BUMPER 164-PAGE BIRTHDAY EDITION! MASSIVE BOARDS SECTION!
a y b a B b n o r y B E C A L P E H T , E L P O E P THE
SHARK! FRIEND OR FOE? ...P56
...P78 DISCOVER YOUR BACKYARD
AT HOME IN THE WAVES LIVING ...P42
SURF SHOTS
THE BEST READER PICS ...P17
THE MAGAZINE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO SURF ISSUE #7 SEP/OCT 2011
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DETAILS & THINGS
WHERE TO PICK SMORGASBOARDER UP
Quality surf stores, shapers and cool cafes within 10kms of the coast through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. For a full list of distributors, visit the directory in the back of the mag or just get to your local surf shop and talk to some real people, in the flesh. If you see a local store advertising, they’re sure to have the lion’s share of mags in your area. smorgasboarder is published six times a year.
CAN’T GET THERE? SUBSCRIBE
If you can’t get to a store, have smorgasboarder delivered to your door. The mag’s still free, but Australia Post need to get paid.
$18 IN AUSTRALIA GETS YOU SIX EDITIONS. Sign up at www.smorgasboarder.com.au and wait by your mailbox. It’ll arrive every two months. Back issues are available for $5 per copy. We have limited copies left.
THIS EDITION’S COVER SHOT
A picture perfect moment of Byron Bay local Johnny Abegg with his friend Pinky the Sea Quad, snapped by our feature photographer, Alex Frings. For more on Alex, see Page 90.
THANK YOU
...to all the people who made this edition possible. Special thanks to Dean Slockee, Louise Gough, Gus Brown, Helen Chapman, Katie Swan and John Pickering.
THE TEAM
SALES & EDITORIAL: Dave Swan dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 0401 345 201 EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION: Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 0400 875 884 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION & SALES James Ellis trade@ljdistribution.com.au 0410 175 552
CONTRIBUTORS
WRITING TALENT & PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS Thanks to all you readers that have sent in photos, stories, ideas and more... You keep us powering on. Thanks to Brett Bam, Aimee Sics, Ben Horvath, Joel Coleman and Madelaine Dickie for the great stories and Alex Frings, Joel Coleman again, Grant Molony, Trent Dooley, Jarrod Slatter, Roie Hughes and Casey Ripper for the great photos. Ideas & submissions: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au Distribution: mags@hugecmedia.com.au
WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU
smorgasboarder is published by Huge C Media Pty Ltd ABN 30944673055. All information is correct at time of going to press. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in articles or advertisements, or unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. The opinions and words of the authors do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without prior permission.
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We print with Pep Central and Craft Inprint Group, an environmentally aware and committed printer whose business is founded upon the principles of minimising waste and maximising recycling. Nice work.
5/09/11 10:37 AM
1 7 9 1 e c n i S
“is what
t”
l abou l a s i g n i f sur
Surf photos by Jacob Lambert
.au m o c . e m i dt www.goo
Goodtime Surf & Sail 29 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
07 3391 8588 info@goodtime.com.au JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!
Come and see Gail and the Goodtime team at the Gabba jul/aug 2011
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Aug 10 2011, 4:19pm
Aug 10 2011, 4:20pm
Hey Guys, I have been dreaming of surfing South Americas pristine coastline for a while now and have decided to make it happen. Is anybody keen to join me?? Aug 10 2011, 4:20pm
I have some holidays due, I’m in!
Aug 10 2011, 4:21pm
I have always wanted to surf Chile, me too!
PH: 1300 00WAVE 8
jul/aug 2011
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
OF READER PHOTOGRAPHS! 17 HEAPS Pages of your cracking pic submissions from the past two months
42
GRAND DESIGNS IN THE BUSH
BILL TOLHURST
We spend some time at Jed “Bushrat” Done’s amazing home
BAD, OR JUST BAD REP? 56 SHARKS:
We know they’re there, but what are they up to? We ask questions.
BAY ROAD TRIP SPECIAL 78 BYRON
Fun days and big nights at one of our favourite surf towns, period.
ALL THE USUAL BITS THE LATEST
Feedback P15 And greatest P26 News P32 Community P35 Latest local faces P48
TRAVEL
Visit South America P70 Discover your back yard P78
GEAR
Byron Bay’s shapers P104 Talking about blanks P132 Skate P137 Test everything P148
CLOSEOUT
Fitness P155 People out and about P159
OUCH!
Less comedy and more ‘oh crap’... Central Coast big-wave charger, Justin ‘Jughead’ Alport cops a nasty little bit of underwater time. For more about Jughead, check out the story on page 50. Photo: Grant Molony. See more at grantmolonyphoto.blogspot.com
5’10”, 6’0”, 6’2”, 6’6” & 6’10”
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA www.surftechaustralia.com.au mar/apr 2011
02 4226 1322
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YO ADRIAN... Who doesn’t love the original Rocky movie? The story of a small-time boxer who gets a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion in a bout where he strives to go the distance for his selfrespect. The storyline of Rocky is superb. When you strip it all back, the underlining message is about exceeding expectations. It’s a story about a simple guy who gets the chance to do something amazing, and he gives it all he has got. As we celebrate one year in the game, we do feel a little like Rocky. We love what we do and consider it an amazing priviledge. In each and every edition we give it all we’ve got, to the point of absolute exhaustion. But seeing the new mag back from the printers makes it all worth it. The good, down-to-earth feedback we receive from you guys and girls - our readers - is what spurs us on, motivates us and lifts our spirits. So, thanks to each and every one of you. You have made a difference and we appreciate it. But please, keep giving us feedback. We’re not arrogant or up ourselves and we want to keep making smorgasboarder better and better every time.
And finally, a big thanks to our advertisers for getting behind us, supporting us and believing in us. Without them, we wouldn’t have a mag. So as surfers, let’s continue to ensure we keep supporting our many talented shapers and local surf shops. Yes, we made it. It’s one year on... our anniversary edition. The year has been a bit of a blur - an unbelievable journey but a hell of a lot of fun, so thanks for being along for the ride.
WELCOME TASSIE Yep, the smorgasboarder family is breeding like rabbits, popping up here, there and everywhere. Welcome on board! You can now pick us up in five states and online too. Read all editions at www.smorgasboarder.com.au And if copies at your local surf store have run out before you get there, remember you can also subscribe to have smorgasboarder delivered to your door for only $18 for the year. Subscribe online at www.smorgasboarder.com.au
Dave
Make a wish.... Cake baked by Katie Swan july/aug 2011
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LADIES FIRST
LITTLE GIRL
BIG SURF PHOTO: ROIE HUGHES
THESE DAYS TEENAGER ZOE CLARKE HAS DREAMS OF COMPETITION TOUR STARDOM AND WINNING A WORLD TITLE, BUT IT ALL STARTED YEARS AGO, SURFING AT THE AGE OF FOUR, ON LITTLE WAVES AROUND TORQUAY ON DAD’S MAL. “I really always loved the beach because everyone in my family did it so I guess it just came naturally.”
A young girl in big Victorian conditions… Surely there has to be an element of fear in there?
At age 6, Zoe started Nippers with her sisters Serena and Phoebe. The training three days a week which involved swimming in many different conditions taught her about endurance, and helped build her surfing confidence as she started testing herself in more challenging waves.
“Fear is there to be conquered every time you surf. Every new place you surf has its perils. Surfing is a sport of personal challenges in an uncontrolled environment.”
“As I’ve got older and started surfing the reef breaks bigger and bigger I kinda just got more comfortable. When you’re younger you don’t really think about the consequences.
“Yeah, I’ve just moved. You can spend so much more time in the water and all the surfers out there really push you because they’re some of the best surfers in the world. The waves in Queensland are smaller, but a lot faster than Victoria. The crowd also helps you to react faster and learn to get the best waves. “
“When you first get out there you don’t really know how big it is until you start getting thrashed around under the white water. In Victoria it’s pretty hard to avoid big waves... You are going to have to tackle them eventually!” In addition to the Nippers, Zoe also did squad training for swimming three times a week. “I really loved the water and just getting out there...Yeah, the only way to get better at something is to practice.”
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Leaving the colder climate behind, Zoe has recently moved to Queensland.
But it’s not just all about surfing for Zoe either... “One thing I would also love to do is help people in need. I would love to go to another country and help out people less fortunate than myself. It would be great to help them in a way that could change their life... Why not?“ Exactly. Why not? Best of luck for those great future plans, Zoe.
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“IN VICTORIA IT’S PRETTY HARD TO AVOID BIG WAVES... YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TACKLE THEM EVENTUALLY!” www.surfcomposites.com.au admin@surftechaustralia.com.au sep/oct 13 0220114226 1322
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*On all orders over $50, excludes parcels over 6’10�.
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STUFF UP FOR GRABS!
THE C-SKINS WETSUIT GIVEAWAY
C-SKINS WETSUITS asked you to dig up your old wetsuits. Taking pity on the neediest owner, they offered to generously replace said suit with a brand new C-SKINS Wired S2 3x2, valued at $475! And this edition’s winner is keeping it in the family, replacing his much beloved old C-SKINS suit with a brand new one. With so many years of fun out of it, Joe’s a walking billboard for how well these suits last! “I have had my trusty C-Skins 5/3 steamer for 10 years. It’s surfed all around Europe with me and outlasted many boards. “When my family and I decided to move to Australia I thought it would be a fitting retirement for my old suit. I hadn’t counted on S.A. waters being this chilly.” Congrats to Joe from Sellicks Beach, South Australia! For more information on C-SKINS suits call 0412 081 546 or visit the website on www.c-skins.com
LATEST: FEEDBACK
WINNER
*Prize suit for illustration only.
XXX-ING MORE TO WIN!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR XXX-ING SCARY SURFING MOMENT AND WIN A LONG-ARMED SPRING SUIT FROM TRIPLE X WETSUITS!
THERE’S A 2MM L/S TITANIUM 3D, RRP $289 UP FOR GRABS!
It may have been a big wave, an encounter with a Noah or when you have ended up accidentally surfing au naturale. If you have a Triple X moment and want to share it, or better still have photographic evidence, we want to to know about it. The winner will get a terrific Long-Arm Spring suit from Triple X Wetsuits. The hottest wetsuit you will ever wear. Send your stories in to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au
JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION: Email all your innermost thoughts, letters, stories, photos, praise, rants to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au or send other contribution ideas, surf photography or fantastic ideas for stories to editor@smorgasboarder.com.au. Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smorgasboarder-SurfMagazine/133229320054947 (or easier, just search for smorgasboarder)
LOVE THY SHAPER
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
I think we are very lucky as surfers to be able to get boards made locally, by someone with a knowledge of the waves we surf, for a price that hasn’t changed a great deal in the last 20 years. We are even more fortunate that many of us can get a board custom shaped by an ex pro surfer, in my case Glyndon Ringrose, for next to no difference in price from a board off the rack.
How cool is it to be able to surf in this day and age!?! VERY cool! A lot of surfers nowadays don’t waste their time or energy complaining about bodyboarders, kneeboarders, shortboarders, funboarders, longboarders or SUPs. In many cases today’s wave riders own and use two, three or four of these surfcraft and so appreciate fellow surfers’ choice of fun. The majority of folk realise that it’s the individual and not the vehicle that states what kind of person they are. I like to think nowadays no matter what we ride, we can appreciate and respect each other as sons and daughters of Mother Ocean. Which of course, makes us all brothers and sisters. John, Gerringong
Surfing is very unique in this regard. Can you imagine the cost of custom made equipment by a top athlete in any other sport? Support your local shapers ‘cos we don’t wanna be ordering overseas boards from a catalogue saying `remember when’. Troy, Phillip Island Mate, you couldn’t be more on the money. The more people that can see the value in supporting their local guys, the better for surfing in the long run. Plus you actually get to meet some top people in the process. *Letters may have been edited for length and clarity
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Over 40 years of experience goes into every Ron Wade design.
I was “After talking with Ron, confident with his 40-plus igning years of shaping and des make ld cou he t knowledge, tha me to w allo ld me a board that cou d.” nte wa I progress and do what
Korey Fogden Photo: Alec Vandyke, Mona Vale
Short to long, every Ron Wade Surfboard is built for peak performance
(mention smorgasboarder to get a free leggie worth $45 with a new Ron Wade board order)
Korey Fogden
SHIPWRECK MEMORIES
Couldn’t believe my luck. Had two days off work during the week just before July school holidays. Got excited as the weather was favorable for surf. I hadn’t had one since before Easter. I was going to Warrnambool to visit my parents and to catch up with my brother. Been surfing with him since 1970. Started surfing age 10, wearing speedos and a football jumper in winter at Lady Bay. Didn’t care what the surf was like. I would go out alone in howling onshore in freezing conditions after school. No legrope. Later, I made one from nylon cord and Mum’s stocking. Anyway, decided to go via Torquay. Brother said don’t bother, come straight here and we will go out at Port Fairy. I picked Chris up. I couldn’t believe what I saw. 3-5 ft rights, gentle offshore breeze, four guys out and sunshine. Two hours of indulgence. A guy I hadn’t surfed with for over 25 years was there. He still dropped in on me twice, but who cared. It was great surf and great company. To top it off we went out the next day and it was just as good. Then we get back and his copy of Smorgasboarder arrives and there’s the article about our backyard. I began to reminisce about the early morning runs to find surf from Port Campbell through to Portland. Had a surf once in Bay of Islands. Very long paddle across the bay to a right that was peeling. I paddled so gently because I was sure a shark was going to bite me on the arse. Being so cold that you couldn’t undo your wetsuit. Climbing down cliffs carrying your board and if you fell, you would get injured. Jumping off cliffs to get into the surf and having to climb out through a blowhole to get out. Driving across farms and paddocks to get to THE SPOT. Bill, Greensborough
POSTIVE OUTLOOK Korey Fogden is a rising star in the Mona Vale Boardriders Club and regularly places in the top 3 places in the under-15 yrs division. He proudly rides the 5’6” Airobatic model in smaller surf and a 5’8” Blackfeather performance shortboard for bigger waves.
In the modern times of finanical hardship on the common surfer, it’s refreshing that we and foremost yourselves (smorgasboarder), lead by literary example and Australian Spirit of when times are tough you can still have a positive outlook on life. We all have hardships, but your positive stories have given this surfer a positive outlook that I now can show my kids how positive surfing is and what it means to be a surfer, through your magazine articles. Greg, Gold Coast That’s just awesome and makes all this so much more worthwhile. Thanks Greg.
STICK YOUR FREEBIES The Airobatic
The Blackfeather
Korey’s first choice for doing the best aerials
“This board allows me to do 360 degree snap turns”
For more information and quotes, please contact us: sales@ronwadesurfboards.com.au
Phone Mobile Fax Mail
02 9979 7071 0410 443 776 61 2 82128039 Mona Vale showroom, open 9-4pm Sat or call me.
In a world that at times seems all too politically correct, we’re giving you a chance to win a Surf 1770 ‘Stuff Work, Go Surfing!’ Surf for the Dole t-shirt by that crazy cat, Glen Cat Collins, and two blocks of Stick It wax. To win, all you have to do is email us your most memorable moment whilst being a dole-sponsored surfer or that time you told your boss to ‘Stick-it’ and went surfing instead. Email us on: letters@smorgasboarder.com.au
WIN
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READER PICS Petra Eronen, Sawtell
DIFFERENT LINES The submissions we receive for the mag keep us inspired, motivated and just plain pumped to do the next edition. We get so many incredible photos and stories from readers, it’s near impossible to decide on which ones to print... This edition, we’ve added a few extra pages in the mix to show off as many of your shots as we can. And it’s certainly not often that we get a physical letter in the mail, let alone a handrwitten one, complete with original pencil drawings, so we had to run this one by Petra Eronen of Sawtell... Thanks for putting in the effort to send it in. Over the next few pages, sit back and enjoy the inspired work and passion of your peers and friends. And if you’re also a passionate surfer with a keen eye and you’d like to see your photos or artwork appear in smorgasboarder, what are you waiting for? Send it in.
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READER PICS Ben Considine puts his best foot forward Photo: Lee Considine beachcomber3.blogspot.com 18
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Ours? No, all yours... Brave big wave charger Evan Faulks Photo: Toby Manson
READER PICS Greeny brown frothy goodness Photo: Pommielogger pommielogger.com 20
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Christian Retschlag, Currimundi cruising Photo: Brett Retschlag
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READER PICS
An hour from Adelaide Photo: James Ellis
SA shaper Ben Wallbridge goes fishing
Wurtulla walls. Photo: Paul Collins
Charging knights of Newcastle. Photo: Chris Lemar
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READER PICS Awesome old-school shot of Moffat Headland by Simon Kettle. Shot on ACTUAL FILM, not an iPhone filter!
Blue sky and glassy, just outside of Sydney. Photo: Ian Elliott 24
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Sri Lanka Citrus Resort Coral Sands Hotel Coral Seas Hikkaduwa – West Coast Sri Lanka Stand up for Victoria Photo: Hayden O’Neill oneillimagery.tumblr.com
Ocean Dream Hotel Ahangama Unawatuna Beach Resort Galle Tri Star Hotel Stardust Beach Hotel Arugam Bay - East Coast Sri Lanka
Talk to the experts. surftravel.com.au enquiries@surftravel.com.au 02 9222 8870 Surf Travel Company
.. al . y gin ori pan e on m
o nly is o el C v ere Th Tra
Port Macquarie Photo: Rivier Seb
rf Su sep/oct 2011
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LATEST: & GREATEST
ON YA
BIKE!
A cool fixie from The Misters. Original, Custom, fixed wheel cruisers, mountain bikes and BMX. Find out more about The Misters at www.themisters.com.au
EVERYBODY NEEDS GOOD NEIGHBOURS Take a journey with Mark Riley, of Riley Surfboards, as he teaches his neighbour to surf. More than just an instructional DVD on how to paddle and stand up, Mark talks about useful tips like choosing the right beginners board, how to care for it, safety tips and surf etiquette. To order go to www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au
NICE RACK, GOOD WOOD Custom built, hand-crafted, freestanding board racks made from recycled timbers. Class. www.Byronbayboardracks.com
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It’s all about the beach surf art • shells driftwood things chenille shorts wood surf boards beach stuff • retro sunnies • thongs stripy towels umbrellas • NEW: HAMMOCKS!
6 Lorraine Ave Marcoola Beach
07 5448 8560
IN STOCK:
Black Apache Surfboards
Mini-Simmons, Fish and more by Jesse Watson
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LATEST: & GREATEST
PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF Sunshine Surf Safari runs a surf photo service on the Sunshine Coast. For as little as $55 per hour you can capture your next session with family or friends on film. Visit www.sunshinesurfsafari.com for details.
Violate $39.99 or $49.99 polarised
Desire $39.99 or $49.99 polarised
TAKE HEED ALL YE SINNERS! There’s a new brand of eyewear launching this September created with the consumer in mind, blending fashion styles at an affordable price. Sin Eyewear - Check out your local store.
TEETOTALER Abstain from anything but these superb spring season tees! LEFT: The motion of the ocean
www.saltmotion.com
FAR LEFT: The best Californian
Shapers www.lastwave.com
ABOVE: Australia’s best shapers &
surf shops www.ssstees.com.au sep/oct 2011
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I LOVE LAPPIES Enter the Lap Rap... Cool covers to personalize and protect your laptop from general wear and tear. Customs too. Starts from $19.95 www.lap-rap.com
FISHEYE OF THE TIGER
Byron Bay’s Norval Watson is one of Australia’s original ‘surf artists’. Tigerfish Gallery in Torquay has released a limited run of high-quality, framed giclee prints of some of Norval’s masterpieces. The original oil paintings are also on show and available at Tigerfish for those who take their art a little more seriously. www.tigerfish.com.au
BEDTIME READING WIN
Sunny and Coco’s A-Z of Surfing is a brand new book that surfs your kids through the alphabet. There’s even a page for Sea Shepherd, getting littlies involved in environmental matters. sunnyandcoco.com.au
To win a copy signed by author, Kelly Smith, send us an email with your favourite surfing letter of the alphabet to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au
SEA OF SUPPORT And speaking of Sea Shepherd, Modom Surf have partnered with the conservation society to produce a line of clothing, bags and more, so you can wear your support loud and proud! For more, visit seashepherd.org and modomsurf.com 30
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LATEST: NEWS
WHERE IS THIS? THE SOUND OF DRUMS
HOLDEN LOVES HAPPY HOWARDS
Brenda and Graeme Howard’s Island Surf Shack surf shop on Phillip Island has made it into the latest Holden ad featuring Joel Parkinson. From the moment we met this down-to-earth couple we knew they were destined for greatness. Enjoy the second of fame!
That’s what it sounds like when Teahupo turns it on and this year’s Billabong Pro in Tahiti delivered 7m waves, as wide as they were high. It’s not usually our place to cover pro-surfing, but when the day’s competition was called off and the hellman were unleashed... Check out www.vimeo.com/28251123 to see big waves and wipeouts at their best.
OLD JUNGLE SAYING
The Phantom is heading off to Bali. That’s right, all round top bloke and extremely talented shaper, Chris Garrett is leaving Australia for a 3 year stint at Deus Ex Machina Bali. The aptly named ‘Temple of Enthusiasm’ constructed in rice fields outside of Kuta is apparently something any travelling surfer has to see. He may not drink beer or coffee but we will miss him all the same. Best of luck Phantom.
THOMAS IN DEMAND
Speaking of the Deus Ex Machina Temple of Enthusiasm, Tomas Bexon and Jake Bowrey are also knocking out a few fine numbers at the Bali shaping bay at present. Thomas is also doing his bit for the grade 11 and 12 Graphic Design students at Burnside High in Nambour helping them with their finals on surfboard art design. Who better to learn from then the master? 32
WEGENER WINS AGAIN
The man voted by Surfer magazine as the Shaper of the Year in 2009, Noosa’s Tom Wegener, has won the Australian International Design Award for his Seaglass Project, an epoxy EPS version of the traditional Hawaiian alaia. The ‘Tuna’ is a perfect mix of flex, rail and bottom contours, combined with modern materials to increase flotation... And it goes like a rocket. Whilst it’s not new news - Tom was recognised at an award presentation ceremony in Melbourne back on July 22 - we love what he does and had to make mention of his achievements in this edition.
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Oli Wilson, Manly beach Photo: Ian “Butts” Butler
Photo: Scamander Beach Surf Shop
r an any othe ard better th and will bo ur yo to k s ated to stic bare patche a longer was formul doesn’t get ving you gi Stick It wax obal market. Stick It ax w e averag gl wax on the er than your after time! 3 times long ssion time er se ov ng st rfi la su n le ofte ab rt fo m more co
P.COM
OU KITGR C I T S . WWW
...The latest place you can find smorgasboarder magazine, that’s where! The folks at Scamander Beach Surf Shop on the beautiful east coast of Tasmania not only get to enjoy this awesome view from their shop’s front door, they also now get to hand out smorgasboarder to all the surf locals, braving the cold for the reward of an uncrowded ride. Sounds good to us!
THE EGG-BASKET, UP IN FLAMES
I guess that’s what happens when you put all your... well, you know. The Surf Factory in Burleigh shows us the dangers of cheap overseas production with this sign on their closed store. Really nothing more we need to say...
AND HIS HEART SKIPPED A BEAT
Congrats to Steve Padmore of Skipp Surfboards in Wollongong, who has just become a dad for the first time. Steve and his partner Louise, are now proud parents of a healthy 7.7lb baby, Willow.
ON THE RIGHT PATH?
There’s some angst in the Lennox Head surf community with the construction of a coastal pathway on the foreshore of the Lennox Head Surfing Reserve. The main issues are the alleged lack of community consultation and innapropriate materials used. A three metre wide concrete path has now dissected the once pristine slice of coastal land and seascape. Perhaps something like a wooden walkway might have been a better option...
CORE STORE FOR SALE
Mick Morgan has decided to pursue his passion for Stand Up Surfing even further and put his Core Store surf shop in Nowra up for sale. The well laid out store stocking a great range of high quality clothing labels, skate and surf hardware is sure to be a dream buy for any surf keen business man or woman.
HAPPY 60TH OLD MAN OF THE SEA
The man who described Mark and my surfboard shaping efforts/antics as The Itchy and Scratchy Show turns 60 on September 28. Happy birthday, Paul Carson of The Factory Surfboards!
OLD WOMAN, NEW MAN
Old Woman Surf Shop at Mudjimba on the Sunshine Coast has changed owners and names. Now known as Boardstore Surf, the old girl joins the family of Boardstore skate stores, so you’ll be sure to find cool new skate gear in there alongside the surf stuff. sep/oct 2011
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LATEST: COMMUNITY
The Surf World Torquay team
HISTORICAL RIDE FOR SURF HISTORY BUFFS
... the surfing Rasocklugetitsonyour
A Carver Surf ach in style! surfboard to the be
Fits Larger Boards Great for mopeds and scooters Tig Welded 6061 Alloy No Rust
Surf World Torquay recently rode into the 2011 Victoria Museum Awards and was nominated as a finalist in two prestigious categories. More than 700 museums across the state took part. They made the final list in the Archival Survival Award for Smalls Museums and People’s Choice Award for Best Museum Experience. Well done to top bloke, Surf World Curator, Craig Baird and his team. In further news, the team is putting the finishing touches to their new BELLS GOLD exhibition. The exhibition features rarely seen photographs, surfboards and film from 1962 through to 2010 from the Bells Beach Surfing Contest and Rip Curl Pro. For further information visit www.surfworld.com.au
ARTBOARD Surf World Gold Coast is once again hosting the Art of Surfing exhibition and competition in October, this year with a kids surfboard art section as well. If you fancy yourself with a Posca pen, spray gun or paint brush, get to it. Available space is limited to 50 boards so interested exhibitors are advised to enter early. Register your interest by email: info@surfworldgoldcoast.com.
Visit us at... 16 Rene Street, Noosaville Qld 4566 Phone: 07 5455 5249
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ART YOU WOOD LOVE Timber boards... They are something to behold. South Australian wooden board maker Peter Walker takes this craftsmanship to a whole new level. To say his boards are anything but unbelievable would be a gross understatement. His superbly crafted wooden surfboards ride the wave all the way from surfing into art and design and if you ‘d like to see what we mean, they’re on display in Brisbane right now. The exhibition runs until September 24 at the Gallery Artisan, 381 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. For further details visit www.artisan.org.au Mike from Sandy Feet gets into the spirit
Classic Surf T-shirts s from Surfing Legend lastwaveoriginals@gmail.com • Call 0400 497 534 • www.lastwave.com
BEST FOOT FORWARD Mike Porter from Sandy Feet, one of the East Coast’s best surf shops by far, held their surfboard swap meet on August 20 in Port Macquarie. Despite mixed weather, the rooftop of Sandy Feet Surf was scattered with around 100 used boards ranging from 60’s classics right through to current models. A raffle and donations managed to raise $400 for the local branch of the Disabled Surfers Association, where volunteers help disabled people enjoy the thrill of surfing that we take for granted. Well done Mike. sep/oct 2011
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MAIN: Residents unhappy about what’s coming. BOTTOM: Residents with no idea what’s coming.
K.I.
KANGAROO ISLAND: THE GLOVES ARE OFF
Surfing is something that binds us and unites communities. So what happens when surfing, instead, divides a community, as has happened with the scheduled ASP event at Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Australia? It would appear that rather than engaging, there has been precious little consultation with the local surfing community by Surfing South Australia. In fact, news of the Kangaroo Island pro is alleged to have come as a complete surprise to locals including the island’s only proin-residence Teale Vanner. In response to this, a number of Kangaroo Island surfers opposed to the running of the contest at Vivonne Bay have set up a very detailed website, www.kangarooislandprosurf.com where they are voicing their concerns. Local surfer Rick Slager, and others who are vehemently opposed to the event, were gracious with their time and explained their grievances and concerns to us. Unfortunately despite attempts to contact Tim Doman at Surfing South Australia to hear his perspective, we unfortunately received no reponse. However, Surfing SA’s position has been detailed on their website at www.surfingaustralia.com and in a nutshell, what’s planned is as follows:
SURFBOARD SUPPLIES Our buoyant, lightweight timber floats all around the world. • Tom Wegener preferred alaia blanks • Alaia & Kite Boards • Long Boards • Hollow Boards • Chambered Boards
•
A six-star ASP event at Spot X, a left hander in Vivonne Bay
•
It aims to showcase the world’s best surfers to surf mad South Australians, who rarely get such an opportunity, and in turn, showcase the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island to the world
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A three-night music festival to be run in conjunction, with acts such as Eskimo Joe, Ash Grunwald and the Beautiful Girls
It’s been reported a number of the island’s local businesses were upbeat because of the windfall an event of this magnitude would deliver and some members of the community brimmed with excitement at the prospect of the opportunity to watch top class surfers ripping in local SA conditions. However, there’s some fierce voices in opposition.
Buy the BEST PAULOWNIA TIMBER Australia has to offer. Contact David Evans P: 03 9588 2533 E: info.sales@paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com W: www.paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com 36
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LATEST: COMMUNITY Beach, not so much...
THE CONCERNS RAISED The quality of the break in a competition situation appears to be questionable. Bowly and fun, Spot X seems to be a fair way short of world class. Plus the time of year the contest is scheduled is when conditions reportedly deliver onshore 2ft closeouts or at best, fairly short cross-shore 4ft waves. Besides the quality and consistency of waves, other points of contention included the infrastructure, the access to the beach itself, hygiene facilities, waste management, the pure volume of visitors and the logistics of transporting the spectators to the island by ferry or plane. “4,500 thousand people live on Kangaroo Island,” said Rick Slager. “And we are talking about effectively doubling the population for ten days.” A major point of concern with regards to where the contest is being held is the disruption to flora and fauna by an anticipated crowd of between 3,000 to 5,000 - in particular, the threat to critically endangered species such as the Hooded Plover who nest in the dunes. Apparently, because the beach is quite narrow and almost non-existent at high tide, the crowd will have no choice but to take to the dunes or water in flotilla unless they are somehow suspended over the dunes - disrupting the very habitat of these species. At the end of the day, a number of things don’t seem to add up. It seems odd that a surf contest that is intended to showcase what South Australia has to offer seems to have been scheduled when the surf is, according to local knowledge, not at its best. Secondly, the very pristine, natural environment everyone is so proud of, even to a layman, is being put at risk of potentially being destroyed or at best, irreversibly damaged. So as outsiders looking in - with no business interests in competitive surfing and not being South Australian ourselves - we simply can’t understand the smoke if there’s genuinely no fire. Read, get informed, make up your own mind.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Those in opposition: www.kangarooislandprosurf.com The offical contest website: www.kangarooislandpro.com For further views, visit blog2.surfsouthoz.com - a very interesting read indeed.
LEADING SURF AND STREET WEAR, SURFBOARDS, WETSUITS AND ACCESSORIES... WE ONLY SELL THE GEAR THAT WE USE IN THE WATER OURSELVES!
SURFWARE AUSTRALIA S U N S H I N E C O A S T S U P E R S T O R E 2 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 Tel (07) 5491 3620 Open Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm and Sun 9am to 4pm. Closed Christmas Day sep/oct 2011
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LATEST: COMMUNITY
RETURNING TO GIVE:
Photo: Neil Lumsden
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REBUILDING PARADISE
SURFERS AND SAMOAN SPORTING HEROES HELP REBUILD A TSUNAMI RAVAGED COMMUNITY. WORDS: BEN HORVATH In the final stages of Samoa’s extraordinary 32 – 23 victory over the Wallabies on July 17, 2011, the Samoan players ran towards a rainbow that hovered above the southern stands at ANZ Stadium. The smiles on both the players and fans faces told the story, the rainbow symbolised hope, renewal and healing. Samoans haven’t been able to smile or celebrate in unison like that since the devastating tsunami of September 29, 2009 that claimed 200 lives. It is often said sport brings out the best emotions in people, and on that cold, wet, Saturday night in Sydney you couldn’t help but share in the feelings of relief and joy that permeated through the whole Samoan population. Australians are more than aware that our Pacific neighbours with a population of 180,000 are renowned for punching above their weight in union, league and soccer. Japan also suffered the devastation of an earthquake and a massive tsunami earlier this year, a tragedy not dissimilar to the one the Samoan people experienced in September 2009. The Japanese women’s football team brought joy to their recovering population by winning the women’s world cup in Germany just days after Samoa’s rugby triumph. Sporting victories have a unique way of unifying countries, filling people with pride, hope and joy all at once. High profile sporting stars are heroes and role models the world over. A group of famous Australian based NRL players of Samoan heritage led by Nigel Vagana the NRL Education and Welfare program manager, have graciously kicked in and joined forces with a bunch of Sydney surfers under the banner of Groundswell to help raise money for victims of the 2009 Samoan tsunami. Surfers are very familiar with the pristine Pacific reef breaks that pick up the same swells as Hawaii’s north shore in our summer months. Australian travellers have been venturing NE for decades now to enjoy the warm hospitality and uncrowded power on offer in Samoa. Reg Barton, Assistant Director at TAFE NSW, enjoyed an epic boat trip with good mate Mark Hawkins in the Mentawais in late August 2009. When the boys returned to Sydney in September and heard about the earthquake that hit Padang and the nearby Mentawais chain they immediately wanted to return to the place they fell in love with on their surfing holiday and help.
“THE VACANT SLAB THAT FORMERLY SERVED AS A REMINDER OF THE DEVASTATING TSUNAMI WAS REPLACED BY A SYMBOL OF HOPE” Reg said, “The motivation to help the Samoans originates from our desire to assist in Indonesia actually. You see, there was an earthquake deep in the Pacific Ocean in the Tongan Trench that triggered geographic events both to the East and West in Padang and Samoa. Both are in the Pacific Rim of Fire. I knew with Mark that we could activate some carpentry apprentices at Randwick TAFE through my work, but when I heard Surfaid were already active in Padang, Hutch (Dave Hutchison) a buddy of mine that runs The Surf Travel Co suggested we help the Samoan community rebuild.” Reg continued, “I’ve known Hutch for years. He’s been booking surf trips for Australians at Sinalei for over a decade. Hutch heard sep/oct 2011
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LATEST: COMMUNITY
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“THE EXPERIENCE HAD CHANGED THEIR OUTLOOK ON LIFE”
firsthand how ravaged the community up there was after the tsunami. With Hutch’s assistance through The Surf Travel Co and with Gary McNeil and Eden Scallan from Formula Energy Surfboards, I was able to get a bunch of my apprentices up to Samoa and on the ground.” That’s pretty much how Groundswell, the not-forprofit organisation evolved. It really is a group who believe that surfers should not only participate in supporting people that need help, but that we have a responsibility to put back in. Groundswell formed a strong alliance with Joe Annandale a Samoan Chief Matai and chief of Poutasi Village. Groundswell made a commitment to support Joe’s dream of developing a model village. The model village hopes to connect with families that have moved out of the village as a result of the tsunami and will also focus on assisting disaffected youth, not only from Samoa, but from other Polynesian communities. The village is aiming to adopt a whole of life approach that will re-engage young people with their culture, maintain cultural education for infants, provide examples of sustainable living in the local environment, and provide income for the village to ensure the model is independent from a reliance on external funding. In January 2010 half a dozen self-funded Groundswell members travelled to Samoa to work on the first stage of the re-construction program. Utilising materials re-cycled from the tsunami the team completed work
at the Sinalei Resort. Hard work enabled the popular holiday resort to re-open and again employ over sixty families that for six months following the tsunami had little or no income. To support the second stage of the plan that involves building a Cultural Arts Centre in the village of Poutasi, Groundswell and Nigel Vagana, backed by the NRL combined forces to undertake the inaugural Sydney Harbour Paddle. On Saturday September 25, 2010 the first anniversary of the Samoan tsunami, a Groundswell team of ten surfers paddled across Sydney Harbour heads from Camp Cove to Manly. The support efforts built a strong bond and mutual respect between the team and the Polynesian community. The event raised $12,000 via sponsors, providing funds for a return visit to Samoa earlier this year in April. David Hutchison said, “The aid work this year focused on helping the people of Poutasi village in their rebuilding efforts. Poutasi is near Sinalei which is where the surf resort and Coconuts - a very hollow right-hander - is located. People at Sinalei lost families. Joe Annandale lost his wife and mother-inlaw which was a tragedy.” The Groundswell crew focused on building the Fatu Feu’u Art and Education Centre. This building is to become the centre for Polynesian artists and craftsmen from all over the Pacific. The centre will provide ongoing education in Polynesian arts and crafts, guaranteeing traditional skills are not lost.
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C
SAVE
Short boards, mini mals, mals, logs, fishes, alaias, whatever you have laying around in the shed or even your pride and joy sitting in the lounge room... We want it!
Trade in yo$ur!!old
SURFBOARD against a brand new P, surfboard, kiteboard SU other gear or
TOP LEFT: Rebuilding Sinalei ABOVE: Joe Annandale and Toby Claire LEFT: Building saw stools CENTRE: Coconuts view from Sinalei BELOW: The crew PHOTOS Courtesty of Surf Travel Co. , Randwick TAFE
INTERSTATE? NO WORRIES!
We’ll even arrange freight and collection!
. . . S K R O W T I HOW ll or e-mail
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Poutasi village is home to an internationally renowned carver and artist, Fatu Feu’u after whom the centre is named. The crew was made up of six volunteers, two of whom had never travelled overseas before. The goal was to accomplish as much as physically possible in the two weeks they were there. Everyone worked incredibly hard, battling sickness and hot, humid conditions to bring the building to near completion in less than two weeks. Building materials and equipment were limited. There are no Bunning’s franchises to be seen. Everything was constructed by hand, right through to fabricating roof trusses. The team accomplished an extraordinary result under very tough conditions, and were able to leave a wonderful symbol of Groundswell generosity. The lads did get to have a few quick surfs, but there were many other special memories, including building saw stools with the young children and working side by side with the Poutasi village volunteers. The hospitality and gratitude shown to the team by the Poutasi community was overwhelming. The team were humbled by the experience and the extent of the cultural exchange. Groundswell is not just about replacing infrastructure. It is also about providing opportunities to both the Samoan people and to those involved in the project. All who participated said, “It was a rewarding, positive experience from a personal growth point of view. Everyone involved agreed the experience had changed their outlook on life”. After two weeks of hard work, the vacant slab that formerly served as a reminder of the devastating tsunami was replaced by a symbol of hope and an exciting future for the village of Poutasi. On September 24, 2011 the second Sydney harbour paddle event will be staged. Reg said, “The target this year is $100,000 in government grants, donations and sponsorship. Please check the website www.groundswellbuilds.org.au to see how you can support a very worthy cause.
ade and u want to tr the board yo P, surf, kite or wake! t ou ab us 2. Tell ter - SU ar you’re af ur what new ge cture of yo a current pi e trade-in 3. Send us th ll evaluate much it board. We’ u know how hase yo t le d an rc pu price ur yo t ains is worth ag e organise th a price and and freight on e re ag e 4. W rfboard your old su door! collection of gear to your or d ar bo your new
G FaOt R? IN IT A W U O Y E R e th WHATCTAUS TODAY and tragdea r! e new CONTA rd for som old surfboa
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us
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LATEST: INTEREST It’s not every day you drive up to a house to be confronted by a giant wooden wave. Impressive inside and out, this home is simply something else.
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GRAND DESIGNS Rising up from the bushland, Jed Done’s striking house on the Far South New South Wales coast brings home what he loves most - a giant wave. The 10m timber wave he calls home represents countless hours of love and hard labour and is a true statement about the life of the Bushrat Surfboards innovator. We talk to Jed about the inspiration behind his design and how he went about the construction process, a project he pretty much undertook solo for the better part of three years. WORDS & PHOTOS: DAVE SWAN
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LATEST: INTEREST Now to qualify, Jed simply didn’t pick up a hammer and go will nilly. Better known to smorgasboarder readers as Bushrat for his innovative flextail surfboard designs, Jed is also a licensed carpenter by trade and very handy on the tools. He is basically one of those extremely talented people who are pretty much good at everything and to inept home handyman like myself, really give you the sh#ts. “The concept behind the house was born when I was doing some work for a local architect. He was really good at designing aesthetically pleasing homes with big box-like configurations. His interiors also worked particularly well. “He drew a house that kind of looked like a big ski jump, knowing what I would do with it. I sat on it for a while and thought about the design. He emailed me the sketched plan that was drawn on a computer. “Whilst I don’t use a shaping machine for my surfboards, I draw outlines and curves on a computer so I am familiar with the CAD design software. I laid his drawing out, overlaid my favourite surfboard templates over the top and thought to myself, ‘Well that works and I tweaked it for about a year and here we are.’”
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Today the house stands 10 metres tall with magnificent views to the ocean, which is around 2 kilometres away - a 15 minute walk through national park to Jed’s home surf break, which we will not discuss for fear of never being invited back. The interior features two bedrooms, a large open plan dining room, kitchen and living room. Downstairs there is a guest bathroom and a future display room for Jed’s boards, which for now, acts as a music room for his partner Patricia who is a piano teacher. The home has an incredibly relaxed vibe to it and is extremely spacious featuring magnificent hardwood timbers throughout. “The architect who helped me design the house offered sound words of advice. He said, ‘you should build a house that you are inspired, and look forward to coming home to.’” The house has proven to be just that, acting as a further source of inspiration to Jed’s surfboard designs. “The thing I like is, you have one curve in the roof and you have got the sun beaming in, at a million different angles, all day, every day. From my office upstairs you can look down on the grass and see the shadow the curved roof casts and you can see a million different outlines and bottom curves for a surfboard. You see a certain shadow and go, ‘Ahh, there it is.’ The shadows the roof cast are an amazing inspiration.” Patricia laughs, “Yes, it’s an obsession of Jed’s. An obsession with the curve! We had a good solid couple of years talking about the ‘curve’ until I had enough of it.” Jed chimes in with, “Well, a square one would have been too easy to build.” Ahh yes, and there we go showing off again. But seriously, the same committed approach applies to his range of Bushrat surfboards. It would be far easier, and a lot more socially acceptable, for Jed to tread the usual path of surfboard design and construction. But his obsession with finding the perfect surfboard has led him to the discovery and subsequent evolution of his flextail designs. They are something Jed passionately believes in, and in my humble opinion, rightly so. I just hope the majority of surfers out there open their mind to his surfboard designs so they can experience just how much fun they are because, just like Jed’s house, being adventurous can prove to be very rewarding.
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“WELL, A SQUARE ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO EASY TO BUILD.” JED DONE ON BUILDING HIS HOME
LEFT: Jed Done - Bushrat builder. ABOVE LEFT: The view to the ocean. ABOVE RIGHT: The lawn, a source of inspiration for Bushrat Surfboards. INSET: The back of the Bushratmobile, full of toys.
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LATEST: INTEREST
THE BUSHRAT WAVE-HOME TIMELINE • • • • • • •
• • •
Jed’s grandfather originally owned the land and there was a makeshift shack on the property During Australia’s recession in the early ‘90s Jed had limited carpentry work and took to fixing up the old shack, living there for the next seven years In 1995, he purchased the land from his grandparents With the announcement of the 2000 Sydney Olympics he moved to the big smoke in search of work to ‘cash-up’ for his future project Whilst there he hooked up with a local Maroubra kneeboarder fixing dings and repairing boards, a move that was to prove his inspiration for his future flextail designs Jed moved back home after five years. White ants had eaten the shed and the trees had moved in, so he set up camp in a caravan He first devoted his energy into building his own unique ‘surfboard factory’ complete with shaping bay, sanding and glassing rooms, and a heap of storage. Kind of open, breezy and bloody cold in winter which it was when I visited - but with a hell of a lot of character He started work on the house in the Autumn of 2008, taking three years to build it from start to finish It took 6 months to construct the hardwood timber frames The concrete slab was laid and once the foundation set, a crane took only four hours to erect the entire framework of the house
BUSHRAT BY NAME, BUSHRAT BY NATURE?
THIS PAGE: Different views of the Bushrat shaping shed and Jed Bushrat at work.
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We had to ask Jed about the name Bushrat and where it came from? “When I was living in the shack I had a mate visit from Mallacoota. He used to call me ‘Bushrat.’ “The other story is in relation to the many marsupial mice we have in these parts (Brown Antechinus Mice). The male only lives for one year and come mating time it gets more and more anxious. It’s testicles enlarge to the biggest body ratio size in the entire animal kingdom. They literally become the size of a bean-bag balls dangling down to their knees. They root for three days and then they die. They basically root themselves to death. They don’t drink, don’t eat, don’t sleep, just root with as many partners as possible until they keel over and die. 80% of the female mice die of heart attacks.” Okay then.
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MEET THE TALENT NAM E: André Marsaus
AKA : Ondi WHO: Co-owner of Underground Surf and mad surf collector PREVIOUSLY: World-travelling Chef (He even cooked for the Queen), Restauranteur, Superbike racer, Motorbike Racing Team Manager BOR N: Melbourne, VIC
LIVES: Gold Coast, QLD PROBLEM : A few too many surfboards... or not enough? Believe it or not, this is only a quarter of the collection!
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ondi.indd 48
An Aragorn original... The 70’s brand has since been resurrected by Underground, with some new boards shaped by Steve ‘Zorro’ Goddard.
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5/09/11 12:29 PM
SLIGHTLY OBSESSED (But in the best possible way)
ds nd his frien Meet Ondi a
If you’ve visited the southern end of the Gold Coast in the last few years, you might have come across the treasure trove that is Underground Surf in Coolangatta. Between all the fantastic retro and vintage boards in the store and the wealth of knowledge, history and surfing trivia, any avid collector could lose hours of the day swapping tales with the friendly owner and smorgasboarder history buff, André ‘Ondi’ Marsaus.
Amon autho chef w coast cooke he’s a run hi surfbo annua smor
While Ondi started his surfboard collecting obsession at the tender age of five, his passion for surfboards hasn’t died down one bit. These days he’ll happily chew your ear off about a single fin or talk for hours about the most minute development in surfboard design. And Underground Surf, which he runs with his partner Maree, is the perfect venue to do exactly that. You might even be lucky enough to run into a local surfing legend or two when you visit. To spread the love of board collecting, he also runs an annual vintage surfboard swap meet which not only feeds his own collection, but gets curious newbies hooked as well. Ondi gracefully took some time out to show us a small sample of his collection of over 300 boards. Wow. What else can we say? FROM LEFT BOTTOM: Green Hohonsee single, Cowley single fin, Klemm Bell wasp stinger, Cooper bonzer, Mctavish Bluebird single, Mctavish bluebird kneeboard, Mctavish Bluebird single, Mctavish Bluebird single, McCoy single, McCoy twinfin, Greenough asymetrical singlefin, Hotstuff single, Dick Brewer tri-fin, Aragorn bonzer, Aragorn tri-fin, Hot Buttered single, Cowley single, Don Alcroft Sunbird single, Sky twin fin, Sky twin fin, Local Knowledge tri-fin, Local Knowledge tri-fin, Gordon & Smith quad, Gordon & Smith tri-fin, Simon Anderson Energy thruster MIDDLE: MP single, McCoy 82’ Lazor Zap, Hohonsee single multi THIRD ROW, FROM FRONT: Friar Tuck kneelo twin, Friar Tuck kneelo quad, Hot Buttered Knormal kneelo, Gordon & Smith kneelo, Local Knowledge twin, Local Knowledge single, Choobecrafted Cali twin, MP Goodtime single, Goodtime twin, MP Goodtime single, Furry Austin Goodtime single, Gordon & Smith tri-fin, CO2 quad fin, MR twin, MR twin, MR twin, Nat Young tri-fin, Hotstuff A.B. channel tri-fin, Gordon & Black tri-fin, Simon Anderson Energy thruster, Wayne Lynch single gun, Aragorn MP single BACK: Aragorn kneelo, Mcgrigor single, Erle Pedderson Kewara jet sandboard/scurfer, Gordon and Smith tri-fin, Steve Goddard tri-fin, Trigger Bros Kneelo.
To talk and browse vintage boards, drop in to the store at 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta. www.undergroundsurf.com.au sep/oct 2011
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From the age of 8, Todd Mingramm grew up surfing with his dad who used to put him up the front of his malibu. His surfing quickly progressed. Before long he was competing in his local board riding club and by his teens interstate comps. Soon after he became a sponsored surfer with a couple of big name surf brands behind him and began competing internationally and doing exotic photo shoots. It was fun but as Todd describes it, “I was getting by on the back of my surfing, but only just.”
STARTING THE GRIND Todd gave up surfing competitively and went to work for his dad in the motor trade for four years. He started washing cars, progressed to an office bound job that obviously didn’t suit someone who loved being outdoors and finally became a wholesale rep for the company. It was a means to an end, helping him to save enough money to travel overseas. THE REVELATION “I landed a job in San Clemente, California at a surf school working for Jackie Baxter’s (famous 60’s Californian surf legend) son, Josh, who is a professional longboarder. I pretty much taught surfing over summer for two seasons. It brought me back to surfing.” “I just loved teaching and when I came back that was all I wanted to do. When I returned I worked for the
Cronulla Surfing Academy owned by Blake Johnston, a really good surfer from Cronulla who was a pro surfer back in the day.” THE TRANSITION TO SUP “Dane Wilson got me into stand up. Dane’s a pro longboarder from Noosa who was originally from Cronulla... He got me into it and it assisted strengthening my back and I got addicted to it. It is so good for developing your core strength.” WHAT’S THE ADDICTIVE THING ABOUT SUP FOR YOU? “I don’t know what it is exactly but every time I jump on a stand up paddleboard it puts a smile on my face. I guess because I am still on a board in the water and I am not in pain. I just feel really good.” Regular stand up sessions combined with a healthy diet and Bikram Yoga
has kept Todd in the water enjoying his surfing. “In my opinion if you don’t use it, you lose it. You have to try and keep your back strong. Stand up and yoga assists my core strength and the yoga furthers aids flexibility.” FUTURE PLANS Aside from his Cronulla Standup Paddleboard School Todd also owns the Cronulla Standup Paddleboard Shop. His days are spent running between lessons and his shop. His nights however are spent on his other love… hip-hop music. “My music is really my thing at the moment. I have been pretty hard at it, doing gigs and tours. It is a massive part of my life. I perform under the name Slippery MC. Stay tuned for an album in 6 months.”
WWW.CRONULLASUP.COM.AU
From surf to SUP to the stage, Todd's not been one to sit idle. Photos Supplied.
TURNING POINT Todd injured his back fairly early on in his surfing career. “I fractured my L5 (lower vertebrae) jumping off a big jump rock called The Beast Rock down at Wattamolla south of Cronulla. When you are a teenager it was one of those things you had to jump off to be a man. "It is quite a jump and I basically fractured my back. It was pretty stupid. I could move but was in pain for months and didn’t find out I had a fracture until a couple of years later. “I had a couple of other problems. I was born with such as Scoliosis and Spina bifida and those back issues in combination with my injury... it was half the reason I stopped doing comps because I was always in pain and injured.”
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Back in the very first edition of smorgasboarder, we had the good luck and privilege of printing some amazing surf shots from the Central Coast - of Kerry Down making the most of his brand new Black Apache Twin. And ever since those pics first flashed up on screen we wanted to have a chat to the man behind the lens. As good fortune would have it, there was a lot more to the snapper than just photography. It turns out he’s not only a firey and family man - he also has an unhealthy addiction to big waves. Fellow Central Coasters Aimee Sics and Grant Molony catch up with a man who is insane enough to ride Shipsterns Bluff in Tassie... holding onto a pole with a GoPro camera on it...
WAVE
JUNKIE WORDS: AIMEE SICS PHOTOS: GRANT MOLONY For some surfers, the day-to-day surfing routine at the local break can only meet their needs to a certain degree. It’s then that they go beyond the friendly waves to seek out the monsters of the deep. For Central Coast surfer, Justin Allport on his birth certificate, or Jughead, as he is more intimately known to the locals, jumping out of a plane may command a high. Working in his day-job as a fire fighter might most definitely present some heart-pounding situations. But nothing else gives him that adrenaline rush as hunting down the big ones.
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Happy days at Wyrrabalong National Park on a sunny Sunday with no one around. PHOTO: Grant Molony
LATEST: LOCAL
LEFT: Later that same Sunday. Grant Molony BELOW: Shipsterns, with polecam... Crazy? Maybe a little... http://vimeo.com/user1044232
“MISADVENTURE IS THE NEW ADVENTURE...” Your average Joe next door, Jughead is a committed family man, dedicated firey, keen surfer and photographer. But his life is far from average. One minute he could be at the scene of a car accident, the next he’s taking on a five-metre wave, sitting deep inside the barrel, causing onlookers to choke in terror. Chasing down the rush isn’t easy. Missed flights, excess baggage fees, shattered ribs, broken down cars a hundred kilometres away from the nearest tow, busted ear drums, countless snapped boards, lost luggage, stranded at foreign airports, sunken jet skis, angry locals with shotguns, enough stitches to sew a sweater and being forgotten fifty kilometres out to sea is all part of the adventure. “Misadventure is the new adventure,” say Jughead. “It’s all part of it!” When asked what has been the most frightening experience to date, a little chuckle and the confession slips that it was when his wife was in labour with their first child. Talk about guts. But the surf chasing all started by accident. After being taken out by a rip one day and encountering some huge surf, he was hooked. Now chasing the big waves - and venturing where few would dare - is what it’s all about. Born and bred on the NSW Central Coast, Jughead grew up with North Shelly beach as his backyard and he’s proud to say that it still is today. With a loving wife and three young kids, he’s one happy fella at home. So what’s his wife’s take on chasing giants? “She’s great. Very supportive of me when I want to take off to West Australia, for instance.” Together for 17 years and married for 12, it’s obviously 54
a tribute to their strong relationship. Family holidays are always somewhere coastal for the beach loving family, and not always about big waves. “Coolangatta.” he says. “I love holidaying there. Great waves for the kids when it’s small, and theme parks are close by. Beautiful climate, it’s got it all.” Another favourite is Bali. A recent holiday there with a few other families meant a great mix of shopping, surf and kid-friendly activities - a healthy balance of family time and surfing. The thrill seeker gene has evidently been passed on to Charli, the eldest Allport at ten years old - currently winning the under 10s in the local Boardrider’s club at North Shelly and getting some practice in over in Bali. “She was the one who kept asking to go further and further out on bigger days!” With a competitive streak running through Charli, she’s a bit of an all-rounder at sports, excelling in netball, swimming and cross-country, too. Milli, a little younger competes in Boardrider’s also, “She just loves doing it because her older sister does. But she is good and loves riding all types of waves - fat, sucky, big and small.” At home, the surf-family-work equilibrium does take time to work out, but is ultimately, family comes first. “Weekends can get difficult as the kids want to hang out with their friends. So taking them surfing all together is a bonus, not to mention good fun!” Jughead’s shift work gives him the chance to surf when the kids are at school. And even if the waves aren’t gigantic, it’s not just an adrenalin thing. “It’s more of an escape,” he tells us. “Surfing two foot waves by myself can sometimes be all it takes to relax.”
JUGHEAD
But the adrenaline won’t stop running. Jughead states he may “get more cautious”, but even then, “It might just mean a smaller wave will get the adrenalin pumping, which is good because it’s easier to find smaller waves!” So what else does this family man do for an adrenalin kick then, when it’s cold, miserable and the beach resembles a lake? Bungee jump? “I was going to once, but then I gave the money to a mate. I would do it, but it’s not something I think I would love to do in order to get that rush.” It ultimately comes back to the ocean though. Jughead and his camaraderie of other big wave chasers and photographers are always watching the charts, ready to shuffle every day life out of the way for a bit… There’s nothing like returning home to the family though. “I do love the adrenalin those trips give me, but I definitely miss the family more than I miss the waves.” And for the absolute wind-down, Jug says there’s nothing like a good coffee and some games. “I’m a bit of a Monopoly king!” Well coffee gets the heart rate going. Not to sure about Monopoly, but each to their own, hey!
For killer video footage of Jughead surfing everywhere from Shipsterns to his backyard, check out his very cool video channel on Vimeo at vimeo.com/user1044232 For more of Grant Molony’s great photography, see grantmolonyphoto.blogspot.com
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OUR RESIDENT SHARK-ADDICT, DAVE THE GIANT CHICKEN, ASKS SOME SCARY QUESTIONS AND GETS SOME BLOODY GOOD ANSWERS. WORDS: DAVE SWAN, with contributions from JOHN WEST, BRETT BAM, MARK ADDISON
You’ve just caught a wave and are paddling back out. You have a strange feeling something else is there with you. An innate sense, some describe as our ‘sixth sense’ telling you: “You are not alone.” I’ve heard a lot of people say, “trust your instincts”. If you sense something in the water, you are probably right and it’s best you get out of there. But if that were true, for me, I would never get a surf in. I always feel like there is something there. If I trusted my so-called ‘instincts’, the minute I got wet, I would be back on the beach drying myself off. If this notion is indeed correct, I am a shark magnet because every time I surf there must be one right alongside of me. I am like the Dr Doolittle of the sea. Yes, as you guessed it, I have a shark phobia, a fear of sharks known as Selachophobia. Yes, I am soft. But I’m not alone. Many people, and indeed many surfers, suffer from such a fear of sharks. These beasts of the deep have the ability to play on our minds. Sure, more people may die each year from bee stings or lightning strikes or falling coconuts, as we are so often told, but quite frankly, the mere sight of a bee doesn’t send me into a state of panic. I don’t see a bee and go, “Oh crap!” The same goes for coconuts, quite the opposite in fact. And is this an accurate comparison anyhow? Let’s face it; despite the enormous rise in popularity of surfing, there are a hell of a lot more people walking around vulnerable to the attack of a bee then there are people in the ocean. Whilst a bee sting may unfortunately prove lethal to some of us, that very bee is not going to tear us apart, limb from limb, and eat us alive. And then there’s the dilemma that, if you are extremely unlucky enough to get attacked, how the hell do you bring yourself to get back into the water? Surely there is no worse way to go than being eaten by a shark. It’s this fear that possibly drives our morbid fascination with sharks and indeed shark attacks, no matter how unlikely they may be. Let’s hear from everyday surfers as well as the experts about sharks and their at times tenuous relationship with surfers.
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Photo: Hayden O’Neill
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We figured that we may as well start with an informed view, so we went straight to the experts.
DARWIN
Resident shark expert at Taronga Zoo, John West is the Manager of Life Sciences Operations and Coordinator of the Australian Shark Attack File.
BRISBANE
PERTH SYDNEY
“It is clear that the risk of being bitten or dying from an unprovoked shark attack in Australia remains extremely low.”
ADELAIDE
Distribution of Australian shark attacks, 1791–2009. Each attack is represented by a black dot.
MELBOURNE
Australian Shark Attack File - Taronga Zoo
HOBART
Suprising results... The times that reported shark attacks have occured between 1990 and 2009. 18 16
12
Cases
10 8 6 4 2 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Time (Hours)
Number of shark attacks for each state of Australia (1990-2009), including number of fatalities, injuries, or where the person was uninjured and the location of the last fatality since 1990. Australian Shark Attack File - Taronga Zoo STATE
TOTAL CASES
FATAL ATTACKS
INJURED
UNINJURED
LAST FATALITY (SINCE 1990)
NSW
73
2
45
26
2008, Ballina, Lighthouse Beach
QLD
43
5
32
6
2006, North Stradbroke Island
WA
35
6
23
6
2005, Houtman Abrolhos Islands
SA
20
8
11
1
2005, Glenelg Beach
VIC
12
0
5
7
TAS
2
1
1
0 1993, Tenth Is, Georgetown
NT
TOTAL
1
0
0
1
186
22
117
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Since 2009, there have been a further two fatalities in WA and one in SA, most recently a 21-year-old bodyboarder, in Bunker Bay, WA.
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Good to know... John recently published a paper on the changing patterns of shark attacks in Australian waters. We asked him a couple of questions in relation to all manner of things to do with sharks. Are shark numbers dwindling? Is this the case with large predatory sharks such as Great Whites, Tigers and Bull sharks?
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“Shark attacks will persist as long as humans continue to enter the habitat of the shark,” he states. “However, it is important to keep shark attacks in perspective. There is an average of 87 people that drown at Australian beaches per year (ref: Surf Life Saving Australia 2010) yet there is only an average of 12 unprovoked shark attack incidents, including 1.1 fatalities, per year over the last two decades.
[JW] Sharks generally are under a lot of fishing pressure around the world and commercial fisheries have experienced downturns in catches to varying degrees. The practice of finning sharks and discarding the shark’s body has severely impacted on many shark species. However, of the three species you note, only the White shark is protected because of declines in their population. The Tiger and Bull sharks in Australia are not known to have been adversely impacted by commercial fishing at this time but have been in other parts of the world. If the numbers are dwindling, why does there appear to be an increased number of incidents involving Great Whites in Western Australia for example? [JW] In the recent paper I published I discussed the increase in shark attacks specifically over the last 20 years and the correlation between the increasing population and water use (particularly surfers) in Australia. Surfers have had a 300% increase in attacks compared to the previous 20 year period. But again it reflects
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the increase in people in the water and the wide spread use of wetsuits that allow more people to spend more time in cooler waters than ever before. Sharks have been on this earth for 400 million years and humans for around 200 thousand years. However, it is only in the last century that people have regularly entered the ocean on mass to swim. Sharks have not eaten people regularly, nor are humans in the water for long enough to allow sharks to eat humans consistently to include us in their natural diet. In some cases sharks have consumed humans but this is a rare event. If sharks did eat humans as part of their natural diet there would be tens of thousands of people attacked every year and this clearly does not occur. Is there an increased presence of Bull sharks in our canals, river and estuary systems? [JW] To my knowledge the Bull shark has not increased in numbers in their natural habitat. There is a lot more research happening these days due to a Bull shark attack on a Navy diver in Sydney Harbour in Feb 2009 and acoustic tracking has produced some great results on their movement up and down the east coast. Again, more people in the water does increase the risk and with the advent of man-made canals in QLD they are a great place for Bull sharks to grow up and feed and as they get bigger. They have been known to bite humans swimming in those canals. Taronga Zoo maintains records on shark related incidents in Australia. Is it conceivable that there are some cases that go unreported and that indeed more people fall victim to shark attacks than those recorded? [JW] I can only speak about the last 30 years that I have been investigating shark attacks. It is inconceivable that a shark attack could go unnoticed in Australia as these days the media are usually informed by a mobile phone call almost immediately. Over the years there have been a few people - mostly shark hunters - that have a vested interest in promoting paranoia about sharks within the general public claiming that anyone who ever went to a beach and goes missing was killed by a shark and that is a preposterous suggestion. There needs to some accountability for what people say. These people clearly are not accountable and will say anything to promote themselves or their business.
From John West’s paper on Changing patterns of shark attacks in Australian waters.
•
Records of shark attacks in Australia have been kept since the early days of settlement (first attack recorded in 1791). To standardise reporting, the Australian Shark Attack File (ASAF) was developed in 1984.
•
A ‘shark attack’ is defined as any human–shark interaction, where either a shark makes a determined attempt to attack a person who is alive and in the water, or the shark attacks equipment held by the victim or a small-water craft containing the victim.
•
Incidents classified as ‘provoked’ are not included in the present paper such as where the person was fishing for, spearing, handling a shark etc.
•
Since 1900 there have been 540 recorded unprovoked attacks, including 153 fatalities, 302 injuries and 85 incidents where no injury occurred.
•
In the first half of the 20th century, there was an increase in the number of recorded shark attacks, culminating in a peak in the 1930s when there were 74 incidents. The number of attacks then dropped, to stabilize to 35 incidents per decade from the 1940s to the 1970s.
•
Between 1990–1999, there has been a 16% increase in reported attacks, with a 25% increase in the past 10 years.
•
Since 1990, 12 species of shark were identified as responsible for unprovoked attacks. The three species historically considered to represent the biggest threat to humans (the White, Tiger and Bull shark combined) represent 48% of attacks. A further 20% of attacks was attributed to the whaler group and 20% for the Wobbegong shark.
•
•
•
•
ONLY THREE SPECIES OF SHARK HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR FATAL ATTACKS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.
•
WHITE SHARK, with an increase from 24 incidents during the previous two decades to 55 incidents, including 15 fatalities, 23 injuries and 17 uninjured incidents
•
Of the 54 incidents where a physical diversionary action was taken by the victim, 32% reported no change to the attack behaviour.
BULL SHARK, with an increase from three incidents during the previous two decades to 25 incidents, including four fatalities, 15 injuries and six uninjured incidents
•
The commonly held belief you were more susceptible to attack at dawn or dusk due to sharks’ nocturnal feeding behaviour is not necessarily true. Of the three main groups of sharks implicated in attacks, each are relatively evenly represented throughout the day suggesting sharks are often opportunistic and inquisitive regardless of the time of day.
TIGER SHARK, with a decrease from 14 incidents for the previous two decades down to 10 incidents, including three fatalities, two injuries and five uninjured incidents
•
Of the 15 fatalities attributed to White sharks, seven involved a single bite and seven resulted from multiple bites.
•
Over 80% of incidents involved White sharks and Tiger sharks larger than 3m. For Bull sharks, 78% of incidents involved sharks larger than 2m.
•
The activities of victims (1990–2009) were recorded for 186 incidents, of which 78 (42%) occurred while surfing on a board or body board.
Because of increased activities occurring in cooler waters all year round, 49% of all shark-attack victims were wearing a wetsuit. There is no suggestion that wetsuits are the cause of the attack, but rather their use has allowed people to extend their time in the water, increasing the risk of encountering a shark attack.
The popularity of surfing in current-day Australia was highlighted in a 2005–2006 survey, which estimated that 12% of the adult population of Australian cities participated in surfing, resulting in 1.68 million recreational surfers. (www.surfersvillage.com, 10 June 2009). Applying a 20% increase, similar to the percentage increase recorded for beach visitations, it’s conservatively estimated that there were 2.061 million recreational surfers in Australia in 2009.
•
There has been a 310% increase in shark attacks on surfers since 1999 that appear to be primarily due to the increased popularity of surfing.
•
Analysis of the distribution of shark attacks indicates that 91% in the past two decades have occurred away from the major population centres, along the eastern coast where shark-control programs are not deployed. This may be interpreted as highlighting the efficiency of the various shark-meshing programs in reducing shark attacks.
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“Once you take into account all the facts, you begin to realise that sharks are specifically not hunters of men. If sharks really were man eaters, then men would not be able to surf or dive or even swim in the sea, because we would be constantly eaten by the oceans supreme predator. “In fact, the reverse is true. We prey on sharks, and kill them in their millions. Nobody knows what the exact figure is, but it is estimated to be in excess of 100 million sharks killed by humans every year. We kill them in a wide variety of cruel ways, the cruelest of which is by far - shark-finning. “This is very dangerous behaviour for an environmentally enlightened society to undertake. We are causing a rather large dent in the worlds shark population. If we succeed in making the shark an endangered species (and they are literally racing towards extinction in this generation), we effectively remove the apex predator from the environment. This has far reaching consequences. The sharks stop hunting and populations they previously kept in check rage out of control and decimate other populations further down the food chain. This knock on effect will eventually have a dramatic influence on the oceans and could even lead to a complete collapse of the ecosystem. And we all know how dependent humans are on the oceans. “As always, it starts with us and our attitude. We have to accept the shark as our friend, rather than as the terrible killer it has always been portrayed as. It is easy to turn the shark into a villain because they are hardly cute and cuddly animals, but they are in desperate need of our protection. “I made contact with one of the world leaders in shark research, South African Mark Addison. He has spent decades swimming with sharks. His predominant attitude is one of awe and amazement, not fear. He talks about what you should do if approached by a large shark.”
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FIJI Tavarua Island Resort Namotu Island Resort Plantation Island Resort Walu Beach Resort Mamanuca Island Group – West Coast Fiji Sonaisali Island Resort Intercontinental Fiji Golf & Spa Viti Levu – South West Coast Mainland Hideaway Resort Waidroka Bay Resort Matanivusi Surf Resort Viti Levu – Coral Coast Mainland
Mark Addison underwater with a Great White. Photo supplied by bluewilderness.co.za
MARK ADDISON Heads Blue Wilderness, a dynamic underwater filming logistics and expedition company operating out of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. “I will just start off by saying that clearly one approach may not fit each species and each encounter as there are so many variables but some of the insights I have gleaned may be of some value the next time a surfer comes into contact with a shark and wonders what to do to influence the outcome. “We know that the small Tiger sharks encountered inshore pose little or no risk to surfers. In terms of their life cycle, they are merely hiding from other sharks and taking advantage of soft foods such as rays and fish. Further to this, even the bigger Tigers are incredibly cautious and you would probably be on your next wave before it made any significant approach in your direction, even with a long lull between sets. The Tiger however is a shark that often investigates things before it makes an effort to swallow it and thus this needs attention in terms of how to avoid it taking the next step. “Blacktips on the other hand are much more nosey and would
approach readily if in numbers. They need a big pack before they get brave and are feeding on small fish and rays so they really do not see a surfer as a possible meal. That said they are equally unable to resist the temptation of investigating a splash and this obviously brings them into consideration when you are scratching for a wave. I have not found this species to try to ‘investigate’ objects. It is rather a ‘bite first, ask questions later’ approach to feeding. “White sharks are very curious and will bite any object in the water to better understand what it is. This is obviously a risk to something as puny as a human and has subsequently earned them the tag of “man-eater” when in fact it is more accurate to refer to them as “man-spitter-outers”. They mouth and spit out, but that could be a bite through a femoral artery, or it could be at a remote beach with no potential medical assistance. “What I have noticed is that even Whites will make two or three investigatory circuits of the object of curiosity. These investigatory circles begin wide and then narrow down to the point of contact. If you either catch a wave or approach at this time, it is often enough to negate
any further approach by the animal. “The problem in many of the cases, is that the surfer has no sighting of the animal before the last, and now deliberate contact. For me, attack is the best form of defense with sharks and I would approach - not flailing wildly however - and own the space. “The key for me, when in the water with the above mentioned sharks, and the Bull shark, is clearly to own the space. This is easy when you are snorkeling as you are sighted and thus you can make eye contact with the animal which is usually enough but in a slightly boisterous shark you need to escalate the encounter to move into its space and dominate. Much like the neighbours dog, which will terrorise you if it detects you are nervous or scared, but is putty if you are confident and dominant.
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“When surfing, you are unsighted and distracted. I am not sure you have the time to implement my suggestions and are probably in a struggle for life and limb. If you can see the animal then own the space, if you can not, then opt for the ‘Beam me up, Scotty’ option and get the next wave to shore.”
.. al . y gin ori pan e on m
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Squizzy Taylor
IT’S HARD NOT TO BE GRIPPED BY A TALE OF AN ENCOUNTER. HERE ARE A FEW TALES AND THOUGHTS ON SHARKS THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH US ON OUR TRAVELS ALONG THE COAST.
John Morgan, Maddog Surf Centre, Byron Bay
As a father of three myself, it goes without saying that Father’s Day is full of surprises. John Morgan however got a little bit more of a surprise on Father’s Day in 2008. Trying out his new SUP at Clarkes Beach he had just caught a wave and was heading back when he came a cropper going over a break. He felt a swirl under his board, immediately sensed it was a shark and subsequently became the first man to ski with a SUP. John had inadvertently hooked his leg rope to a 3 metre shark who towed him out to sea whilst he clambered to stay on the back of his SUP as he travelled backwards at the rate of knots. John recounts the story, “It took all my strength to hold on and stop from slipping off the board. There was whitewater coming off the back of the board. It was really hard to stay on which was sort of uncool you know.”
Jed Done, Bushrat Surfboards Surfing alone is par for the course down Jed’s way on the Far South Coast of New South Wales. Do sharks play on his mind? Jed gives us his perspective. “I have seen quite a few but the surf is too good to let it phase you too much. You think about them but you kind of get used to it.” “The biggest White I have seen was at the Merimbula Bar. It was a good 4 to 5 meters and coming straight at us. There was about 30 to 40 people in the lineup. 80% turned around and went in. I stayed in with a couple of mates. It went past one way, came back, went under us… it’s fin would have been as thick as this longneck.”
Brian ‘Squizzy’ Taylor, highly respected Yorke Peninsula, South Australian surfer
Lewis Dowie, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, September 2005
“The reality of it is, I have surfed for nearly 35 years and maybe twice I have had to get out of the water. Like anything, you just read the signs. If there are lots of fish about, lots of birds, seals shooting off in different directions and lots of things happening in the water, you go safety first.
Lewis Dowie’s personal account of the attack on his mate, Josh Berris, shows you can’t always read the signs.
“One of those occasions was years ago down at Victor Harbor. There was 12 of us out in the water and we had to clear out. A big White Pointer came across the sand bank towards us and we managed to paddle about 60m to a rocky headland and scampered up the rocks. “We were lucky because it was the start of summer and the government was performing helicopter beach surveillance. The helicopter starting circling and got closer and then over the loud hailer said, ‘Get out of the water. There is a large shark nearby.’ Within them finishing that sentence, this shark appeared across the next set of waves. It was a good 4 to 5 meters. “That beach and the neighbouring beach used to have tonnes of salmon in their day through the ‘70s and early ‘80s but those beaches have been fairly heavily fished out now. “I guess being a South Australian surfer you are always surfing rather remote areas and have to be careful. It’s a bit of a lottery isn’t it. You go out and surf all the time and sooner or later you are going to encounter something. Down here you often surf on your own and you really do increase your chances.”
Yes we were drinking beer when Jed told this story. A good shark story cannot be told without one. Plus the longknecks helped to graphically represent the size of the shark. “I have had another smaller White swim a couple of feet beneath me, roll and have a good long look at me. I saw the big black eye.
“There were six of us out; me, my brother Nathan, my dad Dave, a family friend Lee, Josh and his mate Shane. We were surfing a pretty remote break on Kangaroo Island. It’s a long walk in and the break is right in the middle of a seal colony. The take off zone is actually right where the seals are playing around. “We had been in the surf about an hour when it happened. Josh was probably the farthest out near my dad and Lee. Nathan, Shane and I were a fair way further in. “I think I remember Josh giving a bit of yell and the shark’s head coming out of the water and him trying to push it away. At that point, me, my brother and Shane bailed and caught the same wave in so we didn’t really see anything else. It was a reflex action to get out of there straight away without even thinking about it. “It was only about a 20 to 30m paddle straight in. But where the wave breaks it does drop off pretty quickly. “Talking to the other guys, the shark had apparently come up, had an initial go at Josh and he basically pushed it off. It then came back and knocked him off his board. It grabbed a hold of his board and started thrashing around with it. Josh was getting dragged along for a bit before he managed to get his legrope off. The older guy, Lee, then paddled over to Josh, got him onto his board and caught a wave into the rocks. “Josh was pretty lucky. He only received a couple of long gashes on the front of both his shins. My brother and I had meanwhile grabbed some towels and leggies and ran over to where they came in.
“But honestly, Whites don’t attack people, in my mind. They just have a curious inspection of what you are. Too many people get away. You hear on the news, ‘A surfer was attacked by a Great White... and he managed to get away.’ He didn’t get attacked by a 5-metre White. The shark was just curious and gave him a bit of a nudge. “It’s like saying ‘I just had a fight with this gigantic guy at the pub and got away with it.’ He was just politely telling you to get lost.”
“We always had the theory that if the seals got out of the water there was a shark around but in this instance they didn’t, so that theory kind of fell through.
“Dad and Lee managed to bandage him up with towels and shirts, while my brother and I ran back to the cars to call the ambos and helicopter.” ABOVE: Jed Bushrat in an aerial shark-dodge sep/oct 2011
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PHOTO: Hermanus Backpack ers
With an average full-grown length of about 4-5m and weighing in at just over a ton, most experts contend a White’s maximum size is about 6m (20 ft), with a maximum weight of about 1,900 kilograms - almost 2 tons, while the Guinness Book of World Records lists the largest one caught in Australia at 11m (36 ft) captured near Port Fairy in the 1870s. Great Whites can detect your slightest movement through their Ampullae of Lorenzini, special sensing organs that detect the electromagnetic field emitted by the movement of living animals They can detect half a billionth of a volt, which is equivalent to detecting a flashlight battery from 1,600 kilometres away, so you can run, (swim) but you can’t hide. They can detect your heart beat so if you have just seen one, your ticker is probably acting as a giant homing beacon. But these organs are used locate prey far away. They then use smell and hearing to further verify that the target is food. At close range, the shark utilises sight for the attack. Despite the common myth that Great Whites are non-thinking, instinctdriven, eating machines studies have indicated they possess powerful problem-solving skills. In 1987, near Smitswinkle Bay, South Africa, a group of up to seven Great White sharks worked together to relocate the partially beached body of a dead whale to deeper waters to feed.
We hear from John Hinks, a professional fisherman and surfer from Port Lincoln in South Australia, who, due to the nature of his work, sees these big ones more than most.
“I am a pro tuna fisherman so I see a fair few Great Whites. The last time I had an encounter was in a small dinghy. I was drift fishing a couple of miles offshore. It was a nice glassy, calm afternoon. I saw the tip of a fin cut through the water about a 100 metres away. It came closer and closer until I could see the shape underneath it. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, that’s a Pointer.’ It came a bit closer and turned out to be 16 footer. It was roughly 3 feet longer than my 13 foot dinghy. “Anyhow, it just had this pattern it followed. They do it every time. He would swim 100ft in front of my boat, head straight towards me, fin out of the water, roll sideways and look me in the eye and go behind my boat. Head 100ft in front of the boat, straight towards me and swing back around the boat. I reckon they have good visibility. He knew what I was. “It was doing this for about 40 minutes and I was really enjoying the show. But I then realised these circles were getting tighter and tighter and tighter and then I hit the panic button. I thought, ‘Shit, I just might make a phone call here’ and as soon as I grabbed my mobile, he was chewing on my outboard. It was just: Bang! Bang! Bang! Side to side. I dropped the phone. I was just hanging on, squatting in the dinghy thinking, ‘you idiot. You’ve left this too late.’ “I’m watching my mobile slide from side to side on the bottom of the dinghy. It finishes with the outboard and then comes along the side of the boat and starts rocking it with its pectoral and side fin. “Then the whole circus started again. It went a 100ft in front of the dinghy but this time it came straight at the dinghy and was pushing a bow wave and I just thought, ‘Ohh, I have to get out of here.’ I started the outboard. It started first time thankfully. I went a couple of kilometers, pulled up and grabbed my phone to tell a mate what had just happened and bloody hell, it’s on the move and coming at me again. I put the phone down and got the hell out of there. Further on, I came across a mate of mine who is also a pro fisherman. I pull over and he says, ‘You look like you’ve seen a White Pointer.’”
happen. “I have the up most respect for Pointers. If I ever got knocked off by one, I would be irate if they hunted it down. We play in their domain. That is our choice. Sometimes you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s all there is to it. Bang, you’re gone.’ “Respect the ocean and respect what is in the ocean. Those big fish are in there for survival and it is their playground.” Any places you wouldn’t surf? “Ohhh well... you know... no, there probably isn’t. There is an island out from Port Lincoln. Great wave, sharkiest spot. There’s a few tuna farms only a mile away from the takeoff. The tuna guys will duck over after feeding the fish and tell us how many big ones are about just as we enter the water. We’re just like, ‘Righto, keep your eyes on the barrel, keep surfing.’” Have shark dives heightened Great White curiosity? “Those blokes go past me each day in summer when I’m fishing. They run an incredibly successful operation and provide an incredible experience for the divers that go down in the cage. As a surfer, you would have to be a fearless to ever want to do that. Once you have seen one that close, it is a much harder picture to put out of your mind when surfing. Everyone is different but surely seeing a 15-foot shark in attack mode must leave a lasting impression. That is a living dinosaur right there. “Have these dives played a part in the sharks’ curiosity in humans? Definitely so.”
We often hear of sharks mistaking us for prey? “Does prey look like a 13 foot dinghy with an outboard? He knew I was pulling fish and there was plenty of vibration on my line. He was inquisitive and then he became frustrated. It didn’t want the King George Whiting. It wanted me. I am not a disbeliever they will occasionally mistake you for prey. But I also believe that like anything that lives, they get hungry. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, they will eat you.” Have you had an encounter surfing?
Despite being pretty much numero uno in the ocean, Whites can fall victim to one other bad boy of the sea, the Orca. Search for “Shark Orca” on YouTube to see some Killer Whales with a penchant for white meat. The only species of shark protected in Australia is the Great White and the Grey Nurse.
“My favourite waves are up in The Great Australian Bight. Last autumn we got chased in. The boys and me are sitting on the bowl. There was 5 or 6 of us out there. I am sitting a bit wider than them. They have that look on their face. ‘Johno, we just seen one. 30 foot over there. It’s time to go in.’ “I was on the back of the pack thinking, ‘Why am I always on the back of the pack?’ The same thing happened the autumn before. When you see a fin in The Bight you generally know it is a fin of consequence. You go in and don’t stuff around. But as usual, there’s never a wave in sight when these things sep/oct 2011
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Are White Pointers in decline, in your opinion? “There are certainly no less White Pointers around the West Coast and South Australia. They are more stories about them all the time. As a surfer I don’t want to see them. But surfing and fishing these parts, you see them. “They are such an incredible thing to see. They are like a whale with teeth. You are looking at this thing and it is just huge. It’s quite a euphoric experience... when you are not surfing. “When you see a whale you never tire of seeing that majestic creature in the water. Pointers are kind of like that.
The most unfortunate outcome of human interactions with sharks is obviously the loss of human life. These are a few unhappy tales. There may be 3-4 species of sharks responsible for accidental attacks on humans but there are over 166 species of sharks living off Australia’s 35,000 km of beaches. Most of these species are completely harmless. •
Ironically it’s the human consumption of sharks that may determine the ultimate fate of the species.
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It is estimated over 100 million sharks are removed from the oceans worldwide every year.
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“Tuna fishing in Point Lincoln, there’s more and more of them each year and each year they will be around the harvest boats, all hungry.”
As a result, more than 100 shark species are listed as exploited.
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Scores are either endangered or threatened.
The Shark Shield device?
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It is reported in the Mediterranean Sea, sharks such as the Mako and Hammerhead have declined in number by more than 95% in the last 30 years.
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In the Gulf of Mexico, home to a number of large sharks such as the Great White, there’s been a reported 75% drop in the last 15 years.
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Western fishermen often supplement their income with the accidental netting of sharks within their catch. Surely, most of us have had fish’n’chips at some time. Well, this is often ‘flake’, which is shark.
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But most of the exploitation of sharks is due to the cruel practice of ‘finning’, where the shark’s fins are sliced off and the shark then thrown back into the water to sink to the bottom. Unable to swim, the shark drowns.
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This inhumane practice is to simply feed the need for shark fin soup in many Asian countries, namely China and Hong Kong. The soup is considered an aphrodisiac.
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Those who doubt how cruel the practice of shark-finning is should watch this clip. www.sharks.org/ sri-main-blog/241-recipe-for-sharkfin-soup.html
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The shark, this amazing apex predator that has been in our oceans for some 400 million years, just may be struck down by humans in less than 100.
“Security blanket. Like wearing a bandaid in the water. Think of a creature that weighs over a tonne, coming at battle ramp speed that has decided it’s going to make a hit. Think of the momentum when it’s at full speed flying. Do you think it can stop and go in reverse whilst in attack mode? I believe these pods work at a 6ft distance before the shark gets a bit of a sting off them.” Do you believe in rogue sharks? “I just think when a shark is ready and he wants to feed – just don’t be there.” Do you believe some shark attacks go unreported? “The ocean holds a lot of secrets. Anyone that is lost at sea in these parts, I don’t fancy their chances of not getting a visitor...“
When you consider these damning facts, what does this say about humans? Rightly or wrongly sharks may attack us, but the likelihood is extremely remote. Sharks, on the other fin, have more to fear about us, than we do from them. 66
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If we haven’t entirely put you off surfing all together with the intriguing facts, figures, statistics and stories contained in this piece, that’s good. At least that makes one of us. On a serious note though, your chances of getting attacked by a shark are extremely rare. Just be sure to always have your wits about you and don’t take any unnecessary risks. By taking a common sense approach to your surfing, you can just about ensure you continue to enjoy the ocean for all the joy she brings. Other than that, try and always surf with a mate who is a slower swimmer than you. Remember, it is not a question of whether you can outswim the shark, just whether you can outswim your mate. Why the hell do you think I surf with Mark all the time?
If you are fascinated by sharks, here are some websites you may find interesting for further reading. Shark facts and conservation www.taronga.org.au/animals-conservation/conservation-science/australianshark-attack-file/australian-shark-attack-file (The Australian Shark Attack File) www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm (International Shark Attack File) www.sharks.org (Shark Research Institute) www.seashepherd.org www.whitesharktrust.org www.bluewilderness.co.za
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TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP Maurice scores a throaty one and spreads his wings
SURF★CHILE A SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE Joel Coleman of Saltmotion Gallery in Manly sure gets around. In a good way, that is. He’s chalked up more international travel time in a few short months than most people get to do in a lifetime. Fortunately for the less fortunate, he’s a master of the lens and handy with a pen. Well, laptop really - the figurative pen... If you enjoyed his laidback discoveries in the Solomon Islands last edition, hold onto your hat as he heads to South America to discover some unridden waves in the cold waters of the aptly named Republic of Chile. With 6,435 kilometres of Pacific coastline - running around half the length of the entire South American continent - there’s definitely plenty of choice to enjoy.
WORDS & PHOTOS: JOEL COLEMAN
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I started going to a ‘Yoga for Surfers’ class in Sydney a few years ago. At first I thought the teacher was from Brazil, I was wrong. After attending Maurice’s classes regularly for some time and getting to know him a little, he let on that he was off for a few months to Chile, his homeland. He jokingly invited me to come over and surf with him for a few weeks. I let the invite slide. Twelve months later and Maurice mentioned again that he was heading on his annual pilgrimage to see his family and take a few weeks off to surf. He also let on about the quality of the waves and the obscene number of perfect left hand point breaks that were on offer. When I told my wife that I wanted to go on another surf trip this year she said “OK, but if you’re going to South America I’m coming”. My wife happens to be the best non-surfing partner imaginable, so I jumped at the chance to share a bit of an adventure with her. Maurice’s partner was also coming and without hesitating I said yes. We booked the tickets.
When it came to which boards to take it was a little harder for me to make the decision. It had been suggested to bring suitable boards for big powerful waves. Expect nothing smaller than four foot and the possibility of a lot bigger. I opted for a 6’4 and a 6’10 gun. Unfortunately for me, the day before we left a decent swell hit Sydney and I broke my 6’4! I did a mad dash around the local surf shops and found a reasonable second hand 6’3 that would do the trick. If I didn’t have a load of camera gear to take over as well I probably would have opted to bring a third board; something in the middle like a semi-gun, because breaking boards in Chile is a very real possibility. The flight to Santiago from Sydney is a long one. Take some entertainment with you. When you arrive you get the added bonus of having your body clock turned inside out by being on the other side of the planet. When Maurice met us at the airport he had a perfect cure. He took us to his mum’s place for a home cooked meal while sitting around the fireplace.
Before I get into the detail of the first days surfing I should tell you a little more about the crew I was travelling with. Firstly there was Sherrie - my wife - and I. We were using this trip as a bit of time out and a holiday for both of us, with the added bonus of mixing a little work (photographing) in as well. Maurice was the instigator of the trip and our ‘guide’. His partner, Julie, was along for the adventure and Maurice’s mate, Dylan, completed the crew. Now a normal surf trip that involves a bunch of blokes in a car for long stretches of tarmac can get a little tribal. Toilet stops are usually governed by the person with the strongest bladder and fuel for the stomach is often purchased at the same place you get fuel for the car. Most of us are fine with that and have been ‘road tripping’ for waves that way since the first in our group of mates got his driver’s license. This trip was to be a little different… Maurice and Jules are both yoga instructors and into clean, organic peace, love-and-mung-beans-style living. Dylan had the world’s best alternative to ‘fast food.’ That being, delicately cooked ‘slow food’ made from whatever fresh ingredients we could find along the way - frustrating at times, but always worth the wait! Sherrie and I happily falling somewhere in the middle - I have a chocolate problem. The adventure through Chile became as much about the meals cooked, the recipes conjured, and the delights slapped together on the road, as it was about the waves and the photographic opportunities. Sure there were a few Chilenitos and Berliners (local cakes) wolfed down along the way, but we all came home from this trip without that grease hangover that can so often accompany a ‘road trip.’
Rubber up and get out there
A few weeks before we were due to go, Maurice had us up to his place for dinner to discuss the trip. Excitement boiled over when he pulled out his laptop to show a few home videos featuring some of the point breaks we would be visiting. This country has waves, perfect waves, and lots of them! Over dinner Maurice ran us through his plans for the trip and told us what we would need to bring. When I asked about water temperature he just smiled and said, get a new wetsuit, a good one, at least a 4/3 and combo it up with boots, gloves and a hood…don’t skimp on cheap stuff either!
I hate being cold, no one likes it! So when I went up to the local surf shop I told the guys to kit me out in whatever was available to keep me warm! I opted for everything listed above as well as a thermal rashie (which was a golden piece of kit) and I also borrowed one of those new heated vests. The heated vest was amazing for the first few sessions before it packed in and stopped working! After that I was happy to surf without it and only got really cold a few times. I guess what I am saying is, if you invest in some quality equipment and bring the right gear, surfing here is a little chilly, but certainly worth the effort.
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Anyone seen a sea lion?.
“THIS TRIP WAS TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT...”
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The locals build these cool surf shacks around the more popular points
Afternoon point perfection
Curious locals in the line-up.
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The line-up shot of our last session
TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP
TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP
“AFTER ATTACKING A FEW LEFT HAND WALLS THERE WAS NO ROOM TO THINK ABOUT BEING COLD ANY MORE” The first morning we were to hit the road and head south to Pichilemu – the capital of Chilean surfing. Taking the scenic road south we reached Pichilemu around lunchtime. The first stop was a famous point break – what a way to start the trip! We were blessed with some afternoon sunshine and glassy four foot waves peeling the length of the point. A little scared as to how cold the water would actually be, I was quite surprised when the first trickle started seeping into my wettie. It was fresh, but not too bad. I promise you after attacking a few left hand walls there was no room to think about being cold any more! Sure if you got caught inside and had to duck-dive a six wave set then you would eventually come up with a bit of a brain freeze, but on the whole it was pretty good. We stayed in Pichilemu and surfed Punta de Lobos for a few days, each day providing us with glassy waves, 4-5 foot and low on crowd numbers. But soon enough it was time to push further south. An early start to get a surf in before we hit the road and a gentle drive through some amazing countryside saw us cross into the southern states of Chile. Life here is a little more rural and a lot more relaxed than the big cities.
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I mentioned the organic ‘peace, love and dandelions’ approach to food that this trip was following. On the drive south we crossed a beautiful section of countryside which was being used to harvest organic salt. Dylan spotted a roadside stall and, with enthusiasm usually reserved for cheering on a football team, we pulled over to buy a bag of salt and some local honey. A little further down the road we found a bakery with freshly baked bread. Honey sandwiches for lunch and it was damn good. When we reached our destination - a spot called Buchupureo - we again lucked into a perfect, blue sky afternoon. We unloaded our gear into a few very comfortable cabins and took a walk up the hill to check the point. It was pumping! The sun turning the water an impossible shade of ice green and again, perfect waves peeling down another point! Excitement levels went into overdrive and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine with a mellow looking point set-up and photograph in the water for the first time on this trip. Walking to the jump off spot with the camera I heard a local guy behind me say something. I couldn’t understand what his rapid fire Chilean Spanish was getting at, but I did catch a few words. “el gringo loco” - the crazy tourist! Not sure why I was being called crazy, I leapt in
through a ridiculous shore-break and was pleasantly surprised the water temp was slightly up on where we had been the previous day. Or perhaps it was just the sunshine. Either way it was one of the most enjoyable sessions I have photographed from the water for a long time. The boys getting plenty of sun soaked waves and the pine forested headland providing a pretty spectacular backdrop. When I went back later that afternoon to catch a few waves myself I figured out why the guy called me ‘a crazy tourist.’ It seems there was a much better jump off spot, with no rocks, very little shorebreak and half the swim – live and learn… Falling into a routine, we spent a week at Buchupureo. Surfed every day, some days were better than others, some sunny, one we were totally fogged in. I would wake each morning at dawn to check conditions and try and get some early morning colour for the camera. Dylan would cook his pre-surf oats and Maurice would get his wetsuit on and make sure he was the first one in the water. Sherrie and Jules, let’s just say they preferred the warmth of a bed to the early Chile mornings… Through that week, only once did we surf a wobbly wave with cross-shore winds, and that was our own fault for procrastinating a little in the morning.
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Maurice on an “Ice Green“ Express
SURF★CHILE
Bali... f o t s e b e h T s d l r o w h t o b
Dt Buikngeisn a
What I am saying here, is that in the week we surfed, every day at some stage, there were perfect conditions - at least 4 foot of swell and plenty of waves to share amongst us! It all came together for a few days towards the end of the week. The swell jacked up into the 6 foot plus range, the winds were virtually non existent and the sand banks at Buchupureo were perfect, providing 250m rides the length of the point until eventually you would kick out in a beach break, walk around the cliffs and paddle back out for another one. These are the sessions we came here to surf, the conditions we were hoping for and the swell size we dreamed about. It does get a lot bigger here, however, if the swell does hit the double extra large size, surfing options become limited - unless of course, you are a fearless hellman! Once the swell started to decline we began to do a little sightseeing. We visited seal colonies and traditional water-powered corn mills, walked around markets in towns to buy fresh food and trekked to several different beaches to explore the area a little. Evenings were spent cooking healthy, belly-filling meals and playing cards. Given all of us on this trip met through practicing
yoga we squeezed in a few sessions to stretch and release some tension in our over-surfed shoulders. I woke up every day to photograph the amazing scenery, sometimes scoring blue skies and colour and sometimes getting a lens full of fog. Overall it was a pretty amazing week. We thought the best bit of the trip was probably over but Maurice had a few more surprises up his sleeve for us. The drive north was due to take a few days if we split it up and surfed along the way. We stopped for a few nights in Pichilemu to surf Punta de Lobos again, got blown out one morning when unfortunately, the swell was pretty decent. We then hit the road again the next day to head home. Maurice’s suggestion to do a little 4x4 exploring on the way back was greeted with some excitement. We bounced our way around a headland and spotted another perfect left hand point! The excitement levels in the car went into ‘man-grommet’ overdrive as we realized we had lucked into a cracker of a last session. Chile turned it on again, three foot peeling lefts, just us in the water and a spectacular session to end the adventure. A few last laughs were provided by a crazy food-stealing cat that belonged to a surf shack on the beach. Eventually after the ginger
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More boards than you can poke a log at.
TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP
Surf Fitness Training
feline tried to eat a plastic bag I had no option, much to the cats disgust, but to tie him up using a surfboard leash. Let’s just say the cat took it well, figured out how to get out, then promptly helped himself to some avocado. The trip finally came to an end with a five hour delay at the airport, followed by a flight that I have already done my best to forget. Yet even now, as I think of Chile, I smile a deep inward smile. The cold, long drives and longer flights are weighed up in my mind against the countless ‘backhand-reo to cut-back’ combinations, the six-wave sets with only three guys out, the power of the waves and the sheer excitement that is surfing Chile! We barely scratched the surface of this country and were only there long enough to sample a small portion of what must be on offer along the rest of the coastline. It seems at every turn off to the coast there is another wave worth surfing. Sure the cold might put a few people off, but I think that’s a good thing. If all you want from your surfing is a tropical paradise, with someone serving you drinks, there are plenty of great options. But if you’re keen to rubber up and be a little chilly for the privilege of surfing some of the most perfect waves you can imagine, you like the idea of spending your evenings cooking up a storm with your mates, you enjoy a room with a fireplace to play a few rounds of cards and are excited by the idea of an early start to hit up another perfect point break.... Then this place might just be for you.
s Harbour NSW 392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coff shack.com.au elog w.th ww Phone: 02 6658 0223
Some things just shouldn’t get wet. WASP Bags are completely water and sand proof. Noticed how if yyou get the tiniest bit of sand o or water in your phone, iPod o or camera they are never quite tthe same again? Thanks to their u unique seal, WASP Bags ensure tthat the things that should stay d dry, stay dry.
Buy online or ask your friendly surf shop...
waspbags.com.au
SALTMOTION
TRAVEL If you have the travel bug and are after an experience off the beaten track, contact Joel and Sherrie at Saltmotion in Manly to find out more about their travel booking service. There are some unique opportunities available to travel to some of the lesser known surf destinations around the globe, so if you fancy yourself as an adventurer, get in touch. And of course, if you end up on a trip with Joel, you know you’ll have the opportunity to get some stunnng photos to show off to the friends and family. You can find out more about the Saltmotion Travel offers online at www.saltmotion.com, where you can also view amazing galleries of some of the trips so far. Images are available to purchase as prints in a variety high-quality formats. In fact, when you’re there, make sure to sign up for the Saltmotion email newsletter to get a dose of perfect waves and incredible photography delivered to your inbox daily. www.saltmotion.com
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Hands down, one of our personal favourite stops is the never-sleepy town of Byron Bay on the New South Wales North Coast. It has a weird, magnetic quality to it... Every time you go there it gets a little harder to leave.
Not only is it a place of magical waves, eternal good times and sunshine, it’s steeped in surf history and home to some of surfing and surfboard manufacturing’s true legends. But a place like Byron Bay doesn’t need any introduction from the likes of us blow-ins. We’ll let it’s own people speak for it instead. Local knowledge, after all, is a powerful thing. Let’s go get some...
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Photo: Alex Frings www.alexfrings.com sep/oct 2011
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The Pass - perfect waves for everyone Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
f o c y a l q y hehe land T tv
INTRODUCTION BY ED SINNOTT, BYRON BAY SURFBOARD MANUFACTURER
It’s early, with the ocean mist still on the streets. Last night’s hang-overs are wearing black shades, gargling strong coffee and wondering where the hell they’ve been. Weekend daytrippers from the Goldy are out hunting breakfast, knowing exactly what they don’t need, while Paris Hilton wannabes are still in bed getting their beauty sleep. Parkies stand waiting for a free feed at the community centre while mad surfers roll out of damp garages, Wicked vans, rented rooms and one night stand crash pads in Suffolk, Sunrise, Broken, the Byron Hills and anywhere else they happened to find a bed.
Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
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Soon everyone is out on pushbikes, motorcycles, skateboards, in vans, and anything else they can get their hands on. They're heading for the water. Cars with boards stacked up high tear around the Cape in all directions. What’s firing today? The Pass, Lennox, Broken, Tallows or the Wreck? It's a full bore surf city here and it hardly ever stops. Ever. Today there's a six foot groundswell running straight from the east and it’s offshore. Byron Bay is a blazing melting pot containing extreme polarities from all walks of life that include new-age hippies, homeless environmentalists, yuppie artists, people in between writing books, day trippers, Lindsey Lohan mimics, Derek Hynd sometimes,
the hair-permed-forward-stovepipe-no-belt brigade, blow-in locals, armies of backpacking hedonists, feral gypsy guitarists, surfers, whale watchers, festival lovers, the Top Shop squirrel set and locals who wish life would go back to the good old days. Well guess what? It never will. Byron Bay never actually had a gold rush but you might be forgiven for thinking that it did, with so many visitors arriving to this seething cauldron of the counterculture. But the gold was, in fact, a combination of classic surf, sunshine, new age modalities and an undeniable sense of freedom - alluringly real, yet at the same time a deceptive mirage. Byron is a place of transience, a
fading chimera and yet a concrete reality for those that live within its frontiers. It’s the Wild West, Hawaii, Bali, a million myths and a golden sunset viewed through a cocktail called Happy Holidays. It’s whatever you want it to be and it’s everything to everybody. The selling of Byron Bay's seething underbelly to the world as a paradise of blue skies, endless waves and total personal freedom was helped by cultural signposts along the way such as Albert Falzon’s seminal surf film Morning of the Earth (1971) and The Aquarius Festival (1973) held in Nimbin about 25 kilometres from Byron Bay. Falzon’s film depicted images of Nat Young, Chris Brock and friends ripping Broken Head
Byron Bay Lighthouse
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Welcome to the real world, Byron Bay, the Vortex...
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g melting in z la b a is y a B n "Byro larities o p e m re t x e g in in pot conta life" from all walks of Ed Sinnott
RIGHT: Ed Sinnott is the shaper behind ESP Surfboards. For more on Ed and other local surfboard manufacturing talent, see the shapers special starting on Page 104.
apart while living the dream down on the farm, bathed in an idyllic golden light, saturated with an upbeat soundtrack. Morning of the Earth was the first surf movie to join the gossamers of the hippy counterculture, individualism and the short board revolution together.
The commune, legally known as a multiple occupancy or 'MO', was conceived. The idea that you could drop out of mainstream culture and live an alternative lifestyle was born. This challenged Australia’s rational and neo-conservative power structures who labelled hippies and surfers together as ‘’dole bludgers’’ and ‘’druggies’’.
The evolution of Byron is well documented, so these days the tourist dollar drives the economy. The propaganda and mythology that surround the town still attracts visitors here with disposable incomes and dollars to burn. But while the visiting crowds also bring their own share of issues to the local community, you can still find the old, unique Byron if you look hard enough. You can experience that peace and solitude of the early days if you truly explore the area. The locals love winter when the big Southerly swells pump and it's quieter. You can surf a lot of uncrowded breaks at this time of year, but when the points fire up it's still very hectic. There is amazing natural beauty in the shire and
the type of freedom that you find depends on where you look.
There are many hidden gems here, rough-hewn diamonds that await discovery. If it’s gold you’re after you won’t find it out at the Pass, in a pub or by rubbing the red out of your eyes after an all-night bender. You'll find it in the hidden natural world out on a deserted beach where the life-force of the ocean and the land powers our connection to everything. While the rest might be the same old circus with different clowns, if you survive the mirage you might find your own personal truth.
Jonson Street
Main Beach car park
Surfing became a form of creative self-expression and a pursuit that captured the spirit of the hippy lifestyle. People really identified with these images and the sense of freedom they portrayed. Byron Bay was forever stamped within the counterculture as a place synonymous with personal freedom, the alternative lifestyle and the search for individuality. It’s just unfortunate that today it’s a damn hard place to survive.
The Aquarius Festival did much the same thing. It was a bit like a North Coast Woodstock. Students and hippies flocked to the area for the festival in 1973 and many just never left. Two decades of new settlers and alternative lifestylers began to repopulate the area and another set of pioneers established themselves around Mullumbimby and Mainarm.
The Tallows local crew Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
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Byron Bay is one of those places blessed with that all important ingredient for surf - choice. With beaches and point breaks at all different angles and aspects, you’re hard pressed not to find something surfable on any Byron Bay roadtrip. As always, we reckon local knowledge is the way to go, so we asked photographer Trent Dooley of puredrift.com to let us in on what Byron’s breaks have to offer...
Main Beach The Wreck
Belongil Beach
A quiet alternative, suitable for all levels of surfers, is Belongil Beach, about a km north of the Wreck, which can produce some good beach breaks on most swells in S-SW wind.
Aptly named after the sunken shipwreck SS Wollongbar, The Wreck sits just to the left of Main Beach car park. It turns on some very hollow and punchy waves thanks to the constant build up of sand caught up around the wreck itself. Due to its consistency and its proximity to town, it’s generally busy and works best in a solid E/SE swell and S-SW winds.
Smack bang in the centre of town, Main Beach provides an eclectic mix of people from all over the world basking in Byron’s sunshine and idealic beaches. In other words it’s packed with tourists, swimming, sun-baking, bodysurfing, snorkelling, learning and the like. However, when there is enough swell wrapping into the Bay, Main Beach can also serve up some very hollow waves which will leave the inexperienced admiring from shore.
Clarkes Beach
When The Pass is firing, Clarkes Beach can offer a less critical alternative away from the crowds. It turns on some fun waves often with only a fraction of the surfers. Tucked right into the bay, it also offers the protection from all wind directions except the northerly. When small, Clarkes can provide gentle little peelers that are great for logs and learning.
Byrkonb s Brb ea Photographer Trent Dooley
One part photos, one part accommodation and all Byron Bay, puredrift is run by couple Trent and Laura Dooley who moved to Byron Bay just over a year ago from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “My wife Laura and I have always wanted to work together creatively,” Trent says. “And puredrift has given us the opportunity to share our love of Byron’s beautiful environment and contribute to its vibrant community.” On the website, you can book a stay, and also check out daily photos and local surf conditions. Make sure to sign up for the email list to have magical Byron Bay scenery appear in your inbox. Visit puredrift.com and join in on www.facebook.com/puredrift 82
Wategos: "Ditch the short board here, get out the log and cruise down Australia’s most easterly point. " What a way to spend a summer’s day. Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
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The Pass
Tallows Wategos
This would have to be one of the most picturesque beaches in Australia, with realestate prices to match. Ditch the short board here, get out the log and cruise down Australia’s most easterly point. On a good day you can get rides in excess of a couple of hundred metres, which you will often have to share with a pod of dolphins. Offshore in a southerly is the way to go.
If you love surfing punchy beach breaks in crystal clear warm water, Tallow Beach or ‘Tallows’ is your summer break. Surfing just below the iconic Cape Byron lighthouse at ‘Cosy Corner’ will also provide you with protection from the dreaded summer northerlies. While this spot can get pretty busy during the peak holiday periods, you often only have to walk a couple hundred metres down the beach and you’re surfing peaks all to yourself.
Broken Head Suffolk Park
Keep strolling down the beach for 5 clicks or so and you’ll be at the beachside town of Suffolk Park. This stretch of beach picks up swells from all angles and is rarely flat. It’s offshore from NW to SW and you can often score great waves all to yourself when conditions are right.
The furthest point south on this long stretch of coast is Broken Head, a right hand sand bottom point break that lines up beautifully when the sand is pushed up towards the headland. Rides in excess of a couple of hundred metres are not uncommon when it’s on. Best in a solid SE swell and offshore in a SW wind.
vLocal bknowloedge
Byron’s premiere wave with crowds to match. A sand bottom point break that can dish up super-sucky mechanical barrels through to long logger lines that peel endlessly down the Bay, all depending on sand build up. When working, it’s an amazing sight with waves running well over 300m. Crowd levels can be dangerous here and it’s no place for the inexperienced. The viewing platform directly above the wave provides a great vantage point. Best in SE swell and south wind.
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Ofer - Cane Bar
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“Go to the lighthouse. In whale season you just get the full magic of the place, with whales and dolphins jumping around. You just don’t want to leave really…”
“It’s an awesome town with a good live music scene – just go the Rails or the Northern at night.”
“Get a seat in the sun out the front of Utopia...I love people watching. I'm a bit of an Esme Watson... I like to see what's goin' on...”
Jono and Meagan - Legend pizza
Bert - Maddog Beach Surf Centre
"Targa or Top Shop for coffee. Beer? The Beachie, favourite haunt.”
Lacho - Common Ground
53 years here, born and bred. Everything appeals. The surf, the climate... you just don’t want to leave. Everywhere else you see when you travel you compare and realise you just can’t beat this place. It’s pretty special.”
SputSurf Central
“Go to the lighthouse, take a couple of beers up and do a bit of whalewatching! You actually feel like you're in Byron Bay then.”
Alana - Surfkini
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““Byron is about community. It’s eclectic. There’s so many different things going on. It’s just a sea of good stuff, good culture and good visitors as well... So many interesting people come to the area, but it always comes back to the local community.”
“It doesn't matter if you;re obsessed with the WCT, want to ride traditional old logs, whether you just want to go into town and get p*ssed, whether you want to sit in a teepee up on the hill... Every sort of freak around is in this town and they all seem to harmonise together.... And that's a brilliant thing."
Adam - Doctor Ding
5/09/11 6:50 PM
o eetq the M Nativeso “Byron is a mix of everything…. a mix of culture, skate, the surf, the people, music, the good vibrations, good feelings... It’s just magic. Favourite spot? Main Beach car park for sure. It's where all this mixes. You have the carpark for a skate, you have the rocks, every sunset there’s music with the drums. You have the ocean…You hear the ocean whenever you skate here. It’s the best spot. Not just in Byron." " The street is the best spot. I used to firedance and do fire-twirling with my friends, someone would come along with a guitar and another singing. The life here is not in a nightclub, like in every other place. Life here is in the street.
"Byron Bay local" is a relatively loose term. While there are plenty long term born-and-bred residents, a large portion of Byron's population is essentially transient. With backpackers from every corner of the globe doing odd-jobs to extend their stay, beach-changers from the north and south looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and artists of every discipline clambering to make Byron a place to permanently rest their heads, it's an eclectic mix that makes up the people that call this place home. Long-term resident or not, there's never anyone better as a tour guide than a local. We asked some of them to share a few inside tips and fill us in on what makes Byron Bay so special for them.
Natalia Lopez - Skater
"It’s always changing. It’s always the same. If you have never been to Byron you need to check out the Lighthouse, have a beer at the top pub (Beach Hotel), a dive at Julian Rocks and of course, a surf. Other than that it is a good place to do nothing."
Josh - Ho’ Okupu
“Come and have a beer. (laughs) Go to the beach during the day, visit the unique little shops, have a coffee, take life easy and that’s what Byron;s all about. Get out of the city and into the small town.”
Loren - Woody’s Surf Shack
“The various elements here combine to conjure up the old soul of surf culture. There's a good mix of surfing and live music. I play guitar and jam with a few guys and that coincides with the atmosphere around here. Surf wise you can ride a whole host of boards from longboards to shortboards, retro twins, dad's (Mark Rabbidge) finless stuff."
Mick Rabbidge - Surfer
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Celebrating
4 years udly Still pro people, y b e d a m ines h c a m t o n
02 6685 7485 10 Acacia St, Byron Bay NSW
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vLocal bpeople Photo: Alex Frings www.alexfrings.com
oq
“Yeah ’95… That’s when I moved up from Tassie. What’s that now? 16 years? I think that’s local status. I think that takes ten. I was always copping it until then...“ Known for his surfing, but now even more so for his filmmaking, Johnny Abegg epitomises the spirit of Byron Bay. If you don't see him in the surf, he'll be keeping himself busy in the community, covering events and photographing people and places for the website and email newsletter Common Ground. With a huge project - his introspective surf-unrelated movie Two Weeks just behind him, we caught up with him to find out more about his life and his connection to the New South Wales north coast. A mad keen young surfer with big dreams of the pro circuit, Johnny arrived in Byron Bay in his teens, thanks to extremely supportive parents packing up the family home in Dodges Ferry - a little town East of Hobart on the way to Port Arthur - to relocate to warmer climes and friendlier waves. After a brief stop in Yamba, the family settled in Byron Bay. “It just resonated. It was such a happening little place. Even back
then, it was just so different to any other places.” “Things have changed, but it still has the same appeal. I just love it for all the same reasons.” Firmly on the path of being a pro surfer, Johnny one day picked up a camera and it changed his life for good. “It opened up a lot of my creative spirit. From 2006 or so I still had the bug to compete... maybe it was more about me letting go. I was still competing but gradually I just got more into film. That was the new path and I was surfing for different reasons then.” He went on to document a different side of the circuit in his film On Credit, dealing with the costs of being a competitor on the pro tour. “It’s obscene. Just booking a ticket say to Europe to go travelling, you can pretty much double that. There’s membership fees and entry fees. It’s just ridiculous. I’m still paying for those original years now. I’ve got it down pretty good (laughs) but I just want to get back to zero.” “I have toyed with the idea [of a follow-up] but it’s not really hitting me at the moment.. I’m thinking it might be a short film. I don’t think it has the legs for a full one. Like a 10 minute ‘this is what happened’.” But, work even closer to Johnny's heart is his most recent film, Two Weeks - a very personal journey of
f o s e l c i h Vo e ression qexp self-discovery in the wilderness of Tasmania. “It’s a pretty bold attempt for me I suppose. It wasn't surf based. It’s quite dark and from a dark place in my life. I was asking myself some heavy questions. Just questioning life and everything around me. I thought it would make interesting subject matter to start documenting.
"It was such a hard slog in hindsight. A really difficult couple of years but also really rewarding. I’m glad I exposed that part of myself." "A lot of people have told me that they’ve been able to see themselves through it - which has been the number one bit of feedback. I was just a vehicle for them to see things about themselves in it. It was a really rewarding process, but I’m quite glad that it's over and I’ve moved into a new phase. “ That new phase most definitely includes film work in some shape or form. “It’s just in me. I just see life in that way. I’m quite intrigued by short form and digital media… The way you can create a story and see it go out through the cyber cosmos and reach a lot of people.”
It’s not a heavily commercial approach, doing film for the net? “No, but it's funny... Neither is the old way. It’s so dead. DVD sales have fallen 90%. So, where is it all going? “I’m just starting to look at that landscape as more of a creative outlet. Going down the independent film route, I was destined to make a few dollars off it, but that tainted the process and turned it into something that could be a little bit ugly at times. Initially I just had something to share."
For more on Johnny's work, visit his blog at Johnnyabegg.com
Inside info...
As to Byron Bay, we asked some personal recommendations of how to truly experience the place. “Markets is one. It’s such a good little way to get in on what’s happening in the community. People pop out of the hills and set up their market stalls. It's great. “Surf-wise, there’s always a wave. That’s the great thing about that headland, you can always go to the other side and get a wave depending on the wind and the swell."
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What better way
to celebrate the surfing culture of Byron than with a surf festival? Well, hold onto your boardies... This October, the town hosts the first ever Byron Bay Surf Festival, focused not on competition, but rather on creativity. "It's a manifestation of the passion for surfing in different creative ways," says organiser Vanessa Thompson. With live music, filmmaking, original art, photography, shaping workshops and demonstrations as well as the opportunity to ride and experience surfboards of all descriptions, there really are plenty of creative ways to enjoy the fantastic get-together. In fact, with so many great events planned you'll be hard pressed to get any rest over the weekend of October 21-23. It all kicks off with resident surf legend Bob McTavish opening the festivities with a talk and live surfboard shaping demonstration - the perfect intro into the surfing celebration. Here's a few of the events to follow...
Surf Swap Meet
Collectors and fans of older boards will be in heaven with a Surf Swap meet at Wategos Beach on the Sunday morning, hosted by Byron Bay Malibu Club. You'll be able to browse, buy, swap... even take the boards out for spin at Wategos. Short of a $5 per board fee, you could essentially swap your way into a whole new quiver for no money at all. Whether you're after boards or not, the swap meet is a great opportunity for surfers, shapers and collectors to meet, have a chat and exchange ideas. There's a few big shaping names expected to make an appearance at the event as well, so make sure you get along. FROM TOP: Live music at Woodys Surf Shack; Surf swap meet; Muso Dan Hannaford; and art by James McMillan
Freestyle & Stoke
While the Swap Meet's in full swing, you have a second opportunity to hit the waves at Wategos, with four half-hour expression sessions - Log, Fish, Finless, and Vintage. "Whoever's quick enough to put their hand up gets to go out and have some fun," says James McMillan, another one of the good people behind the festival. With only ten spots per category and the opportunity to surf alongside local legends like Danny Wills, you best be quick, or you can just sit back and enjoy a great display of surfboard riding for no scores whatsoever.
Cv elebrate suc rfing, ec Byrono -styl
.v ..at the first ival. Byrono Bay Surf Fest
Visual treats
James is also involved in the arts side of the festival as an exhibiting artist in the Surf Culture Now exhibition, opening the Friday evening at the Retrospect Gallery in Jonson Street. Work on display will include his own and that of Mark Sutherland, Hanai Yusuke, Luke Taafe, Mick Waters, Alby Falzon, Andrew Kidman, Vanessa Janss and more. He's also in charge of the stART me up art exhibition and mentoring program for kids. This is a great opportunity for emerging young artists - as young as four - to see their work hanging on the wall of a real gallery. There's prizes in each age category from 4-16 years with the winner of the 13-16yrs group scoring a 6-month artist mentorship program to develop their talent.
Andrew Kidman and one of our favourite filmmakers, Mick Waters. Andrew Kidman and the Windy Hills will perform material from the latest release Songs From The Ether set to a backdrop of new visual material by Andrew and Mick. For a perfect end to the Saturday night, make sure to head off to one of our personal favourite night spots, Woodys Surf Shack in the Plaza, Jonson Street to enjoy the psychadelic roots of homegrown band, The Grains. The perfect intimate venue for a show, the Saturday night should be a winner. Currumbin roots muso Dan Hannaford rounds off the weekend during the Sunday closing ceremony at the Pass Cafe.
Sounds good to us
What's a surf weekend without a soundtrack? There's no shortage of live music on offer at this festival. On Saturday morning you can enjoy an exhibition of surf photography by local legend George Greenough, Matty Yates, James McMillan with live music by Josh Hamilton at the Top Shop on the corner of Carlyle and Massinger Streets. The Byron Bay Community Centre Theatre will be the place to be Saturday evening, for the musical/visual collaboration by
Wood workshop
4pm, Saturday at the Byron Community Centre sees Lennox Head wooden board maker Andrew Wells of Grown Surfboards sharing his knowledge and skills. He'll be discussing the philosophy behind timber boards, talking about various aspects of wooden board construction and will be answering what you'd like to know in a Q&A session. As personal fans of Andrew's work, we highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in timber surfcraft.
Need more?
Seriously? If that's not enough for you, there are surf markets, surf-related clinics and displays, a surf history talk and if the weather gods of Byron are as generous as usual, a whole lot of sunshine and fun. For the cherry on top, most of the events are free, just like surfing is (and a little magazine we know.) Visit the website for the full program and updates.
www.byronbaysurffestival.com We'll leave the last word to the good folks that have pulled it all together: ‘The simple motivation behind The Byron Bay Surf Festival is to have a killer weekend in Byron Bay immersed in surf culture as we know it right now.’" Bring it on. We can't wait!
Laura Dooley at Wategos, the place to be for the Surf Swap Meet and expression sessions. Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
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Geoff at The Pass 6’ 0”All Round Nugget Single fin (Photo by Michelle Strain)
Design
Through
Development
All McCoy surfboards are produced through Australia’s No.1 glassing factory PSM where only the finest quality is produced. We use Graham King foam (the best) exclusively. McCoy is now only available direct from the PSM factory/ showroom where we have over 50 stock boards on display for immediate sale. For custom orders, contact Geoff directly. Alistair McDiarmid at Lennox 6’ 5” Semi Gun Single fin (Photo by Michelle Strain)
Now custom building a Geoff McCoy designed retro range in wood and fibreglass construction. “These are very special, as they represent my older concepts that, when combined with wood, are strikingly impressive.” For more information, contact Geoff directly.
w w w. m c c oy s u r f b o a r d s . c o m Showroom at 10 Acacia Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia Pe r s o n a l l y c o n t a c t G e o f f o n 0 2 6 6 8 5 3 2 2 7 o r m c c oy @ n o r. c o m . a u sep/oct 2011
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Based in Byron Bay since 1982
Byrobn Bbaya
G U Y HA S T I N G S ✯ SU R FA R I M A P S
Pictorial map making, painting and illustration.
✯ 0422 175 706
w w w. s u r f a r i m a p s . c o m
DOCTOR
DING BYRON BAY
dr. ding surfboard repairs 24 hr turnaround & pickup services available 2/68 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay Arts & Industry Estate
www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com
0431 740 940
vLife b changes A great photo is the end product of a combination of different ingredients. Technical expertise, artistic vision, a good eye, good gear, great light, amazing subject matter... In whatever proportions these ingedients are mixed, one thing’s for sure... Byron Bay delivers the amazing subject matter in spades - beautfiul scenery, beautiful people and every colour of the rainbow, from sunup to sundown and beyond. The town is most certainly a photographer’s dream destination, so it’s no wonder German traveller Alex Frings has come to feel such a connection to this place that feeds his passion with a daily serve of so many amazing moments, just waiting to be captured. We got to have a chat with him over a coffee about Byron Bay, photos and surfing. WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN PHOTOS: ALEX FRINGS
Hailey-Marie McFadden duck diving a glass cylinder near Byron Bay. 90
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Byrobn Bbaya TOP: Sunset ABOVE: Hailey-Marie McFadden waiting for a wave. RIGHT: Hailstorm, 2008 that caused major damage at Suffolk Park and Lennox Head. 92
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From Aachen in Germany, near the Dutch and Belgian border, photographer Alex Frings first visited, and fell in love with Byron Bay in 2006. Web developer by trade, Alex’s passion however, lies firmly with photography. “Since I first travelled to Australia, I got more serious about it and started taking a lot more photos than I used to back in Germany. I obviously got into surf photography, but being in Byron, you can’t really avoid that.” (laughs) “I’d love to take some more time from programming websites and spend a bit more on photography,” he says. “It’s a lot more fun being out there in the elements.” Being techy does wonders for his online presence though - a very cool mix of personal and portfolio on his website. “I tried to do something a little different. It’s not about sales or anything. It’s more of a lifestream where everything runs together... my posts and photos and so on. Everything appears chronologically.” Gear-wise, Alex is pretty clear about his preferences. “I’m a Canon guy. I like Canon and I’ll stick to it. At the moment I’m shooting with a Canon 1d Mk3, one of my favourite lenses is the 70-200mm 2.8. In the water I usually shoot the 16-35.” We’re always fascinated by the levels of fitness required in doing water photography, but Alex is pretty chilled about his regime... “Well, I like to eat chocolate, and a lot of it. (laughs) No, I’m not that fit, but I’m always super-keen. I go in the water whenever I can, no matter how big it is.
The MC Quiver MICHAEL CUNDITH SURF DESIGNS
Danny Wills Rippa
5’10” x 19 ¼” x 2 ¼”
NEW MODEL
“The MC/Greenough Stubbie is a Concave Triplane Hull with many different fin options. This board thrives in all conditions.” MC
MC/Greenough Stubbie
6’0” x 22” x 3”
Check out more of Alex’s awesome and inspiring work throughout this edition’s Byron Bay feature and on his website at www.alexfrings.com.
ON ANY MODEL
Sometimes I get smashed and I don’t even make it out and other times it works out and I get the shot. “A couple of years back, it was always a struggle between surfing and taking photos on days when it was good, but these days I’ll first shoot in the water and will go for a wave afterwards.” Time in Byron Bay hasn’t only been good for his photography, but has kicked his surfing along nicely too. Having surfed in France and the Netherlands, he only started seriously hitting the waves in the last five years since his first visit to Byron Bay. The rivermouth near Broken Head, and during the summer at Tallows. I’m a goofy footer so I like my lefts.” I only ride Town & Country’s and get my boards shaped by the Buzz. I really like those boards. I have a 6’1” Flying Fish and the other is a 6’4” for when it gets a bit bigger.” As to the future Alex tells us that he’d like to be offering prints of his images by the end of the year. “There’s also a Byron Bay documentary coming out on DVD,” he says. “One of my images will be on the cover, which will be cool.”
CUSTOM ORDERS
Dart Fish
Whale Fish
8’0” x 25 ½” x 3 ½”
The Man Gun
9’1” x 22 ¼” x 3 ¼”
High Performance Mal
9’1” x 22 ¾” x 2 ¾”
Balsa Mal Telephone: 02 66858778 Fax: 02 66808932
9’6” x 24” x 3 ¼”
FREIGHT IT NOW! We’ll send boards anywhere in Australia for reasonable rates
Factory Showroom: 3 Banksia Drive Byron Bay Industrial Estate BYRON BAY NSW 2481 email: info@mcsurf.com.au
www.mcsurf.com.au sep/oct 2011
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6’2” x 21 ¾” x 3 ¾”
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v inding W down & Firing upc
During the day
legend
PIZZA BYRON BAY
66 855 700
byo-delivery-take away Jonson Street, Shop 1
Woolworths Plaza
next to the bottle shop
www.legendpizza.com.au
Byron’s major drawcard is its stunning natural beauty. Its what lures intrepid travellers from all over the globe from backpackers to the well-heeled. So when you’re not surfing Byron’s many breaks, indulging in the fine food or relaxing with a drink, there’s always more to explore. Julian Rocks is one of Australia’s top dive spots and has been an underwater marine reserve since 1982 and is absolutely teeming with sea life. Above the surface, Byron’s various kayak operators provide you an alternative means to take in the beauty of the area’s coastal beauty. The best place to check out the surf, in particular swell size and direction is at Australia’s most easterly point, Cape Byron. Whilst there, a visit to the famous lighthouse on top of the headland is in order. You can hike a 3.7km walking trail that loops around to Wategos Beach and back, peer over the 100m sheer drop on the eastern most side of the Cape and take in some of the region's most majestic views. For a different perspective on Byron’s beauty, take an early morning hot air balloon ride and see the sun rise first over our most easterly point. Byron Bay Ballooning runs daily flights complete with complimentary champagne breakfast. Aside from all this we suggest you get out of town! That’s right, and head to Bangalow, a quaint, Federation-style village only fifteen minutes from the heart of Byron. Bangalow is famous for its arts, craft, sausages, fresh food and produce and is a favourite of many Byron locals.
ABOVE: The lighthouse... recommended by locals and visitors alike and an essential box to check on your trip to Byron.
BELOW: The other side... Byron's nightlife. Letting loose at Woodys Surf Shack. Supplied
STARTING OUT: What a great place to learn... Black Dog Surf School is one of the operators that run surf lessons in Byron
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ed
When the sun goes down...
There are not too many better places to hit the town in our opinion than Byron. But where to start? There are so many places to let it all hang out. We will start with the Beach Hotel. It's a superb venue. Right across the road from the beach, there's always something going on, day or night. There’s a regular schedule of live music along with pool tables and big screen TVs. Literally a couple of metres down the road is The Balcony. A great place for a cosy bite to eat in front of the open fire in winter or out on the balcony in summer, it also doubles as the perfect spot for an afternoon drink in the shade with a cool sea breeze. Keep walking and there’s the Great Northern, a real deal Aussie pub that always boasts a fine line-up of live music such as our mate Isaac Paddon in their famous ‘Backroom’. You can't miss out on the Railway Hotel, with it's chilled, laid-back feel. Most of the pub is outdoors and is one of those few places where you can simply catch up with friends and have a good chat over a drink. After you've chewed each other’s ears off, you can kick back with some live music, which is on every night of the week. A funky venue on the scene worth checking out is The Owl & Pussycat. Good vibe, interesting tapas
menu and a definite sense of style and class. Also worth checking out, just a few minutes walk from the main part of town, is the Byron Bay Brewery and Buddha Bar/ Restaurant. Amazingly, in all our visits to Byron we had never heard of it, or ventured here, and after several of their premium ales and lagers we were wondering why the hell not. On the subject of Byron brews, Stone & Wood also brew a bloody good beer. Pacific Ale is set to become a firm favourite. For a good drop and a party atmosphere at a recently refurbished venue with a great surfing theme, you can't go past Woody’s Surf Shack. If the good vibes and music aren't enough, there's a Morning of the Earth retro surfboard up for grabs every Wednesday night, so it's well worth the visit. And as a fellow supporter of the Byron Bay Surf Festival, you have to make sure you stop in for at least a quick beer. The only problem with Woody's is that once you're in, it's just too hard to leave, so you just might find yourself there until lights-on-go-home time. Finally, if you're planning on really cutting loose, you may want to check out Cheeky Monkeys. The name says it all. It’s a backpackers haven and gets a little wild. While we're not backpackers (or in any way young or good-looking) we do admit to having ventured here... on several occasions. So, all up, you're more than spoilt for choice, with no shortage of options for a big night out.
HANDCRAFTED, FREE-STANDING, RECYCLED TIMBER BOARD RACKS...
CALL 0413 061 727 WWW.BYRONBAYBOARDRACKS.COM
RIGHT: More of Byron's natural beaurty behind the bar at Woody's Surf Shack. TOP: More happy Woody's patrons. Supplied
y ox
The Bangalow Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday from 8am to 11am. On the fourth Sunday of each month are the Bangalow markets incorporating all the region is famous for.
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Byrobn Bbaya Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
l e u f g n i d n Fi .v ..so many choices Byrono for a bite to eat in
So many establishments serve top-notch food and drinks. The best recommendation we can make is to sample as many as you can when here. Seriously. Here’s a quick guide:
Breakfast.
Three important Bs for the day... Breakfast at the Beach Cafe, Beer at the Brewery, and Bowls of healthy food from Cane bar.
Like many surfers, my favourite meal of the day. Best food... Dip Café. Possibly the best breakfast I have had on the entire east coast, and I have sampled a few. Best view... and great food (the lines are testament to this) is the Byron Beach Café. Possibly the best view of any café on the east coast. Best Breaky on the run... Cane Bar. Meticulous approach to making coffee. Great smoothies and juices and you have to try the BomBom - a South American inspired espresso, cane juice concoction. Sounds weird but is gooood. Fond Favourites... Utopia (formerly Fresh). Good food, good coffee and fun place to people watch. Good all day... The Balcony. It’s serene, above the hustle and bustle of the street and the food and coffee is just great. For great tapas and a very civilised, relaxed environment, this is the go.
Lunch OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP: Breakfast at Dip Cafe - it doens't get much better! Surfy decor at Legend Pizza The view from The Balcony, Earth & Sea's idea of an ideal day Enjoying a cup of local coffee.
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Orgasmic. Give your taste buds one. Delicious, casual, quick and affordable. Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern inspired cuisine and plenty of vegetarian dishes. For quick, super-tasty lunch, Wahoos Fish Tacos are a bit of a Byron Bay icon as are Pot Belly Pies - while pricey as far as pies go - they're big enough to justify the price tag. If Japanese is your thing, O-Sushi is a fantastic, healthy and highly recommended way to refuel for the afternoon. While we only got to stop in for lunch, we're keen to get back for dinner - the mains look incredible.
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Dq ininga & Takeaways WAHOOS FISH TACO
THE OWL & PUSSYCAT
Fish, Chicken and Steak Tacos... Burgers, burritos, salads & more P: 02 6680 8001 www.wahoosaustralia.com
85 Jonson Street, BYRON BAY Tapas Bar & Restaurant with live jazz, blues and piano bar P: 02 6685 7320 www.opcbyron.com.au
EARTH ‘N’ SEA Est.1976
DIP CAFÉ
Shop 8, 4 Jonson St, BYRON BAY
O-SUSHI
Woolworths Plaza, Jonson St Award-winning, authentic Japanese cuisine. Mains, tapas and sushi.
P: 02 6685 7103 www.osushi.com.au
LEGEND PIZZA
Shop 1 The Plaza, Jonson St 20 years of the freshest and tastiest pizzas in Byron Bay P: 02 6685 5700 www.legendpizza.com.au
Dinner
Fine dining... my pick is probably St Elmos. Great wine list and interesting seasonal menu. Quick bite... Fish Mongers. No visit to Byron is complete without a visit here. Salt & pepper calamari on fragrant rice, again, possibly the best on the east coast.
Cnr Fletcher & Byron St, BYRON BAY
Amazing pizzas and pastas. Great for families, relaxed atmosphere. P: 02 6685 6029 www.earthnsea.com.au
1/ 21 Fletcher St, BYRON BAY First class licensed café and restaurant. Great coffee, excellent food and best service P: 02 6685 5141
CANE BAR
Cavanbah Arcade, 4 Jonson St Rejuvenating cane based juices, power smoothies, organic coffee, for uberenergy to surf all day and play all night.
P: 02 6685 7978 www.canebar.com.au
Pub grub... The Railway Hotel - definitely the pick of the pubs for a bite. Pizza... Who can go past pizza for dinner? A long time favourite is THE original and world acclaimed Earth’n’Sea Pizza. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and of course great pizza on wholemeal pizza bases.
TARGA
Cnr Marvell and Middelton Sts Food you know, inherently. Coffee you wake up wanting, perfectly. Wines you enjoy, convivially. P: 02 6680 9960
www.targarestaurant.com
Legends has been around for 20odd years, and when you taste their pizzas, you'll know why. The locals talk it up too, and some cool surf memorabilia adorns the walls, so there are plenty reasons to grab a bite there. And for pizza on the run, give Slice a try, next to Cane Bar. Honestly, it's hard to find a bad feed, so be adventurous!
THE BALCONY
Cnr Lawson & Jonson, BYRON BAY
Every day breakfast, lunch & dinner. Tapas till late every night. P: 02 6680 9666 www.balcony.com.au sep/oct 2011
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Byron’s Largtieostn Accommoda Service Over 200 options from budget to luxury.
www.byronbayaccom.net Call (02) 66 808 666
Open every day for Breakfast, lunch and Dinner Tapas till late every night.
Fresh local produce. Mediterranean/Spanish influence with a great cocktail bar and wine list.
Cnr Lawson & Jonson, Byron Bay 02 6680 9666 www.balcony.com.au
$10 off
q o hsetareyu W t
No matter what kind of digs you have in mind, Byron has you covered. From hotels, apartments, resorts, guesthouses, stunning beach houses and countless budget accommodation options including cabins, cottages, backpackers and motels. With so much choice, here’s a couple of smorgasboarder recommendations.
Backpackers
It’s hard to resist the Backpackers Inn. Right on the beach near the Wreck. Good common area complete with kitchen, pool table, outdoor bbq and sitting/ dining area. Laid back crew who run the joint.
Budget
When you are a mad keen surfer with a young family it is hard to beat Holiday Parks. They always have the best beachfront positions and they don’t get much better than those at Clarkes Beach or Suffolk Park. Clarkes Beach Holiday Park is situated metres from the sand right next to the world famous surf break The Pass and alongside the Byron Beach Cafe. There are powered and unpowered sites for caravans and tents and a range of holiday cabins to choose from all set amongst a tranquil bush setting. Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park is also right on Tallows Beach, home to a slightly more secluded surf break but no lesser a wave and adds a whole new dimension to the holiday park experience with its unique Safari Tents. It’s like camping but a great deal more comfortable. So if your wife is like mine and won’t entertain camping but the kids are nagging you to ‘sleep in a tent’, this is the perfect solution.
Beachfront Apartments
If a beachfront apartment is more your style, there are a couple of great options only a couple of hundred metres walk from the heart of town right on the beach near The Wreck. The Byron Beachcomber Resort has studio, one and two bedroom fully equipped apartments whilst Outrigger Bay Resort has both two and three bedroom apartments for those larger families or surfing possess.
Unique
Then there’s a place I actually photographed as inspiration for designing my own home. It is the Atlantic Guesthouses. There is a real touch of class about them. The design, the décor and the general ambience are something spectacular, as is the service. Accommodation ranges from premium or standard ensuites to spacious doubles or shared rooms.
Luxurious
For something altogether again there is Shambhala@Byron right at the end of Belongil Beach. Only around 1km from town it feels like you are miles away. Luxurious treehouses set beneath a rainforest canopy with magic beach views… think serenity, a moonlight Bali bath, relaxing in a hammock and you get the picture.
YOUR FIRST GROUP LESSON! MENTION THIS AD
Jonson St, BYRON BAY • 02 6680 9828
www.blackdogsurfing.com
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BYRON BEACHFRONT
MAIN: Relax on the beach at Clarke's Beach Holiday Park FROM TOP: 1. Top-shelf stay - Shambhala@Byron; 2. Inside the Safari tents at Suffolk Beach Holiday Park; 3. Atlantic Guesthouses offer unique accommodation options, 4. Clarke's Beach Holiday Park. PHOTOS Supplied
Discover the Byron beachfront holiday the locals recommend
• OUR LEGENDARY LOCALLY DESIGNED SAFARI TENTS Hassle-free camping in style.
• ABSOLUTE UNCROWDED BEACHFRONT
Yes, Tallow Beach is right here - one of Byron’s best surf breaks.
• LOCAL SHOPS, EATERIES AND FAMILY PUB Short walk down the road.
• CHILLED OUT NATURAL SETTING
Modern facilities, cabins, camping and van sites.
Discover a holiday park that takes you back to when you were a kid.
ONLY 5KM SOUTH OF BYRON BAY sep/oct 2011
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Byron Bay... Where to stay
BEACHCOMBER RESORT 23-25 Shirley St, BYRON BAY
WOLLONGBAR MOTEL 19-21 Shirley St, BYRON BAY
SHAMBHALA @ BYRON 14 Childe St, BELONGIL
CLARKES BEACH HOLIDAY PARK Off Lighthouse Rd, BYRON BAY
Beachcomber Resort is the perfect Byron escape for surfers, their families and friends, with quality resort style accommodation which is in the heart of Byron Bay and its stunning beaches.
Surfers take note: With a private path leading straight to The Wreck and a 2 minute walk to the heart of town, Wollongbar Motel is the perfect venue to experience Byron Bay. Wollongbar Motel is clean friendly and quiet. Features include; spacious, air-conditioned rooms, a saltwater swimming pool, large barbecue area and free parking.
Majestic, hidden beachfront just minutes to the heart of town. Relax after a day in the surf in our ambient and tranquil environment. Beautiful rainforest setting with private spas, steam room, sauna. Perfect for couples or families. 5-star, self-contained tree house retreats.
Located right on the beach at Byron Bay and the winner of the highest environmental award in the industry, the Gold Gumnut, this holiday park provides the perfect holiday setting for all ages. Guests have a choice of on-site cabin accommodation as well as powered and unpowered sites for caravans, motorhomes and tents. Enjoy direct access to the beach, superb accommodation and affordable rates.
With a variety of accommodation to suit every style and budget - from studios to 1-bedroom apartments and even dual key access, these beautiful and modern apartments are located close to shops, restaurants and cafes of Byron Bay. Proximity: 100 Metres to the beach (if that) P: 02 6639 6900 E: info@beachcomberbyron.com.au www.beachcomberbyron.com.au
OFFER: Mention this ad for a complimentary breakfast! Proximity: Private path to the beach and 2 minute walk to centre of town. P: 02 6685 8200 E: reservations@wollongbar.com
www.wollongbar.com
Proximity: Absolute beachfront, on surf friendly Belongil beach. 15 minute walk to centre of town P: 1-800-SHAMBHALA E: enquiries@shambhala.org.au www.shambhala.org.au From $279 per night
Proximity: Direct access to Clarkes Beach and walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. P: 02 6685 6496 E: clarkesbeach@nchp.com.au www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au
BACKPACKERS INN ON THE BEACH 29 Shirley Street, BYRON BAY A true BEACH hostel focused entirely on budget backpacker accommodation. The only backpackers in Byron with direct beach access. Comfortable spacious dorms, double, twin, triple or single accommodation, this is the perfect location for surfers wanting to be right on the beach! Proximity: 45 seconds to the beach and 400 metres to the centre of Byron. FREE CALL: 1 800 817 696 P: 02 6685 8231
info@backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au
backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au Rates from $25 per person
From $95 per night for a studio room
ATLANTIC GUESTHOUSES 13 Marvel St, BYRON BAY
APARTMENTS INN BYRON 20-22 Fletcher St, BYRON BAY
Located in the centre of Byron Bay, Atlantic Guesthouses is a unique way for you to enjoy your Byron Bay holiday.
If you and the family are looking for brand new and stylish accommodation in the centre of Byron Bay, you cannot go past Apartments Inn Byron. Beautiful accommodation, located only one block from the beach and surrounded by restaurants and shops this is ideal for a family holiday or a perfect romantic getaway.
9 Shirley Street, BYRON BAY Outrigger Bay is the perfect Byron getaway for the ultimate relaxing holiday. With direct access to the beach, these fabulous 2 or 3 bedroom apartments are not only in a stunning location but are also so close to Byron’s great restaurants and bars. This is an ideal location for a surfing holiday with the family or a group of friends.
So many choices for all budgets
Other than all of these great choices, you can go to www.byronbayaccom.net or www.puredrift.com to browse several hundred other options. TV
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laundry
Proximity: DIRECT ACCESS to beach - only 50 metres walk and 2 minute walk to town centre shops. P: 02 6685 8646 E: info@outriggerbay.com www.outriggerbay.com
With a variety of budgets catered to, choose from the premium or standard ensuites, spacious doubles, shared rooms or select the very original American Airstream to truly experience a unique, boutique holiday. Proximity: Located in the centre of Byron Bay with a short walk to Main Beach. P: 02 6685 5118 info@atlanticbyronbay.com.au www.atlanticbyronbay.com.au
Proximity: 2 mins walk to main beach, in the heart of Byron Bay. P: 02 6620 9600 innfo@apartmentsinnbyron.com.au
www.apartmentsinnbyron.com.au See specials online
parking
You won’t find better Byron Bay surf accommodation than this! Absolute beachfront at one of Byron Bay’s best surf spots beautiful Tallow Beach. Sites, cabins and Safari tents at affordable prices with clean, modern facilities and a relaxed coastal vibe. Many of our regulars return several times a year as they follow the breaks up and down the coast. Close to the action of Byron, yet far enough away so you can avoid the crowds and focus on catching that perfect wave. Proximity: Right on Tallow Beach Phone: 02 6685 3353 info@suffolkbeachfront.com.au
www.suffolkbeachfront.com.au
From $195 per night kitchen
SUFFOLK BEACHFRONT HOLIDAY PARK Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park (5km south of Byron Bay)
Rates from $34 for two people wi-fi
pool
airconditioning
family-friendly
pet-friendly
spa
bbq
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Thum!bs Up
A place aq part(ment)
While pulling this feature on Byron Bay together, we had the pleasure of spending two nights at the Apartments Inn at 22 Fletcher Street, and what a pleasure it was...
THE FIRST TEST. When you walk into a hotel or holiday apartments you want to be welcomed. The staff at Apartments Inn are exceptional. Courteous, polite and prompt but not too uptight, as can be the case with some establishments. We were made to feel welcome straight away by manager Alan Junor and his team and were off to our room in less than 2 minutes. SECOND TEST. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment and it was incredibly spacious with a large kitchen area, dining table, lounge, outdoor setting, a full size bathroom and two good-sized bedrooms, one with an ensuite. Each of the rooms were beautifully furnished, well appointed and had a touch of class. THIRD TEST. And most important, our apartment was spotless. It was very clean, which always helps you to relax and unwind from the outset.
The Apartments Inn opened in July 2009 and they still have that distinctly ‘new’ feel to them. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and its central location was another plus. No need to worry about finding a park, which when Byron is busy can be a nightmare, not to mention the congestion centring around the Jonson and Lawson Street roundabout. The Apartments Inn is only 150m to Main Beach and you can walk to the many nearby shops, restaurants and cafes including the best breakfast in Byron right across the road at Dip Café. Don't take our word for it. Check out www.tripadvisor.com to see we're not alone in our praise. Regular comments from guests all praise the staff’s friendliness and the clean, spacious and wellappointed rooms. Apartments Inn won the North Coast Tourism Awards and was a finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards in 2010 and it’s not surprising. For more, check out the website www.apartmentsinnbyron.com.au.
Inspired by boutique Carribean guesthouses with all you love about the relaxed Byron Bay lifestyle. A range of options from premium ensuite rooms to spacious double rooms with shared bathrooms.
www.atlanticbyronbay.com.au Phone: (02) 6685 5118 Fax: (02) 6680 9430 Email: info@atlanticbyronbay.com.au 13 Marvel St, Byron Bay NSW, 2481 Certificate of Excellence 2011
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Byron Bay..b . u et there! G Formerly Byron Bay Longboards...
Ph: 02 668 55244 Shop 1/89 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481
new name - new stock - same great service
The first priority of a surfing holiday is to get there and get wet as quick as you can. With that in mind, Byron is super-accessible by plane. Jetstar and Virgin fly into the Gold Coast every day of the week from Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Alternatively you can fly Virgin from Melbourne. Hobart and Sydney to Ballina Airport. All flights are more or less under $200 one way if you book in advance, even under $100 from Sydney. From there it’s as easy as a quick call to Xcede Aiport Transfers. Gold Coast Airport to Byron is under $40. Ballina Airport To Byron only $15. Better still, if you book and pay online, you can save yourself a further 20% and the guys at Xcede don’t charge extra for surfboards (within reason). Just make sure you let them know what you are packing in advance. If you are heading to Byron by car, again, it's pretty easy. From the Pacific Highway turnoff to the town itself is only a straight 10 min drive.
From Brisbane
It’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes straight down the Pacific Highway.
From Sydney
R D! FO R S OA BU B E UR TL YO UT D SH AN U YO
770 kms and 8 ½ hours straight down the Pacific Highway.
From Melbourne
16 ½ hours drive and 1,640 kms. It’s simple, Hume Highway to Gundagai, Yass and Goulburn, pass the western outskirts of Sydney and then get onto the Pacific Highway near Pymble and follow it to Byron.
From Adelaide
2,100 kms and just over 22 hours drive. Take the Sturt Highway to Renmark onto Mildura, through Narrandera to Wagga Wagga and then onto the Hume Highway to Gundagai, Yass and Goulburn. You will pass the western outskirts of Sydney and then get onto the Pacific Highway near Pymble and follow it to Byron. Saying this, just fly. It's a massive drive. Save your energy for the waves and not for sitting down behind the wheel.
So... Book online at www.xcede.com.au 102
Drive, fly, walk, run, fly... However you get there, Byron Bay will reward you in waves, views and unforgettable experiences. Put Byron on your mustvisit list and you, like so many others will be hooked for life. Enjoy.
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4km BRISBANE 10 B atta ga g n an l ol o Co C Tweed Valley Tweed Heads t
Hastings Poin
K HEADS CK C WIC BRUNSW BYRON BAY AD LENNOX HEAD BALLINA Lismore EVANS HEAD ce en ar Cl r pe Up Region a Iluka Yamba
Northern Rivers Region
ton Graftto K D ROCK ED E RE DII D ND ORIIIN CO C MOONEE urr bou Harb ffss H off Co OM MYLESTO URUNGA D HEAD R RY HUNG S AD HE NAMBUCCA New England Region
SCOTTS HEAD
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Kempsey
ie Port Macquar S LS LL Y HI NY ONN BO B N NORTH HAVE km S DNEY 370 SY
18 beautiful coastal locations! MANY PARKS SITUATED DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH AND SOME WITH DIRECT BEACH ACCESS Pack up your boards & wetties and set off for an affordable stay at one of our 18 holiday parks! They won’t cost you the world, yet offer you everything you need for your perfect surfari.
POWERED SITES
from ONLY $ 18 per night*
* Rate based on Nambucca Headland Holiday Park.
www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au FOLLOW US ON
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uByron Bay ..v.
The qPrecinctb 104
THE VIBRANT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HOME TO BYRON BAY’S SURF ROYALTY
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Within Australia you would be hard pressed to find more shaping experience, skill and knowledge concentrated in one small area. Byron Bay's industrial precinct, known as the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Park is the epicentre of surfboard design and construction in the region, arguably the country. Perhaps only Mona Vale in Sydney, or Torquay could be considered a rival for sheer volume of choice. So many talented surfboard makers have set up shop here.
McTavish Surfboards
1
91 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6736 www.mctavish.com.au
2
McCoy Surfboards/ Town & Country 10 Acacia Street • 02 6685 7485 www.mccoysurfboards.com www.tcsurf.com.au
3
Munro Surfboards 29 Acacia Street • 02 6685 6211 www.munrosurfboards.com.au
Yes, there are options... and lots of them. All manner of makes, models and surfboard designs by craftsmen widely regarded as not only the best in Australia, but the world, are on display here. Beyond the shapers, you can have fins made, get custom accessories, find expert ding repairs, artists and so much more. Is there anything you can't find within these few streets?
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Parkes Surfing 4/83 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6627 www.parkesaustralia.com
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Maddog Surf Centre Ewingsdale Road • 02 6685 6022 www.maddog.com.au
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But this is no surfer's mall. While you can drool over the final product in showrooms, more importantly, you can get a true sense of how the blood, sweat and tears get mixed in copious amounts with resin and foam dust. Here you get to look behind the scenes, because the residents live and breathe surfboards..
ESP Surfboards 2/81 Centennial Circuit • 0404 059 321 www.espsurfshop.com.au
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Michael Cundith 3 Banksia Drive • 02 6685 8778 www.mcsurf.com.au
We take a look at a truly unique area and introduce you to those friendly and inspiring people that spoke with us about sharing the love of surfing through their craft.
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Crosslink Traction
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Doctor Ding
7/84 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 7350 www.deckgrips.com
2/68 Centennial Circuit • 0431 740 940 www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com
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Emery Surfboards 5/19 Tasman Way • 02 6685 5500 www.emerysurfboards.com
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Surfari Maps 4/67 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 7250 www.surfarimaps.com
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Bob McTavish still remains hands-on in the shaping bay. Photo: Samuel Lindsay
"My personal pursuit of the endless progression of surfboard design will hopefully continue to revolutionise surfing." Bob McTavish The McTavish showroom and workshop in Centennial Circuit
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The name McTavish is synonymous with Byron Bay. Bob has been a part of the surf scene here since it began in the early sixties. His rationale for settling here was a happy medium between his love for Byron Bay and Lennox Head just down the road. His thought process is best explained in his autobiography Stoked!, “Where to settle? Which little coastal town offered all I needed? ...I could surf Lennox in the mornings while the wind was offshore, then move around to the shelter of The Pass and Wategos in the afternoon sea breezes: what an amazing combo.” And as such, Bob now lives at Suffolk Park at the southern end of Byron, smack bang between The Pass and Lennox.
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Today you can buy, or indeed order a custom made McTavish in a variety of shapes and sizes and even construction materials, from traditional fibreglass to SLX epoxy or Surftech Tuflite epoxy construction. In total, there are 2 models to choose from, ranging from shortboards through to stand-up paddleboards. Bob McTavish has always been well known for his longboards with the resurgence of the big M in the mid-nineties and the rise in popularity of modern longboarding, but it's his range of shortboards where a lot of work at present is being concentrated. And why not, he is widely recognised as one of the founding fathers of the shortboard revolution, so his input and innovation is as valid today as ever. Two new notable entries to the McTavish quiver are the Bobsled - a shortboard quad with speed to burn and as loose as a goose - and the Sumo - a high volume midlength with a pulled in pin tail. Easy to paddle and a whole lot of fun. With such a multitude of boards to choose from, it's very comforting to know you can in fact hire one out to take it for a burn. Pleasingly, the entire range of McTavish Surfboards are available for hire at their Byron Bay Factory Outlet. So if you're planning on visiting Byron for a bit of a holiday or just travelling through, you can test out which McTavish model is best for you. Board hire costs $40 a day or $200 per week. Better still, if you decide to purchase a board after hiring one out, you will get your hire board money back off the price of your new board up to a value of $120.
ABOVE: Bob McTavish, 1969. Photo: Billy Dawson BELOW: Bob gets barrelled at Lennox. Photo: John Milek
91 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6736 • www.mctavish.com.au • sales mctavish.com.au sep/oct 2011
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Byron Bay ... The precinct
As for the board building side of things, his business continues to flourish. McTavish is truly an international company nowadays. The factory and retail operation, which form the hub of the McTavish operation, are still based in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Park, but McTavish also distributes some 20 different models to over 30 countries worldwide. With that said, the going hasn’t always been easy and it has been a long tough road to where the company is today. Over the course of the last 45 years, the McTavish name and associated companies have existed in many forms. The first major distribution of custom McTavish Surfboards commenced with the ‘Bluebird’ model back in 1972. It’s reputed to be the world’s first production shortboard and had a strong reputation for cutting edge design and performance. That same commitment to design excellence and performance continues today. “I have remained in Byron all this time working as a shaper, carving out boards by hand, keeping up with the movements and innovations of the younger crew, and still innovating where I can. It hasn’t been the most financially rewarding job choice, but it is immensely satisfying, creating vehicles that move and work in and around those spinning vortices known as waves, and customfitting them to thousands of surfers over the years.” The strength of resolve to forge ahead even through the tough times has ensured the McTavish brand remains true to its roots, making quality surfboards for surfers from all walks of life.
Inside the laminating room. Photo: Samuel Lindsay
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RIGHT: The man and his creations. ABOVE: Geoff McCoy takes some time out for a chat.
Byron Bay ... The precinct
"High performance is a myth, something created by clothing companies and pure ignorance. " Geoff McCoy
Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of speaking your mind. “Silence is golden but sometimes it's yellow. Show tact son, but never kiss arse and don’t be a coward in expressing your point of view,” was what they always said to me. It is the best advice I have ever been given. And it is probably why I think the world of this bloke... A legendary shaper. From the moment I met him, I liked him. No bullshit. What you see is what you get. If there is one person who epitomises the smorgasboarder spirit, it's Geoff McCoy. He doesn’t care about what is cool. He simply designs boards that deliver the most enjoyment. The more I see of his designs and hear the explanations behind what he does, the closer I become to a McCoy devotee. And believe me, there are a lot out there. A good mate of mine picked up a McCoy a few years back and hasn’t stop raving about it since. Once hooked, McCoy surfers seem to become members of the "McCoy Boys" club. As for his design philosophies, it’s best I leave Geoff to explain them himself in his own uncompromising way. “High performance does not exist in my world at all. “High performance is a myth, something created by clothing companies and pure ignorance. It’s just bullshit and has nothing to do with actual surfing performance and true design for the majority of surfers. The illusions created are totally unattainable for all but the very best. “Performance surfing can be achieved on all levels from beginner to elite. It is just that each level requires a different performance to have the desired outcome. There is no point having a high performance surfboard when you are only average, as it does not work.”
The McCoy Energy Theory
“I have a passion as a surfboard designer to pursue the truth and source what objects are best suited for people to ride on waves with pure function and ease of control for the surfer. I now understand the common denominator is ‘pure energy’, pure energy moving through a
mass of water which forms a wave. “Unless a designer can understand the principals of pure energy and how to harness it in a functional sense, it's almost impossible to build an object to ride on that is easy to control. Through years of surfing and testing boards, I've developed a deep understanding of riding a wave, including how the wave functions, the reaction water has to objects and the technique required to control and ride a wave. “Heightened awareness has helped me to discover the importance of neutralising an object’s reaction to a wave. To give the surfer a more stable platform to surf off and a much more practical and user-friendly way to go surfing. In achieving this within surfboard design, the surfer dictates the moves and is not prone to an over-reactive, highly sensitive, hard-to-control surfboard that many surfers battle with every time they take off on a wave. “The boards I design perform functions on a wave with ease. They provide the surfer with the freedom to catch and ride waves without the struggle, which in turn allows surfers of all abilities to improve their performance overall, because they're catching more waves and because of the ease of performance of their board. “I have said it many times before and will continue to say it until the message gets through. There is no connection between high performance professional equipment and the part-time, recreational surfer. It’s a simple as that. Do not get sucked in by some ignorant fool that calls themself a surfboard designer with a large brown stain around their neck dribbling uncoordinated unrealistic... about how their best team riders are ripping on the latest disaster they manifested. “If nothing else, so-called high performance equipment has proven how dysfunctional it is in the hands of the average surfer and should be avoided completely.” Geoff McCoy’s philosophy is best summed by what Google brings up for his name... McCoy Surfboards, high performance Australian made surfboards for surfers of all ability levels.
www.mccoysurfboards.com sep/oct 2011
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Town & Country and McCoy Surfboards sit comfortably side by side in the same building at 10 Acacia Street in the Industrial Estate at Byron Bay. One stop. Awesome boards. Easy.
It's often been said, “People, not machines, make surfboards.” No truer words could be spoken when referring to Town & Country Surfboards in Byron Bay. In the PSM (Professional Surfboard Manufacturing) factory, where Town & Country surfboards are made, the combined experience handcrafting surfboards adds up to over 220 years. It goes without saying, these guys know a thing or two about surfboard design. Imagine the boards shaped during this time. Let’s face it, experience does count. Now it may not look like much from the outside and there's no sexy sales people inside (except Michelle of course) but hell, it's one hell of a factory showroom. It's cavernous, with just loads of surfboards. There are rows upon rows of shortboards, hybrids, longboards, second hand boards as well as the complete McCoy range. DOUG UNGER, the head honcho and proprietor of PSM, a born and bred Byron Bay local who started his career as a sander back in the 70’s explains their commitment to quality: “We all work together to get the best quality boards for surfers, from beginners to pros. Our team put there hands to top notch labels such as our own, Town & Country since 1983, and also McCoy, Maddog, Mark Richards and San Juan since 1966. Quality is the key in today’s marketplace and to get quality, it takes all the people in one place working together towards a common goal.” Let’s meet the people behind the scenes.
LEFT: The Buzz at work ABOVE: The T&C showroom
BRUNO ‘THE BUZZ’ BUZZOLAN Grew up on the NSW South Coast and began shaping boards for himself and his mates in 1972 before moving to Byron in 1978. He started at Sky Surfboards working alongside the likes of Bob McTavish, George Greenough, Chris Brock, Michael Cundith, Rod Dahlberg and Nev Hyman, Tony Cerff, Gunther Rohn and Geoff McCoy. “I’ve always liked boards to be fast, responsive and forgiving. The average Joe has only one board, so it must handle 1-6 foot conditions and even up to 8 foot occasionally. So, I concentrate on design aspects to produce the perfect all-rounder. Boards that work in 2 foot slop to lumpy 6 foot chunks and still go off in 2-6 foot clean pits. The individual’s personal preference, ability and location they surf, as well as the best features of comp models, are the main influences in my designs.” ‘GYPO’ ROBERT FENECH Born in Maroubra, he started his own backyard surfboard business when he was just 15 years of age. He’s been hand shaping surfboards since. When Gypo moved to Byron Bay he too began working for Sky Surfboards. "Shaping since 1975, through the major years of evolution in performance shortboards, has given me a solid understanding of design facets - rockers, outlines, rails, bottom shapes and fins. "Using this knowledge and experience is crucial to the progression of future surfboard design. My Hybrid series is the start in a new direction of performance surfboard design. Not so focused on contest or aerial surfing, but performance in a way that would suit the majority of surfers at any level."
GARY BURMESTER, with over 30 years experience, and MICHAEL MCLENNAN are champion laminators. Their skill coupled with our temperature controlled glassing room results in boards with superior strength to weight ratios. ROY MEISEL is the expert showroom fountain-ofknowledge for all things surf related. Roy’s been a part of the industry his whole life and knows his stuff. Indeed, Roy was the original owner of the iconic surfboard label Bare Nature. PAUL GOFFETT With over 30 years experience, he is one of the best sanders in the world. (After shaping our own boards we know only too well how much of a skill sanding really is. It's where most boards come unstuck. Great design + crap sander = crap board.) ALONZO PUNKER'S dream was to one day work for T&C. His clothes and car reflect his attitude:“Surfing Is My Life” and “One Day I’ll Get A Real Job” and he did! Alonzos’ enthusiasm pumped us all up. His sprays and shapes speak for themselves. Spray art and airbrushing are his specialities. PAUL CARDEN Gloss coater/ polisher. 18 years experience puts finishes to boards that are pure perfection. Together with PETER GROVER, the boys polish boards that outshine the competition. No dull patches. DARREN BIRCH The fin man. Multi-skilled and over 25 years experience. MICHELLE MORRISON The office manager who together with Doug, keep things ticking along smoothly. Next time you're in Byron Bay, drop in and meet the team in person yourself.
02 6685 7485 • www.tcsurf.com.au sep/oct 2011
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n o nr o u M Handcrafted Sv urfboards I first came across Brett Munro’s handiwork when my brother returned from a trip to Byron some years ago. He had commented how at ease he was talking with Brett about getting a board custom made. “He’s not up himself and there’s no attitude. He just listens to what you want, answers your questions, asks a few of his own and steers you in the right direction.You’re not made to feel like a dickhead if you don't understand the intricacies of surfboard design.” Brett is as down-to-earth as they come and I have sincerely enjoyed catching up with him each and every time I have passed through Byron. Truth be told, I would attribute a lot of things I have learnt about surfboards to date from my chats with Brett. He certainly doesn’t try to over complicate discussions with high-tech bullshit.
quads to shortboard thrusters, single fins and longboards. Many a professional title has been claimed on his boards, including Beau Young’s two world titles. As for my brother’s 7’4” sky blue thruster with Speeed Fins and carbon fibre rods near the rails, it goes like the clappers. He rates it as one of his favourite boards. Eight years on, it still looks brand new, which speaks volumes of the quality craftsmanship and the top end materials they use at Munro. BRETT MUNRO
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DAVE PARKES first starting shaping kneeboards back in the Friar Tuck factory at Brookvale in 1978 before the company moved to Byron Bay in 1981, Dave took over the business in 1983.
Hand shaping surfboards for close to 40 years, Brett started out as an understudy to Kingsley ‘Knackers’ Kernoski in Whangamatta, NZ in 1974. After six years as a partner in Saltwater Surfboards, in 1981 he moved to Coffs Harbour and established Prana Surfboards until 1993, when he moved to Byron Bay starting up Heart’n’Soul and Munro.
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NEIL LUKE has been shaping kneeboards since 1970, surfing the heavy reef breaks of Phillip Island and working with Island Surfboards until he moved to Byron Bay a couple of years back to work with Dave
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Now I must admit I have never given kneeboarding a go. But with that said, I will certainly take up the boys offer and give it a crack next time I am passing through Byron. Like everything surf related, I am always keen to personally explore new frontiers. Let’s face it, it’s not as if kneeboarding is a ‘new’ frontier. It was incredibly popular in the 70’s following movies such as George Greenough’s Innermost Limits of Pure Fun in 1968 and seems to be enjoying somewhat of a resurgence nowadays. Personally, I think kneeboarding is unreal. Our mag has always celebrated the unbridled joy of surfing, no matter what board you choose to ride. Pleasingly, most open-minded surfers these days don’t care much for how they look are what is ‘in’. They are simply out there to have fun and enjoy surfing on all manner of craft and thank bloody goodness for that. Anyhow, back to my kneelo friends. Guys like Dave Parkes and Neil Luke seem to have always been at the forefront of surfboard design. They’re totally uninhibited in relation to surfboard design and are more than comfortable pushing the boundaries. They aren’t too concerned about conforming to what is the ‘in’ shape. They simply hand craft boards to suit the rider and the ‘feel’ they are after.
85 6211 29 Acacia St • 02 66 .au
Brett's a Kiwi, so sound interested in rugby and attest to the fact the All Blacks are sure to win the next World Cup, full knowing they will choke at the last hurdle, just so he looks after you with an extra special board.
Most importantly, his boards are the goods and for peace of mind, an SBT microchip anti-theft protection system is available. Performance orientated in their design, he shapes a multitude of boards from twin-keel fishes and
As a surfer and a shaper Dave Parkes has walked the walk. He is a six-time Australian Kneeboard Champion and has shaped countless kneeboards as well as a variety of surfboards for over 30 years, learning from legendary surfers and shapers. And to further add to the credibility, legendary kneeboarder and shaper, Neil Luke also works out of the Parkes Factory.
it 4/83 Centennial Circu
02 6685 6627
www.parkesaustralia.com
This dedication to innovation and an openly collaborative approach to shaping means the Parkes Factory breaks the mould producing boards that feature a combination of proven designs, new approaches to design and construction, and rigorous testing. Here they craft kneeboards by Dave Parkes and Neil Luke and the Friar Tuck label The factory not only shapes kneeboards but also a variety of other surfcraft, such as Midget Farrelly Longboards which are made under licence. Previously mini mals and malibus were made for Scott Dillon, as well as performance shortboards for Garrett Parkes and his mates.
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M uSb urfaddogv Centre The big red building on the corner of Ewingsdale and Banksia is home to Maddog and San Juan Surfboards.
Well priced and well made is the best way I can describe these boards. Not only that, Maddog headquarters at Byron Bay has a bloody good range. Every time I visit I come out salivating. Yes, I must admit to a massive soft spot for San Juan Surfboards. I have surfed for most of my life but lost touch with the waves during my mid teens. When I rediscovered surfing, it was thanks to a liquid flame red Juan. I surfed her for some 14-odd years before she came to an untimely end in a sizeable swell at Currumbin. My red Juan now sits pride of place above the bar, albeit in two pieces. Anyhow I digress, if you want variety of colours, shapes, different lengths... Maddog’s headquarters at Byron Bay has the lot.
A massive range of gear is available in store at Maddog
If you're a fan of Mark Richards' boards, you might be interested to know that Maddog have been glassing them since the 70s. They also stock a wide range of his boards, from retro twinnies to MR's current performance boards. There's also a massive selection of secondhand boards for the bargain shoppers, newbies, backpackers and hopeful collectors. Sure they have clothes, wetsuits, accessories and the like but they are much more than your stereotypical surf fashion retail store. Maddog is a surf hardware shop first and foremost... A surfers' surf shop. If surfing is less about following a fashion trend and more about following your heart, you'll feel right at home at Maddog’s headquarters.
Vintage board fans have plenty to see as well
John and Mark, along with younger gun Beau, provide good, old-fashioned service and actually know something about surfboards. Now who would have thought? After all, they've been around the surfboard shaping environment for donkey’s years and can advise you on the right board for your ability level. And for those interested in the art of it all, you can actually see boards being shaped in the shaping bay. It's not some token shaping bay with a glass window looking through to an empty room for atmospheric effect but a shaping bay used five days a week by in-house shapers, Mark Plater and Matt Crisp.
Ewingsdale Road 02 6685 6022
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John has been going about his business since the 1970’s. Maddog Surf Centre is not only a wealth of history thanks to all the vintage boards on display on the floor and across the rafters, but is an absolute warehouse of brand new surfboards of every size, style shape, colour and description including brands like JS, DHD and Al Merrick.
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Luke Cooper Photo Balistyle
Jeremy 'X' Williams
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“Any shaper worth their salt should be fv amiliar with all aspects of design.”o
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Ed Sinnott has pretty much seen it all. His career has spanned the single-fin, twin-fin, thruster and the modern longboard. “When I started surfing in the late sixties many of the surf companies and board manufacturers of today didn’t exist. We didn’t wear leg ropes, wetsuits were basically non existent and no one would have ever conceived you could get a surfboard made in China or that plastic boards made in Thailand would ever be acceptable.” "The angle that got me into surfboard design in the first place was a creative one. In the seventies as a teenager I was at art school doing the bohemian thing, surfing everyday, painting, drawing, doing leatherwork and repairing dings for cash.
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2/81 Centennial Circuit 0404 059 321
www.espsurfshop.com.au
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“I started working at John Skipp’s factory, painting surfboards, doing pin lines, polishing, sanding, glassing, sweeping the floor, doing dings and gradually shaping more and more. I just had this incredible drive and passion to create really good surfboards. It was all about the creation and the joy of riding those pieces of functional sculpture out in the ocean."
Ed first picked up a planer back in 1976 and has not turned it off since. Originating from The Gong, today he lives in Byron taking every opportunity to surf classic line ups such as Broken Head, The Pass, Tallows and Lennox. He still does what he started doing over thirty years ago, surfing and shaping every day, playing music, writing songs and staying fit. By his thinking, he is living the dream. “Over the last 30 years I have shaped over 18,000 surfboards for a huge variety of people from all over the world and gained invaluable experience by shaping for surfers on the ASP World Tour as well as several World, State and Australian title holders. “I shape the whole spectrum of surfboard design, everything including hi-performance shortboards, fishes, mini mals, retro designs and longboards. In my opinion, any shaper worth their salt should be familiar with all aspects of design. My shaping focus is intergenerational.” Since 1976, Ed has combined his knowledge of surfing with a passion for hard work, originality and innovation within the field of surfboard manufacturing.
In a world where mass production and pop-outs from Asian countries abound it’s refreshing to see someone still following tradition and living the dream as a surfer/shaper. “I personally chose to manufacture my boards using Australian workers and materials. Mass production, plastic surfboards and the hard sell are not my scene and never ever will be. Producing professionally made surfboards of A1 quality is. Here at ESP we are proud of what we do and as a group of Australian surfers we have never embraced the propaganda pushed in the surf media by companies owned by overseas dollars promoting Asian surfboards. “The fantastic shapers and craftsmen I learned from and worked with were all at one time master surfer/shapers including Terry Richardson, Frank Latta, Michael and Tom Peterson, Kevin Parkinson, Carl Schaefer, John Skipp, Ben Shaw, Tom Storey and Ralph Riddell." Ed plans to continue carrying the flame of creating quality Australian, hand made surfboards. Amen to that.
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In store, MC also stocks an extensive range of softboards and surf accessories including Carver Surfboard Racks and his wife Toshie’s very own range of surf hats called Protecsun - surf hats that stay on with a brim design that enables surfers to duck-dive with ease.
Shortboards, longboards, all types of fish boards; dart fish, speed fish, big boys fish, Danny Wills signature models, Bob Cooper Blue Machine longboards, fun boards, lip hit shortboards, mini mals, Hawaiian guns, retro surfboards, kneeboards, balsa longboards and even Sail Skee sailboats... Michael Cundith shapes pretty much any type of watercraft. He's a master craftsman and an innovative watercraft designer who, after all these years, is still constantly refining and improving his designs. Yes, he shapes everything and anything and he excels at it.
For the friendly service and Michael's wealth of knowledge alone it's worth a visit, but it'll be hard to leave without a board under your arm.
With over 50 years of shaping experience, Michael along with his good friend George Greenough, can certainly lay claim to being one of the pioneers of modern shortboards.
Byron Bay ... The precinct
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ABOVE: Wilderness Surfboards in the '60s
Michael, with his wife Toshie and their two boys ‌.. together run Byron Bay Surfboards. It's a family business and it shows. They're lovely people who all live and breathe surfing, and will help you to no end in finding the right board. They stand behind their product because the quality of their craftsmanship is beyond question.
His story dates back to when at only 12, riding an inflatable air mat he discovered a love for riding waves. At age 13 he had acquired a longboard and had started to cut the rails off, peeling back the glass to reshape his board so it was easier for him to carry. By the time he was 16 he was totally involved with surfboard design and has been shaping full time since. For the history buffs out there, he was the founder of the famous Wilderness Surfboards in Santa Barbara and made George Greenough Stubbies. In the 60's he was part of the second wave of surfers to be part of the Santa Barbara County Surf Club - surf custodians of the legendary Hollister Ranch. Later on he moved to Australia shaping boards with Bob Cooper in Coffs Harbour and worked for San Juan with Nat Young. Following that, he shaped boards with Kevin Platt in Noosa before returning to Byron to shape for Sky Surfboards in the very same factory he's in today, only nowadays the business is his own.
Rest assured in the board you order from Michael Cundith. He thinks, dreams and lives surfboards. And he's also an innovative designer of surfboards fins.
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3 Banksia Drive 02 6685 8778
www.mcsurf.com.au
ABOVE: MC cutback on the original Stubbie and BELOW & RIGHT: Gene Cundith and the Stubbie of today
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There are loads of other talented people working in the Byron Bay Arts & Industry Park, some doing their own thing and others working in the established factories whilst developing their craft behind the scene.
Byron Bay ... The precinct
Skerry Surfboards
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Travelling down the entire east coast of Australia we call in to some 400 odd surf shops distributing smorgasboarder. As you can imagine, we see a hell of a lot of boards. Lots and lots of boards… beautiful boards, amazing craftsmanship and a fair bit of crap as well. So it is a mighty big statement when we say this, Simon Skerry’s resin artwork is the best we have seen. His boards are works of art. They are so stunning, I don’t know whether to ride them or hang them on my wall. But in my deliberation, I find myself just staring at the board, the intricate details, the amount of skill it must take and the painstaking hours he must dedicate to create such truly unique surfboards. They just blow my mind. Nothing more needs to be said. Seeing is believing. www.skerrysurfboards.com
North Coast Surfboards Exceptional boards, including various stock models by world renowned shaper Donald Takayama and Bear. The shapers, glassers and guys in the trenches that produce these boards are highly skilled and extremely talented, and by all reports, good blokes.
Emery Surfboards
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ABOVE: Simon Skerry's finishing touches make great boards unbelievable.
With high-tech, modern boards, Al Emery is focused very much on clean sharp lines and neat white high-performance boards, but adds a bit of humour to the quiver with his retros: "Short Shorts? Moustache? These are the boards for you!" says the website.
LEFT: Doctor Ding checks up on one of his patients BELOW LEFT: Any kind of traction, Crosslink can make it. BELOW: Map-king, Guy Hastings
The label's very supportive of young local surfers, and has a team roster to prove it. www.emerysurfboards.com
Guys Hastings
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He’s the map man. Freelance decorative painter, illustrator and pictorial map maker, Guy Hastings makes incredible surf maps of all descriptions. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, his cartographic surf maps detail your favourite breaks. You can check out more of his work online at www.surfarimaps.com
Doctor Ding
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The guys here excel in fixing all types of surfboard - from lightweight performance shortboards all the way to heavyweight tinted logs. Their work covers minor dings to major surgery, small fractures to full creases and snaps, in standard PU fibreglass and Epoxy. If you need your board quickly, they also offer 24-hour turnaround and pick up/ delivery services to make things easy. Seven days a week they are there to get you back in the water as soon as humanly possible. They are truly good blokes as well with grand plans for their little business. Just keep an eye on what they have planned.
Crosslink Traction
If you need to get a grip, these are the go-to people. Makers of traction pads, stand up paddleboard grips, malibu grips, longboard grips, retro tail pads, surf lifesaving pads and kneeboard grips all customised to suit, even with your personalised colour logos for your boardriders club or surf business. Crosslink will keep you firmly stuck to your board - and you'll have a hard time getting out of the workshop without a chat. It's all Australian made too, so you can feel good about supporting a local manufacturer. See more on their grips online at their freshly revamped website: www.deckgrips.com.
With this much surfboard manufacturing talent all crammed into just a few blocks, make sure to take that left turn as you're heading into Byron, and pay these good people a visit. You might find yourself leaving with a few new toys.
www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com or drop in at 2/68 Centennial Circuit. sep/oct 2011
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No big brands. No marketing hype. Just cool merchandise from the salt of the Australian surf community
eaps of s... h e t i s t One webd surf shops shir an shapers sep/oct 2011
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BOBSLED
CARVER MICRO
THE EGG
TWINFISH
SCOOTER
Length: 6’0” – 7’10” Width: 20 ½” – 22 ½” Thickness: 2 ½” – 3” Nose: 15” +/Tail: 15” +/Description: The Bobsled is rigged out with the most comfortable quad set-up available, fast and loose, with no slip! It has speed to burn and more thrust than a thruster. Features full boxy rails, concave through-out with softening bevels and substantial width. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass or SLX EPS/Epoxy construction. Fins: FCS M3/M5 or M5/ M7 Quads Shaper comment: The Bobsled allows comfortable turns on any part of the wave, snappy face pivots, pumps, weaves, and deep gouges. Paddles like a real bigguys-short-board, high and level.
Length: 7’0” – 8’6” Width: 20” – 22 ¼” Thickness: 2 ½” – 3” Nose: 15” -/+ Tall: 14 ½” -/+ Description: The Carver is a McTavish staple that has been in production for many years. The latest update to the model sees the nose thinned out slightly, but the rest of the features remain the same coz if it ain’t broke.... The Carver has a single concave nose to reduce weight, and a deep double concave tail for maximum drive and manouverability. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass or SLX EPS/Epoxy construction. Fins: FCS PC-7 dualdensity foam-core thruster set Shaper comment: The board is loose and lively off the tail, and will handle waves from 2-10 ft +. A must for any midlength fan!
Length: 6’0” – 6’6” Width: 20 ½” – 22” Thickness: 2 1/2” – 3” Nose: 16” -/+ Tail: 17” -/+ Description: The Egg has tons of volume, a flat tail rocker, and a 2+1 fin set-up that gives drive and manoeuvrability on any day under about 6 ft. The full rails are comfortable, and won’t catch as you weave your way through a thick summer crowd! Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Centre finbox with 6” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin and FCS GX-Q dualdensity foam-core side fins. Shaper comment: The classic double-ender fun machine! The Egg is a flat, stubbie little number, capable of bringing a smile to your face even when its 2 ft and onshore. One to add to the small-day quiver.
Length: 5’10” – 6’6” Width: 21” – 22” Thickness: 2 5/8” – 3” Nose: 17” -/+ Tall: 16 ½” -/+ Description: Revised for 2011 the Twinfish is now even more authentic to its roots. The updated board features a flatter entry rocker, fuller nose template and lower rails. The flat entry rocker makes this board easy to paddle in, and fast down the line, especially on the smaller days. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Australian made Glass-on keel fins or FCS removable keels Shaper comment: A great small-wave cruiser, with an old-skool feel.
Length: 5’10” – 6’6” Width: 20” – 22” Thickness: 2 ½” – 3 1/8” Nose: - 17” -/+ Tail: - 16 ½” -/+ Description: From the depths of the masters mind comes the Scooter. The Scooter is highvolume, has low sharp rails, and a wide tail template to create drive from nothing. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Centre finbox with 9” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin or FCS MR-TX Quad Set in Glassflex. Shaper comment: A flat little pocket-rocket that’ll turn even the junkiest conditions into a whole lotta fun. The battail and quad fin set-up top off one of the most fun surfboards in our range. Perfect for the on-shore east-coast summer days!
Founded by surf industry pioneer Bob McTavish, McTavish Surfboards have been in production non-stop since 1962. 116
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GEAR: BOARDS
SUMO
THE NEO
THE UFO
THE UF8
CARVER FISH
Length: 6’2” – 7’6” Width: 21” – 23” Thickness: 2 ½” – 3 1/8” Nose: 18” -/+ Tail: 14 ½” -/+ Description: The all-new Sumo model is a highvolume mid-length with speed to burn. The wide point is way forward, and the tail is pulled into a tight pin, around the 14” mark. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Centre finbox with 6” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin and FCS GX-Q dualdensity foam-core side fins. Can also be ridden as a single fin if preferred. Shaper comment: With all the volume under your chest the board is easy to paddle, and once you’re up and riding that narrow tail really comes into play.
Length: 9’4” – 10’1” Width: 22 ½” – 23 ¼” Thickness: 2 ¾” – 3 ¼” Nose: 17 ½” -/+ Tail: 14 ½” -/+ Description: The bottomshape is simple, with a subtle nose concave, and very slightly rolled tail. The hatchet creates the drag needed for long noserides, but once you’re on the tail it comes around nice and smooth. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Centre finbox with 10.5” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish hatchet fin Shaper comment: Ideal for waves up to 3-4ft, for nose-riding, The NEO is an all-new Cali inspired log. This board is the pinnacle of quality laminating, with resin art, tinted fabric stripes and patches, and beautiful pinline work. pivoting off the tail and speedtrimming down the line.
Length: 9’0” – 9’2” Width: 22” – 22 ¾” Thickness: 2 ¾” – 2 7/8” Nose: 17” -/+ Tall: 14 “ -/+ Description: The best of our F4 progressive longboard fused with the rocker profile of our famous Original model. The F4’s elegant lines deliver the speed, the Original’s rocker supplies the vertical component. This is a 6” nose rocker, and a 4” tail rocker, dropped in late (being fairly abrupt). That leaves the rocker still quite stiff in the engine room under your feet, resulting in plenty of thrust despite the tail rocker. The tailkick simply allows you to jam vertical, with no loss of speed overall. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass or SLX EPS/Epoxy construction. Fins: Centre finbox with 6” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin and FCS GX-Q dualdensity foam-core side fins Shaper comment: The perfect combo!
Length: 7’6” – 8’6” Width: 21 ½” – 22 ¾” Thickness: 2 ¾” – 3 1/8” Nose: 18” -/+ Tail: 14 ½” -/+ Description: The UF8 has a pulled in pointed nose, and a progressive rocker profile with a flipped nose and tail. The bottom-shape features a slight concave in the nose, running into a double in the tail for a lively feel. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: Centre finbox with 6” Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin and FCS GX-Q dualdensity foam-core side fins. Shaper comment: The UF8 is an 8 foot version of our super popular UFO model. The template shrinks down perfectly to give a very high performance midlength board, which really excels in punchy beach and reef break conditions, from 3 ft up.
Length: 6’8” – 7’8” Width: 19” – 22” Thickness: 2 5/8” – 3” Nose: 14 ½” -/+ Tall: 15 ½” -/+ Description: Updated for 2011 the Carver Fish is now a more focused ‘bigguys-shortboard’ and has a pulled in nose template, a quad fin set-up, and more lift in the nose. Construction: Custom PU foam and fibreglass. Fins: FCS M3/M5 or M5/ M7 Quads or standard PC-7 thruster also available upon request. Shaper comment: The Carver Fish is an awesome performer. Best suited to big, clean days, when you have an open face to carve. A great travel board for that trip to Indo, or bigger days on your local outside bank.
Custom order online or visit the showroom at 91 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW. Phone: 02 6685 6736 Email: sales@mctavish.com.au www.mctavish.com.au sep/oct 2011
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“Geoff McCoy Surfboards are like no other on the planet. Right across our range we create boards to surf above the water flow therefore offering a feel and a surfing experience like no other board you can buy. “Our designs are based on the idea of harmonising with the water flow of the wave by utilising area in plan shape, which combined with rocker modifications give continual flow through short or long arc surfing on the wave face for all surfing abilities. “Throughout our range you will find these characteristics hold true, so select a design suitable to your needs. Other McCoy designs available Big Pot Belly, Nose Rider, Stumpy, Pot Belly, Splinter and Big Guy Nugget Retro boards include the Twin Fin, Double Ender, Dream Time and Old F.D. There’s also a range of guns including Mini Gun, Semi Gun, Serious Guns and Tow boards. Most designs can be varied using different fin configurations including single, twin and three fins, but no quads. All multi-fin designs only have glassed on fibreglass fins, NO plastic at all. Now custom building a Geoff McCoy designed retro range in wood and fibreglass construction. “These are very special, as they represent my older concepts that, when combined with wood, are strikingly impressive.” For info, contact Geoff direct.
McCOY SURFBOARDS 10 Acacia Street Byron Bay, NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6685 3227 mccoysurfboards.com 118
ASTRON ZOT
LAZOR ZAP
ALL ROUND NUGGET
THE MALIBU ALL ROUNDER
Dimensions: From 5’0”-7’1” x 21”-22” x 2¾”-3¼”
Dimensions: From 5’-6’6” Pictured board: 5’11” x 20 ¼” x 16 ½” x 3”
Dimensions: From 6’0”-7’0” Pictured board: 6’2” x 20” x 2 7/8”x 17” tail
Wide range available
Wide range available
Dimensions: From 9’0”-9’6” Pictured board: 9’3” x 22½” x 15” x 18” x 3¼”
Suits: surfers up to 95kg Description: Pulled nose of the original design allowed the board to elevate very quickly, due to reduced length of rail used when turning. This allowed for more manouvers to be performed while standing in a fixed position on the wide, thick supportive tail, which generates greater pressure and easier reaction. It was easier to paddle, had quicker reaction from the extra volume, less resistance in turns, and gave the ability to surf at a higherspeed. Best suited for quick, short arc, up-tempo surfing. Fins: Original Single Fin or with 3 fin setup. Shaper comment: If you are looking for a great performing board that also represents the pinnacle of design in the Golden Era, have a look at the 2011 Lazor Zap. You could say that they are everything the modern shortboard should be.
Suits: surfers up to 100kg Description: The design is a subtle blending of curves, incorporating the Loaded Dome bottom contours - a blend of curves throughout the bottom of the board. The contours assist the board to perform manoeuvres by taking the emphasis off the surfer having to control and guide the board, giving more time for the actual manoeuvre. Fins: The more you use the more stable and slower reacting the board becomes. I offer a range of fin styles with 1, 2 or 3 fin combinations. Shaper comment: Wider, thicker and shorter. With more volume and bouyancy than you’ve had before, it’s easy to paddle easy to control - with more speed than you’ve had in years. And when it starts to barrel... You’ll be laughing!
Pictured board:
5’6”x 21½”x 18”x 15½”x 3”
Suits: surfers up to 100kg Description: Completely unique in all aspects. The plan shape is a beautifully balanced ellipse, which blends with the thickness balance, combining with perfect rocker curves, flowing into a loaded dome located under the back foot for maximum control. Softened bottom rail, with a 60-40 balance which runs right through the board into the tail area for greater holding qualities on hollow waves, eliminating the need to add extra fins. Fins: McCoy Gull Wing 110% Original Shaper comment: This is the smallest we make in the AZot range, extremely lively little performer, very reactive in a very wide range of wave conditions.As all nugget designs, it excels in hollow powerful waves.
Wide range available
Suits: surfers up to 120kg Description: A classic design, not as full in the nose area as the Nose Rider. This allows the board to turn easier, producing better flow and glide. Fins: I use my Gull Wing designs as all my Malibu’s come in only single fin with a 10” box for fin movement and removal. Shaper comment: For longboarders who like to surf loose and fast. Good turning and manoeuverability, easy paddling and stability. The great all round family board.
PHOTO: Neil Cameron at Mentawai. 6’ 1” All Round Nugget 3-fin
sep/oct 2011
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GEAR: BOARDS
FLY’N FISH
DUMPLING
HYBRID
HYBRID
ELECTRIFYING HOT TUNA FISH
Shaper: Bruno “The Buzz” Buzzolan Length: 5’0” to 8’0” Width: 18” to 22” Thickness: 2” to 3” Ideal conditions: ½ - 4ft. Suits: A fast, loose wave hog in all conditions and for all surfers. Description: Single to double concave with vee out the tail makes this very fast and responsive. Swallow tail. Construction: Polyster Resin and Burford PU Blank Fins: FCS Tris, Quad or 5 fin setup Shaper comment: Our most popular model. A hybrid to complement your standard short board.
Shaper: Bruno “The Buzz” Buzzolan Length: 5’4” to 6’0” Width: 19” to 20” Thickness: 2’¼” to 2 ¾” Ideal conditions: ½ - 4ft. Ability level: Beginner to Pro Description: 3-4 inches shorter and ¾ inch wider than the norm. Round or round square tail. Deep single to double concave with exit tail vee Construction: Polyster Resin and Burford PU Blank Fins: FCS Tris, Quad or 5 plug setup Shaper comment: This model shines in substandard surf.
Shaper: Robert “Gypo” Fenech Dimensions: 6’2” x 20 ¾” x 2 5/8” Description: A midrange combination of resistance and release, combined with displacement and hydrodynamics to provide you with a futuristic surfboard. Fuller outline and increased volume with a balanced domed hull shape. Construction: Burford blanks, 4oz bottom, 6oz top plus 4oz tail patch on deck, pro sand finish Fins: FCS or set fins Shaper comment: The modern high performance pro surfboard has been designed around a rail to rail pump action, to assist pro surfers to rip low energy surf, impress judges and their sponsors. It’s mini-gun outline and low volume work well in big surf, ride tight in the power and easy to duck dive. Hybrid is a performance option and is worth a try – you will be impressed.
Shaper: Robert “Gypo” Fenech Dimensions:
Shaper: Bruno “The Buzz” Buzzolan Artwork: Alonzo Punker Dimensions: 5’9” X 19 ½” X 2 3/8” Ability level: Beginner to Pro Description: With a rounded square or swallow tail, this board features a deep single into double concave with exit vee. Construction: Polyster Resin and Burford PU Blank Fins: FCS. Available with 5 sets of fins plugs to further enhance the board’s versatility. Shaper comment: Snappy high speed performance in this small wave specialist.
udly Still pro people, made by ines not mach
7’ x 22” x 3”
Description: All rounder up to 6 ft big guy board. Superior performance to mini-mal or big fish. Volume and area for support, soft curves and hydrodynamics to harness the wave’s energy Construction: Burford blanks, PSM high quality glassing and finish Fins: FCS or set fins Shaper comment: A downsized version of the McCoy energy theory, the brain-child and life’s work of Geoff McCoy. I am currently learning the finer details from Geoff and have put together a Hybrid series from what I understand. If you have trouble with the bulk and mass of a real McCoy, Hybrid will help you understand that a wider, thicker board with a balanced dome hull performs and feels fantastic.
Celebrating
4 years
TOWN & COUNTRY SURFBOARDS 10 Acacia Street, Byron Bay NSW Phone: 02 6685 7485 Email: prosurfdesigns@tcsurf.com.au www.tcsurf.com.au sep/oct 2011
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(mention smorgasboarder to get a free leggie worth $45 with a new Ron Wade board order)
THE BULL Shaper: R on Wade Specs: 9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 7/8” Ideal conditions: Classic noserider which performs well between 1-6ft. Description: Lower rocker to enable less push, a trim section to enable maximum speed through to a slight tail lift incorporating a subtle “V” for manoeuvrability. Construction: The board illustrated is made of PU foam, includes a single plywood stringer, 2 layers of 6oz fibreglass on the deck and 1 on the bottom. Hand shaped 9” fibreglass fin + fin box with side fins, polished finish with colour. Fins: Fibreglass Centre fin with side fins included Shaper comment: If you’re thinking of updating to a new longboard it would be my pleasure to be able to answer your questions and guide you to make the correct decision.
RON WADE SURF DESIGNS AUSTRALIA Mona Vale showroom, open 9-4pm Sat or call me. Ph: 02 9979 7071 Mob: 0410 443 776 sales@ronwadesurfboards.com.au
ronwadesurfboards.com.au
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THE ROSIE D’ORSO HIGHLINER Shaper: T homas Bexon Dimensions: 9’4” x 22 3/8” x 2 ½” Ideal conditions: Waist high plus Ability level: Intermediate to advanced, with a sense of trim. Description: a down the line trim machine, built for going fast, smooth carving surfing on a drawn out rail line. Construction: ¼ inch cedar stringer, 8 ounce bottom double 8 ounce deck, gloss and polish. Fins: Single, Greenoughstyle flex fin Shaper comment: Call me.
THOMAS SURFBOARDS PO Box 234 Maroochydore Qld 4558 Ph: 0412 131 491 thomas_bexon@hotmail.com
thomassurfboards.com
MOD LOG
PERFORMER
V-FLEX
Shaper: Jesse Watson Dimensions: 9’6” x 23” x 3” Ideal conditions: Up to head high sliders Suits: Hepcats to kooks, kicks, flicks and hanging heels. Description: A modern pig/involvement style sled, but with modernised rockers and foils for the logger who wants to noseglide and whipturn like it aint no thang. Construction: 6/4oz deck + 6/4oz bottom gloss and polish, full wrap paint panels and an old skool glass leash loop - a nice mix of the old and new. Fins: Matching custom glass on Stage IV The Hook template fin Shaper comment: A modern sled for the discerning kook. Traditional in looks - but a real hotrod under your feet. Long rides on the grill and crazy fast cutbacks. My number 1 log.
Shaper: Mark Plater or Matt Crisp Dimensions: 9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 ¾” Ideal: For the plank sessions. Suits: Fun peelers ‘n reelers down the local. Description: The San Juan turqouise mal Performer really performs. Get up on the nose or just chill and enjoy! Construction: PU foam, strong glass job and primo paint ‘n polish. Fins: Fin box and FCS set up. Shaper comment: Horny yet?
Shaper: Peter White Typical: 9’5” x 22 ¾” x 3” Conditions: Head high or below. Ideally point breaks but surprisingly versatile on a more mellow beachies. Suits: The soul-kats among you - those wishing to emulate Russell Hughes, Bobby Brown, Midget and Kev-The-Head. Description: Features mid-60s elements: a softer, pinched rail, single fin with rolled bottom and gentle vee through tail. Atypical stringer configuration - 2” apart in tail, tapering to their apex 2’ short of nose. This creates added stiffness in tail to give solid pivot and lift in the tip for smooth trim, but with forward weight shift, nose flexes down for more planing area and speed, and straightens rail for enhanced hold. Construction: PU Foam, 6mm vee stringer. 7.5oz and 8oz on deck with an 8oz deck patch, 8oz bottom. Fins: Fixed 10” hatchet / pivot fin. Shaper comment: The V-Flex spins the traditional on its head.
black apache surfboards
BLACK APACHE SURFBOARDS Ph: 0410 419 791 blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au
blackapachesurfboards.com.au
MADDOG SURF CENTRE Ph: 02 6685 6022 Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay 2481 www.maddog.com.au
CLASSIC MALIBU Cnr Gibson & Eumundi Rd Noosaville, QLD 4566 Ph: 07 5474 3122 info@classicmalibu.com www.classicmalibu.com
sep/oct 2011
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PERFORMER
Shaper: Scott Newman Specs: 9’1’’x 22 ¼’’ x 2 ½’’ Waves: Thrives on steep shoulder high waves. Suits: The more experienced longboarder. Description: Super high performance longboard, single concave under nose into rolled V through tail. Flatter deck and nose rocker but still kick in tail rocker. Narrow nose, rounded pin tail with low rails. Construction: South Coast Mega Lite blank with 6ply stringer, 6+4oz deck, 4oz bottom,carbon strips,carbon tail patches. Fins: 5 way, quad with box Shaper comment: A rocket ship - our most high performance longboard. With its lightweight foam/glassing and the carbon strip placement creates strength through the middle but gives flex in the tail for whippier, faster turns and more flex in the nose for noseriding.
Shaper: Mark Riley Length:9’0’’ - 9’4’’ Width: 22 1/4’’ - 23’ Thickness: 2 1/2’’ - 3’’’ Ideal conditions: ½ - 5 ft Ability: Intermediate Description: Recycled EPS foam core and 2-3mm balsawood skin, weighing only 7-8 kg. Features triple stringer, 30mm apart, a Vee bottom with a rounded square tail. The rails are 70/30 on the nose, 80/20 in the centre and 90/10 in the tail. Construction: Balsa with EPS foam core Fins: Single box fin and two smaller stabiliser fins. Shaper comment: The Performer combines the best of both worlds, designed and shaped for today’s high performance longboarding. Riley surfboards are made in Australia, have a 12-month warranty and are Micro-tagged to prevent theft. Custom orders are welcome.
SLS SURFBOARDS 2/57 George St, Moffat Beach, QLD 4551 Ph: Scott 0424 314 183 Luke 0401 350 992 slssurfboards.com.au
RILEY SURFBOARDS Ph: 0412 376 464 E: mark@riley.com.au
balsasurfboardsriley.com.au
MICK CARABINE
TRADITIONAL LONGBOARD
Shaper: T erry Bishop (Snake) Dimensions: 9’6’ x 22 ½” x 3” Ideal conditions: Up to head-high, long, rolling point breaks. Suits: Traditional surfer or collector Description: Traditional longboard shape, profiled off an original 60’s template. Features 50/50 rail and not a lot of rocker. The board has Mick Carabine’s signature under the glass. Mick’s semi-retired now, so there won’t be too many more of these made. Construction: PU foam and polyester resin, Volan glass, done by Mick Carabine himself. Option of single or triple stringer. Fins: Glass-in or fin box, Hatchet or D fins are best. Shaper comment: Snake doesn’t say much.
Shaper: P eter Sheely Shaper: R on Wade Specs: 9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 7/8” Specs: 9’8” x 23 ½” x 3 ¼ ” Ideal conditions: High Ideal: Point breaks performance longboard Suits: Everyone who designed for 3 -10 ft. wants to get into a Description: Originally traditional longboard designed for team member Description: Traditional Tim Hutton,who wanted a longboard with the fast longboard which turned features of the 60’s, with smoothly and that he could slash in all conditions. roll bottom, 50/50 rails, Similar rocker to “The Bull” hippy tail, and excellent except for a dual concave nose riding qualities. for more power. Construction: Choice Comment: Call and of stringers, one, two discuss a board design to or three, foam inserts, suit your surfing. colours, tints, pigment, or sprays. Volane 8 or 10 ozs or 6ozs normal glass you choose! Fins: 10 ½” to 12” single fin, set in or fin box. Also a D-Fin set in the board or in the fin box. Shaper comment: Traditional 60’s style board developed with Tim Hutton today’s technology. scores a perfect
SIGNATURE MODEL
CARABINE SURFBOARDS 36 Finders Street Wollongong, NSW Ph/Fax: 02 4229 9462
carabinesurfboards.com.au
GODZILLA
10 barrel!
PETER SHEELY SURFBOARDS Ph: 02 4957 3161 Mob: 0417 264 739 peter@sheelysurfboards.com
sheelysurfboards.com
RON WADE SURF DESIGNS AUSTRALIA Mona Vale showroom, open 9-4pm Sat or call me. Ph: 02 9979 7071 Mob: 0410 443 776 sales@ronwadesurfboards.com.au
ronwadesurfboards.com.au sep/oct 2011
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
PROLOGUE X
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THE BIG BOY Shaper: Tony Dempsey: one of the last handshapers! Dimensions: 6’10” x 21” x 2 ¾” Ideal: 1-5ft points and small beachies Suits: Big guys who don’t want to hop on a mini mal and lose the performance of a short board. Ability: Beginner to advanced. Being custommade, Tony will tailor volume to suit ability. Description: First designed in the early 90’s when big guys only had mini mals to surf on.Tony introduced this design to free up and let bigger boys enjoy their surfing without those restrictions. Construction: PU foam Fins: Quads plus 1 Shaper comment: They said it couldn’t be done - a big guy’s board to give shortboard performance. Bullsh*t! On one of these you will be smilin’ while you’re stylin’.
NEW AGE SINGLE FIN
RETRO REVIVAL
Shaper: Brett Munro Specs: 7’0” x 21” x 2 ½” Ideal: Small to overhead, clean beach or reef/point breaks. Description: Single concave theory, a new age single fin. Construction: Burford foam, quality lamination and finishing with carbon fibre rods. Fins: Handmade retro box glass fin with tip flex Shaper comment: Classic single fin soul with long point waves in mind. Explore the potential.
Shaper: Ben Hearn Dimensions: 6’0”x 20 ½” x 2 5/8” Ideal conditions: 1 - 4ft. Ability level: for all to ride Description: Nice, flat rocker and full nose for easy paddling, flat bottom to slight v for increased speed through flat sections. Double flyer through to round tail, as a twin fin for a great mix of looseness, response and drive. Great fun with suprising performance in all conditions. Construction: Hand shaped, Polyester construction standard glassing, Protec or full gloss and buff. Fins: Handmade glass twin fins. Single fin box or quad FCS. Shaper comment: A must for any surfer’s quiver. Ultimate motivation for those not so good days. Old school inspiration with a new school twist. .
SINGLE FIN
Shaper: Paul Carson Dimensions: 6’9” x 20 ½” x 2 ¾” Ideal for: Anything. Really at home on points. Suits: Anyone Description: Single flyer swallowtail with a full length concave to double concave to vee in tail. Construction: Burford blank with resin colours top and bottom Fins: Handmade set single and semi-keel side fins in plugs. Shaper comment: A great single fin with the advantage of a thruster feel when the side fins are in. Flyer allows extra width at side fins.
Give me one good resin...
WINKI WALL BREAKER Shaper: Duncan Eadie Dimensions: 6’ 7” x 19 ½” x 2 ½ “ Ideal: Very versatile and can be used in smaller surf but best suited to long point break up to 6’ plus. Description: Single fin with bonzer side fins, single into double concave through tail. Hybrid design which gives you the drive and speed of a single fin but still maneuverable. Construction: Glassed like surfboards used to be and finished in gloss resin. It will probably outlast you. Fins: Either timber fins for more spring out of turns or fiberglass. Shaper comment: This is a fantastic all round board which works well in just about everything. Paddles like the wind. Drives like a Porsche. Loves long wall sections. Designed for Winki Pop but I have surfed it everywhere and it’s a pleasure to have it as my quiver killer.
SKIPP SURFBOARDS FACTORY SHOWROOM
UNDERGROUND SURF 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD 4225 Ph: 07 5599 1040
231 Crown Street Wollongong City, NSW Ph: 02 4229 1202
undergroundsurf.com.au
munrosurfboards.com.au
skippsurfboards.com.au
kirra@undergroundsurf.com.au
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24 Flinders St North Wollongong, NSW Ph: 02 4228 8878
MUNRO HANDCRAFTED SURFBOARDS 2/29 Acacia Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6685 6211 info@munrosurfboards.com.au
CITY SURF CENTRE
E: factory@skippsurfboards.com.au
THE FACTORY SURFBOARDS CALOUNDRA 17 Allen Street Caloundra QLD 4551 Ph: 07 5492 5838
paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au thefactorysurfboards.com.au
SOUTHERN SOUL SURFBOARDS Ph: 0417 340 357
southernsoul@netspace.net.au southernsoulsurfboards.com.au
sep/oct 2011
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Shaper: Doug Rogers Dimensions: 8’1” x 21 ½” x 3” Ideal: Solid waves, 4-6ft Ability level: Novice to Intermediate Description: This board is a big guy’s dream. It has a heap of float and paddle power. It features a single into double concave for geting in early on those nice, big, solid days. Construction: PU core 6oz bottom, 10oz deck. Fins: Thruster Shaper comment: Doug Rogers loves shaping these performance chargers. Handshaped with love and perfection, the clean lines refined edges are a must for the love of surfing real waves.
BIG BOYS SHORTBOARD Shaper: Brett Munro Specs: 7’4” x 21 ½” x 2 ½” Ideal: Small to overhead, clean beach or reef/point breaks. Description: Single to double concave. Construction: Burford foam, quality lamination and finishing with carbon fibre rods. Fins: Tri-fin ceramic Speeedfins Shaper comment: Delivers speed and security for the senior warrior who will not pull back on the bigger days. The groms will hate you.
ZAK SURFBOARDS 307 Victoria Road Thornbury VIC 3071 Ph: 03 9416 7384 Mobile: 0438 416 738 zak@zaksurfboards.com zaksurfboards.com
MUNRO HANDCRAFTED SURFBOARDS 2/29 Acacia Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6685 6211 info@munrosurfboards.com.au
munrosurfboards.com.au
DRAFT
8’ LONGBOARD
ALLROUNDER
Shaper: L eighton Clark Specs: 7’6”x 21 ¾”x 2 ¾” Ideal conditions: Great board to get out at your local...and rips on small average surf Suits: All family members... girl friend... summer fun... beginners... lazy bastards... Construction: Made from premium materials. Burford PU foam, Silmar resins, Aerialite glass, .... also available in XPS, EPS, and epoxy laminates. Our glassing guy, Mick, is one of the most experienced in the industry [clocking over 25,000 boards over 40 years. We can do custom artwork or digital graphics. Fins: Shapers fins and plugs. Sprays: No problemo customs, Pics, flowers, digital graphics, anything.. Shaper comment: WE LISTEN, WE TALK and WE CREATE a board to suit your requirements. Customs are our speciality. Love to hear about what you are riding, and what you want to ride.
Shaper: Mark Rabbidge Dimensions: 8’ x 21” x 2 ¾” Suits: Custom tailored to suit the individual Description: Double ender well balanced board. Trim concave through middle, roll vee through the tail. Construction: Dion foam blanks. I’ve been dealing with them for 45 years and for good reason. Fins: 3 fin set up. Shaper comment: I have been making this board since the 80’s. It’s like a shortboard you can noseride.
Shaper: G eoff Barden Dimensions: 10’ Ideal conditions: Any size Ability level: Beginner to advanced Suits: Anyone who wants to have fun Description: An easy, stable board to stand on. Surf or flat water, this board does it. A perfect all-round board for someone who’s getting into the sport and also, with its performance characteristics, it will noseride ‘til the cows come home or step back and milk that puppy all the way to the beach with all the moves you can do. Construction: Hand shaped and glassed in epoxy resin with tint. Leash plug, vent and box handle for easy carrying. Fins: 10” centre box with side plugs Shaper comment: I ride this board 90% of the time in all conditions, it just works.
CLARK SURFBOARDS 20 Cottage Road, Hackham SA E: leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au
M: 0422 443 789
Available at www.onboardsurf.com.au
RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN Ph: 02 4456 4038 Mobile: 0427 767 176 Bendalong, NSW 2539 www.markrabbidge.com
PADDLE TRIBE Geoff: 0408 701 467 Steve: 0421 994 649 E: info@paddletribe.com.au www.paddletribe.com.au sep/oct 2011
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
THE BAD BOY
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Catch the Grown wood workshop at the Byron Bay Surf Festival in October!
STOMPA
THE FLYER
Shaper: Mark Rabbidge Dimensions: 6’ x 20” x 2 ½” (ride this board at 2” shorter than your shortboard) Suits: Custom tailored to suit the individual Description: Single to double to double concave. Construction: Dion foam blanks. I’ve been dealing with them for 45 years and for good reason. Fins: Thruster set up. Shaper comment: More performance than a funboard, but still catches waves great and skates the fat sections easily.
Shaper: Steve Barber Dimensions: 6’4” x 19 ¾” x 2 3/8“ Ideal conditions: Excellent everyday board Suits: Anyone Description: Flattish entry for easy paddling, single into double concave with tail vee on larger versions. Double flyers in planshape give greater tail width for drive thru turns in any conditions with better hold in larger waves as a bonus. Construction: Polyurethane Fins: Thruster or Quad. (Quad is best as 4 channel) Shaper comment: This is a rare all round board design. Great in ordinary surf through to pumping South Straddie or Snapper. Fast, manoeuverable, easy to surf, yet highperformance as well and forgiving when you’re having a bad day!
HIGH PERFORMANCE FISH Shaper: Woody Dimensions: 5’9”x 19 ¼” x 2 5/8” Ideal conditions: 1-5 foot Suits: Intermediate to advanced surfers Description: Slight rolled vee to deeper vee between the fins, with a clean sleek outline and shallow swallowtail. Construction: Burford polyurethane blank, Silmar resin, Surf 9 fiberglass. 4oz bottom, 4 oz x 4 oz deck Fins: FCS PC5 Shaper comment: This is my favourite fish to ride at my local beachie or out on the point breaks. Surfs tight in the pocket and super fast down the line.
WOODY JACK SURFBOARDS AUSTRALIA
RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN Ph: 02 4456 4038 Mobile: 0427 767 176 Bendalong, NSW 2539 www.markrabbidge.com
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STEVE BARBER/FULL FORCE
18/48 Machinery Drive Tweed Heads South Ph: 07 5524 2933 fullforcesurf@hotmail.com Join us on Facebook
Unit 7, 25 Leonard Parade, Currumbin QLD Ph: 0415 789 706 E: wjboards@gmail.com www.woodyjack.com
SPEED DIALLER
THE MONSTER
Shaper: Andrew Wells Specs: 6’2” x 20 ¼” x 2 3/8” Ideal: Anything up to 6ft. Description: A round tail quad with a slightly wider outline, big single to double concave and spiral vee out through the tail. Plenty of drive and is fast and loose. Being hollow timber, the board has plenty of float and easily skips over any fat sections, while still maintaining speed and drive. The additional weight in a timber board gives them a nice smooth flow in the water. This board goes great in waves with a bit of juice. Construction: Hollow timber. Plantation-grown Paulownia, recycled cedar. Fins: Quad Shaper comment: A must-have in the quiver. Every Grown board is individually hand crafted from recycled and plantation grown timber, takes over 30 hrs to hand craft and is completely unique. They look great, surf great and will give you years of enjoyment.
Shaper: Paul Woodbry Specs: 6’ x 20 ¼” x 2 3/8” Ideal conditions: ½’ to 3’ onshore slop to good waves Suits: All levels Description: Extra area in the nose for good paddling, a single concave, squash tail with really hard edges for drive and awesome decal from surfboardgraphics.com. Construction: PU foam with polyester resin, 4oz bottom, 4oz deck with patch for strength. The full deck decal adds about 2oz of strength without any weight gain. A graphic like this one may even stop that grommie dropping in for a while as well. Fins: Thruster setup using FCS or Shapers fin systems. Shaper comment: Took a few boards to get this how I wanted it. Paddles amazing and is loose enough to control reverses on, but still can be power surfed. Makes surfing slop waves so much fun, it’s just ridiculous. Woody Surf Design boards exclusively available from:
GROWN SURFBOARDS Lennox Head
PO Box 801, Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: 0407889049
sales@grownsurfboards.com.au
grownsurfboards.com.au
SURFWARE AUSTRALIA
2 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 Ph: 07 5491 3620 surfwareaustralia.com
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Dimensions: 6’2” x 20” x 3” Ideal: Manouverability, handling and speed in big or small surf. Ability level: From lightweight grommie to a ‘skeg head’ from the 70’s who’s 6-pack is now ‘hidden in the carton.’ Description: Like a vision from the 70’s this classic Fish has all the great shape & style of it’s ancestors but all the advantages of the modern, construction, design technology. Construction: Light weight core, strong, resilient bottom & deck and vacuum bag epoxy laminating technology. Certain aspects of this board are unique only to Illusions Noosa. Fins: Quad Shaper comment: You’ll be taken back in time then projected into the pocket of every wave you catch!! Prepare to be stoked!
ILLUSIONS NOOSA 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville, QLD 28 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, QLD Mobile: 0488 686 206 0458 801 973 illusionsnoosa.com.au
MOJO PIN
DOUBLE FLYER FISH
Shaper: Simon Skerry
Shaper: Rory Oke
Dimensions: 5’6 - 6’4
Dimensions: 6’7” x 21 ½” x 2 ¾“
Suits: Steamer, Vest, Boardies.
Suits: The bigger/older guy who’s looking for performance
Description: Plush. So shiiinny Construction: Made for Ages! Fins: 2 x 8” dBL D fins.
Description: Full through the nose, narrowing to double flyers in the tail. This board has the width to support the bigger or older guy who still wants the looser performance of a shorter board. Construction: Ocean Foam blank, 4oz & 6oz glass. Fins: Speeedfins Fibreglass s115s - FCS compatible. Shaper comment: :)
SKERRY SURF PO Box 354 Lennox Head NSW 2478 Ph: 0403 240 452 theskerrysimon@hotmail.com
skerrysurfboards.com
OKE SURFBOARDS 1/1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside, VIC, 3195 Ph: 03 9587 3553 okesurfboards.com
FLYING FISH Shaper: Mark Riley Length: 5’5’’ - 6’2’’ Width: 19 ½’’ - 21 ½’’ Thickness: 2 ½” - 3’’ Ideal conditions: ½ - 5 ft Ability level: Advanced to experienced Description: An EPS foam core performance fish which features stringerless flex and memory return. Can turn on a dime and drive when required. The 2 ½’’ thickness of the board under the chest area makes this board a great wave catcher. It’s flat from nose to centre with a double scoop concave at the swallow tail. Construction: Balsa with EPS foam core Fins: Your choice of twin, keels or quad Customer’s comment: “Love this. It has become my favourite board” Tom, Southern NSW Riley surfboards are made in Australia, have a 12-month warranty and are Micro-tagged to prevent theft. Custom orders are welcome.
RILEY SURFBOARDS Ph: 0412 376 464 E: mark@riley.com.au
balsasurfboardsriley.com.au
RETRO QUAD Shaper: Brett Munro Specs: 5’10” x 20” x 2 ¼” Ideal: Small to overhead, clean beach or reef/point breaks. Description: Single concave into vee then double concave. Construction: Burford foam, quality lamination and finishing with carbon fibre rods. Fins: Futures quads. Shaper comment: Full tucked edge with front foot pressure for big carving turns. Speed to burn, ride them short.
MUNRO HANDCRAFTED SURFBOARDS 2/29 Acacia Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Ph: 02 6685 6211 info@munrosurfboards.com.au
munrosurfboards.com.au sep/oct 2011
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
CLOWNFISH
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
THE HOT DOG
THE FREAK
POPSTER PRO
Shaper: Dean “Dino” Tziolis Dimensions: 5’4” - 6’ Suits: Anyone - Custom Description: Fun shortboard. Super quick, easy to get up and planing, yet responds positively to rider input. Wider planshape for small surf. Enough rocker for medium surf. Ride about 4” shorter than a standard shortboard. Original print Goodtime logos - it’s a piece of Australian surfing history. Construction: South Coast Foam. 2 x 4oz glass. Rails are lapped on the bottom edge in carbon Fins: AFC Shaper comment: Goodtime prides itself on making quality surfboards and has done so since 1971. Whether it’s a classic shape, a performance thruster or a simple fish tail, no matter how many fins... its been here or its in here. Goodtime is what surfing is all about. Over thirty years later, we’re still having a good time surfing!
Shaper: Zak Koniaris Dimensions: 6’4” x 21” x 2 ¾” Ideal: Small to medium sized waves, 2-5ft. Ability level: Beginners to Intermediate Description: Designed for paddle and performance. The single into double concave and a chine rail gives the board a super-fast, responsive feel for any person who has wave-count in mind. The spoon deck offers more foam, making the board more forgiving. Super easy, super fun, super fast - a must for the quiver. Construction: PU core 4oz bottom, 10oz deck. Fins: 5 plug setup for ultimate choice Shaper comment: This board has been our biggest seller by far. It offers intermediate surfers a fish with a lot more drive and versatility.
Shaper: Ed Sinnott Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” Get in touch for customs Ideal conditions: Anything up the 6’ Description: This is a combination of all my old single fin and twinfin templates combined with new school bottom curves and rails. The result is a sensational hybrid that flys. Flat entry, deep vortex concave, razor edges and wet and dry finish. Construction: Burford/ South Coast PU blanks, Silmar polyester resin, Colan and Surf Nine glass. This combination has stood the test of time. Fins: Quad or thruster Shaper comment: A unique and amazing hybrid board that goes ballistic in anything. Developed by Josh Sleep, Jono Salfeild and the Afends boys in Byron Bay. They see it as a majestic alternative for all round surfing. Tried and tested, it’s proved them right.
GOODTIME SURFBOARDS 29 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba QLD 4102 Ph: 07 3391 8588 info@goodtime.com.au www.goodtime.com.au
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PERFORMANCE SHORTY Shaper: Chad Ryan Dimensions: 6’1” x 18 3/8” x 2 ¼” Ideal conditions: 2 - 6ft. Ability level: Intermediate to advanced Description: The ultimate performance shorty. Single to double concave for a super fast and responsive stick for all conditions. Rounded pin for good hold, but you pick the tail for your performance. For all round ripping!! Construction: Hand shaped polyester construction, standard or team glassing Fins: Thruster, 3 fixed or FCS Shaper comment: Hand shaping allows me to work closely with my clients, to shape them the perfect board to their preference.
SKIPP SURFBOARDS
THE BIG EASY Shaper: Simon Jones Dimensions: 6’2” - 7’ Suits: Anyone - Custom Description: Semi roundhouse wing round tail with a vee through centre toward tail. Construction: Burford blank, fully handshaped. 6/6/6oz Bay Mills glass Silmar polyester resins. Fins: Thruster FCS set up Shaper comment: Goodtime prides itself on making quality surfboards and has done so since 1971. Whether it’s a classic shape, a performance thruster or a simple fish tail, no matter how many fins... its been here or its in here. Over thirty years later, we’re still having a good time surfing! Rider comment: “After catching a couple of waves went to the back and found it was really maneuverable, very fun and you could walk up and down it as well” Tyler Wright
FACTORY SHOWROOM
ZAK SURFBOARDS 307 Victoria Road Thornbury VIC 3071 Ph: 03 9416 7384 Mobile: 0438 416 738 zak@zaksurfboards.com zaksurfboards.com
24 Flinders St North Wollongong, NSW Ph: 02 4228 8878 ESP SURFBOARDS 2/81 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 0404 059 321 www.espsurfshop.com.au www.edsinnott.com.au
CITY SURF CENTRE
231 Crown Street Wollongong City, NSW Ph: 02 4229 1202
E: factory@skippsurfboards.com.au
skippsurfboards.com.au
GOODTIME SURFBOARDS 29 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba QLD 4102 Ph: 07 3391 8588 info@goodtime.com.au www.goodtime.com.au
sep/oct 2011
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BLANKS OLD EIGHTY ONE
CARBON EPOXY PR0
Shaper: Ed Sinnott Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” Get in touch for customs Ideal conditions: Anything up the 6’ Description: Similar to the Popster and Whiplash, but has the deepest concave and widest nose of the three. I combined my single fin and old twin fin templates to get the 13’’ nose looking good and put the wide point 2’’ forward. Loose off the front foot and is multidirectional. Deep concave drives through dead sections. Construction: Burford/ South Coast PU blanks, Silmar polyester resin, Colan and Surf Nine glass. Fins: Quad or thruster Shaper comment: Developed along with Jake Spooner, a former top ten professional surfer who I first started making boards for in the early 80s. Extremely fast and stable in bigger sections, it can be surfed vertically as well.
Shaper: Mark Plater or Matt Crisp
ESP SURFBOARDS 2/81 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 0404 059 321 www.espsurfshop.com.au www.edsinnott.com.au
Dimensions: 6’2” x 18 ¾” x 2 ¼” Ideal: For the guy that wants to take his surfing Hi-Fi Suits: You :) Description: This carbon strip shorty is drivey, fast responsive turning, lightweight. Great for boosting! Construction: Eps/Epoxy with carbon stringer Fins: Thruster or Quad FCS. Shaper comment: We don’t blow our own horn. The boards do the talking!
MADDOG SURF CENTRE Ph: 02 6685 6022
Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay 2481 www.maddog.com.au
THE WILD ONE
WHIPLASH
MEGA LITE
Shaper: Lee Cheyne Dimensions: 5’11” x 19 ¼” x 2 3/8” Ideal conditions: Most Ability level: Beginner to advanced Suits: Anyone Description: Custom made in Australia by me personally, for you and whoever wants one. Construction: Burford foam, Surf 9 4oz glass and Silmar resin. Fins: FCS, Futures or Gas Shaper comment: Support your local shapers and manufacturers! They have families and mortgages, and they pay taxes too.
Shaper: Ed Sinnott Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” Get in touch for customs Ideal conditions: Anything up to 6’ Description: Developed by Josh Lewan from Byron Bay. To get it to feel like a skateboard on the waves with no catch points, we increased the outline and decreased the size of the surfboard. Similar to the Popster but has a lower rocker and wider tail with deeper double barrels. It should be ridden 2-4” smaller than a traditional short board but 1’’ wider and thicker. Construction: Burford/ South Coast PU blanks, Silmar polyester resin, Colan and Surf Nine glass. Fins: Quad or thruster Shaper comment: Josh says it is the fastest thing he has ever ridden and it goes anywhere you want to go on the wave.
Dimensions: 6’4” x 21 7/16” x 2 7/8” Nose: 14 ¾” Tail: 16 ¾” Rocker: 5 ½” nose, 2 ½” tail Also in 3 1/8” thick version Description: Hard Cell Technology foam blank with a standard T3 stringer. This one is a Shortboard 6’4”(A) Thin for boards that need more width in the nose and tail. Comment: Ideal for fish, dumpster diver, biscuit style of shapes. Our latest development in PU foam technology - super white formula which has become standard within our range. Delivers the best surfing performance of a light weight surfboard. Shapers here and abroad are using this new technology for their top surfers currently competing on the world tour with great results. Strong, light-weight performance available now for all shapers.
LEE CHEYNE DESIGNS 19/48 Machinery Dr, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 Ph: 07 5523 3237 lcdboards@gmail.com myspace.com/454626994 tradewindsurf.com.au
ESP SURFBOARDS 2/81 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 0404 059 321 www.espsurfshop.com.au www.edsinnott.com.au
SOUTH COAST FOAM & FIBREGLASS Ph: 07 5522 1600 15 Greg Chappel Dve, Burleigh Gardens Estate, Andrews, QLD 4220 sales@southcoastfoam.com.au
southcoastfoam.com.au
sep/oct 2011
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RETRO BAMBOO FISH
THE TRADITIONAL
STUB-E
THE STICK
Designer: Albie Curtis Dimensions: 7’2” x 19 ¾”x 2 ¾” Ideal: It’s made for the local conditions, specifically Coolum where I grew up. 4-5ft barrely waves Ability: Intermediate surfers after a larger high performance shortboard. Description: Albie Curtis Signature Model. Construction: Vacuum bagged with a EPS core, bamboo stringer, 4oz deck and 4oz fibreglass bottom. Vent plug. Certain aspects of this board are unique only to Illusions Noosa. Fins: Three fin setup Shaper comment: Paddles well, good flotation. Good rail to rail transition and turning power. Fantastic manouverability, handling & speed in small to medium sized surf.
Dimensions: 6’10” x 22 ½” x 3 1/8” Ideal conditions: Big and small surf. Ability level: Light weight grommie or ‘skeg head’ from the 70’s who’s 6-pack is now ‘hidden in the carton.’ Description: Like a vision from the 70’s. All the style of it’s ancestors but all the advantages of the modern construction and design technology. Aspects of this board are unique to Illusions Noosa. Construction: Vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core - a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. Fins: Twin fins and Quad Shaper comment: Designed in Australia, this is a great board for those who are after a retro fish shape for under $600.
Shaper: Paul Armstrong Dimensions: Custom order to your requirements Ideal: Small to medium. Wave catching machine. Ability: Beginners to advanced Description: The classic stubbie hull look, with the performance of a modern short board. Domed nose into single concave to double barrel spiral V. S-deck rocker and a low to medium rail line, all giving this board nicer curves than Beyonce Knowles’ arse! Hand shaped and Handcrafted. Construction: From smelly, sticky, dusty shit. Fins: Available in 2+1, tri, quad or 5-fin combo. Shaper comment: By giving the Stub-E a planning hull platform, it makes the board a much more user friendly and versatile all rounder.
ILLUSIONS NOOSA 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville, QLD 28 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, QLD Mobile: 0488 686 206 0458 801 973 illusionsnoosa.com.au
ILLUSIONS NOOSA 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville, QLD 28 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, QLD Mobile: 0488 686 206 0458 801 973 illusionsnoosa.com.au
Shaper: Dave O’Reilly Specs: 6’4” x 17 ¼” x 1” Ideal: Small, clean waves for fun, bigger if you’re keen. Suits: Anyone who wants to be a better water man (or woman!) Open your mind to the possibilities. Ability: Beginner to advanced. The learning curve can require patience. Description: Thicker than standard ¾”, allowing for two deep concaves in the bottom for a board that holds and slides. Softer rail edges top and bottom for slip sliding and fast trimming. Construction: 100% Australian grown and milled Paulownia, sealed with raw linseed oil and gum turpentine. Fins: Fin-free and ready to slide. Shaper comment: Alaias are about speed and re-learning to surf. Catch a wave on one and you won’t wipe the smile off your face. Have fun trimming fast and join the finless revolution! A great board to have in your quiver.
Shaper: Mark Riley Length: 5’2’’ - 6’8’’ Width: 18 1/2’’-20’’ Thickness: 2 1/2’’ -3’’ Ideal conditions: ½ - 9 ft Ability level: Advanced to experienced Description: A balsa skinned EPS foam core shortboard. No stringer and recycled EPS foam reduces weight, bringing the Stick to around 3kg. Features a Vee scoop in the tail to concave centre and concave nose, 80/20 rails and a swallow tail. Construction: Balsa with EPS foam core Fins: Thruster or quad Shaper comment: For summer’s small to medium waves, the Riley Stick is also available as a quad - way faster than your standard thruster or even twin fin and much more responsive. Riley surfboards are environmentally friendly and three times stronger than a regular PU board.
THE COOLUM
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SURFING GREEN Coolum Beach, QLD Mobile: 0412 042 811 surfinggreen.com.au
EXPRESS SURFBOARDS 5/136 Taren Point Rd Taren Point NSW Mob: 0403 827 478 expresssurfboards@gmail.com expresssurfboards.com.au
RILEY SURFBOARDS Ph: 0412 376 464 E: mark@riley.com.au
balsasurfboardsriley.com.au
sep/oct 2011
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THE dim-SIM
Shaper: Mark Plater or Matt Crisp Dimensions: 5’10” x 20 ½ x 2 ½” Ideal: For those small fun days when you still want to get waves and leave the shorty at home. Suits: The crew looking for a great time in the tiny stuff. Description: The San Juan yellow micro mal is set up as a single fin to get your soul on, or thruster to burn down the walls! Construction: PU foam, strong glass job and a epic spray. Fins: Fin box and FCS set up. Shaper comment: Horns?
Shaper: Mark PridMORE Dimensions: Measure it yourself Ideal: Yep, it is. Suits: Dont like ‘em. They’re not comfortable and ya look like a penguin. Description: A super fun slab that’ll surprise the sh*t outta you... Construction: PU/PE Doin’ some stringerless, puttin’ flex and even MORE life in ‘em... Fins: Most of the time (twin keel or quad) Shapers Comment: I could make myself any shape at all and this is what I ride 90% of the time, so I know these boards inside out.
MINI SIMMONS DELUXE Shaper: Jesse Watson Dimensions: 5’4” x 21 ½” x 2 ¾” Ideal conditions: Up to head high sliders Ideal conditions: Whatever you wanna try. I ride mine from the goldy to indo. Suits: Ricky-Bobby (Talledega Nights) “I just wanna go fast!” Description: Fast... so fast it’ll peel your eyes outta their sockets. Super wide and stable, this board has been dubbed the “section connection.” You’ll get the fastest, longest rides of your life on the Simmons. Construction: 6/4oz deck + 6oz bottom, full resin art stripes gloss and polish, glass on leash loop - proper old skool. Fins: Matching, custom tint glass-ons. Shaper comment: Are you feeling uninspired with your surfing, a little bored or dull? The Simmons will put the fun back into your life. Just in time for summer.
MORE SURFBOARDS
MADDOG SURF CENTRE Ph: 02 6685 6022 Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay 2481 www.maddog.com.au
Ph: 0405 475 026
www.moresurfboards.com Also available through Da Bomb Surf Centres in Maroochydore and Bokarina. www.dabombsurf.com.au
4-FIN FISH
FRESH FISH
Shaper: Dave Parkes Specs: 6’2 x 22 ½” x 2 5/8” Ideal: 4-8ft good quality waves with hollow sections and walls. Description: This board evolved out of my smaller 4-fin fish tail all rounder. Longer and narrower with a thinner, narrower tail. Fins are placed further back. Concave is lessened and vee comes into play. Construction: PU Surfblank with laminated stringer. 6oz glass. Gloss polish or pro-sand. Fins: definitely a 4-finner. Fin systems or glassed on. I‘m using Surfinz boxes and Powerbase fins on mine. Shaper comment: If I had to take only one board with me on an around the world trip this would be it. My shapes are not set in stone so custom variation is the way to go to suit different riders requirements. Just ask.
Shaper: Neil Luke Specs: 5’10” x 24”x 2 3/8” Ideal: Anything under 8ft Ability: Average to excellent Description: Quad with complex bottom contour. Bevels blend into deep nose concave into double concave under knees,flowing through to vee out the tail. Flowing, fast board that can grovel in junk, draw long lines or go straight up and down. Loves the barrell. Construction: Burford NLR KB blank. 4, 5 or 6oz glass. Gloss polish or pro-sand. Cosmic colour combos with pigments or tints, double pinlines or Skerry Art sprays. Fins: Future boxes with Rasta keels and Scimitar Pivot with a twist. Shaper comment: Shaping kneeboards since 1970, this represents a variety of many of my experiences. It’s my favourite which I ride 90% of the time. Great paddler, lots of fun and inspiring to surf.
CUSTOM KNEEBOARDS B Y R O N
black apache surfboards
BLACK APACHE SURFBOARDS Ph: 0410 419 791
blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au
blackapachesurfboards.com.au
B A Y
.
A U S T R A L I A
PARKES AUSTRALIA 4/83 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 02 6685 6627 E: d-par@bigpond.com parkesaustralia.com
AT PARKES AUSTRALIA 4/83 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 02 6685 6627 E: d-par@bigpond.com parkesaustralia.com sep/oct 2011
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
MICRO MAL
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6/09/11 3:53 AM
THE HULL
FLEXTAIL
THE SAWN OFF
Shaper: COLLINS/ PEDERSEN concepts... GCat and the Erle of Pederson.
Shaper: Jed Done Specs: 6’1”x 20 ¼” x 2 5/8” Ideal: Shoulder high to double over head. Description: All round flextail quad, born from 11 years of riding and refining flextails.Wedge stringer, wide point forward, deep concave underfoot, foil shape and negative rocker in flextail all lead towards speed and drive. The ‘v’ in the flextail gives the rail rocker a hip that lines up with the leading edge of the quad fins. Fins have a slight twist in the tip for a wider sweet spot, allowing the board to go from rail to rail easily. This all means a fast board that turns well. Construction: Dion PU foam. Single wedged stringer. Tinted glass bottom with resin pinline. Carbon fiber flextail . Fins: 4WFS for flexibility Shaper comment: Works from 5’5” to 7’. It goes best 2-3” shorter, ½” wider and ¼” thicker than your regular shortboard. Don’t be afraid of the dark, these things go like a cut snake!!
Specs: 5’10” x 19” x 2¼” Ideal conditions: 0 - 4ft Description: A small wave board ridden a few inches smaller than your standard shortboard. Enough area through the nose for easy paddling and hold, width through the tail for loose top turns and a single to double concave in the tail. The best board for Sunshine Coast conditions. Construction: The finest materials, from A1 Every time blanks to world class high sheen UV finishes. Comment: Shotgun have a reputation for producing only the highest quality surf craft.
Description: This boat hull is a “scaled version” of an 80ft super cruzer. This little beauty has a similar design/ shape to the LAZOR ZAP which = massive planing area in the arse end. ERLE’S jet concept allows tension free speed & allows a cushion effect via a concave entry JET & then travels thru in to the detailed true JET combo & onto the arse end for the ultimate planing concept... (as do our functional art surfboards)
Surfboards and surfing props for movies and ads SURF1770NOOSA.COM surf1770@bigpond.com surf1770noosa.com 130
BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS Merimbula NSW Ph: 0409 813 431 E: jed@bushrat.com www.bushrat.com
OCEAN ADDICTS are now proud stockists of Shotgun Surfboards and Laguna Bay Longboards. We freight to anywhere in Australia, so have your new board delivered to your door! Trade in your old board for the best price.
OCEAN ADDICTS 103-105 Aerodrome Rd Maroochydore Ph: 07 5309 6624
E: info@oceanaddicts.com.au
oceanaddicts.com.au
MINI MAL Shaper: Paul Carson Dimensions: 6’8” x 21 ¾” x 2 ¾” Nose: 16 ½” Tail: 14 ¾” Ideal for: Anything. Suits: Tamara Description: Fun mini mal, round tail, but can be any shape tail. Construction: Burford blank, colour spray Fins: Thruster, quad or single + 2. Shaper comment: Did this one for Tamara, coming off 8’ mal. It has similar width and stability but performs more like a shortboard.
THE FACTORY SURFBOARDS CALOUNDRA 17 Allen Street Caloundra QLD 4551 Ph: 07 5492 5838 paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au thefactorysurfboards.com.au
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MINI BULLET
Shaper: Wayne McKewen Specs: 5’7” x 18 ¾” x 2 ¼” From 5’7” to 6’0” with more volume. Short for maximum benefit. Ideal: Anywhere from small beachies to medium point or reef waves. Description: Launched in 2009, we’ve made some exciting variations with the Mini Bullet this September. Stringerless to maximise flex - this has reduced weight and increased flex in length and width. Flatter rocker and most are vee bottoms. Round square, round or swallow tails with a single, double or no flyers. Construction: PU Burford blank, 4 x 4oz decks and 4oz bottom. Can do 6 x 4oz decks for heavier guys and parabolic carbon-kevlar rails. Fins: FCS, 5 Fin to use as thruster or quad. Shaper comment: Added flex translates to a whippy feel and acceleration through turns. It’s the result of two years of research and development and is an exciting variation on our original Bullet concept.
Shaper: Wayne McKewen Specs: 5’9” x 19 x 2 3/8” From 5’7” to 6’0” with more volume. Short for maximum benefit. Ideal: Anywhere from small beachies to medium point or reef waves. Description: Launched in 2009, we’ve made some exciting variations with the Mini Bullet this September. Stringerless to maximise flex - this has reduced weight and increased flex in length and width. Flatter rocker and most are vee bottoms. Round square, round or swallow tails with a single, double or no flyers. Construction: PU Burford blank, 4 x 4oz decks and 4oz bottom. Can do 6 x 4oz decks for heavier guys and parabolic carbon-kevlar rails. Fins: FCS, 5 Fin to use as thruster or quad. Shaper comment: Added flex translates to a whippy feel and acceleration through turns. It’s the result of two years of research and development and is an exciting variation on our original Bullet concept.
MT WOODGEE SURFBOARDS Stores at Coolangatta, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads Ph: 07 5535 0288
MT WOODGEE SURFBOARDS Stores at Coolangatta, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads Ph: 07 5535 0288
www.mtwoodgee.com.au
THE STRINGERLESS MINI BULLET: A NEW RELEASE FOR SEPTEMBER
“The Bullet was launched in 2009. These were designed to be a bit shorter and a bit wider, semiconvential and mainly for smaller summer waves but still a good all rounder. Over the last two years we have done a lot of R&D by getting feedback from our team riders, factory and shop staff and customers. This resulted in some exciting variations oin the original concept.” The Mt Woodgee Team
www.mtwoodgee.com.au
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SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
MINI BULLET
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GEAR: BLANKS
drawing A
blank WORDS: BEN HORVATH
Surfboard blanks are basically pieces of foam that are designed, cut and handcrafted into specific shapes to suit individual wave riding needs. These pieces of shaped foam then become the centre or foam core of our “sticks”, after going through the final lamination stages of the board building process. Shapers look at a foam surfboard blank as the vital cog in the board crafting process. Legendary Gold Coast craftsmen Dick Van Straalen said, “It is imperative that a shaper chooses the right blank. Ideally, shapers are advised to source blanks similar in size and shape to the desired custom order. Too much cutting and sawing foam off a blank can severely weaken the foam and result in a stick with poor flex.” When I asked Dick what influences his decision when sourcing blanks, he rated consistency in foam and “The Plug” being the mould or shape of the blank as the most important factors. Dick said, “If you get the right plug it also minimises waste. I’ve been getting my blanks off Burford pretty much since day dot.” These days there is a smorgasboard (pun intended) of surfboard blanks to choose from, which in itself is a reflection of the healthy diversity in the marketplace. Blank lengths in 2011 range anywhere from 5’4" right through to 12’1". Widths are also available from 18"to 31". Another critical feature when shapers choose their surfboard blank is the density of the foam. A surfboard being shaped for a novice or Joe the Butcher would be created using a different foam density to a high performance contest board designed for Mick Fanning or a tow board for Mark Mathews to tackle Solander for that matter. The type of board or outline you desire also has a major effect on the required density of foam in the chosen blank as well. For example a long board requires a different foam density to a fish. Well-known shaper Darren Handley said, “Everything starts with the foam, the quality of foam is often overlooked in the surfboard manufacturing business. It really is critical. The foam sets the buoyancy, and also dictates the strength of your equipment. Strength, foam density, 132
rtists paint on a blank canvas, surfers dance across empty waves, shapers handcraft surfboards from humble pieces of foam. Surfers would not be able to carve unique individual tracks on waves without a board under foot. Similarly, craftsmen cannot create contemporary surfboards without a blank at hand. Each individual surfer’s journey quite literally begins in foam, and our whole trip starts with a blank.
performance and shape-ability are the main contributing factors I weigh up when I go about selecting the best performance blank.” “I have tried and sourced foam from pretty much all corners of the globe, for a while we even had a go at blowing our own foam at BASE," Darren says. "Although our attempts weren’t as successful as we had hoped, I learnt a lot and it sure did increase my understanding of blanks and their performance.” During our conversation I suggested that the general extent of the average surfer’s interest in blanks is pretty much limited to requesting that their shaper use the lightest and strongest blank available. Darren agreed with my sentiments, immediately citing Mick Fanning's insistence on South Coast Foam blanks for that very reason. Darren said, "At the moment I work closely with Core and South Coast Foam with my DHD shapes. I have been working with these two suppliers for quite a few years now, developing the highest quality foam with the greatest durability without sacrificing performance. While strength is paramount, not all shapers agree on weight as a primary decider of which blanks to use. Geoff McCoy, a pioneer of the surfboard manufacturing industry, in fact ranks weight as of much lower importance than a host of other factors. "Graham King Foam is the best," he insists. "The reason for that is the density of it, the way it shapes, the hardness... everything you want in a foam is there. There is so much more to it than just producing light blanks. You need strength, durability and ease of shaping. Experience counts and it shows." Bruno ‘The Buzz’ Buzzolan of Town & Country Surfboards, on the other hand, believes the Devil's in the details. "We have tried heaps of different blanks, but we have stuck with Burford’s because their quality is the most consistent. Not just the foam quality but simple things like the stringer being in the centre of the blank and using seasoned timber for the stringer." Graham King, a stalwart of the blank manufacturing industry and the man behind Graham King Foam, rates consistency and experience
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as the key ingredients in blowing a blank. As Graham explains it, "Everyone wants to say their foam is the best, but on any given day someone is making a decent quality blank. The key however is consistency... Consistency that comes with experience. Experience counts. It's trial and error through the years. It really is an ongoing chemistry experiment. You have to stand there with your head in a bucket for years to understand how the foam is going to perform. No one can teach you this stuff. You get the experience by spending years in it."
Different Blanks For Different Tanks.
There are two main types of foam for blanks at present. They are 1. Polyurethane
Way back when surfboards began featuring foam centres, after the much-publicised short board revolution in the 60’s, polyurethane foam has been, and still is, where it’s at. In 2011 PU blanks are still very much regarded as the traditional number one choice. All the manufacturers I consulted including the iconic Barry Bennett and Graham King, concur that PU blanks account for between 70 - 80% of Australian demand in the marketplace. Barry’s son Greg told us, “We have been manufacturing PU blanks at our Brookvale factory since the 60’s. Balsa, bamboo, moulded boards, hollow aluminium boards, and epoxy materials to name just a few variants, have come and gone, but we are still flourishing here today, and more than 8 out of 10 shapers or board riders still request PU blanks.” Polyurethane foam blanks are used in conjunction with polyester resins to produce what is known in the industry as a polyester, or PU surfboard. On December 5, 2005 the massive
Clark Foam factory in the US shut down suddenly. Clark was the major manufacturer of PU surfboard blanks in the US and for many other parts of the world. Many speculated that Clark, who maintained a monopoly on the industry in the US, bailed out because he was sick of The Environmental Protection Agency constantly questioning the safety and health of the production processes. Initially, there was a shortage of polyurethane surfboard foam blanks in the US, triggering short term panic. Some Australian blank manufacturers like Graham King were even flown over to set up factories across the Mexican border in Tijuana. However, within a few months new foam manufacturers scrambled to set up factories ensuring Californian production didn’t really miss a beat. The more things changed the more they stayed the same. Though the debate about potential alternative materials was reinvigorated internationally post Clark closure. Some sectors of the American surf media polarised opinion by acknowledging the contributions of
Photo: Veage
Graham King pours foam into the blank mould.
2. Polystyrene.
Polyurethane Blanks (PU)
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Cut blanks, ready for glue-up with stringer at South Coast Foam
GEAR: BLANKS Surftech and their offshore production technique – a hightech adaptation of the sailboard industry’s epoxy-polystyrene composite construction, manufactured in Asia. There were ripple on effects in Australia, but not in the blank production stakes. It was business as usual in Aus in terms of the numbers game. Local PU blank manufacturing production wasn’t effected at all by the Clark closure. However, post Clark, new players offered innovative imported alternatives in the Australian marketplace, including Global Surf Industries and their high profile shaper’s models. Using the current carbon tax or ETS debate in Australia as an analogy. The fear of change is inevitable in some, however, ultimately change and the establishment of a market mechanism results in healthy competition and innovation. Investment in enviro friendly sustainable renewables will flourish. The market will dictate the price. In the context of the surfboard materials debate, Styrofoam or indeed other alternatives may or may not prove to be a sustainable eco- friendly and/or performance enhancing option. In the end the market place will ultimately decide as per the ETS. Nev Hyman is a shaper that has always been at the forefront of scientific innovation. Nev believes there are not too many major exponential performance benefits to be gained from changes in shape. Nev said, “The basic design dynamics of today’s high performance surfboard have been refined to such a high standard that only incremental improvements can be made.” There are countless others in the industry who also believe further forward advancements in performance have to come from new materials and methods of construction, which in turn will allow for further changes in shape, and thereby push performance boundaries forward. Firewire team rider Taj Burrows enjoys controlled flex that supposedly does not fatigue over time, and he gets to go free surfing and tune up for competition on the same boards. But the fact is most WCT surfers still ride PU boards that are so light, they have a small amount of flex anyway. Nev points out that flex comes at the price of durability. Many lightweight PU Pro 134
boards have to be saved for heats and that flows down to average Joe’s. I know I save my favourite light PU boards for the best days, and I’m closer to average Joe than being Joe Pro. Nev doesn’t claim Firewires are indestructible, but he points out that in the PU versus FW technology debate, the enhanced performance of controlled, sustainable flex, with the correct rate of rebound, built into a lightweight and durable FW surfboard cannot be overestimated. At the other end of the spectrum custom craftsman Dick Van Straalen shares some of Nev’s sentiments in a sense, but for entirely different reasons, mainly environmental. Dick said, “The only way we can change surfing from what it is today, is to change the materials. We are dictated to by the materials we use. The resins many still use in Australia today are nearly outlawed in many countries of the world. Epoxy is the friendliest resin out there. Urethane is gas. Urethane foam is basically a bunch of gas bubbles stuck together, as soon as you cut into the urethane you are releasing cyanide gas.” Conversely, Steve Barber from Full Force Surfboards, disagrees with claims that EPS foam is a safer option when compared to PU blanks. Steve said, “A lot of comments are made about the polyester resins shapers use with PU blanks and how their high styrene content is really poisonous. Yet what these people fail to mention is EPS foam is actually extruded poly-STYRENE!
The main ingredient is styrene, the same stuff in polyester resins. When polyurethane foam is correctly mixed, the gas in the bubbles is carbon dioxide. There are no isocyanates in PU blanks if mixed correctly. As for epoxy resins, yes the resins used are relatively non-toxic but they won’t go off without Part B, the hardener, which is extremely toxic.
Polystyrene Blanks There are two types of polystyrene blanks, those made of expanded polystyrene foam and those made of extruded polystyrene foam. EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE SURFBOARD BLANKS Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam is also known as beaded foam and features an open cell core. Surfboard foam blanks made of expanded polystyrene foam very briefly, became the major replacement surfboard blanks over polyurethane immediately after the closure of Clark Foam in the US, but within month’s new PU manufacturers popped up everywhere. EPS foam blanks are one of the two types of surfboard foams that are used as the core for epoxy surfboards. A very important difference between a polyurethane and polystyrene blank is that traditional polyester resins cannot be used with a polystyrene blank during the shaping process. This would cause
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stringer at South Coast Foam
EPS Foam Pellets. Photo: Stephen Woolverton
the polystyrene foam to dissolve. A disadvantage of shaping a surfboard with EPS foam blank is that this type of foam can absorb water very quickly, and is not totally resistant to compression and other damage. However, generally that isn’t that much of an issue, as the epoxy resin used to cover that type of surfboard foam offers a great deal of protection due to its hardness. EPS foam blanks when they first hit the marketplace were a slightly cheaper alternative, but these days PU manufacturers like King or South Coast Foam produce a standard “6 3” for between $65 to $70. Most large PU blank manufacturers like King, South Coast Foam, Core and Bennett etc also offer refined machine shaped blanks for around $100. Carl McCarthy at South Coast Foam said, “I wouldn’t deny EPS blanks offer some potential new developments, but it is kind of a fashion thing.” EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE SURFBOARD BLANKS Extruded polystyrene foam is the other type of polystyrene foam epoxy blanks are made of. The major advantage of this type of polystyrene surfboard blank is that it has a closed cell structure. This makes is totally water repellent. So if you do damage that extra hard epoxy surfboard covering there is absolutely no need to leave the water. In addition to that impressive fact, extruded polystyrene foam is exceptionally strong, and isn’t damaged as easily as EPS foam by compressions. Because extruded foam blanks are water resistant, surfboards shaped from these will maintain their nice white colour, and will
not discolour over the years. Extruded foam surfboard blanks therefore generally result in a faster and higher performance epoxy surfboard.
Where To Now? The final word fittingly or otherwise is reserved for a veteran of the industry. Greg Bennett believes none of the EPS or similar imports contribute anything to the longevity of the surfboard industry or the skill set of its workers in Aus. When quizzed on the environmental impact Greg said, “The reality is in 2011 we can’t be all innocent, naive and free like the famous scene featuring Baddy Treloar sanding a board outdoors in board shorts in Morning of the Earth any more. As per in any industry, you have to take the necessary precautions, and have strict industry standards in place. Yes it can be difficult to police, but the truth is there is no way to create a hazard free surfboard. The enviro benefits with epoxy are arguably quite minimal. My dad Barry is nearly 80 years old and he has been in the game all his life, and he is still fighting fit.” Performance then price and sustainability I suspect will always be key when it comes to the future of surfboards, though that debate like most things in surfing is extremely subjective. Beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder.
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WHAT’S IN YOUR SHED?
ARBSOLUTE CORKER
It’s amazing what little treasures lie undiscovered in the old garden shed or garage. On a recent visit to the home of smorgasboarder writer Gus Brown, he pulled out this absolute gem - an early 90’s Powell Sidewalk Surfer, complete with oldschool stickers and stories.
Arbor Skateboard’s September collection for Australia has some crackers in the range. Brand new models making their debut include the Rally (bottom) - a little cruiser featuring a very cool cork deck, Whiskey - the new street board, the swallowtail Mission and the insane looking downhill machine, the Vugenhausen. For more info check out the website at arborcollective.com/skate
A little rough on the roll thesedays, this board saw its share of downhill action in the streets of Noosa in its day and has all the damage to show for it. “We’d find a good spot and just go for it,” says Gus. “ I replaced the back wheels with smaller ones to try and make sliding easier... It didn’t really work, so we’d just wait for the uphill to slow down and breathe out again.” So, collector-wise, what’s it worth? Who cares... The awesomeness of not-quite-vintage gear is greater than money.
WHAT’S IN YOUR SHED?
The original 1994 Powell ad for the Sidewalk Surfer, featuring Steve Caballero
Share the love, laughs and enjoy 15 minutes of fame. Send a photo and your own bit of personal history to: letters@smorgasboarder.com.au
Main: Arbor rider Katarina Lyerly on the Cross Step 46” old-school cruiser Photo: Jeff Budro Right: The cork-deck Rally cruiser... Ecologically sound and pretty damn cool anyway.
OLD’S COOL Sticking with the theme of old guys ripping it up, the friendly folks at the Boardstore on the Sunshine Coast reckon that parents are spending so much time at the skate park anyway, that they might as well re-kindle their former passion of skating. For a dad who surfs and skates, what better new toy than a cool retro-inspired skateboard by a classic surf label like Gordon & Smith? Check out the exciting new range of G&S boards that are sure to get dad off the couch and out there rolling with the best of them. sep/oct 2011
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SKATE: IMAGES RIDER: KATE DANIEL PLACE: Byron Bay Carpark CRAFT: Early Bamboo Riser Photo by Flavio Biehl
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. . . s d r a o b e t a Sk OTOGRAPHY ARLIE HARDY PH CH BY OS OT PH M McGEACHIE TEAM RIDER DO
...for s! surfer
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RD TAIL SKATEBOA 32” FLYING FISH
teboards a k s g n i l l ope or visit in self-pr ll 0407 405 390 e ca t , fo a in e m or i m t r l s. Fo The u for surfer d e n g i s e d Check
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MEET THE TALENT WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN
MULTI-TASKING MEANS NEVER BEING BORED We’re all about covering photographic talent. Regular readers will know we give a huge chunk of space in the magazine to showcase surf photographers at all levels of their career, to put their work and passion on display and more importantly, put a face to the often forgotten names of those people behind the lens. And every week, if not every day, we also get amazing contributions of photography by readers and hobbyists as well. A few editions back, 18-year old Jarrod Slatter sent us some of his surfing pics to check out. We loved his stuff, so when we found out a bit more - that he shoots downhill skating, and skates as well - we figured he deserved a proper intruduction. So here’s Jarrod - the Cairns-born, Buderim-based student, surfer, skater and snapper....
OARD SH TAIL SKATEB
YOU SKATE, SURF AND TAKE PICS... WHAT’S THE BIGGER RUSH? That’s a hard one, taking on a hair pin or steep hill equals the rush of paddling into a big wave or making a deep barrel. Both give you that adrenaline rush that is hard to match with anything else that I’ve tried. But if I had to choose one, skating definitely gets my blood pumping a lot more... There’s nothing like chucking your board sideways at high speeds. WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP? At the moment I use two cameras, both with different purposes, but my Pentax K10D with a 170-500mm Sigma lens and a 35-80mm Pentax lens is my main weapon. I also use a Fujifilm HS10 - it’s used mainly for its HD video.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS? I’ve always been in love with the ocean. When you see Mooloolaba on a big day you’ll usually find me out there body surfing it, I had a love for getting inside the barrel and just watching it. So in 2009 I bought myself a little waterproof camera and tried taking some photos in there, I ended up breaking six Olympus µTough camera’s in 2009, so I decided to upgrade to a DSLR, and from then on my love for it has been growing. Clark Little has inspired me ever since I started, but lately local guys like Matt O’Brien and Jack Dekort have been my inspiration.
No slouch on the skatey either... Jarrod Slider. Photo: Casey Ripper
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MEET THE TALENT WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP BOARDWISE? FAVOURITE BOARD? At the moment I’m riding a custom deck from Skatement Speedboards, which has gotta be the best board I’ve ever ridden. It’s got Bear 852 trucks, 81A Retro Freeride wheels and Bones Swiss bearings. HOW DID YOU GET INTO SKATING? Mates really. We started out on little Z-Flex-type boards just cruising around, until I was bombing a hill, got the wobbles, came off and lost a fair bit of skin off my back. After that I bought an old longboard off a mate and yeah, I just started getting into it more from there.
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GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON A TYPICAL SKATE SESSION Nothing much to it really. You rock up with some mates, walk up the hill brushing any large debris off the road, put on your gear and skate. There’s always someone that hurts themselves, usually me (laughs)... So always have a first aid kit handy. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO YOU’VE TAKEN? Way too many. But there’s a surf one I took last year at Broken Head when it was firing and that’s been published in a few magazines and websites, that’s probably my most favourite photo.
Actually you can find it in the 4th issue of Smorgasboarder. (The best place to see it, of course. Ed) YOU PLAY GUITAR TOO? SOME RECOMMENDED TUNES? Yeah, been playing for a fair while now. But definitely Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter, Angus & Julia Stone, Andy McKee, John Butler Trio, just to name a few. I could be here all day talking about music to you (laughs).
Coast Uni so I plan on going through with that. As for my surfing, skating, photography and music, it’s all just for fun. Keeps me happy, it’s all the motivation I need to keep on doing it. You can find my shots at www.facebook.com/JSphotog, and also on my blog, JSphotog.tumblr.com.
FUTURE PLANS? WHERE CAN PEOPLE CHECK OUT YOUR STUFF? Well I’m a second year Structural Engineering student at the Sunshine
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GEAR: SKATEBOARDS
Check out lyskate youtube.com/ear rly’s for a clip of Ea the Kate Daniel on Bamboo Riser
“THE HUKILAU” BY KAHUNA
Suits: Barefoot riding, smooth carving Specs: 57” x 10” x ¾” Deck: Hardwood... Vertically laminated maple and mahogany. Trucks: Veloz 180 Bearings: Abec-7 Wheels: Kahuna 70mm longboard wheels Description: The “Rolls Royce” of longboards, designed by Steve McBride. Handcrafted ¾” thick solid stringers, polished with marine grade polyurethane to enhance beauty and give a grip similar to a surfboard. No grip tape! Logo burned with branding iron custom forged at an Ohio cattle ranch. Comment: Hands down, my favorite longboard. A lot of love goes into each of these boards. We do almost all the work by hand and make sure each of these boards are flawless. We are extremely proud of these boards and are confident they won’t disappoint you.
KAHUNA STREET SUP Ph: 0466 264 232 kahuna@streetsup.com.au www.streetsup.com.au Check us out on Facebook
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“LOCKED IN MINI“ BY EARLY
“BAMBOO RISER” BY EARLY
“TB PRO” BY EARLY
RRP: $199.00 Suits: Surfers and snowboarders Dimensions: 26” x 8” Wheel Base: 14” Deck: Maple Wheels: 65mm 78a, prescrubbed “Gnarlys” Trucks: 110 old school “Funster Trucks” Bearings: Abec-7 Description: The long awaited Locked In Mini has been designed and tested by the Early Team as a slalom old-school style board for an easy, kick around town alternative. Comment: This board has been tested in parks, drains and driveways with the front truck riding hard to the nose for super hard turns and a unique tail length for enough ‘pop’ when ollies are needed.
RRP: $239.00 Suits: Surfers and snowboarders Dimensions: 40.5” x 9.3” Wheel Base: 28.5” Deck: Maple and Bamboo Wheels: 75mm 78a, prescrubbed - “Cruisys” Trucks: 180 Early Trucks Bearings: Abec-7 Description: The Bamboo Riser has been designed and tested by the Early team as a super-cruisy style board with a mix of bamboo and maple to give unique flex response. Comment: This board is your perfect kick around town, mixed with a dance style beach cruise that will push you with a very smooth flex.
EARLY SKATEBOARDS AUSTRALIA Buy online now, or RATTLE DOWN your local Surf or Skate shop. Ph: 07 5522 1898
EARLY SKATEBOARDS AUSTRALIA Buy online now, or RATTLE DOWN your local Surf or Skate shop. Ph: 07 5522 1898
EARLY SKATEBOARDS AUSTRALIA Buy online now, or RATTLE DOWN your local Surf or Skate shop. Ph: 07 5522 1898
www.earlyskateboards.com
www.earlyskateboards.com
www.earlyskateboards.com
RRP: $299.00 Suits: Snowboarders, Speedboarders and surfers Dimensions: 36.7” x 10.4” Wheel Base: 29.6” Deck: Maple Wheels: 69mm 83a, prescrubbed - “Blueys” Trucks: 180 Early Trucks Bearings: Abec-7 Description: The TB Pro Model has been designed by team rider Torborn Sunde as a short wheelbase top mount with ultra concaves and heavy foot lock for high speed racing and free ride sliding. Comment: Built for high speed performance, this Early Pro Model has been to the bone yard on both free-ride and racing styles.
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With cork deck!
“RALLY” BY ARBOR
“MISSION GT” BY ARBOR
Suits: Barefoot Rippers Dimensions: 33.25” x 8.50” Deck: 7 Ply Maple with a Cork top sheet Wheels: 65mm (78a) Arbor Bio-Urethane Street Series Trucks: 9’’ Gullwing Charger Bearings: Abec-5 Description: BRAND NEW STREET SKATE! The cork surface is ideal for barefoot skating, but can weather any skate shoe abuse. Ideal for around town surf-inspired skating. Comment: A standout feature of this board is the CORK DECK. Cork is the original renewable material. It has been used as a valuable resource for thousands of years. Cork is a bark that is harvested every nine years off cork oak trees without harming the tree. Cork is an excellent natural insulator. It dampens road vibration, while providing grip for barefoot skating.
Suits: Street Cruising Dimensions: 37.50” x 8.60” Deck: 7 Ply Maple with grip tape Wheels: 65mm (78a) Arbor Bio-Urethane Street Series Trucks: 9’’ Gullwing Charger Bearings: Abec-5 Description: Arbor’s new swallowtail - the Mission GT - with its extended, concave shape, kicked tail, and longer wheelbase is ideal for flat ground cruising, carving banks, mellow downhill runs, or any urban mission. Comment: The Mission GT is constructed with WOOD BY-PRODUCT. All wood by-product created during the production of our skateboards is reclaimed for use in other Arbor products or by outside companies. This allows Arbor to stretch an important resource, while helping to reduce the strain on landfills and forests.
ARBOR SKATEBOARDS For local dealer information please contact us by email: info@futuresport.com.au, call 02 4365 1838 or visit arborcollective.com/skate
ARBOR SKATEBOARDS For local dealer information please contact us by email: info@futuresport.com.au, call 02 4365 1838 or visit arborcollective.com/skate
“FLYING FISH” BY SMOOTHSTAR
Suits: Surfers after dry-land training and fun. The Flying Fish is great for ramps and pools too. Dimensions: 32” x 10 ¼” Deck: 9 Ply Deck Wheels: 35mm rubber Trucks: 9” Aluminium back with the unique FRONT SWIVEL truck allows for carving.
Bearings: Abec-5 Description: Short and loose, the Flying Fish really simulates the feelign of surfing with it’s perpetual motion carving, thanks to the unique truck system. Comment: Built for performance, this is very responsive, easy turning. Practise quick bottom turns and tail slides.
SMOOTHSTAR SKATEBOARDS Ph: 0407 405 390 www.smoothstar.com.au
“BIG DADDY”
BY FiiK ELECTRIC Suits: Hell-men Dimensions: HUGE Deck: Canadian Maple Wheels: Mag Wheels with pneumatic tyres Trucks: Huge ones Power: Sealed lead acid battery pack with Wireless remote control. Description: With its super powerful 800 watt, 36V motor, this setup will take you across dirt, gravel, grass and sand with ease. Also great on road. With its large wheels this will give you upwards of 12km travel and up to 40 minutes of hard skating and up to 50+ minutes of easy cruising. Comment: Great looking green skateboard at home in the bush or on the blacktop
FIIK SKATEBOARDS 2/3366 Pacific Highway, Springwood QLD
Ph: 07 3208 3208 E: sales@fiikskateboards.com
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Lissenung Island Resort Kavieng - New Ireland Saturday to Saturday Clem’s Place Lavongai - New Hanover
Talk to the experts. surftravel.com.au enquiries@surftravel.com.au 02 9222 8870 Surf Travel Company
Guest test-pilot Marcu s spraying some sand
TRY W THINGS TO Y OUT AND NE ON THE BEACH TR TO AR GE S NEW BOARDS ... THERE’S ALWAY ALREADY KNOW. WE TEST IC FORCEFIELD E WITH GEAR W ER AND CHECK OUT A MAG AT AND IN THE W
CH A E B E H T O T S E O G Y D BIG DAD WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN
w What do you do with an 800 t offgian h wit d oar electric skateb road road tyres? Well, take it offd of course! So down to the san dy Dad Big FiiK two h wit it was ht brig ly ular boards and the sing on idea of burning up the beach these bad boys. e We picked low-ish tide to mak t pac com e mor the most of the rds sand, because, while the boa en driv y’re look like 4x4s, the forward by a single wheel y’re connected to the motor, so the the r ove you get to g not goin been soft sand. This would have gh in wei y the ring side helpful con kout at 33kgs and we got our wor
Test-pilot Pete getting grass burns off the Big Daddy.
r and dragged the boards back ove r the d roa for the day lugging them ove offe som for n hit the law lly. ining dunes. But we’re tough. Rea action that didn’t involve dra t k. We realised pretty quick tha saltwater from the battery pac n, law digging trenches and spraying out ting Chewing up and spit sing ys, sand was as much fun as crui hwa pat e cret con and roads did it. along the waterline... so we the Big Daddy shows it can ding ain buil of elty nov the en Wh pretty much handle most terr d No sandcastles with a skateboar with ease. Bumps? Gutters? a h wore off, we gave the boards problems. The board is as muc hts hlig Hig er. run along the wat fun for tearing about as it is and shops included being really loose functional for nipping to the a edition st late the or ad bre e able to slide the board out like som for d ude s out incl star bits ry Six . Sca der sidewinder. of smorgasboar an . day almost getting swamped by any of five ed incoming wave. The board stay dry, fortunately. dunes, With a park just behind the we ore it wasn’t too long bef
Bogan beach burnouts... Yeehaw
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THE YELLOW
SUP-MARINE
The SUP 10 has storage area for gear and carry handles for easy lugging.
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
must admit to being a bit of sceptic when I first saw the SUP 10. I mean, was a stand up paddleboard that resembled a kayak really going to take off? From the minute I brought it home for my weekend test run, I knew my initial perceptions were way off the mark. My three young kids were immediately clambering over each other to be the first to test it out. My youngest Sam won the coin toss and as such, off we went down to Currimundi Lake to take it for a paddle. Now Sam has been a little unsure and unsteady on his feet on all other SUPs we have tried to date but he took to the SUP 10 like a duck to water, pardon the pun (my son’s name is Sam Swan). You see the way the board is designed makes it super stable for the novice. It’s wide, has good flotation and a fixed keel so it doesn’t move around too much. It is perfectly suited to those looking to try stand up who are content to paddle around in the still waters of a nearby river, lake or dam whilst they build their confidence. As for any water mad family like mine, it is an essential addition to the quiver. It’s always special to spend fun times like this with your wife and kids and share your love of all things surf related.
Rota-molded plastic makes the SUP-10 extremely strong, durable and relatively lightweight.
EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING Having only met Paul Carson late last year, I have quickly become a big fan of his commitment to quality craftsmanship. He’s a one-man band but when you see him work, he takes no shortcuts. Every aspect of crafting a surfboard is meticulously completed step by step. So when Paul handed me a new design of his to take for a test run, I was out the door and had put it in my car before he got a chance to talk about its design.
allowed you to perform nice big arcing turns. I took her for a wave down at Currumbin before the wood board expo and had just as much fun. Each time I rode it, I found myself singing, “Easy like Sunday morning”, coincidentally on a Sunday morning. It’s a great shortboard cruiser providing the rider with a great way to spend a Sunday.
Apart from being one of the sexiest boards I have seen (I love resin tints) it just had a really nice plan shape. A somewhat retro design with modern day refinements, it featured a single to double concave with a diamond tail and signature Paul Carson channel. The ride? Mellow. Perfect for the many beachies in my area and Moffat Beach point breaks, it was a relaxing ride. Its volume enabled you to get on waves easy and then she accelerated well. The rounded rails,
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G N I S A CH L I A T E TH AN BY DAVE SW
On a recent visit down the Far South Coast of NSW I managed to convince Jed Done to lend me a couple of his finless boards. His factory houses countless surfboards, all testament to his continual experimentation with surfboard design. I applaud shapers like Jed and their willingness to push the boundaries of design. Their dedication to exploration is often the catalyst in unearthing startling surfboard innovations. Rumbling through Jed’s shed I found a 5’8” finless flextail (5’4” if you exclude the flextail) that spiked my interest. Since that day, I’ve struggled to surf any other board during my two-month loan of it. It just had a real nice feel to it. It surfed like a fish but with this nice little tail slide as you eased down the face. Once you righted the board you could set her up for a 360° near the lip and keep surfing. It suited fuller waves with a bit of power to carry you out of each turn. When you planted your foot near the flextail it allowed the board to accelerate and hold. Definitely one of my favourite boards I’ve tested this year.
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Flipside view of the flex tail
THE SHARK-ZAPPER
BY DAVE SWAN
I decided to test my Shark Shield in the perfect conditions – an overcast, rainy day, late afternoon, murky water and a million miles from South Australia. Hey, I am happy to test it on a couple of small fry Queensland bull sharks, not those bloody ‘whale with teeth’ South Australian numbers described by John Hinks in our ‘Fear Beneath’ shark story. SO HOW DID I FEEL? Well this question is probably best answered in three parts. Did I feel like a bit of a tool carrying my board down to the water with a shark shield device fitted? Yes. If I was all by myself surfing a remote break in WA I would feel cool. Heading out in Caloundra on a rainy afternoon? I found myself covering the device as I walked down the beach. It kind of goes against the grain of the macho surfer image, not that I have long blonde hair, a muscley tanned physique and a pro-styled board. I am bald and in my forties for goodness sake. None-the-less I was covering it up to shield my manhood. Did it make me feel confident enough to go for a midnight paddle? No. It may transmit an electronic field that messes with the shark’s electromagnetic sensors but it doesn’t stop the theme song of Jaws from playing in my head. But yes, it did make me feel more confident surfing in horrible conditions, late in the day…. in Queensland. WHAT ELSE? HOW ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF THE DEVICE? Negligible. I noticed it a little carrying my board down the beach, but once in
the water, not at all. Sure, if I was a competitive surfer, I might notice the 1/1000 million of a kg but I didn’t. It actually weighs under 355g and 69g in the water. DID IT GET IN THE WAY? I don’t usually surf with a tail pad and as such, I found it helped to position my feet. The actual device sits behind the tail pad. I didn’t find it got in the way at all. DID I FEEL IT IN THE WATER? The device actually creates tiny, little bubbles when it is in the water. That’s apparently the electronic field in action. When it’s on, there is a solid green light on the device. When the battery is low, it flashes red. I found myself constantly looking at the device to see whether it was active. It caused my mind to drift and consider how great it would be if the unit actually detected the presence of sharks. I thought to myself, “Imagine if it flashed orange the second a shark was a couple of metres away.” Then again, I thought, “If that were the case I would never get a chance to enjoy my surf. If it was going off every few seconds you would be thinking you were in the middle of a feeding frenzy. You could never enjoy your surf. What if the bubbles actually attracted the sharks before the electronic pulse scared them away?” All this was going through my head. The end result is that various scientific tests have proven the Shark Shield is effective. And I believe it is. I wouldn’t test it on a 15 ft charging Great White, but I don’t think anything would stop that anyway.
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CLOSEOUT: FIRST AID
Photo: Terry Goss
HOW DO YOU
TIE A QUICK TOURNIQUET? I think we all crave a bit of danger. Perhaps our lives have become too safe and comfy; our senses dulled. We secretly yearn for risk and excitement.... Like a swim in a dark night in the open ocean. WORDS BY DR. PETE KIRKHAM
The thrill tinged with a quiet menace of the unknown in the blackness below. Nothing awakens our primeval soul more than facing nature’s edge. But while we relish the excitement in our brush with nature, we like to keep the danger measured. We’d personally prefer not to get bitten by a shark, even though we know it might happen the very next time we go out.
R TEST CASES It was disturbing and sad to hear, Peter Clarkson, the man who testified to the device’s effectiveness in warding off large predatory sharks, after a close encounter with a Great White in WA, was in fact attacked by two Great Whites in tandem at Coffin Bay in South Australia. He was wearing a Shark Shield. Whether or not the device was turned on was never determined. The question as to why in hell it wouldn’t be turned on puzzles me. In fairness, there are numerous other South Australian abalone divers on the shark shield website www.sharkshield.com all testifying to its effectiveness. Interestingly, the director of Shark Shield, Rob Hartley, states on their website, “Company policy is to recommend the use of Shark Shield against sharks only in their investigative mode if possible.” SO IS IT EFFECTIVE IN WARDING OFF PREDATORY SHARKS? The store from which I bought the device spoke of customers swearing as to its effectiveness. Many divers who work in the Maroochydore area assisting with the installation of pontoons and jetties had tired of constantly being bumped by bull sharks in the canals. The device stopped them doing so. Some trawler workers had also strapped several shark shields to their nets to stop sharks attacking their catch with much success. As for surfing, it is said the device is most effective when the board is
stationary with the device dangling down beneath the board protecting the surfer from a surprise attack, which is fair enough. It is not as effective when the device is trailing behind because the 3-5m perimeter would near exclude the surfer who is paddling their board. From my recollection, this is when the majority of surfers are attacked, when they are paddling out the back, after a wave. CARE INSTRUCTIONS They say to always test your battery life. Check. Whilst stating the obvious, it’s a good point. Don’t waste your money and effort if you are not going to ensure the device is on. Don’t kink the line. You don’t want to damage it any shape or form because you don’t want it malfunctioning when you need it most. Fair point. Always wash the unit in fresh water. VERDICT It probably works but to be honest I didn’t really test it man vs. shark. I can say it is relatively lightweight, doesn’t get in the way and certainly makes me feel more confident in sketchy conditions. But would I put my body and board in the path of a big Great White? Not a chance on this earth.
Part of the genius behind the film Jaws was the ominous score by John Williams. The main “shark” theme is a simple alternating pattern of two notes E and F played on a tuba, yet it’s masterful. Williams described the theme as having the effect of grinding away at you, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable. And we’ve all done a rendition of it. Including in the sea and at night! And what are our chances of getting bitten? Well, higher than the raw statistics might suggest. The data would have it that our chance is lower that getting struck by lightning. But that is an average for everyone, including someone who’s never left Alice Springs. For a regular surfer the chances are proportionately much higher that getting struck by lightning. And what would it really be like, to experience a shark attack? Well apparently it is a uniquely horrific experience. When researching this article I found a fascinating but unnerving website called sharkattacksurvivors.com. Real shark attack survivors write about their experience in their own words and graphic photos are included. If you end up becoming a contributor to this website, well at least you’ve survived. Can I offer any useful tips to help you be able to tell your tale? Not especially but do try and get back to the beach fast and stem the bleeding by whatever means you can. People usually die by bleeding to death, so this is one situation where applying a tourniquet is justified. 1. Get a towel and roll it lengthways (making it long and thin). Tie it once 4cm above the wound. 2. Then make the tourniquet as tight as possible by placing a stick on top of the first knot (lengthways to the limb) and tie another knot on top of the stick. 3. Finally twist the stick round and the touniquet will get much tighter; the stick acts as a tourque. It’s much easier to do on your buddy’s bitten limb rather than your own! Just a quick trip to the hospital for a drip/blood transfusion, stitches, pain relief and antibiotics and then you can savour the euphoria of survival!
Dr. Pete Kirkham is a general practitioner at Nambour Medical Centre. www.skinclearclinic.com.au
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History...
A little bit of rds, dle GuaPlugs d a P & Nose e & Leash Rail Tap
There are just some boards that get people excited at the very mention on their name. The Stinger seems to be one of them. Thousands of kilometres apart, André Marsaus of Underground Surf and Craig Baird of Surf World Torquay both sing the praises of the cheeky 1970’s design.
I’VE BEEN STUNG
k Fins
Pro Tec
WORDS: ANDRÉ MARSAUS
s
epair Kt
afe R Travel S
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jul/aug 2011 02 4226 1322
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A high gloss red, stepped-bottom ‘75 Stinger has been on display in the shop for a couple of months now and has created a heap of interest since it came through the door. It was time I took this baby out for a burl. I paddled out in some solid surf at Kirra point, took the drop and made my first bottom turn... it took off! It’s highly maneuverable as far as single fins go and totally addictive. I’ve had one in the collection at home for years and I’m pulling it out, it’s time it got wet! Made famous by Ben Aipa during the 70’s, The Sting is said to be responsible for the hotdogging generation in Hawaii. Surfed by revolutionary shortboard surfers like Buttons Kaluhiokalani, Larry Bertleman, Mark Liddel, Dane Kealoha and Michael Ho, it was far ahead of its time. Ben shaped the ‘Stinger’, as it’s referred to by most people outside of Hawaii these days, with a short swallow tail, step bottom and stings (wings) a third of the way from the tail. While most other surfers were riding pintail guns Aipa was shaping boards and being inspired by a young Larry Bertleman surfing Diamond Head. Ben watched Larry with his long roundhouse cutbacks and low hand-dragging turns with his hand in the water and trying to hit whitewater. Aipa watched Larry’s turns and sensed something was missing. He went back to the shaping bay and drew up an outline of a swallow tail board. When he looked closer, he realised Larry needed more draw, so he straightened out the tail by placing a break in the rail line one inch in depth and a third of the way up from the swallow tail. So basically your
feet go halfway between either side of this point. Aipa then thought about hydrofoil boats and after looking at 15 or so he came away with the cutaway concept. The combination resulted in a board Aipa christened the ‘Sting’ when he described Bertleman ‘stinging’ the wave. The first the rest of the world saw of the new Stings was in ’72 at the world contest in San Diego. Michael Ho and Larry Bertleman started ripping on their little swallow tail Stings and winning all their heats. The next thing you know guys started rolling up with boards with swallows cut into them. Ho and Bertleman made the final and everyone was stoked with the new ‘Stings’. After this the new crew of Buttons, Liddel and Kealoha started surfing Aipa’s boards and dominating. Then the young Mark Richards met Aipa, they quickly hit it off, and MR started riding the Stings that helped him launch his era of competitive world dominance. Aipa’s Stings also influenced MR with his world renowned twin fins that he proceeded to win four world titles on. Ben Aipa has passed on his design wisdom to many shapers of note. Today he is one of the most stoked surfers in the world and has coached, shaped and influenced some of the greatest surfers on the planet. His tireless devotion to surfing has set new standards in competitive surfing and shaping and he has dominated the Masters division in Hawaii. After four decades of shaping and surfing Aipa is one of the true legends. So if you get the opportunity to ride a Stinger one day, take it out in some solid swell, picture Bertleman or Buttons in one of those old-school movies and let it take you for an epic ride.
New surf shop, old-school feel 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD Ph: 07 5599 1040
5/09/11 11:16 PM
In 1977 I was 17 years old and frothing at the thought of getting my hands on my very own Sting. I had seen the little Aipa rocket ships that Bertlemann, Mark Liddell, Buttons and Mark Richards were riding in the magazines and I was desperate to get one. A neighbor of mine, Tony Macleod, built boards in a shed in his back yard pumping out advanced bits of gear like sub-6’ stinger fishes, so Tony’s boards just fed the fire. I ordered a Rod Brooks 6’4” swallow tailed Sting with a step in the bottom and a spray job I designed myself. All I had to do then was wait. Tony shaped the board at Fred Pyke’s factory in Torquay. I dropped in there during the school holidays to check on progress only to discover that the board had somehow slipped off the stands and snapped off the tip of one swallow, so the wait went on while repairs were made. In my mind this board was going to be epic, and while waiting I began to do some sketches of how I thought the board would perform, visualizing the performance increases I was imagining. Of course when I finally got to ride the board I was primed. In truth it was my first dream board, a huge advance in performance over what I had ridden previously. The stepped bottom seemed to accelerate the board through turns with the sting providing a pivot point and that weird sensation of a board with a split personality. Up front it was soft and full and floaty, step back and the thing had bite, I loved it! It was such a great step forward although as the surf got overhead the Sting started to skate a bit through turns, a weird sensation but predictable and fun. I ran the board with the fin jammed all the way forward in the finbox which meant that if you pushed it really hard you could overpower it and it would spin out, but it was just so much fun to ride.
The broken swallow of course kept snapping off and there were so many surfs where I left the water with my feet bleeding from being whacked on the swallows as I got to my feet, I still have a lattice work of fine scars on my feet from being bitten by the sting. I had a number of other Stingers, a Mike Davis board with multi phase bottom that had chine rails a huge concave under the front foot and a step running into vee at the tail, a Wave Crest Hawaii board and a pink pigment Aipa Sting that had chine rails and flat vee running the full length of the board. The Aipa was unbelievably loose and the Mike Davis was a thing of beauty, but nothing matched that neat little 6’4”.
“...THAT WEIRD SENSATION OF A BOARD WITH A SPLIT PERSONALITY.” Tony encouraged me to shape my own Sting which was a disaster. I set up a tent in the back yard and attacked the foam with just about any tools I could find, none of them suitable for shaping surfboards. The board ended up with groovy hand drawn logos, ripped off from some Roger Dean artwork, but the stings were too far up from the tail (shaping rule No 1: Once you take the foam away you can’t put it back) and we jammed a 15 inch fin box in it. Tony glassed it in his shed using dark blue pigment to cover up the butchered blank and I ended up spraying a fading lightning bolt pattern around the rails on the bottom. It was not a handsome surfboard, but the good news was that it went better than it looked but I had already learnt a big lesson, I was no shaper. I was just left wishing that I had hung on to my first little dream board that 6’4” Rod Brooks Sting.
TOP: Blue lighting bolts forgive mistakes. LEFT: Craig shows off his handiwork. FAR LEFT: Inspirred planning
The ‘75 stinger that inspired the piece
CLOSEOUT: HISTORY
WORDS: CRAIG BAIRD
Brought to you by Underground Surf
MR wailing on the King Kong Stinger at the ‘77 Stubbies final Image © courtesy of Murray Purtell - SurfWorld Museum Collection
THE FIRST DREAM BOARD
RETRO LONGBOARDS & SHORTBOARDS • NEW & CUSTOM BOARDS • BOARD HIRE • REPAIRS• SKATEBOARDS • CLOTHING • AND MUCH MORE...
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CLOSEOUT: PEOPLE
THE QUEEN BEE OF BIKINIS Last summer, we featured some of the cracking swimwear and surf-specific bikinis produced by Noosa label Hive Swimwear. With the warmer months here and people getting ready to shed the jumpers and hit the beach again, we decided to have a chat to the lady behind the label, Kat Hogg. Kat has an intricate knowledge of swimwear designed to stay on in the surf. While working as a surf instructor, it became obvious to her that women need swimwear that survives duck diving, being dumped and generally being active in the water. So in 2005, Kat founded Hive Swimwear...“Swimwear that Sticks”.
MAIN: Kat Hogg is no slouch in the water herself and ABOVE: The face behind Hive Swimwear, Kat Hogg.
WHAT MAKES HIVE SPECIAL?
SO, WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON?
Well, it’s focused on function. Whilst we have many styles, we do have strap configurations which allow for a customised and secure fit for all sizes, so they stay on. We use the best lycra available to ensure optimal performance.
The 2011/12 collection has an ultra chlorine resistant range of swimwear which is available in ladies and girls sizes. Ultra chlorine resistant lycra is made up of 47% PBT and 53% polyester and is very durable. The fabric technology allows for better printing options. We love bright colours!
Plus, Hive Swimwear is ultra comfy. Girls love it. We use the best manufacturing processes available, there are many components - good quality lycra, attention to cut, fully lined garments and a variety of styles. TELL US ABOUT THE PRINTS All of our prints are unique and exclusive. My inspiration follows the latest fashion trends in Europe and Brazil. We also meet the market demands and continue some basic black, blue and pink colour palettes which are always popular.
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In our surfing range, Hive has a new 1.0mm neoprene performance short and 1.5mm rash shirt called the Ectotherm. Very exciting. This will extend the swimwear season. We also have a range including basic beachwear.
people loved it online. It showcased some of our beautiful Hive team riders and demonstrated the versatility of the collection. SO, WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON HIVE? We supply over 70 stores nationally with a mix of surf stores and swimwear specialists. The word of mouth is spreading quickly though. Stockist details are all online at www.hiveswimwearnew.com, where you can also watch the videos.
YOU HAD A VIRAL YOUTUBE VID? We produce all our own videos and images. It’s lots of fun. The 2011 Fashion TV shoot was filmed with a remote control copter and it seems that
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CLOSEOUT: FITNESS
YOU ARE TOIGHT LIKE A TOIGER? HOW TO USE FOAM ROLLING TO KEEP YOUR MUSCLES LOOSE AND INJURY FREE
WORDS: CLAYTON BEATTY
GUIDELINES FOR FOAM ROLLING
Tight, overactive muscles... We all have them somewhere in our body... Tight hamstrings, stiff shoulders, tight calf muscles, a stiff back. For me the issue has always been tight hip flexors. Playing too much sport always lead to my hip muscles getting stiff and sore and sometimes this has put me out of action with injury. Over the years I tried various physiotherapists and chiropractors with varying degrees of success, but who would have thought I could have saved all those consultations with a simple chunk of round foam? Enter the “Foam Roller.” When I first got shown one of these a few years ago I was sceptical to say the least. But after trying it out several times on my tight muscles I was hooked! Now anytime I feel my hips start to tighten up, I simply grab my foam roller and a few minutes later they are pain free and loose again! The technical term for foam rolling is Self-Myofascial Release (SMR). The idea is that you use the foam roller to massage your tight muscles by rolling on top of it. It’s basically like giving yourself a sports massage (but for a fraction of the cost). By rolling on the tight, overactive areas of your muscle, you decrease the density of the muscle, which helps it to loosen up. This is important for any surfer because tight muscles can restrict your surfing performance and even lead to extra time out of the water due to injury. We all know the benefit of having flexible muscles and mobile joints, however many of us don’t do enough to improve in this area.
•
Foam rolling can be done before or after exercise/surfing
•
Foam rolling works great before stretching
•
Let your bodyweight push down on the roller and roll up and down the muscle
•
Focus on any trigger points (knots in the muscle)
•
Roll on each area for 30-60 seconds (or longer if you need)
•
Don’t roll over bones or joints
•
Don’t roll on recently injured areas
1. QUADS
2. UPPER BACK
3. CALVES
3. IT BAND
3. GLUTES
3. LATS
So if you want to fast-track the process and free up your stiff muscles in record time, grab yourself a foam roller (order online or purchase from your local fitness store) and have a go at some of the exercises.
TRAINING
TIP
TRY THESE ROLLS WHENEVER YOU FEEL MUSCLE STIFFNESS COMING ON. THE RESULTS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
Clayton Beatty is a qualified Exercise Scientist with a BSc Human Movement Degree from the University of WA and is a member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). He runs Total Surfing Fitness, created to help surfers improve their skills and reduce the risk of injury.
We’re all keen to improve our surfing, so check out his website for surf-specific functional training exercises. Go to TotalSurfingFitness.com, and there’s even a free sample workout to get you started. sep/oct 2011
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SURF DIRECTORY QLD CENTRAL COAST REEF 2 BEACH SURF SHOP 07 4974 9072
Shop 1, 10 Round Hill Road Agnes Water/1770 www.reef2beachsurf.com
SUNSHINE COAST NOOSA SURF WORKS 07 5474 4567
1/11 Bartlett St, Noosaville www. shotgunsurf.com www.lagunabaysurf.com WATERLINE 07 5474 1010 - 2/15 Venture Dr, Noosaville, www.zeewetsuits.com ILLUSIONS NOOSA 0488 686 206 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville & Shop 28 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction www.illusionsnoosa.com.au CLASSIC MALIBU AUSTRALIA 07 5474 3122 Cnr Gibson and Eumundi Rds, Noosaville, www.classicmalibu.com ADVENTURE SPORTS NOOSA 07 5455 6677 Shop 6A, 203 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville www.kitesurfaustralia.com.au LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5474 1222 3 Gibson Rd, Noosaville GOLDEN BREED 07 5455 3722 - 15 Noosa Dr, Noosa Heads, www.goldenbreed.com.au NOOSA LONGBOARDS 07 5447 2828 2/55 Hastings St, Noosa Heads www.noosalongboards.com SURF SHOP 07 5471 3489 - 224 David Low Way, Peregian Beach, www.surf-shop.org COOLUM SURF 07 5351 1742 - Birtwill St Coolum Beach www.alexsurfshop.com.au BLUE LINES 07 5351 1986 - 1776 The Esplanade, Coolum Beach WALLY’S WATER GALLERY 07 5448 8560 6 Lorraine Beach, Marcoola Beach OLD WOMAN SURF SHOP 07 5448 7025 15 Mudjimba Esp, Mudjimba WEIR’S INSIDE EDGE 07 5443 4143 14 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore DA BOMB 07 5451 0620 - 3/25 Plaza Pde, Maroochydore & 07 5437 9201 - 7/12 Thunderbird Dr, Bokarina www.dabombsurf.com.au OCEAN ADDICTS 07 5309 6624 103-105 Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore www.oceanaddicts.com.au ALTERNATIVE SURF 07 5475 4811 11/140 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland BEACH BEAT 07 5443 2777 - 164 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headlands; 07 5491 8215 4-6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach 07 5491 4711 - 119 Bulcock St, Caloundra www.beachbeat.com.au ALEX SURF 07 5452 6276 188 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland www.alexsurf.com.au WORLD SURFARIS 1800 611 163 2/174 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba www.worldsurfaris.com SURF PLANET 07 5476 6200 Shop 5, Buderim Marketplace Buderim www.surfplanet.com.au THE FACTORY 07 5492 5838 - 15 Allen St, Caloundra thefactorysurf.com.au SLS SURFBOARDS 0424 314 183 2/57 George St, Moffat Beach www. slssurfboards.com.au SURFWARE AUSTRALIA 07 5491 3620 2 Bulcock St, Caloundra
BRISBANE PRIMITIVE SURF 07 3266 1001 - 601
Nudgee Rd, Nundah primitivesurf.com
GOODTIME SURF & SAIL 07 3391 8588
29 Ipswich Rd, Wooloongabba www.goodtime.com.au FIIK Unit 2/3366 Pacific Hwy, Springwood www.fiikskateboards.com COD 07 3207 0116 - 51 Ziegenfusz Rd, Thornlands www.codsurfing.com.au
NTH STRADBROKE ISLAND MINTY SURFBOARDS 07 3409 8334 - Point Lookout www.bobmintysurfboards.com
GOLD COAST SURF THE EARTH 07 5527 9855 - 33 Dominions Rd
Ashmore www.surftheearth.com.au SURF FX 07 5531 3199 - 127 Ferry Road, Southport www.surf-fx.com SIDEWAYS 07 5592 3849 - 3012 Surfers Blvd, Surfers Paradise sidewaysboardsports.com.au
156
STUART SURF DESIGN 07 5572 0098
2576 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach www.stuartsurf.com.au GANGSTA SURF 07 5526 6969 - Shop 1/ 2558 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach www.gangstasurf.com BOARD CULTURE 07 5572 9866 2438 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach www.boardculture.com.au LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5526 6377 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach THE BOARDROOM 07 5527 7877 2084 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami LOWEN 88 07 5526 5161 - 2a/2172 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami www.lowen88.com HARVEY SURF GALLERY 0414 557 624 3/10 Pacific Ave, Miami www.harveysurf.com MT WOODGEE 07 5535 0288 1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads 07 5598 2188 - 2 Stewart Rd, Currumbin 07 5536 5937 - 122 Griffith St, Coolangatta www.mtwoodgee.com.au PATAGONIA BURLEIGH James Street, Burleigh Heads www.patagonia.com.au WORLD SURFERS 07 5535 4037 63 Lower West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh SEAN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 07 5520 2774 Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, Shop 10, Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads 07 5599 1150 - Shop 3, 120 Marine Pde, Coolangatta seanscottphotography.com.au DALE CHAPMAN SURF DESIGNS 07 5593 8411 Unit 3/48 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads www.chapmansurfboards.com SOUTHCOAST FOAM 07 5522 1600 - 15 Greg Chappell Dr, Burleigh Gdns Estate, Andrews www.southcoastfoam.com.au GOLD COAST SURF WORLD 07 5525 6380 Tomewin Street, Currumbin www.surfworldgoldcoast.com FIREWIRE SURFBOARDS 07 5587 7700 1/49 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin www.firewiresurfboards.com DMS 07 5559 5949 3/56 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin www.dmshapes.com D’ARCY HANDSHAPES 07 5559 5866 1/8 Hawker St, Currumbin www.darcysurfboards.com SHAPERS 07 5534 4228 - 9/7 Traders Way, Currumbin www.shapers.com.au
Pick up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any of these fine businesses - out in November. Businesses that advertise in smorgasboarder allow us to bring you the magazine for FREE. So, be sure to support them! ESP SURFBOARDS 0404 059 321 - 2/81 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay www.espsurfshop.com.au
PARKES AUSTRALIA 02 6685 6627 4/83 Centennial Court, Byron Bay www.parkesaustralia.com MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6022 Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay maddog.com.au MC SURF DESIGNS 02 6685 8778 - 3 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay www.mcsurf.com.au MUNRO SURFBOARDS 02 6685 6211 - 29 Acacia St, Byron Bay munrosurfboards.com.au T&C SURF DESIGN / McCOY 02 6685 7485 10 Acacia Street, Byron Bay
BYRON BAY LONGBOARDS 02 6685 5244
Shop 1 - 89 Jonson St, Byron Bay
MADDOG BEACH SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6466
4 Jonson St, Byron Bay www.maddog.com.au
HO’OKUPU 02 6685 8861 - 2/9 Lawson St, Byron Bay hookupusurf.com UNPLUGGED 02 6685 7441 - Shop 1/ 2 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.unpluggedbyronbay.com
ALL ABOVE BOARD 02 6687 7522 68 Ballina St, Lennox Head
MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6094
45 River St, Ballina www.maddog.com.au
TRIPLE X WETSUITS 02 6686 3939 - 10 Piper Drive, Ballina www.triple-x.com.au
GUNTHER ROHN 02 6681 5879 - 3/10 Piper
Drive, Ballina www.guntherrohn.com
THE PLANK SHOP 02 6645 8362 Top of the Hill, Yamba
NSW MID NORTH COAST COOPERS SURF CENTRES 02 6654 0033
56D Beach St, Woolgoolga; 02 6652 8146 28 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour
GANGSTA SURF
1/15 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour
FLANAGAN SURFBOARDS 0432 361 694
Unit 26, 22 Lawson Cres, Coffs Harbour www.flanagansurfboards.com
BURFORD REINFORCED PLASTICS
0415 789 706 - 7/25 Leonard Pde, Currumbin
DIVERSE SURF 07 5598 4848 - 476 Gold
Coast Hwy Tugun www.diversesurf.com.au DORRINGTON SURFBOARDS 07 5599 4030 16 Musgrave Street, Kirra www.dorringtonsurfboards.com KIRRA SURF/WORLD SURFARIS 07 5536 3922 8 Creek St, Bilinga www.kirrasurf.com.au UNDERGROUND SURF 07 5599 1040 Shop 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta www.undergroundsurf.com.au COOLANGATTA BOARD STORE 07 5536 7850 152 Griffith St, Coolangatta www.cbsboardstore.com COOLY SURF 07 5536 1470 - Cnr Dutton St & Marine Pde, Coolangatta
NSW NORTH COAST PADDLE TRIBE 0408 701 467 - 12/55 Ourimbah
WATER SURF+ART+CAFE
Distinctively relaxed atmosphere, exceptional food, coffee and tea, great service, photographic art from Australia’s best photographers, exquisite gifts and select surfwear and boards. (02) 6651 4500 370 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour Jetty www.watersurfartcafe.com THE LOG SHACK 02 6658 0223 - 392 Harbour Dve, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour www.thelogshack.com.au
Rd, Tweed Heads paddletribe.com.au SIDEWAYS 07 5524 6699 - 13-21 Greenway Dr, Tweed Heads sidewaysboardsports.com.au FULL FORCE SURFBOARDS 07 5524 2933 18/48 Machinery Dve,Tweed Heads SURF XCESS 02 6674 5350 88 Marine Parade, Kingscliff KINGY SURF 02 6674 8806 20 Marine Parade, Kingscliffe CABARITA SURF SHOP 02 6676 3151 1/38 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach
VALLA SURFBOARDS 02 6568 8909 8 Monro St, Nambucca Heads www.vallasurfboards.com.au
ELUSIV SURFBOARDS
CRESCENT HEAD SURF SHOP 02 6566 0550
3/16 Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach BRUNSWICK SURF 02 6685 1283 1/12 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads www.brunswicksurf.com.au McTAVISH 02 6680 8807 - 91 Centenial Circuit, Byron Bay www.mctavish.com.au
1/125 Gordon St, Port Macquarie www.saltwaterwine.com.au SANDY FEET 02 6584 1995 5/21 Clarence St, Port Macquarie www.sandyfeetsurf.com.au JUNGLE SURF 02 6555 8556 - 86 Manning Street, Tuncurry www.junglesurf.com.au SALTWATER WINE 02 6554 7979 5 Wharf St, Forster www.saltwaterwine.com.au BOOMERANG BEACH SURF 02 6554 0351 Shop 4, Boomerang Dve, Pacific Palms GRAFFITI SURF DESIGNS 02 4981 3409 43 Donald St, Nelson Bay, Newcastle
NEWCASTLE NEWCASTLE SURF DESIGNS 02 4968 9989 4 Maitland Rd, Mayfield SAM EGAN SURFBOARDS 02 4969 7299 28 Maitland Rd, Islington www.samegan.com.au SURF FACTORY 16 Maitland Rd, Islington www.thesurffactory.com.au MARK RICHARDS SURFSHOP 02 4961 3088 755 Hunter St, Newcastle www.markrichardssurfboards.com SURFHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY 61 Hunter St, Newcastle surfhousephotography.com BREAKAWAY SURF 02 4929 1144 - Shop 6 Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle PACIFIC DREAMS 02 4926 3355 - 7 Darby St, Newcastle www.pacificdreams.com.au SANBAH SURF 02 4962 2420 - Shop 27, The Junction Fair, Union St, Newcastle www.sanbah.com.au BREAKAWAY SURF CO. 02 4943 2699 181 Pacific Hwy Charlestown EGAN’S 02 4945 8055 575 Pacific Hwy, Belmont THE SURF SHACK 02 4945 8965 703 Pacific Hwy, Belmont South SWANSEA SURF SHOP 02 4971 4422 164 Pacific Hwy, Swansea swanseasurf.com.au CENTRAL COAST BEACHIN’ SURF 02 43 96 5159
07 5534 3777 - 5 Stewart Rd, Currumbin
WOODY JACK SURFBOARDS
SALTWATER WINE 02 6584 4877
OUTER ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 6655 7007 7 Bayldon Dr, Raleigh www.outerislandsurfboards.com
COASTAL CURVES 02 6568 6902 - Ridge St,
Nambucca Heads www.coastalcurves.com
CRESCENT HEAD SURF CO. 02 6562 8306
33 Smith St, Kempsey
Crescent Head Tavern, Crescent Head
CRESO EXPRESSO 4 Shore Holiday Park, Crescent Head
INNER VISION SURF ‘N’ SKATE 02 6583 7790 80 William St, Port Macquarie
262 Main Rd, Toukley BOARD CITY 02 4397 1092 - 150 Main Rd, Toukley www.boardcity.com.au ADRIFT SURF 02 4332 8355 - 133 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance www.adriftsurf.com.au BOARDERLINE SURF SKATE 02 4332 7175 421 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty www.boarderlinesurfskate.com SURFERS CHOICE 02 4334 6532 473 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty www.surferschoice.com.au BATEAU BAY SURF N SPORT 02 4332 1157 101a Bateau Bay Road, Bateau Bay ONE EIGHTY SURF COMPANY 02 4385 8440 Shop 2, 82a Ocean View Dve, Wamberal www.180surfco.com.au ALPINE BEACH 02 4367 4944 177 The Entrance Road, Erina www.alpinebeach.com.au SLIMES 02 4365 5511 1/203 The Entrance Rd, Erina THREE POINTS SURF 02 4382 1541 170 Avoca Dve, Avoca Beach
NORTHERN BEACHES BEACH WITHOUT SAND 02 9918 2763
SUGARMILL SURF EMPORIUM 02 9913 3332 2/1329 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen www.sugarmillsurf.com BALMORAL BOARDS 02 9970 8600 1228 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen www.balmoralboards.com.au WICKS SURF CENTRE 02 9971 0760 1103 Pittwater Road, Collaroy Beach LONG REEF SURF 02 9982 4829 1012 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy www.longreefsurf.com.au WIND SURF ’N’ SNOW 02 9971 0999 17 Anzac Ave, Collaroy www.windsurfnsnow.com.au THE PERFECT WAVE 02 9939 0890 Suite 38, 42-46 Wattle Rd Brookvale www.theperfectwave.com.au BENNETT SURFBOARDS 02 9905 5157 180 Harbord Rd, Brookvale DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9977 3549 398 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale; 02 9977 3549 - 93 North Steyne, Manly www.dripwetsurf.com SUNSHINE SURFING 02 9977 4399 - 89 Pittwater Rd, Manly www.sunshinesurfing.com.au ALOHA MANLY STYLE 02 9977 3777 44 Pittwater Rd, Manly www.alohasurfmanly.com.au BASE SURFBOARDS 02 9976 0591 - 46 North Steyne Rd, Manly www.basesurfboards.com SALTMOTION 02 9976 6518 Market Place, Manly www.saltmotion.com MANLY LONGBOARD CO. 02 9977 0093 39 Belgrave St, Manly manlylongboard.com HERITAGE SURF 02 9977 7623 - 24 Darley Rd, Manly www.heritagesurfaustralia.com SURFECTION 02 9969 1011 - 522 Military Rd, Mosman www.surfectionmosman.com SYDNEY SOUTH BONDI UNDERGROUND 02 9365 0870
2/72 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9300 0055 180186 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach SURF CULTURE 02 9389 5477 - 40 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction www.surfculture.com.au
CRONULLA SUTHERLAND
EASTCOAST STAND UP PADDLE Dedicated to SUP - Sydney’s original Stand Up Paddle outlet. Performance, flatwater, race, and distance boards – we have a board to suit all skill levels.
0413 456009 0418 294854 27 Throsby Close Barden Ridge eastcoaststanduppaddle.com.au
1a Nth Avalon Rd, Avalon
RAISED BY WOLVES 02 9918 8861 - 40 Old
Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon; 02 9997 4838 9b Waratah St, Mona Vale www.raisedbywolves.com.au LITTLE DRAGON 0403 974 967 1 Bramley Lane, Newport Beach RON WADE SURF DESIGN 02 9979 7071 23 Bassett Street, Mona Vale ronwadesurfboards.com.au CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 9997 8266 4/76 Darly St, Mona Vale cisurfboards.com QUIKSILVER MONA VALE 02 9999 3727 1729 Pitt Water Rd, Mona Vale SUPER SWELL 02 9144 3229 166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives
LESSONS TOURS AND SALES Call Peter Japp on 0488 887 SUP or 0488 88 77 87
sutherlandshiresupschool.com.au
STAND UP PADDLE GEAR AUSTRALIA
02 9986 3420 6/53 Myora Rd, Terrey Hills www.supgearaustralia.com
sep/oct 2011 happy birthday to us
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SALTWATER DREAM 02 6495 1600 39 Market St, Merimbula COUNTRY VIC SURF SHACK 03 5155 4933
CRONULLA STANDUP PADDLEBOARD Everything to do with S.U.P Lessons, Hire, Sales of New and Used equipment, Accesories, Apparel & more 02 9544 2293 0400 085 823 Shop 3,13-15 The Kingsway Cronulla, NSW 2230 www.cronullasup.com JACKSON SURFBOARDS 02 9524 2700
57 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au TRIPLE BULL 02 9524 4822 - 41 Captain Cook Dr, Caringbah; 02 9544 0354 - 23 Kingsway, Cronulla www.triplebullsurf.com CRONULLA SURF DESIGN 02 9544 0433 8 Cronulla St, Cronulla www.cronullasurfdesign.com.au KING SURFBOARDS 02 9521 3645 577 Princes Hwy, Kirrawee
WOLLONGONG RETRO WOMBAT 02 4267 1322
228 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul www.retrowombat.com FINBOX BOARDSTORE 02 4268 2050 1/269 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul thefinbox.blogspot.com BYRNE SURF AND SKI 02 4268 3455 303 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 02 4226 1122 -115 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow byrnesurfboardsaustralia.com SURF PIT 02 4283 7196 - 2/100 Railway St, Corrimal www.surfpit.com.au SKIPP SURFBOARDS 02 4229 1202 231 Crown Street, Wollongong (factory showroom); 02 4228 8878 24 Flinders St, Wollongong www.skippsurfboards.com.au CARABINE SURF DESIGNS 02 4229 9462 36 Flinders St, Wollongong
NSW SOUTH COAST ZINK SURF 02 4233 1189 - 136 Terralong St, Kiama www.zinksurf.com.au
NATURAL NECESSITY SURF SHOP 02 4234 1636
115 Fern St, Gerringong www.nnss.com.au AQUATIQUE 02 4421 8159 - 125-127 Junction St, Nowra; 02 4441 5530 - 55 Owen St, Huskisson www.aquatique.com.au BUSTED SURF CO. 02 4447 3485 10 Fairlands St, Culburra Beach OCEAN & EARTH 02 4441 2482 12 Springs Road, Sussex Inlet www.oceanearth.com SUN & SURF SHOP 02 4441 1938 Shop 1, 168 Jacobs Dve, Sussex Inlet MARK RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN 0427 767 176 441A Bendalong Rd, Bendalong www.markrabbidge.com AKWA SURF 02 4454 5222 - Shop 1, Mellick’s Corner, Princess Hwy, Milton www.akwasurf.com.au
SOUTHERN MAN SURF SHOP
02 4454 0343 -138 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla www.southernman.com.au SALTWATER DREAM 02 4472 3811 2 Bay Central, Batemans Bay OFFSHORE SURF SHOP 02 4474 4350 66 Vulcan St, Moruya offshoresurf.com.au NAROOMA SURF & SKATE 02 4476 1422 30 Princes Hwy, Narooma DSC SURFBOARDS 0424 867 962 Princes Highway, Narooma BERMAGUI SURF SHOP 02 6493 4849 4/28 Lamont St, Bermagui RAW SURFBOARDS 02 6494 4466 1291 Tathra Road, Kalaru www.rawsurfboards.com.au BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS - 02 6495 9900 Widgeram Rd, Merimbula www.bushrat.com MERIMBULA SURF SHOP 02 6495 1515 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula
507 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance ATOLL TRAVEL 1800 622 310 - 4 Bridge Street, Foster www.atolltravel.com SERIOUS SURF STUFF 03 5674 2540 1 Williams St , Inverloch VORTEX SURF & SKATE 03 5672 4112 54 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi
PHILLIP ISLAND OUTEREEF 03 5678 5677 - 73 Phillip Island Rd, San Remo www.outereef.com.au
FULLCIRCLE SURF 03 5678 5873
115 Marine Pde, San Remo; 03 5956 7453 4-5 Vista Pl, Cape Woolamai www.fullcirclesurf.com.au ISLANTIS 03 5956 7553 - 10-12 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven www.islantis.com.au ISLAND SURF CENTRE 03 5952 2578 147 Thompson Ave, Cowes; 03 5952 3443 65 Smiths Beach Rd, Smiths Beach www.islandsurfboards.com.au ISLAND SURF SHACK 03 5952 1659 148 Thompson Ave, Cowes
MELBOURNE ZAK SURFBOARDS 03 9416 7384
319 Victoria Rd, Thornbury www.zaksurfboards.com TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9537 3222 Shop 2, 1 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda www.triggerbros.com.au RPS (THE BOARD STORE) 03 9525 6475 87 Ormond Rd, Elwood www.rpstheboardstore.com BRIGHTON SURF CO. 03 9593 2211 43 Church St, Brighton SHQ BOARDSPORTS 03 9598 2867 81 Beach Rd, Sandringham www.shq.com.au MORDY SURF CENTRE 03 9580 1716 628 Main St, Mordialloc mordysurf.com.au
PAULOWNIA SURFBOARD SUPPLIES
03 9588 2533 - 45 Governor Road, Mordialloc paulowniaparadise.com.au OKE SURFBOARDS 03 9587 3553 Factory 1 1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside www.okesurfboards.com TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9770 2223 7 Rossmith St, Frankston; 03 5989 8402 Point Leo Rd, Point Leo; 03 5984 5670 46 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento www.triggerbros.com.au PENINSULA SURF CENTRE 03 9783 3811 40 Wells St, Frankston; 03 5975 1800 835 Nepean Hwy, Mornington; 03 5985 4637 - 2137 Pt Nepean Hwy, Rye www.peninsulasurf.com.au BALIN 03 5986 6069 - 12 Newington Ave, Rosebud www.balin.com.au BEAN SURFING 03 5984 5199 4 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento
VIC SURF COAST MURFS LONGBOARDS 03 5255 5525
82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove www.murfslongboards.com.au STRAPPER SURF 03 5255 2666 67b The Terrace, Ocean Grove www.strapper.com.au GREEN ROOM SURF SHOP 03 5256 2996 64 The Terrace, Ocean Grove www.greenroom.com.au RASTA’S 03 5254 3255 51 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads rastasurfboards.com.au STONKER TORQUAY 03 5261 6077 - 1a Baines Cr, Torquay www.stonker.com.au HYDROPHILIC 0421 504 621 - 1C Baines Cr, Torquay www.southcoastlongboards.com.au SURF WORLD 03 5261 4606 Surf City Plaza, Torquay www.surfworld.org.au PATAGONIA 03 5261 4420 - 116 Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay www.patagonia.com.au BASE 03 5261 5666 - 3/108 Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay www.basesurfboards.com STRAPPER 03 5261 3508 - 96 Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay; 03 5261 2312 - 106 Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay www.strapper.com.au WATERMARKS PHOTO GALLERY 03 5264 7232 38-40 Bell Street, Torquay www.watermarksphotogallery.com.au TORQUAY SURFING ACADEMY 03 5261 2022 34A Bell St, Torquay torquaysurf.com.au TIGERFISH 03 5264 7271 - 12/15 Bell St, Torquay www.tigerfish.com.au
ANGLESEA SURF CENTRE 03 5263 1530 111 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea www. secondhandsurfboards.com.au LORNE SURF SHOP 03 5289 1673 130 Mountjoy Pde, Lorne SHARKY’S 03 5289 2421 Mountjoy Pde, Lorne HODGY’S SURF CENTRE 03 5237 7883
143 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay hodgys.com
SHIPWRECK COAST PORT CAMPBELL TRADING CO. 03 5598 6444
27 Lord Street, Port Campbell
TAYLORS SURFODESY 03 5562 5681
DING REPAIRS AGNES WATER/1770 REEF 2 BEACH
(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 07 4974 9072
SUNSHINE COAST DA BOMB
WARRNAMBOOL SURF CENTRE 03 5562 1981
(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 07 5451 0620 - Maroochydore 07 5437 9201 - Bokarina
DAKTARI SURF/DIVE 03 5568 2800
BRISBANE
132 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
136 Koroit Street, Warrnambool
33 Bank Street, Port Fairy www.daktarisport.com.au
TASMANIA LONG POINT SURF 03 6375 1717 60 Burgess Street, Bicheno
BAY SURF SHOP 03 6376 1755 2 Pendrigh Place, St Helens TAS
SCAMANDER BEACH SURFSHOP 03 6372 5529
6 Lagoon Esplanade, Scamander www.scamandersurf.com
RED HERRING www.redherringsurf.com.au
03 6231 9001 - 75 Liverpool Street, Hobart 03 6431 2455 - 12 Mount Street, Burnie 03 6331 0984 - 127 Charles Street, Launceston 03 6272 7552 - Shop 41, Northgate
SOUTH AUSTRALIA BARREL SURF 08 8555 5422 - 10c Cadell St, Goolwa www.barrellsurf.com.au
FLY BOARDRIDING (08) 8555 5331
PRIMITIVE SURF
(Mon-Fri, 8:30-5:30pm, Thurs 8:30am-8pm, Sat, 8:30-4pm, Sun, 10-4pm) 07 3266 1001
SOUTHPORT KOMA
(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0402 863 763
MIAMI
DINO’S DING REPAIRS
(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0409 727 735
TUGUN DIVERSE
BIG SURF AUSTRALIA 08 8554 2399
(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and Sun, 9-4pm) 07 5598 4848
SOUTHERN SURF 08 8554 2375
KIRRA
Shop 18, Goolwa Shopping Centre, Goolwa 24 Goolwa Rd, Middleton 36 North Tce, Port Elliot
THE SURF SHOP 08 8552 5466 -15 Albert Place, Victor Harbor thesurfshop.net.au
0408701467 or 0421994649
THE DING KING / CLARK SURFBOARDS
COOLANGATTA
0422 443 789 - 20 Cottage Road, Hackham leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au
PREECE’S SOUTH PORT SURF 08 8386 0404
159 Esplanade, Port Noarlunga South www.preece-sthport-surf.com.au
FLY BOARDRIDING 08 8386 0100
Shop 41 Seaford Shopping Centre www.flyboardriding.com.au
ONBOARD SURF WIND SNOW 08 8294 3866
21 Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga; 1-3 Lights Landing, Holdfast Shores, Glenelg www.onboardsurf.com.au
CUTLOOSE SURF 08 8326 0939 - 4 Piping
Lane, Lonsdale www.cutloosesurf.com.au
MID COAST SURF 08 83845522 - 8/200 Dyson
Road, Lonsdale www.midcoastsurf.com.au
ISLAND SURF 08 8296 9776 363 Brighton Road Hove EXTREME BOARDRIDERS 08 8295 1219 1/118 Jetty Rd, Glenelg
JRS SURF & SKI 08 838 47466 - Centro
Colonnades; 08 8377 0322 - Westfield Marion; 08 8223 5505 -121 Grenfell St, Adelaide CBD; 08 8231 9577 - Myer Centre, Adelaide CBD; 08 8396 4822 Tea Tree Plus www.jrssurfandski.com.au
WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 08 8376 4914
27 Oaklands Rd, Somerton Park www.wallbridge.com.au
SANCTUARY SURFERS 0403 134 478
BUCKO’S SURFBOARD REPAIRS & RESTORATIONS
(M-F, 10-5.30pm, weekends by appointment 0422 304 078
LONG JETTY
S & D SURF DESIGNS
(M-F, 9-4pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0437 032 614
SYDNEY NORTH
BROOKVALE SURFBOARD REPAIRS
(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and Sun, 9-4pm) 0403 971 072
CHAOS SURFBOARDS (M-F,9-6pm, Sat & Sun 8:30-6pm) 02 9907 2769
WOOLONGONG
SKIPP SURFBOARDS
M-F,9-5:30, Thurs 9-7:30pm, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4) 02 4228 8878
JERVIS BAY
INNER FEELING SURFBOARDS (7 days, 9-5pm) 02 4441 6756
PADDLE TRIBE REPAIRS & NAROOMA RESTORATIONS (Mon-Sat 10-5) DSC SURFBOARDS
SURF ESTEEM 08 8557 7201 - Aldinga Central Shopping Centre www.surfesteem.com
NORAH HEAD
(7 days, 9-5pm) 0424 867 962
THORNBURY
UNDERGROUND SURF (7 days, 9-5pm) 07 5599 1040
ZAK SURFBOARDS
(Mon-Fri,10-6pm; Sat 10-5pm) 03 9416 7384
FULL FORCE
(M-F, 9-5pm) 07 5524 2933
TORQUAY
BYRON BAY
(Mon – Fri, 9-5pm) 03 5261 6077
STONKER TORQUAY
DR DING SURFBOARD REPAIRS (Mon-Fri, 8-5pm, Sat 10-4pm, Sun 10-2pm) 0431 740 940
PHILLIP ISLAND ISLAND SURF SHOP - COWES
YAMBA
(7 days, 9-5pm) 03 5952 2578
02 6645 8362
FULLCIRCLE SURF
THE PLANK SHOP TOMBSTONE SURFBOARDS
(7 days, 9-5pm) 03 5956 7453
(Tues-Fri, 9-4pm, Sat, 9-12pm) 0432 330 826
ADELAIDE
COFFS HARBOUR
(M-F, 9-5.30pm, Sat 9-4pm) 08 8376 4914
THE LOG SHACK
(M-F, 10-5pm, Sat & Sun 10-2:30pm) 02 6658 0223
WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS
SOUTH ADELAIDE THE DING KING (M-F, 9-5pm) 0422 443 789
201 Waymouth St, Adelaide www.sanctuary.net.au
SNOW & SURF CO. 08 8223 5277 187 Rundle St, Adelaide; 08 8332 0900 177 The Parade, Norwood www.snowsurf.com.au
FIX BROKEN BOARDS?
Promote your repair business for $15 an edition. Call 0401 345 201 sep/oct 2011
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Planning a surfing holiday or weekend away? These fine accommodation options offer great proximity to surf beaches in some of the country’s best surf spots. Get out there.
SURF TRIP ACCOMMODATION
QUEENSLAND
NEW SOUTH WALES
PORTOBELLO BY THE SEA 6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach Caloundra Fantastic surf spots right on your doorstep. Moffat, Neill Street, Dicky Beach all within a 5 minute walk. Luxury accommodation within 50 m of some of the best restaurants Caloundra has to offer. Proximity: Across from patrolled Dicky Beach, on-site dining and shopping. Phone: 07 5491 9038
E: info@portobellobythesea.com.au
www.portobellobythesea.com.au From $325 for two nights.
PANDANUS PALMS HOLIDAY RESORT 21 Cumming Pde, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
THE ISLANDER HOLIDAY RESORT
High on a hill overlooking Home Beach, looking north towards Moreton Island, offering plenty of open space for children to play, full size tennis court and swimming pool.
Ideally located, whether it’s adventure or relaxation you’re after, there’s something for everyone - pool, tennis court, bbq area, kids playground, scooter & car hire. Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available, all fully self-contained with foxtel, dvd player, wireless internet access, balconies and parking.
IBIS WOLLONGONG Cnr Church and Market Street Wollongong
PHILLIP ISLAND VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 895 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven, Phillip Island
3.5 star hotel in the heart of Wollongong restaurant and business district, minutes from beautiful beaches. Winner Best Standard Accommodation on the South Coast 2008, 2009 & 2010. Air conditioned rooms include tea and coffee facilities, mini bar fridges, flatscreen TV and internet connectivity. Special Access rooms and facilities are also available.
Planning a surf trip to Phillip Island? The island offers over 2000 beds and over 100 accommodation businesses to choose from. Contact Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre’s accommodation specialists for all your accommodation needs. Let our friendly staff assist you in finding the perfect place for you to stay.
www.pandanuspalmsresort.com
Proximity: 10 minute walk to the beach and WIN Entertainment Centre. On the doorstep of Crown St Mall Phone: 02 4223 6000 E: H6377@accor.com www.accorhotels.com/6377
P: 1300 366 422 E: piinfo@basscoast.vic.gov.au www.visitbasscoast.com
From $330.00 for two nights
From $119 per room per night
The two or three bedroom villas are fully self-contained with large living area and private balcony, own BBQ and linen is supplied. We can arrange return vehicle ferry crossings at a discounted rate. Proximity: 500m walk to Home Beach and Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel. 2km to cafes, shops and Gorge Walk. P: 07 3409 8106 E: bookings@pandanuspalmsresort.com
CALOUNDRA HOLIDAY CENTRE 1/78 Bulcock St, Caloundra Caloundra Holiday Centre has been assisting holidaymakers find their perfect Sunshine Coast getaway for over 25 years. We offer one of the largest portfolios of holiday accommodation in Caloundra, consisting of a great choice of budget to luxury self contained units and houses at all beaches. With family friendly prices and seniors’ discounts available, we’re sure to have a property to suit your needs at a competitive price. Our friendly and experienced staff can assist you with finding your perfect beach break! Request our free colour brochure and price list today! P: 07 5491 5444 E: info@caloundraholidaycentre.com.au
caloundraholidaycentre.com.au From $340 p/w, low season TV 158
gym
laundry
41 East Coast Rd, Point Lookout North Stradbroke Island
VICTORIA
WHALE WATCH OCEAN BEACH RESORT Samarinda Dve, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island Located at North Stradbroke Island’s Point Lookout, Whale Watch Ocean Beach Resort provides endless views along the main surfing beach (which is one of the east’s coasts renowned surf spots) and over the Pacific Ocean, to the Gold Coast and beyond. Proximity: Short walk to Point Lookout Surf Club and all the major Point Lookout attractions. P: 07 3409 8555 E: reservations@ whalewatchresort.com.au www.whalewatchresort.com.au kitchen
parking
wi-fi
Proximity: 2 min walk to hotel, pub, bowls club, shops & restaurants. Opposite Home/ Cylinder beaches. P: 07 3409 8388 E: islander@stradbrokeresorts.com.au
islander.stradbrokeresorts.com.au From $225 for 2 nights
STRADBROKE ISLAND HOLIDAYS Shop 2 Raby Bay Harbour 152 Shore Street West Cleveland North Stradbroke Island is the ideal holiday destination for families, couples or maybe just a day trip. Located one hour from Brisbane, Straddie is easily accessible by Stradbroke Ferries’ fast reliable vehicle ferries or water taxi which depart from Cleveland. Stradbroke Island Holidays offer an efficient booking service to arrange all of your accommodation and luxury Stradbroke Ferry transfers to and from North Stradbroke Island. P: 07 3821 0266 www.stradbrokeholidays.com.au pool
airconditioning
KIAMA COVE MOTEL 10 Bong Bong St, Kiama Kiama Cove Motel is located in the heart of Kiama, overlooking Surf Beach with most rooms having ocean views, airconditioning and king sized beds. All with complimentary continental breakfasts. Proximity: Right on Kiama Beach. Short walk to the main street of Kiama. Phone: 02 4232 3000 E: kiamacove@bigpond.com www.kiamacove.com.au From $99-$169 per room per night family-friendly
pet-friendly
SILVERWATER RESORT 17 Potters Hill Rd, San Remo Spacious one, two and three-bedroom self-contained apartments all with spectacular bay views and modern conveniences. Complementing the 4.5 star accommodation is an excellent range of resort facilities including indoor and outdoor pool, billiards and games room, tennis and basketball courts, restaurant and bar. Proximity: Five mins to surf beach, two mins to town Phone: 1800 033 403 res@silverwaterresort.com.au www.silverwaterresort.com.au From $175 per night spa
bbq
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The Cronulla Sutherland Stand Up Paddle Club has been extremely active in flying the flag for the SUP family and has hosted a number of great events over the past months. Here’s a few shots from the July club get together and surf race. PHOTOS: 1. The contenders line up... 2. Red - Peter Japp, Purple - Daniel Hampson, Pink - Mick Slattery, Yellow - Paul Dreghorn 3. Peter Japp 4. Surf Race action 5. Daniel hampson, 12’6” race To find out more, or to get involved, check out the website: cronullasutherlandsupclub.com.au
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SWAPPING IN THE SUNSHINE
Adelaide’s only all-girls and women’s surf club, SurferGirls were kind enough to send us some photos from one of their recent club get togethers. Girls of all ages and surfing abilities are welcome to join the club, with their main aim to get girls and women out there surfing, having fun and learning new skills. So if you’re in Adelaide and love to surf, drop SurferGirls a line to meet up with some likeminded people. PHOTOS: 1. The junior development squad 2. Emma 3. Yasmin 4. Ladies of all ages on the beach www.surfergirls.com.au
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rf Su sep/oct 2011
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MALDIVES SURF TOURS
“JUST FOR CRUISING” The Maldives is without question the ultimate playground for the intermediate level surfer. Head high waves are an every day occurence in this part of the world and the all day offshores are just the icing on the cake. Liquid’s knowledge of the region is the key to the success in finding everybodies dream trip unfold of perfect waves with no one around. If you want to do a trip with a bunch of mates or your wife and kids these are the trips to go on as they focus on getting waves for all levels of surfers.
“GIVE ME THE GOODS” There is no question that the Maldives can’t deliver pumping waves that will test the best of us. The region is often overlooked and falls well behind the shadow of the famous “Indo”. The reality is the same ocean delivers the same swells and the Maldives has got an abundance of epic set ups that offer long walls for cutbacks or long barrel sections that will test anybody. If you can mix it up in decent size waves then step on board for the search of perfect surf.
“I WANT IT PUMPING”
This is the area that Liquid Destination truly comes into their own. There is one claim these guys make and it is they are the first and only boat operators who constantly chase the big stuff. No one in the Maldives has the same agenda as these guys. If you think the Maldives can’t deliver big scary stuff think again because these guys have seen it, surfed it and got flogged by it. And the best thing is they love it! These trips are only for the top level surfers. Contact 0407 157 077 info@liquiddestination.com www.liquiddestiantion.com sep/oct 2011 160 September2011_Smorgas_Spread socials.indd 160
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SPRING IS IN ZE’ AIR! RETRO RIDERS
Sacre bleu! Wis years of local experience and ze ‘ighest quality materials, a ZEE wetsuit is ze warmest and most comfortable wetsuit you can own. Most importantly, every ZEE WETSUIT is built to last. Made locally and 100% Australian owned.
WORDS: MADELAINE DICKIE PHOTOS: JAVIER LEON There were no headstands, coffin rides or Egyptian floaters at the 2011 Puckeys Pipe Retro Comp in Wollongong. But there were plenty of pre-heat vomits, no-shows and a healthy dose of fear... The surf was massive - a roaring 6-8ft winter groundswell with the meaty barrels and frequent shutdowns. You’d think twice about paddling out on a thruster - but on a single fin? With the only rule being that you have to ride an old single or twin fin board, this wordof-mouth event is usually held once a year at Wollongong’s notoriously heavy beach, Puckeys. But Puckeys was unrideable, so it was moved to the south side of Towradgi. This year the honours went to Tom Nagle, who braved the biggest sets, took the biggest beat-downs and scored the biggest barrel.
BOTH STORES, SHE IS OPEN ZEE 6 DAYS! OPEN HOURS:
Mon-Fri: 9 - 5 Sat: 9 - 12
NOOSA: MOOLOOLABA:
07 5474 1010 07 5444 7007
Unit 2, 15 Venture Drive, Noosaville, QLD 122 Brisbane Road, NEW STORE! Mooloolaba, QLD
sales@zeewetsuits.com
www.zeewetsuits.com
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENT
If you have something on the go, let us know. Email us on: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au
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CLOSEOUT: RELAX
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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
X literally does mark the spot as Scott Newman and Luke Hutchinson hoist up the SLS Surfboards logo onto their new digs in Moffat Beach. Good blokes that they are, they laid out a BBQ and beers to celebrate the opening. The eyes enjoyed some great boards on display, alongside local surf photography and artwork, the ears got a DJ spinning vinyl and the nostrils got the eternally excellent smell of sausages on the go. And don’t forget the beers, of course. Good on you, gentlemen and best of luck for the future!
PHOTOS: 1. Reiko Wilkinson, the prawn man and local artist Thom Stuart 2. Shamus, Josh Thompson, Dean Chelin 3. The men of the hour: Short board shaper Luke Hutchinson sharing a celebratory beer with Scott Newman, SLS’ longboard man. 4. Miles Livingston and Bill Lyons 5. Dave Bundellu 6. Ali Wills, DJ Amtops, Frec, Haley, Mr Boinkin 7. Esther Bundellu, Jacqui Walker, Mr Pascoe www.slssurfboards.com.au
SWAPPING IN THE SUNSHINE
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WORDS AND PHOTOS: PAT QUIRK
The weather gods were kind as Da Bomb Surf Shop and More Surfboards hosted the inaugural Sunshine Coast Vintage Surf Swap Meet in Maroochydore. Interest in vintage boards was clear by the large number of people in attendance. There were boards from all over Australia including Nirvana, Bill Wallace, Kenn Customs, San Juan, Fluid Foils, Bennett, Bob McTavish, Ron, Don Burford as well as some great 60’s longboards and even a Joe Larkin shaped by Michael Petersen. The standout board for me of the day was the Wilderness Surfboard which numerous people suggested was shaped by David “Baddy” Treloar. This was the Morning of the Earth surf movie era and many surf icons such as McTavish, Greenough, Baddy and Chris Brock worked with Wilderness Surfboards in Angourie, NSW.
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Thanks to Mark Pridmore of More Surfboards and Sharon and Nigel Jackson of Da Bomb for a great swap meet. Can’t wait until next time! PHOTOS: 1. Mark Pridmore setting up 2-5. Stars of the day - boards, boards, boards 6. Fanatical collectors, Darryl Homan and Pat 7. All ages enjoyed the boards on display 162
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