aside, Jack Robbo basically owns the Box. He’s on it the most, threads it the best and always has it on his mind. Oh and when he hits the Box, he’s guaranteed to have a bunch of cameramen capturing his every move. Photo: Michael Goetze
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Un-choreographed rock statues: randomly placed people eerily photobomb a lineup shot at Gas Bay. Photo: Andy Morris
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country solitude in wa
No.34
John John. Hours after being defeated in the early rounds of the Margaret River Pro. His ‘I don’t give a fuck’ body language says it all. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
Jack Robinson and heavy water photog, Russell Ord know Box well. Photo: Andy Morris
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
One of Newcastle's finest, Ryan Callinan mixing his power game with an energetic air show in the west. Photo: Andy Morris
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country solitude in wa
No.34
If you look closely, you'll see Joel Parko looking down the throat of a chunky one at a newly formed sandbank. Photo: Andy Morris
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Yallingup rising star, Kael Walsh hands-free and wild in the west. Photo: Tom Pearsall
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Josh Kerr mid oop at one of his favourite air waves in the world. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
Joel Parko straight off the plane and into his home away from home. Photo: Andy Morris
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country solitude in wa
No.34
A completely deserted beach break. Completely cooking. Completely deserted. Only in the west. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
Sheldon Simkus enjoying the Box, as seen from above. Photo: Michael Goetze
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Being lost in the west ain’t so bad. Surfer unknown. Photo: Andy Morris
123
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country solitude in wa
No.34
John John double grab, kinked backflip rotation. In case you’re wondering, he landed perfectly three-quarters up the face, but at the same time the wave started drawing over the shallow part of the reef and he couldn’t ride out. Photo: Andy Morris
125
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Jack Robinson, wind assisted oop. Photo: Tom Pearsall
127
No.34
Matt Banting and the peak moment of a hands-free frontside finner. Photo: Andy Morris
129
No.34
Noa Deane, hunted from every angle (including above!). Photo: Michael Goetze
131
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Josh Kerr spins big with no hands, no nothing. Photo: Andy Morris
133
No.34
Seabass and a windswept arvo the locals wouldn’t even consider. Photo: Andy Morris
135
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country solitude in wa
No.34
That peak. That path. That serenity‌ further evidence to support the claim, west is best. Photo: Andy Morris
137
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Jack Robinson slob air at Cobblestones. Photo: Tom Pearsall
139
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Mikey Wright and the kind of imperfect barrel not often seen in the west. If you're wondering, that's seabass looking in. Photo: Andy Morris
141
No.34
If this wave knew how much joy it's brought to the surfing community via immature box jokes, it’d surely be smiling. by the way, this is about as small as you can hit the box. Photo: Andy Morris
143
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Jack Robinson enjoying Box (again). Photo: Andy Morris
145
No.34
Jay Davies and the pulled back scene only suited to a large spread. Photo: Andy Morris
147
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
Main Break Margaret River captured from a drone. Photo: Michael Goetze
149
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Small, but with enough power to spit you up the cliff face. Photo: Andy Morris
151
No.34
John John demonstrating the complexities of a stalefish air with far too much ease. Photo: Andy Morris
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No.34
The crowd watch on as Jack Robinson sets up some time behind the curtain. Photo: Michael Goetze
155
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country solitude in wa
No.34
Kael Walsh and a moment of mayhem. Photo Andy Morris
157
No.34
Local shredder Jack Challis enjoys the fruits of a long walk into Umbies. Photo: Andy Morris
159
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Road Wo rk Stage 3:
country solitude in wa
No.34
John John, mid oop as captured by Tom Pearsall, who broke away from the main pack of water photogs to throw a lil’ spice on a new angle. Bravo. Photo: Tom Pearsall
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