“THE CURE FOR ANYTHING IS SALT WATER: SWEAT, TEARS OR THE SEA.”
ISAK DINESEN
EVERYDAY SURFERS... ...this issue is all you. P31
UP THE CREEK WITH A PADDLE ...P35
PASS THE SALT? THE DESAL DEBATE ...P50
WETTIES
NOT ALL THE SAME ...P105
THE MAGAZINE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO SURF ISSUE #5 MAY/JUN 2011
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Photo courtesy of Dick Hoole
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DETAILS & THINGS
SMORGASBOARDER IS FOR ALL OF US THAT LOVE SURFING, WHETHER IT’S TO RELAX, UNWIND, GET IN A HEALTHY BIT OF EXERCISE OR TO CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
WHERE TO PICK US 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 September, November, January, March, May, July.
CAN’T GET THERE? SUBSCRIBE
If you can’t get to a store, have smorgasboarder delivered to your door by becoming a home subscriber. The mag is 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. Backissues are available for $5 per copy. We only have a few copies of our first four left... Be quick.
THANK YOU
Thank you to all our creative contributing writers, fantastic photographers and excellent people who made this edition possible. A special mention of thanks to Gus Brown, Megan Slade, Helen Chapman and Katie Swan for their extra miles and to all the grassroots surfers who contributed to this edition.
THE TEAM SALES, EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION: Dave Swan dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 0401 345 201 Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 0400 875 884 FEATURE SALES Garry Palmer garry@smorgasboarder.com.au 0418 745 227 Phil Pfeifer phil@smorgasboarder.com.au 0450 391 517 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION & SALES James Ellis trade@ljdistribution.com.au 0412 194 383
CONTRIBUTORS WRITING TALENT & PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS Talented geniuses they are - make sure you check out the credits on each photo and story and take the time to tell them how much they rock. If you would like to contribute to the mag, we’d love to hear from you and include you... 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.
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E E R TH , S E R STO
Photo: Hiroyuki Yamada
oice h c e h t s e im Three t
Tolhurst Mick Mackie Rusty Eric Arakawa McCoy Byrne Yater McTavish Wayne Lynch Simon Anderson Southpoint Takayama Mark Martinson Kym Thompson John Carper Mark Richards Dahlberg Xanadu Vampirate Lost Pearson Arrow Wegener Seaglass Webber Superbrand Robert August Surftech DHD El Nino softboards
Mick Mackie
Plus accessories, clothing and skate...
ralian e on the Aust or st rf su y rds of an ping Wet. range of boa ’t visited Drip le n b as va h lie o e h b w un r e most lling surfe We have th ere’s a trave th t ub do e East Coast. W
FCS, Fluid Foils, Reef, O’Neil, Excel, Peak, West, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Sanuk, Hive Swimwear, Ocean Zone, Aztec Rose, Old Blokes Rule, Tools, DC, Globe, Analog, Seacured, Sector 9.....
Y L N A M H T R r Road NO I D N O B it NLY 2/180-186 Campbell Pde 3N9or8thP Mtwaantely A M Shop 2, Steyne, 93-95 North
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
of Tons s... d r a o b 94 Page
24
BIG WAVE GUIDERS
LAGUNA BAY
The pilot boat crew surf much more that your average waves
CANDYMAN 86 THECOMETH
We chat to Dave Verrall of Diverse Surfboards about his art and craft
105
RUBBER UP, IT’S WETSUIT TIME
The cold has arrived... We check out some alternative wetties
ALL THE USUAL BITS THE LATEST
Feedback P15 News P16 And greatest P18 Community P22
TRAVEL
Discover the kingdom P58 This is New Ireland P72
GEAR
Latest surfboard designs P94 Surfboard restoration P102 Test everything P118
CLOSEOUT
ne-of-a-kind surf store P120 O Fitness P122 People out and about P129
We have to apologise. Sorry Pat, this sequence is just too good not to print. Feast your eyes on one of our intrepid contributors - a fountain of surf history knowlege otherwise known as Pat “Helmet” Quirk, having a disagreement with a wave in Noosa. Photo: Ben Vos For more hometown heros, see Page 31
LAGUNA BAY 8’6, 9’1, 10’2 & 11’2
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA www.surftechaustralia.com.au mar/apr02 20114226
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When it’s so XXX-ing cold, you’ll wish you had a Triple X Wetsuit Australia’s #1 titanium-lined wetsuit. Keeping wind out and warmth in.
MASSIVE TIDE WATCH GIVEAWAY!
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YOU, YOU & YOU When I was growing up, the importantance of being yourself and being comfortable in your own skin was ingrained into me by my parents. Forty years on, I am bald, have a head like a robber’s dog and my surfing is not that flash either - even though I refer to myself as the “Count of Carve.” There’s no kidding yourself or those around you. It’s important to be downto-earth. There’s no point pretending to be something you are not. That’s much the same with our mag. Smorgasboarder is not about the world’s best surfers. We’re just about everyday surfers like you and like me – the grassroots of it all, so to speak. From the outset we have gone about creating a surf magazine that is a healthy alternative for surfers who just love surfing, surf gear and travel... not hype.
THIS EDITION If we were into the marketing lingo, we could brand this edition our ‘green edition’. There’s plenty in here on grassroots surfers. Our debate piece is on the environmental concerns surrounding desalination plants and we have a superb international travel tale on surf trips to the wild frontiers of Papua New Guinea.
SIMON ANDERSON
But we’ve also got a lot of the usual favourites in here too. For something diverse, we feature Gold Coast shaper Dave Verrall. We turn up the heat in our quest to find quality wetsuit manufacturers outside the big brands and take a trip to Newcastle, land of the brave. There sure is a hell of a lot to read. Sit back and enjoy. It’s our biggest one yet.
We hope in some small way we have achieved this feat. Thankfully we have received a lot of great feedback from readers and so we have decided to dedicate this edition to them - that means you. This is your mag and it’s all about you, or the guy or girl you know from your local break.
Dave
MOLLUSC 6’0, 6’4 & 6’10 Swallow Tail
DK ULTRAFLX 5’10, 5’11 & 6’0
Also Available XFC Ultraflx 6’0, 6’1, 6’2 & 6’3 XFC 6’2, 6’4 & 6’6 Surfing the unspoiled, uncrowded waves of Papua New Guinea. Photo: The Perfect Wave
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA www.surftechaustralia.com.au may/jun02 20114226
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LATEST: LOCALS
For more local faces, see P31
NAM E: Ashleigh Browne HOM E BREAK: Manly 10
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BIG BOARD MORNINGS
Q&A WITH ASHLEIGH BROWNE INTERVIEW: MARK CHAPMAN PHOTO: JOEL COLEMAN, SALTMOTION GALLER Y SALTMOTION.COM
BOB MCTAVISH
CAN YOU GIVE US A QUICK BACKGR OUND BORN WHERE, GREW UP, NOW? Born and bred in Manly, and still here. Only spend most of the time at the other end (Queeny) WHO STARTED YOU OFF SURFING AND WHEN? Ah, my dad got me on a board when I was about 7, but I’d only really be keen in summer. I really started getting stoked on it about 2 years ago and my dad was real encouraging then too. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SURF SPO T? Crescent Head. No question (A little chee r goes off in the office) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD AND WHAT ARE YOU RIDING NOW? Ah, other then just foamies when I first starte d it woulda been a 9’1 O’Donnell and now I’m predominantly on a 9’4 Gato Heroi. WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT IN YOU R LIFE AT THE MOMENT AND HOW DOES SUR FING FIT INTO IT? Surfing probably is the most important thing in my life... I have just finished school and am now just hanging out and surfing as much as I can. When I’m not down the beach or in the water, I’m wondering what the surf’s doing and when I can get down next... Living and breathing it at the moment, I guess... IF YOU DIDN’T SURF...? I think surfing has been my saving grace in a lot of situations and if I didn’t surf, I have no idea how I’d live... It’s just everything to me. ANY MESSAGES, COMMENTS OR ANY THING ELSE TO ADD? Stay Stoked...
Photo: Joel Coleman www.saltmotion.com
CARVER 7’6 & 8’0
FIREBALL 9’1 & 9’6
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA www.surftechaustralia.com.au may/jun02 20114226
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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.
Noseriding style Phil ‘Pup’ Bender
Buy online or ask your friendly surf shop...
waspbags.com.au Ben Considine reverse kick Lee Considine
READERS PHOTOS
Thanks to all the readers that sent in photographs for this edition. There were so many good ones it took us ages to finally decide which ones to use, but congrats to the people on these pages - you all score a sweet set of WASP waterproof bags! Got good snaps? Send your photos in to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au for the next edition. For more on WASP bags, see www.waspbags.com.au
Off the top at Little Cove Steve Chapman 12
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LATEST: PHOTOS Abstract cover up Toby Manson
Morning stretch Paul Greene
THE WINNING SHOT
Congrats to Simon Sheppard for nailing this awesome shot of local surfer Danny Cougle making the most of the swell as the NSW Mid North Coast is going off. Simon also snags himself the cover shot with another cracker of Danny.
Sneaky barrel Jarrod Slatter
Somewhere in The Gong Stella Crick
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LATEST: FEEDBACK
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-Surf-Magazine/133229320054947 (or easier, just search for smorgasboarder)
HARD WORK AND REWARDS
I am new to surfing and I want to tell you about the first day I paddled out the back . It was when we arrived down at Alexandra Headland. I was a bit scared but my dad kept encouraging me. He said “come on it will be fine.” “If I’m too scared out there I’ll want to go back into shore.”I replied. When dad and I were paddling out, we got to about half way, where there was a bit of a trench with no waves breaking. I said “Is this how far we have to paddle?” “No mate just keep paddling, just keep paddling.” I moaned back in anger. My arms started to get sore from all the paddling. But it was all right because when you get to the point when there are no waves breaking you can get a rest. We kept going to where all the waves started to break because there was a sand bank. I kept on trying to get past all the white wash. Every time I went under a wave and got back up to the surface, another wave came and hammered me. I said to Dad “How long do we have to do this for?” Finally we got out the back and I was still a bit scared but I got used to the feeling. It was a hard paddle, but I was glad I got out there and said: “Man, that was a hard fight but we eventually did it.” Suddenly a big set came rolling in and Dad was saying to me: “Catch it Neddy, catch it.” “All right!” I went for it. I was paddling as hard as I could and there it was, my first wave out the back. It felt like I was surfing a twenty foot wave because of the steep face. I stood up and turned a bit to the right and dived into the white water because dad said not to go too far in. All because of that wave, I want to go surfing every day now and talk about surfing. I even go surfing with my friend, Aden who lives across the road from me. My dad has bought me a 6’4” Hairy Goat shortboard. Ned, Buderim Congrats Ned - you win yourself this Tools Deck Grip. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Never forget that first-wave feeling!
KIND WORDS FOR US Finally, a surf magazine that is designed for those that love surfing. No fuss, no talking crap, no childish “surfie” lingo - just articles that you want to read. I love the board and location reviews. I also love the fact I now own a pair on Terrence Towelling pants due to spotting an advert in the last mag, and I’ve found a shaper (Goran Peko) to shape my next board. The only pity is that I have to wait two months till next publication. Keep up the great work smorgasboarder team! Mick, Paddington
I’ve found the mag to be a good source of info from the stories to the ads. I like the classifieds as it gives me access to information not readily available in SA, keeping me up to date with board building and alternative trends rather than just the mainstream sh#te. Tony, Adelaide
AN EARLY STARTER This is seven-year-old Ethan Hartnett on his second wave at Spookies, Yamba, riding a 5’2 Woody Jack thruster. A lifetime of barrels ahead! (Photo - M Roebuck.) Megan, Yamba Wow... Ethan’s looks to be a better surfer than anyone in our office. And he’s only seven.
GIVEAWAY * Letters may have been edited for length and clarity
Send in your letters and thoughts to be in line for freebies! More Surfboards t-shirts up for grabs. Email us on letters@smorgasboarder.com.au may/jun 2011
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LATEST: NEWS
CONGRATS!
We’d like to extend our congratulations to Rahn Goddard in winning the Old Mal Division, which smorgasboarder sponsored, at the recent Noosa Festival of Surfing. It was a good final and incredibly refreshing to see the event open to both sexes. We thought Isabelle Braly was a class act and more than held her own. We would also like to sincerely thank Phil Jarratt and the team for enabling us to be involved in a great week. For more on the festival check out our social pages on Page 129.
BIG RESULT
At the eleventh annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards held on April 30 in Anaheim, California, David Scard of Caloundra was runner up in the Ride of the Year Award. His monster wave at Cloudbreak on Sept 20, 2010 has made his work colleagues at World Surfaris as proud as punch. Regarded as the Oscars of big wave surfing, the awards also recognised the biggest wave, largest paddle-in wave, biggest tube, the nastiest wipeout, best overall performance and best ladies performance. To check out some of the action go to www.billabongxxl.com
SANBAH FORMS OFF MEREWHETHER No, our spelling isn’t that bad, we would just like to inform you the Sanbah Surf Shop in Newcastle has undergone an unbelievable transformation. The new store is very swish with a huge range of boards, skate decks and gear as well as the latest and greatest in fashion. Shop 27, The Junction Fair, 204 Union St, The Junction (02) 49622 420
ONE LITTLE INDIAN Jesse Watson of Black Apache Surfboards and his wonderful wife have welcomed into the world their new little apache Maya Mavis, who weighed in at 7lbs 9oz. Congratulations guys. Enjoy the sleepless nights and many wonderful years ahead.
CORRECTION In our March edition we noted the great work being done in Samoa to help communities get back on their feet following the 2009 Tsunami. We erroneously credited The Perfect Wave Surf Travel company for relief efforts where we should have mentioned The Surf Travel Co. instead, who has worked extensively on projects with not-for-profit charity Groundswell and the Randwick TAFE. 16
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THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST
Here Dan talks with Jenson about why surfing is so much better than Formula One.
RUSTPROOF
SOLID METAL
A safe and secure place to store your car keys or immobiliser while enjoying a surf.
DMS SHIFTS INTO TOP GEAR Currumbin shaper Dan MacDonald won the opportunity to replace the Vodafone logo on the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One cars driven by the youngest ever ex-World Champion Lewis Hamilton and fellow driver Jenson Button - with his very own DMS company logo. He was suitably stoked that both drivers came in 2nd and 4th at the recent Grand Prix in Melbourne. Dan said it was a “dream opportunity for any business. We saw this not only as a chance to promote the DMS label but to represent the local Australian surfboard manufacturers.” For more on DMS, check out www.dmshapes.com
Available at selected surf stores and online
WWW.SURFLOCK.COM.AU
Surf Fitness Training Surf-specific workouts
you can do at home Get fitter, stronger and your surfing enhance performance more waves, Catch Get more barrels better and have Surf more fun
QUICKIES
To get started with your free surf-specific workout, visit...
www.TOTALSURFINGFITNESS.COM/freeworkout
WELL I’LL BE FIIKED
The boys have a new showroom at Unit 2, 3366 Pacific Highway, Springwood to show off their electronic skateboard range.
Surf with your kids! Goran Peko
40 YEARS ON...
And still going strong! Not too many surfboard manufacturers could lay claim to that fame. The board building game is a tough, tough gig and often a thankless job and notfor-profit business venture, so it goes without saying that Town & Country should be congratulated on reaching their 40th anniversary in business. Founded in an old barbershop in Pearl City Hawaii in 1971, they are truly a worldwide surf industry icon. 20 YEARS ON
Whilst we are on the subject of anniversaries, 2011 apparently marks the 20th year since Bert Berg from Sunova started crafting the parabolic rail. We hope to talk with Bert sometime in the near future about his board-building prowess.
KOMA ON THE MOVE
Goran Peko of Koma Surfboards on the Gold Coast has packed up his gear and moved to a new factory in Southport at Unit 4/39 Bailey Crescent. He’ll still be doing his great range of custom boards, restorations and ding repairs. For a chat and to check out his new digs, drop in for a visit.
GOOD WORD ON GOOD WOOD
Available in all good surf shops or online at
www.learn2surfstrap.com www.surfbabysurf.com
For something fresh, check out Andrew Wells’ new Grown Surfboards website. It’s sure to get you pining for a bit of timber beneath your feet. Check it out on www.grownsurfboards.com.au MAY DAY
The month of May is looming as a big one for the Hydrophilic Board Store in Baines Crescent, Torquay with both Tyler Hatzikian and Thomas Bexon scheduled to visit for a little bit of shaping and such. For more info visit hydrophilicboardstore.tumblr.com
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Share the stoke
Only $39.95
AUSSIES GET HIGH IN FIJI
Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre is stoked to offer surfers access to coaching in some of the world’s best waves in their inaugural Fiji Surf Camp. Participants will be introduced to famous breaks such as Cloudbreak, Swimming Pools and Namotu. See www.surfingaustralia.com
from 3 years of age.
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LATEST: & GREATEST
DON’T SHARE
Surfers rash, particularly in the groin area is a pretty annoying afflication. SURFGEL to the rescue. We’re told it’s an effective fix, so apply liberally. Both a preventitive and a cure, but after you’ve had a rub around the bits, try not to share it with your mates... Check your local retailer, or buy online from www.boardstore.com.au
WHAT A BAG...
BOARDER PATROL
www.toolssurfaustralia.com.au
Call Wally on 07 5448 8560 or visit the store in Marcoola to get one for yourself.
A decent size backpack. Opens as one large compartment. It’s waterproof with a nifty drawstring top and a buckle-over flap. Tools have come up with a very sturdy bag for keeping your gear dry that looks great too.
Wally’s Water Gallery is a treasure trove of unique gear. These surf photos, taken by Wally Johnson are proudly displayed in amazing recycled timber frames, made by dad, Phil Johnson. The perfect decoration for any beachy shack
SMOOTH LIKE A FISH
Check out Smoothstar’s great new artwork and logo! With the same great quality Smoothstar swivel-truck system, these sweet new decks of artwork just have to be ridden. www.smoothstar.com.au
IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR PANTS? Why yes, A FreeGun in fact. Keep an eye out at your local surf shop for the fastest growing fashion label in Europe. Having sold over 2 million boxers last year alone, it’s now here in Australia. Boxers, boardies, rash shirts, thongs and shoes are printed with all kinds of crazy sh*t, with a new range of designs every two months. Ladies apparel also available including the sexiest, sauciest underwear.
NOWAX...
Don’t want wax? Try Newax. These hexagonal-shaped pads come in a transparent adhesive sheet, in a range of colours. It’s designed to stick you to your board, good and proper.
The first concept store will open in Noosa this May, and they are currently on the lookout for national stockists. See www.website? Trade enquiries, call 07 5449 0362
www.newaxoz.com 18
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STICK IT
WHERE IT SHINES That’s right! A skate wax that shines.. or should I say glows. Now I hear you say, “Skate wax?” I said the same thing. Riding a rail on your skateboard takes skill, balance and minimal friction. That’s why, apparently, skaters wax rails, curbs and ledges before they slide. Stickit Skate Wax applies the right amount of slick to the surface and stick for your board to track. And as we said, it glows, so it looks pretty cool at night.
OILS AIN’T OILS Stickit designed a board wax as black as night to send the Oil barons a clear message. Make your stand.
FOR THE LADIES Stickit have also specifically designed a wax for surfing wahines. It’s easier to apply, great for all year round, in any water temp and smells like watermelon. www.stickitgroup.com
Scott of Greenline reckons the C4 Waterman inflatable is the most fun blow-up toy he owns.
BLOW UP A SUP SOME HAVE THREATENED TO, AND NOW YOU CAN... Well with a pump anyway. Fold it up into a backpack, or inflate for water fun. A range of cool new inflatable SUPS are available from Zak Surfboards in Melbourne, Greenline on the Gold Coast and Illusions Noosa. The Illusions SUP can even double as a kayak, complete with removable seat, footrest and paddle. For more information, check out the websites: www.greenlinepaddlesurf.com www.illusionsnoosa.com.au | www.zaksurfboards.com may/jun 2011
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LATEST: & GREATEST
SLIDING JETSTREAMS
LIKE WAVES, IT’S ALL ABOUT CONSTANT CHANGE. WHENEVER GRIZZLED DIE-HARDS DECLARE THAT WE’VE REACHED THE PINNACLE AND THERE’S NOWHERE ELSE TO GO... SURPRISE, SURPRISE, IT ALL CHANGES AGAIN. WELCOME THE SURFING EQUIVALENT OF A PERSONAL JAMES BOND JETPACK. WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN PHOTOS: WAVEJET
Fearless tow-in surfer and big wave charger Garrett McNamara enjoys an easier ride for a change on WaveJet SUP. For more on him, see: www.garrettmcnamara.com
We love surfing as much as new gear and ideas. So, having heard about US company WaveJet Technologies’ series of Personal Water Propulsion (PWP) surfboards, SUPs and rescue boards, we were very excited to find out more.
The series of new boards - which could be hitting Australian shores later this year - has been designed in conjunction with Steve Walden, of Walden Surfboards fame. He seems to be quite excited about the possibilities as well.
WaveJet is essentially a mini jet engine built into your surfboard, SUP or the like. Similar to our beloved FiiK electric skateboards, this runs on a twinlithium ion battery pack activated through a wireless wrist controller. With twin drives and recharging on a standard wall socket, the WaveJet has about 30 minutes in it a pop. And the WaveJet folks reckon it’s up to five times faster than paddling.
“WaveJet’s propulsion drive will dramatically enhance when, where and how we surf due to conditions and location”, he says. “Think of PWP as a power pack for your ride.”
”Surfers catch more waves, lifeguards reach swimmers and boats faster and kayakers can cruise against strong current and wind,” said Mike Railey, CEO of WaveJet. “It really allows you to break free from traditional limitations.”
We are very excited about checking this out when it hits Australia and will have a full test and rundown on how they go as soon as we can. For more information, pics and video, check out the website on wavejet.com. What do you think? Excited to give a WaveJet powered board a go? Drop us a line and let us know your thoughts - letters@smorgasboarder.com.au may/jun 2011
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CHARITABLE SPIRIT LIVES ON IN CANETOAD COUNTRY
Factory-riding groms... But where’s Harry?
Thanks to the support of so many businesses associated with smorgasboarder we managed to raise over $6300 for the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal. Primitive Surf in Brisbane also did their bit for the Appeal holding their own charity fundraising night on Tuesday 12th of April and raised over $7500 for the victims of Queensland’s recent disasters.
ALL SHAPES, ALL SIZES NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS OR OFF-THE-SHELF MODELS. JUST HAND-CRAFTED SURFBOARDS, SPECIALLY MADE TO SUIT YOU.
15 ALLEN ST, CALOUNDRA • 07 5492 5838 • THEFACTORYSURFBOARDS.COM.AU
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OUR TIM
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GOLD COAST TO JOIN THE RESERVES The declaration of the Gold Coast National Surfing Reserve looks set to proceed for January 2012. The 3 sites proposed to be recognised are Burleigh Heads, Currumbin (Alley) and the southern points comprising one site being: Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks. For more information see www.surfingreserves.org
SURFING PIONEERS’ NIGHT Joe Larkin
E M O S GET UNDER SOUL R SOLE YOU TO F STS UP
ROYAL EFFORT
They plan cycling Cuba’s coastline to help create awareness for the Recycle Reuse Revolution educating people on how unwanted, unloved and unused surf, skate and musical equipment can bring smiles to the island’s kids. Their inspiring journey will be documented in both film and stills. To find out more and follow their progress visit www.royal70.net
s Harbour NSW 392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coff www.thelogshack.com.au Phone: 02 6658 0223
OTHER
After reportedly being “very overwhelmed, freakin’ nervous but always positive” Leanne Gilkes’ dreadies are gone. Better known as Bluey, manager of Coolum Surf, Leanne’s new look helped raise over $16000 for the Qld Cancer Council.
Royal 70, a non-profit organisation formed by Sydney Northern Beaches surfer, Blair Cording and his partner Krishna Mathrubutham are partnering with Cuban organizations, Havanasurf and the Cuban Surfriders Association to launch an assault on Cuba’s coastline in August 2011.
More boards than you can poke a log at.
THAN ONGER
THE DREADS ARE OFF
Mark 28th May on your calendar when Joe Larkin, Gordon Woods, Scott Dillon and Bill Wallace, four of our pioneering board manufacturers, get together to talk about the birth of the Malibu and modern surfing in Australia. www.surfworldgoldcoast.com
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LATEST: COMMUNITY
SURF ART MURAL RESTORED If you’ve ever driven past Coolum on the Sunshine Coast Motorway, you’ll have seen the giant wave mural of Old Woman Island on the shed owned by the Savimaki family. The original artist, Owen Cavanagh - who spends much of his time in Italy painting artwork and murals across Europe has just been back to give the 10-year-old piece of art a bit of a touch-up. Shed owner Hans Savimaki is delighted with the restoration works. To see more of his, and other artists works check out the Surf Art Expo from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th May at the Alex Surf Club in Alexandra Headland.
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DO YOU HAVE AN OLD, STINKING,
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We want to see it. If we judge it to be the worst we have seen, you will win a fantastic new wetsuit from C-Skins. Send your photo in with your name and contact details to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au The winner will be drawn in our July edition and their photo published alongside other finalists.
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* For terms and conditions, see the smorgasboarder website.
If you have any news and events that should be in these pages, please feel free to drop us a line at editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au. may/jun 2011
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LATEST: LOCALS
BIG WAVE Kicking off the working week by climbing a rope ladder, five storeys up the side of a ship in cyclonic conditions might not appeal to those of us accustomed to a hot cuppa and some office banter. But to a bunch of keen old surfers who boast Moreton Bay as their office, it is part of a work day routine that can randomly throw up all the excitement of a high seas adventure. WORDS AND PHOTOS: MEGAN SLADE - MEGANSLADE.COM
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E GUIDERS If you’ve ever surfed Cartwrights (Off Point Cartwright in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast) you will be familiar with a little yellow Pilot boat. On a fine day, she chugs serenely around the rock wall into a turquoise Mooloolaba Bay. In cyclonic conditions, she slams and pitches through the breakwater, dodging surfers, stand up paddle boarders and jet skis, all vying for prime position among the sets. She will disappear in explosions of sea spray and down into the troughs of mountainous waves
before rounding the point and into the fickle hands of the Coral Sea. Onboard there is a Coxswain, Deckhand and Marine Pilot. Their mission is to rendezvous with a ship waiting five nautical miles offshore and dispatch a Pilot who will assist with the vessel’s safe passage into the Port of Brisbane.
risks. In a country where people can sue for tripping over a pencil in their office, these guys casually wrestle 60,000 tonne ships atop five metre seas in a contest they cheerfully describe as a ‘contact sport.’
This routine is carried out several times, every day and night in almost any conditions Mother Nature can serve up. So to the untrained eye these mariners appear to be taking incredible may/jun 2011
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“THE GOLDEN RULE IS DON’T PANIC” Coxswain Mark Lennard The view from the office
Staring up at a sixty thousand tonne ocean liner from the relative safety of a thirteen metre speed boat throws your balance. The sheer enormity of these cities on water is overwhelming. The little yellow boat and gigantic metal tanker grapple above a surging ocean as the Coxswain guides her to the leeward side of ship. ‘We often joke that it’s a contact sport,’ says Coxswain Mark Lennard. ‘On normal boats you try to avoid collision, but we come together with the ships. We try to make it as gentle as possible, but quite often it’s just the nature of it, with the huge swells and the movement of both vessels. We hit really hard.’
Different big wave riders passing by
Getting ready to board
The Pilot and Deckhand exit the cabin. A rope ladder is crudely flung from the heavens by the ship’s crew whilst the rise and fall between tanker and Pilot boat begin to synchronise. The Pilot picks his moment and rides the surge onto the ladder. In seconds he has scampered up the monstrous vessel and is waving from the heavens alongside his new crew. On a clear day it’s an exciting spectacle. During a cyclone swell and forty knot winds it’s maniacal. ‘I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t get scared in rough conditions’ admits Marine Pilot, Captain Steve Anthony. ‘Your pulse rate goes up but they organise the ship to get the best possible lee and the least possible rolling. Then you go for it. You’ve got to be really quick to get up there, and quick to get down too. You can’t linger on that Pilot ladder.’ ‘It’s only half a second between leaving the pilot boat and getting onto the ladder,’ explains Captain Nic Fischer. ‘It’s
26
all about control. If I am not comfortable or the Coxswains not comfortable, we just pull the pin. Although it looks big and graphic for those couple of seconds that you transfer between the Pilot boat and the ship everything is relatively stable. It’s about timing and respecting the elements and the environment. I know it seems really archaic having a rope ladder to climb up, but nothing can go wrong. It’s so simple. All of the timing is in my legs and my arms and I choose when I go. It’s a bit like when you are surfing you choose the wave you paddle in to’ says Nic.
RESCUE On a moonless night, minutes after collecting a Pilot from an oil tanker, Coxswain Mark Lennard received a call from the Captain of the ship reporting a man overboard. Whilst de-rigging the pilot ladder a crew member had fallen eight metres from the ship into the cold dark ocean. He had no lights attached, could speak little English and couldn’t swim. Fortunately he was wearing a life jacket. ‘You go into training mode; there is a real heightening of the adrenalin. It’s firing through you because you know someone’s life is on the line. The golden rule is don’t panic, you’ve got to react the way you have been trained to’ says Mark. Mark swung the launch boat around and headed upwind at full speed. The crew onboard the tanker had desperately flung lifejackets and rings into the gloomy ocean below for their missing mate. ‘I had marked a track on the GPS which records our position, so I was able to go back on the exact path. We started a pattern
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NO TIME TO MUCK ABOUT Time is of the essence to make it safely up the ladder, especially in rough seas.
search up wind in the direction the ship was going. One of our crew members heard this fellow screaming, so we honed in on the voice. If we had approached from upwind we probably wouldn’t have heard him. I doubt we would have found him because it was pitch black. ‘We got him out of the water and took him to shore. The ambulance met us on the wharf, checked him out and we took him back out to the ship. He was terrified and in shock, but just so grateful. The crew were so happy to get him back on board. They were all hugging him and he was crying.’
JOINING IN Mark explains that surfing on the job is almost compulsory. ‘You need an easterly swell particularly with a north east aspect to get a really nice break at Cartwrights. When you are out in deep water on the Pilot boat the waves are too fast, they overtake you. But as you start to come around the point it starts to get shallower. The wave actually slows down and builds up in height and steepness. ‘When it’s big all surf crafts in creation are out there. We blast the horn about two or three hundred metres out and everybody will turn around and once they see the pilot boat coming they part to make a path for us to come through. When I see a big set coming I pull the power off and wait for it to catch up. Then we gun it, slot in and slide across the face of the wave surfing it right into the entrance of the river mouth. Oh, it’s great, we all do it!’
IN THE SURF On his time off Mark tries to surf at least once or twice a day at Moffats or at his local beach breaks. ‘I often surf a fish with a quad set up but this one here is my favourite board’ he says pointing to a big wooden mal. ‘I bought the board in about 2001. It handles waves up to about two meters and it goes really well. It was designed by Lauran Yater in Santa Barbara. It’s epoxy with a wood veneer. It’s really strong and looks really good but I did manage to snap it!
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THE CREW: Left - Coxswain Mark Lennard and his 9ft friend, Yater; Top right - Captain Nic Fischer; Bottom right - Captain Steve Anthony ‘I was out surfing at Currimundi. The swell was building over a period of an hour or so and then a really big set came through. I was on the inside just paddling and paddling trying to get out the back. I got through the first two waves and then the third one of the set, being a bomb, just guillotined the board. ‘It had folded it, but when you folded it back it didn’t appear to be broken. I couldn’t bear to throw it away so it became a feature on the wall at home for about six years. One day a mate of mine popped around and said he’d be able to repair it. It took him about three months but when I got it back it was just brilliant. It’s as good as I’d remembered it was.’ Most of the Pilots and Launch crew are surfers, so seven years ago they decided to embark on a surf trip together. Now they go at least twice a year. ‘We were out at Crescent Head. The main break was really crowded, so we went around to the south of Crescent. There was a lovely little point break which we had all to ourselves’ recalls Mark. ‘Out with just your mates. It’s great fun. Everyone was dropping in on each other.’ Out of work time it seems that caution is all but forgotten and it’s on for young and old. ‘One of the pilots called out ‘Jehovah’ once on a trip and it stuck. It relates to our friends who occasionally drop in uninvited,’ says Mark. ‘We do it to each other. A couple of the pilots are notorious for it! There’s been contact made with the boards on a few occasions and some guys have had stitches but it’s all in good fun.’ 28
Mark claims that although they call him the ‘Silver fox’ at age 59, Steve is possibly the most agile Pilot he has seen. Steve is about to head to the Maldives on a separate surf trip because he just can’t seem to get enough ocean time. He was enquiring, somewhat cheekily, about where he could get his hands on a massive boulder so he could begin some hard core training at the pool. ‘None of us are really gun surfers, let’s put it that way,’ says Steve. ‘But we have a fantastic relationship. We have an absolute ball on the trips, its older blokes behaving badly. ‘I live in Brisbane so I usually surf Rainbow, Snapper or Currumbin. When we have a surfing safari we go away for a week but now the guys can’t wait twelve months so we have an interim trip, usually to Byron.’ Nic moved his family up to the Sunshine Coast from Adelaide after he and his wife drew up a spreadsheet incorporating all that was important to them in work and play. Now he surfs with his daughters most days at Yaroomba, their local break. ‘My youngest daughter is right into surfing and triathlons and my eldest daughter just loves surfing too. She is nineteen and she won’t get up before 10am unless it’s for university lectures or surfing. I just love that. It’s really beautiful when you can enjoy surfing with your kids.’ says Nic. ‘You meet a lot of nice people, a lot of really interesting people in the water, I like that.’
may/jun 2011
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Photo: Joel Coleman/Saltmotion
Photo: Joel Heidke-Skinner
LATEST: LOCALS
Photo: Jarrod Sla
tter
Photo: Simon Kettle
Sheppard
Photo: Lee Considine
Photo: Simon
THIS IS ALL YOU For the last month or so we have marveled at the feats of surfing’s elite with the recent running of the Quicky Pro on the Gold Coast, the Festival of Surfing in Noosa and the 50th Annual Rip Curl Pro at Torquay. With that said, we thought now is the perfect time to get back to giving the grassroots surfers a spot in the limelight... Back to what smorgasboarder is all about.
What takes centre stage in this edition is the men, women and children who will do just about anything to get their saltwater fix. They don’t surf for trophies or for glory. Sometimes they surf with their mates but often they’ll surf alone, simply because of how carving the face of a wave makes them feel. These are some of their stories.
may/jun 2011
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NAM E: Suzie Sanguinetti NIC KNA ME: The Ox WH ERE: Noosa, Queensland, Australia
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PHOTOS & INTERVIEW CONTRIBUTED BY:
SIMON R KETTLE SIMONKETTLE@LIVE.COM.AU
AT WHAT AGE WERE YOU SAVED BY SURFING AND WHO SHOWED YOU THE LIGHT? I started surfing around the age of 22, that’s 13 years ago. My best friend got into surfing at around the same time. He took me out, and once I got my first wave I was addicted! HOW HAS SURFING CHANGED YOU AND THE SENTIENT LIFE FORMS CLOSE TO YOU? Surfing has been an outlet, a source of great enjoyment and passage of meditation for me. It is more than a sport or art, it’s a lifestyle. People in my life understand how important surfing is to me and are genuinely interested and happy that it brings such joy. Many express enthusiasm to share that joy and often come along for the ride.
The Smiths - No matter where you go or what you are doing, Morrissey’s lyrics are always relevant, witty and thoughtful. I love 80’s music too... the daggier the better.
I choose the ‘Coffin Ride’ because that’s the only one I know, and it’s pretty easy to do.
I have had many wonderful surf trips, all with my best friend. Surfing Noosa on an evening where the sun was setting, the sky was pink and orange and the waves were perfectly clean 3+ foot is my most treasured surf memory.
ANY CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH A ‘NOAH’S ARK’? I think I’ve seen a couple, but they could have been dolphins….well at least that was what I was counting on! I only paddled in once at Point Leo in Victoria because the ‘dolphin’ seemed a bit large WORST SURFING INJURY YOU’VE ENDURED OR SEEN WITH YOU OWN EYES? I got a compound fracture of my finger surfing Noosa a couple of years ago. Even though the bone was virtually sticking out of my finger, I thought to myself ‘maybe I could get just a few more waves?’ because the surf was perfect that day. When my finger suddenly became the size of a large zucchini I paddled in.
I would dearly love to surf Hawaii with my best friend. We have surfed many places in Australia together and have often discussed how amazing it would be to surf the breaks made famous by those who come before us.
Surfing has taught me to slow down, take things as they come and to live a balanced life. People get caught up in their worlds e.g. work, family, events, etc., and often forget to just take time out to simply have fun.
SURFBOARD... WHAT DOES THIS CONCEPT MEAN TO YOU?
IF A GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAS SET UP A COVERT OPERATION TO SPY ON AND REPORT SURFERS WHO TAKE ‘SICKIES’ VIA OUR COUNTRIES MANY ‘SURF CAMS’, WHAT SHOULD WE SURFERS DO ABOUT IT?
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR MOST SACRED SURF TRIP?
WHEN WILL, IF EVER, ‘FREE SURFING’ PREVAIL AND WHAT WILL BRING ABOUT A SHIFT IN CONSCIOUSNESS IN ALL SURFERS? Realistically, I believe there will always be surf competitions because humans are competitive by nature. I know that I will never take part in one though, it would take the fun out of it for me. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ‘NIGHT SURFING’? Yes, those evening surfs at Noosa I was speaking of before would often lead into night surfing. I’ve caught waves by the light of the moon and gone out in complete darkness. It was beautiful. YOU’RE DRIVING HOME FROM A MEMORABLE SURF AND FEELING AT PEACE WITH THE WORLD WHEN YOU SUDDENLY HEAR AND FEEL THE SOUND OF YOUR STOMACH RUMBLE. WHAT FOOD IS GOING TO SATISFY THAT NEED? Potato cakes.. I always feel like those warm, salty, greasy pieces of bliss after a good (or bad) surf.
Black out all the cameras with spray paint! Big brother can suck it!
TAKING A WIZ IN YOUR WETSUIT IS A GUILTY PLEASURE? DISCUSS.
HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED PREJUDICE BEING A GIRL SURFER?
I have to admit, I have done this on occasion. On those cold winter days, particularly in Victoria, that warm rush goes a long way.
Not really, most people think that it’s pretty cool to be a girl surfer. In fact, since I started surfing 13 years ago, the number of girls out there has increased dramatically.
Single Fin Yellow is a brilliant concept and fantastic DVD.
SURFING IS AN ART OR A SPORT? As a longboarder I believe surfing is an art. It is graceful, creative and beautiful.
IF YOU COULD SURF ANYWHERE ON PLANET EARTH WITH ANOTHER SURFER DEAD OR ALIVE WHO, WHERE AND WHY WOULD IT BE SO?
IT’S FLAT FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW. WHAT SURFING VIDEO ALWAYS SAVES YOU FROM HAVING A KOOKED-UP, LANDLOCKED WIPEOUT?
I love my Takayama Model T. I have four boards but I ride that one 99% of the time. It rides like a dream.
THE ‘COFFIN RIDE, HEAD DIP AND QUASIMOTO’ ARE TRADITIONAL MOVES THAT HAVE NOT RE-EMERGED WITH MODERN LONGBOARDING. WHICH ONE WILL YOU HELP ME POPULARISE BY 2015 AND WHY?
WHAT WISDOM HAS SURFING TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU CAN PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS OF HOMOSAPIENS READING THIS VIA A HOLOGRAPHIC CEREBRAL IMPLANT HUNDREDS OF YEARS INTO THE FUTURE?
‘Surfboard’ is a craft or vessel for those who wish to experience a ride, not like any theme park ride, but a ride that brings a rush of adrenaline, puts a huge smile on your face and makes every stress in your life dissolve.
WHAT’S THE STICK IN YOUR QUIVER YOU WILL NEVER PART WITH AND YOU KEEP COMING BACK TO LIKE AN OLD FRIEND?
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT WHEN SURFING? I’ve almost lost my bathers a couple of times... I’m sure that I would’ve scared the small children swimming nearby.
may/jun 2011
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LATEST: LOCALS
MEET THE OX
YOU’RE DRIVING DOWN THE COAST IN YOUR PANEL VAN, UTE, KOMBI OR STATION WAGON. WHAT MUSIC IS PUMPING AND SPREADING THE VIBE?
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3/05/11 4:45 PM
LATEST: LOCALS
RAY OF SUNSHINE SUNNY OLIVER-BENNETTS. INTERVIEW: MARK
WHO STARTED YOU OFF SURFING AND WHEN? I grew up in the bush hippy town of St. Andrews which is out near Kinglake where the fires were in February, 2009. As a family we were always heading down to the beach, whether to Sandy Point, Wilson’s Prom or Torquay. My dad started me off surfing when I was 8 at Wilson’s Prom. I remember pretty clearly the first time I stood up riding the whitewash. I was pretty pleased with myself. I still surf with dad and he taught me most of what he knows, he loves a good longboard wave!
NAM E: Sunshine June Oliver-Bennetts KNOW N AS: Sunny BORN: Melbourne, Australia LOCA L BEAC H: Torquay/Anglesea FAVOURIT E BREA K: Gerupuk, Lombok
Single fin shaped in Torquay, QUIV ER: twinny from Cali and bright green thruster
Left: Sunny spreading the love of surfing with Desert2Surf Below: Early days with Sunny surfing at ten years old.
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YOUR FAVOURITE SURF SPOT? My favourite surf spot would have to be Gerupuk in Lombok just out from Kuta Lombok. My partner and I spent a week surfing there earlier this year and loved every second of it. The wave at Insides was fun, cruisy and, with the views of the Rinjani volcano, it’s a pretty powerful place! SCARIEST SURFING MOMENT? It was at Bells Beach a few years ago. I had been at a party the night before, worked all day in Swell Café and headed out at dusk with a mate. The swell was pretty big and I’d never seen so many dudes out at Bells before. I was frothing for a wave and it was a stinking hot summer’s day so my mate Trav and I paddled out at South Side. We got greedy after not too long and paddled over to Centre Side. I was chatting to a fella I knew out there and didn’t pay attention to the fact that I was sitting in the centre of the crew, the heart of the action. After hearing lots of the dudes swearing at the next set coming in I found myself paddling like a mad woman with the guys to get the hell over these waves. Hearing Bells blokes swearing at a set is pretty unsettling. With my arms doing little for me, I was taken under by the biggest wave I’ve ever encountered. After a long time of climbing the ladder I came up throwing up water and the next three waves hit me in quick succession. At one point I had to do some serious self talk not to panic, otherwise it could have all been over. I can now see how it happens. I ended up having to walk along the bottom of the cliff face on broken rocks with waves crashing into me and my
CHAPMAN PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
board, until I reached the Bells carpark. By the time I’d walked up through the bush to the South Side carpark with bleeding legs and hands, Trav was just calling the cops. He’d seen me go under and that was it. BEST SURFING MOMENT? At Tallows Beach in Byron Bay, surfing with some friends at dusk on a speedy black quad and watching dolphins play in the waves around us. Equally as good was surfing at Winki with only my friend and I out - again with dolphins. TELL US ABOUT DESERT2SURF AND HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED. Desert2Surf is a not-for-profit organisation that I established with my folks and a few friends to create opportunities for indigenous kids from remote communities to be able to surf. These communities have very few resources for the kids to do stuff locally, let alone opportunities to travel interstate and go surfing. Surfing is such a beautiful sport that teaches people so much about themselves and helps to build selfconfidence. It’s the perfect pursuit for kids from disadvantaged communities and I love being able to share that! ANY FAVOURITE MOMENTS FROM THE DESERT2SURF TRIPS? Watching twelve year old Rebecca Dennis (the first person from the remote community of Minyerri, NT to see breaking waves) to stand up on her first wave... Seeing her huge grin, I thought, “Yeah this is it, this is Desert2Surf.” THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE AT THE MOMENT? The most important thing in my life... Wow, where do I start? Family, friends, health, surfing, Desert2Surf, my new job with Engineers Without Borders... okay the most important thing – balance.
SURFING IDOL? Lane Beachley for sure. All power to her. She has championed women in surfing all around the world and is continuing to invest her time and energy into the community in a really down to earth and incredible way. Desert2Surf would love her as an ambassador!
may/jun 2011
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TAINABLY...
! BONO M A B F R LY D U S ONG, LIGHT & ECO-FRIE SURF SUS
STR
UP THE CREEK... BUT WITH A PADDLE
we send it everywhere
HT FRECEIAIG LISTS!
WHAT TO DO WITH A 30 KNOT ONSHORE? IT’S SIMPLE: GET OUT OF THE WIND. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE - I’LL BET THERE’S SOME WATER NEAR YOU. I’VE BEEN OUT DURING A 30 KNOT ONSHORE TO FIND GLASSY CONDITIONS IN THE CREEK OUT THE BACK OF MY HOUSE. WORDS: KARL DE WET PHOTO: SIMON LYALL
A few tips though... 1. If you want to remain friends with the local farmer don’t scare the cows. Seriously, for a farmer, he would rather you harass his children than his cattle. 2. Don’t drive on a farmers land without announcing yourself/asking permission, it’s rude. Find some public access. 3. Taking a phone in a waterproof pouch is not a bad idea. 4. Brown snakes love bare feet. 5. Stay out of flooded waters. SUPs are not made for fast flowing creeks. Trust me, when you hit a strainer (where water stains through fallen trees) the water easily catches your rail and flips the board upside-down. Before you know it you are waist-deep in fast-flowing water amongst loose trees and 12’ of SUP wedged up against you - possibly in an uncomfortable part of your anatomy if you’re really unlucky. Be careful. 6. If you’re not returning to the same spot then give yourself heaps of extra time. I’ve been dropped off in the bush to make my way home before. Knowing the creek, I guessed it would take three or four hours to get back home. Seven hours later, I finally got to my front door... The water level changes and it’s different every time.
SP
wake for kite •su • sup • rf
7. Night paddling is also fun. It helps to know the area you are paddling in though and you only pack a headlight as backup. It’s better to let your eyes adjust to the stars and moonlight - you’ll be surprised how well you can see. 8. Carrying supplies... Apart from all the cool waterproof bags available, 10l and 20l plastic paint containers are the go. I’ve carried ice, beers, firewood fishing tackle - no problem. Just put the container on the nose and if it falls off, it should float and stay dry. Just pick it up out of the water and you’re on your way. I’ve been a surfer for years, and I’m always up to try something new. New boards, new ideas... Having an option to get out and have some fun regardless of wind conditions got me into exploring the creeks and riverways around my area on my SUP. Why sit on the couch when you can be up and about? I have fun, I stay fit, I see so much wildlife. In a five minute paddle, I can feel like I’m a million miles away from civilisation, all on my own, not hassling in the crowds for a wave, or fighting onshores.
ards boo surfbo McKee bam OW! N IN STOCK by Fanatic awesome! t, surfs Looks greaoards, fun eggs... All b rt o h s ble! , ls Ma sizes availa shapes and
T EXCELLEN CALL FOR LS A E D ASON END-OF-SE
It beats the couch on a windy day, or any day.
NAME: Karl De Wet
BORN: Durban, South Africa LOCAL BEACH: Warana
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-WIDE
AUSTRALIA
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BRISSO BOY
NAME: Ray Bisschop NICKNAMES, IF ANY: Razor HOME BREA K: North Pine Dam
still surfing... Not near the water, but RAY BISSCHOP
FAVOU RITE SURF SPOT: Yamba Area QUIVE R: 6’2” Primitive Punt, 6’0” Primitive Blunt.
“Living in Brisbane and having a passion for surfing can be frustrating at times. Super early mornings, long drives to the coast (when you get the chance). Having said that, the advantage of being in the middle of the two coasts is the flexibilty, depending on the conditions depends on which way you head your chariot. The option of surfing a wide variety of breaks is certainly a plus and can keep you frothing.” Brisvegas designer and photographer Ray Bisschop - owner/ operator of Mondo Images - knows this all too well, having been a Brisbane-based surfer for all his life. His love of surfing landed him his first job working for Shazam Advertising on the Goodtime Surf and Sail account for three years. Ray‘s always been proud of being involved with Brisbane surf shops and 25 years later he is now doing the design, photography and video work for Primitive Surf. “I’ve only ever really surfed Brissy sticks including my very first board - an old 60’s Cowely which was handed down to me by my uncle. My current board is a Primitive Punt and it goes unreal”. Ray says it feels like he has come full circle back to working on what he loves most - surfing, design and surf photography. “What I love about working with Primitive is that they are a proud Brisbane surf shop and also know the difficulty of hitting the water. The other thing I really appreciate is their Brisso-Only surf comp called the ‘Postcode Challenge’, which I think evens out the field. It is an anomaly having a surf comp for an area that has no surf, which in itself makes it cool. The crew put alot of effort into making it a great event.
Ray & D
arryl, Bri
ds
For more of Ray’s work, check out www.mondoimages.com.au and for event details on the Postcode Challenge, go to www.primitivesurf.com.
Double Island Point Photo: Ray Bisschop
Kings Beach Photo: Ray Bisschop
Moffat Headland Photo: Ray Bisschop
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svegas La
“They had Occy there last year and Craig reckons this year will be better again. This year is my first ever comp and I think it will be a blast. I’ve played plenty of social sport and making the finals is what you aim for (here’s hoping) and sometimes competition itself can be alot of fun. The comp is on mid-May and I’m really looking forward to it.”
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LATEST: LOCALS
We first got to know Polek Rybczynski thanks to the great photos he submitted for our March edition, sparking our interest at the weird handplane-type board he was using. Turns out, not only can the man take cool pics and ride interesting craft, but he can also write! He was kind enough to submit this piece inspired by an icy trip to Vancouver Island, Canada.
EMPTY FOCUS A personal travel moment. WORDS & PHOTOS: POLEK RYBCZYNSKI
I’m stroking hard. The peak has shifted twenty meters to the left so I have to move a little quicker to get on. A long left is shaping up; it is around the three foot mark and lining into a gully, which is separating the two dominant banks of this beach. This nine foot McTavish is taking a little more effort to swing around than any board in my quiver, which has been laying dormant for four months thousands of miles away, but it glides me right into position. Three more strokes and I’m on. Up. Lean. Turn. Shift. Crouch. Enjoy. Back at the house which lays amongst mature native fir, comes a little realisation and humility. I step outside barefoot to take the recycling to the bins and within four steps both of my feet are numb. I look left onto the lawn where Nine Foot rests and there is frost on her wax... its 2pm. Now these two things kindly remind me of where I am, and how fortunate I am in being able to taste these fine west coast Canadian waves. I’m fortunate, I mean by having access to a 5/4/3mm fully sealed and blind stitched steamer, hoodie attached, with the accompaniment of 4mm gloves and booties. Without this modern-day technology of wetsuit rubber and design, it would make for a daunting and short-lived task to surf these frigid 6 degree Celsius waters, let alone the 5 hour sessions I am enjoying. The task would hold about the same ambition as trying to bodysurf Tahiti’s notorious Teahupo’o at 10 feet. Now you can try it and perhaps do it but chances of survival are as close to 0% as one can get. I focus back on the recycling in hand and quickstep it to the bins, which have me stumped for a minute with their bear proof handles. The feet are screeming at me to get back to the warmth of the humble abode. Mental note: just because it is a surf trip does not mean I can walk bare foot everywhere. 8am: I’m trying to get my mind away from seeing the beach’s amenities toilet water frozen to the bowl, and think on where to paddle out. As duckdiving Nine Foot is somewhat difficult, and not being in a particular mood of rolling her over to get through the incoming waves too many times, I focus on the ocean. A gentle meditative conversation takes place soon after. Mind: “This bank of yours to the right, how consistent is it?” Ocean: “Five wave sets about every four to five minutes I believe.” “Is that a rip next to it?” asks Mind. “No, just a shifting channel.” Ocean offers. Hmmm... Mind, “What about just there, next to your left, will it break any wider?” Ocean: “No, not until the tide drops a bit more anyways.” Hmmm... Heart: “Thank you.” I wait for the next set to break, I walk, jump and put in some long strokes. Looks like the gentle conversation was well understood, only one roll. Just enough
NAME: Polek Rybczynski KNOW N AS: Lipton, Wind-pipe, Mojo BORN: Wroclaw, Poland. 1982 LOCAL BEACH: Bulli, NSW LOCAL MOUNTAIN: Whistler, BC
rescent Head backbeaches or Peggies FAVOU RITE BREA K: C Bombie (W’gong) hybrids, 6’1’’ QUIVE R: These are self made - 2 x 5’11’’ fish 3’6’’ wood alaia, e concav 6’6’’ hybrid, s biscuit w/flyer 22’’ paipo. These i purchased - 42’’ Morey Bullet, Mark Richardson Fish Kickboard, 5’6’’ Mike Manns circa 1870 Paipo/Alaia.
to wash the sleep from the eyes and wake me up just that much more to the appreciation of this humble but assertive coastline. I sit on Nine Foot and for some reason am drawn to paying my full attention to her character. The buoyancy, shape, rails, width, her keels. This makes me listen attentively over the following ridden waves. Then, a transition of awareness: Nine Foot’s rails are cutting into the waves glassy face. I feel the fins doing their work holding edge whilst whistling along. Water rushing by. Then nothing. Just a serene moment of.... well… that something. I’m not sure of how to exactly phrase it but I am sure that the majority of surfers know of its taste. It’s in-between the split second after you flick off a wave and the split second before your first thought after flicking off a wave: an emptiness. Not an emptiness that drains but rather fills. Mystically it fills. Wave after wave it fills. No matter the size or shape of wave, it fills. I paddle back to the left peak, marveling at how easily my shoulders move in this suit. I sit there waiting and watching the horizon. A few thoughts come, but as I observe, they soon go. Focus drifts to that emptiness again. I turn and paddle.
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ONE CRUISY CAT
TRIBUTED BY: PHOTOS & INTERVIEW CON
SIMON R KETTLE
SIMONKETTLE@LIVE.COM.AU
NA ME: Paul Corbett AKA: ‘Pauly’ nd, Victoria. WH ER E: Cat Bay, Phillip Isla AT WHAT AGE WERE YOU SAVED BY SURFING? I would have been 49. I was living in Melbourne and some friends of mine had a caravan down here at Phillip Island and said they were going surfing. I’m originally from Western Australia and surfed between the age of fifteen and twenty four but hadn’t surfed for a number of years. I said ‘can you surf down at Phillip Island?’ I didn’t know anything about the place but I came down and fell in love with it. I hired a board and a wetsuit and that was the start of me getting back into surfing again. HOW HAS SURFING CHANGED YOU AND THE SENTIENT LIFE FORMS CLOSE TO YOU? Well, it’s helped keep me focused on being healthy, fit and enjoying myself. Surfing is a great sport for all those things and it’s something that once you get involved with it and you get that buzz out of a ride, well, there’s nothing else like it. Now, my wife and the girls are involved so it’s just fantastic!
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IF YOU COULD SURF ANYWHERE ON PLANET EARTH WITH ANOTHER SURFER DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO, WHERE AND WHY? Well, it would have be at the birth place of surfing, Hawaii and surfing with either Donald Takayama or Joel Tudor at a mellow wave like Waikiki or Diamond Head and just be there where its all happened. SURFBOARD... WHAT DOES THIS CONCEPT MEAN TO YOU? It’s the ultimate machine. There are so many variations and so many styles of surfboards. There’s one type of board for every person on the planet, longboarding, shortboarding, well, you name it! My preferred style is longboarding. TAKING A WIZ IN YOUR WETSUIT IS A GUILTY PLEASURE? DISCUSS. It is? (Laughs) Let’s face it, in the cold weather down here in Victoria if you say you haven’t done it, then you’re lying.
IT’S FLAT FOR THE THIRD WEEK IN A ROW. WHAT SURFING VIDEO ALWAYS SAVES YOU FROM HAVING A KOOKED-UP, LANDLOCKED WIPEOUT? Something like ‘Ten Years After’ or ‘One California Day’ are fantastic to watch over and over. They’re both just great! YOU’RE DRIVING DOWN THE COAST IN YOUR PANEL VAN, UTE, KOMBI OR STATION WAGON. WHAT MUSIC IS PUMPING AND SPREADING THE VIBE? Oh, it’s got to be a CD by Bert Wills called Pavones Sunset. If you haven’t heard it, get it! It’s some of the best surf music you’d want to here. I read about it on the net and it sounded good so I just bought it. It’s great! THE ‘COFFIN RIDE’,’HEAD DIP’ AND ‘QUASIMOTO’ ARE TRADITIONAL MOVES THAT HAVE NOT RE-EMERGED. WHICH ONE WILL YOU HELP ME POPULARISE BY 2015 AND WHY? Well it’s got to be the ‘head dip’ because it’s cooler! The Quasimoto doesn’t look too good, does it?
ANY CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH A ‘NOAH’S ARK’?
DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE ‘XMAS SWELL’ PHENOMENON?
There’s been a couple I can recall. Both were here at Cat Bay. The first one was at First Point and I was out with about eight guys and one yells out ‘shark’. I thought ‘sure, sure’ but I turned and could see the dorsal fin out of the water. It would’ve been about 8-10 foot and maybe a tiger shark, so a fair size. So, we all got back in to shore as quick as we could which luckily wasn’t far away. The other time was about two years ago at the main break here, at ‘Shelley’s’ and this shark, a ‘seven gill’ was having a go at a guys board. The guy just tried to keep kicking it away with his foot!
Absolutely! It always seems to come through at Phillip Island around that time of the year. For some unknown reason the swell always seems to come through when you get the south westerly swell and south easterly wind. The weather always changes around Christmas time, and it picks up.
WORST SURFING INJURY YOU’VE ENDURED OR SEEN WITH YOU OWN EYES?
It’s great way to instil friendship and mateship. There are so many good people that surf. You learn a lot from those people about life, living and what it’s all about. You also get to enjoy the waves and nature.
Probably, it’s my wife. When I was teaching her to surf in Perth and I said ‘Honey, don’t go for that wave or you’ll be in a lot of trouble’. She did, and the next thing you know she came up with blood everywhere and a broken nose. That was a pretty bad one!
WHAT WISDOM HAS SURFING TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU CAN PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS OF HOMOSAPIENS READING THIS VIA A HOLOGRAPHIC CEREBRAL IMPLANT HUNDREDS OF YEARS INTO THE FUTURE?
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NA ME: Vincent Passamier WH ER E: St Kilda, Victoria
OUI LOVE SUP-ING!
OUT THE EVER SAT AT YOUR DESK DAYDREAMING WISHING SKY BLUE TIFUL BEAU THE AT OW WIND EVEN YOU COULD BE OUTSIDE ON A BOARD? BEACH? ONE BETTER - HAVE A JOB WORKING AT THE AND DID ING REAM DAYD PAST GOT FRENCHMAN IC EXACTLY THAT. WORDS: CARINA SLAV
Wet or dry... if you’re having fun, you’re doing alright.
Three years ago, 24 year old Advertising Sales Executive Vincent Passemier packed his bags and went travelling the world. In Dublin he met a girl and followed her to Melbourne. Today Vincent is a Stand Up Paddleboard instructor working summers in St Kilda and winters up north. I wasn’t into sports back home and never tried any type of board sports until I came to Australia. I love the relaxed, healthy lifestyle here. People are active and happy. I wanted to be like that too. Living here inspired me to have a go. After taking up kiteboarding, Vincent was addicted and ended up doing a stint as a kite surfing instructor. Thanks to some crossovers between kite and SUP schools, he soon discovered the Stand Up Paddleboard. “I gave it a go for the first time in December 2009 in 40° heat, 25 knot wind and no instruction. I fell in 10 times in row and pretty much gave up!” But a month later, after an actual lesson, he was up and riding, soon finding himself so involved that he was managing the SUP
school. To complement his paddle training, Vincent slowly started getting into Street SUP as well. “Skating, especially longboarding is huge back home in France. But it wasn’t for me. My friends tried to encourage me but I didn’t think I had the body balance. The St Kilda Stand Up Paddle Bus hire Street SUPs – so when no-one was watching I had a try.“ “I had been looking for a fun way to exercise in between giving SUP lessons and still stay near the beach. Street SUP has been ideal. It’s accessible to do it every day, and is more interesting than being in the gym. It’s been great training for my SUP. I ride up to 15 km a day and it doesn’t even feel like I’m exercising. “Street SUP has been the best activity for my overall fitness. And it’s cool that anyone who tries it can do it. I’m glad I gave it a go. When I visit home later this year, I’ll be taking my longboard and Kahuna Big Stick with me and joining the French skating scene.
Vinny gets paddling in the street too.
sixounceboardstore.com.au may/jun 2011
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“ Tom Myers, Freshwater NSW. This photograph is taken by hanging off a cliff with a massive drop onto rocks. The locals know about this semi-secret vantage spot. It makes for a pretty amazing view. Tommy is the new king of Freshy an amazing surfer and a really humble kid.� 40
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LATEST: IMAGES
A CRUMPET’S VIEW REFRESHING. IT’S A WORD THAT’S BANDIED ABOUT A BIT. BUT IN THE CASE OF MARK TAYLOR – ALSO KNOWN AS SURF PHOTOGRAPHER, CRUMPET – IT MOST PERFECTLY DESCRIBES NOT ONLY HIS VIBRANT AND VARIED WORK, BUT ALSO HIS OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND THE SURF COMMUNITY. WORDS MARK CHAPMAN, PHOTOS MARK TAYLOR - CRUMPET PRODUCTIONS No industry politics. No in-crowd ego. No hype and most certainly no bullshit. Just the most amazing imagery telling incredible stories, capturing magical moments and making you want to surf all day long. You’ll have seen the name Crumpet across awe-inspiring photos in many a surf mag, from this little community publication to the likes of Surfing World, Waves, Tracks and international biggies like Transworld Surf. At 36 years of age, Crumpet has most certainly left an impression on the eyeballs of surfers around the world, but personally, we think it’s his humble and happy approach to it all that will leave the most lasting impression of all.
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LATEST: IMAGES “ Gavin Beschen, Rocky Point, Hawaii. Funny story about this photo. This was my second attempt at shooting water photos this day. Half an hour earlier I jumped in after doing all my usual checks to see if all the seals on the water housing were okay, but a couple of minutes in I noticed a small amount of water had got in! “ I swam in holding the housing above my head, which must of looked great from the shore. I dried it out and thought I would try it again to see if it leaked, but in my rush to get out, I didn’t check which lens I had put on. I thought I had my 85mm, but when Gavin flew centimetres from my head, I realised I actually had my 20mm lens on. “ Some of my best water photos have come from my disastrous days in the water.”
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It all started for Mark as a young lad when his family moved to Australia. Dad taking him and his brother bodysurfing on the weekends got him hooked on the ocean. In England, Mark was used to the ocean being flat. With the tides, sometimes he would have to walk half a kilometre to touch the water. But here there were waves to swim around in! Inevitably, in his early teens the surfing bug bit, and hard. With a good group of surfing mates, Mark’s mum had no chance of getting him out of the water, convinced he would develop skin cancer by 16. Fortunately, he didn’t. At age 15, however, what did develop was his interest in photography while doing work experience at a photographic company. Being around photographers telling their stories got him intrigued and planted the seed for his future career. With surfing and photography as pastimes and passions, it was just a matter of time before the two met, thanks to a push from a young company finding its feet - Volcom. “I was studying photography and was shooting a bit of skateboarding for my portfolio,” Mark tells us. “Volcom was in it’s extremely early days and was keen to see if I had any photographs of their skaters and a relationship started from there. “They asked if I took surf photos. I had stupidly been avoiding shooting surfing, even though I loved surf photos and bought all the magazines. So I went out and bought a secondhand manual focus 600mm lens and started shooting the Volcom surf team and it grew from there.” From these early days with a secondhand lens, Mark has grown his passion into a life of travel and incredible experiences, shooting everything from local sessions with mates on the Northern Beaches to high-profile international events abroad.
“IT HAS TAKEN ME TO SO MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD, AND I WOULDN’T REPLACE THOSE MEMORIES FOR MONEY.” Mark says a standout memory of his experiences doing surf photography has to be in 2009 at The Eddie – the annual big wave invitational event in Hawaii. “It was the closest thing to an arena-like sporting event. After so many close calls everyone knew it was going to go off. So on the morning of the contest the roads were packed at 5.30am… It was like the anticipation before kick off in the opening State of Origin game. “I climbed up a cliff at 6.00am to get my vantage point. From the top of the cliff you could see nothing, but hear everything. At 7.00am the contest director announced “It’s on!” The whole Waimea valley erupted in screams of joy. It sent a chill down my spine. The whole day was amazing and I’ll never forget the emotion of it all.” But Mark doesn’t always shoot from cliff tops. A major part of this job is to get in the thick of it all and swim for your supper. “I find water shooting so exciting. It can make up for sometimes missing the best surfing conditions for myself to surf in. “The most stressful part of it is trying not to flood my water-housing, because I have flooded a camera and had so many close calls.
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LATEST: IMAGES
“ THE WHOLE WAIMEA VALLEY ERUPTED IN SCREAMS OF JOY. IT SENT A CHILL DOWN MY SPINE.” MARK ON THE EDDIE
“When it comes to water photos I try to do a bit of water training especially in the lead up to Hawaii. That can involve swimming laps of Queenscliff Beach or bodysurfing. “I have had a few close calls especially once in WA where I was seeing stars, but I have been lucky compared to others I know. Despite the physical dangers, Mark says the biggest challenge for an aspiring surf photographer is making a financial success of the career. “But my advice to aspiring photographers is just do it!” he says. “It has taken me to so many places in the world, and I would not replace those memories for money.” With a trunkload of great memories and a portfolio that most surf photographers would kill for, what does the future hold – what will an 80-year-old Mark Crumpet Taylor be up to one day in the distant future? “I am moving a bit more into abstract photography and producing gallery prints. And maybe owning my own gallery space. “You will never get me out of the water. Even if I can’t ride a board later in life I want to be like the 70-80 old guys who bodysurf Queeny corner every morning.” And we can’t wait to see what Mark’s camera captures for all those years to come. Watch out for much more of Mark’s work in future editions of smorgasboarder. He’s also in the process of setting up a website to show you even more, but in the meantime you can contact him for prints at crumpetproductions@yahoo.com. 44
“ Kelly Slater, Waimea Bay, Hawaii. This is the Eddie contest, taken from a cliff above Waimea Valley. King Kelly on a bomb, I think he got a perfect score of a 100 on this one. “ The greatest surfer EVER. Master of any size wave.”
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LATEST: IMAGES
“ Sam Page, Queenscliff, NSW. I was driving past on the way to drop off my girlfriend to the ferry when I noticed Sam ripping on these tiny waves. I raced back, thinking I could grab a few before work, but by the time I got back the ocean went flat. Then this set came along... “ Sam took off out the back, racing along looking for a section. This guy dropped in on him, creating an area for Sam to launch off. Sam completed his air and the guy in front had no idea what was going on above his head. “It was the only photo I took this day but it was worth it.”
NAME: Mark Taylor AGE: 36 BORN: Manchester, England LIVE: Freshwater, NSW LOVE: Being in the ocean whether on a board or swimming in it (such stress relief) and my partner Lauren
Supermark... Holding up boulders in the Northern Territory
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One website - heaps of ... shapers and surf shops shirts
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mu ro
0424 089 770
photog r apher
www.lucasmuro.com.au
Photo: Megan Slade
luc as
“ Tom Myers, Freshwater NSW. This photograph is taken by hanging off a cliff with a massive drop onto rocks. The locals know about this semi-secret vantage spot. It makes for a pretty amazing view. Tommy is the new king of Freshy an amazing surfer and a really humble kid.”
Celebrating
4 years 02 6685 7485 10 Acacia St, Byron Bay NSW
www.tcsurf.com.au
“ HE SAID IF YOU HAVE A MATE YOU DON’T DO THEM WRONG.” FLOYD SMITH ON BOBBY BROWN
THE EXHIBITION The Bobby Brown Exhibition will finish up in Bobby’s old stomping ground of Cronulla at Jackson Surfboards, Caringbah from September 10-18. There is also a paddle out being organised for Bobby a week later on September 24 at Sandon Point Surf Club in Wollongong, for friends, fans and lovers of surfing. For details, go to www.bobbybrownsurfinglegend.com or contact exhibition co-ordinator Andrew McKinnon on 0412 754 974. 48
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LATEST: LEGENDS Bobby Brown Photo: Barrie Sutherland
At the Bobby Brown exhibition in Noosa, held during the 2011 Noosa Festival of Surfing, I had the good fortune of bumping into Floyd Smith, co-founder of Gordon and Smith Surfboards. He had celebrated his seventy-first birthday surfing at Noosa and was about to head south with old friend Dave Wilson to surf Green Island - for him, the best left in the entire world. He kindly stopped for a chat about Bobby Brown and recalled a man who was not only a magnificent surfer, but a great mate. WORDS: MEGAN SLADE
A SIMPLE MATTER OF MATESHIP Floyd: ‘It’s always nice to get to Noosa under any circumstances but it was really nice to come here because they were having a tribute to Bobby Brown. He was one of Australia’s best surfers from the early sixties to when he died in 1967. In fact, the month before he died he was the best surfer in the world. ‘He had been a kid in the 64’ World Titles, just 17 years old. If you look at films or movies of that (event) he had the worst surfboard I had ever seen. It was all beat up and patched up. ‘It was an attraction for me when I came to Australia to see if Bobby Brown was actually that good. I did...and he was. So I offered him a job. I had a surfboard factory and he could ride the boards and we could teach him how to make them. ‘Bobby explained to me a bit about Australian mateship. He said if you have a mate you don’t do them wrong. The guy who’s surfboard he was riding was a mate of his so it wasn’t going to be possible for him to take the job. I was real surprised that he turned it down - it was a real lucrative offer, but we became friends anyway, stayed in contact and surfed together often.
‘ He was an apprentice carpenter and he was going to school, working forty hours a week and he just wasn’t getting the surfing time that he was going to need to put him over the top.
to tour the mainland. He was on fire, just absolutely on fire! Every week he was better and more startling. They were just starting to take photographs of him and film him for movies.
‘For a casual surfer there just wasn’t anyone like him. He was really agile and real aggressive. Often the guys that are really aggressive aren’t good people. They are little butts - that is what they are! Bobby wasn’t like that though. In person he was real quiet and common. You would never pick him out in a crowd.
‘(Then) he was in a pub across the street and there was a little bit of an argument, not that bad of an argument. The guy went to throw a glass of beer in his (Bobby’s) face and the glass hit his jawbone and slit his throat and he died. It was tragic.
‘So a year later he asked me for a job. The catch was that I had to hire his best friend as well who was also named Bob Brown. They both wanted to be shapers. This was a big deal, but I did it anyhow. It worked out great because we’d get him out in the water, we’d get him to travel, go to different spots and when we did we’d get tonnes of people wanting his boards. Luckily his best friend Bob Brown could shape them and it worked out real, real good... just great. ‘I had notified everybody back in the States how good this kid was and we were going to get him some exposure. We were going to send him to Hawaii and he was going
‘I was surprised that he never really got the recognition, and I realise now that we never really had many photographs of him or much film, but the guys that were there, they knew what was going on. If you talk to any of the top guys at the time like Midget Farrelly or Nat Young, they’ll tell you that yep, he was the best.’
Bobby Brown cutback photo courtesy of Barrie Sutherland, WaterMarks Photo Gallery. www.watermarksphotogallery.com.au may/jun 2011
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LATEST: DEBATE 50
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Eastern Australia’s recent ‘hundred year drought’ has seen construction for desalination plants becoming a part of the landscape on more than one beautiful surf beach. Desalination, hailed as the “silver bullet” solution to guarantee our cities drinking water, could be coming to a surf break near you. Bizarrely, the idea of surfing glassy faces while weaving through the pylons of a desalination plant construction platform seems strangely romantic. The reality, however, is more likely to be a miserable slop session weaving through dead fish in a toxic slurry of salty brine.
IT’S TIME TO PUT THE DESALINATION ISSUE ON THE SHAPER’S TABLE, ANALYSE THE LINES, AND ASK WHY OUR POLITICIANS’ STOMACHS ARE MORE INCLINED TOWARDS A GLASS OF TREATED SEA WATER THAN A SPARKLING GLASS OF FRESH RAINWATER. WORDS BY MICK LINTHORNE.
For Eastern Australia’s long-suffering farmers, the unpredictable cycles of wet seasons, dry seasons, droughts and floods offer a rollercoaster life of dramatic contrasts. Our climate cycles can produce bountiful harvests or spectacularly dusty crop failures; hard-earned wealth or heart-breaking farm debt; even life and death for our flora and fauna. But there are cycles. The rains will come … eventually. It can sometimes be a case of just hanging on, if you can. And the rains have come; in very large and sadly, tragic proportions. In recent months, most of eastern Australia’s ‘hundred year drought’ has been brutally extinguished by a relentless series of deluges. The dams of South East Queensland went from dangerously low levels of around 15 percent to the devastating floods and inland torrents that appalled and mesmerised a nation.
Drilling platform for the Wonthaggi desalination plant at Powlett River, Victoria Photo: Jeff Tull
It appears the ‘La Nina’ weather cycle has finally parked herself on our East Coast weather radars, while her crusty old brother, ‘El Nino’, has been banished to our distant memories. Few of us usually give a second thought to Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole or even La Nina, but these phenomena are not just for the weather geeks. These rare gems generate the cyclonic swells and stormy low pressure may/jun 2011
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YWYS was active in the fight against Wonthaggi
systems that can make even the most laconic soul-surfer froth like a warm beer in a soapy glass. Inland and coastal regions of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have been brutalised in recent months by torrential rains. The previously-barren Coopers Creek, Barcoo, Thompson and Diamantina Anti-Wonthaggi protestor. Photo: Takvur
Powlett River, before - untouched. Photo: Jules Elliott
Rivers are once again mighty causeways, draining our nation’s flooded interior and replenishing life on their journey to inundate the parched salt flats of Lake Eyre. Drought-breaking rains are unleashing a mesmerising flourish of life and ecological rejuvenation, rhythmically pulsing through our continent’s heart; just as they have for millennia. In the meantime, our state politicians are spending billions to ‘drought-proof’ our thirsty cities. Inexplicably, the natural ebb and flow of weather and climate are deemed insufficient to quench our urban lust for water. It seems that five minute showers, lush green lawns and endless car washes are considered too important to trust to the vagaries of weather and climate cycles.
Salty seawater can now be converted into pure drinking water by a process known as seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO). This is basically how SWRO works… •
Water is piped ashore to a processing plant from a giant platform constructed a few hundred metres off the beach.
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After pre-treatment, high pressures are used to filter the seawater through semipermeable membrane coils. This is done at pressures of 800 to 1180 psi (or 6-8 MPa), which requires phenomenal amounts of energy.
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The extracted salt and other contaminants are then pumped back out to sea to the offshore platform, where they are expelled into the ocean as a slurry of warm, salty brine.
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Clean drinking water is then pumped underground to the urban water grid.
Ridiculous energy consumption is one of the main causes for alarm about desalination. In 2008, the Water Services Association of Australia modeled several water supply scenarios and determined that sourcing water by desalination was by far the most energy-intensive. They predicted that if desalination became the primary source of supplying around 300 litres per person per day, energy usage would rise by 400% above today’s levels. But do we really need 300 litres of drinking water per person; drinking water that too often is used for hosing down our driveways? Shouldn’t every roof in Australia be collecting and storing our personal water needs in household tanks? In the chambers of our state parliaments, water policy is being
Illustration: Gus Brown
According to many of our elected officials, desalination is the ‘silver bullet’ solution to our water needs. Who needs dams when we can drink
from our oceans? After all, “our home is girt by sea”.
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decided right now. Believe it or not, public debate and popular opinion can be the driving forces in today’s democracy. After all, don’t politicians’ jobs depend on keeping us - the voters - happy? Currently however, despite the hard work and protest action of dedicated people in the community, political wins have been slim. Water policy is like a giant, headless scorpion. It has no idea where it is going, but still has a deadly sting in its tail. Too often best practice and policy are often usurped by politically safe expediency. And, inevitably, the safest political solution to water security seems to be to spend truckloads of money building something BIG. By building desalination plants, do our governments hope to insulate themselves from criticisms of poor planning and inaction the next time our dams start running low? Treated seawater will flow, butts will be covered and jobs will be safe. But is the safest solution for the pollies the right solution for us and our environment? Sadly, it appears that too few us are motivated enough to tackle such questions. Ironically, the need for a constructive debate about water is drowning in a pool of apathy.
Powlett River, during the drilling. Photo: Jeff Tull
Meanwhile, monstrous desalination plants are popping up along our pristine coastline. A $4 billion desalination facility is under construction in Wonthaggi, on Victoria’s Bass Coast. Sydney’s $1.89 billion plant at Kurnell on Botany Bay became operational in January 2010, overcoming sustained and passionate protesting. Adelaide’s plant at Port Stanvac is under way, also despite community protest. The Gold Coast’s Tugun plant is in the midst of an operational debacle that would surely prompt a re-think from the Queensland Government. On the contrary, the Queensland Water Commission had received the go-ahead for a network of desalination plants on Queensland’s Gold and Sunshine Coast beaches including another plant located in the surfing community of Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast. When everyone’s grass is lush and green, and people are blissfully hosing the lawn clippings off their driveways, precious few of us seem may/jun 2011
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Bali... f o t s e b e h T s d l r o w h t o b
Dt Buikngeisn a
to care less about water supply. It seems the worst thing that happened to the debate about our great water crisis, was a deluge of water. Complacency is winning the day.
“We pump out more than enough water to cover our population, yet people don’t want to know about it, even though it’s cleaner than our tap water by the time it’s been de-contaminated.
Despite the rains and overflowing dams, the concept of desalination is fast-becoming a nightmarish reality. Wonthaggi. Kurnell. Tugun. Port Stanvac. Each is now blighted by one of these environmental monstrosities.
“Everyone’s always good at screaming about what they don’t want and they don’t like, but I didn’t hear much screaming about what we should be doing”.
Your Water Your Say (YWYS), a Victorian organisation vehemently opposed to the Wonthaggi desalination plant, fought and lost a bitter legal battle with the Victorian government. With court costs awarded against this community group, YWYS were forced to disband; blown out of the water by the government big guns. In a written statement, YWYS claimed that actions by the Victorian government “can only be interpreted as an attempt to further avoid community scrutiny of this project”. Victoria’s Wonthaggi desalination plant is scheduled to come online in late 2011. It will be the second largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the world, second only to Saudi Arabia’s Jabail plant. In a press release issued by the Bass Coast Boardriders Club, club president John Gemmill quotes Flinders University oceanography expert, Dr Jochen Kaempf: “… (the plant) will spew out a cocktail of toxic effluent that will not disperse as the government initially predicted and may well cause upwellings of toxic muck into the shallows, an area in which marine life, surfers and other lovers of the sea frequent”.
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Others, such as Will Shea of Island Surfboards on Phillip Island also question the logic of pushing desalination in general.
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“We shouldn’t even be having the argument of where a desal plant should go yet, because it was just not a measure required. Desal in this country, especially down here, is more of a last resort idea, and the way we use water, and could use water, means the last resort should be a long way off.”
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Take a quick look at these desalination plant numbers: •
$4 billion - Wonthaggi’s price tag; which could alternatively pay for water tank systems and pumps for 600 000 households, supplying the same amount of water.
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160MWh - the daily energy consumption of water tank systems for 600 000 homes.
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2,160MWh – the daily energy consumption of the Wonthaggi plant (15 times the energy required for the water tank option.)
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945 000 – the tonnes of global warming CO2 produced each year by the Kurnell plant (equal to an extra 22 000 cars on our roads.)
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120 000 – the number of homes that could be run with the daily energy consumption of Kurnell.
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25 years - the expected life of most desalination plants (what then?)
Gold Coast surfer Jeff Boschma, an outspoken critic of desalination, has seen the problems of the desalination process first hand in Tugun. “Firstly, the Tugun desalination plant simply doesn’t work”, claims Jeff. For beleaguered Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, her desalination flagship at Tugun has been widely described as a money-hungry, white elephant. Since its installation, the Tugun plant has been beset by rusting pipes, cracking concrete, faulty valves and even land subsidence. Repairs and upgrades have reportedly cost millions of dollars, and plant shut downs have totalled several months. “Secondly”, adds Jeff, “it’s an eyesore. We have this monstrous, rusting platform sitting just a few
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“The alternatives were endless: I’d say greywater and run-off capture, especially around Melbourne, would have had to be top of my list, and of course sewage treatment.
hundred metres off our beautiful beach. It can’t be good for our struggling tourism industry”. So we asked Danish backpacker (and first-time surfer), Frederik, for his thoughts. “I’m not sure what it is; an oil rig or something like this. It is not beautiful, but oh well. We have wind farms and things like this near Copenhagen. But I don’t think we would build one on a beach
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LATEST: DEBATE Waves at Powlett River. Photo: Jules Elliott
Sandy Ryan, Powlett River. Photo: Jules Elliott
Photo: Bob Tyler - www.rdtyler.com.au
http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/ story/port-stanvac-desalination-forum-gets-heated/
Port Stanvac, SA. Photo: Wikimedia may/jun 2011
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that is so beautiful like this one”. According to most marine biologists, there are many questions yet to be answered about the environmental impact of the desalination slurry outlets. A plant the size of Wonthaggi releases a highlyconcentrated outflow which has up to 25 times the salt content of the surrounding seawater. Despite scientists around the world measuring outflows and monitoring the effects on marine ecosystems, definitive results are unlikely to be published within the next 5 years. The environmental impacts are currently anyone’s guess.
Southern Right Whale breaching. Photo: Watershed Australia
Victorian anti-desalination organisation Watershed Victoria have been concerned that environmental impact studies around Wonthaggi have been exactly that - a guess. ‘Winter Whale Watch’ was initiated in May 2010 to test the assertion by the Department of Sustainability and Environment that the Bass Coast was not an important habitat for whales. Up until the end of August 2010, community members reported approximately 200 whale sightings between Phillip Island and Waratah Bay. Whale Watch data shows that, in fact, the area of coastline is very important habitat for protected Southern right and Humpback whales and that construction activities at the desalination plant may be having negative impacts.
Powlett River. Photo: Jules Elliott
Similar concerns are held for marine life around the Port Stanvac plant in South Australia, where blue swimmer crabs and other creatures such as seahorses and pipefish are thought to be under threat from heightend salinity in the water. Some opponents of desalination plants have been criticised for taking a NIMBY stance (not in my back yard). Debbie Johnson, from the Queensland-based organisation Communities against Desalination
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rejects such claims. Debbie says that her organisation’s members reject the whole concept of desalination outright. “You’re right. We don’t want desalination in our backyards. We don’t want desalination in Marcoola, in Tugun, Wonthaggi, or anywhere for that matter. Desalination is environmentally and economically unsustainable.” “We believe that desalination is a clumsy, heavy-handed reaction to the issue of water security” says Debbie. “It seems better suited to a bygone era; when big engineering solutions were the answer to everything. Desalination costs a fortune and wreaks havoc on our environment.” Will of Island Surfboards agrees: “I won’t buy into this ‘not in my backyard’ mentality that was getting around. If it had to happen, it had to happen somewhere. Problem was this didn’t have to happen yet”. Surfers have a well-established tradition of taking on the ‘big boys’ when it comes to protecting the oceans in which we surf. Europe’s Surfers Against Sewage organisation has fought passionately and very effectively to clean up some of Europe’s most polluted surf breaks. In the late 1990’s, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) successfully halted the construction and operation of several sewage outlets in Southwest England and on the West coast of France. Administrators were forced to rethink waste management, resulting in the development of land-based, environmental sewage treatment systems. There can be no doubt that government moves toward desalination have thrust Aussie surfers into the environmental spotlight once again. Perhaps this is our ‘inconvenient truth’. Maybe desalination is our generation’s ‘Franklin River Dam’. It may be time for surfers to stand behind some protest banners and force legislators
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Will Shea
to carve a radical cutback on this path of environmental short-sightedness. So when our state governments present proposals in our parliaments, asking, “All those in favour of desalination say aye”, how will surfers respond? What are surfers prepared to do? Will there be a silent murmur of discontent? Are we prepared to carry on paddling around in the salt-saturated slurry? Or shall we stand up, take the drop, and charge the section screaming protests at the bureaucrats who threaten our idyllic, coastal lifestyle? Surely, it’s attitudes that must change, not our surf beaches.
If you would like to find out more or get involved, here are some interesting links to get you started: A brief youtube anti-desalination advertisement featuring top Aussie surfers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA-ZWJbhqHg&feature=related An interesting youtube clip from Aljazeera TV describing the Arabian Gulf experience of desalination: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ5ut_4zKug&NR=1&feature=fvwp Victorian Government website proclaiming the positive aspects of the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant: http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/programs/desalination Victorian anti-desalination organisation that opposes the Wonthaggi plant: http://www.watershedvictoria.org.au/ South Australian organisation opposed to South Australian desalination: http://www.saveourgulf.org.au
The Victorian view. Photo: Dave Swan may/jun 2011
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Surfer image: Chuan En Eric Lam http://www.flickr.com/people/bluemonkey08/
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AJEST LIKE A M ASTLE S R A E P S. IT AP O NEWC FORTRES N. WELCOME T T N IA G A A E CIFIC OC MS LIKE ITY LOO DERING THE PA RDS: DAVE SWAN C E H T O N R HE OCEA ATOP A HILL BO OF SURFERS. W FROM T G M IN O T D IT G MS - A KIN KINGDO
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Pho http
Welcome to Newcastle THE NEWCASTLE COAT OF ARMS Every Kingdom needs a Coat of Arms. In 1961 these nifty bearings were granted to the City. The shield, rising from golden sands, represents a port with blue water and green land. Wealth and fertility is emphasised by the border of gold while the galley represents maritime trade. The fleece is in reference to the rural pursuits of the region flanked by a lozenge and a wheel, representing coal and industry. The Nobby’s Head lighthouse stands proudly on top of the main crown, while two cheeky seagulls have both mistaken a crown for an onion ring. Enterprise stands for the progress of commerce, industry and culture and symbolises the community spirit of the citizens of the City of Newcastle.
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If one thing defines Newcastle, it’s surfing. The city’s most famous sons and daughters are all keen surfers no matter what their field of interest. The guys from the rock band Silverchair are all mad surfers. The Johns brothers, Andrew and Matthew, rugby league royalty and former patriarchs of one of Australia’s most famous sporting teams the Newcastle Knights, are also mad surfers. Then there is four-time world champion surfer, Mark Richards, and Nicky Woods, the youngest person in history to win a World Tour
event taking out the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach when he was just 16. There is also a whole host of other talented surfers through the years to the present day who all hail from Newcastle from Ted Harvey, Robbie Woods, Bob Lynch, Roger Clements, Steve Butterworth, Col Smith, Peter McCabe, Luke Egan, Simon Law, Matt Hoy, Marty McMillan, Josh Ferris, Jye Byrnes, Matt Kay, Belinda Baggs, Travis Lynch, Mitchell Ross and Rhys Smith. It is like a roll call of surfing’s elite. If this doesn’t say something about Newcastle’s lineage as a premier surf destination, I don’t know what will. Just visit the city in winter and you will soon see why surfing is such a part of its social fabric.
Aside from the city itself, there are countless surf spots within an hour of ‘Newy’, many revered and just as closely guarded by local surfers from outsiders. In years past, Newcastle was often unfairly maligned as an industrial city. Nowadays there’s an urban cool and sophistication about the place without any pretentiousness. Newy still remains true to its down-to-earth blue-collar heritage. And if you are unaware, Newcastle is also the hometown of Jennifer Hawkins, the lovely lady crowned Miss Universe some years back. So you see, it does have an air of royalty about the place. Now if only I was king...
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The jump-off at Newcastle Ocean Baths Photo: Christine - http://www.flickr.com/people/38015621@N08/
Photos 1-4: Chuan En Eric Lam http://www.flickr.com/people/bluemonkey08/
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on a “Dude, I’m What s. m Ar Coat of e?” n do have you
Newcastle foreshore Photo: Wikimedia
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As a visitor, I can confidently say that Newcastle is one of my favourite spots to visit on the Australian east coast when we’re on the road with smorgasboarder. There is always a wave on, there are plenty of good spots for breaky, lunch and dinner... and heaps of good bars. Mark and I have always had a good night there. And being a coffee addict, Newcastle is home to possibly the best baristas outside of Melbourne. As far as the waves go, Newcastle is incredibly consistent. We have managed to snare a quality wave there every time we have visited and we are there on a regular basis. It’s hard to chose a favourite, but probably Newcastle Beach because it is the most familiar to me and just holds a really nice swell that packs punch without turning your boardshorts to brown. My favourite spot for a drink?
On Newcastle I was born and bred in Newcastle. I guess home is always home. Not many people leave home. They may because of a work related thing or a relationship but the place where your family and friends live is where you want to be, close to them. We have such a great lifestyle here. Newcastle has all the benefits of a city without all the craziness of a capital city like Sydney or Melbourne. If you want to do something here, traffic issues aren’t really a consideration.
Straight out of a morning surf at Newcastle Beach and into Estabar for a coffee and perhaps some breaky or a gelati. A great spot with great views. The mere fact I have chosen an unlicensed premise that doesn’t sell beer says how special it is.
We have the most incredible beaches right around the city. If you go inland you have the Hunter Valley vineyards. We have Lake Macquarie nearby; Nelson Bay… there is a lot to choose from depending on what you want to do.
My favourite spot for breaky or a bite is 23 Hundred Café on Hunter. Why? I like the people who run the joint and love their coffee and their food. I always make a point of stopping by when in Newcastle. Peter Johnston, the owner, is a keen surfer and always makes you feel welcome. Aside from that, anywhere on Darby Street. There are so many quality cafes and restaurants to choose from you can take your pick.
Yeah but it is too bloody crowded now. We
But why not let the locals let us in on what they think of their home and what they recommend to visiting surf family... 62
MARK RICHARDS, 4 TIME WORLD CHAMPION (THAT’S RIGHT, ONLY THE BEST FOR OUR SMORGASBOARDER READERS... TIPS FROM THE TOP)
Merewether’s n doubt your favourite beach?
have actually got a photo in the shop from the late eighties. It is a perfect winter’s day and it is probably six foot, as good a wave as you will ever see. I am going left and Mick (Mick Adams who works in the MR store) is going right. We are on the same wave splitting the peak and there are only two other people in the background. If we had a day like that now, there would be over one hundred people in the water. For guys like Mick and I who have been around a long time, it has gone from a place where we used to go out and know everyone, taking it in turns for waves, to a place where there is just people everywhere. It’s like a warzone.
On that point, what is the surf etiquette like? It is the same as any other popular surf area. It is pretty much dog eat dog. The days of being able to take it in turns and having a level of respect where you may see a guy who has been waiting for a wave, even though he is on the inside, and you call him onto a wave because its’ his turn... those days are gone. All that stuff is unfortunately out the window. People are feral in the surf now. That’s why these days I prefer to go surfing when it is 3 foot shit and onshore. You don’t have to deal with all the lunatics like when it’s perfect and offshore.
What’s the biggest you have surfed Merewether? The biggest would probably be 12 to 15 feet. At least double overhead or perhaps a little bigger. It hasn’t been that big for a while. We get pretty amazing swells. It would be an equivalent to any big wave you would surf anywhere except for JBay… or something super perfect. When it gets big it breaks right
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Photo: Alex Thompson, Surfhouse Photography ww.surfhousephotography.com
JYE & MICK BYRNES: THIS FATHER & SON TEAM ARE THE FRIENDLY FACES BEHIND THE SURF FACTORY IN ISLINGTON out on a place everyone calls Third Reef. It has a Waimea style take-off. It comes out of deep water and just fully pitches, sucking up on take-off then forming a big wall. It is amazing when it is big.
What’s the best place for a bite? A good buddy who I went to school with is Neil Slater and he has a restaurant called Scratchleys on the Wharf, which is down on the harbour foreshore. He serves up some really good food there.
On Newcastle Mick: Good place to live. Good surf. People are good. Jye: I have travelled my whole life and the first thing I do when I get back home is drive around the beaches cause they are pretty special. It’s your home and where I have grown up. It’s a hardcore surf town. People love the surf. It’s very shortboard orientated. It’s only the last few years that people have started to branch out to new boards like fishes and that.
And for a beer?
Breaks
Well… ahhh… I can’t really lie here… this is going to sound like a very un-Australian thing to say but I never really developed a taste for beer. (Right there and then in the middle of the interview I dropped my stubbie aghast in horror.) I drink one occasionally, but I can take it or leave it.
Mick: My favourite was Nobby’s Reef before the bulk carrier Pasha Bulka ran aground. Now it’s probably Newcastle Beach.
That said, I think one of the most epic places in Newcastle to have a beer would have to be the Merewether Beach Hotel where the beergarden and bistro is right in front of the hotel looking out over Merewether beach. You get a panorama from Merewether to Dixon Park right up to Bar Beach at the other end - a front row spot where you can sink a schooner and watch everyone surfing.
I love the big stuff.
Jye: We have a lot of variety but it is hard to go past Newcastle Beach. It is a powerful wave and being a goofy footer, there are more left handers there. It gets some size too.
Monday to Saturday, Al Gators. has nice healthy food, homemade style. If you want a good surfers feed you can’t beat that place.
Board choice Jye: I’m a multi-tasker. I shortboarded my whole life because I grew up surfing on one of the heaviest beaches but then I got an opportunity to ride longboards and got paid to do it. Ultimately though, ride what you want to ride. Just have fun and try not to go stale on that one surfboard.
Crowds Jye: Everyone is competing in the water nowadays. There are guys inside you, outside you. For me I don’t worry about it so much. I get dropped in on. I drop in. What’s the worst thing that can happen. If I do it you say sorry. If it happens to you, just catch the next wave.
On Stockton Beach
Jye: For a beer - The Mary Ellen and The Prince in town or the Bar Beach Bowling Club because it has greens and is pretty kid friendly.
What do you love about Newcastle? If I tell you that everyone will move here. (laughs) It’s just a great place. It’s getting big now, but over the years it has been just the right size.
Favourite surf spot Growing up I was in Cook’s Hill Surf Club and at the time I used to paddle foam malibus. It was about 1958 and we surfed the reef at Bar Beach. We surfed it because there was a little dungeon in the club where we could store the boards – you didn’t want to be dragging those things around. They were too bloody heavy.
Best spot for a beer
Over there you have a great white breeding ground so it is pretty…
The Beach Hotel at Merewhether or the Burwood because the Newcastle Knights (Newcastle’s rugby league team in the NRL) went there.
Jye also runs the iSurf Newcastle Surf School.
Favourite coffee spot
Food & Drinks Mick: Suspension and Good Brothers at the top of town are the best for coffee, they’re run by the same people. Suspension is good for breaky too.
SAM EGAN: NEWY LOCAL FROM BIRTH, SAM BEGAN HIS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER MAKING PLYWOOD TOOTHPICKS IN HIS BELOVED HOME TOWN.
“We only have a one to four ratio and as such are quite mobile,” he says. “That way the people you are teaching get a chance to learn a little more. It’s not just about getting them to stand up and taking their money.”
The best place for a coffee is just down on the corner from my factory. It is called Suspensions. Best coffee in Newcastle... in the world probably.
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“Newcastle is a really interesting city because there is a diversity of cultures and backgrounds. We have many communities and precincts within Newcastle. There is a real vibrance to the place. “Many talented artists live here such as Rod Bathgate and John Earl who create great beachscapes, photographers such as Conor Ashleigh and Tim Silverwood. A lot of people who now lead science and technology around the world come from Newcastle. There is such a real mix of people here. Novacastrians have dispensed with the chip on their shoulder that they somehow weren’t good enough. It is an exciting time for Newcastle. “Recently the Lonely Planet Traveller’s Guide nominated Newcastle in the top ten cities to visit. “The region is also noted for its marine life and so forth. The rock platform between the Cowrie Hole and Newcastle Beach is rated as one of the most diverse habitats for marine plants and animals. We get loggerhead turtles frequenting the region, dolphins, whales and penguins. The area behind Stockton Beach is a recognized Ramsar site for shorebird nesting (Ramsar is an international treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands). Birds from as far away as Russia come here to roost. Stockton is also a known breeding ground for great whites. It goes from shallow to deep really quickly. A recent survey along the east coast identified Stockton as a café, where great whites breed and feed.”
7 Darby Street, Newcastle NSW 2300 (02) 4926 3355 AUSTRALIAN OWNED & OPERATED
WWW.PACIFICDREAMS.COM.AU 64
Photo: Alex Thompson, Surfhouse Photography ww.surfhousephotography.com
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On the surf “Because it is so condensed, in the east end alone there is 23 different surf breaks within 10 minutes walking distance, anything from 1 ft to 12ft +. The surf isn’t always huge but there is a consistency. That is one of Newcastle’s greatest assets. “Newcastle Beach is one minute from the central business district so you will often see lawyers running back to their practices in their wetsuits with a board under their arm. “The Cowrie Hole is my favourite spot though, in the world in fact. It is rather shallow. You learn how to do the spread eagle star dives and don’t go diving for lobsters that’s for sure.
The Pasha Bulka “There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that the ship did in fact damage the reef at Nobby’s and changed the way the bank worked. It is commonly held that it is not as good as it used to be. “As part of the International Surfing Day, which is a Surfrider Foundation celebration on June 20, we are holding a workshop where we hope to formalise some of this evidence and, if it did, conduct further research to seek remediation.”
50 years of handshaping experience - modern technology & materials “It’s a beautiful, clean city since they shut the steelworks. We have plenty of waves. The people in general have a good work ethic.” John Scollay Newcastle Surf Designs
High performance shortboards, classic and performance longboards, retro fish and single fins...all masterfully handshaped. 28 Maitland Road Islington NSW 2296 (02) 4969 7299
www.samegan.com.au “Lived here my whole life. A lot of good surf spots, all close by. I first paddled out at Nobby’s in the winter of ’65 and am still surfing everyday.” Peter McCabe Peter McCabe Surfboards
O RF SHOP T U S T S E S O THE CL LE BEACH NEWCAST the beach
res to Just 600 met & ading brands le e th l with al l staff. fu lp he , ly nd frie
“It’s big enough to have something going on and small enough to be quiet.” Mick Adams Mark Richards Surfboards
EWCASTLE T MALL , N 929 1144 CALL 02 4
R STREE P 6, HUNTE
SHO
Hunter Street mall, just 600 metres to the beach. All the leading brands. Friendly, helpful staff. “Grew up here. It’s got that country feel but it is a big enough city with the people to sustain it. There are plenty of things to do and I love the beaches and the waves. There is always a wave.” Jamie Lambert Breakaway Surf
“The beaches. The people. Merewether Beach is national surfing reserve. We have great skate parks. We have everything.” Rhys Smith Sanbah Surf Shop
“When you go away and come back you appreciate the water quality here. It is so crystal clear you can see fish beneath you. ”
• Learn to surf • Private Tuition • Improve your surfing • Stand up paddle lessons • Schools/corporate Contact Jye Byrnes: Mobile 0409 227 407 or email jyebyrnes@hotmail.com
www.isurfnewcastlesurfschool.com.au
Graeme Gairns California Surf Imports may/jun 2011
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Photo: Chuan En Eric Lam
Stockton Beach
The Spot
North of Newcastle Harbour, it stretches 32 km north-east from Stockton to Anna Bay. There are varied beach breaks.
Only gets good a few times a year, but can be an indo-style wave when it’s on. Pretty fickle.
Closeouts are common as swell size builds. The beach is open, has many rips, somewhat isolated, a little too sharky for my liking. Best in NW swell. Good spot when S swell closes out other beaches.
The Harbour Unless you’re a gun or insane, stay away. Know this spot well to surf it. It works in cyclonic NE swell or huge southerly swell when all other beaches are closing out. During World War II many of the beaches around the Newcastle area had large concrete tank traps placed on the foreshore to hamper any possible landing of Japanese tanks ashore. Following the war the traps were dumped into Newcastle Harbour, straight off the breakwall. So today there is heaving right hand barrell that breaks over 60 year old twisted concrete and metal. Stay away.
The Wedge Along the sandspit off Nobby’s head. Powerful wave, breaking left. Works when the swell is on. NE-SE swell. NW-W wind. All tides.
The Spit Just south of the Wedge, right next to Big Ben Rock. On a NE swell, if the sand is right, you can get 300m rides. 66
T Nobby’s Reef Currents prove a hazard. Difficult to hold your position in the break, which works left and right. Holds large swells but is unpredictable. By all reports, the Pasha Bulker screwed it. S-SE swell. NW wind. Mid tide best.
Cowrie Hole To surf this spot takes precision and guts. Just off the northern end of the Ocean Baths. Basically a gap in the rocks where an awesome right breaks over a shallow ledge. Good for fish or logs. Best near high tide in S-SE swell. If Cowrie Hole doesn’t psyche you out, the outer break is called...
Flat Rock Heavy local spot. A surge rock with a few little steps and bumps.
Newcastle Beach Right in the heart of Newcastle city, it looks like an amphitheatre for surfing. The jewel in the city’s crown, especially in a nor’easter. Handles swell up to 3-4m. Off the point peels 200m rides. Great for goofy-footers. Occasional peaky right.
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n w o r The C . . . s l e w e J South Newcastle Basically the same bloody beach. It’s just that a small group of rocks at the water’s edge, referred to as the divider splits the beach. Rarely gets crowded. Underrated beach breaks. Graveyard is off the rocks - a great right-hander in front of the bogie-hole.
Bar Beach & Dixon Park Heavy lefts and rights forming on the outside banks. Best up to 8ft. The wave also reforms on the inside banks allowing various levels of surfers to enjoy the break. Can get very crowded. Handles most swell and wind directions.
THE KINGDOM CAN BE BRUTAL. THE WAVES ARE HEAVY, THE LOCALS ARE HEAVY, THE CURRENTS STRONG AND THE THE MEN IN GREY SUITS ARE OUT AND ABOUT. DESPITE ALL OF THAT, IT’S MOST DEFINITELY A ‘MUST VISIT’ AUSTRALIAN SURF DESTINATION.
All around mid-tide is the best. Low tides generally mean closeouts.
The beach break suits various levels of surfers.
BAR BEACH
GRAVEYARD SOUTH NEWCASTLE
Personally holds legendary status in my family with Dad taking out a 1960 national surf lifesaving paddle board title - the only surfcraft to finish the race in monstrous surf.
SE-E swell. NW wind. Mid tide.
DIXON PARK
Newcastle has awesome waves and is the very reason why the area is home to a number of world-class surfers. You just have to have your wits about you when you decide to take it on. Winter is when Newcastle’s swells are at their best.
Merewether
Great surf spot, but quite frankly scares the pants off me when it gets big... and I mean BIG. Holds up to 15ft and is very powerful. Generally a heavy right breaking off The Ladies’ reef. It is where most of the talented surfers rip so steer clear if you are not up to it (So what the hell were you doing there I hear you ask. Fair point.)
MEREWETHER
NEWCASTLE BEACH
Take note:
Newcastle is not an ‘out-of-the-way’ surf destination. It is well known. As such, the city’s beaches don’t hold any secret surf spots and even if there were some, we wouldn’t speak of them. But, as always, show respect when surfing someone else’s home break. The majority of guys and gals who surf Newcastle really have the place wired. So play nice.
FLAT ROCK
COWRIE HOLE
NOBBYS REEF
Photo: Wolf Cocklin may/jun 2011
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VISITING NEWCASTLE? HAVE AN ADVENTURE!
From
3 years old
Royal attractions
ST TOO SCARY OR OUT, THE SURF IS JU ED RF SU L AL RE U’ IF YO RF IS FLAT, THERE’S HANCE THAT THE SU F-C OF RY VE E TH ON U ENTERTAINED. ACTIONS TO KEEP YO TR AT R HE OT OF TY PLEN Walk! There are plenty options.
2-3 HOURS OF THRILLING
The walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse at Nobys provides more stunning scenery of the city skyline and ocean. Nobbys, named because of its nob-like shape, was originally an island until convicts risked their lives to build a breakwall to it to protect the harbour.
The foreshore promenade
0 0 1 CHALLENGES!
The Foreshore promenade from the Honeysuckle development precinct complete with marina, parks and cafes to Nobbys is a great vantage point to take in the city of Newcastle and view one of Australia’s busiest ports in action.
featured a map of the world, with the various continents jutting out of the water like islands.
Just nearby is the Fort Scratchley Historic Site. The Fortress has a long and interesting military history and overlooks the Hunter River, Nobbys Beach and the lighthouse.
Next around is King Edward Park with its stunning views of the ocean and city skyline. The Obelisk nearby is yet another prominent feature on Newcastle’s skyline. It was originally a stone flour mill and a guiding landmark for ships approaching the port of Newcastle.
Further south is the Art Deco Newcastle Ocean Baths or Soldiers Baths as they are are known to some (opened in 1922) and the adjoining Canoe Pool, built in the late 1930s for young swimmers. The base of the pool once
At the bottom of the cliffs heading south towards Bar Beach are the rock pool baths known as the Bogey Hole. Apparently built by convicts around 1820 for the personal use of Commandant James T. Morriset, the baths are
! N U F
PH: 02 4026 7617
WWW.TREETOPADVENTUREPARK.COM.AU Photo: CareCat Cruising 68
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located beneath a rocky prominence and get battered during heavy seas. Thrill seekers hang onto the chain fence in decent swells but we don’t recommend this unless you want to end up as shark food.
Whale watching
Further south are the Merewether Ocean Baths, the largest in the southern hemisphere.
N’Joy is a luxurious 50ft sailing catamaran with an interior like an opulent waterfront penthouse. Relax in comfort and take in the sights of Newcastle and the playful antics of Humpback whales on their annual migration past the Hunter coastline.
The entire walk known as Bathers Way, stretches from the Merewether Baths to Nobbys Headland and is five kilometres. When first exploring Newcastle, it is a great way to get your bearings and a decent bit of exercise.
These amazing creatures migrate north from May through to August to breed and return in October and November, often with their calves alongside them. It’s a humbling and awe-inspiring experience to see these huge marine mammals up close.
Finally, our other suggested mustsee is the Christ Church Cathedral. A survivor of the Japanese submarine attack of WWII and the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake, Christ Church Cathedral is now a fully restored masterpiece. It is the unofficial castle of the Kingdom of Newcastle.
The 3 hour cruises departs from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Boat Dock. $66 per person.
Monkey Business Just 15 minutes from the CBD is Tree Top Adventure Park, a ropes course within the beautiful Blue Gums Regional Park. There are challenges to take on where participants can slide down flying foxes, transverse suspension bridges and enjoy other activities up to 15 metres above the forest floor. A course for 3-10 year-olds is built with a unique safety system so kids can concentrate on the fun.
Take in the sights of Newcastle See these majestic animals up close A truly memorable experience with nature Sat: 9.30am and 1.00pm Sun: 9.30am and 1.00pm School holidays, Mon-Fri: 10am
Nearby... The Hunter Valley is renowned for its full-bodied white wines, ‘medium weight reds’ and some excellent ports. Think of Pepper Tree, Bimbadgen Estate, Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, Lindemans, McWilliams, Rothbury, Wyndham Estate and McGuigan... Not to mention others like Tyrells and Draytons, who are all very old family concerns. The Hunter is ripe for a little tasting of the vino and some stock for your home cellar. In fact, the range of wines in the Hunter Valley is endless.
Call to book today:
02 4959 5600
www.carecat.com.au
The majority of wineries are open daily. Visitors are provided with tasting glasses and given a small taste of each wine in the maker’s range of current vintages with an explanation about the wines.
Christ Church Cathedral
Photo: TreeTop Adventure Park
All courses have limited spaces so bookings are recommended. Entry starts from $20.
N’Joy a three hour luxury harbour cruise
“Regardless of your needs, whether it’s a shortboard or a mal, I’m confident I can make you a board which will improve and increase your enjoyment of your surfing.” Mark Richards
755 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, NSW Australia 2300 Ph: +61 2 4961 3088 | Fax: +61 2 4961 6872
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LINEUP
Beach yourself at Newcastle’s only beachfront Accommodation, Restaurant & Bar. Packages available… Cnr Shortland Esp & Zaara St Newcastle P. 4929 5181
visit noahsonthebeach.com.au
4½ Star Boutique Bed & Breakfast, perfectly located just 600m to Merewether beach - home to surfing legends Mark Richards, Mat Hoy and Luke Egan.
You can fly directly into Newcastle from Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Virgin Blue flys out of all cities with Jetstar flying out of all bar Adelaide. Drive-wise, Newcastle is two hours drive north of Sydney.
From Brisbane
From Adelaide
10.5 to 11 hours drive and just under 800kms along the Pacific Highway will get you there.
Around 15,500 kms and just under 17 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 Newcastle.
An alternative route to consider if traffic looks heavy on the Pacific Highway is out west via Warwick and Armidale along the New England Highway and down Thunderbolts Way (gotta love the name) past the towns of Gloucester and Stroud. The distance is relatively the same but the drive takes around 15 hours. It sounds like a lot more driving but isn’t if traffic is heavy and you frustrate easily sitting behind morons travelling 20kms under the speed limit. After much insistence from my dad I did the drive just prior to Christmas and wasn’t disappointed. It is one of the most amazing drives I have ever undertaken – mountain top views, undulating hills and babbling brooks are par for the course. Words can’t really describe the scenery. You just have to take the drive.
From Melbourne Just over 1000kms and 10 hours drive, take the Hume Highway through Albury, Gundagai, Yass and Goulburn past the western outskirts of Sydney and then onto the Pacific Highway near Pymble to Newcastle.
Christine Feeney & Bob Comyns | 1 Rowan Crescent Merewether NSW 2291 +61 2 4963 3812 | 0414 633 066 | stay@brezzabella.com.au
www.brezzabella.com.au 70
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OF THE
Y NEWCASTLE IS EASIL SIEST AND ACCESSIBLE. THE EA MEANS OF MOST AFFORDABLE OR CAR. AIR E TRANSPORT AR
Saying this, just fly. It is a hell of a lot easier and you can save your energy for the waves and not for behind the wheel.
Accommodation When it comes to where to stay, you have a couple of good options. Why stray too far from the beach? Noah’s is a comfortable luxury hotel right opposite Newcastle Beach. At first light, you can look out and survey the surf with a bird’s eye view. After a paddle, you can enjoy a beautiful breakfast behind a massive glass window that makes you feel like you’re still in line-up. Their food and service is superb. For a grown-up and very civilised stay in Merewether, Brezza Bella is about as upmarket as you could hope to go for a luxury B&B, and it’s just a short walk to Merewether Beach. Photo: Christine
A BIRDS EYE VIEW
Getting here
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TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP Papua New Guinea is possibly not the first name to pop up in conversation on surf trips. In relation to other far more well-travelled spots such as Bali or Fiji, PNG still flies under the radar a little. But it turns out, as Gus Brown discovered on a recent visit with a group of good mates, PNG truly holds its own as a standout spot for an affordable surf getaway.
WORDS: GUS BROWN PHOTOS: TEAM PNG SIMON, RICHARD, RORY, ANGUS, DANNY & ASH
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When Papua New Guinea is mentioned as destination for a surf adventure the reaction is genrally mixed. With a close historic relationship to Australia in wartime, thoughts of a lush unspoilt environment, stories of wild locals, perfect breaks, and big mining interest, who knows what to expect. But expect good times. An abyss of unspoilt tropical landscapes, crisp clean ocean, and few trappings of our consumer driven society. Papua New Guinea is one of our closest neighbours and therefore easily accessible and affordable even for short trips. The airport at Port Moresby is on the main flight route from most capitals in Oz. Port Moresby is legendary for being a dangerous city so a direct connecting flight to Kavieng is probably a wise decision. Transferring from the international to domestic airport can be quite an intimidating experience for the novice with hundreds of people waiting around the walkway to the domestic centre, just hanging out! New Ireland is on the outer tail of the Papua New Guinea islands and is exposed to the Pacific Ocean and open to swell coming down from the Hawaiian chain. New Ireland’s most famous break, Kavieng is located near the airport and is a long right hand reef that holds good swell when it’s on. Skeletons of military
remnants are common place as Kavieng was occupied by the Japanese in World War II and represented a dark time for those caught up in the situation. Small forts for housing guns are spread out covering strategic points and the rusting components of tanks and other equipment are easily located. A range of boat trips are available which depart from Kavieng and travel north into a seemingly endless chain of remote islands and reefs. From Kavieng, the Bromminske Highway (using the term “Highway” very loosely) runs south down the east coast of New Ireland for some 600 Kilometers. The road is partly tarred and largely poorly grated, which can make the long journey to surf and adventure a true mission. Preconcevied ideas of long, white, sandy beaches and headlands are quickly dismissed... the reality being a rocky coastline with jagged reef outcrops, on which may/jun 2011
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TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP PNG is primarily an unspoilt paradise and largely remains un influenced by capitalism. There is little in the way of pollution, plastic is not present and many of the locals live as they would have for thousands of years. So respect and appreciation for what its people, land and ocean have to offer is a must.
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CONTINUED perfectly shaped waves form and unexpectedly close out on. Many surfing opportunities are tempting but not worthwhile given medical help is hours away. Kavieng has a basic hospital but more serious injury requires flights back to Moresby, or better still, home. The waters in this region of Papua New Guinea are teaming with a variety of fish which can be helpfull when the surf is not working at its best. The ocean is basically unspoilt with only the odd local fisherman heading out in a traditional canoe looking to feed his family. Hour after hour of looking out to sea, there is nothing to see but storms, birds, and generally smooth ocean. If you get access to a boat trip, take it, but make sure you bring some pretty strong line and lures as fishing is as good at gets, even for non mullet-heads.
The locals are super friendly with waving to strangers being the norm. The further away from Kavieng you travel the more subsistence the living gets and you start to understand that you are lucky to have the experience. There is no evidence of pollution or the eyesore of plastics which litter the roadsides of other developing nations. Don’t fear the machette - it’s a common tool and many men carry them. It is the jungle after all. Small villages dot the highway, consisting of well constructed shantys made from natural materials that are sourced from the rich surrounds. They are perfectly suited to the environment and created in a style that reflects thousands of years of tradition. may/jun 2011
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Shane at Rubio is the main man. Originally from Hawaii, he and his family have lived in PNG for many years. Shane and his wife run Rubio Island Retreat and they make a special effort to entertain a keen surfing crew.
The PNG Surf Association coordinates the number of surfers able to access sections of the coastline. To surf in PNG you need to purchase a permit which enables only a limited number of surfers to access large areas of coastline. These cost about $30 for 2 weeks. Depending on conditions, accessing breaks can be difficult and time consuming but you are definitely not going to be dealing with crowds. The average surfer can have fun and find challenging waves to saftisfy a healthy appetite for waves. Kavieng is surf central, but there are a number of boat trips for small groups that head north into an amazing looking group of islands with limitless opportunities.
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KAVIENG Kavieng when on fire is more suited to the good / advanced surfer who doesn’t freak out looking down at coral from 6 feet plus in the air. This is the premier break. RUBIO RIGHTS (about 6 hours south from Kavieng)
A consistent but challenging right hander that can still be taken on by those of us who cry when the word “reef” is mentioned. Good fun in anything between 2 and 5 foot. A quick barrelling left also breaks from this area. SLIPPERY’S (Somewhere between Kavieng and Rubio rights)
Great long left handers to be had in idealic surrounds. Apparently holds larger swell but at about 4 foot it is a highlight. Named as the steep path down the hill to the water is a nightmare when we, which is most of the time.
“PIG BOWLS” OR YOU NAME IT Our surfing troup had the opportunity to name a few which we were assured by our guide we were the first to surf. The crew weren’t convinced, but it was a nice thought and the screams coming from the jungle as we caught waves made the idea more convincing. There are still plenty of yet to be found and named breaks along the coastline of New Ireland. It just depends on how game you are to take on the gnarly reefs and rocks. Due to the tribal nature of the culture we were advised that travellers should name the spots based on their experiences. When researching the trip it is very hard to identify specific locations on maps as the villages and landmarks are not clearly defined. This is what adds to the adventure and although there have been many surfers in the region before, you get the feeling that you are the first.
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WATER TEMPS Warm-Hot in Season BEST TIMES
November to February
DRAWCARD Offshore, no crowd factor, isolation nature and the locals HAZARDS You should have seen it last week. Festy reef cuts.
Short board, fish, retro, mini-mal. You can take a Mal but probably not the best choice. Have a backup as some damage is largely inevitable. As per the smorgasboarder ethos - any board is a good board.
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TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP
There are a number of guest houses (huts) along the Bromisky highway which can be accessed by getting a ride in a local van come bus, which infrequently makes the journey servicing the locals. Although accessing breaks and local knowledge may present a challenge with this choice. Surf camps and boat trips provide transfers which are helpful. Rubio Island Retreat is located approximately 3 hours (give or take 2 hours) down the Bomisky highway and provides all the necessities including comfortable bungalows on the beach. A surf break is right out the front so you don’t have to wait to get the crew together to get some fun waves. All food, boat trips and drives to surf breaks and other locations are included and the hospitality is excellent. This surf camp acts as a central point for surrounding villages and seems to be the heart of the simple local economy. Most necessities are available at the camp shop. Shane, the owner and super-keen supersurfer, is part of the community and gives back by supporting the local people.
Only two surf tour operators service this area at the moment -The perfect Wave and World Surfaris.
Many of the village people love Betel Nut and many locals are hooked on it. An hallucinogenic, Betel Nut is injested by chewing a combination of the palm nut, a mustard pod and some calcium which is derived from coral. By all accounts, it smells a little like incense, has an initial flavour of cinammon or nutmeg with a lingering aftertaste of soap.There is a big economy in Betel Nut and it’s available everywhere on roadside tables, however it represents a major health problem for the population due to its addictive qualities and surrounding issues including untreated tooth decay and throat cancer. 80
The experience cost about $2500 for a ten-day adventure from Brissy. All Incusive. Well, there is nothing to buy as shops are in short supply.
FISHING Take a rod. Fishing from the rocks is hard work but if oyu can access a boat your are sure to catch plenty. BEER Buy your beer at Kavieng before you head south because it becomes a valued commodity in short supply after a good day of activity. SCHOOL The schools are underfunded and unfortunately education is a luxury so take some supplies and drop them in at any of the schools you come across in your travels. HANG OUT! This is paradise and a week seems like a long time. Giddy Up!
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FLIGHTS Available from Brisbane and Sydney through Air Niugini, transferring over to domestic at Port Moresby through to Kavieng Airport. Six hours for the first haul, three for the second. Total ravel time depends on the connecting flight. PASSPORT A visa is required and needs to be arranged through the PNG embassy in Australia and costs about $100. Organise well before travel time. HEALTH Malaria tablets and a TB shot are generally recomeneded. Expect about $100 of medical expenses before you go. A good first aid kit is also a must. BAGGAGE Pack light as PNG is in the tropics, so no jumpers are required. Boardies, thongs and tees! Maybe something to keep the rain off. Air Niugini is board friendly (including Mals) so at the time of travel no sneaky charges were applied. Check with the Airline just to be sure. Booties are essential, so don’t go without them. OTHER LINKS FOR RESEARCHING YOUR TRIP Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg Papua New Guinea Tourism www.pngtourism.org.pg World Surfaris www.worldsurfaris.com The Perfect Wace Surf Travel www.the perfectwave.com.au Air Nuigini www.airniugini.com.pg
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Andy Abel at Tupira
CROWD CONTROL HOW PNG IS PROTECTING ITS CULTURE, IN AND OUT OF THE SURF ANDY ABEL wears many hats and is a more than capable surfer. He is the President of the Surfing Association Papua New Guinea Inc. (SAPNG) and represents SAPNG as a board member of the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority. He is Vice President of the PNG National Museum & Art Gallery, President of the PNG Tourism Industry Association and member of the International Surfing Association (ISA) New Surfing Nations Committee. He also recently took out both the master shortboard and longboard titles at the SAPNG 2011 National Surfing Titles at Tupira Surf Club in the Madang Province. Yes, he’s a busy man. For a boy from Milne Bay Province, a small island blessed with all things paradise, it was only natural Andy Abel would gravitate towards surfing and follow in his ancestors’ footsteps. We talk with one of surfing’s true gentlemen about his beloved country and Papua New Guinea’s unique approach to surf tourism that is paving the way for others to follow.
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What can surfers visiting your country for the first time expect in terms of their surfing experience? “A blend of Melanesian friendly hospitality, traditional culture, uncrowded pristine waves and the best seafood right off the reef and straight onto your dining table... and the freshest, fresh fruit.” You have been quoted as saying you want to develop surfing in PNG but want to encourage its growth at a rural level. Could you explain this in more detail? “Basically, what I am saying is, as a proud local and surfer, we want to create a conducive environment for commercial common sense to prevail without damaging the environment. We want to preserve the traditional surf resource custodians way of life - their values and culture, our country’s geographic beauty, pristine beaches, water falls...We want to create an equitable and sustainable environment for current and future generations to enjoy and prosper from. “It is all about creating a balance so that we do not
have overcrowding issues so as to attract sustained repeat business. “We want to avoid the traps of mass tourism like in Bali where there is a negative side to it, such as prostitution, STDs and AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and babies born with no fathers. “As a responsible surfer and leader in my country that has committed 25 years to the birth of modern surfing and surf tourism in PNG, the buck essentially stops with me as President with my 13-man Board of Directors. “As responsible surfers, we must be mindful of the pitfalls that other developed and developing nations have endured. “Many have the cart before the horse and are now wanting to adopt our SAPNG model. But how do you turn things around 180° and put the horse before the cart? “The countries faced with these scenarios, many cases of which are irreversible, can be attributed to individuals or groups in the early stages being driven by greed and forgetting common sense and respecting the most important people in the tourism
equation - the traditional resource custodians. “As a local surfer I have had the fortune of growing up as a mixed breed PNG/ English background, living and learning both the white man’s way of doing things and the PNG way. I have been able to blend the two worlds to create a win-win for all. Tell us about the interest from other countries who are keen to learn more about your approach to surf tourism. “Countries like Fiji, the Mentawais, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have always aspired to create a model that empowers their people but they did not know how to go about it. “I was lucky enough to start out at 19 years of age with a clean slate. I had no model or template to follow except for using my own personal ingenuity and instinct of what I thought was best as a surfer and as a Papua New Guinean citizen. “I must say that I owe much to my upbringing coming from a pioneering family and this I believe gave me the vision and inspiration to emulate
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
my late father and pioneering statesman, Sir Cecil Abel KBE OBE. “This coupled with the foundations of my grandfather, Reverend Charles Abel, who was a pioneer as a missionary. His work serving the people and our nation took precedence in his life. “This same philosophy is also mine, but I have pursued my passion for surfing to create this legacy as my way as a surfer and as a Papua New Guinean. Do you describe yourself as a shortboarder, longboarder or smorgasboarder? “I ride both as PNG has variable waves on reefs and of course, I’m preparing for retirement so I can still be charging at 90 when my son will be carrying on my work... I hope!”
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DID YOU KNOW?
“I GO BACK TO PNG EVERY YEAR TO ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE AND GET BACK TO GRASS ROOTS SURFING.”
PNG has a set surf quota system, which is used throughout the country. The system was formulated by Andy Abel and SAPNG. It divides up the country into surf areas each with their own respective surf management plans to limit surfer numbers and guarantee guests uncrowded waves.
WORDS: SHAUN LEVINGS
NICK & SHAUN KEANE
Aussie brothers, Nick and Shaun kicked off Nusa Island Retreat in Kavieng in 1997. Having started with only a couple of huts, they now run one of the most successful surf camps in the world. Nick and Shaun Keane
Every travelling surfer pays a levy that goes back into the local community for improving education and health services. Money is also set aside for other community based projects, including nurturing youth surfing talent with a select few locals selected to represent PNG in international surfing events such as the Oceanic games and ISA world surfing games.
SHAUN LEVINGS - WORLD SURFARIS
PNG PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES
SHANE & ANNETTE CLARKE
Ex-Hawaiian married to local girl with an amazing Cocoa plantation property on the east coast of New Ireland now called Rubio Plantation Retreat. This encompasses the mountain range all the way to the sea with surf directly out front.
ADAM & DANI SMITH
ANDY & JUDE RIGBY
Andy is the modern day Alby Mangels with his good wife Jude who is a gourmet cook. They operate the PNG Explorer with exploration at the forefront of their agenda. Finding new waves in remote regions with unbridled enthusiasm for adventure is their thing. Adam Smith
Louis Harris (left) compares fish with Jamie Gray of The Perfect Wave Surf Travel
JAMIE GRAY - THE PERFECT WAVE
Justice Kirriwom
“PNG MAY HAVE BEEN ON SURFER’S HIT LISTS FOR A WHILE NOW BUT IT IS STILL VERY MUCH A LAST FRONTIER SURF DESTINATION THAT HAS SOME OF THE BEST SURF OPERATORS IN THE WORLD DOING WHAT THEY LOVE BEST, IN A PLACE THAT IS EASY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH.”
Dani Smith
Shane Clarke
Ex-Melbournians who sold up and left the rat race, bought a catamaran and run small group charters to remote New Hanover as well as New Ireland. Dani is the only known female surf charter skipper in the surf tourism industry and could sail rings around most blokes.
JUSTICE NICHOLAS KIRRIWOM
Patron of Tupira Surf Club and now a Supreme Court Judge. Tupira Surf Club has given the locals a new lease on life with the SAPNG national titles being held at Tupira in March this year.
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T C E F R NG E P P We
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ot a S vaila S OUT! bilit .au y
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THE HULL IN PICTURES Everyone is talking about them but what the hell are they? To be honest, until recently I didn’t have the slightest idea myself but here is my best explanation, any hullophiles can feel free to correct me. A classic hull style surfboard contains a number of design elements all working together in unison, as explained in detail by Ken Reimers to the left: (please note the drawing has been exaggerated to assist understanding)
Top: Single fin hull setup Right: a hull in the making
WHAT THE HULL?
WITH KEN REIMERS OF ZAK SURFBOARDS
The displacement hulls that I am currently making are awesome fun to shape and ride and have increased my knowledge of curve dynamics. To those who are not sure of what a displacement hull looks like, here’s a brief introduction. The look of the hull is quite unique, the rolled bottom contour is probably the most radical part compared to a normal board. Starting from the tip of the nose, the roll across the bottom of the board increases as it heads to about a third down the board where it apexes to its maximum roll, from there it continues to abate until about the last third of the bottom where it ends up being flat. The original concept was borrowed from the boating sector, the roll up front to break the water and the flat at the back to keep it planning once it reached speed. The rails are 50/50 style throughout the roll and come back down to a knife rail in the tail area for bite. The foils of the boards are another noticeable factor, with a very flat rocker for trim speed, extra thickness to handle the bottom roll and 50/50 rail, plus the thinning of the nose and tail areas creates what was called an S-deck back in the early days. If you look down the deck of the board from the tail end, you will see the S-deck controlling the volume and balance of the foil. The outlines are wider overall because the bottom roll makes the board surf narrower. So, this is the basic form of a displacement hull but as with any board design, there is a multitude of design options.
When designing these hulls I was aiming to fill a place in my quiver that would allow me to drop down from my 9’0” mal without losing the trim feel that a mal gives, while creating more manoeuvrability for forgiveness in sucky waves. I found the fins and placement to be an important factor affecting performance. Having a long fin box in the board helps you find the right position for you personally. As far as single fins go, I really like the 9” flex fins similar to George Greenough’s early designs. It’s a great feeling when you load up the fin on a bottom turn and it drives you forward. The side plugs are there for two reasons, firstly as a small side bite fin - because the tail area is flat and a bit wider than normal, the side bites can help it hold on larger or suckier waves, plus they can add a little more drive. Secondly, the plugs are in the right spot if you want to try the board as a twin fin, removing the single. It changes the dynamics of the board again and I probably ride this setup more than a single because I like the feel, but I was into twins more than singles in the early days. The MR FCS. twin fins will work fine if you want to try it like this. After riding these boards for a couple of years now I have grown to love the feel that this style of board gives and D-Hulls will always be apart of my quiver. Ken Reimers shapes displacement hulls for Zak Surfboards in Thornbury, Victoria. For more info, check out the website: zaksurfboards.com
INSIDE...
Classic Malibu MT-3 - PXX
INSIDE THE WETSUIT P104
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BRAND NEW BOARDS P94
SHAPING FOR WHEEL P117
All the latest designs and ideas from shapers along the coast. Check out some great new shapes and designs from our talented local surfboard makers.
THE BOTTOM of the board is basically like a boat. It is not flat as with a modern day performance shortboard or longboard. It has curvature.
DISPLACEMENT is the volume of water the ‘hull’ shoves aside.
THE NOSE is often wider and sometimes quite rounded. THE RAILS are very ‘blady’ and often feature razor sharp 50/50 rails. The ‘razor’ edge or apex being at the centre of the rail. THE S-DECK The nose has a slight kick and is quite thin. The board beefs up under your chest right through to just in front of where you would traditionally place your back foot. Then its thin again at the tail.
All the elements are blended together to provide the surfer with a board that trims well and makes long arcing turns using the rail as much as the fin. You really draw out your turns and then glide like in a late sixties surf movie. You do not pivot these boards off the tail, manoeuvring them at will, but rather ride them in a very forward trim riding style. They are great for long point waves. Riders often make mention of how the boards ‘hold’ or ‘fit’ into the wave as if you are connected to it rather than skimming across it. 85
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“What has always captivated me is downtown Tokyo, the neon lights and flashing billboards, that total visual overload.”
DIVERSE
DAVE VERRALl, DIVERSE SURF
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GEAR: SHAPER
the candy man
WITH SO MANY BOARDS, COLOURS AND DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM, WALKING INTO DIVERSE SURF AT TUGUN FOR THE FIRST TIME IS LIKE WALKING INTO A CANDY STORE
But it’s not just the number of boards, but the sheer variety that hits you. Longboards, shortboards, retro fish, eggs, hybrids, mini-Simmons, chambered wood boards and even finless creations... and some are in resin tints or have unique ‘one-of’ decals. The diverse range of boards in just one surf store (pardon the pun) is staggering. If there is one shaper that truly typifies the spirit of a smorgasboarder, one that epitomises what our mag is all about, it’s Dave Verrall - or Feral Dave as he’s otherwise known. We paid the Candy Man a visit to see what makes him tick. WORDS: DAVE SWAN PHOTOS: MARK CHAPMAN
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the candy man Variety is the spice of life they say. That rule certainly applies as far as our perspective on surfing is concerned - experiment, experience and master different watercraft. Don’t slip into the mundane routine of riding one board and one board only. Build your quiver with boards of every shape and colour under the sun. In doing so, you might as well pay Diverse Surf a visit, they have it all under one roof. But how did Dave become so diverse?
overload. In some small way, that is the feeling we have tried to recreate when you walk in here.”
“I guess it is an ingrained part of my personality, my love of various watercraft. I am probably suffering from attention deficit disorder where I can’t stick with one shape for too long. I always want to try something else and see what this shape or this construction method can do. I also like boards to be unique – different colours, different decals.
“If you went to a shaper who only focused on 6ft white shortboards and asked him to make you a mini-Simmons or a quad, you are probably going to be throwing him a real curve ball.
“What has always captivated me is downtown Tokyo, the neon lights and flashing billboards, that total visual 88
But what of Dave’s customers, do they share his same philosophy on surfing all types of boards? “Most of my customers have a pretty expansive quiver of all kinds of boards. I guess they are confident in the fact that whatever I have in store works, because it’s what I do.
“There is a big movement of people out there who don’t go for the mainstream big brands. People who don’t pigeon hole themselves as a shortboarder or a longboarder, people who just love surfing. “
Developing a sweet tooth Born in Alice Springs (his parents were travelling around Australia at the time), Dave spent most of his first 15 years growing up on a farm near the beach in the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. “My father was a pretty creative inventor and had a lot of influence on me. He made things like pedal powered airplanes from plywood, houseboats from recycled oil drums and timber from the rubbish dump.” Dave ‘found’ his first board at 10 years of age in the very same place. “My cousin and I pulled the door skin of a kero fridge and used the foam to make a board. We surfed it unglassed until we had no nipples left! The next one was a little more upmarket and also came from the dump. It was a little red single fin with the fin missing. I made a fin from plywood
at school with the help of my teacher Paul Balcerek, who was a state titleist in south Oz at the time.” Moving to Queensland at 15 got Dave closer to warm water but he initially became more involved with motocross and enduro racing. Over the ensuing years he finished a mechanics apprenticeship and worked as a photographer for a studio whilst freelancing as a senior photographer for a dirt bike magazine. It was a camping trip to Flat Rock near Ballina that Dave found surfing again. He was about 20 years of age. “It didn’t take me long to give up everything else and spend most of my time surfing. I moved to Duranbah and worked or used the dole to get enough to live and surf all the time! I became good friends with Greg Kerr (father of Josh Kerr on the WCT) and thru conversations with him and my next-door neighbour, who was sanding at a local surfboard factory,
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“Most of my customers have a pretty expansive quiver of all kinds of boards.” I landed some part time work putting in leggy plugs. It didn’t take long to get more work there making fins and so forth.” Dave found working there really inspired him and opened up his ‘creative genes’. He liked the challenge that no two boards were the same and the fact that every little thing could make amazing differences to how a surfboard performed. He was surrounded by legends like Billy Grant, Zappa, Neal Purchase Snr, Jim Banks and Thornton Fallander. They all possessed an immense amount of knowledge from which Dave could learn from. What they didn’t tell him, Dave picked up by watching and listening. “One of my best teachers was ex English pro champion Martin Wright. Martin lent me his planer and templates and I started hacking into blanks... “The first board I made was a 7’0” egg style board with a resin marble
tint! One of our glassing customers was Nev Hyman and he sold me a few rejected profiles and I finished them off. Those blanks taught me a few things. One, was always follow your own ideas and go down your own path. The other thing I learnt was reject blanks are soft and rejected for a reason.” From that point on Dave worked hard on learning everything he could about making quality boards. He had a burning desire to know how and why everything worked and developed an even stronger passion to make it better than the status quo. “I shaped myself a new board every two weeks for the first year, spending all my pay on glassing materials and blanks. A travelling Hawaiian surfer came in to do some part time work at the factory, we made friends and I made him a board to try, which he loved. He ended up on a photo shoot with Munga Barry on Stradbroke Island. I ended up with a cover shot in
Waverider magazine. Inspired by this and the amount of orders I received, I started to sell to a couple of the shops. It didn’t take too long to get enough orders to give up working in the big production glassing company and go out on my own.”
The start of an international following Dave started travelling to Bali for a few months every year to surf. Each time he would take several boards with him to learn how they worked in those kinds of conditions. He used to sell them all to Japanese surfers, each time completely paying for his trip before coming home.
“I have been back and forwards to Japan for more than 15 years. At present though, I am pretty concerned about the whole country.” With close family ties to Japan (Dave’s wife Tae is Japanese) his level of concern is understandable. Japan also makes up a significant part of his export market. “From all reports it appears surfers are copping a pretty hard time, being persecuted in the media for going out and having a good time when the rest of the country is struggling to come to grips with the catastrophes that have unfolded. Surfing is perceived as drug laden counter culture, much the same as how it was here in Australia in the seventies.“
Dave still enjoys a strong following in Bali to this day. His Japanese market has also expanded with visitors to his Gold Coast store prompting him to venture to the Land of the Rising Sun on a regular basis. may/jun 2011
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Does your shaper surf? Dave does. Photo: Supplied
Trick or treat
We know of Dave’s love for an expansive quiver but what is it that drives him.
Dave Verrall is an affable kind of bloke but he’s no marshmallow when it comes to expressing his bugbear with the surf industry today.
“I love making surfboards. I’m obsessed with making them better. I froth off science and technology. I scour the internet for any new advances in all kinds of fields. From cold spraying, powder coating and resin infusion, I want to find the next better way to make a board stronger, lighter and outperform anything we have ever made.” 90
“What drives me is what I see everyday in my shop. I see customers bring in boards to be repaired that have been made here on the Gold Coast and around the world. I am appalled at the quality of most of them. The major brands are the worst. The foam is so over shaped there is no dent resistance. The decks look like
golf balls. The fin systems are glued in with the most incompatible resins, causing fin plugs to break out left, right and centre. “Worst still, one of the newer trends of wood or carbon around the rails creates more landfill. What happens when you ding your rail? The stringers are cut. Bye, bye strength. There’s no way to fix that board properly. None of those brands stand behind their product with any kind of guarantee! I don’t know of any other sporting product in the world that has such poor back up and service as that.”
the candy man
GEAR: SHAPER Diverse’s Isaac Paddon (second from left) spending time in Japan with Dave. Photo: Supplied
Candy cravings
Dave’s also not a fan of cheap imports. “I see people riding all kinds of cheap imported boards that are as shiny as a wet ladybird. The graphics are as generic as the shelves in a Coles supermarket. They last the newbie for most of his or her surfing career because they only spend an hour in the water once a fortnight. And because of the board, they never actually get good enough for them to improve to the stage of desiring a better board. ‘That
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surfing is sure hard, let’s try stand up paddling next honey...’” But the quality of the make is not the only thing that gets Dave’s goat, in his mind, the narrow-minded focus of most on just performance shortboards is limiting. “Thanks to the fish fashion of the last few years at least some people are riding the right volume. But the majority of mainstream surfing brands and marketing is centered on the thruster and it’s low volume narrowband performance boards. When are they going to wake up that 90% of the world go surfing for fun? They need floatation and ease of use. Maybe it’s a conspiracy so only the good surfers can get waves at the best spots… then again if everyone out there rode the right board I might never catch a wave. Maybe all those set waves would have lots of people riding on them like the pictures we see of the old days when 15 guys are on one wave riding their malibus towards the shore.” Dave still has a passion for performance surfboards though, he has simply incorporated them into his diverse range.
Performance orientated design and new technologies “Most people know I shape a variety of boards from logs through to fishes and fun boards but possibly not the full extent of my venture into performance shortboards. “The thing is, I have always shaped performance shortboards but I found the majority of everyday surfers weren’t interested in them because it’s not what they ride. Hence I focused on fish and fun boards. This gave me joy because it got everyone enjoying their surfing again. In my heart though, I still want surfers to get the most out of their surfing. “Now that I have been able to develop a technology such as the Dyncore, where I can give highly skilled and elite level surfers something that is super light, strong and high-performance orientated, and it will last, I want to pursue that market. “
Hard coated candy Jawbreakers “With quality always being important to my customers, it drove me to make tougher, stronger boards. “My inventive nature lead me to create an additive we add in the resin to toughen the boards. Small differences in attention to detail make a large impact on durability and quality. “Dabbling in many forms of board construction methods and materials teaches us so much about our technical needs in a board too. I am constantly putting my efforts into trying things like resin infusion, multiple core boards (sandwich construction) and wooden board building methods. Just looking for those differences teaches me how I can make better boards with a lesser environmental footprint.” This experimentation lead to the discovery that is Dynocore. Dave goes on to explain what his new approach to board building is all about. “The glass that we use is a new technology. A material called Innegra that, until recently could not be used effectively. It is used in V8 super cars and formula one around the world because when it hits something it absorbs the impact rather than shattering and exploding like carbon fibre does. “It is quite hard to work with under normal surfboard glassing standards. That’s why I formulated my own process to go with it. It is durable but also has three times the flex of normal fiberglass. There are three different types of fibre we use on the board as well as carbon and basalt patches that further strengthen the board. The foam used is an EPS foam but as Dave explains there are different grades of EPS. “The really open grade which is quite cheap to produce is used in insulation. The next grade they use, which is reasonably waterproof, is used in paper cups and iceboxes. Then there is what we have, that is purpose built for surfboards. Within that style of foam, I can choose from three different grades from light to heavy to tune the board for its performance.
“The fact is, we are still developing this technology and it just keeps getting better and better.” With regards to how this technology performs, Dave puts it in terms of his new range of Dynocore performance shortboards. “It’s a WCT performance surfer’s board. It has the super light feel but will last for ages. A board you can take on a surf trip overseas and be confident it is not going to break in the first week. Something you can surf everywhere for a long time and it still goes great. You may get sick of it in 6 months and want to trade it in for something else and you know what, because of how it is made, it is still a good board and worth a lot of money.”
DAVE ON Fins “One of my first jobs in the factory was making fins, so I have always been kind of into them. Removable fins took away a lot of the knowledge people need to know about fins. I guess back then the shaper had to do all the testing and know what fins would intricately match the shape of the board.” “Having made fins it’s nice to be able to recommend the appropriate fins to match a board without the confines of political brand association.” Diverse make their own range of fins to suit each board, including specifically made blades for their Dynocore range.
Regard for the environment It is the pursuit of better boards and stronger boards that has stoked Dave’s environmental consciousness. “The way we go about our surfboard building process is what we find to be the most simple and effective way without enforcing our views and beliefs. We start from eco friendly printing inks for our board art instead of nasty paint sprays and we buy stronger more durable raw materials. “That said, we still use poisons and toxic chemicals in manufacturing as we are without effective options. As yet, there are currently no better performing alternatives. We are willing to try them if someone can show us a better way.” With that in mind, Dave set about looking towards how he could reduce the amount of waste when crafting a surfboard.
DYNOCORE...
INDESTRUCTIBLE? VERY CLOSE. HAMMER-PROOF STRENGTH. HOW OFTEN DOES A SHAPER ASK YOU TO BASH a BOARD?
“Did you realise when everyone makes a surfboard that 40% of the raw materials purchased to produce your awesome board is wasted? Starting with the foam removed from the blank thru to the resin that drips of the glass to the dust sanded of the finish coat, it all ends up in the appropriate waste facilities. At Diverse we do our best to keep emissions and dust down to a minimum. “But everyday we see boards made locally and all over the world that are a few weeks old, they look pockmarked like old golf balls. 91
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the candy man SELECT BOARDS FROM THE DIVERSE SURF QUIVER
HULL
BROAD BEAN
Wave dominator
DS SPRINT
KARVSTIx FEATURING ART BY DAVE VERRAL
DYNOCORE SONIC PRO HPI LONGBOARD TWIN KEEL FISH DP PIG Minisimmons SG CRUISER CHAMBERED TIMBER QUAD FISH
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Photo: Supplied
Candy wrappers DAVE TALKS ABOUT THE DIVERSE RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR BEAUTIFYING YOUR BRAND NEW BOARD
“Aside from our Dynocore range - which involves a competely different process - what we prefer to do as a standard is glass your board a little heavier (ie stronger), shape the board from better grade foam, use tougher fibreglass, laminate it with strong resins and let it cure for several weeks, you will now have a board that lasts for several years. We even guarantee to give you 50% trade in every 12 months to back the quality and life of the board. Your old one gets sold on to the next person who can get loads of satisfaction from a great durable product! That is responsible manufacturing. “This is how we do our bit for the environment. If you were to have a new board every 3 months because your old one is trashed, think about how much waste and damage that does to our fragile ecosystem. What better way to do your bit and help the environment by having longer lasting, more durable boards that are worth something to someone else when you are finished with it? “If this is not good enough for you... pony up and pay me to make you a beautiful wooden board made from plantation grown Paulownia here in Australia. You will have it to pass on to your grandchildren.
Photo: Supplied
“The environment we surf in has always been a beautiful place. Growing up I learnt to look after the earth as best as I could little by little. As one company we cannot change the surfing world’s trends and general misuse of the environment. I find the best we can do is leave the smallest footprint of effect on our past.” Dave has been recently working on a project with the CSIRO to create and analyse ways to change our archaic board making processes to fresh, new ecofriendly methods. “Dynocore has morphed out of this desire to make the best board around. Advances in surfboards, EPS and epoxy resins along with my proprietry semi-automatic glassing process will make your best board yet.
“Making 20 white boards a week gets pretty boring for a creative like me. I learned how to use photoshop to design my logos and design my own adverts. This lead me to try and incorporate that style of art onto my boards. “I met a young guy who worked at a sign writers using a plotter/ vinyl cutter and bingo my idea was a reality. I created the art on the computer, cut out stencils with the plotter and stuck them on the board, painting the colour in then removing the vinyl masking. “My unique style was born. I went crazy for a while doing all kinds of things no-one had ever painted on boards before. This created a real niche brand approach for our products.” It didn’t stop there. Around 10 years ago Dave started making high-end graphic art boards and worked with Troy Bremner at TBD to create full colour inserts that came out of a
$100,000 large format printer. “Working with an American graphic company, we had boards with inlays printed on them hanging in galleries in France for $3000. These days the printers are a little more affordable and Diverse have our own printing machine pumping out unique and personal graphics for boards everyday.” Dave has over 700+ examples of his own designs on the Diverse website and pays royalties to artists who want to display a gallery of work on there. Better still, if you are creative, you can even personalise your own surfboard by designing your own board decal. “With our innovative new process available, if you can create it on a computer, we can apply it to a board. Any static graphic that is. We can’t do not video boards.. yet!”
“One thing my dad always taught me was, ‘Good better best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best!’”
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VintJayegeBLyronegs by
Shaper: J ye Byrnes Dimensions: 9’6” x 23 1/8” x 3” Ideal conditions: 0-3 ft points or beach breaks. Ability level: Int to adv loggers looking to step back in time and style. Description: Traditional noseriding longboard with a few hidden features. Deep nose concave blended with a rolled bottom and 50/50 rails. Construction: Foam & Fibre range. Choose coloured foam insert, multiple red or whitewood stringers, tints and polishes for a unique and functioning art piece that look as good as it goes. Fins: One fin only for this beauty - set or box fin. Shaper comment: Tried and tested all over the east coast. Fuller outline in the last third increases tip time and the late flip in the tail allows the board to turn with style.
THE SURF FACTORY 16 Maitland Rd Islington Newcastle N.S.W 2296 Ph: 02 4969 5889 Mob: 0409 227 407 info@thesurfactory.com.au thesurffactory.com.au 94
The CSurigfbaoarrds
by Zak
Shaper: Ken Reimers Dimensions: 9’6”x 22 ½” x 3” Conditions: Point breaks Suits: a mad logger Description: The 9’6 foot Cigar is a model that I have a lot of respect for, mainly for the guys who rode this style of beast in the 60’s in waves of consequence. A super flat rocker with 50-50 rails, rolled vee, big tail fin and heavy glass job these things have momentum that is a challenge to master. Ride the glide Construction: 6oz bottom, 12oz deck. Fins: 10” hatchet Shaper comment: Surf this board with love and it will give you twice back.
ZAK SURFBOARDS 307 Victoria Road Thornbury VIC 3071 Ph: 03 9416 7384 Mobile: 0438 416 738 zak@zaksurfboards.com zaksurfboards.com
K2 SOD Model mMas
by Tho
Shaper: T homas Bexon Dimensions: 9’2” x 22 ½”x 2 ½” 16 ½” nose, 16 ½” tail Ability: Intermediate to experienced Suits: Around 60 - 65kg and on the shorter side. Description: Rolled bottom with slight narrow concave through the front half of the board. Very, very subtle step deck for increased bladiness and extra flex through the nose. Really rounded off square tail with deck concave for hold and stability on the nose. Construction: ½ inch cedar stringer, double 8oz deck, 4oz patches and full 8oz bottom. Fins: Glassed on, big red racked pivot fin. Shaper comment: This board is not for kooks but if you can surf you won’t find a much better log. Stay tuned to my website for info on the new shed.
SwinpaecheFSurlufboards Bobby Brssown by Black A tringerle Shaper: Jesse Watson Dimensions: 9’6” x 23” x 3 1/8” Ideal conditions: Up to head high sliders Suits: Hepcats to kooks, kicks flicks and hanging heels. Description: Traditional pig-inspired modern 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 resin tints, 60’s comp stripe and a full gloss and polish. Fins: Black Apache revised D-fin Shaper comment: This one is a modern sled for the discerning kook, traditional in looks - but a real hotrod under your feet. It’ll flash you a smile and then punch you in the face.
S
Shaper: Floyd Smith Dimensions: 9’2” x its a secret Ideal conditions: Sunday Best Suits: Someone with exquisite taste in boards Description: Shaped off Bobby’s last board from August 1967 by the legendary Floyd Smith Bobby’s shaping mentor. Beautifully foiled rails and iconic nose concave. Construction: Stringerless foam wrapped in Volan glass (using some of the old school techniques passed on to us by Floyd) and a full polish. Fins: Glassed on upright paddle pop fin Shaper comment: This board is one of the last great longboards made in the 60’s before the shortboard revolution. Built with all round hotdogging in any size waves in mind.
black apache surfboards
THOMAS SURFBOARDS PO Box 234 Maroochydore Qld 4558 Ph: 02 6584 1995 Mob: 0412 131 491
BLACK APACHE SURFBOARDS Ph: 0410 419 791
thomassurfboards.com
blackapachesurfboards.com.au
thomas_bexon@hotmail.com
E: blackapachesurfboards@ live.com.au
GORDON AND SMITH Ph: 0404 486 654 dane@gordonandsmith.com.au
gordonandsmith.com.au
may/jun 2011
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GEAR: BOARDS Photo: Supplied by Minty Surfboards
Minty boards make the most of Straddie
PopOsickeleSPurufbnoatrdesr Ayll-MroinutyndSurBfbooaardrds High Performancaerd b by Wave Bo
OKE SURFBOARDS 1/1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside, VIC, 3195 Ph: 03 9587 3553 okesurfboards.com
Shaper: Bob Minty Dimensions: 6’ x 18 ¼” x 2 1/8”
Small inty Surfboards by M
Shaper: Bob Minty
Ideal conditions: 3-8 foot
Dimensions: 5’9” x 19” x 2 1/16”
Designed for: All round performance
Ideal conditions: Small waves
Description: Rounded square tail with small hip. 4 mm concave.
Designed for: Performance surfing
Construction: Burford foam and glassed with Hexcel cloth. Shaper comment: Great all-round board. Fast off the bottom. Powerful off the top with great down-the-line speed.
Description: Stringerless small wave board with flex-control glassing. Construction: EPS and epoxy. Shaper comment: High performance board. Easy to launch and fast to respond.
MINTY SURFBOARDS Point Lookout, North Stradbroke QLD, 4183 Ph: (07) 3409 8334 Mob: 0438 783 191
MINTY SURFBOARDS Point Lookout, North Stradbroke QLD, 4183 Ph: (07) 3409 8334 Mob: 0438 783 191
bob@bobmintysurfboards.com
bob@bobmintysurfboards.com
bobmintysurfboards.com
Photo: Supplied by Oke Surfboards
Shaper: Rory Oke Dimensions: 5’9 x 19 ¼” x 2 ¼” Ideal conditions: 1-4ft Suits: Anyone who wants the speed and paddling ability of a fish, but the performance of a shortboard. Description: A wider nose outline, low entry rocker and single to double concave generates plenty of speed in smaller waves, while the pulled-in squashtail and extra tail kick allows the board to be surfed more vertical. Construction: Ocean Foam blank, 4oz glass with optional carbon kevlar tail patches Fins: Speedfins s115s FCS compatible Shaper comment: After spending the last few years working with the team to develop a board for everyday Victorian conditions, this is the result. Surf it around 4” shorter than your standard shortboard.
... Victoria in e her Somew an igh on h g in d Fly urfboar Oke S
bobmintysurfboards.com may/jun 2011
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Blackvbe irSd urf
by Primiti
Shaper: Craig Rees Dimensions: 5’7’’ - 6’4’’ Above 5’7” x 18 ¾” x 2 1/8” Ability level: Intermediate and up Suits: Different sizes Description: Primitive Surf Team rider Nick Vitko sat me down and we nutted this new model out. It’s a high performance fish and works best when combined with the MR twin fins from FCS. They have great down the line speed and turn on a dime. Construction: PU foam with polyester resin, Vacuum bagged with Carbon/Kevlar. Fins: Twin. MR twin fins from FCS recommended. Shaper comment: Go down 6 inches from your normal short board length and hang on. I took a 6’2 to PNG and it was the most popular board on the boat. They seem to do all the work on a wave and just needed to be pointed in the right direction.
PRIMITIVE SURF 601 Nudgee Rd, Nundah, Qld 4012 Ph: 07 3266 1001 E: info@primitivesurf.com www.primitivesurf.com 96
BigmitBive irSdurf
by Pri
Shaper: Craig Rees Dimensions: Sizes range from 6’4’’ to 7’6’’. Featured: 7’x 21 ½’’ x 2 ¾” Ability level: Beginners and up Suits: Different sizes Description: A follow on from our very popular Blackbird model, just on a bigger scale. The Big Bird has the volume of a mini-mal but is much more responsive under your feet, similar to a performance fish that will handle a little juice as well. Construction: PU foam with polyester resin. Fins: Quad or twin FCS. Shaper comment: Perfect for guys using mals that wish to surf something smaller without sacrificing too much volume or even beginners that don’t want a longboard.
PRIMITIVE SURF 601 Nudgee Rd, Nundah, Qld 4012 Ph: 07 3266 1001 E: info@primitivesurf.com www.primitivesurf.com
One Old Eighty-/E SP by Ed Sinnott
Shaper: Ed Sinnott Dimensions: 5’9 x 19 ¼ x 2 3/8” Ideal conditions: Anything up to 6’ Suits: Anybody 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. I love the flex. Fins: Thruster Shaper comment: Surfboard design has gone the full circle now. We’ve got boards that make so-called normal 6’1’’ boards look like guns. Go smaller, thicker and wider. Yew!
ESP SURFBOARDS 2/81 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay, NSW Ph: 0404 059 321 espsurfboards.com www.edsinnott.com.au
Blimpround Six Purafbcoakrds erg ak S
by Und
Shaper: Tony Dempsey Dimensions: 5’9” x 21” x 2 5/8” Ideal conditions: Up to 3ft beachies or points Ability level: From beginner to advanced Suits: Everyone Description: High-performance small wave board with low rocker and performance bottom. The bottom has increased V in the tail, lifting the board quickly rail to rail. Construction: PU foam and polyester resin, totally handshaped. Fins: FCS fibreglass keels Shaper comment: These boards are totally handmade to your requirements - as are all Underground boards using the best possible materials. Original, retro styling with high performance and loads of fun.
UNDERGROUND SURF 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD 4225 Ph: 07 5599 1040
kirra@undergroundsurf.com.au
undergroundsurf.com.au
by Z
Shaper: Doug Rogers Dimensions: 6’2” x 20” X 2 5/8” Conditions: 2-5ft Suits: Anyone Description: Double flyer, rounded pin, mild vee into 6 channels. Clear with pin line, fairly flat rocker. Construction: 6oz bottom 10 oz deck. Fins: 8” single with 3” side biters. Shaper comment: Can ride as a straight single or as a 2+1. Revamped mids vicco single fin, built to hold high and fast on steeper sections.
ZAK SURFBOARDS 307 Victoria Road Thornbury VIC 3071 Ph: 03 9416 7384 Mobile: 0438 416 738 zak@zaksurfboards.com zaksurfboards.com
may/jun 2011
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GEAR: BOARDS “Super fast and super responsive. Holds so well in the pocket, it’s crazy. I havent gone back to my normal board... Actually this is my normal board now.”
Jet nJneCt at
by Gle
Shaper: Gcat & the Erle of Pedersen Ideal conditions: 4- 6 thousand foot intergalactic sound waves Description: is wot it is. Shaper comment: LSD may help, BUT wait for the move instead.
SURF1770NOOSA.COM Ph: 07 4974 7770 surf1770@bigpond.com surf1770noosa.com
ingle Fin Retro SW S
by H
Dnaygann aSmurofboards
Alex Swadling, Coffs Harbour on the Flanagan Dynam0
by Fla
Shaper: Robert Ivers Dimensions: 6’4” x 21 ½” x 2 5/8” Ideal conditions: 3-6ft beach or point breaks Suits: Medium skill level Description: This Retro Twin Fin is full of punch with enough volume to get you into waves early and rails to help you hold onto to any wall. An easy paddler, this will put the fun back into your surfing. Construction: Hollow timber, Paulownia and Western Red Cedar, glassed in epoxy. With proper care these boards will last a lifetime. Due to the nature of natural timber, each board is unique. Fins: Single Fin, made Wiz Finz from Byron Bay. Shaper comment: Not all surfboards are the same. Enjoy the smooth ride and extra momentum of a timber board. Alternatively: Make your own timber board by attending one of our Tree to Sea workshops.
Shaper: Jason Flanagan
HOLLOW WOODEN SURFBOARDS Ph: 0409 211751 E: hwsurfboards@gmail.com www.hwsb.com.au
FLANAGAN SURFBOARDS 26/22 Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 Ph: 0432 361 694
Dimensions: 5’3” x 18 7/8” x 2 ¼” Ideal conditions: 1-4ft Ability: Novice to Pro Description: The Dynamo has a single to deep double concave with a vee off the tail pod. It features a low-medium rail with a very low rocker and flat deck. Construction: Cured Liquid Laminations Fins: Thruster Shaper comment: The Dynamo is taking off like a rocket in the popularity stakes - just as it does in the water. It’s a highperformance craft that will redefine your theory on a few aspects of board design. You will probably divorce your 6’1” before sunset.
flanagansurfboards.com
Photo: Tom Woods ST Surf Images www.stsurfimages.com may/jun 2011
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MT-3 u by Classic Malib Shaper: Peter White Typical dimensions: 5’8” x 20” x 2½” Conditions: Anything, but revels in 3ft hollow points Ability: More adept surfers. Forgiving, stable and custom-made to suit. Description: The MT-3 is an amalgam of two minds and three boards. Peter White and Mark Tume drew elements from two modern boards and one original ‘70s template to produce a flatter-rockered, wider board with a refined, quad-fin tail. Construction: PU foam, 4mm stringer. Glassing 6oz and 4oz ‘S’ cloth on deck, 4oz ‘S’ cloth bottom Fins: FCS SF-4 quads as standard, but can be changed out if more performance is required Shaper comment: The MT-3 paddles easily and out-performs every other board in its class. Supreme speed down the line and excellent rail hold makes this a versatile little board.
CLASSIC MALIBU Cnr Gibson & Eumundi Rd Noosaville, QLD 4566 Ph: 07 5474 3122 info@classicmalibu.com www.classicmalibu.com 98
h d Yet to be nhaemyene Leather JacketyrnFeiss C B
by Lee
Shaper: Lee Cheyne Dimensions: 6” x 21” x 2 ¾” Ideal conditions: 0-2ft Ability level: Anyone Suits: This is one of my personal boards for mostly rubbish waves but seems to be going really well in good waves. Description: Flat rocker with a combination of concaves and vees. Construction: Burford blank with Silmar resin Surf 9 4oz and 6oz glass with carbon tail patches. I shape, glass and sand all my boards myself with the best materials available to ensure they are the best quality boards on the market. Fins: Future or set Shaper comment: Insert gigantic grin here!
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
by Jye
Shaper: J ye Byrnes Dimensions: 6’ x 20 ½” x 2 ¾” or custom for you. Ideal conditions: 0-4 ft points or beach breaks. Ability level: Int to adv. All shapes and sizes. Description: Wide and curvy semi-deep swallow tail for loose and controlled turns. Flatter rocker and slight rolled V-bottom, subtle double concave between the fins. This fish is the sultan of speed and the king of style. Retro look, modern features. Lets go surfin’! Construction: Foam & Fibre range. Choose your coloured foam, stringers, tints and polishes for a unique and functioning piece of art. Apply this process to any order. Fins: Twin keel or quad fin. Available in set fin, FCS or Futures. Shaper comment: Classic features with modern influences for smooth lines and drawn out turns. Perfect to add to your quiver.
THE SURF FACTORY 16 Maitland Rd Islington Newcastle N.S.W 2296 Ph: 02 4969 5889 Mob: 0409 227 407 info@thesurfactory.com.au thesurffactory.com.au
The QorueaSdurfafbtoahrdesr by M
Shaper: Mark Pridmore Dimensions: Custom, just for you - This one is a 6’0” Ideal: Small beachies to throwing barrells Suits: Surfers who want a fast, stable, manouverable board that paddles well. I make a lot of these for guys frustrated with standard, overly refined shortboards... Description: A high performance board, but designed to be easy to ride and perform in all conditions. A little extra area and volume, so it paddles great. The quad ensures a lot of speed and hold, but the planshape, rocker, fin placement and bottom shape makes it very easy to turn. Really the best of both worlds. Construction: PU foam, Polyester resin. Made here in Oz. Fins: Quad FCS. Fast and holds in great. Not tight like some people think quads are. Additional tail plug for thruster if needed. Shapers Comment: Fast and loose! See reports and reviews on the website.
MORE SURFBOARDS
Ph: 0405 475 026 moresurfboards.com
Now based on the Sunshine Coast but delivery to just about anywhere is not a problem.
QuSadamFEisghan
by
Shaper: S am Egan Dimensions: Order from 5’6” to 7’2” Ideal conditions: Enjoys almost everything Ability level: Intermediate to advanced. Description: Fuller outline – easy paddler, fun type board, fast and surfs tight to the face of the wave. Will still go vertical with a tri fin set up. Construction: Bennett ISO foam, Dion polyester resin Fins: FCS Fusion fin system with SF4 glass flex fins Shaper comment: Drawing off retro lines, the quad fish is a good step down from a mal in bigger sized waves or perfect for ther highperformance surfer after a volumetric fish.
SAM EGAN SURFBOARDS 28 Maitland Road Islington NSW 2296 Ph: 02 4969 7299 info@samegan.com www.samegan.com.au
may/jun 2011
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GEAR: BOARDS
Single Fin ry by The Facto
Shaper: Paul Carson Dimensions: 7’4” x 21 ½” x 3” Ideal conditions: 2 - 6ft Suits: Anyone Description: Double flyer, round pin single fin. Very light concave running to vee in tail. Construction: Burford blank. Red tint all over with pinlines. Fins: Set single fin, handmade. Shaper comment: Bigger board for someone chasing single fin cruise.
THE FACTORY SURFBOARDS CALOUNDRA 17 Allen Street Caloundra QLD 4551 Ph: 07 5492 5838 paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au thefactorysurfboards.com.au
CarbonMWSrap by D
Shaper: Dan McDonald Dimensions: 5’7 x 18 ¾” x 2 5/16“ Ideal conditions: Varies according to model Suits: Beginner to Pro Description: The carbon wrap provides tension and drive through the front section of the board. By wrapping the carbon to the deck, we’ve created strength around the foot area but this still allows the tail to flex and pop you out of turns. Construction: Fused cell EPS core with a combined outer skin of carbon fibre & fibreglass composite, laminated with 100% epoxy resin. Fins: FCS Fusion or Future Fins Shaper comment: The carbon wrap has great flex characteristics. Mix this with the buoyancy and weight of an EPS core and you’ve got a light, responsive board that paddles into waves with ease.
DANIEL MACDONALD SURFBOARDS 3/56 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin, QLD 4223 Ph: 07 55 595 949 info@dmshapes.com www.dmshapes.com
And here’s Harry... May2011_Smorgas_Spread 094-099.indd 99
Single Fhraint by Bus
Shaper: Jed Done Dimensions: 7’ x 20 ¼” x 2 7/8” Ideal conditions: 2’ to 6’ river mouth and point breaks. Will also handle a bit of chop in the water. Suits: Intermediate to advanced surfers with a clean flowing style. Description: Custom single fin with the thickness held right through to the boxy, oldschool rails. The wide point and thickest part of the foil is well forward of centre. The rocker is very flat through the tail with only an inch of tail lift. Blue fade around the rails to match blue tinted fin and the owner’s own artwork supplied. Construction: Dion PU foam, single red cedar stringer, polyester resin. Fins: Hand foiled, blue tinted single fin. Shaper comment: This board is a replica of an old lost single fin. The shape was established using photos of the original board and verbal descriptions.
BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS Merimbula NSW Ph: 0409 813 431 E: jed@bushrat.com www.bushrat.com
The Squicidhards
by Mark R
Shaper: Mark Richards Dimensions: 6’8” x 22” x 2 ¾” Ideal conditions: 1-5 foot Designed for: Recreational to advanced surfers looking for a fun, all-round small wave board Shaper’s Comment: A performance-oriented fish which will work in a variety of conditions. Single-todouble concave bottom with an accentuated stringer spine on the double, so it will go rail to rail easily. Phenomenal paddling performance due to the forward area and volume . Available from 5’8” to 7’2” Construction: Burford Pu Foam Burford “Surf 9” USA Glass Silmar Resin Glassing: All 4oz, or all 6oz, or combo 6/4 available Fins: Exclusively FCS twin, tri or quad.
MARK RICHARDS SURFBOARDS 755 Hunter Street, Newcastle West NSW Australia 2300 Ph: 02 4961 3088 Fax: 2 4961 6872
markrichardssurfboards.com
Bump Tadily JFaciskh by Woo
Shaper: Woody Dimensions: 5’8”x 19 ½” x 2 3/8” Ideal conditions: 1-6 foot Description: A super fun board you can change up to suit almost any conditions. The bump tail gives you the looseness and feel of a pulled in tail, while the added width between the side fins will help get you through those slower, fatter sections of the wave. The concave in the front gives you lift up the face of the wave, while the vee double accelerates the water through the tail for down-the-line speed. Construction: Burford feather weight blank, poplar stringer. 4oz glass top and bottom with tailpatch. Fins: Five fin set up, to be used as a thruster or a quad. Currently using Scarfini Quad Fins HX2 Shaper comment: don’t be afraid to try a bunch of different fin set ups
WOODY JACK SURFBOARDS AUSTRALIA
Unit 7, 25 Leonard Parade, Currumbin QLD Ph: 0415 789 706 E: wjboards@gmail.com www.woodyjack.com
may/jun 2011
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GEAR: BOARDS
Situated in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, Illusions Noosa supplies a huge selection of surfboards, SUP's & gear to suit your style.
SUP paddles too!
Cutlass UP Pro Surf S
Dimensions: 9’6” x 29” x 5” Ideal conditions: Can handle any size swell Suits: Competent to pro. For shortboarders who want to take the next step. Description: With high performance in mind the Cutlass is the protege of its close sister the Element. Designed for fast, responsive, ‘cut & slash’ manoeuvres. Bulk in the main deck area assists with paddling speed and gilde. Hard, tight, rail allows the rider to execute snappy manoeuvres with speed and accuracy. Can handle any size swell that ‘Huey’ can throw your way!! Construction: The boards are vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core, which is a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. Each board has 2 leash plugs and one vent at tail, a plastic grip box and 1/3 deck grip Eva pads Fins: 2 FCS side fins and a fiberglass 10” center fin Shaper comment: The ideal board for those looking for a fast, performance SUP that is highly responsive.
ShredderUP Pro Surf S
Dimensions: 9”x 30”x 5” Ideal conditions: Can handle any size swell Suits: Competent to pro. For shortboarders who want to take the next step. Description: Designed and built for performance the Shredder is fast, responsive and displays many unique features. The high volume deck assists the paddling speed to catch smaller waves but drops away rapidly to a hard, tight, rail which allows the rider to execute snappy manoeuvres with speed and accuracy. This board brings the aggressive short board style to the world of stand up. Construction: The boards are vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core, which is a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. Each board has 2 leash plugs and one vent at tail, a plastic grip box and 1/3 deck grip Eva pads Fins: Quad FCS fins. Shaper comment: If you’re into competitive surfing and want to win, this is the board for you.
Noserider Malibu Dimensions: 9’3”x 23”x 3” Ideal conditions: A good board for small to medium sized waves Ability level: This is the perfect board for the beginner or occasional surfer right through to advanced Description: Classicflowing Malibu shape with subtle but ample rocker. This board features a slight double concave from nose to tail which assists speed and glide on those full sections between banks. Moderate volume thoughout, especially on the nose and tail ensures this board lives up to it’s name... ...Noserider! Construction: The boards are vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core, which is a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. Fin set-up: 2 + 1 or quad Shaper comment: Designed in Australia, this is a great all purpose longboard and noserider for well under $1000. You can be sure to ‘Hang loose during a session on this one.
Retro ish Bamboo F Dimensions: 6’10” x 22 ½ x 3 1/8” Ideal conditions: Fantastic manouverability, handling & speed in both big & small surf. Ability level: Whether you’re a light weight grommie or a ‘skeg head’ from the 70’s who’s 6-pack is now ‘hidden in the carton’ you’ll be taken back in time then projected into the pocket of every wave you catch!! 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 and design technology. Certain aspects of this board are unique only to Illusions Noosa. Construction: The boards are vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core which is a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. Fins: Twin fin Shaper comment: Designed in Australia, this is a great board for those who enjoy their surfing and are after a retro fish shape for under $500.
Flying Finigshs with W
Dimensions: 5’6” x 19 ¾” x 2 ½” Ideal conditions: For those progressive, surfers that want to push their boards to the absolute limit!! Ability: From a child starting out to the experienced surfer who wants a lightweight board. For surfers looking to rip it with attitude and style. Description: Compact short board with plenty of width to help on fuller waves and through those flat sections. A classic fish design with stylish flyers and a thruster fin configuration for powering hard off of those gnarly bottom turns! A subtle double concave adds speed and power. Construction: The boards are vacuum bagged and constructed of a D-XP3 core, which is a 100% recycled bamboo fibre blank with bamboo veneer and 4oz fibreglass top and bottom. The deck is laminated with full bamboo veneer for a firm, ‘depression proof’ deck. Fins: FCS fins Shaper comment: The Flying Fish is super light and fast
ILLUSIONS NOOSA SURFBOARDS - KAYAKS - SURFCRAFT 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville and Shop 3A/11 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, QLD 4566 Phone: 0488 686 206 fax: 07 3319 7269 www.illusionsnoosa.com.au 100
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GEAR: FINS
WHAT LIES BENEATH
CHAPTER III: BEND & FLEX The humble fin can significantly effect the performance of your surfboard, particularly with regard to how it works in unison with your board’s rails, bottom contour and tail. But what material makes the best fin? Here we continue our quest and talk to Phil Way from Phil’s Foils (formerly Fluid Foils) about his preference for fiberglass. WORDS: DAVE SWAN
So what does this all mean? “A fin needs a base area to help hold the board in the face of the wave. The base needs to be quite stiff or rigid in roughly the bottom two thirds of the fin to achieve this feat. The top third should have some flex to allow smooth entry into turns and release when exiting turns or changing direction. “The foil of the fin is also very important. It should be a continuous curve with no flat areas. Simply put, flat spots create turbulence, or cavitation as it is referred to in surfing terms, making your board hard to turn and slowing it down. A hand-laid and foiled fiberglass fin is pretty much the best way to achieve all this.” Phil goes onto explain that when laying up the 26 layers of 6oz fiberglass and resin, the weave of the cloth is run at a forty-five degree angle so the spine runs up the centre in the direction of the fin. This stops the base of the fin from twisting but enables the tip to have flex. This way you have drive, which is delivered through the base of the fin and flex at the tip, which assists your turning capabilities.” “As moulded fins are not made up of layers of fiberglass cloth, they haven’t got that spine so they don’t have that even flex. They want to bend from half way down or from top to bottom and not just at the tip. This makes your board
‘shift’ in the wave when turning, forcing you to nurse your board around, whereas when you are turning, you really want to push down hard against your fins and have that immediate response and drive that projects you out of your turns. Your fins should coil back and release and whip you into and out of turns. “Moulded fins are often made with a Coremat or foam centre sandwiched between layers of cloth in an effort to reduce weight by reducing the amount of fiberglass and resin used. This method of construction curves the glass around the center sandwich material as opposed to the foil being created through multiple individual layers of glass. If you curve glass it stiffens it up straight away. Just imagine if you had a sheet of flat glass, it is floppy. Grab a corrugated sheet and it is really rigid. “As I said earlier you want a delicate balance of flex and rigidity. When you consider a solid glass fin may be 10 to 15 grams heavier then moulded fins for a complete set, the difference is marginal compared to the superior flex capabilities of a hand foiled fin. You will notice the differences most when the surf picks up… when you really need a fin to perform.” Through the years in the business, Phil Way can lay claim to shaping fins for the best from Tom Carroll, Occy, Kieren Perrow and Jason Blewitt through to Kelly Slater. FOR WHAT WE’VE EXPLORED IN THE WORLD OF FINS SO FAR, CHECK OUT OUR BACK-ISSUES ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU
Top: Phil hand-foils his fins Above: An amazing selection of fin templates Left: Phil shows off some of his handiwork
“Fibreglass delivers a unique combination of flex, rigidity and an even foil that gives the rider heightened performance.”
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BEFORE
Through the steps... Sanding, filling, sanding, taping, spraying, surfing... Restoration photos: Paul Woodbry
...AFTER
BRING BACK THE DEAD...
Paul Woodbry is far too generous with his time when it comes to saving an old board from the tip. For more information on his restoration work and his own surfboards, drop him a line on 0408 763 541 102
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AFTER A FOUR-DAY SURF TRIP TO BYRON BAY, WE WERE ON THE ROAD HOME. DROPPING A LANDLOCKED MATE HOME IN THE MOOLOOLAH VALLEY, AN EAGLE-EYED NORTHSIDER IN OUR LITTLE POSSE SPOTTED THE ULTIMATE KERBSIDE COLLECTION FIND - A SURFBOARD. WE JUST HAD TO PICK IT UP. Despite being covered in mud and well bashed up, this fat, 80’s pintail thruster with double-flyers and more channels than Freeview still looked like it had a lot of fun left in it - if it could be saved. Paul Woodbry, the Megafish man of Woody Surfboards in Caloundra, was too brave for his own good, taking on an absolutely mammoth task of resurrecting this board, originally shaped by Nick Masarin under his brand Living Water which was active between 1977-1987.
THE JOB
This board was meant for the tip for a reason. Full of punctures through the glass and with massive delamination on the back end of the deck, a broken nose and totally faded spray job that was once upon a time garish flouro, this old girl had certainly seen her time. After far too much sanding, Paul had to patch all the holes in the board with epoxy filler. More sanding and the nose point had to be reshaped, again using filler. Where the delamination had occurred, Paul had to cut away and remove all the glass before filling that in too - a big repair in itself. To retain as much of the original art as possible, Paul painstakingly taped up and cut around the original decals and graphics. Finally, the board was resprayed, toning down the 80’s flouro while retaining the original design elements.
GEAR: PROJECT
The old girl is given her first ride in years by Karl ‘Surf-Everything’ De Wet Photos: Lucas Muro www.lucasmuro.com.au
THE RESULT
As we just couldn’t wait to give it a go, we didn’t even give Paul time to finish the final coat, but he reckoned she would be okay in the water... He was right. More than okay, in fact. Despite being a little heavier thanks to the repairs, she paddled great and handled just fine. This one will most definitely not be a wall hanger - there’s too many waves left in her yet. But man, those old superpointy noses feel a little dangerous...
THE conclusion
Restorations save pieces of history. While this might be a lesser-known name, it’s no less a part of our surfing history and has been worth saving all the same. Was it worth the time and money spent? While a new board would have been less effort, rather than ending up as scrap, this little board will now provide many more waves and fun for many more years to come. may/jun 2011
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GEAR: WETSUITS
HOW? WHAT? WHERE? WE EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WETSUITS AND THE ALTERNATIVES OUTSIDE OF THE BIG BRANDS
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
WETSUITS:
TURN UP THE HEAT
Photo: C-Skins
There is nothing worst than being cold when you’re surfing, nor a poor fitting wetsuit that chafes your skin leaving you looking like you have some dreaded disease, that is, aside from probably being eaten by a shark or, as they say, being poked in the eye with a red-hot poker, which incidentally leads me to say, “Who on earth has been poked in the eye with a red-hot poker to actually know what it feels like anyway? I mean it wouldn’t be nice but… anyhow I digress.” Freezing your proverbials off, it is not nice. They say when you first start to feel the effects of hypothermia your body actually starts to shut down. You gradually lose your mental and physical abilities; you become confused and uncoordinated and have difficulty in speaking. That’s why I always figured Mark must be cold, but enough jokes about my backward South African work mate. Crap wetsuits - they suck. But it is important to remember there are more than just the big three or four brands to choose from. There are other quality wetsuit manufacturers producing suits that rival the big brands for far less sting in your hip pocket.
Photo: Seventhwave
Now the other mags aren’t allowed to possibly say what we just did but what the hell, we are all about offering our readers something a little different, a bit outside of the mainstream with a little more meaning. We’re all about the everyday surfer. Sure, you may not pull airs in Iceland but you want to stay warm just the same and have a snug-fitting wetsuit to boot. Here we explore a couple of the alternatives. We talk to some stalwarts of the industry, discuss wetsuit construction, different advancements in wetsuit manufacturing and the new technologies employed. We also showcase how wetties are actually made and why fit is so important.
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GEAR: WETSUITS
WETSUITS:
THE WETSUIT
TURN UP THE HEAT
WETSUITS ARE A CORE PART OF SURFING. JUST AS YOU NEED A SURFBOARD, WETSUITS ARE A NECESSITY IF YOU PLAN ON SURFING THROUGH WINTER. WETSUIT TERMINOLOGY STRETCH the elongation and flexibility of wetsuit neoprene
NEOPRENE is in fact a type of foam and is often referred to as such or as ‘sponge’ JERSEY is what lines the neoprene, usually on both sides. Manufacturers use a range of materials and combinations from nylon to polyester, polypropylene, spandex and even wool (only internal lining). SMOOTH-SKIN is the ‘shiny’ rubber surface often located on the chest and back panels of the modern-day wetsuit. Instead of using jersey on both sides of the neoprene it is only used on the interior with the raw material or ‘smooth-skin’ exposed on the outside. BACK ZIP The original method of opening and closing a wetsuit BATWING Is an additional piece of neoprene that sits underneath your back zip and often has a piece that slips over your head. It is designed to limit water entry. CHEST ZIP Zips generally speaking are not watertight, so the shorter the zip, the less water can penetrate your suit. A chest zip is shorter than a back zip and thus is primarily used in most cold-water wetsuits. 106
Photo: C-Skins
MEMORY the ability of the neoprene to return to its original state
HOW DOES A WETSUIT ACTUALLY WORK? Wetsuits are made of a thin synthetic rubber fabric called neoprene. Neoprene is a chemical compound containing hundreds of small closed cell nitrogen bubbles, or foam as it is commonly called, that help insulate the wearer. The wetsuit itself protects the
wearer from cold water but also works by trapping a thin layer of water between the wetsuit and the wearer’s skin. The surfer’s body heat warms the trapped layer of water, further insulating the wearer.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A WETSUIT WARMTH How warm a wetsuit makes you feel is important but is subjective because we all feel the cold in different ways. The thickness of the neoprene will largely dictate how warm you feel. Simply put, the more neoprene, the more insulation. Wetsuit thickness is usually given with two numbers like 3/2, 4/3, 5/3. They represent the thickness of the neoprene used in the wetsuit in millimetres eg. A 3/2 wetsuit is made out of 3 mm and 2 mm thick neoprene. The reason being, you have thicker neoprene in parts that do not need lots of flexibility, such as your body and parts that are constantly in motion like your arms have thinner neoprene so they are flexible. WATER ENTRY Particularly in our southern states, eliminating
water entry is pivotal to your comfort. Ice-cold water trickling into your suit is never comfortable. Manufacturers have been able to limit water entry through the evolution of the seams used to join neoprene panels together and zip designs. FIT Simply put, a poor fitting wetsuit lets in water, makes you cold, gives you a nasty rash and can be restrictive inhibiting your surfing. EASE OF ENTRY Some wetsuit designs have effectively eliminated the possibility of water entering your suit but in doing so have made it near impossible for the wearer to do the same. If you can’t get into your suit easily it is a pain in the arse and the time you are most likely to damage your suit.
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ZEE FEATURES WORKMANSHIP “Our workmanship is warrantied for life and we do that because nothing really goes wrong with it.
ZEE MAN ZEE WETSUITS Bernie Filer has an extensive history in the wetsuit industry so he knows his stuff. He represented companies such as Turnbull Fins before joining The Curl (Rip Curl) in September 1975 where he stayed until 1986. An incredibly humble man and not one for titles, we eventually prised out of him that in his final year with the company he was the national sales manager, was looking after a couple of divisions and responsible for setting up Rip Curl’s UK distribution network. During his time with The Curl, Bernie worked closely with Ray Thomas and Doug Warbick on the design and manufacturing side of the business. Bernie left the company in 1986 when he felt it was time to move to the beat of his own drum. He identified a niche in the market and set up Zee Wetsuits and Moomba (wetsuits for water skiers) in Geelong in 1987. In 1996 Bernie and over half of his staff moved to the Sunshine Coast and set up their current base. WETSUIT CONSTRUCTION AND THE DIFFERENT ADVANCEMENTS IN WETSUIT MANUFACTURING “There is no doubt wetsuit technology is coming ahead in leaps and bounds from where it used to be. In the old days, you could park trucks on the rubber used in wetsuits. It was that thick, and if you wanted it to stretch, well forget it. As for colours, you could have green, red, black or brown, and if you waited long enough the black turned brown anyhow. “In terms of the development of wetsuit manufacturing and the technologies employed, I have to give guys
“As for the lifespan of our suits, they are lasting forever. We have people walking in here for a new zip and the wetsuit is 20 years old. Our biggest trip is we have such good word of mouth because our wetsuits are really good. We also custom tailor suits to fit.” A custom fit steamer is $60.
BERNIE FILER, ZEE WETSUITS
like Ray Thomas from Rip Curl credit. They have been, and still are, at the leading edge of wetsuit development. With that said though, we also need to dispense with some of the bullshit circulated nowadays. Marketing crap influences way too many consumers.” STRETCH “Some of the most significant advancements in wetsuit technology are stretch and the memory of the material. The laboratories have been able to develop the sponge so it is super light instead of being highdensity foam, which does have some applications in diving but not surfing because the neoprene is warm but is quite heavy. The type of lightweight sponge developed is referred to as ‘S foam’ and has enormous stretch capabilities. When you have a raw piece of neoprene that’s in cell form, the stretch is absolutely fantastic. JERSEY “Jersey linings have become very important. As stated, today’s neoprene has an incredible amount of stretch. The jersey aids comfort, warmth and protects the neoprene but it also inhibits its stretch capabilities. “It is the quality of the jersey and the way it is knitted that is particularly important, as is the mix in the fabric itself. A lot of jerseys now have spandex woven into it to enhance the stretch capabilities of the neoprene. Nylon tends to have the best stretch characteristics. As for wool, in my opinion and to be frank, it is at the enth degree of ‘techni-crap’. It will keep you warm but is as heavy as buggery. A woollen footy jumper shoved down your wettie will do the same job
GUARANTEED BUY BACK FOR KIDS “We don’t charge custom fits for kids. We also have a guaranteed buy back for kids. Children grow so fast it is understandable the buying motivation for parents is that they want to get a couple of years out of a wettie and as
and weigh about the same. “So in essence, a quality wetsuit really comes down to the quality of the neoprene, or the cell as it is called, the jersey lining and how they are intertwined or laminated so to speak.” POWER HEATING “As for battery powered heating devices and so forth, I guess they sound good in theory, but then again, so did the neutron bomb. There are problems with the batteries and recharging… The industry tells me there is a fair fail rate with this kind of technology and of course, I am pretty close to the industry.” AND WHAT OF DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEOPRENE ITSELF? DOES IT MATTER WHAT COUNTRY IT COMES FROM AND WHAT IS SBR? “As for where the neoprene comes from and its associated quality, I think that is quite subjective. Comments are made with respect to Japanese neoprene but I suppose it is just like saying Japanese cars are better. There is a company now in Taiwan that easily produces the best neoprene in the world in my opinion. They have a full-blown research and development department, not just a token effort. “As for SBR, it isn’t actually neoprene. It feels like neoprene, looks like it and smells like it but it is not neoprene. It’s a different chemical formula and is very stiff and not flexible at all. It is still warm and significantly cheaper but the durability, stretch and comfort is not even close to neoprene. These are the low price-point kinds of wetsuits you find in BCF, Aldi, Big W and the like.”
such, will buy one that is too big. The problem is, a wetsuit needs to fit to work. We convince our customers to buy the correct size and to come back and trade it in for their next suit when they grow out of it.” PRICING “Price doesn’t always mean a wetsuit is superior. With regards to the big brands, our materials, construction and technology are the same. The only difference is that all of our wetsuits (bar the chest zip model) are made locally on the Sunshine Coast and have Zee written on them. The reason why we are so affordable is we’ve spent less on marketing bullshit and I don’t sponsor any pro surfers or have a ski chalet in Chamonix.” WHERE TO GET A ZEE WETSUIT “I only supply a select range of stores and direct to the public. My reason for this is simple. The big brands have gone straight vertical - they own the whole process from manufacturing through to retail. They dictate terms via crush and rule. Because they own the market from start to finish, Joe Average surf shop down the corner has got his proverbials squeezed. Other than that, many of the top surf shops are dictated to by the major brands and as a result, they cannot purchase from us.” may/jun 2011
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GEAR: WETSUITS
WETSUITS:
TURN UP THE HEAT
GOING CUSTOM Wetsuits have come a long way since their birth in the early 1950’s. New construction methods, patterns and materials have enabled wetsuits to become warmer, lighter and more flexible.
INTERESTING FACT Water can sap heat from the body up to 25 times faster than air, people can get hypothermia much faster in water than on land.
Not only can you walk into a most good surf stores these days and get kitted out with almost everything from a small warm vest for up north through to the full hoods-and-booties setup for the south, you can even get a wetsuit made from scratch - a custom-fit suit, made to your measurements and local break requirements that’s a perfect fit for your body and a perfect match for your local conditions. We look at how one comes together.
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3. 1-2. DRAWING AND CUTTING THE PATTERN. 3. PRINTING THE DESIGNS AND LOGOS. 4. THE CUT, PRINTED PATTERN PIECES. 5-7. GLUEING 8-11. STITCHING 12. LINING THE INSIDE WITH MELCO TAPE 13. ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES 14. THE FINAL SUIT, READY TO SEND
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15. JOE MORETTI - MAKING THE MOST OF IT
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What’s the most critical feature of a comfy wetsuit? It needs to fit. A well-fitted wetsuit is so important for warmth and flexibility. You can have all the bells and whistles but if it doesn’t fit you’ve wasted your money. A bad fit means your suit might flush water, bunch up and of course make for a miserable surf on those nasty winter mornings. One company providing this sort of custom service - Seventhwave Wetsuits in New Zealand – gave us a behind-the-scenes look into what goes into the making of a custom suit and showed us how they are cut, printed and sewn by hand on site in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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First the suit is ordered (in this case using an online custom fit chart) and the customer’s measurements are run through the in-house system to create the pattern. The pattern is drawn onto the neoprene and any custom alterations are made. This includes what you may have specified for choice of colour, thickness, and any other special features. The material being used is limestone-based Japanese Yamamoto neoprene, designed to absorb next to no water, last longer, and be more environmentally friendly. This nitrogen-infused neoprene is said to have a 30% higher air count than petrol-based neoprene and weighs nearly the same wet or dry. With less absorption - and therefore lighter neoprene - paddle fatigue is reduced, with flexibility and warmth increased, which means a more fun day surfing. The pattern pieces for the wetsuit are cut out and any decals, logos or pictures are printed by hand using a silkscreening process. Then the stitching begins. In this particular case, the suit pictured is the MAX winter model, which means the seams are double glued and blind-stitched with a curved needle. This technique means the seams are watertight as the needle never passes right through the neoprene. The inside of the suit is then lined with melco tape for added warmth and comfort. With the body of the suit assembled, the last few bits of trim are added, the stitching is tied down to prevent it coming apart and the zip is sewn in. After a thorough series of checks and re-checks, the suit is ready to be packaged up and sent you. To watch a video of this wetsuit being made, check out: http://seventhwave.co.nz/about Over 24 years of wetsuit-making experience goes into each suit and Seventhwave offer a lifetime warranty on the construction and workmanship. While you could pop in to try a wetsuit to get your very own custom-fit in person, Seventhwave’s measurement chart, online process and free worldwide shipping mean you can do it from anwhere. They’ve sent suits to Peru, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Japan and even Switzerland. For more info, check out www.seventhwave.co.nz
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GEAR: WETSUITS WETSUIT CARE As for caring for your wetsuit, all manufacturers agreed on the following: RINSE IN COLD WATER ONLY?
Cold or hot, it doesn’t really matter, unless the water is scalding whereby it will actually cook the fabric. Fresh water is the key ingredient. WHY RINSE IN FRESH WATER?
It gets rid of the salty sea dog smell plus the seam of your wetsuit can accumulate salt. If you do not rinse the salt out of your wetsuit it becomes like sandpaper on your skin. DON’T DRY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT?
The sun kills them. The UV detoriates the fabric. The jersey actually cooks and it will crack and the wetsuit loses all of its stretch and its memory. You only have to see how rapidly your wettie fades in the sun to see the damage it is doing. PEEING IN YOUR WETSUIT?
It probably makes you warmer in Torquay but aside from that doesn’t damage the suit. Sanitisation and smell could be an issue leading many to question hiring a wetsuit. They also say peeing in your wetsuit can attract sharks so there’s enough reason to abstain. IRON, DRY CLEAN OR BLEACH?
As for these care instructions, we didn’t ask the manufacturers. If you’re not smart enough to figure out why you shouldn’t do this to your wettie, deck yourself in spandex and take up bike-riding. 110
X RATED
WITH DON MUNRO OF TRIPLE X WETSUITS
Don Munro, like Bernie Filer, has been in the surf industry for a lifetime. Don travelled around the world with his young family in the early seventies with his first surf label Close to Earth. Later on he made his first fortune with a surf label he developed in Australia called Mango. Back then, the big three were just starting out. Rip Curl were focused on their wetsuits and both Billabong and Quiksilver on their boardshorts. Don had the idea to focus on screen-printed surf t-shirts. It took off. Following on from Mango, Triple X was born in 1993 starting with rash shirts and later wetsuits. With the big three brands diversifying into other categories, Don believed their focus had drifted and seized upon the opportunity to become a specialist wetsuit company. 18 years on, Triple X have a following of core surfers.
WHAT EXACTLY IS TITANIUM? “It is a derivative of Titanium, which is of course a metal, combined with several other things. “The Titanium is extruded to its liquid form and laminated onto the neoprene like ink. It flexes and moves with the material. “Because of how it is applied, we don’t have any issues with it flaking or cracking. With our earlier suits it did eventually wear off with general wear and tear as your body rubbed up against the laminate. To combat this we now cover the laminate with the latest multi-stretch jersey.”
SO WHAT DOES THE TITANIUM ACTUALLY DO? “Every one of our suits has a titanium insulation shield. It stops windchill and increases thermal warmth by recycling your body heat. It extracts your body heat and reflects it back at you. “That is why it is laminated onto the inside of the neoprene and not the outside. Scientific tests have proven titanium laminated suits work. “We make lots of suits for commercial abalone divers around Australia and tuna farmers in Port Lincoln, South Australia. Down there the water is not only bitterly cold but these guys are exposed to extreme windchill. They leave the offshore tuna farms, still in their Triple X wetsuits, and travel back to port in a boat. Before using our wetsuits they would have to change back into their clothes to return to port.”
“ TITANIUM INSULATION: IT STOPS WINDCHILL AND INCREASES THERMAL WARMTH”
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TURN UP THE HEAT
WETSUITS:
THAT’S MAGIC
WELL I FAILED SCIENCE CLASS IN SCHOOL SO I‘LL BE BUGGERED IF I CAN EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON HERE APART FROM THIS: The Magic Heater is like a kidney belt made out of wetsuit material and is fixed around your waist with velcro and goes under your wetsuit. It is not reliant on batteries so you don’t have to worry if they are fully charged or any of that business.
TRIPLE X FEATURES A WIDE RANGE OF RUBBER “We have an extensive range of suits that all feature our titanium insulation shield from 1/1 through to a 5/5 for surfers. Our neoprene also resists compression – often a standard 5/5 suit will eventually end up a millimetre or so thinner.” STITCHING “All our steamers in the mega-stretch range feature the latest technology in sealed seam glue welding. We do that on the inside of the suit. On the outside we use a blind stitch to give the seam support and strength without penetrating the fabric so it doesn’t leak water into the suit. We chose this over liquid seams because we found these crack over time and are a nightmare to repair.” ZIP HOOP “We found pulling up a zip needed to be made easier. How many times have you seen surfers doing a funny little dance trying to wrestle their zip up whilst holding the base of their wettie near their lower back with the other hand? With the new super stretch materials, this area is also prone to tearing. We reinforced the area at the base of the zip to prevent just that and stitched in a hoop to hold onto. ZIPS “We discovered a new heavy-duty zip that because of the way it locks off, stops water leakage. This enabled us to resist going with
the trend of what is called a ‘batwing’ as many surfers had commented to us they didn’t like how restrictive these were. “Our substantial following of surfers and coldwater divers have never complained about water leakage. As a further measure to minimise any water penetrating the suit we have a pocket at the base of the zip with drain holes in it.” PRICING? Triple X is not only priced substantially below the major brands, they also offer a warranty considered ridiculous by many. Many manufacturers give a lifetime guarantee on workmanship; Triple X goes one step further. If anything goes wrong with one of their suits in the first twelve months Triple X will replace it. They will also repair a suit for life free, if it is repairable. Hence, they are pretty confident in the quality and make of their wetsuits. WHERE TO GET A TRIPLE X WETTIE? Whilst still supplying a couple of select stores, Triple X predominantly sells direct to the public through their online site and warehouse in Ballina. Their broad range of styles and sizes from XS through to XXXL, coupled with suits using the latest multi-stretch material means they can fit a wide range of body sizes. Triple X ships their suits all around Australia for free and if the fit isn’t what you want, they’ll happily exchange it. There is also a service line customers can call to speak with knowledgeable staff
Within the belt is a pouch and inside that is a bag filled with some kind of gel or ‘crystals’, as they call it. You press the button on the bag and some mighty weird shit goes on, the crystals change colour and next minute, the thing is as hot as hell. You wack the bag back in the pouch, affix the belt to your waist, pull up your wettie and away you go. The heat lasts for an hour. The Magic Heater can be reused again and again. It is friggin’ amazing and one of the coolest things I have ever seen plus it works. You can check it out on http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=-3PD9cAMa08 As Caspian De Looze, Sydney north shore artist and surfer explains it, “That’s twisted alien technology.” That it is Caspian, and coming from you means it really is ‘out there’. The Magic Heater retails for $184.95. Stockists of Tools can be found on WWW.TOOLSSURFAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
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GEAR: WETSUITS
WETSUITS:
TURN UP THE HEAT
THE SKIN I AM IN WITH TOMAS MARTIN FROM C-SKINS
WHY FIT IS SO IMPORTANT A wetsuit is arguably the most exacting item of clothing you will ever wear. The fit should be tight but not so you can’t move freely. If it is too loose, it’s useless. Your wettie will continually flush with cold water and you will end up carrying around heaps of water causing you to resemble the Michelin Man or someone suffering from severe incontinence.
BRIEF BACKGROUND ON C-SKINS
HOW CAN YOU TEST IF THE FIT IS RIGHT?
Carey Brown founded C-Skins after originally working with a company called Gull in the UK, a huge surf brand that manufacturers everything surf related from boards to apparel. Carey’s uncle, Dennis Cross, was the founder of Gull and together they developed the first ever surfing steamers in Europe back in 1969.
“You want a neoprene with a great deal of stretch so your suit moves with you. You can test it in a number of ways. First, grab a hold of either arm of a wetsuit with a mate and pull it apart. Try the various brands and price points. You will see a notable difference as to the grade of neoprene used. Secondly, try on heaps of suits. A wetsuit is a significant and important investment that will enable you to enjoy your surfing in the cooler months, so take the time to properly research what you are after. With the suit on, simulate the movements you would do while surfing including general stretches. In particular, perform kinetic movements not just static poses. You want to be able to move freely and not feel like you are in a straightjacket.”
After Gull was sold in the late nineties, Carey set up C-Skins in 2000 as a specialist wetsuit company. Their focus was, and still is, to specialise in manufacturing quality wetsuits and neoprene products for the core surfer. Their first item they produced was the C-Skins Original apparently a world first lightweight vest with a titanium laminate. You only have to look at where we are today to realise these guys are at the forefront of wetsuit innovation. FIT
“The fit is such a key aspect of a good wetsuit. If the fit isn’t right, it won’t matter what the suit is made out of, it will not keep you warm. The fit is the most important thing bar none. “Not every wetsuit is perfect for everybody but that’s why it is important manufacturers carry a broad and diverse range of sizes. Our C-Skins range for men consists of XS, S, M, as well as M short and M tall, L, as well as L short, L tall, XL, XXL and XXXL.” 112
WARMTH “You want a wetsuit that is super stretchy but not at the expense of durability or warmth. With our C-Skins suits we pride ourselves on specking up the neoprene. If you were to take a close look at some suits and actually measured their thickness with a caliper, you would notice they are specked down. In their efforts to make a suit super light or super stretchy, many manufacturers actually spec down the rubber. What you end up with instead of a 3/2 wetsuit is a 2.5/1.5 wettie. You are not as warm and because the stitch holding the various panels together has less to hold onto, it is more prone to tearing.”
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C-SKINS FEATURES QUALITY FIRST “Our C-Skins suits often end up being a half-millimeter thicker because we appreciate neoprene will compress over time and we don’t wish to skimp on rubber. For us it doesn’t matter if a suit costs another dollar to make because we don’t make as many as the big boys. Our focus isn’t on continuously increasing profit margins for shareholders. Saving a dollar by cutting a corner doesn’t make a difference to us. We are all about quality. Why buy a wetsuit from a company that has spent more money on marketing than the raw materials that go into it?” WATER REPELLATION “A number of our suits have various features to keep water out. • Lockdown cuffs -the circumference is reduced by about a third so you have this incredible watertight seal on your wrist. • Opti-wick in the legs to draw water away from your body. • Liquid seams on the outside of the suit to repel water off the suit. Liquid seams on the inside tend to grip the skin and are uncomfortable. Liquid seams inside and outside restrict the stretch.” DURABILITY “Some manufacturers lay claim to the fact their suit will last at least three seasons. Having been recently developed and released onto the market, how do they know? The fact is, some surfers simply wear through their wetties quicker because of the way they surf and where. Rather than make unsubstantiated claims we have focused on the areas prone to wear and tear.” SMOOTH-SKIN RUBBER • great at stopping windchill but it’s not durable • we have replaced it with our ultraflex neoprene on the outside and quick-dry polypropylene on the inside
CHEST ZIPS “Asymmetric chest zips zip down one shoulder and are an absolute nightmare to get on and off. As a result you place a lot of strain on the suit getting in and out of it. That’s where most people do the damage to their suits. Having one shoulder closed off also makes you feel somewhat lop-sided. “Our suits have an overhead collar instead with a diagonal chest zipper, bungee fixers and a double clamshell.The double clamshell, as opposed to the single, means you can open the top of your wetsuit up wider to assist ease of entry. MINIMAL SEAMS “Less seams means more stretch, a lesser likelihood of water entry and less areas for joins to deteriorate. “ PRICING? “Many manufacturers have benefitted from a strong Aussie dollar because they manufacture overseas and the subsequent cost of materials and the make have come down substantially but this has not been reflected in their price. “As C-Skins is new to the market, we have based our prices on the current state of affairs and that’s why we are up to $200 cheaper on a basic steamer than the big brands. Either that or you can get a wettie with a stack more features for the same price. WHERE TO GET A C-SKIN WETTIE? Stockists are listed on www.c-skins.com If your local doesn’t stock it encourage them to do so or contact C-Skins direct on 61 (0) 412 081 546 or email: tomas@c-skins.com
Bettina Huckel is possibly the longest serving employee in the surf industry. She has worked for John Skipp in Wollongong for close to 35 years, starting back on the 23rd October 1976. Skipp Surfboards incidentally was the first ever account for a then fledgling surf label that specialised in wetsuits called Rip Curl. Bettina has fitted plenty of wetsuits in her time, so we asked her for some tips on finding the right wetsuit.
1. Support and shop at your 100% local surf shop
2. Talk to a wetsuit specialist –
someone who takes the time to ensure you get a proper fitting wettie and provides you with personalised service
3. Know your weight and height for the fitting
4. Know your budget 5. Take the time for a proper fitting and be patient
Next time you are in The Gong and in the market for wettie, drop by and have a chat to Bettina. She is a lovely lady who knows her stuff and a real spunk to boot. may/jun 2011
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Bettina with Steve of Skipp Surfboards
5
KEY TIPS TO FINDING THE RIGHT WETSUIT
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GEAR: FORUM
EXPORTING AUSSIE BOARDS WORDS: DAVE SWAN AND TOMMY LEITCH
Classic Malibu’s Peter White has been heavily ensconced in surfboard manufacture for over forty years. His Classic Malibu label, based in Noosa Heads, has been established for almost twenty years, and has been exporting for well over half of that. Destinations for Classic Malibu boards include New Zealand, France, the US and across the Asia Pacific. He had this to say about the exportation of Australian boards: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON EXPORTING BOARDS AS A NATION? We could and should be exporting a lot more boards than we probably do because of the quality and the fact that, of the top professional surfers, the majority seem to be Australian, therefore our equipment must work better. But with the Australian dollar at an all-time high, it’s very difficult at the moment. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR EXPORT MARKET? From a lot of early overseas travel making friends and acquaintances within the industry, general research, making trips to countries that we wanted to deal with, sounding out what they needed and wanted and giving them exactly that.
“JUST CROSS YOUR ‘T’S AND DOT YOUR ‘I’S AND MAKE SURE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK IS IN PLACE WAS IT SOMETHING YOU INSTIGATED? In a lot of cases, they approached us, through word of mouth, quality, and obviously our team riders achieving results in national and international events. HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE PHYSICAL EXPORTATION OF BOARDS AND ALSO THE BUSINESS GENERATED? It’s helped our business – there’s no doubt about it. We rely a lot on export. Probably 20 percent or more of our manufacturing is for export. It can get a little awkward with the different seasons: in summer here, we’re usually busy, but it’s the time when Europe wants boards for their pre-summer deliveries. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS WISHING TO BEGIN EXPORT? We’ve travelled some rough roads – it’s not easy. They’ll screw you down every chance they get, promise you payment that you don’t receive until you’re at the very end of your tether. But basically, just cross your ‘t’s and dot your ‘i’s and make sure all your paperwork is in place and you’ve got an agreement that you can hold them to.
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3/05/11 10:21 PM
OTO: WORDS &LEPH NS DEREK EL
This photo was shot in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. We went up there to find the hairpin turn that overlooks the Coast, under construction. The construction workers actually didn’t mind us being there - Boardstore rider Millsy Makenzie flying by on loose gravel was just entertainment for them. But the hairpin had no cement left on it, so we opted for some other turns down the mountain. I remember holding the boot open for Millsy, expecting him to put his board and
helmet in and ride down in the car, but there he stood with a big cheesy grin on his face, all padded up, longboard in hand. “I didn’t come all the way up here just to ride down in a car. I’ll meet you at the bottom” he said, already giddy from the thought of how many turns, sweeps and slides he was about to under take in one solid run. Needless to say he made it all the way to the bottom in one piece and still giddy. All this on a bum knee, two weeks after surgery.
Not just a surf shop, Southern Man Surf has a fantastic range of skateboards - customs and completes. Skater: Simon Deutcher Photo: Tim Saunders
S K N A H T S E D I R NO FREE
Boards for land and sea
EVERYBODY WANTS NEOPRENE
For pers on service al and great ad vic come in e, an talk to T im to get k itte out with d t perfect he board for you.
SAFE TO SAY, THE RESPONSE TO THE RISEN LONGBOARD GIVEAWAY IN OUR LAST EDITION WAS HUGE. It seems that everyone who read the piece loved the idea of the neoprene deck-grip and couldn’t wait to get their feet onto it... With so many submissions, we asked the Trinity Distribution boys to pick their favourite...
! INNER
W
HONORABLE MENTIONS As much as we’d like to give everyone free stuff, there can only be one winner. However, these creative folks deserve a good backpat for valiant efforts all ‘round. Well done...
Congrats to Craig Stewart of Woonona, NSW. His dodgy feet and dodgier photo got him the nod and a slightly used Risen longboard, with neoprene deck-grip thanks to Trinity Distribution. Craig, please get on your new board and get yourself to the pharmacy to get some heel balm.
Carrie wanted to replace her dad’s 25 year old classic... “It’s really heavy, doesn’t move and won’t turn. Dad says there is nothing wrong with it. How is that going to help a girl improve her surfing?”
“I love to skate along the concrete Especially in my size 12 bare feet. But this can be a very painful feat because of my deformed plates of meat. To score a neoprene deck would be really neat. Then I could board pain free along the street, giving my dodgy toes a real sweat treat.” Mike Jones
138 Princes Highway Ulladulla, NSW 2539 www.southernman.com.au
Hey, Dad’s board rocks! may/jun 2011
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. . . s d r a o b e t a Sk OTOGRAPHY ARLIE HARDY PH PHOTOS BY CH
...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
2/05/11 9:04 PM
GEAR: SKATE LOCAL
DIFFERENT
SHAPES
Adam Baldwin is a shaper of a different kind. He designs and makes longboard skateboards. This Sunshine Coast schoolteacher-by-day gets his kicks experimenting with creating the perfect wheeled board under his label, Skatement Speedboards. Derek Ellens of the Boardstore in Maroochydore and Caloundra caught up with him to find out more. WORDS AND PHOTOS: DEREK ELLENS
WHEN DID YOU FIRST START LONGBOARDING? Since I was a teenager my main focus had always been surfing. I had ridden a skateboard in the skate parks a fair bit but it was never really any more than transport and a bit of fun. My first real exposure to longboarding was when I was introduced to Yvon Labarthe’s vimeo channel. His videos were really the start of it all for me. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE VIDEOS THAT MADE YOU WANT TO LONGBOARD?
OARD SH TAIL SKATEB
He travels to all of the events in the european summer and gets footage from right in the middle of the action. He rides a street luge as well as a stand up longboard, and the footage makes you feel like you are right there flying down the hill with him. He gets permission to follow the final of each of the standup events on his luge and films the entire race, great footage, great sound tracks. It just made me want to try it. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BOARD? I think I got a lime green plastic skateboard for about my 10th birthday. It was really flexible and you could get the middle of the board to
touch the ground if you bounced on it. Back then I thought the Tick Tack was the coolest move and dropping off the two-step gap off the patio at home. I wish I still had it. I had a secondhand 46” pintail given to me around September 09, it was really flexy and I just used it to cruise to the beach to check the surf out. I was introduced to Adrian at Cre8tive Sk8 in Townsville to get bearings and bushings for the “no name” trucks that were on it and I started to see the potential of having the right gear. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT LONGBOARDING? Coming from a surfing background the feeling of speed when rolling down a hill, the feel of drive that you can create when pumping the board along flat ground. But I guess the one thing I have really been enjoying lately is the feel of breaking traction and drifting around corners, not just sliding the board sideways but tracking around the corner, its hard to explain, like a rally car going around a corner. WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO DESIGN YOUR OWN BOARDS? Originally it was because I couldn’t really afford to buy a production deck.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING YOUR OWN BOARDS? I made my first board in February 2010 HOW MANY BOARDS DID YOU MAKE BEFORE YOU WERE COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME? I am a perfectionist so I find little things that I would like to change in every deck. I would have to say that my 4th board was the first one I was completely happy actually riding. I had worked out the wheelbase that I really liked and the last 15-20 boards have all been based on that design with small adjustments to the shape, changes in materials and changing specifications to suite individual clients. WHAT IS IT ABOUT “SKATEMENT SPEEDBOARDS” THAT MAKE THEM DIFFERENT? The “W” concave is something I think really sets them apart from what most surfers see as a skateboard. Although, the W concave is actually something that would probably appeal to most surfers, it lets you feel where you foot is on the back of the board very similar to a tail pad on a surfboard. may/jun 2011
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One of Adam’s Skatement creations 117
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DIFFERENT
SHAPES My current boards are made from a combination of timber veneers specifically chosen for different strength requirements. Held together with epoxy, carbon fibre and fibreglass the main aim has been to find materials that can provide the strongest, most stable construction while keeping the weight of the boards to a minimum.
I have tried to keep all my materials local, the veneer comes from Brisbane the epoxy and composites come from a Sunshine Coast store, and of course the artist I employ lives in the same house as me. (Laughs) When I make a person a board they have input into the, specifications and colour. The board is personalised for them, depending on their weight and the level of flex they would like in the deck. IS IT A STRUGGLE JUGGLING TEACHING, A FAMILY AND MAKING LONGBOARDS? Quite simply, yes. IS IT JUST A HOBBY TO TAKE UP SOME DOWNTIME OR DO YOU DAYDREAM ABOUT MAKING BOARDS ALL DAY? I find time where I can. At the moment it’s a hobby, but I would like it to be more, so I’ll keep working at it. I don’t really have any down time. It’s teaching, renovating, jobs to live your life and a bit of time each week to make or test something fun.
TESTTHING EVERY
SWAN WORDS: DAVE
OOTHSTAR YS WITH A SM SEA: CRUISY DA D ARDS BO AN RF ND SU LA T ME GREA BOARDS OF SLOP WITH SO RF SU G IN HT AND FIG
ing just “After rid ght one once, I bou ly” immediate
Smoothstar Shortboard Cruiser
Columns such as this are not designed to pay ‘lip service’ to manufacturers of surf and skate gear. Our ‘Test Everything’ section is genuinely committed to providing readers with honest appraisals of the latest and greatest products. To date we’ve been extremely fortunate to have tested a number of products we really like. I suppose it helps when you love everything about surfing and skating. Anyhow, that all changed when we tested the new Smoothstar skateboard. Did I hook you in by making you think we were going to trash some crappy product? If I did, I am sorry to disappoint.
I do tend to think about making or riding all day in between work and life. I used to think about surfing all day, but I haven’t been able to find time for both. So building and riding skateboards has taken over. Some surfers will say I’m crazy, but when there is a long flat spell I still have something to get stoked about. ANY LAST THOUGHTS BEFORE YOU GO? Saftey gear really is cool. Being hurt, a vegetable or dead is not.
Following the week we tested the Smoothstar Shortboard Cruiser I bought one without hesitation. Believe me, I am on just as tight a budget as everyone at the present moment but there was no question of ‘if’ or ‘when’. The Smoothstar was my answer for those flat surf days, ensuring I still got my fix of surf stoke. In my opinion the Smoothstar Shortboard Cruiser is the closest thing to surfing, just on land. If you suffer from terrible mood swings like me when the surf is unfavourable do yourself, your family, your wife/ girlfriend and/or friends a favour and buy one immediately. It’s that good. The board is so loose and responsive you can imagine yourself cruising across the face of a wave or ripping it to shreds with an array of cutbacks, roundhouses and bottom turns. You can even work the board, just like you would a surfboard, and generate a huge amount of speed even on flat roads and not just steep declines. I even got it going up a slight incline, a real workout but an incredible way to improve your surfing.
Go Adam, go...
I give it the biggest thumbs up. In fact, I give it two thumbs and two big toes. For more, see www.smoothstar.com.au
FOR MORE INFORMATION, LOOK UP SKATEMENT SPEEDBOARDS ON FACEBOOK. Check out the Yvon Labarthe vimeo channel that inspired Adam to start Skatement: http://vimeo.com/user1990279.
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o can’t d Dave (or k ic r this t thing of any much, re’s e h so really) o of t o h p r a coole can... e who someon
3/05/11 11:23 PM
• • •
5’10 x 18 ¼ x 2 3/16 Thruster 24.3 litres Epoxy with ‘Internal Integration Dynocore’ construction
Ok, for starters it is a high performance shortboard and I am not a high performance surfer. I am not even a medium performance surfer, I’m more of a performing surfer... of various comedy routines, so I will do my best to describe it. I rarely ride performance shortboards. I am a strong swimmer, so paddling is not a problem, but I still find getting onto a wave late and getting your feet placement right, on a small board that is not forgiving, a challenge. You can imagine what I thought when Dave Verall selected a board for me that was only 18 ¼” wide and 2 3/16” thick. (I’m 6ft and about 82 kgs) I gave the board a run in Newcastle and on the Sunshine Coast and have to say I genuinely now want to own a true performance shortboard – in fact, I want this one. It’s weird. Even though it is narrow, it just sticks to your feet. That’s the only way I can describe it. It’s extremely steady underfoot, particularly for a board of its size. It’s also quick off the mark, has good drive and because it’s so small and light, I found myself doing some manoeuvres I usually wouldn’t associate with my personal surfing ability.
More Surfboards 5’7” Swinger • • •
FUNctional design Quad fin with quite a different set-up Big flyer about halfway up the board
The first thing people do when they see this board is raise their eyebrows. You can see them thinking to themselves, “Another weird-arse, goofy design.” Every one of my mates who saw it admitted that this is what they thought at first glance– all show and no go. Now I am far from being an expert shaper or a fountain of knowledge on surfboard design but I do know one thing, this board works. AND, every one of my mates who tried it, liked it. In fact, they were all forthright and glowing in their praise.
Photos: Lucas Muro www.lucasmuro.com.au
GEAR: REVIEW Diverse Sonic Pro Model
THE NEAR-INDESTRUCTIBLE DYNOCORE: A performance board that doesn’t make an average surfer feel like a total kook. You can see by the wax we’ve made good use of the tester.
conditions: Truly awful surf silly Proof that we’re rything in enough to test eve absolutely anything
The board basically has the nose of a fish so it is easy to paddle and get onto a wave. It has loads of stability and the additional planing area gets you up and going speedily without trying. It skips across flat sections with ease. However when you turn the board, it handles like a performance shortboard. You can turn it hard and tight. So in essence it is half fish, half performance shortboard. The nose allows you to generate speed easily and the tail allows you to whip the board around. It is a great board to ride and testament to the fact that Swingers have more fun.
It’s easy to paddle and rather corky under chest and seemingly indestructible – all the boards I ride get a solid test in that department. I copped a beating this morning and not the slightest dent in the board My verdict? I am truly impressed. Whatever weird and secret stuff that has gone into making this board, it works. The Dynocore is dynamite.
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THE SWINGER: Guest-tester Karl De Wet took a shine to the More Surfboards quad, going out twice the same morning on this model. He couldn’t get enough.
3/05/11 11:23 PM
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, IN THE BEACHSIDE SUBURB OF MARCOOLA ON THE SUNSHINE COAST, WALLY’S WATER GALLERY IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT YOUR AVERAGE SURF SHOP.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
WORDS & PHOTOS: MARK CHAPMAN
How many people, at the age of 15, run their own surf shop? While many other coast teenagers are hanging out at Sunshine Plaza, you’ll find Wally Johnson behind the counter of his own, very unique store - when the surf’s not on, anyway. “It’s a shop full of different things, but it’s all about the beach,” says Wally, standing amongst collections of shells, recycled timber frames and a shelf of very cool looking Wegener boards. “You won’t find a lot of what we have in here in most other surf shops.” The reason for this variety could be the family input - most noticeably the beautiful recycled furniture and picture frames displaying Wally’s own surf photography built by dad, Phil Johnson. Seeing Phil’s creations made from old fence palings and assorted bits of found timber is worth the visit alone. But there’s much more. Wally’s sister Emma also contributes with her handmade coasters and jewellery, and mum Debbie’s years of collecting shells on Marcoola beach fills bowl upon bowl in store.
It’s all about the beach
Wally’s Water Gallery is also all about supporting local manufacturers, proudly displaying everything from Tom Wegener’s boards to handmade chenille towels and shorts from Caloundra’s Jay Ce Kay, retro sunnies from Savage in Noosa and local thongs, Souls.
surf art • shells driftwood things chenille shorts wood surf boards beach stuff • retro sunnies • thongs stripy towels umbrellas
You could pretty much completely kit yourself out for the beach and redecorate and refurnish your home in just one visit. While you’re there, you can even enjoy a surf movie in-store on a big projector screen, or choose from the hire section to take one home overnight a great little service to get your surf movie fix. A healthy, refreshing change from mass marketing and big brands, this store is is truly something special worth supporting.
6 Lorraine Ave Marcoola Beach
07 5448 8560
So where’s Wally? At Wally’s Water Gallery, 6 Lorraine Ave, Marcoola Beach. Call (07) 5448 8560 for more info. 120
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COUNTER CULTURE A one-of-a-kind surf shop with one-of-a-kind products
Main image: Inside Wally’s Water Gallery - is that a real jellyfish in glass? Above: Wally Johnson with a Wegener timber fish
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STRENGTHEN YOUR PADDLING MUSCLES AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE WINTER SWELLS
With the winter swells hitting for the next few months, it’s the perfect time to do a bit of dry land surf training in order to boost your paddle power. We all know that surfers who can paddle the fastest and hardest generally get the most waves, especially when the surf is bigger and there is more water moving around. Training your upper body with functional exercises is one of the easiest ways to improve your paddle power. However, as with training any part of your body, it is important to keep your muscles in balance by doing exercises that work both sides of your body. Strengthen one muscle group too much more than another and you will likely cause an imbalance and increase your chance of injury. As a general rule, for every upper body “push” exercise you need to do an upper body “pull” exercise. This will help keep your body’s muscular system healthy and in balance.
CLOSEOUT: FITNESS
CLOSEOUT: FITNESS
BOOST YOUR PADDLE POWER WORDS: CLAYTON BEATTY
SWISS BALL PUSHUPS •
Start with your feet shoulder width apart and hands on the swiss ball (you can also do this exercise using a balance board or BOSU balance trainer).
•
Keeping your core braced, lower your chest to touch the ball and then push back up to the start position.
•
Do 2-3 sets of 10-20 repetitions.
BAND ASSISTED PULLUPS
Have a go at the following functional exercises to help build your upper body strength and in turn increase your paddle power. The first exercise is a “push” dominant exercise and is a variation of the standard pushup - one of the best upper body strength exercises. Doing pushups on a swiss ball increases the need for stabilisation of your core and shoulders and will also help with your popups. You can also substitute the swiss ball for a balance board or BOSU balance trainer. The second, which is a “pull” dominant exercise, targets your back and arms, which both play a major part in paddling strength. Using a resistance band allows you to do more repetitions and build up your strength fast so you can then advance to doing pullups with just your bodyweight.
•
Loop a resistance band over the bar and under your feet/legs.
•
Hold the bar with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width.
•
Pull the top of your chest up to the bar and then lower yourself back down until your arms are straight.
•
Perform 2-3 sets of as many repetitions as you can.
RESISTANCE BAND PADDLING
The final exercise is a great way to train your paddling endurance at home between surf sessions. All you need is a swiss ball and a resistance band and you can have a great paddling workout. The band’s resistance will help improve the power in your paddling muscles so when you hit the water it will feel like you have propellers for arms.
•
Loop a resistance band around a fixed object hold onto the handles.
•
Lie with your chest on a swiss ball and paddle like you are on your surf board.
•
Try doing intervals of 20 seconds paddling followed by 10 seconds of rest. Repeat this 8 times for a total of 4 minutes. Rest for 2 minutes and then repeat the 4 minute paddle workout 3-4 times.
TRAINING
TIP
ADD THESE EXERCISES INTO YOUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE AND WATCH YOUR WAVE COUNT INCREASE THIS WINTER.
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. 122
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History...
Photo: Lucas Muro
A little bit of
Brought to you by Underground Surf
CHECK YO’ NECK
PADDLING AND NERVE COMPRESSION IN THE NECK. WORDS: JOHN HART While you are young this may not seem an issue, however after many years of surfing, nerve entrapment or compression can become a real “pain in the neck”. Nerve compression in the cervical region (neck) can result from many years of paddling or even just a long day of surfing with your neck extended on your board. Some of the symptoms can include pins and needles in your triceps, arms or hands, and a feeling of muscle weakness. Often you may leave the surf with a pounding headache on the left or right side of your head. YOUR NECK In total there are seven vertebrae in our necks - the cervical part of our spine. Each vertebra has a bony prominence called the spinous process which is situated behind the spinal cord protecting our nerve tissue. Between each of the vertebrae are discs which act like cushions against impact on the spinal column such as occurs with movement or hyperextension when we paddle. Each disc has a soft jelly-like substance in the middle. This area can rupture, bulge or herniate through the surrounding outer ring of the disc and even affect the nerve tissue and injure our ligaments, which are composed of fibrous tissue that hold the vertebrae together and surround our cervical discs. The discs and the joints are stacked on top of each other. Our facet joints are then subject to wear and tear over time and degenerate, which is when we see dramatic changes occur.
This degeneration of the cervical discs - often called cervical spondylosis then leads into osteoarthritis. The nerve roots that come out of the area in the neck can be affected by sudden stretching, hyperextension or compression. The pain and spasm in the muscles of the neck tend to occur as a result of this along with numbness and severe headaches that can last for days. Pain can also radiate to the shoulder. TREATMENT It’s difficult to treat nerve pain. Drugs can have little effect. Usual treatment includes ice, rest, heat treatment, painkillers, muscle relaxants and physiotherapy. In most cases symptoms will settle within a few weeks, but there are no guarantees. With severe prolonged pain and severe impairment of function a localised injection by your doctor to the facet joint area may be recommended. Surgery is rarely performed and the exact nature of the procedure depends on the overall condition of your spine, your age and the severity of the problem. However surgeons don’t seem to like tackling this area. PREVENTION Positioning yourself on your board with less hyperextension of your neck will eliminate this problem. While it’s a bit difficult to master, the surfer needs to be aware and keep his/her neck to the side and change the position from left to right when paddling. Be conscious of the neck being held up and facing forward for long periods of time. Strengthening the area will also assist.
John Hart is a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer with a Masters in education who also writes books, trains and rehabilitates people, takes photos, directs movies and is always happy to share what he’s learned. • • • • • •
Masters In Education (Disability) Newcastle University Australia Grad Cert Education Newcastle University Australia Diploma Fitness/Recreation Diploma of Sport and Recreation Cert 4 Personal Training Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach
WWW.JOHNHARTFITNESS.COM
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IT’S BONZER!
WORDS AND PICS: ANDRÉ MARSAUS Bonzer (Bon-zer) adj; Australian slang; extaordinary. unique. The Bonzer was the first tri-fin surfboard made in a US garage by the Campbell brothers in december 1970. It had a triangular fin arrangement of three fins: two ‘keel’ like fins placed forward of a centre fin. The side fins were placed 10 1/2” to 12” from the tail and 1 1/2” to 2” from the rail and were towed in towards the nose. The bottom shape was single to double concave - the first in the history of surfboard design - which worked in conjunction with the fins to organise water flow through the tail, making it fast, positive and ultra maneuverable. The early Bonzers were short: 5’4” to 5’8” based on the Aussie shortboard designs, as the Campbell brothers - and the rest of the world - had a lot of respect for our shapers and surfers. Aussies were a force in surfing. During the early days the Bonzer’s were being made in the Campbell’s garage and were constantly being improved. After sending letters describing their unique surfboard design to the major American manufacturers, the only response the brothers received was from Bing and Mike Eaton, two of the most highly regarded shapers of the time. Bing and Eaton were intrigued by the boards the boys showed them and eagerly watched footage of the boards in action. The guys decided to make a few boards together at the Bing Surfboards factory and gave them to team riders to try out. The crew were stoked so production of the Bonzers moved from the Campbells garage to the shaping bay and into professional hands. Aussie’s Pete ‘PT’ Townend and Brian ‘Fury’ Austin soon jumped on the Bonzer bandwagon and boards started emerging from shaping bays all over the country including Goodtime in Kirra, Gordon & Smith and Cooper in NSW and Klemm Bell in Victoria. PT, Ian Cairns, Terry Richardrson and a load of top Aussie surfers were enjoying great success in surf comps. The Bonzer was historically the first tri-fin, overshadowed in the 80’s by Simon Anderson’s thruster. The Campbell brothers let the hype of the thruster die down keeping the Bonzer under wraps for eight years before they revealed the Bonzer 5 designed in 1982 and released in 1990. Pro surfers including Taylor Knox, Joel Tudor and Rob Machado started riding the boards and Bonzer 5 earned it’s well-deserved respect. Within months of Bonzer 5 hitting the water Rusty released its new 5-fin design and the boys were overshadowed once again. Over 40 years later, the Bonzer lives on, still shaped by those in the know and a testament to its design. With thanks to the Campbell Brothers.
New surf shop, old-school feel RETRO LONGBOARDS & SHORTBOARDS NEW & CUSTOM BOARDS • BOARD HIRE • REPAIRS SKATEBOARDS • CLOTHING • AND MUCH MORE... 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD Ph: 07 5599 1040
WWW.UNDERGROUNDSURF.COM.AU
3/05/11 11:32 PM
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
WALLY’S WATER GALLERY
07 5448 8560 6 Lorraine Beach, Marcoola Beach
OLD WOMAN SURF SHOP
07 5448 7025 Santorini Shop 6, 15 Mudjimba Esp, Mudjimba
SUNSHINE COAST
WEIR’S INSIDE EDGE
07 5443 4143 14 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore
NOOSA SURF WORKS
07 5474 4567 1/11 Bartlett St, Noosaville www.shotgunsurf.com www.lagunabaysurf.com
DA BOMB
07 5451 0620 3/25 Plaza Pde, Maroochydore
WATERLINE
(07) 5437 9201 7/12 Thunderbird Dr, Bokarina www.dabombsurf.com.au
07 5474 1010 2/15 Venture Dr, Noosaville www.zeewetsuits.com
OCEAN ADDICTS
ILLUSIONS NOOSA
0488 686 206 2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville Shop 3A/11 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction, QLD 4566
CLASSIC MALIBU AUSTRALIA
07 5309 6624 103-105 Aerodrome Rd Maroochydore www.oceanaddicts.com.au
ALEX SURF
07 5474 3122 Cnr Gibson and Eumundi Rds. Noosaville www.classicmalibu.com
07 5452 6276 188 Alexandra Pde Alexandra Headlands www.alexsurf.com.au
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
BEACH BEAT
07 5474 1222 3 Gibson Rd, Noosaville
07 5443 2777 164 Alexandra Pde Alexandra Headlands
ON SURFARI
07 5491 8215 Shop 2&3 4-6 Beerburrum St Dicky Beach
07 5474 2162 197 Gympie Terrace Noosaville www.onsurfari.com.au
07 5491 4711 119 Bulcock Rd, Caloundra www.beachbeat.com.au
GOLDEN BREED
07 5455 3722 15 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads www.goldenbreed.com.au
WORLD SURFARIS
1800 611 163 2/174 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba www.worldsurfaris.com
NOOSA LONGBOARDS
07 5447 2828 SHOP 2/55 Hastings St, Noosa Heads www.noosalongboards.com
SOLACE
SURF PLANET
07 5455 4826 20 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach solacestore.blogspot.com
SURF SHOP
07 5476 6200 Shop 5, Buderim Marketplace Buderim www.surfplanet.com.au
THE FACTORY
07 5471 3489 224 David Low Way, Peregian Beach www.surf-shop.org
07 5492 5838 15 Allen St, Caloundra thefactrorysurf.com.au
COOLUM SURF
07 5491 3620 2 Bulcock St, Caloundra
07 5351 1742 Shop 14, 8-26 Birtwill St Coolum Beach www.alexsurfshop.com.au
BLUE LINES
07 5351 1986 Shops 17 & 18 1776 The Esplanade, Coolum Beach
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Pick up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any of these fine businesses - out in July. Businesses that advertise in smorgasboarder allow us to bring you the magazine for FREE. So, be sure to support them!
SURFWARE AUSTRALIA
BRISBANE PRIMITIVE SURF
07 3266 1001 601 Nudgee Rd, Nundah www.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 25 Kestrel Crt, Victoria Pt www.codsurfing.com.au
NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND MINTY SURFBOARDS
07 3409 8334 Point Lookout www.bobmintysurfboards.com
GOLDCOAST 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
DUKE’S LONGBOARDS
07 5572 0477 2578 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach www.dukeslongboards.com
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
GREENLINE
0412 398 585 2544 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach www.greenlinepaddlesurf.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 Highway Miami www.lowen88.com
HARVEY SURF GALLERY
0414 557 624 Unit 3, 10 Pacific Ave, Miami www.harveysurf.com
MT WOODGEE
07 5535 0288 1730 Gold Coast Hwy Burleigh Heads www.mtwoodgee.com.au
LONG-EAZ
PATAGONIA BURLEIGH
Arms too short? Too far to walk? Get a grip!
116 Surfcoast Highway Burleigh Heads www.patagonia.com.au
WORLD SURFERS
07 5535 4037 63 Lower West Burleigh Road Burleigh
SEAN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
LONGARM BOARD HOLDER 0408 092 122 www.long-eaz.com
SHAPERS
07 5534 4228 9/7 Traders Way, Currumbin www.shapers.com.au
07 5520 2774 Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, Shop 10, Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads seanscottphotography.com.au
BURFORD REINFORCED PLASTICS
DALE CHAPMAN SURF DESIGNS
07 5598 2188 2 Stewart Rd, Currumbin www.mtwoodgee.com.au
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
MY PHOTO EXPERT
07 5535 2763 3/71 Township Drive Burleigh Heads www.myphotoexpert.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
07 5534 3777 5 Stewart Rd, Currumbin
MT WOODGEE
DIVERSE SURF
07 5598 4848 476 Gold Coast Highway Tugun www.diversesurf.com.au
DORRINGTON SURFBOARDS
07 5599 4030 16 Musgrave Street, Kirra www.dorringtonsurfboards.com
BOARD CULTURE
07 5536 5866 Gold Coast Hwy(outside airport) Coolangatta www.boardculture.com.au
KIRRA SURF/WORLD SURFARIS 07 5536 3922 Shop 6, 8 Creek St, Bilinga www.kirrasurf.com.au
UNDERGROUND SURF
07 5599 1040 Shop 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta www.undergroundsurf.com.au
MT WOODGEE
07 5536 5937 122 Griffith St, Coolangatta www.mtwoodgee.com.au
COOLANGATTA BOARD STORE 07 5536 7850 152 Griffith St, Coolangatta www.cbsboardstore.com
may/jun 2011
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SEAN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 07 5599 1150 Shop 3, 110 Marine Pde, Coolangatta seanscottphotography.com.au
COOLY SURF
07 5536 1470 Cnr Dutton St & Marine Pde Coolangatta www.basesurfboards.com
NSW NORTH COAST SIDEWAYS
07 5524 6699 2/13-21 Greenway Dr, Tweed Heads sidewaysboardsports.com.au
FULL FORCE SURFBOARDS
07 5524 2933 Factory 18 / 48 Machinery Drive Tweed Heads
SURF XCESS
02 6674 5350 88 Marine Parade, Kingscliff
CABARITA SURF SHOP
HO’OKUPU
02 6685 8861 2/9 Lawson St, Byron Bay hookupusurf.com
UNPLUGGED
02 6685 7441 Shop 1/ 2 Lawson Street, Byron Bay www.unpluggedbyronbay.com
ALL ABOVE BOARD
02 6687 7522 68 Ballina St, Lennox Head
MADDOG SURF CENTRES 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
THE PLANK SHOP
02 6645 8362 Top of the Hill, Yamba
02 6676 3151 1/38 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach
NSW MID NORTH COAST
BRUNSWICK SURF
02 6654 1049 76 Beach Street, Woolgoolga www.xssurf.com
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
MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6395 91 Jonson St, Byron Bay 02 6685 6466 4 Jonson St, Byron Bay www.maddog.com.au
MC SURF DESIGNS
XS SURF
COOPERS SURF CENTRES 02 6654 0033 56D Beach St, Woolgoolga
02 6652 8146 28 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour www.cooperssurf.com.au
FLANAGAN SURFBOARDS
0432 361 694 Unit 26, 22 Lawson Cres, Coffs Harbour www.flanagansurfboards.com
02 6685 8778 3 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay www.mcsurf.com.au
02 6685 6896 1/29 Acacia St, Byron Bay www.bearsurfboards.com.au
02 6685 6211 29 Acacia St, Byron Bay www.munroesurfboards.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
02 6658 0223 392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour www.thelogshack.com.au
OUTER ISLAND SURFBOARDS
02 6655 7007 7 Bayldon Dr, Raleigh www,outerislandsurfboards.com
VALLA SURFBOARDS
02 6568 8909 8 Monro St, Nambucca Heads www.vallasurfboards.com.au
COASTAL CURVES
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
02 6554 0351 Shop 4, Boomerang Drive Pacific Palms
WAVE WEAR
02 6566 5177 1/15 Livingstone St, South West Rocks
CRESCENT HEAD SURF CO. 02 6562 8306 33 Smith St, Kempsey
CRESCENT HEAD SURF SHOP 02 6566 0550 1 Crescent Head Tavern Crescent Head
CRESO EXPRESSO
4 Shore Holiday Park, Crescent Heads
INNER VISION SURF ‘N’ SKATE 02 6583 7790 80 William St, Port Macquarie
NEWCASTLE NEWCASTLE SURF DESIGNS
ADRIFT SURF
02 4968 9989 4 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
02 6554 7979 5 Wharf St, Forster www.saltwaterwine.com.au
SURFERS CHOICE
02 4961 3088 755 Hunter St, Newcastle markrichardssurfboards.com
61 Hunter Street Newcastle surfhousephotography.com
02 4385 8440 Shop 2, 82a Ocean View Drive Wamberal www.180surfco.com.au
02 4929 1144 Shop 6 Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle
SLIMES
PACIFIC DREAMS SURFSHOPS
SANBAH
02 4962 2420 Shop 27, The Junction Fair Union Street, Newcastle www.sanbah.com.au
02 4943 2699 181 Pacific Hwy Charlestown
02 4332 1157 101a Bateau Bay Road Bateau Bay
ONE EIGHTY SURF COMPANY
BREAKAWAY SURF
02 4926 3355 7 Darby St, Newcastle www.pacificdreams.com.au
02 4334 6532 473 The Entrance Rd Long Jetty www.surferschoice.com.au
BATEAU BAY SURF N SPORT
SURFHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
EGANS
SALTWATER WINE
02 4332 7175 421 The Entrance Rd Long Jetty www.boarderlinesurfskate.com
MARK RICHARDS SURFSHOP
SANDY FEET
02 6555 8556 86 Manning Street, Tuncurry www.junglesurf.com.au
BOARDERLINE SURF SKATE
16 Maitland Rd Islington www.thesurffactory.com.au
BREAKAWAY SURF CO
JUNGLE SURF
02 4332 8355 133 The Entrance Road The Entrance www.adriftsurf.com.au
SAM EGAN SURFBOARDS
02 6584 4877 1/125 Gordon St, Port Macquarie www.saltwaterwine.com.au
02 6584 1995 5/21 Clarence Street , Port Macquarie www.sandyfeetsurf.com.au
BOARD CITY
02 4397 1092 150 Main Road, Toukley www.boardcity.com.au
SURF FACTORY
02 6569 8344 Scotts Head NSW 2447 scottsheadsurfschool.blogspot.com
02 43 96 5159 262 Main Rd, Toukley
02 4981 3409 43 Donald St, Nelson Bay
SONIC SURF
SCOTTS HEAD SURF SHOP
BEACHIN SURF
GRAFFITI SURF DESIGNS
02 4969 7299 28 Maitland Rd, Islington www.samegan.com.au
02 6568 4666 1 Cooper Street, Macksville
CENTRAL COAST
BOOMERANG BEACH SURF
02 6568 6902 Ridge St, Nambucca Heads www.coastalcurves.com
SALTWATER WINE
NORTH COAST SURFBOARDS
MUNRO SURFBOARDS
THE LOG SHACK
02 4365 5511 1/203 The Entrance Rd Erina
ESS BOARDSTORE
251 The Entrance Rd Erina www.essboardstore.com.au
THREE POINTS SURF
02 4382 1541 170 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach www.avocasurfscholl.com.au
STS THE BOARD CENTRE 02 4342 2555 326 West St, Umina
02 4945 8055 575 Pacific Hwy, Belmont
NORTHERN BEACHES
THE SURF SHACK
02 9918 2763 1a Nth Avalon Rd, Avalon
02 4945 8965 703 Pacific Hwy Belmont South
SWANSEA SURF SHOP
02 4971 4422 164 Pacific Hwy, Swansea www.swanseasurf.com.au
BEACH WITHOUT SAND RAISED BY WOLVES
02 9918 8861 U 2/40 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon www.raisedbywolves.com.au 02 9997 4838 9b Waratah St, Mona Vale www.raisedbywolves.com.au may/jun 2011
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SURF DIRECTORY CONTINUED LITTLE DRAGON
0403 974 967 1 Bramley Lane, Newport Beach
RON WADE SURF DESIGN
SIX OUNCE
0408 259 783 48-50 Pittwater Rd, Manly www.sixounceboardstore.com
02 9979 7071 0410 443 776 23 Bassett Street, Mona Vale ronwadesurfboards.com.au
ALOHA MANLY STYLE
CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS
BASE SURFBOARDS
02 9976 0591 46 North Steyne Rd, Manly www.basesurfboards.com
QUIKSILVER MONA VALE
02 9999 3727 1729 Pitt Water Rd, Mona Vale
SUPER SWELL
02 9144 3229 166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives
SURFECTION
SUGARMILL SURF EMPORIUM 02 9913 3332 2/1329 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen www.sugarmillsurf.com 02 9913 2128 16a Waterloo St, Narrabeen www.powerlinez.com.au 02 9970 8600 1228 Pitt Water Rd, Narrabeen www.balmoralboards.com.au 02 9971 0760 1103 Pittwater Road, Collaroy Beach
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
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HERITAGE SURF AUSTRALIA
SURFECTION
BALMORAL BOARDS
02 9971 0999 17 Anzac Ave, Collaroy www.windsurfnsnow.com.au
02 9977 6955 110 The Corso, Manly www.surfectionmosman.com
02 9977 7623 24 Darley Rd, Manly www.heritagesurfaustralia.com
POWERLINEZ
WIND SURF ’N’ SNOW
02 9976 6518 Market Place, Manly www.saltmotion.com
02 9977 0093 39 Belgrave Street, Manly www.manlylongboard.com
02 9986 3420 6/53 Myora Rd, Terrey Hills www.supgearaustralia.com
02 9982 4829 1012 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy www.longreefsurf.com.au
SALTMOTION
MANLY LONGBOARD CO.
STAND UP PADDLE GEAR AUSTRALIA
LONG REEF SURF
CRONULLA SURF DESIGN 02 9544 0433 8 Cronulla St, Cronulla cronullasurfdesign.com.au
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
WOOLONGONG FINBOX BOARDSTORE
02 4268 2050 1/ 269 Lawrence Hargrave Drive Thirroul thefinbox.blogspot.com
SURF PIT
02 4283 7196 2/100 Railway St, Corrimal www.surfpit.com.au
02 9969 1011 522 Military Rd, Mosman www.surfectionmosman.com
BYRNE SURF AND SKI
SYDNEY SOUTH
SKIPP SURFBOARDS
BONDI UNDERGROUND
02 4226 1122 115 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow byrnesurfboardsaustralia.com 02 4229 1202 231 Crown Street, Wollongong
02 9365 0870 2/72 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach
(factory showroom) 02 4228 8878 24 Flinders St, Wollongong www.skippsurfboards.com.au
DRIPPING WET SURF CO
CARABINE SURF DESIGNS
02 9300 0055 180-186 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach www.drippingwetsurf.com
SURF CULTURE
02 93895477 40 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction www.surfculture.com.au
02 4229 9462 36 Flinders St, Wollongong
NSW SOUTH COAST ZINK SURF
CRONULLA SUTHERLAND
02 4233 1189 136 Terralong St, Kiama www.zinksurf.com.au
KING SURFBOARDS
NATURAL NECESSITY SURF SHOP
02 9521 3645 577 Princes Hwy, Kirrawee
JACKSON SURFBOARDS
02 9524 2700 57 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au
02 4234 1636 115 Fern St, Gerringong www.nnss.com.au
AQUATIQUE
TRIPLE BULL
02 4464 1881 123a Queen Street, Berry
02 9544 0354 23 Kingsway, Cronulla www.triplebullsurf.com
02 4421 8159 125-127 Junction St, Nowra 02 4441 5530 55 Owen St, Huskisson www.aquatique.com.au
02 9524 4822 41 Captain Cook Dr, Caringbah
BUSTED SURF CO
SERIOUS SURF STUFF
OCEAN & EARTH SURF STORE
VORTEX SURF & SKATE
02 4447 3485 10 Fairlands St, Culburra Beach
02 4441 2482 12 Springs Road, Sussex Inlet www.oceanearth.com
02 9977 3777 44 Pittwater Rd, Manly www.alohasurfmanly.com.au
02 9997 8266 4/76 Darly St, Mona Vale www.cisurfboards.com
WICKS SURF CENTRE
Pick up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any of these fine businesses - out in July. Businesses that advertise in smorgasboarder allow us to bring you the magazine for FREE. So, be sure to support them!
SUN & SURF SHOP
02 4441 1938 Shop 1, 168 Jacobs Drive Sussex Inlet
AKWA SURF
02 4454 5222 Shop 1, Mellick’s Corner, Princess Highway, 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 www.offshoresurf.com.au
03 5674 2540 1 Williams Street , Inverloch www.strapper.com.au 03 5672 4112 54 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi www.strapper.com.au
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 www.fullcirclesurf.com.au 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
NAROOMA SURF & SKATE
03 5952 2578 147 Thompson Ave, Cowes www.islandsurfboards.com.au
DSC SURFBOARDS
03 5952 3443 65 Smiths Beach Rd Smiths Beach www.islandsurfboards.com.au
02 4476 1422 30 Princes Hwy, Narooma
0424 867 962 Princes Highway, Narooma
BERMAGUI SURF SHOP
02 6493 4849 4/28 Lamont St, Bermagui
RAW SURFBOARDS
02 6494 4466 Lot 1291 Tathra Road, Kalaru www.rawsurfboards.com.au
MERIMBULA SURF SHOP
02 6495 1515 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula
SALTWATER DREAM
02 6495 1600 39 Market St, Merimbula
CORE SURF SKATE AND KITE 02 6494 3374 49 Toalla St, Pambula Village www.pambulasurfshop.com.au
COUNTRY VIC SURF SHACK
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
REPEAT PERFORMANCE SURF (THE BOARD STORE) 03 9525 6475 87 Ormond Rd, Elwood www.rpstheboardstore.com
03 5155 4933 507 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance
BRIGHTON SURF CO.
ATOLL TRAVEL
SHQ BOARDSPORTS
1800 622 310 4 Bridge Street, Foster www.atolltravel.com
03 9593 2211 43 Church St, Brighton 03 9598 2867 81 Beach Road, Sandringham www.shq.com.au
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DING REPAIRS MORDY SURF CENTRE 03 9580 1716 628 Main St, Mordialloc www.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 www.triggerbros.com.au 03 5989 8402 Point Leo Rd, Point Leo www.triggerbros.com.au 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
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 EARTH & SURF SHOP 03 5254 3255 51 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads www.rastasurfboards.com.au
TONIK SURF CENTRE
03 5254 1470 60/62 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads www.tonik.com.au
STONKER TORQUAY
03 5261 6077 1a Baines Court, Torquay www.stonker.com.au
HYDROPHILIC
0421 504 621 1C Baines Court, Torquay www.southcoastlongboards.com.au
BLUNT
03 5261 7590 Shop 2, Surf City Plaza, Torquay
TORQUAY 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 SURFBOARDS
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
TORQUAY SURFING ACADEMY 03 5261 2022 34A Bell St, Torquay www.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
BARREL SURF
08 8555 5422 10c Cadell Street, Goolwa www.barrellsurf.com.au
BIG SURF AUSTRALIA
08 8554 2375 36 North Tce, Port Elliot
(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 07 5451 0620 - Maroochydore 07 5437 9201 - Bokarina
THE SURF SHOP
BRISBANE
08 8552 5466 15 Albert Place, Victor Harbor www.thesurfshop.net.au
THE DING KING / CLARK SURFBOARDS
0422 443 789 20 Cottage Road, Hackham leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au
SURF ESTEEM
08 8557 7201 Aldinga Central Shopping Centre www.surfesteem.com
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 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
PREECE’S SOUTH PORT SURF
08 8386 0404 159 Esplanade, Port Noarlunga South www.preece-sthport-surf.com.au
S & D SURF DESIGNS
SYDNEY NORTH
DA BOMB
BROOKVALE SURFBOARD REPAIRS
(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and Sun, 9-4pm) 0403 971 072
CHAOS SURFBOARDS
PRIMITIVE SURF
(Mon-Fri, 8:30-5:30pm, Thurs 8:30am-8pm, Sat, 8:30-4pm, Sun, 10-4pm) 07 3266 1001
(M-F,9-6pm, Sat & Sun 8:306pm) 02 9907 2769
SOUTHPORT
SIX OUNCE
KOMA
(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0402 863 763
MIAMI
BONDI JUNCTION (7 days , 9:30-6:30pm) 0408 259 783
WOOLONGONG
SKIPP SURFBOARDS
(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0409 727 735
M-F,9-5:30, Thurs 9-7:30pm, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4) 02 4228 8878
TUGUN
JERVIS BAY
(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and Sun, 9-4pm) 07 5598 4848
(7 days, 9-5pm) 02 4441 6756
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
COOLANGATTA
DSC SURFBOARDS
FLY BOARDRIDING
THE PLANK SHOP
ONBOARD SURF WIND SNOW
08 8294 3866 21 Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga SA 08 8294 3866 1-3 Lights Landing Holdfast Shores, Glenelg www.onboardsurf.com.au
JRS SURF & SKI
ISLAND SURF
03 5562 5681 132 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
(M-F, 9-4pm, Sat 9-12pm) 0437 032 614
SOUTHERN SURF
SHIPWRECK COAST TAYLORS SURFODESY
(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 07 4974 9072
SUNSHINE COAST
08 8386 0100 Shop 41 Seaford Shopping Centre www.flyboardriding.com.au
03 5598 6444 27 Lord Street, Port Campbell
LONG JETTY
REEF 2 BEACH
08 8554 2399 24 Goolwa Rd, Middleton
03 5237 7883 143 Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay www.hodgys.com
PORT CAMPBELL TRADING CO
AGNES WATER/1770
08 8296 9776 363 Brighton Road Hove
EXTREME BOARDRIDERS 08 8295 1219 1/118 Jetty Rd, Glenelg
WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 08 8376 4914 27 Oaklands Rd Somerton Park www.wallbridge.com.au
SANCTUARY SURFERS 0403 134 478 201 Waymouth Street Adelaide City www.sanctuary.net.au
DINO’S DING REPAIRS
INNER FEELING SURFBOARDS
DIVERSE
NAROOMA
(7 days, 9-5pm) 0424 867 962
UNDERGROUND SURF (7 days, 9-5pm) 07 5599 1040
THORNBURY
BYRON BAY
BYRON BAY DING REPAIRS (Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30pm) 02 6685 6770 0409 849 442
ZAK SURFBOARDS
(Mon-Fri,10-6pm; Sat 10-5pm) 03 9416 7384
TORQUAY
STONKER TORQUAY
YAMBA
(Mon – Fri, 9-5pm) 03 5261 6077
02 6645 8362
TOMBSTONE SURFBOARDS
(Tues-Fri, 9-4pm, Sat, 9-12pm) 0432 330 826
PHILLIP ISLAND ISLANTIS
(7 days , 9-5pm) 03 5956 7553
COFFS HARBOUR
ISLAND SURF SHOP - COWES
(M-F, 10-5pm, Sat & Sun 10-2:30pm) 02 6658 0223
FULLCIRCLE SURF
THE LOG SHACK
NORAH HEAD
BUCKO’S SURFBOARD REPAIRS & RESTORATIONS
(M-F, 10-5.30pm, weekends by appointment 0422 304 078
(7 days, 9-5pm) 03 5952 2578 (7 days, 9-5pm) 03 5956 7453
SOUTH ADELAIDE THE DING KING (M-F, 9-5pm) 0422 443 789
ADELAIDE
WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 08 8376 4914
SNOW & SURF CO.
08 8223 5277 187 Rundle Street Adelaide 5000 www.snowsurf.com.au
FIX BROKEN BOARDS?
Promote your repair business for $15 an edition. Call 0401 345 201 may/jun 2011
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SURF TRIP ACCOMMODATION
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.
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.
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: pandpalm@bigpond.net.au pandanuspalmsresort.com
41 East Coast Rd, Point Lookout North Stradbroke Island
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
From $330.00 for two nights
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 128
gym
laundry
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
VICTORIA
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.
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 $119 per room per night
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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NOOSA MOMENTS 3.
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Plenty of people and plenty on the go on the opening weekend of the 2011 Noosa Festival of Surfing... Two standout events for spectator interest were most definitely the two new additions to the calendar the GSI Finless Pro and the Laguna Bay Longboards SUP Race.
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CLOSEOUT: RELAX
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PHOTOS: 1. Scott Penwarn of Greenline and Dale Chapman in amongst the starter rush. 2. The ladies toughed it out as much as the men in the SUP race. 3. Fred Branger shows off his other lady 4. Finless competitors line up 5. Alaia identity Jacob Stuth puts it on, vintage-style. 6. Mr Finless Tom Wegener, loving the day 7. Beau Young reckons animals rock. Spot on.
WOODWORKERS The Labour Day Long Weekend saw the first two Tree 2 Sea workshops in Australia held at Robert Ivers’ Hollow Wooden Surfboards in Mt. Eliza, Victoria.
Participants came from as far a field as South Australia,The Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Lakes Entrance to work with Rich Blundell - an original founder of Grain Surfboards in the USA and most recently the online forum, treetosea.org. Using his specially developed system which allows a wooden surfboard to be built to the final sanding stage in two days, nine beautiful wooden boards were created and went home, ready for glassing. The boards ranged in size from a 4’6” Paipo to a 9’ Malibu, with the fish being the most popular build. The timber of choice was Australian-grown Paulownia from the Coffs Harbour region - excellent material for board making, interesting grain patterns and very easy to work with. The workshops will become regular events throughout the year and the program could possibly be rolled out into schools, tailored to suit the kids abilities. For more, see www.hwsb.com.au MAIN PHOTO (L-R) Mick Sowry, Paul Black, Rich Blundell (squatting), Wazza Shanks, Robert Ivers of Hollow Wooden Surfboards, Angus Goozee. may/jun 2011
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CLOSEOUT: RELAX
1.
2.
SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY
There are some days we just won’t miss for anything. The Alley Fish Fry at Currumbin is one of those days. While the 2010 community event was dogged by mud and rain, this year was just a perfect day to wander around checking out amazing boards and ideas, and of course get in a cheeky surf at the Alley. PHOTOS: 1. Every man, woman and dog... 2. Fish of every description and other interesting boards on display for all to see. 3. Distinguished gentlemen: sunsmart Richard Harvey of Harvey Surf and Jesse Watson of Black Apache stop for a chat. 4. Jordie Brown of High Tide Surfboards, a long way from Victoria 5. Fellow Vicco, Jordan Noble of Note Surfboards displays his wares 6. Simon Skerry of Skerry Surf drew plenty attention with his colourful creations 7. QLD shaping legend Tony Dempsey spends some quality dad and daughter time.
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For more information on the Fish Fry and some great photos and fish-related material, see: thealleyfishfry.blogspot.com
LET THE RIVER RUN ITS COURSE
That they did, and the Coreban River Race on the Woronora River April was a huge success. Fantastic conditions were enjoyed by all and the day was fitting reward for the tireless efforts of the Cronulla Sutherland Stand Up Paddling Club.
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The event, held at the Prince Edward Park Reserve in New South Wales was professional in every way with fun to be had by all ages. Even top waterman Woogie Marsh was on hand to conduct clinics on mastering the art of stand-up paddling. Photos of the Coreban River Race event courtesy of Daniel Hampson www.danielhampson.wordpress.com 5.
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PHOTOS: 1-2. Setting up. 3, 5. Fun in the Family Race 4. The SUP LeMans start 6. Launching at the 14ft race
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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ZE’ RIGHT TIME FOR A NEW WETSUIT!
ZEE WETSUITS! 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.
SHE IS ROOM AYS! W O H S D ZEE 7 OPEN Call: Fax:
07 5474 1010 07 5474 2111
Unit 2, 15 Venture Drive, Noosaville, QLD sales@zeewetsuits.com www.zeewetsuits.com may/jun 2011
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