SUR FBO A RD DESI GN | T R AV E L | AM AZ I NG PEOP LE
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WOODEN BOARD LOVE READER PHOTOS: TAKE A BOW
...BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW THEM. WE CHECK OUT WAVE TECHNOLOGY
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SURF SHOPS B RIC K S & M O RT A L S O F T HE C O AST L IN E
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THE PERFORMER
ALSO AVAILABLE
The best of both worlds - a recycled EPS foam core and 2-3mm balsawood skin. With a weight of only 7kg and an emphasis on manoeuvrability and maximum speed, the Performer is designed and shaped for today’s high performance longboarding. The Performer comes with a single box fin and two smaller stabiliser fins. Custom orders are welcome. Now available at wholesale pricing.
Specifications Length: 9’0’’ - 9’10’’ Width: 22 ¼’’ - 23” Thickness: 2 ½’’ - 3 ¼” Weight: 6kgs – 8kgs Construction: foam core modern longboard Stringer: Triple cedar – 30mm apart Bottom: Vee Tail: Rounded square Rails: Nose - 70/30 Centre - 80/20 Tail - 90/10
SHIPPING ANYWHERE, INCLUDING NZ
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• Clear board grip tape - Let the beauty of the balsa show through with clear Versagrip Traction Tape. Environmentally friendly and suits all size boards. • Timber fins • Surfboards • Blanks • Raw balsa/ cedar • Fin boxes • DIY board kits • Instructional DVDs • Board racks • Tide clocks • NEW! LICK liquid surf wax. Wholesale enquires welcome
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HANDCRAFTED IN AUSTRALIA Riley Balsawood Surfboards are made using renewable resource balsa and recycled polystyrene for performance, durability, beauty and lower environmental impact
Call 0412 376 464 or Email mark@riley.com.au
www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au Australian Environmentally-friendly handcrafted surfboards for the individual in all of us, with a guarantee. Enjoy Responsibly
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" H OW G O O D W A S T H E L E A D - U P TO SPRING?" Well, well, well. Spring has sprung. Up north it's heading for boardies and bikinis... Who are we kidding, down south it's not much different - cold water be damned, there's a bit more skin to be shown, and a fair bit more of true excuse to be outdoors, lapping up the sunshine (responsibly covered and sunscreened up, of course). And for those who routinely complain about the best waves only happening in winter, how good was the lead-up to Spring? If this is a taste of what the warmer months might have in store, lets just say we're in for a busy season of getting wet. But, perhaps those seasonal waves could be a thing of the past if the machines march on, as they seem to be. Wave pools are fresh on everyone's salty lips again, with a proposed development on the Sunshine Coast for a water-based theme park incorporating a surfable man-made wave on the table. And, as we're suckers for wading into unfamiliar territory, we've looked at worldwide wave generating technology and cobbled together
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an overview of our understanding of what's happened, what's happening and what's yet to happen in the world of waves not made by nature, but by mere mortals (and a whole lot of technology). Satan or saviour of the surf? You decide... Regardless, whether it's wave pools or your local break, you still need a surfboard and all manner of equipment to keep you riding them! As always, we've got pages of the latest, coolest surfboard designs from local shapers, but in this special edition, we've also dedicated a whole section to some of the friendliest and best surf shops throughout Australia and New Zealand. And on that note, that's enough from us... you've got a fresh, new magazine to read, after all! And what better way to kick it off that with a mini-photo special from Foam Balls? Enjoy...
Cheers!
rders
sboa the Smorga
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FOREWORD Unknown surfer snapped by Craig Bessant of Foam Balls Photography on the Gold Coast... This image, and the next few pages, begs the question why surfers from the Goldie ever bother travelling anywhere?! More at www.facebook.com/FOAMBALLS
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" H OW G O O D W A S T H E L E A D - U P TO SPRING?" The happiest unknown surfer... That smile says it all - just what surďŹ ng should be. Craig Bessant. www.facebook.com/FOAMBALLS
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" H OW G O O D W A S T H E L E A D - U P TO SPRING?" Gold Coast surfer Nick Vasicek looking as comfortable as can be. Craig Bessant. www.facebook.com/FOAMBALLS
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WOODEN BOARD FANS 38 Timber on display
28 Swimwear
r all... Surfboards fo shapers NZ d an ie ss Au Top r craft. show off thei 90 ge Pa
DETAILS, CREDITS & STUFF Grab SMORGASBOARDER FREE at quality surf stores, shapers and cool cafés on the coast of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and New Zealand... Be nice and buy something while you're there. Or read it online.
SUBSCRIBE
FOR MAGAZINE HOME DELIVERY
If you can’t get to a store or other venue to pick the mag up in person, you can also choose to have SMORGASBOARDER delivered to your door. See www.smorgasboarder.com.au. A few back issues are also available for $5 a piece, plus t-shirts & more!
WHAT'S
INSIDE...
WELCOME THE WARM DAYS
$25 AUS & NZ - 1 YEAR - SIX EDITIONS.
TARANAKI IN PICTURES 48 Daisy Day's photography
SNOW INNOVATION
108 Checking out the Cross Board
Craig Bessant of Foam Balls routinely puts himself in harm's way to get great photos. This cracking shot of an unknown surfer on the Gold Coast is just one example of many that makes it all worthwhile!
THE COVER SHOT
For more, like his Facebook page, FOAMBALLS
SMORGASBOARDERS
CONTRIBUTING...
ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL: Dave Swan dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 0401 345 201
This is YOUR mag. It’s here for you to tell your stories, show your pictures and share your thoughts - and score some free stuff on the way too, to boot.
BRICKS & MORTALS 118 Top surf shops
THE LATEST 22 News 28 And Greatest
GEAR
90 All the latest surfboards 105 Test everything
CLOSEOUT
114 Music 116 Columns 137 Socials 146 Aloha Barry 12
THE USUAL
NEW ZEALAND: ‘Jiff’ Morris jeff@smorgasboarder.co.nz 0220 943 913 DESIGN/EDITORIAL: Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 0400 875 884 SOUTH AUSTRALIA: James Ellis james@smorgasboarder.com.au 0410 175 552 ACCOUNTS: Louise Gough louise@smorgasboarder.com.au GEAR TESTS & REVIEWS: Gus Brown gus@smorgasboarder.com.au
E: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au. P: PO Box 501, Moffat Beach QLD 4551 There’s only a few of us here, so please be patient when you get in touch - we’ll try our best to get back to you as soon as humanly possible. Get in touch to discuss any ideas you’d like to be considered for a future edition or online.
BEST NON-DAILY PUBLICATION
QUEENSLAND MULTIMEDIA AWARDS 2013
WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU Smorgasboarder magazine 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.
SMORGASBOARDER | SPRING 2014
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Mitchell Brown of M.S.B. photography captured this amazing ride. See more at www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Stephen.Brown
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READER: PHOTOS Unknown surfer rocketing down the face, snapped by Rhayn Murphy of Smurph Photography rhaynmurphyphotography.tumblr.com
Adam Cant's partner Karen took this photo of him during an 'awesome arvo sesh somewhere on Phillip Island.' Karen, you are a patient lady for sure... That would have been one long wait to get him out.
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READER: PHOTOS The water may be a bit cool for the average boardshorts-wearing Queenslander, but oh boy, is the wetsuit ever worth it! Dale from Scamander Surf captured a few beauties during recent idyllic conditions along the Tasmanian East Coast.
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LATEST: LENSPERSON BELOW: 'Kurto got the big one'
Mystery ripper Newsworthy
SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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"No swell, offshore winds all day and you get to see some wicked mal riding..." laughs Sunshine Coast photographer Josh Hopcott. These two great shots show a bit of wave sharing and watch-and-learn in progress. Top notch stuff!
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M.S.B Photography man Mitchell Brown also had his lens hard at work at Duranbah on the Gold Coast recently. Here's a whole lot of spray from a lovely little wave. Another cracker...
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READER: PHOTOS
Kneeboarder David Avni in the crystal blue waters of Boomerang Beach on the Mid North Coast of NSW in June 2014, snapped by fellow kneeboarder and photographer Reefrat, aka John Cullen. For more action from the day, see page 142
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Above is a pic Peter Silvia snapped at Freshwater beach of his mate, Simon Byrne riding a 10' Pieter Stockert log. "We're going through a flat spell, but managed to find some fun little waves," says Peter. "I have currently surfed 398 consecutive days and decided to start shooting as well as surfing. I shot this with a pretty basic Fuji cam." Mate, for that kind of dedication alone, this great shot most certainly has to be in the mag. Thanks, and good luck cracking 500 days, Peter! SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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AKA: THE NEWS
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR LOCAL SURFING COMMUNITY & OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
@smorgasboarder.com.au
COFFS LAND BARRELS
facebook.com/smorgasboarder
@smorgasboarder
twitter.com/smorgasboarder
It's not just fun in the ocean. Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club organises fun times on land too. Here's some tarp surfing with Bevan White providing the curl and Danielle Page helping her younger brother Jai. More CHBC on page 138.
THE GIVING JUST KEEPS ON GOING... Is there no bounds to this man’s generosity? Jon Frappell - the winner of the Smorgasboarder five-board quiver comp in December 2012 - firstly gave one of the surfboards won to the mate in WA for whom he'd originally bought a year’s subscription to Smorgasboarder (which is what qualified him for the win). Now, he's even auctioned off the Riley Marlin balsa fish he won to raise 22
funds for the treatment of a young boy who suffered brain damage after being king hit. Not only did Jon donate the board for a charity auction, he also got the board signed by the likes of surfing legends Occy, Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Steph Gilmore and Rabbit Bartholomew so it could fetch a higher price. Take a bow Mr. Frappell, you are indeed a true surfing legend yourself.
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NO MORE PAIN
Reduce neck strain, protect your ribs and chest, and relieve your lower back from paddling stress.
STILL GOING STRONG (FRIENDS AND SURFBOARDS) "I am the daughter of your recently run article subject 'Lavender Girl' (page 12, last edition).
ABOVE: The Kenoath 'Lavendar Girl' shirt, and BELOW: Ros and her purple Hohensee
"Thank you so very much for running this story - it has truly meant a lot to my mum, Roslyn Cousens [nee Watson]. The whole journey with the inception of Kenoath designs and the final production of the t-shirt has been incredibly exciting and memorable. "Back in her day, my Mum was nicknamed, and also known as 'Dallas', and surfed alongside the greats such as Bobby and Terry Brown, Midget Farrelly and Frank Latta. She actually bought one of Frank Latta's personal boards from him - a Peter Clarke - in 1970 to give to my father as a wedding present so he could join her in her passion of surfing and the eternal search for the perfect wave. "Before my father though, her 'First Love' was her purple Hohensee longboard that is pictured with her - hence the name of the t-shirt design. The pic was taken by her best friend on one of their many surfing trips and coastal cruises. That girlfriend, to this day, is still her closest friend. Yes, 45 years later!! She bought the board from the Hohensee store in Coolangatta in 1969 - at age 21. She still has it in her garage at home! "Just goes to show you that boards, and best friends, back then were built to last! Thank you once again..... You made an old surfer girl very, very happy!"
AUSTRALIA BYRON BAY LONGBOARDS 1-89 Jonson St, Byron Bay McTAVISH SURFBOARDS 3/91 Centennial Cct, Byron Bay BEACHIN SURF 262 Main Rd,Toukley
Team Rider Dave Sput Keevers
AUSTRALIAN DEALER ENQUIRES: Ron Wade 0410 443 776 info@ronwadesurfboards.com.au
NEW ZEALAND
PADDLE STRONGER,
SURF LONGER
DEL SURFBOARDS 454 Devon St, Strandon,New Plymouth BEACH STREET SURF 39 Beach St, Fitzroy New Plymouth
WWW.PADDLEAIR.COM
Peace, love and sandy feet, Leisha Distefano SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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• Deluxe self-cont 2-bed villas • 1-bed cabins • Powered or unpowered sites for caravans and campers.
AAA Tourism Rating
Absolute Beachfront ...on beautiful Sapphire Beach with its clear water, surf and white sand...
Dogs are welcome! (Conditions apply.)
A hop, skip and a jump north of Coffs central, Sapphire Beach Holiday Park offers stays to suit all budgets!
48 Split Solitary Rd, Sapphire Beach, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Call us: +61 (0)2 6653 6212
BOOK ONLINE TODAY!
www.splitsolitarycaravanpark.com
Wooden Surfboard Workshops
Due to popular demand we now offer
1 Day Shaping Workshops 3 Day Building & Shaping Workshop - Over 3 days we teach you how to build a wooden surfboard from scratch, starting with timber planks and internal frame to create your board. The last day is spent shaping. After 3 days you take home your Wooden Surfboard, complete with fins, fin box/plugs, leash plug and vent. 1 Day Shaping Workshop - In a 1 Day Shaping Workshop, we start with a pre made wooden blank, then teach you how to shape and create the board, similar to how a conventional surfboard is shaped. At the end of the day the board is fully shaped, complete with fins, fin box/plugs, leash plug and vent. Longboards, shortboards, retros and classics - made by you with a little help from Tree to Sea Australia. See web site for dates. Workshops are held in Mt. Eliza, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. Tree to Sea Workshop Gift Vouchers are available Robert 0409 211 751 Gary 0423 804 975
SUP, SUP AND AWAY!!!
SOLAR POWER
The tale of Clémence Lapeyre 10.30pm paddleboard adventure is all over the internet. A gale-force wind picked up and knocked her off her paddleboard. Clémence lost her glasses and paddle in the process, but somehow managed to cling to her board for the next 40 hours and was swept some 100km across busy shipping lanes, amidst treacherous seas with 12ft waves before she was found by a Belgian fishing boat near the port of Le Havre. Luckily Clémence was alive despite almost qualifying herself for the prestigious Darwin Awards. Vive la France!
Surfboards shapers and similar surf related businesses looking for an alternative to lining the pockets of the major energy-provider powerbrokers might like to consider an alternative in the form of Voltaic Energy.
SURF FILM COFFS By the time this edition goes to print, Coffs Harbour would have held their first ever Call of the Surf Film Festival organised by Screenwave Australia. Held at the Jetty Memorial Theatre on Saturday, August 30th, the inaugural Call of the Surf Film Festival is not only a showcase of some of the best Aussie surf films, from old classics to modern gems but a celebration of Australia’s iconic surf culture with guest talks from Aussie surfing legends, Q&As with filmmakers and unique silent surf films. screenwave.com.au/callofthesurf/
TOP DOLLAR BOARD Fair dinkum or a stitch up? Either way, shelling out the reported $1.3m for a board sounds like a fair bit, despite parts of it being shaped out of a rare NZ timber and featuring a 23-carat gold motif. The Rampant is the creation of Kiwi surfboard designer Roy Stuart. You sure as hell wouldn’t want to ding it.
Voltaic Energy is essentially a solar energy service provider striving to remove the initial expense of renewable energy technology. Their aim is to overcome the cost barrier by purchasing solar systems on behalf of their clients, and then providing them with the benefits at a rate equal to or less than their current electricity costs. Sounds good for our planet and for your hip pocket. For more go to: voltaicenergy.com.au
WINNING SURF SHOPS Our congratulations to some notable and well deserved winners from the recent 2014 SBIA (Surf & Boardsports Industry Awards) namely multiple stores winners Mt Woodgee for QLD Retailer of the year and Star Surf + Skate for WA Retailer of the year along with single store winners Hodgy’s Surf Centre for VIC Retailer of the Year and Country Waves for WA Retailer of the Year.
CORRECTION In our last edition in the story "Home Break", Page 54, it was mentioned that Nadia Anderson was the wife of Evan Anderson. Nurda Anderson is in fact Evan's wife, while Nadia is the couple's daughter.
roystuart.biz
info@treetosea.com.au
Wooden Surfboard Workshops
The goodness of wood. Plantation grown timber. No fibreglass. No foam. No resins. Just wood (and glue). Keeping our environmental splash to a minimum. 24
www.treetosea.com.au
The Rampant - perfect for crowded Snapper or Noosa.
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LATEST: NEWS
’
WHAT S HAPPENING ONLINE
“GLASSERS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE CRYING NOOOOOOOOOOO!! LOOKS AWESOME!!”
Troy Smith, on Facebook.com/smorgasboarder comments on the "Joel Beck's latest spaceship" post, showing a whole heap of channels
WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU BOARD CLICKS
dom
Ran
TOP FIVE: AUSTRALIAN SURF GUITAR ALBUMS
In our humble opinion, of course...
DAN RUMOUR & THE DRIFT Self Titled
Which boards have you been checking out on our site? Aside from Mark Rabbidge's Fatboy that took the honours in our recent online giveaway, this magic Bonzer by Jesse Watson at Black Apache has grabbed the most clicks at the time of going to print. For this board and more, see our huge surfboard section online.
1998
The Cruel Sea guitarist goes solo.
GT STRINGER Up Periscope 1998
www.smorgasboarder.com.au/index.php/surfboards
Tongue-in-cheek SA magic. Just ask Von Nagler.
SURFBOARD ART INTEREST Surf art always gets you guys excited and so it should! What's better than a great board made even better with some great artwork? See art in action from WA artist Fieldey at the website smorgasboarder.com.au If you missed her Bondi workshop, never fear, as more are planned! See page 144. Fieldey uses some unique techniques to spice up her surfboard artwork
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VIDEO LOVE
When we shared the ABC's video of little Quincy Symonds - aka The Flying Squirrel, a six-yearold surfer and skater from Tweed Heads - on our Facebook page, little did we realise how much you would love it. Thousands of views and a whole heap of shares later, you've helped spread the word about this gutsy little grommet and her battle with her serious medical condition, confirming that you Smorgasboarder readers are a genuinely caring bunch of downright good people. Nice work! See more at Facebook.com/Smorgasboarder
MARTIN CILIA Revenge of the Surf Guitar 2007
Yes it is, from the Atlantics axeman.
THE ATLANTICS Bombora 1963
The original Aussie instrumental gold.
THE BREAK Church of the Open Sky 2010
Members of Violent Femmes and Midnight Oil
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LATEST & GREATEST
SWIM WEAR TIME! DKOKO LIMITED EDITION Dkoko’s Surf Bikini Bralette top is made from luxurious mixed fabrics and features pads that repel the water, making it easy to dry. It also has removable straps, so you can wear it strapless as well. Holds everything in its place in surf up to 4 ft. dkoko.com
OH KOKOH... These cheeky bikinis, inspired by all things travel and the ocean, are designed on the sleepy South Coast of NSW. Kokoh bikinis are sold as separates and - as an added bonus - are reversible too! kokohbikini.com
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BE SUN SAFE With a lot more skin seeing the light of day again, it's time for sun safe tips from SUN ZAPPER •
Minimise exposure between 10am and 4pm.
•
Seek shade whenever possible.
•
Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15.
•
Reapply sunscreen frequently – especially after swimming or sweating.
•
Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible.
SUN ZAPPER ZINC SUN SCREEN The nanoparticle-free Sun Zapper Zinc Sun Screen range of lotions and sticks has been extensively tested for efficacy, but not on animals! 100% Australian owned, Sun Zapper is formulated, tested and manufactured in Australia to meet the requirements of the harsh Australian conditions. sunzapper.com.au
HIVE TRIBAL TROPIC Hive’ Swimwear's 2014/2015 collection features floral prints bursting with colour, geometric tribal prints and mix-and-match block colours. Integral to the range is the ever-popular ‘Beehive’ bikini for avid surfers, along with new Brazilian ‘Buzz Pant’ and fashion inspired rash shirt. hiveswimwear.com
O&E HONEY BIKINI Pretty and practical, this range of ladies swimwear should have the girls going very sweet on it. The Honey range also includes t-shirts, shorts, singlets and more. See more of what's available online: oceanearthstore.com/ honey-summer-clothing SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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TAKE A NIBBLE Crazy value for money with the Surfinz Carbon Comp 5-fin pack (3 x 4.5” & 2 x 4.2”) where you score yourself a bonus Nibbler mini pivot fin, free. RRP $79.99. watershack.com.au
LET’S SPLIT The idea's been around since the mid-'90s but the technological advance of splitboards is on the rise. Simply put, it's a snowboard that can be split into two ski-like parts to ascend backcountry slopes, letting you make fresh tracks in the wilderness. Jon of Queenstown's NZ Shred recently gave me the rundown on the new Jones Explorer Splitboard. Jon and Jase are absolute specialists in all things snow, so if you want to know more, hit 'em up for chat. nzshred.co.nz
LOOKS LIKE A SNOWBOARD? But it ain’t. Likened to the more natural body flow style of surfing and skateboarding, Cross Board gives a sharper turn on hard pack ice through the movement of the blades combined with that of your body. Our man Gus Brown went to Mt Buller to find out more. Read all about it on page 108. crossboard.co
one... We want ta... an S C'mon Jon's got the splits
THE WAVE CAVE
A board bag that turns into a tent! What a cracker! Carries up to four boards then, unzip the bag and it forms a padded base which clips to a tent stored within a dedicated pocket. Available online - just Google away...
RIGHT: Max and Bryan - the boys behind Cross Board 30
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LATEST & GREATEST
PADDLING ON AIR This nifty inflatable top puts your body in an elevated prone position using an adjustable inflation chamber integrated into a rash-guard... The aim is to get you into a stronger paddling position and relieve discomfort. Can be worn inside or outside your wetsuit, or as a standalone rashie.
BUMPER STICKERS BABY!
SINK THIS 8-BALL
Brighten up your car, surfboard, skatey or whatever else you like to let the world know there's a new little boardrider in the making.
Looking for the in-betweener for the new or younger Fiik Fans? Check out the Crazy 8. Cool design, all-round street wheels for the rougher terrain, head and tail lights with a battery indicator too. Get 'em ready for The Big Daddy by getting them on this first.
Available at babyonboard.co
More at fiikelectricskateboards.com.au
paddleair.com
JIMMY IT Slipping into a wetsuit quickly can be frustrating, and even dangerous to the health of your wetsuit, so here's a product made out of hard-wearing sail material called Surf Jimmy to help you pull your wetsuit on and off with ease. RRP $9.99 More at watershack.com.au 32
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EAST COAST SHAPERS PROGRAM:
FREE SOLAR FOR BOARD SHAPERS & RETAILERS ON THE EAST COAST
$400$3,680
Photo supplied by Surfing Australia
average savings per year
Voltaic Energy installs complete solar systems free of charge, and sells the energy direct to the shapers at a significantly lower price than grid electricity.
PROUD SPONSOR OF
JESS GRIMWOOD
We then give you the system for free. No catch.
CONTACT US: On August 3rd, Jess won the Australian Surf Festival in Coffs Harbour. She’s set to travel to Peru in October, representing Australia in the World Surfing Games.
PH: 02 8226 8616 M: 0404 037 390 E: info@voltaicenergy.com.au
voltaic energy SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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Ladies'
SURF RAK WINNERS!! The two lucky winners of a Ladies Surf Rak are: Rachel Anderson (top), who reckons she may look like some kind of weird ninja in the photo... Great shot Rachel, and congrats! Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club member Sharna McGuigan (bottom), takes on the competition in this photo by her dad, Reg McGuigan. Enjoy the Rak!
Surf n' Rak, an Australian company down Cronulla way, make every kind of imaginable storage and display racks for everything from surfboards through to paddleboards, snowboards and custom requests. They have literally designed and tested around 100 different racking systems since they began in 1996. Made from powder-coated steel, they are strong and reliable.
VR1 FREESTANDING RAK
Your boards here!
The VR1 is perfect for shortboards up to 7'6", all the contact points are protected with non-marking rubber with PVC plugs on all ends and finished in a pink powder coat. RRP $99
SR5 WALLMOUNTED RAK Each support is 430mm long and can hold 15kg when fitted. The backing plate that mounts to the wall is 950mm long. Supports are covered with non-marking rubber with PVC plugs on all ends and finished in a pink powder coat. RRP $189
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brochu
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PM
LATEST: COMMUNITY
LEFT: The greatest care has been taken in the transport of these priceless relics BELOW: The boys in their element
OVER 100 SURFBOARDS,
from 1950s D-Fins through to classic craft from Barry Bennett, Dick Harvey, Joe Larkin, Paul Nichol and local Clarence Valley shaper Dennis McPherson will be on display at a special exhibition held at the Grafton Showgrounds in Prince Street on October 25.
NOT PRECIOUS, NO PRETENCE, JUST DOWN TO EARTH COUNTRY FUN...
CLASSIC SURFBOARDS ON SHOW Of all places, the not-quite-coastal town of Grafton will be the spot to be this October if you love your local surfboard history!
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The exhibition, put together by Noel Smith of Low Pressure Surf Co. and National Parks and Wildlife Officer/Firey/Surfboard Shaper Peter Le Breton, is now in its third year. As Noel puts it, “The aim is to solely showcase an interesting array of classic surfcraft. The bulk of the exhibition is mine and Peter’s personal collection. "Peter has a lot of the vintage longboards and I have quite an extensive collection of shortboards. A particular favourite of mine is a Shanka shaped by well-respected Clarence Valley board builder Bryan Skinner.” Exhibition is open to all from 8am to 3pm. Admission is $3, concession $2. Venue is The Barn at the Grafton Showground in Prince Street. Special thanks to sponsors: 2GF 1206AM & FM1039, the local Lions club and Low Pressure Surf Co.
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SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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Surfer: Aaron Carle
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The Wooden Surfboard Day, held at Currumbin Alley on the Gold Coast is major highlight in the calendar year for anyone with even a passing interest in wooden surfboards. Okay, let's be realistic - there's no 'passing interest' as we'd wager that anyone would be hard pressed to find a surfer that doesn't get as excited as a toddler on Christmas morning at the sight of a beautifully crafted timber surfboard... But I digress... This year's event - as always organised by Grant Newby - heralded the sixth annual instalment of the gathering.
"The weekend kicked off at the Gold Coast Surf Museum on Saturday night," Grant explains. "We had Sergi Galano from Flama Surfboards in Barcelona, Spain as a guest speaker, where he explained his building process and methods." A core ideology of the event is to create a level playing field, where enthusiasts and experts equally participate, so after Sergi shared his passion for building surfboards as sustainably as possible, home board builder from Brisbane, Torsten Kofler, explained what he had learned from his own personal journey of building wooden boards and exploring various different timber construction techniques.
All shapes and sizes were on display, with Grant Newby's own 'salty sleds' in the foreground
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Mark Sutton with a great piece of history
THE 6TH ANNUAL WOODEN SURFBOARD DAY TOP: A good Surf Museum turnout on a cold night ABOVE: Sergi Galano, Spain BELOW: Torsten Kofler, Brisbane
Andrew Wells' Grown Surfboards
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"Some great stories and lots of questions,:" said Grant. "That is what this whole weekend is about. An opportunity for like minded people to get together and share their experiences. Wooden boards are still in a very experimental phase for most people , so there are lots of questions." LEFT: It's not just boards that are worth inspecting... Check out this great wooden fin by John Devereux. BELOW: Know your bung...
After a great night at a great venue, Sunday morning rolled around to kick off a day in the park opposite Currumbin Alley - "the showand-shine, if you like, of wooden boards," as Grant puts it. With a great turnout of exhibitors and interested onlookers, there was no shortage of extremely talented people to talk to about all things timber, and importantly, row upon row of wooden surfcraft to drool over too figuratively of course. All of this in the open, friendly vibe that is a hallmark of The Alley park community surfboard getherings. "There is no easy way to build a wooden board so there is a strong camaradere amongst those that have boards on display," Grant says. "Guys had flown up from Melbourne, Sydney and South Australia for the day, and one guy drove down from Mackay with two hollow wooden SUP's. Thanks guys for all the support. 'We are a splinter group.' Congrats again Grant on pulling this together. In a bit of news, next year's one is looking like it may become part of the Byron Bay Surf Festival in October 2015.
ABOVE: Master craftsman Barry Regan from Ballina deep in conversation with Sergi Galano. BELOW: 84-year-old Barry Regan's surfboards.
"It will be a win-win for both of us, and will let the Wooden Board Day expand to its potential," says Grant. We'll keep you up to date with developments as we know more. In the meantime, stay inspired via the blog: www.woodensurfboards.blogspot.com Matt Brady from Mackay with beautiful wooden SUPs and paddles
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Buy the Best Paulownia Timber Australia has to offer. SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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LATEST: COMMUNITY
LOVE IN INDO D O ING
G O OD
ACR O S S
T H E
WA V E S
WORDS & PHOTOS: JOSH LEAN
“WHAT IS LOVE? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? IS IT SOMETHING WE CAN CREATE? SOMETHING DEVELOPED OVER TIME OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE SIMPLY FEEL?” Josh Lean, Loveisaverb
One thing we can say without a doubt here at SMORGASBOARDER is we love hearing the stories of ordinary people doing amazing things to help others. There’s nothing more inspiring than good people doing good things to make someone else’s day – or life for that matter – a little better. Loveisaverb is an organisation that lives for this purpose, giving young people an opportunity to help those less fortunate than themselves while exposing them to different cultures and – as luck would have it - a whole lot of quality waves. As founder Josh Lean explains, the goal is not only to help the needy, but also to give the team members an experience that will ignite some serious soul searching. Last edition (Loving and Giving, Page 120), Loveisaverber Gus Murray told us all about the trip seven girls from the Sunshine Coast took to Bali with the organisation. Now, Josh gives us a bit more background on the big idea behind it all. Over to you, Josh...
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BALI
has been the destination of the last two mission trips organised by LIAV. Aussie tourists traveling to Bali often only get a small picture of the culture over there. Many spend most of their time in Kuta, Seminyak and make the occasional trip down the bukit to find some waves. However if you take the time to explore the island, particularly to the North and to the East, it doesn’t take long to discover a multitude of people living in poverty.
Zac Aumam, hanging out between surf coaching. Photo: Josh
New board, happy grom. Photo: Josh
Gus Murray, early morning at Uluawatu. Photo, Josh: Blurr Photographics
So Bali is an obvious choice for us as it is easily accessible, affordable and offers some world class surfing! LIAV have established solid relationships with other organisations such as the Bali Life Foundation who work long-term in Bali. Building this relationship over time makes it easy for LIAV teams to go back year after year, supporting the people who have dedicated their lives, working long term to help people in need.
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LATEST: COMMUNITY LEFT: Lani, Brendo, Zac, Dan and Reuben MIDDLE: Renee surf coaching RIGHT: Sam and Reuben, building away
SURFING & SKATING
are two of the drawcards LIAV uses to not only attract young people on short-term missions, but to also make the whole experience even more enjoyable. It's a passion for many young people, and LIAV makes sure that there is time everyday to expose the team to some great surfing and skating! If the waves are good, the schedule can be changed. At the end of the day, each team member is a volunteer and pay their own way for flights and accommodation. All the volunteer work is optional, but once the individuals get a taste of giving and serving, it becomes one of the best parts of the trip! Here’s what Zac Aumam (18) of Peregian had to say about his experience: “The only reason I went on the trip was to surf and get good waves. I knew it was a 'mission trip' but to be honest I didn’t really want to be a part of it, but then Josh and a few of the boys started to talk about how good the waves were going to be whilst we were there. So I thought I guess I could put up with a crew talking about God and helping some people for two weeks in exchange for pumping waves! “I think it was on about the fifth day that I snapped my brand new board that I just bought for Bali. So, there I was in Bali, with the best waves and no board, which gave me a lot of time to not surf, and instead think about the real reason I was there. I soon realised I was there
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to learn more about God, life and culture and not just to surf - that was a bonus. “Working in the orphanage and hanging out with all the kids there was incredible; to see how happy and grateful they where just to be around you and even just to wear your hat for a second was so cool. It made me - and a lot of others - step back and realise how much we take everything we have for granted. I thought my holiday was over because I broke my board but really it was just beginning! "Getting to be around the orphans and even meeting with people in the (Kerobokan) prison was something I can't explain. It makes you open your eyes. After I decided to be there for others and not myself, my trip became so much better. One of the boys ended up giving me an old board to use. "I was grateful for the board but that wasn't even important to me anymore, I was there to learn and to help. I knew if I went on this trip my life would change through God and I guess that's why I was hesitant at first, but now I am so grateful that I got persuaded into a 'surf trip' because I would never take it back. “Bali was such an eye-opening experience and it's hard to explain how I really felt whilst being there but it was amazing! In a way I'm almost glad I broke my surfboard otherwise I wouldn't have had the same opportunity to connect with God and help others in the community.”
Our lifestyle here in Australia is one of many luxuries. We have everything we need and much more. As we grow up we can easily take these luxuries for granted. One of the goals for this organisation is to put things in perspective for young people. Most young people may go overseas backpacking, partying and living it up. That has its place, but what about exposing young people to a different type of travelling; travelling with a purpose, helping and giving to others yet still having time to kick back and relax, surf, skate and hangout with a rad crew? This is the very heart of this organisation. Team members are exposed to a range of different experiences. These include educational sessions on poverty, visiting prisoners, working with kids living on the street, surf and skate coaching, working with orphanages, as well as various building projects. They also have the opportunity to be generous by blessing projects and other organisations financially and by providing surfboards and skate equipment to underprivileged children. A lot of the crew on the last trip left their surfboards in Bali instead of bringing them home, making for some happy groms! “Being part of LIAV was an unforgettable experience,” agrees Jess Smith (22) of Coolum. “Something that stood out and stuck with me was my time I got to spend in Kerobokan prison. I wasn't sure what to expect or how I would feel in there, being surrounded by prisoners in such
a notorious jail. However the impact it had on me was unexpected, because inside I met three individuals who managed to change my outlook on life. They made me realise that freedom is not always a physical thing, for emotional freedom can be so much more important. “I left with high emotions but for that lesson I am truly grateful and will always remember it. “Setting up new skateboard decks for the kids in the Bali Life orphanage was also an awesome experience, I got to see their faces light up as we shared the love of the same sport, which was a true a blessing. “ LIAV run overseas trips up to two times a year. If you feel its time to experience something a little different, if you feel the need to get out of your comfort zone, or if you would like to get involved any way, please get in touch. These trip are open to anyone, but are generally geared towards people with an interest in surfing and skateboarding. Also check out the online store all proceeds are donated directly to LIAV projects. A great man once said “Lets not merely say we love each other, lets show the truth by our actions.” Thanks Josh. For more see LIAV online: E: info@loveisaverb.org W: www.loveisaverb.org F: www.facebook.com/loveisaverb.org Instagram: @l_i_a_v
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LATEST: LOCAL
Coralie's Cronullainspired art and photography is currently on display Coralie Burns
CORALIE BURNS... CORAL SEES Coralie Burns is an enthusiastic photographer, artist and surfer hailing from the southern beaches of Cronulla, not to mention being a serious competitor across all surfing disciplines through the years . Inspired by the watery world around her, Coralie captures her environment through her camera lens and re-interprets what she experiences onto canvas.
WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR YOUR ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY? I always enjoyed taking happy snaps while on holidays to capture many moments. I was inspired by famous photographer Ken Duncan - his sense of adventure that reminded me of myself, and his ability to capture exceptional panoramic landscape photography. From that day on I started getting out more regularly, experimenting with my own ideas to capture interesting moments in time with my camera, 46
from beautiful sunrises, sunsets and landscapes to surf photography. I always had a creative eye for things growing up, but I truly found my creativity living so close to the beach. I get my inspiration to put pencil to paper and paint to canvas from the last epic surf session adventure. I re-live these moments through my paintings and drawings, and turn my ideas and inspirations into works of art.
WHAT MAKES A PERFECT IMAGE IN YOUR OPINION? A perfect image in my opinion would be rising before dawn for sunrise, offshore winds, swell pumping… The night before, I’ll check the weather forecast and have a location and an idea of the shot I would like to capture that day. That’s my idea of perfection.
CAMERA, PAINTBRUSH, SURFBOARD, SUP. WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU GRAB? Most definitely my surfboard is the first thing I grab for an early dip in the ocean. I also always have my eye on the perfect window for shooting if the weather is in my favour. Most days I grab my surfboard and camera. Painting comes later in the day - I let my mind run free around my morning session. SUP? When the ocean goes flat.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE EXHIBITION AT CRONULLA CENTRAL GALLERY? This will be my first solo show - Soul Surfing Art & Photography Exhibition. It will showcase the beauty of Cronulla I have captured in my landscape and surf photos. Surfing artworks and paintings will be on display. It's a great opportunity to get my name out there. I'm so
excited! I’m putting together a short film about my journey as a surfer girl, from my upbringing to being an accomplished athlete, competition surfer, and my journey into art and photography.
Coralie’s exhibition is at the Cronulla Central Gallery for three months from September to November. If you can’t get there in person, visit Coral Sea Creative on Facebook to see more of her work.
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ADV_A
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The Ph�tograPhY of
DAISY ? DAY TAranAki - n�
LEFT: Daisy at Fitzroy today. RIGHT: Fitzroy, April 1988
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LATEST: LENSPERSON
“Taranaki has become a burgeoning, vibrant place, yet it retains that adventurous feel of searching for waves down every road that tapers off our HWY 45, and beyond.” DAISY DAY
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LATEST: LENSPERSON Boulter Bay, May 2006
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The Ph�tograPhY of
DAISY ? DAY TAranAki - n�
dAisY'S naMe iS PracT��aL�Y Synony�oUs W�T� T�E surf scene in The TAranAki region on The West ��aST of nEW Zealand’S norT� island. First entering the surf at Whanganui during the mid ‘70s - on a secondhand Roger Titcombe 6ft single fin at her local surf break off Morgan Street at Castlecliff Beach Daisy embarked on a watery journey that was to hold far more in store than merely riding waves. Some 29 years ago, her surfing obsession and photographic career took her up to Taranaki, where she now lives with husband Arch – another local surf personality who formerly owned the Beach Street Surf Shop in Fitzroy, and co-hosts the Out the Back Surf Show for local radio station 100.4 The Most FM. These days Daisy is well known as a surf photographer, writer and all-round surfarchivist of the region. Here she shares a bit about her life and work, past and present.
Sur�in� “There weren't that many female surfers when I started,” Daisy recalls. “I only remember two. A Judy Hoffman (married name) and a Tracy Gordon. It didn't seem to be that popular with the local girls at the time. I tended to hang with the local
guys. I had great support from all the male surfers. Heaps of laughs, fun and fantastic encouragement to get out there, whatever the conditions. I'd hang on to their every word about huge waves they’d surfed, board designs, reading the weather (no Google back then) and their trips to amazing surf spots in NZ and overseas.
“The boys gave me boards to try and would literally lead me by the legrope to paddle out the back at Morgan Street. They taught me how to paddle across the Whanganui Rivermouth and how to avoid the decomposing possums and cows and stray logs. ‘Just close your mouth and hope for the best, Gidget!’
“Whanganui wasn't exactly the best surf area, yet you learned how to surf well enough on those strong onshore days. Most weekends we'd drive up to Waitotara and New Plymouth to surf as many breaks along the way. When I was jobless, I learned to fix boards and make legropes from surgical cord and numerous secret SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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recipes were conjured up to make a soft surfboard wax. I was the only female surfer to belong to the Wanganui Boardriders Club during that time and help write up the local "Morgo Mag" club newsletter."
The Ph�tograPhY of
DAISY ? DAY TAranAki - n�
Ph�tograPhY
lounge,in front of the telly, photographing a real live surf comp!
“I always had a camera in hand since childhood, so it was natural to take pics of my surf buddies and the waves,” Daisy tells of how she started down the photography road.
"It must be my journalistic training (I worked as a news photographer in Whanganui and then 20 years as senior/ Chief photographer on The Daily News) that makes me shoot for ages on the beach. I'm always conscious of what could be that elusive shot. I'm always thinking ‘This shot could become an historic image later... 'What if this surfer should pass away and no-one has a current pic of them? 'What if this epic wave or sunset never shows again? What if?...’
“I'm in a way quite glad I didn't have a telephoto lens then, as I captured more personality shots, rather than surfers riding. I'd saved up enough money from my dog-walking, kennel-cleaning job and bought a 600mm lens that came in two parts and a 135 telephoto for my Pentax."
“everY daY daWns d�f�erenT in ��oKs, The in�redibLe lig�t and That s�EL� of The o�ean ��ST overr�dES T�e Senses... surf it and Ph�tograPh iT."
“The money I spent on film during my early photographic years was phenomenal. These days a photographer's life is a lot easier with digital cameras. You still have to afford the main equipment though. At present I’m using two Canon 7Ds and my wee baby bazooka the 600mm Canon lens for surfing. *Purr, purr.*
“My first real surfing shots, were of a SurfAbout competition in Australia that was shown on TV at midnight. There I was with my new camera and lens on a tripod, in the
“Black and white still reigns supreme in my book - literally, in my book, my first publication 30 Years of Surf Photography. It's purest. Black and white film used to be the cheaper medium than colour in my earlier
days of photography - it was easier to process with much more latitude than colour. Very moody, very textured. Those stormy turbulent seas make for awesome black and white images, as it does for portraits. Difficult lighting conditions - as in shooting surfers in harsh light - I'll turn it into monochrome… It's a little arty too. In 2006 my husband Arch and I did our own surfing publication,The Daily Surf, for a few years to give the local surfers exposure and have my own and readers' surf photography published. It was on poor quality newsprint - it didn't do the images justice - but at least it got out there in the surfing community.”
Sur� coach�ng “I love it! I've been doing it as a job for 13 years now. It is extremely physical, so it keeps me fit. Between October and May, I virtually live at the beach teaching heaps of tourists and of course the locals. “In surfing you never stop learning techniques, even if you're a mature die-hard. I used to watch others
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Bruce G, The Gap 1993
Ratso Tara Pro 1986, Puniho
LATEST: LENSPERSON
Fitzroy through the Pines 2003
Fitzroy 2003
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YZee from the golf course, 1988
The Ph�tograPhY of
DAISY ? DAY TAranAki - n�
surf festivals if it wasn't for Paige Hareb's dad Mike, our Surfing Taranki CEO Craig Williamson and all the community sponsorship.
“I like challenges and I’m always curious why we're all different in our approach in learning to surf. What works for one may not work for the other. I love seeing the progression of those learners and intermediate surfers I've coached. Of course my passion for the sport is huge and encouraging more girls and mature women into surfing is foremost.
“It’s all inspiring and so positive. Women are incredible surfing athletes. We are surfing better and better. We can rip, whether it’s competitive or not. So it’s all go here in the province...
“I like to think of myself as a 'purist' surfer of many years and this SUPing lark seemed to be a bit sedentary. The last thing I wanted to do was haul this canoe-like thing into the waves and paddle... With a paddle.
"Aside from my entry level and intermediate coaching, Learn To Surf with Daisy, we also have Kiwi Sport Surfing for Schools and HPC clinics for the competitive surfer and our New Plymouth Surfriders' Club is progressively strong with all things surf.
“But the past three years have seen me embrace this extended arm of surf culture with vigour. I've become addicted. Surfing buddies can't crow enough about their fun times on a SUP. I've joined them.
“There's been an increase in the numbers of women learning to surf lately. I put it down to more worldwide exposure of women’s surfing and Taranaki securing the right to host the Women's WCT and QS over the last five years. "We wouldn't have had such amazing 54
STand up PAddLe�oarding
struggling to surf - especially the girls - and would always give them a hand. Apparently I have great patience...
Between her photo work, surf coaching and surfing comes SUPs, sailing and mountain biking. Downtime? What’s that? Daisy can’t help but stay on the go. She tells us a bit about her SUP conversion. “My first foray was in 2006 when our surf shop got some SUPs for a trial.
"It was on a lake in town, and as soon as I hopped on and started to paddle... Well, I wasn't that impressed. Where's the excitement? Too easy!
“I also love the fact you can be out on the ocean or lake or river for hours. You can explore more as your visibility is such that you can see down into the ocean, and further across the water. Just cruise and soak up the view. You don't always need a wave to get the thrills. You can do this in winter and not get as cold as if you were surfing. “My fitness has improved out of sight and quickly. My core is so much stronger. The surfing muscles have become more defined, especially around my shoulder area and back. I have wee Popeyes sprouting on my arms again.”
“It's low impact, fantastic for the female make-up, and has become a great cross trainer for my surfing. You can go at a recreational pace on flat water, or race or go surf the waves for more of an aerobic workout.
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RANDOM tAles fROM tHe ROAD WORDS & PHOTOS: DAVE SWAN
This is our regular installment of our Random Tales from the Road whilst delivering SmORGASBOARdER throughout Australia and New Zealand. Stories from the people we meet and the places we surf. We realised however that to date, we have more often than not featured places far, far away from home. I guess to us it just makes us feel more windswept and interesting. Unless you are living out of a delivery van and are badly in need of a shower, the travel tales just don’t seem as grand.
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We appreciate however, there are plenty of interesting people and goings-on in our very own neck of the woods aa well. To you, our readers, they are possibly miles from your home. So without the slightest hint of B.O. or a crook back from sleeping on a bed of SmORGASBOARdER boxes, here is a little insight into our South-East corner of Queensland.
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“My own kids love them too...” Dean Geraghty
Feeling I had to venture as far north as I could this trip, I packed the mighty Hyundai full of mags and headed off on a rugged 50-minute journey to Pomona. I’m sorry it just doesn’t sound as impressive as the usual 9,000 km in 20 days...
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Meeting Steve from Wooden Surfboard Shapes by Steve-O for the first time really was an adventure. I took a wrong turn more than a few times on my way there and when I finally arrived, I met a fascinating bloke who builds all manner of wooden surfboards and skateboards from recycled timber - be it old cedar blinds, pallets or even a piano! You name it, Steve uses it, crafting amazing timber boards and furniture from the very stuff most of us discard.
RANDOM ROAD TALES
My first stop...
Tunnel Rat time From Pomona it's on to Noosa and the chance to check out the progression of Tully St John's Tunnel Rat – the revolutionary 4’6” performance board he introduced Smorgasboarder readers to in Spring last year. I encountered some other sweet rides in all manner of lengths as well.
go Underground One of the most impressive little stores on the Sunshine Coast is Underground Surf. It’s not your run-of-the-mill surf shop and is chock-a-block full of over 100 boards, including boards shaped under their own name by Terry Glass. Owner Ondi - a man with the most staggering knowledge of surf history - is always up for a chat.
Beck-oning call Further down the coast I call into a shaper who has made a huge name for himself here on the Coast - Joel Beck of Beck Surfboards - to check out the new showroom and stepped into his shaping bay to see his latest creation.
FAR LEFT: Steve-O and his timber work TOP LEFT: Tully St John LEFT: Ondi of Underground Surf TOP RIGHT: Joel Beck ABOVE: Matt Williams shows off some crazy finless experimentation
I love finless And I particularly loved this creation by Matt Williams of The Factory Surfboards in Caloundra. Creativity of this kind coupled with his occasional use of squid ink (yes you heard right) on his boards has seen the guy who trained for many years under the tutelage of Tom Wegener really come into his own.
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tO tHe MAXiMuM RANDOM ROAD TALES
There’s so many people to visit on the Gold Coast, who I manage to catch up with always depends on the time of day I pass through each area. One guy who is always hard at it when I call by, no matter what time of day, is Stewy Maxwell of Maximum Surfboards.
eNDuRiNg pAssiON Another man who seems to live in his factory is Jack Knight. Jack lovingly hand shapes boards under his own name as well as the retro inspired Harvest Surfboards he creates with his son Aaron. Here’s Jack, well into the night, fussing over every inch single of another creation. Perfectionism comes at a cost – time.
BeAutiful WOOD A shaper also noted for the quality of the finish he puts to his boards is Geoff Moase. Geoff supplies timber to the board building industry through his business Paulownia Timber Sales and also crafts beautiful wooden boards of his own like this gun under the name Dovetail Surfboards.
gOOD WOODgee What a great revamp on the Mt Woodgee Coolangatta store - congrats to these good blokes for scoring a QLD Retailer of the Year award!
Wipe yOuR cHiN And when speaking of quality finishes, the boards and resin work of this bloke is truly unbelievable. Yoshi Takeda of Takeda Surfboards always has me dribbling over his works of art. TOP LEFT: Geoff shows off his gun TOP mIddLE: Sanding to the Maximum TOP RIGHT: Meticulous Jack Knight ABOVE: Mt Woodgee's Coolangatta store RIGHT: Yoshi making sure he holds on to that single fin, so that Dave can't run off with it...
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keeN tO see WHAt We've BeeN up tO? You can follow our travels near and far on Facebook and Instagram. Simply LIKE us and come along for the ride. www.facebook.com/smorgasboarder @smorgasboarder
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PHOTO: PASSIONS
GREAT FAMESICLAYPE S SURF
If you’re after a truly relaxing holiday you need to look no further than this tiny little surfing and fishing oasis on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. It's a personal favourite of ours too.
SEAL ROCKS, NSW PLENTY TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY
GREAT POSITION
THE SURF
The idyllic sleepy fishing village of Seal Rocks is situated in the middle of the Great Lakes coastline and North Coast Holiday Parks Seal Rocks is located right at the end of the isolated Sugarloaf Peninsula, right across from the beach, guaranteeing you peace, quiet and no passing traffic. Serenity.
There’s essentially two main breaks in the area, right out front of North Coast Holiday Parks Seal Rocks and around the headland at Treachery. Seal Rocks is generally a mellow, fullish right hand point break that’s great for longboarders and paddleboarders. In big southeasterly swells its another story, waves wrap around the rocks and barrel into the bay at Number One Beach. Treachery Head around the corner is another ball game altogether. A combination of a left-hand point break and beach breaks, it’s a swell
Photos: North Coast Holiday Parks, Tom Woods
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magnet that can hold up to more than most can handle. The area generally catches the most swell on the Mid Coast. Southeasterly swells are again best. With a number of other wave options worthy of exploration, it is no wonder why North Coast Holiday Parks Seal Rocks is popular with surfers.
FISHING Seal Rocks initially came to fame for its fishing and to this day its reputation remains intact, more than likely due to the fact it has been able to avoid any form of major development.
WHAT WE LOVE Beachfront location with spectacular views The well-known Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, the second-most easterly one in Australia after the Byron Bay lighthouse, is easily accessible from the park. You can sit and watch the whales passing by and soak up an amazing view! Free WiFi and Hire stand up paddle boards from reception. See the website for more: northcoastholidayparks.com.au
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You can also stay connected with us on ctrlvptyltd DaveCTRLV CTRLvee
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dave@ctrlv.com.au | 0407 371 166
CUSTOMISED GRAPHICS FOR YOUR BOARD
CT RL V would like to thank our supporters, fans & customers for a truly amazing first year. Go to www.ctrlv.com.au/we-are-one to celebrate our FIRST birthday with us!
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NeW Wave Roll oUt tHe baRRels
With the recent announcement of a proposed wave park in our own neck of the woods on the Sunshine Coast, we were intrigued to know more about this development, and indeed the diverse world of artificial wave making. We were equally astounded by the level of development in this field and indeed our own naivety to this industry, and an industry it well and truly is. WORDS: DAVE SWAN
LEFT: Sally Fitzgibbons at the Wavegarden. RIGHT: Concept renderings for the Double-Barrel Surf by Murphys Waves SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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SURFING ANYWHERE can be a reality ...and we mean literally anywhere, as developments in some very non-coastal areas have shown over the past few years.
Photos courtesy of Murphys Waves
Wave are most pools certainly controversial. They have
generated a great deal of interest and incited heated debate. They are somewhat of a dividing force in the surfing world as we know it. So is it worthy of our examination? Without doubt. How does one form an opinion or indeed strengthen their views without first acquiring as much information as possible about the subject at large. Without doubt, wave pools are an interesting topic of discussion. Never ones to shy away from controversial topics, we decided to investigate what is happening in the literal “world� of wave pools and the various pros and cons of man-made waves. So sit back and read what we have found out and what we understand to be happening in this space. Then either get yourself drooling over the prospect of near-perfect waves or hot under the collar about the soul of surfing being sold to the demons of commerce... Whatever takes your fancy, we hope to stoke your fire.
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LATEST: DEBATE THIS IMAGE: A close-up of a wave Webber-generated on the Clarence river
"Greg’s light bulb moment came to him in 2004 when he was watching the wake of a trawler..." Greg Webber's river-based experimentation has guided his wave development ideas.
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" I VANT A CASTLE... AND A VAVE POOL! YEW!" King Ludwig II, possibly misquoted
From a personal perspective I must admit, the more
I delved into this subject, the more it proved to be incredibly fascinating. I'd never have imagined there was such an extensive history to artificial wave making, let alone various types of technological approaches to creating waves. I only knew of a wave machine at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Seagaia over in Japan under a giant dome, and the waves rolling down the Wavegarden in Spain I recently watched in awe. Quite clearly, my fast-paced lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast had left me oblivious to the goings-on around the world. I guess the first place to start is to provide those who aren’t in the know with a brief rundown on the history of wave machines and the kinds of waves they create...
Pursuit of the Holy Grail Our research suggests it was the late, great, crazy King Ludwig II of Bavaria who was the first to simulate the waves created by Mother Nature. Famous for his favour of extravagant artistic and architectural projects, such as the world-renowned Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig electrified a lake to create breaking waves. Although some thought this a shocking idea, we guess he thought it would be electrifyingly cool. Funnily enough, King Ludwig in years to come was declared insane by his ministers and committed for pouring all of his royal revenues into such ventures. Wave pool critics would argue we will soon see history repeating itself. Today however, King Ludwig is revered by Bavarians for the many important tourist attractions he built during his reign.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria. A forward thinking royal and perhaps the first wave-pool operator, and his famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
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The next to make waves (pardon the pun) were the Hungarians in 1927, followed by the Brits in 1939. Their creation, a 60m x 20m pool featuring electric pistons that drove massive paddles, made lapping waves that were bigger than Ludwig’s ripples, but still they weren’t much chop, or indeed they were just chop. The first artificial waves to be ridden by surfers was in 1966. Tokyo’s Summerland amusement park built a “Surfa-Torium” using similar technology to the Brits some three
decades earlier. The techno-savvy Japanese managed to create liquid lumps that could be ridden with a softboard, but they were pretty gutless. In 1969, the yanks had a crack, on a grand scale. A huge 120m x 90m wave pool set amongst 20 acres of Hawaiian themed landscaping was constructed - in Arizona of all places, some 600kms from the nearest beach. Big Surf was a valiant effort and a step in the right direction but still a far cry from anything the ocean could deliver. They were at it again in 1985 when Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania held the first World Professional Inland Surfing Championship, but only Tommy Carroll at the height of his powers could achieve anything of note on the wave, which saw him win the title. The 2ft wave was a popular addition to the Dorney Amusement Park but was just that - an amusement park ride rather than a rippable wave of substance. What was evident however, from Germany to Hungary to England, Japan and The United States, was that the worldwide race for man-made waves had already well and truly begun. Over the next decade things stepped up a notch and the method of creating artificial waves was pursued through varying technologies.
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Eisbach river surfing in Munich, Photo: CC Guido Radig
so, let's DemYstIFY
the two main types of waves found in nature man has strived to recreate:
oceaN Waves
sHeet Waves
These wonders of nature are the ones we all enjoy and are formed by such factors as the wind, tide and the typography of the ocean floor. Through time humans have endeavoured to replicate ocean waves by moving Craig Bessant turbine blades, paddles and all manner of moveable objects through water at speed to displace fluid creating a crest and an accompanying trough, just like when you slide in a bath tub.
These are created when water flows over a surface at high speed and is diverted upwards. Part of the flow rises upwards above the rest of the water creating a standing wave. In nature these can be found in places such as the famous Eisbach River in Munich. Indeed the Bavarian capital is the birthplace of river surfing. Surfers have been riding this “stationary wave” since the early '70s. I say stationary because whilst the surfer has a sense of being propelled forward on the wave, they in fact remain stationary. Humans have been able to affectively recreate these “hydraulic jumps” with create success, which we will touch on shortly.
Another method is to push large volumes of water through a gate. When the water hits the artificial reef of the wave pool floor it forms a wave similar to those found in the ocean.
River surfing stationary “sheet waves” are not to be confused however with tidal bores (bore is just another name for wave or swell). Whilst bores are a different manifestation of a “hydraulic jump” a surfer is actually propelled along the “bore”. These kinds of waves are generated by way of large volumes of water travelling at speed from a wide bay upriver against the current of a narrow river. Indonesia’s “Bono” tidal bore, popularly known amongst surfers as the “Seven Ghosts” is one such example.
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Righto, hopefully I haven’t lost you and that all makes sense. The year is now 1988 and up to this point, human endeavour had been squarely focused on recreating ocean waves. A real estate attorney however by the name of Tom Lochtefeld was about to venture off in an entirely new direction. Lochtefeld had been developing his technology for a stationary “sheet wave” since the early '80s and was now ready to patent his design. Rather than pulse a rapidly deteriorating wave through a large pool, Lochtefeld’s wave pumped a sheet of water over a wave-like ramp in a small confined space measured in metres and not acres. Bruce McFarland with his American Wave Machines wasn’t far behind him with his own version of this “stationary” or “sheet wave”. For some time after, there were two distinct camps in the development of man-made waves - those pursuing sheet wave technology, and those trying to replicate ocean waves by any means possible. Proponents of hydraulic pumping systems that create one wave at a time by pushing tonnes of water through a gate to form a wave (like flushing a giant toilet) got some considerable runs on the board in the '90s. In 1993 the Seagaia Ocean Dome opened in Miyazaki, Japan. It was not only the world’s largest indoor water park, measuring some 300m in length by 100m in width, with the world’s largest retractable roof, which provided a permanently blue sky even on a rainy day, with a fake flame-spitting volcano, it had a pretty awesome man-made wave that arrived every two minutes, a wave that could even deliver a headhigh, spitting 3-second tube.
By 1997 Kelly Slater was riding waves at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Florida, and Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia patented their wave machine featuring similar technology. Soon after, more and more advanced wave pools were springing up around the globe, from the Canary Islands to Vegas to one of the driest places on the planet, Al Ain, not far from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The wave at Wadi Adventure Park might not be considered by purists to be the equivalent of a Pipeline or a Jeffreys Bay, but then again, most of the ocean waves we surf around the world ain’t either. And as you can see in photos and video, there's plenty of surfing to be done on it. Indeed, up until recently, the wave at Wadi Adventure park was considered the best manmade wave on the planet.
SURFING IN THE DESERT
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A few options to see the park from the air... Photos courtesy of Wadi Adventure
MORE ABOUT THE WADI ADVENTURE PARK Situated in Al Ain, Wadi is the Middle East’s first man-made whitewater rafting, kayaking and surfing facility.
If you thought it was incredible that there was a surfable wave out in the middle of the desert, your jaw will hit the floor when you see what they've done to accommodate all water sports. Firstly there's the world's largest surf pool which holds about 13 million litres of water at a controlled, balmy 28°C all year round. Get in and surfing from about $30, or you can book a 55 minute private session from around $175 to $400, depending on how exclusive you want it.. Then there's 1.2km of whitewater channels, a cable wakeboarding park and if you need to get out of the water, there's an aerial obstacle course, including a two-storey airpark. More info online at www.wadiadventure.ae
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at tHIs poINt IN tIme, we thought we would go into a little more detail about the main players behind these competing technologies to understand their place in the wave-machine race and how their approach differs.
competING tecHNoloGIes Wave locH Tom Lochetfeld formed Wave Loch and in 1991 unveiled his proprietary sheet wave technology to the public. It was called the FlowRider and used submersible pumps to create a non-stop, curling wave over a soft-padded surface. Wave Loch's FlowBarrel, then became the world’s first artificial barreling wave using similar technology in 2001.
sURFING IN tHe stRaNGest oF places... Doing a bit of Euro-travel... I think I'll just stop off for a quick wave at the airport. That's right, the Munich Airport has it's own wave pool. For the past three summers it's seen countless locals and travellers - some heading over to surf the famous stationary wave in Munich's chilly Eisbach stream take advantage of the 10m wide pool with a 1.5m standing wave at the Airport Centre. For more information, see www.munich-airport.de/surfandstyle
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Surfing in transit... Photos courtesy of Munich Airport
The popularity of this man-made wave is undeniable. Wave Loch has over 175 sheet wave installations worldwide in water parks and swim centres to theme parks, resorts, private homes of the extremely wealthy and even a cruise ship - see above, the Flowrider aboard the Royal Caribbean cruiseliner Freedom of the Seas. Here in Australia they can be found at Dreamworld and Wet N’ Wild on the Gold Coast, The Melbourne Aquatic Centre and Goldfields Oasis Aquatic Centre in Western Australia. In New Zealand, they can be found... Nowhere. You have enough of the natural variety. But whilst the Wave Loch sheet wave has attracted surfers and non-surfers alike en mass, the downside is it’s not like surfing a wave in the ocean. Riders in effect balance on a finless surfboard and maneuver themselves up and down the wave but not along it. It’s a board sport for sure, but surfing as we know it? That’s questionable, but then again, who cares if it's a lot of fun. To surfers, skurfers, wakeboarders, skateboarders and snowboarders, it is another outlet to express themselves and show their talent.
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RUNS ON THE BOARD, PLANS IN THE PIPELINE AWS' sheet wave SurfStream technology currently generates a whole lot of fun, and the big thinking of PerfectSwell is said to hit soon.
American Wave Machines Founded in 2000 by Californian surfer Bruce McFarland, American Wave Machines patented their own version of a stationary sheet wave they called SurfStream - an endless standing wave made by continuously pumping water in a recirculating pool and channel system. From what we understand, the main difference with this technology to that of Wave Loch’s FlowRider is that riders can use surfboards with fins as the water is deeper and the SurfStream can create different types of waves from spilling to barrelling by alternating the speed and depth of the water. Photos courtesy of American Wave Machines
Different scale SurfStream wave machines have been installed in New Hampshire, Peru, Sweden and the Caribbean with others under construction in Montreal and Chicago. American Wave Machines have also embarked upon that quest for the holiest of Holy Grail when it comes to artificial waves: those which move through a body of water like an ocean wave – a wave that surfers cannot only ride up and down but along the face. Two surf parks in Russia and New Jersey will soon deploy the company’s latest PerfectSwell technology. To our level of understanding, unlike other man-made surface waves, which utilise water displacement systems, American Wave Machines' PerfectSwell is a patented air-powered system designed to replicate how waves are indeed generated in the ocean, by the frictional drag of wind over the water’s surface. As in nature, this is then coupled with the ocean/ pool floor. PerfectSwell is said to be able to adjust the size, shape and wave pattern on a large scale. The wave pool in Sochi, Russia that will utlise this technology is said to be 61m long x 49m wide and will be able to generate waves between 2-6ft.
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ABOVE: The SurfStream in New Hampshire. RIGHT: Plans for the PerfectSwell pool at the Endless Summer resort for Ohau, 2017
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mURpHYs Waves The Scottish company has completed over 200 projects worldwide ranging from their pneumatic sheet wave technology through to their highly revered Point Break Surf System, which mimics the physics of an ocean wave. With respect to active, present-day commercial wave pools utlising the kind of wave technology that best replicates an ocean wave, they are the current market leaders. Murphys Waves are the people behind Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando, The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Siam Park in the Canary Islands and the aforementioned Wadi Adventure park in the United Arab Emirates. The jewel in the crown at Wadi Adventure is capable of producing small rolling waves for beginners through to 10ft waves breaking left or right (there are actually 6 different settings) every 70 seconds. It's the largest commercial wave-generating machine in the world at present. Jim Stuart, the Managing Sales Director at Murphys Waves, also says the company is further developing their Point Break Surf System to deliver a barreling wave in excess of 13ft for a new project in Malaysia set to open towards the end of 2015.
ABOVE: Sally Fitzgibbons at Wadi Adventure LEFT & BELOW: Siam Park Photos courtesy of Murphys Waves
ImaGINaRY WoRlDs Murphys have provided the power for some of the most impressive developments around the world to include surfable waves
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Dane Reynolds displaces some water of his own
TICKET FOR TWO
Photos courtesy of Wavegarden
One of the exciting developments in manmade wave technology - as shown at the Spanish test site - hasWavegarden riders picking a left or right at the same time
Wavegarden Enter the main contender for the crown of best man-made wave: a group of Spaniards who have been trialing their technology since 2005 in a valley amidst farmlands inland of San Sebastian. They unveiled to the world (a few years later) a clip of the most perfect little peeling barrel that left so many, including myself, completely stunned. Their Wavegarden was/is arguably more economical than anything previously conceived as rather than lay vast amounts of concrete in the construction process they opted for tarping on dirt. Not only that, they have managed to produce the world’s longest artificial wave. A hydrofoil runs underneath a pier that bisects the lagoon. The winged foils push water over a contoured bottom to create waves that break either side of that pier. 4ft waves peel for some 200+ metres giving surfers a chance to work their wonders for close to 20 seconds. The good news doesn’t stop there though. The nature in which the wave is created means it can hold its form and power over any distance you choose, the only limit is the length of the lagoon and the depth of the developer’s pockets. Furthermore, the facility in Spain is only a prototype. A larger scale version is presently under construction in Snowdonia in Wales that will deliver waves over 6ft.
Set to open sometime after Easter next year, Surf Snowdonia will showcase Wavegarden’s latest version of their technology. Andrew Ross, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Wave Park Group, who hold exclusive rights to the development and operation of Wavegarden surf parks in Australia, enlightened us on what we can expect to see. “The wave generator, drive system and symmetry of the lagoon are the same however the version we have in Spain is a demonstration centre. It is only 250m long by 45m wide. The full-scale version, which will be delivered in Wales, will be 300m long by 115m wide. The latest version of our technology incorporates the peak wave, which runs adjacent to the pier but we will also have an intermediate size wave which will be immediately adjacent to and parallel to the peak wave. So essentially the broken wave energy emanating from the peak wave will be reformed to an intermediate wave. “The peak wave will be close to 2m high and the intermediate wave will be 1.2m high and as the Wavefoil travels down the lagoon and stops at the end of the pier, that wave energy is then reshaped into a beginners wave which will be about 0.9m high. It will be very much like a
Honolulu Kings and Queens spilling whitewater wave which will run for about 55m to the shore. Once the lagoon settles the wave foil will then proceed back up the pool in the opposite direction generating waves to the other end of the lagoon. “So you can effectively surf the wave forehand one way and backhand in the opposing direction or alternatively you can paddle around the other side of the pier and surf the wave on your forehand again. “I was at the facility in Spain a few months ago and had 125 waves in a row. The next day I could hardly move.” To answer your next question, yes, there are plans to open a Wavegarden facility here in Australia and possibly New Zealand. “We have a number of sites around Australia which are currently being assessed and that we are conducting feasibility studies on. “We have also spoken with Napier City Council about a proposed Wavegarden there but at this stage our focus is very much on Australia.”
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ONE SIZE CAN REALLY FIT ALL TOP: Spanish surf-star of the future rips it up ABOVE: The gentle finishing section of the wave provides the perfect classroom for beginners ACROSS: Surfer Aritz Aranburu gives some spanish spray
Truly inclusive in designWavegarden offers waves for surfers of all sizes, ages and abilities along different sections of the same wave.
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"...125 waves in a row. The next day I could hardly move."
Andrew Ross, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Wave Park Group
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River research... Photo courtesy of Webber Wave Pools KSWC pool concept rendering
WebbeR Wave pools The contenders who are yet to ‘break ground’ in terms of developing a full scale version of their technologies are Webber Wave Pools and the Kelly Slater Wave Company. Greg Webber’s vision may be one step closer to reality however, with potential support from Australian entrepreneur David Baird to develop a site on the Sunshine Coast not far from Australia Zoo. Noosa-based David Baird is the spokesperson for Waterplay Pty Ltd, a privately-owned specialist consultancy with experience in projects such as Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia and Wadi Adventure Park in the United Arab Emirates. More recently it was announced Waterplay had lodged a planning application for a $90 million water park, which included a 120-room hotel, restaurants, holiday village, canoeing experience, waterslides and a 160m x 90m loopedlinear Webber Wave Pool that can create 5ft waves with the view to possibly building another 200m x 100m that can deliver waves 6ft+. Mr Baird said that the proposed development would be delivered in two stages over three years, with the water and surf pool built first, opening to the public sometime in 2016, followed by the tourism accommodation and other facilities. That said, no contract has yet been finalised, to our knowledge.
in Tasmania and conducted numerous field tests in the Clarence River using his patented technology. His initial design was a circular ring-shaped wave pool where waves were generated on the outer edge, peeling towards a central island. Greg has retained the same wavemaking technology but has since moved to a looped-linear design on the basis it requires less land to be developed (as per the planning application at Glenview on the Sunshine Coast). If we understand it correctly, the main focus of Greg’s technology relates to the angle of the wave generated, its profile and the way in which it barrels. Furthermore, rather than pushing water forward to create a wave that barrels higher up the wave towards the lip, Greg’s technology is designed to push water downwards to create the wave, delivering a distinct trough at the bottom of the wave face. The way in which the wave barrels apparently sees it draw water from the bottom allowing surfers to tube ride a dredging bowl. Apparently the wave size and shape can also be altered whilst a surfer is on the wave to reflect the nuances of waves in nature, the purpose being to test the ability of the surfer to read the wave and adapt accordingly.
kellY slateR Wave compaNY Another party entering the fray that cannot be ignored due to its figurehead being the greatest surfer of all time, Kelly Slater, is the wave company of the same name. The most influential surfer of a generation, and arguably ever, has the profile to potentially catapult the popularity of surf parks into the stratosphere. However to date, little has been said or is known about KSWC’s technology. Computer renderings suggest the plan is to construct huge circular pools where surfers would ride an endless wave generated by a hydrofoil. KSWC’s design had similarities to that of Webber Wave Pools and consequently the US Examiner for Patents assessed the conflict. After the initial turbulence, the water settled so to speak and Webber pursued a design that creates two waves simultaneously and Kelly focused on the one. Various news reports suggest the Gold Coast may be the first to experience Slater’s vision in the not-too-distant future with reportedly a housing conglomerate to install one of his circular wave pools in a billion-dollar development.
In terms of the technology employed by Webber Wave Pools, Greg’s light bulb moment came to him in 2004 when he was watching the wake of a trawler boat breaking along the banks of the Clarence River (Yamba) against the incoming tide. What he saw was enough to divert his attention from building surfboards to designing wave pools. He’s since built successful scale models at the Australian Maritime College 80
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Webber pool concept rendering
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THE WASH MAKING WAVES IS BIG BUSINESS It is clearly evident wave pools have become big business. The greater surf industry has been flat-lining for quite some time. Wave Parks are viewed as a means to revive the surf industry and see it return to its halcyon days. Encouraging more people to become actual surfers rather than just boardie-wearing wannabes is what many believe will see the waves of gold rolling in once more. Just think of all the gear you bought from rashies through to your first surfboard when you started surfing. As such there's now even a Surf Park Summit held annually to “accelerate surfing outside the ocean."
Prime time viewing Many involved or associated with the wave park industry have expressed their desire to see surfing evolve into an Olympic sport and even screened on prime time television. Without the continual advancement of wave pool technology that could not even be considered due to the fickle nature of… well nature. How can you schedule a televised event in prime time if you can’t predict what the surf is doing? The predictable, and even now programmable, nature of man-made waves means contests could be scheduled at the desired time, day or night. Prime time viewing also means big mainstream sponsors and the truckloads of cash that potentially follow. In turn this would raise the profile of elite surfers and the subsequent prize money available, attracting more and more athletes to the sport.
FUTURE SPORT The ability to “manufacture” identical waves would also deliver a level playing field in which surfers could showcase their skill and be judged purely on their performance on that “same” wave without the subjectivity that inevitably comes into play when evaluating surfers on different waves out in the ocean. Surfers could be solely assessed on their ability to ride the said given wave without the interference of Mother Nature’s ever-changing moods, but then again… isn’t that what surfing is about? Man, woman or child up against the unpredictable ravages of Mother Nature and somehow coming out the other side triumphant, or at least alive? On the flip side, many sports are now played on artificial surfaces or in controlled environments nowadays.
We have football played in indoor arenas, hockey played on artificial turf, cycling in velodromes (hang on those guys shave their legs so that probably doesn’t count as a good example).
ABOVE: Greg Webber's vision for the future of surfing as an arena sport. Image, Paul Roget Design, Webber Wave Pools
Another appeal of wave parks is the potential for them to become high performance training venues for competitive surfers, much the same way as a swimmer uses a pool. To use an analogy, swimmers need never be concerned with turning up for training to find the pool is not full of water. Surfers will have waves on tap – reliable, consistent and always working.
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LATEST: DEBATE
Adriano de Souza at the Wavegarden Photo courtesy of Wavegarden
Waves, tHe NeW cURReNcY The quality of the man-made wave alone will not be enough to ensure a wave park’s success and indeed its financial viability. The metrics upon which wave parks will more or less succeed will be dependant on the waves per hour and waves per metre.
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Simply put, the more waves you create directly relates to the number of paying surfers you can attract. The more efficient the use of land in the creation of these waves, means the less money that needs to be sunk into the initial outlay for the land and the significant construction costs that come with building wave parks.
Then there’s the energy consumption. Generally speaking, the better, and indeed bigger the wave, the more energy required to drive that body of water to create the wave. A good wave is of course of paramount importance in attracting surfers in the first place. Unfortunately the Seagaia Ocean Dome came to understand these metrics only too well when they shut the wave park down in 2007 despite a pretty good attempt at a man-made wave and with visitor numbers peaking in 1995 at 1.25 million a year. Entry was around $20-25 AUD at the time. Their wave rate however, was 2 waves every 2 minutes. Interestingly, they were also located only some 300m from the actual ocean.
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Waves peR mINUte compaRIsoN Murphys Waves – their current state-of-the-art wave machine at the Wadi Adventure park delivers one wave every 70 seconds, and Lennard Otto, the General Manager at Wadi Adventure, strictly states, “One surfer per wave still applies, with no exceptions.” Jim Stuart from Murphys Waves, informs us their newly developed Double Barrel Surf system will, “produce surfing waves up to 1.8m high (6ft) every 6 seconds, however the design of the pool is unique in that waves can be generated in 2 directions (front and rear) this means that the machine can make 20 surfing waves per minute.” American Wave Machines – latest PerfectSwell technology will generate 10 large waves up to 8ft every 6 seconds. Their “1600 series PerfectSwell pools can generate 3 waves at the same time.” By our reckoning that equates to 30 surfing waves per minute. Wavegarden – produces a 4ft wave at their test facility in Spain every 30 seconds. The latest version of their technology to be unveiled at Surf Snowdonia will deliver 6ft+ waves. The important point to note here is that their current design allows 2 surfers to be up and riding at the same time. Their latest technology, with a single pass of their Wavefoil, will generate enough waves for up to 40 people at a time. If our calculations are correct from what we've read, there will be 4 waves per minute for advanced surfers, 4 waves per minute for intermediate surfers and 4 waves per minute for beginners all from the one pass of the Wavefoil. That’s 12 waves per minute, however up to 80 people can be up and surfing during that period.
UNRecoGNIseD beNeFIts Creating a safe environment Not only does a controlled environment with easy access to the waves present a safe environment in which one can learn to surf, waves can be modified to suit the surfer as their skills progress. Your kids could develop their skills on nice regularly rolling barrels and in those times when the wave machine is dialed up to the max, and you venture out, you don’t have to be fearful of that European backpacker way out of his depth paddling into the lineup next to you. Hell, there won’t even be a lineup... in the water anyway. On a serious note, there are other additional benefits of wave parks. Andrew Ross explains his personal motivation as to why he is so keen to see a Wavegarden developed here in Australia. “I have been a member of the disabled surfers association for quite some time. My father was severely disabled when I was growing up. A very important part of this for me is delivering a safe environment for disabled kids and disabled adults to learn to surf.” Andrew goes on to explain how he believes Wavegarden will introduce a whole range of new people to the sport who haven’t accessed it before. “For us to assist marginalised kids, indigenous kids and provide them with an alternative where they can really seek value in their life through progressing and learning something like surfing… we all know that surfing just changes people and makes the world a better place. We believe we can be part of that by making the world a better place, by turning more people into surfers.”
Webber Wave Pools – The initial 160m x 90m wave pool planned as part of the Waterplay development on the Sunshine Coast will generate waves just over 5ft arriving every 15 seconds with waves moving down either side of the looped-linear pool. And if our calculations are correct that equates to 8 waves per minute. The plan to include a second pool of waves 6ft+ would enable one pool to accommodate the needs of advanced surfers and the other pool to pump out smaller waves at a greater frequency. SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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LATEST: DEBATE
tRIeD aND testeD
American Wave Machines have done the hard yards to gt the best out of the SurfStream.
poteNtIal pItFalls JUmpING tHe GUN Over promising and under delivering has set the wave park movement back in the past. If you care to see the humorous side to the ignominy that befell the Ron Jon Surfpark when in 2008 it gave up on opening its wave pool in Florida, 4 years after it was scheduled to open, just read the column written by Jimmy Wilson for Surfing Magazine in the States called, That’s Bullsh*t! (www.surfingmagazine.com/news/ thats-bullshit-chapter-1-jimmy-wilson-082208/) The surf park's developers had promised an artificial lagoon with as many as six perfect waves a minute, each one as much as 8 feet high, capable of sending a surfer as far as 100 yards but what eventuated was a massive dud. The developers opened their doors to Jimmy and a few test pilots during the construction phase to see what they thought. I had tears rolling down my face as I read how the three-dimensional model “made it look like Pipeline was about to come to Orlando” but what eventuated were “knee-high dribblers” in a super confined space that left surfers little option but to ride the wave straight in and land on a “sh*tty metal grill”. Prototypes and models are one thing, reality is often another. For wave park developers, runs on the board are the undoubtedly the keys to ongoing success. Bruce McFarland of American Wave Machines had this to say about the hype that sometimes accompanies wave parks and his own company’s track record.
“Failed projects, misrepresentation and hype have led to mistrust and disillusion in the surf industry. We don’t have this problem with the clients we deal with because when we open a facility it’s the best wave (and only guaranteed waves) within a long distance, and we have a 100% successful track record.” Bruce went on to say, “Our Generation 2 PerfectSwell is already making bodyboard size super tubes every 4 seconds, a hollower and more frequent wave than anywhere in the world at a waterpark in NY.” Andrew Ross of the Wave Park Group was reserved when discussing Wavegarden’s plans for the future here in Australia. “I very much believe in only saying things when you have got something to say. I believe unfortunately in this space (in reference to some of the other wave park operators) there has been a lot of stories presented which haven’t really eventuated and it has probably raised and dashed the expectations of surfers.
“We don’t wish to do that. When you hear something from us it is about something certain. We have a proven technology, we are working very hard to secure sites here in Australia and when we have those sites secured and are certain about our construction timetables and when we will be able to deliver waves, that is when you will hear from us. We are super excited about bringing this type of facility here to Australia. We believe it is going to revolutionise surfing within Australia and introduce a whole range of new people to the sport who haven’t accessed it before. “What we are saying is that we are an authentic alternative to ocean based surfing. We are never going to replace ocean based surfing but when it is flat over the summer time and it is hot, why not come and surf a 2m high, 130m long wave. We believe we will deliver one of the longest waves in Australia when our project is complete.”
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Photo courtesy of Wavegarden
tHe tRUe NeW Wave
This young surfer will experience a very different surfing reality to his parents...
otHeR IssUes Is surfing not one of the only pastimes to be fully commercialized?
eNvIRoNmeNt At what cost to the environment will wave pools deliver surfing to the masses? There are already concerns as to the size of the carbon footprint wave parks will leave, particularly in relation to their energy and water consumption. I asked Andrew Ross of the Wave Park Group to give us some perspective on the energy usage of a Wavegarden facility. “The amount of power we would use per annum for a full size Wavegarden here in Australia is approximately equivalent to the amount of energy used by a regional aquatic centre in the same period. For example, we have a regional aquatic centre here (Western Australia) called the Melville Aquatic Centre, which has an indoor 50m pool, an outdoor pool, kids splash area and a couple of spas. The facility has about 500,000 visitations per year.”
As to the energy consumption of a Wavegarden facility compared to wave parks utlising other wave creation technologies he had this to say, “It is a difficult one to comment on because it is actually very complex. It requires an understanding of all the energy consumption of the other technologies that are out there. Plus many alternatives are speculative and have not been tested in real life.” Adding to this, “with one pass of our wave foil we generate two peak waves, two intermediate waves and then you can have thirty odd beginners surfing in the bay. So you can essentially have up to almost forty surfers experiencing the one wave generated by one pass of the wave foil. That makes it much more efficient and effective than the other technologies.” What we will say from our perspective here at Smorgasboarder is that it’s extremely hard to compare the
energy consumption of one wave pool to another due to there being so many variables present from the size of the pool, the height of the wave generated, the length of the ride, the frequency of the waves, how the water is treated and so on. This leads us to water consumption. Whereas other water parks virtually operate as large chlorinated swimming pools with waves in them, Wavegarden’s unique approach of positioning the facility near a natural water supply could be the reason for its low water usage. “The facility in Spain is freshwater. There is a river that runs along the outside edge of the lagoon. The Wavegarden accesses water from that river for the lagoon. “The technology can operate in either a freshwater or saltwater lagoon. There are pros and cons associated with both. From an environmental and sustainability perspective our preference would
be for the lagoon to be salt water if possible but with that comes challenges of disposing saltwater from the lagoon if you didn’t have an immediate ability to put that back into an estuarine river or the ocean. “The water we would use would equate to less than that required for a single par five (golf course) hole. We would use less water per annum than that one golf course hole. We use about 20% more water per annum than high quality sports turf.” Further research is obviously required, but it would appear when comparing wave parks to community aquatic centres, there is not a great deal of difference, when comparing them to amusement park rides such as roller coasters, their energy usage appears even less. But does this make their consumption of carbon-based fuels to generate waves any more acceptable? Are surfers travelling the globe in planes and cars in search of perfect surf any more or less 'abhorrent' or just plain hypocritical?
Many would argue it is a way of life and not just a sport to be commodified and turned into a Disney style attraction. But then again, no one is forcing surfers to go on the “ride”. The ocean is still available to them. Wave parks are merely adding to the wave supply. Why do we constantly seek to live in such a predictable world? Isn’t one of the joys in life, and indeed surfing, going with the flow? To me this is one of the greatest pleasures in surfing, that you will never know what your next surf entails? The anticipation, the excitement. You expect the surf to be flat but as you come over the rise magical waves appear rolling in from the horizon. Or how about the days that are wild and wooly that test your mettle? Where you still manage to have a laugh with your mates in the pouring rain whilst you relive your regular visits to Davey Jones locker after each wipeout? Like the very wise Forrest Gump once said, "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." And isn’t that the beauty of it?
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WIll It eveR Replace tHe Real tHING? With waves like this one, created by Murphys, the future starts looking a whole lot closer every day...
tHe lIGHteR sIDe
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Never ones to take ourselves too seriously, and always keen to see the funnier side of any heated debate, we thought we would raise some interesting questions in relation to the wave pool phenomenon.
If surfing is to be performed in arenas, what does the future hold?
Probably of our most grave concern is where will the hipsters go?
Will surfers lose their mystique?
Will we see events spiced up over time to replicate a Superbank-meets-rollerderby style big wave contest?
Some wave pools in Japan do not accept tattooed patrons. Next they'll ban sailor caps and pencil moustaches... The gall of it all. Don’t these people have any friends aside from their tight-pants wearing mates? And what happens to over half the surfing tradies on the Gold Coast?
What happened to being at one with the ocean like Rob Machado in The Drifter? We've always taken great pride in challenging ourselves to take on the unpredictable, wild ways of the ocean. Surely you must have seen the final scene in Point Break when Bodhi paddles out into that huge surf at Bells Beach in…. ahh… Oregon?
Will wave pools spawn some form of reverse localism?
How will you be able to deter others from your favourite spot?
For years coastal dwellers, referring to themselves as “locals” have told their western suburb dwelling counterparts to “p#ss off”. If the progression of artificial wave technology continues, and fake waves become truly “epic”, will we, in times of poor swell, see coastal locals asked if they are keen on fornication and travel when they venture to a landlocked western break?
“It’s a heavy locals wave” and “it’s a pretty sharky” just won’t wash. Perhaps a change of tact will be required like, “The chlorine concentration is pretty intense. You may go blind if you surf here.” And finally, with the continual depletion of the world’s fish stocks, if surfers are removed from the equation, whatever will the poor sharks be left to eat?
oUR FINal WoRD Our demand for waves is already at an all time high, just look at the lengths people are going to in the search for new and uncrowded waves; deathly slabs breaking on next to no water, monster mutants out in the middle of the ocean. We are seeking waves in the furthest frozen corners of the planet and in dangerous war-torn areas. There are no lengths surfers would seemingly not go to in search of the perfect wave, and if increasing crowds in the lineup are of equal concern, perhaps looking to further develop man-made alternatives is not such a bad idea after all, particularly if it can introduce those less fortunate to experience the joy surfing brings into our own lives. So, what are your thoughts? It's a big debate and there are as many opinions and ideas as there are surfers out there. Join us on our Facebook page and add your thoughts to the conversation.
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Gearing up for the warm weather waves? Sniffing around for that perfect board for the Christmas holidays? Well, these are the pages to find exactly that. Get ready to drool over some of the coolest new custom designs from top shapers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Still want more? For a further fix for your board addiction, see our massive surfboards section online right now at www.smorgasboarder.com.au.
X3 Length: 5’11” Width: 19” Thickness: 2 3/8”
TUG DELUXE by Chris Garrett
PHANTOM SURFBOARDS Ph: 0424 450 690 phantomsurfboards@gmail.com chrisgarrettshapes.com.au Available at SUNHOUSE, McLean St, Coolangatta & THE BOARDROOM, Miami 90
This fish is not some stubby chunky thing just for summer crap. It is a high performance board that can handle up to 8ft. I have been refining them since 1992. Can custom shape to your requirements and add extra thickness if required. I like to use channels in the rails for the tri-fin and quad configurations because they go unreal.
S U R F B O A R D S
A high performance board for day to day surfing. Ideally suited to better quality waves but quite capable of holding it’s own in the junk as well. Shorter and slightly wider all round with a bit of forgiveness built in to get you through when your not on your game. Lower rocker in the nose with a bit of kick in the tail keeps the triple concave to vee alive and responsive. You are back in control and free to react as you feel.
SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR
2-4 Long: 5’6”- 6’6” Wide: 20”- 21” Thick: 2 ½”- 2 ¾”
THE FISH
by Mark Rabbidge
RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN Bendalong, NSW Ph: 02 4456 4038 M: 0427 767 176 E:sales@markrabbidge.com www.markrabbidge.com
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SMARTBOARD
V2 FLEX
by Mitchell Rae
3 or 4
OUTER ISLAND SURFBOARDS
7 Bayldon Drive, Raleigh, NSW
outerisland.blogspot.com
outerislandsurfboards.com Ph: 02 6655 7007 E: info@outerislandsurfboards.com
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3 or 4
Length: 5’8” Width: 19 ¾” Thickness: 2 ½“
#THLAWNMOWER Length: 5’10” Width: 20” Thickness: 2 3/8”
by Darren Pead
X3
USER-FRIENDLY SHORTBOARD by Jack & Aaron Knight
P: 07 5576 5914 E: aaron@harvestsurfboards.com
HARVEST SURFBOARDS Christine Avenue, Miami, QLD
www.harvestsurfboards.com Lake Munmorah, NSW P: 0421 400 537 E: jetloksurf@outlook.com jetlok.surf @jetloksurf SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
Our most popular model, with excellent feedback . Deep concave into spiral vee through the tail, nice constant bottom rocker suits the curve of the wave perfectly. Suits the shortboarder after an alternative board or someone after a one-board quiver.
This board will suit anyone. You know it when you feel it, so come around and find something you’ll get hooked on - we think and shape outside the box to create the perfect board for you. Check out our shenanigans online!
We made this board as a pretty comfortable all rounder with plugs set up for a 3 or 4-fin. Bottom shape features a slight single concave running through to a double with a special twin Vee that we have been experimenting with lately, with positive results. Finished with a blue and purple tie-dyed resin effect. All our boards are glassed stronger to last longer.
Custom handshaped to suit needs, body weight and fitness. Glass, light and strong. Forward control point with very fine tail rails to suit surfers lighter on the back foot. A sweet , ultra fast all rounder ,smooth as silk. Feel sensitive handling, tight arcs and the acceleration of the V2 Flex. Designed as a quad, can be ridden as a thruster. Length: 5’10” Width: 21” Thickness: 2 5/8”
X5
TREE FROG
Length: 5’6’ Width: 20 1/8” Thickness: 2 ½”
by Robbie Marshall
SOUL ARCH SURFBOARDS Ph: 0404 348 131 E: dobba_21@hotmail.com Soularch Surfboards robbie_marshall21 91
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SURF B OA RD S
GEAR 92
Fuyu Surfboards team rider Jackson Winter. Photo courtesy of Fuyu Surfboards
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Length: 9’3”- 9’8” Width: 23”
BOX + DICE by Paul Winter
FUYU SURFBOARDS Noosa Heads, QLD
M: 0418 884 242
www.fuyusurfboards.com
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ONEON-ONE TUITION
Length: 9’1” Width: 21 ½” Thickness: 3”
SINGLE
FIN by Steve-O
X1 Who doesn’t like something unique, that is one-of-a-kind? This completely handcrafted hollow wood construction, old-school single fin with 50/50 rails features a sparking gold pearl finish coat. Understand what it’s like to glide. See more on Page 105.
An all-rounder with a tad more rocker than our log model and 60/40 rails allowing greater versatility and flow. The blended nose concave and spiral vee thru mid-section and tail gives this model loads of trim speed and responsiveness. Glass weights to suit individual requirements. Single fin (box with leash hole).
X1
SEE THIS BOARD TESTED ON PAGE 105
WOODEN SURFBOARD SHAPES BY STEVE-O Ph: 0421 522 503 woodensurfboardsshapesbysteveo@gmail.com woodensurfboardsshapesbysteveo.com.au
LEARN TO CRAFT YOUR OWN
SURFBOARD Jason Purcell - a butcher from Brisbane by trade - shows he’s as handy with a sander as he is with a meat cleaver.
CUSTOM HAND SHAPES BY AL COLK SINCE 1966
Start to finish - from mowing foam to resin finishing. Get schooled in all aspects of surfboard building at a time that suits you, and benefit from shaper Al Colk’s five decades of firsthand foam and fibreglass experience.
Contact Al Colk directly: M: 0408 425 368 E: AL.TUBETIME@GMAIL.COM SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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THE JET STREAM
by Graham Carse
X2
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X4
Length: 5’6” Width: 21 ½” Thick: 2 ½”
FREE RANGE EGG
QUARRY BEACH SURFBOARDS
75 David St, Caversham, Dunedin NZ Ph: +64 3 455 7414 M: +64 27 518 8678 www.qbsurfboards.com
THE ANCHORS
Length: 7’-ish custom by Jesse Watson
X1
by Ron Goddard
108 Mardells Rd, Bucca NSW 2450 Ph: 0266 537 961 M: 0437 425 405 E: ron@goddardsurfboards.com.au www.goddardsurfboards.com.au BLACK APACHE SURFBOARDS
@blackapache Look us up...
Ph: 0410 419 791
blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au blackapachesurfboards.com.au
An alternative to your standard short-board in progressive waves, this board is based on ‘90s style thrusters. With low rocker and plenty of volume, it’s handmade with glass-on fibreglass fins, finished in a light 6oz/4oz trimmed lap glass-job, resin pigment and a full gloss coat and wet-rubbed finish. This is one of the most exciting sticks in my quiver when the waves are on!
One of our all time biggest sellers. A-one board quiver, for 2 or 10 foot, pointbreaks to beach breaks... Feel the bliss of a smooth run on a single fin. So simple, so much fun. Custom fabric inlay, sanded finish and comes with Black Apache 9” custom Volan flex fin.
Be the fun hog this summer - extract the last drop of juice from those small days. The Free Range wont let you down - fast and free... Bowl nose to deep concave with chine rails through the tail... Hit the fun button.
This awesome little fish is the perfect addition to your quiver. With a flat rocker, single concave and vee in the tail, it’ll be a speedy choice for small to medium-sized waves. We call it the Jet Stream for obvious reasons! This is a perfect custom selection for all shapes, sizes and surfing capabilities. Can be custom shaped for your requirements. Length: 6’0” Width: 21 ½” Thick: 2 ½”
X3
‘90ss
Length: 6’8’ Width: 19 ¼” Thickness: 2 ¾” Nose: 12 ½” Tail: 13 ¾”
by Jordie Brown
THRUSTER HIGH TIDE SURFBOARDS Skenes Creek, VIC 3233
www.hightidesurfboards.com
E: hightidesurfboards@hotmail.com
Ph: 0401 437 392
SMORGASBOARDER | SPRING 2014
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GROM CUSTOM by Kurt Harrop, Harrop Boards
X1
The Ugg Boot feels good under ya feet. Low rocker, slight single concave and a little vee out the tail. Easy to ride, hard not to love.
by Robin Green, Robin Surfboards
X5 Length: 6’0” Width: 20” Thickness: 2 ½“
UGG BOOT
by Shane Forbes , Orbit Surfboards
GEAR: BOARDS
SHAPER’S PROMOTION
Length: 5’8” Width: 19 3/8” Thickness: 2 3/8”
SUMMER SHORTIE by Leighton Clark, Clark Surfboards
X3 Designed as a high-performance shortboard for the summer slop. Low entry rocker for maximum speed when hitting those summer ramps carefree in boardies. Medium tail lift and a single into double concave add to its top end. Kooks, do not apply!!
Length: 5’8” Width: 18 ½“ Thickness: 2 ¼“
SINGLE FIN
Single concave to vee through the tail with flutes from the flyers, glassed to last using resin tints and metal flake deck insert. If you’re after a standard shorty, hit up one of the other shapers in The Ding King co-operative. I’m interested in making precision boards with a difference.
SA under 16 girls champ Yasmin wanted a stand-out board, so bright pink was in order. Combined with multi-colour Futures boxes it came out looking like a Liquorice Allsort. 5-fin set up to give the round tail options from small mush to the bigger stuff. A bit more volume and a subtle single to double concave on this board does the trick.
X5
Length: 6’.0” Width: 20” Thickness: 2 ¾”
by Jack & Aaron Knight
THESE SHAPERS ARE PART OF THE DING KING CO-OP,
a collaborative of South Australian surfboard shapers, glassers, artists and sanders. As well as pumping out ding repairs, we also produce brand new surf craft including custom surfboards, skimboards, surf life saving boards and skis. With over 100 years experience in the surf industry between us, we have you covered! Whether it be a broken fin plug, a crease, delamination or restoration, be sure to call in and have us assess the damage. Speak to one of our shapers to help us make the board that is right for you, or participate in one of our shaping courses where you get to be part of the steps involved in making your own board! You can be as hands on as you like, and at the end you'll have your own board in which you've helped create.
facebook.com/thedingkingAUS SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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The Spitfire is a small wave shortboard with a low nose rocker and medium tail rocker, single to double concave with a vee in the tail and medium to high boxy rails.
Length: 5’8” Width: 18 7/8” Thickness: 2 ¼” Volume: 25.8 litres Length: 5’10” Width: 18 5/8” Thickness: 2 ¼” Volume: 25.3 litres Length: 5’5” Width: 19 ¼” Thickness: 2 ¼” Volume: 25.3 litres
WATER BOMB THE SPITFIRE STUNT DINGO THE STUBBY
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The Stubby features a medium nose rocker and low tail rocker with a vee double concave and medium boxy rails.
The Stunt Dingo shortboard features a medium nose rocker and medium tail rocker, a deep single to double concave with medium to low boxy rails.
Small wave grom shortboard, featuring a low nose rocker and low tail rocker. There’s a slight single to double concave and medium to low boxy rails.
Length: 4’7” Width: 16 ¾” Thickness: 2” Volume: 16 litres
WEBSTER SURFBOARDS are proudly made in Ballina by Wayne Webster
1/13 Clark St, Ballina NSW 2478 W: webstersurfboards.com.au E: info@webstersurfboards.com.au M: 0416 049 205
SMORGASBOARDER | SPRING 2014
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GEAR: BOARDS
SHAPER’S PROMOTION
TRIED & TRUSTED BLANKS n and ru Family owerned55 years for ov
BLANKS: A multitude of different lengths, rockers and weights STRINGERS: An extensive
variety of timbers of varying widths
SHAPING TooLS: All you need to make a board from scratch
LR y p o er Sap C r p u t S n E n i s e R o i B
cy Our consbisesttenin is the orld the w
5 STEwART RoAD, CURRUmBIN QLD • CALL US oN (07) 5534 3777 •
A low viscosity, low colour and UV stable clear liquid epoxy resin system
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Performance grade eco resin
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Reduced environmental impact
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Safe and pleasant to use – low odour, low VOC’s
find out more online finplugcover.com™ neatly covers over unused fin plugs on surfboards and water craft.
facebook.com/ finplugcover finplugcover.com
Available in Australia from
info@surfinggreen.com.au • 0412 042 811 • surfinggreen.com.au SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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X2
Length: 6’2” Width: 22” Thickness: 2 ¾”
TWIN KEEL
OKE SURFBOARDS 1/1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside, VIC, 3195 Ph: 03 9587 3553 www.okesurfboards.com
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THE LONGBOARD WITH THE PRETTY GIRLS
This 10’ SUP has bottom contours similar to The Snapper model but is only 30” wide, with less volume in the tail and nose. It’s 1/8” thinner, but with a flatter deck. Rails are the same thickness on top but slightly lower to give it some bite in turns. Bottom contours are similar but with slightly more vee in the nose. Quick to catch waves, but stable enough to cross-train in the flatwater. Plenty of volume. Bamboo veneer with carbon rails, reinforced nose and tail and a tri-fin setup.
A wide area pintail with pinched rails throughout. Handshaped OceanFoam PU blank, 6oz cloth, wetrub/polished finish and single fin box. The tail on this one has been designed to hold in the wave for easier noseriding.
With a low rocker curve, especially through the guts, this features a flat bottom with a slight vee off the tail. Handshaped OceanFoam PU blank with ½” cedar stringer, 6oz cloth, polished finish and twin timber keels. A lightning fast fish for the bigger guy.
GEAR SU RFB O ARD S
Length: 9’4” Width: 22 ¾” Thickness: 2 7/8” Length: 10’ Width: 30” Thickness: 4” Volume: 140L
(In NZ 0800 787 464) P: +64 (07) 5701953 M: +64 (027) 2433011 W: www.liquidstixx.co.nz
New, recessed handle
THE SLIM SNAPPER Custom designed in NZ by Andy Jordan.
by Rory Oke
X3
X1
by Rory Oke
TAURANGA, NZ
Reinforced rails, nose and tail
SMORGASBOARDER | SPRING 2014
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Stevens Surfer: Richie d Evans Photo: Bra
ography
/bradevansphot
facebook.com
6 t: 0403 655 31 ec ir d e n ey h C Call Lee com nesurfboards. ey h ec le s@ er m | ord ards Cheyne-Surfbo esurfboards.co n eey Le ch ee .l w w w SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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IT'S TIME YOU HAD A CRACK! As we all know, surfing is an incredible activity to undertake. It is an amazing experience. The feeling you get from surfing is quite euphoric. Better than… well most things, maybe all things?
The Setup The Surfboard Studio is the largest setup of its kind in both Australia and New Zealand.
So what do you think it would be like to craft your own surfboard from start to finish, with your own personalised decal on the deck and take that baby for a surf? Well it’s bloody unbelievable, that’s for sure. We can vouch for that.
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If surfing in near perfect conditions is an 8 or 9 out of 10, then doing the same on a board you made yourself has to be a 12 at least.
There are enough shaping bays and glassing space for up to 16 people at one time.
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There are over 200 templates from which to base your board design ranging from short through to long, from the late 70’s through to the modern day.
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Over 200 blanks of various styles will be kept in stock at all times from which to shape your board.
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You can hand shape your blank or there is a computer CAD design system and APS3000 CNC cutting machine on site to machine cut your blanks.
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There’s a state-of-the-art extraction system in every one of the shaping, glassing and sanding bays and protective clothing available to all who undertake the numerous courses.
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Within the factory there is an extensive, and we mean the most extensive range of surfboard building materials available anywhere from blanks to fibreglass cloth to resin to shaping tools to tints and pigments. Anything you need to build a board, The Surfboard Studio has it, right there.
So, if you haven’t yet had a crack, it’s time to pull your finger out because The Surfboard Studio has taken this experience to a whole new level.
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WORDS: DAVE SWAN PHOTOS: MEX & THE SURFBOARD STUDIO
State-of-the-art the facitilities make for or perfect classroom practice space
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GEAR: SHAPING BUSINESS PROMOTION
“...The most extensive range of surfboard building materials available anywhere from blanks to fibreglass cloth to resin to shaping tools to tints and pigments.”
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“THERE'S A REAl ART TO EvERY ASpECT Of SURfbOARD COnSTRUCTIOn."
THE InSTRUCTORS
THE COURSES
The three guys in charge of teaching you how to build a board have over 80 years of board building knowledge between them; Andrew Stump of Stump Surfboards, one of the most innovative shapers going around with close to 40 years experience, Zak Koniaris himself of Zak Surfboards (although he is an invalid at present with a broken ankle, Zak is quite the talented shaper) and self-taught Kiwi shaper Kent Mulligan.
The Surfboard Studio offers instruction and tuition in every aspect of surfboard design and construction but aside from this you will be taught to see a surfboard in a new light. You will understand how the different curves effect the way a board performs and in turn discover how to get the right dimensions and style of board to suit the waves you want to surf. Best of all you will be assisted along the way to ensure, even though the board will be shaped entirely by you, and despite any mistakes you may make along the way, you end up with board you are not only proud of but that is of a high quality finish you will enjoy surfing.
The Surfboard Studio will also regularly hold master classes at least every three months with some of the most talented and experienced, shapers, sanders and resin-tinters from around Australia and overseas, presenting an unbelievable opportunity to learn tricks of the trade from some of the best in the business.
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There are a number of courses and classes at The Surfboard Studio including the Make your own Board course - where you learn to shape your own surfboard from start to finish, or you can effectively break this all-encompassing course down into two separate courses being: Shaping, and Glassing
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MAKE YOUR OWN BOARD COURSE Beginning with the basics of surfboard design, this course will gradually take you deeper into the intricacies of shaping and design including plan shapes, bottom contours (concaves and channels), nose and tail rocker lines, deck shapes and rail shapes. You will also become familiar with the shaping bay and all the tools and techniques of the craft.
Shop ON SITE OR ONLINE
Not all surfboard shapers today undertake every aspect of surfboard construction themselves and rely on specialists in their field to conduct each stage of the construction process. There's a real art to every aspect of surfboard construction. So The Surfboard Studio is also conducting specific classes on each area of surfboard design and construction:
With The Surfboard Studio being so close to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, if you do not live locally you can easily fly in and fly out. The Surfboard Studio is 20kms from the airport, around a 15-minute taxi ride.
There's a massive range of tools and materials available - everything you can possibly think of that you may need to build a board. All can be purchased in person at The Surfboard Studio or online at thesurfboardstudio.com.au.
Shaping: The aim is to teach handshaping skills as well the computer CAD / CNC machining and develop your understanding of how surfboard designs work in all sorts of waves. Glassing: This will develop your understanding of various glassing techniques, what it is like working with different types of resins (polyester, vinylester and epoxy) and the pros and cons of different types of cloth.
From the shaping section of the course, you will proceed to the glassing stage where you will learn about the various techniques and materials used in glassing a surfboard before cutting your own cloth, mixing your resin and laminating your board. You will then move on to fin and plug installation including various theories around fin positioning on different boards and how the placement may affect performance. From fin installation, the course will take you to the next stage in the laminating process before you finish and sand your board and get it in the water.
Other services •
Cutting & Preshapes There's an in-house APS3000 CNC machine to offer contract cutting and surfboard design.
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Contract Glassing For recreational shapers through to established industry veterans who prefer to leave the glassing process to specialists. Anywhere from 1 to 30 boards per week.
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Other classes get you to grips with sanding and finishing, resin tints, airbrushing, and the finer points of fin placement and installation - an art in itself.
Decal Service From one-off designs to professional screen prints Rent a bay Backyarder or pro, you can book a time slot to mow your foam, to glass and finish your sled. All the tools you need to get the job done - from rasps and planers, through to grinders and sanding pads - are included and materials can be purchased at The Surfboard Studio’s shop.
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Gift Vouchers
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Tools for shaping, sanding, glassing
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Over 200 blanks of various styles
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Resins and catalyst - huge range of both polyester and epoxy
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Chemicals and additives styrenes, waxes, acetone, acrylics, paints and lacquers
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Fibreglass cloth - a large range of different cloths including carbon composite weaves and vector cloths with a choice of domestic and international suppliers
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Composite tapes and rovings
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Fillers and powders
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Pigments and tints - over 10,000 colours available in transparent, iridescent and solid pigments
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Fin kits and jigs
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Plugs, boxes and hardware
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Safety gear - masks, gloves, overalls and goggles
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Paint and art pens
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Surfboard templates
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DIY surfboard kits
GEAR: SHAPING
Fly in, MOW FOAM, fly out
BUSINESS PROMOTION
Specific Classes
How to book/ order GEAR The Surfboard Studio’s online booking function is live, so you are able to sign up and put yourself into an upcoming course that suits your schedule. The online store is also stocked and ready to go. Other than that you can phone Zak, email him or call in to the studio in person.
Contact Details THE SURFBOARD STUDIO 1A Fink Street, Preston, VIC 3072 (03) 9484 0018 | 0438 416 738 info@thesurfboardstudio.com.au www.thesurfboardstudio.com.au
spring 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER SPRING
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SuRfBOARD
DINGS
torations
Repairs & Res
New Zealand RAGLAN, NZ
RAGLAN LONGBOARDS 7 days, 10am to 5pm except winter - catch us if you can +64 7 825 0544
kAIkOuRA, NZ
SuRGE SuRfBOARDS
Bust your board? Call us 24/7 027 428 7453
Queensland AGNES WAtER/1770
thE fACtORy SuRfBOARDS
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 8am-12pm (07) 5492 5838
LABRADOR
GC SuRfCRAft REPAIRS Mon-Fri 9am - 5.30pm Weekends by Appointment 0401 016 088
SOuthPORt
kOMA
Mon-Fri 9am -5pm, Sat 9am -12pm 0402 863 763
REEf 2 BEACh
MIAMI
PEREGIAN BEACh
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 12pm 0409 727 735
Mon-Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm 07 4974 9072
PEREGIAN BEACh SuRf ShOP Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm, Sat 9am - 4pm 07 5471 3489
WuRtuLLA
NIChOLSON SuRfBOARDS REPAIRS & REStORAtIONS
Mon - Fri 7-3pm, Sat 7-midday 0438 631 153 facebook.com/nicholsonsurf
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MOffAt BEACh
DINO’S DING REPAIRS
BuRLEIGh hEADS
Mt WOODGEE
1730 Gold Coast Highway (07) 5535 0288 Sun-Fri, 9am - 5pm Sat 8:30am - 5pm
CuRRuMBIN
Mt WOODGEE 2 Stewart Rd (07) 5598 2188 Sun-Fri, 9am - 5pm Sat 10am - 4pm
CuRRuMBIN
CRONuLLA
tORquAy
MAxIMuM SuRfBOARDS
RILEy BALSA SuRfBOARDS
StONkER
46 Currumbin Creek Rd Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 10am - 3pm Sun by appointment 0400 338 098
New South Wales ByRON BAy
DR DING SuRfBOARD REPAIRS
WOODEN BOARD REPAIRS Mon-Sat 9am-4pm 0412 376 464
WOLLONGONG
SkIPP SuRfBOARDS
Mon-Fri 9am - 5:30pm Thurs 9am - 7:30pm Sat 9am - 4pm, Sun 10am - 4pm 02 4228 8878
Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 10am- 4pm, Sun 10am-2pm 0431 740 940
ShELLhARBOuR
MC SuRf DESIGNS
7 days a week - Just call 0416 455 985
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 1pm 02 6685 8778
yAMBA
PLANk ShOP
BROWN DOGG JERVIS BAy
INNER fEELING SuRfBOARDS Seven days, 9am - 5pm 02 4441 6756
02 6645 8362
tOMBStONE SuRfBOARDS
Victoria
Tues - Fri 9am - 4pm, Sat 9am - 12pm 0432 330 826
BELLARINE PENINSuLA
COffS hARBOuR
ROuSA SuRfBOARDS
SuRf CRAft REPAIRS JIM NEWTON 4/6 Druitt Court Open most days, just call. 0402 864 062
BuDGEWOI
BuCkO’S SuRfBOARD REPAIRS & REStORAtIONS Mon-Fri 10am - 5.30pm Weekends by appointment 0422 304 078
Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, 0403 693 333
thORNBuRy
ZAk SuRfBOARDS Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 5pm 03 9416 7384
Seven days, 9am - 5pm 03 5261 6077
thE SuRfERS ShED Seven days, 9am - 5pm 0437 246 848
BuStED yOuR BOARD? GEt It fIxED hERE...
PhILLIP ISLAND
ISLAND SuRf ShOP, COWES 7 days, 9-5pm 03 5952 2578
South Australia ADELAIDE
WALLBRIDGE SuRfBOARDS
Mon - Fri, 12.30pm - 5.30pm Sat 12.30pm - 5pm 08 8376 4914
MID COASt
thE DING kING Clark Surfboards Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm 0422 443 789
LONSDALE
MID COASt SuRf Call us for a quality repair 08 8384 5522
SOuth COASt
MR DAMAGE SuRfBOARDS Call Mark 0416 199 764
mark@mrdamagesurfboards.com.au
DO yOu fIx BROkEN BOARDS?
Promote your repair business for $15 an edition. Call 0401 345 201
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DOES It WORk? SMORGAS B TRIED AND TEOARDER STED
BELOW: Waxed and ready to go Test pilot Gus Brown. Photo: Lauren Hughes
hANGGLIDE
HERE’S A BOARD THAT YOU CAN HANG OR GLIDE ON... WORDS: DAVE SWAN
Momentum is an interesting phenomenon. By definition it is the “impetus gained by a moving object,” mass in motion. Until you have ridden a board with a little weight behind it, it is a hard feeling to describe. Whether it’s a shortboard for aerials or a longboard for high performance surfing, lightweight boards are great for throwing around. Sometimes however it's nice to have a board with some “momentum” that just glides, a board where you can literally walk the plank and camp on the nose. Now I don’t mind the odd cheater five but it is extremely rare if I get a chance to hang ten, truth be told it’s because I am not that good a surfer. Okay, I confess, I'm pretty crap. But with this big baby I got more than a few opportunities to get my toes on the nose.
MORE INfO
Great on a glassy little face and on fuller waves that lacked any punch, you could cruise onto a wave, swing her around, line her up, feel her go and just get walking. These are the conditions best suited to this single fin mal, that and on the wall of your home.
thE MAN BEhIND WOODEN SuRfBOARDS
thE BOARD
Steve-O has been working with surfboards for close to 20 years. He cut his teeth with foam and fiberglass but has since focused his attention on all things wood, be it recycled timbers or sustainable plantationgrown Paulownia. He crafts all manner of hollow wooden surfboards from fishes, guns and malibus through to stand up paddleboards and even skateboards.
WIDTH: 21 ½”
LENGTH: 9’1” THICKNESS: 3” Made from recycled timber, this board is hollow like an aeroplane wing with super solid 50/50 rails. Each board is fully hand crafted and custom shaped as a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. This one features a sparkling, gold pearl finish coat.
Woodensurfboardsshapesbysteveo.com.au SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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DOES It WORk? OARDER SMORGASBTE TRIED AND STED
"thERE WERE POLAR BEARS ON thE BEACh ShIVERING." Dave rugs up the Seventhwave Max to take on some Dunedin waves on a bright Sadhana Bonzer.
SEVENth hEAVEN MAX 4/3MM TITANIUM STEAMER WORDS: DAVE SWAN
I get asked many times over about wetsuits - the make, the quality, the cost. Seventhwave may not be the cheapest wetsuit around but what I can say in my personal opinion, they are the best. I recently travelled the South Island of New Zealand in the height of winter. The water temperature around Dunedin in July got down to 9.3°. There were polar bears on the beach shivering. Knowing the conditions I was about to tackle and the fact I may even encounter snow on the beach (my ultimate dreamyes, I am sick in the head), I picked up Seventhwave’s top of the line wetsuit, the Max 4/3mm Titanium Steamer with all the bells and whistles: •
Completely custom fitted
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Super stretchy 94% nitrogeninfused Yamamoto MR7000, head to toe, not just in parts like some competing wetsuits
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Fully titanium-lined
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Interchangeable hood
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Kevlar-loaded knee-pads
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Double glued and blind stitched on both sides of the seam
Not a single drop of water got beneath my suit despite me setting a Dunedin record for the number of somersaults performed down the face of a wave on numerous occasions. The flexibility of movement with so much rubber on was also incredible, which was kind of handy considering the amount of paddling I did in some places. The Seventhwave Max has a greater range of movement than most regular 2mm suits from other manufacturers. How quickly the wetsuit dries is also of considerable note. And I am not talking about hanging the suit outside on a dry, windy Queensland afternoon. I am talking about the wetsuit being bone-dry the next morning following a late afternoon surf in the closest city to the Antarctic Circle, where the suit was stored overnight in the shower cubicle of our motorhome in sub zero overnight temperatures. This remarkable feat is apparently due to the fact Seventhwave use a limestone-based neoprene as opposed to a petro-chemical type. Virtually no water absorption means it remains exceptionally light and dries incredibly quickly. Finally, it's honestly the most comfortable wetsuit I've ever worn.
hOW MuCh
RRP $999 NZD (approx $900 AUD) www.seventhwave.co.nz
The wetsuit was incredible. I surfed for hours on end, several times. I kid you not, I was as warm as toast except for a frozen nose and lips (the only part of me exposed).
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"...SIt BACk, tAkE IN thE SuRROuNDS AND CRACk thAt fIRSt BEER" Dave, on the merits of not having to unpack luggage.
uLtIMAtE fAMILy hOLIDAy BRITZ FRONTIER AUTO
fEAtuRES INCLuDE:
Important: Happy kids
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
To say my kids were looking forward to this trip would be an understatement. Simply put, if you have young kids, you will make their dreams come true if you take them on a motorhome road trip holiday. I recently organised a 6-berth motorhome to undertake my New Zealand editorial and delivery run through the very kind and professional folks at THL. You see I figured it was about time I took my wife and three kids along for the ride. THL have all manner of motorhomes under their umbrella such as KEA, Maui, United, Britz, Alpha, Mighty and Motek to name a few, suiting all budgets and size of travelling parties. I was recommended the Britz Frontier Auto, and what a cracker it was. I picked up the vehicle from their Christchurch office and was so pleasantly surprised by the friendly service provided by Melinda. The greeting was the perfect start to my working holiday. The kids’ reaction when I pulled into the drive of our overnight airport stay was better again. I've never been so inundated with offers to help in all of their respective 9, 11 and 13 years.
I struggled with my very own car’s handling when I returned home. The motorhome literally turned on a dime and I particularly loved the automatic drive. I've previously always hired a manual, but I won’t be returning to a manual any time soon after this experience. With regards to the sleeping arrangements, we comfortably fitted our entire crew, who are no longer ‘littlies’ - along with many, many boxes of Smorgasboarder. In terms of the convenience, I love travelling in a motorhome. You can unpack all your gear and put it all away in the ample cupboard space provided. Plus there’s no need to haul your luggage into your accommodation in each new town. Simply park the motorhome in your allotted holiday park spot, plug her in to your electricity supply, sit back, take in the surrounds and crack that first beer – fitting reward for all your hard work. Now that’s a relaxing way to travel.
•
Power steering and ABS brakes
•
Air con/ heating including separate heaters for the sleeping quarters which is important when visiting in winter like we did
•
Fridge, microwave, gas stove and dishwasher (if you have kids)
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Glasses, cups, bowls, plates, cutlery, cooking and prep utensils, toaster and kettle
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TV with DVD player
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Radio and CD player with speakers throughout the motorhome
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Outdoor tables and chairs
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Shower and toilet, perfect for housing your board and wetsuit
•
Concealed safe for valuables
BOOk A tRIP To book a Britz motorhome in New Zealand go to www.britz.co.nz and in Australia go to www.britz.com.au. For more information on the various motorhomes available through THL go to www.thlonline.com.
In terms of the drive, the motorhome handled incredibly well - so much so
thE BESt WAy tO WARM uP ON A NEW ZEALAND ROAD tRIP Great coffee, roasted daily. Volcom Lane, Raglan NZ WWW.RAGLANROASt.CO.NZ
Sep2014_Smorgas_Test Everything.indd 107
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SMORGASBOARDER
SNOW
SPECIAL
Cold-impervious gear-tester extraordinaire Gus Brown made his way to Mt Buller this winter to get to grips with the newly released board for snow, the Cross Board. THIS PIC: Not Gus showing the Cross Board in action. Photo: MAXT SPORTS
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MEEtING MAD MAx HOW THE CROSS BOARD INVENTOR MADE HIS WAY TO THE SNOW WORDS: GUS BROWN
We all have ideas, concepts, or inventions that at one time or another in our lives become an obsession. Generally over time however, these visions fade, perhaps through fear, doubt, or just because the motivation simply dwindles. There is always something fascinating about those people who are compelled with dogged determination to pursue their dreams. One such person who has harnessed this blind faith is Dave Elphic aka Max - a man committed to his invention, the Cross Board. This story starts in Adelaide with typical youthful enthusiasm. Max at 18 was an adrenalin junkie who loved skating, surfing and motocross. Living for Max was all about having fun, and chasing the next challenge. It was at about this time he saw the movie “A View to a Kill” and witnessed James Bond (the Roger Moore version) carving it up on an early snowboard (the stunt double was skating legend and boarding pioneer Tom Sims who passed in 2012). This scene was credited with helping popularise the fledgling sport in the mid-eighties and it made an impression on young Max.
TOP: Max (left) and Gus. ABOVE: From humble beginnings.. The prototypes
Max was inspired to develop his first prototype, the Ski-Skate. This was basically a skateboard mounted on top of four smaller skis. The closest snow to test this machine in Adelaide in the 80’s was at Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice, one of the world's first indoor ski slopes. While the Ski-Skate worked, it resulted in a fair amount of carnage... But Max was not deterred.
The design was refined by Max over the next few years with the next iteration having two large skis mounted on fins under the main deck. Max took this design to Falls Creek, but the board performed poorly in real snow. Undeterred, he took on a job at a ski shop and refined his prototype by utilising the knowledge and expertise of the local instructors and technicians. It was during this time that the design really started to showed promise. Max took his board to the US in order to get funding. He could see potential in the market for a board that was easy to learn on and also provided more accelerated results than a snowboard. He participated in a manufacturers demo in Colorado and met with Burton Snowboards, but alas, there were no takers. So he returned to Australia to do the inevitable - get a job, and at the same time start a family. This is where you would think the story would end, as it would for most of us, but not so for Max. Some 20 years later, his son found a prototype in the back shed and grilled his dad about it. This prompted him to get back to the dream and pick up where he left off. Now older and wiser, Max revisited the design of his product. The real innovation came with the re-engineering of the truck system and combining this with up-to-date snowboard technology. He teamed up with Bryan Te Wani, a Kiwi marketing man who was blown away by the product and saw big opportunities in the snow industry. Together they founded MAXT Sports and obtained the backing to really get things going. An initial run of 500 Boards was produced and a partnership was developed with Buller Sports (the operators of Mt Buller). The 2014 winter season at Mt Buller saw Max’s vision realised - 30 years on the Cross Board is finally introduced to the world.
"thERE IS ALWAyS SOMEthING fASCINAtING ABOut thOSE PEOPLE WhO ARE COMPELLED WIth DOGGED DEtERMINAtION tO PuRSuE thEIR DREAMS. " showed that he was at one with his board and the mountain. He proudly told the story of the development of the Cross Board and the long journey that has transpired to get to this place. But this is just another beginning and not an end point. Max and his team have been busy at Mt Buller all season, working in partnership with Buller Sports to get the Cross Board exposed and used. He's committed to the product and its ongoing development. However, it's also evident that he sees the real value in his efforts is about getting more people to experience the joys of being out in the snow! "So how does this Cross Board thingo work then?" you sputter in excitement. Settle down - it's all on the next page... For more info www.crossboard.co
But honestly, Max is more “modest” than mad... When catching up with him at Mt Buller, he downplayed his skills on the snow but when he was out on the slopes he SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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CROSS BOARD CHANGING THE STYLE WORDS: GUS BROWN
ABOVE: One fine looking and highly functional snow-machine.
RIGHT: The unique truck system means skateboard meets snowboard for a whole lot of fun potential
DOES It WORk?
thE WRAP
OARDER SMORGASBTE TRIED AND STED
thE PROS Thirty years in the making and some serious engineering has resulted in the release of the Cross Board. We were keen to see if this was a novelty item - destined to head down the path of the snow scooter - or a genuine innovation, one that serves a real purpose, distinct from the traditional snowboard. For more info www.crossboard.co
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tEChNICALLy SPEAkING HARDWARE: • Top Deck, • 2 x Blades • 2 x Trucks, spring system LENGTH: Red (108cm) Blue (136cm) PRICE:
$800
Firstly, there's definitely quality in the components that make up this board. Secondly, anyone who has ever snowboarded will get straight up and going on the Cross Board. Thirdly, the independent truck system glides over rough icy surfaces and appears to provide more traction on the turns. But finally, one of the best advantages - the Holy Grail for me - is that it seems a lot harder to catch a rail, even when straight-lining at speed!
thE CONS This board is not designed for powder, which makes sense as it was invented for Australia where conditions are often icy and rather compact, so when heading off track in the soft stuff it can lose a bit of speed. With the hardware installed, it's a bit heavier than a standard snowboard but only marginally so.
While it's spruiked to be easy for beginners, there would still be a bit of pain involved in the learning process. But hey, good fun doesn’t come easy! There were major similarities to snowboarding in terms of technique, but once you get the feel of the board the transition between the front and back is easy with the potential for a lot more back foot carving - surfing style! The Cross Board system allows for riders to customise their boards and change set-ups to suit styles and conditions. This is a fully functional, well made fun-machine!
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LEFT: The Mt Buller Cross Board test pilots Maxi, Beau, Craig and Gus with Max and Bryan from MAXT sports. MAIN: Making the most of the board with skill
“the Cross Board creates a new free flowing experience on the snow. It integrates the ride style of skateboarding and surfing, as opposed to the technique required for snowboarding”. Dave "Max" Elphic
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tICkEt tO RIDE
VICTORIAN SNOW AT MT BULLER An invitation to the launch of the Cross Board gave regular Smorgasboarder test pilot Gus Brown the opportunity to check out Victoria’s Mount Buller for the first time. It was a power trip over three short days but still provided plenty of opportunity to check out this magic winter retreat. WORDS: GUS BROWN
Anyone who has ever snowboarded knows that having some level of strength and flexibility, particularly in the leg area is vital to prevent serious pain. Having got this call up only a week before the scheduled date, after a slide into winter hibernation, there was a bit more fear about my fitness than excitement about the prospect of heading to the Victorian Alps. Mount Buller is located about 250km north east of Melbourne (or about 3 hours drive). For interstate visitors there are flights available from all major centres and some regional airports to Tullamarine (Melbourne Airport). From there the next step is a 2 hour drive 112
Cross Boards lined up and ready to go
to through some beautiful country up to the town of Mansfield. There are also buses available and for those more affluent amongst us, it's even possible to get a chopper directly to the mountain. Mansfield is the major centre that services the surrounding areas and this is the spot to stock-up with supplies and most importantly this is where you need to get some snow chains. From Mansfield it takes about half an hour to get to the main gates of the mountain. To have car access to Mt Buller you then need to purchase a $40 ticket (plus account for between $12 and $23 dollars a night for parking). It's a further 15-20 minute drive up to the car parks. You then require a taxi from the car park to the village for a further $21.50. The good news is that once you are finally there, everything is close. From the Sunshine Coast - which is where my journey started - the whole
process took about eight hours, which considering the distance, is pretty good. Mt Buller itself has everything you could want from an Alpine resort. Firstly, if you time it right - as I was lucky to do there's plenty of snow. But in case the conditions are not as favourable, there's a network of 216 snowmaking machines across the resort. In terms of accommodation, it boasts having some 7,000 on-mountain beds available. Now that figure may be seen as a negative in terms of crowd factor, but I have to report that there was minimal waiting at the lifts during my visit and that included a peak Saturday. The Cross Board team put me up at the Mt Buller Chalet which was much more classy than the usual “back of the van” option provide by the Smorgasboarder boys (Hey, we take offence to the suggestion that we're tight... Ed). This venue had a gym, indoor
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pool, and restaurant and was about 20m from the Blue Bullet Chairlift. Super Styling, thanks guys!
Mt BuLLER... thE RuNDOWN
The Village Square is the centre point of the resort and has plenty of eating, drinking and shopping options. In the short time I was there, my recommendations include the Apri Bar for a drink or hot chocolate, and the Burger Haus and the BT Gourmet Pizzeria for a feed.
LOCATION: 250km north east of Melbourne (3 Hours Drive)
In terms of skiing and boarding potential, Mt Buller has a good mix of terrain and plenty of options to choose. With a large chunk of the mountain identiďŹ ed as beginner and intermediate level runs, there's plenty to explore for your average player, even for longer stays. Straight up from the village square there is a great area for beginners - Baldy and Bourke St runs - a long, green run that is perfect for the family and close to everything. There are also some hairy black runs and two terrain parks for the risk-takers among us. Having a day and half on the slopes meant that I was only able get a small taste of what the mountain offers, but it still provided me with the opportunity to get stuck into a black run from the summit, face down in a white-out, wishing the nightmare would end. Staying only two nights at Mount Buller left me wishing for more!
tAkE A BOW... A big thanks to Max of MAXT sports, Hannah and Nastasia from Straight Up PR, and the Mt Buller staff for the experience. See you again soon.
SEASON: Mid-June to early October AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 2.42m (1.1m average depth) AREA: 300 Hectares HIGHEST POINT: 1,805m TERRAIN: 20% Beginner, 45% Intermediate, 35% Advanced. LIFTS: 22 Lifts LONGEST RUN: 2.5km (Little Buller Spur) COST (DAILY): Adult $113, Child $63, Student $90 MORE INFORMATION: For a full wrap on the place check out the website www.mtBuller.com.au.
LEFT: George Aivatoglou is a Mt Buller legend. He has worked in ski hire on the mountain since 1962, owning and running George's Ski Hire since the early '70s. George and his team are always there, keen to set punters up with their ski and boarding requirements. TOP LEFT: Mt Buller chair lift, Shakey Knees Village. Photo: Andrew Railton FAR LEFT: Snowmaking guns under the stars at sunrise. Photo: Andrew Railton TOP RIGHT: Back to the car... goodbye Buller for now...
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MUSIC
OUR PICK OF THE BUNCH!
THE SINGLE "LEFT FOR DEAD" IS OUT NOW
BY MARK CHAPMAN
BASS DRUM OF DEATH
RIP THIS OUT OCTOBER 10 CREATE/CONTROL | INNOVATIVE LEISURE
KINGSWOOD
MICROSCOPIC WARS DEW PROCESS When I heard this was a 'debut' album, I thought "That can't be right? I'm sure these guys have done an album before..." They've just been that prolific with EPs and singles they've managed to feel like a far more longterm established band. And they certainly sound that way on Microscopic Wars - a solid slab of rock-riffery heaven. I'm a sucker for great guitar-driven songs and these boys deliver the goods in spades. It's classic rockinfluenced overdriven heaviness delivered with modern professionalism by top-shelf musicianship, and absolutely crowned by Fergus Linacre's powerful, wellcontrolled vocal talents. From the ballads to brash ear-bashing, slow to fast, this is all gold. Ohio is a personal favourite and standout track, as is the single Sucker Punch. Get this and become a Kingswood fan - you'll be converted for life. 114
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Nat and the Create Control folks for sending through this spitting, dirty, fuzzed-up, distorted slab of noisy garage awesomeness at the 11th hour of our sleep-deprived get-themagazine to the printer run. It's around this time that we're coffeed up to the bloodshot eyeballs, running on empty, mumbling gibberish and could easily be swayed to trade a family member for an early night and a warm bed. So you know what? The sweatsoaked sweet feedback of BDOD's screeching guitars are the exact medicine we need to get by! But it's not just noise by any standard - it's a cool collection of frantic, melodic, singalong angst-anthems, delivered with a firm understanding of how to just rock out, good and proper. Fans of DZ Deathrays, Kings of the North, Fu Manchu, Gluecifer... Listen up - this is awesome. See www.bassdrumofdeath.com
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Byron Bay lyricist and rapper Azov is all about wit and wordplay. And his love for down-to-earth, relatable rhymes is well matched by his passion for a good surf. Azov started his recording career in late 2005, and since laying down that first track he has released two albums, been featured on a Crusty Demons DVD and shared the stage with Aussie hip-hop heavyweights such as Muph and Plutonic, Urthboy, and Butterfingers amongst others. Here's five questions..
Photo: Kate Nutt
Photo: Yvette Stevens
AZOV
...FIVE QUICK QUESTIONS ABOUT MUSIC AND SURFING
YOU TWO OUTLETS SURFING AND MUSIC...?
BYRON BAY - WHAT'S GOT YOU THERE?
WHAT ARE YOU RIDING AT THE MOMENT?
THE BEST ALBUM EVER AND WHY?
WHAT'S PLANNED FOR YOU AND YOUR MUSIC?
Both have a gratifying aspect that keeps me wanting more. Surfing allows me to maintain some form of fitness, being almost all physical. If I think about it, it's related to my positioning and how I can find waves. Riding a wave is more about feeling and seeing where you want to put your body and your board.
My life situation changed drastically and made me realise just how years can pass in a blur. I won't be anywhere I don't feel like I can flourish and be surrounded by energy and art and music and waves. Byron Bay feels right. I can enjoy good, live music any night of the week after I've had an afternoon surf.
I'm lucky enough to have known Joel Beck since we were 11. He makes my surfboards and I just picked up a 5'9"x19"x 2 5/16" swallowtail, four channel quad. Right now I'm on our family trip to North Stradbroke Island and it's been feeling really flighty. Wants to race along a wave and launch off sections.
Bob Marley - Legend. Had a cassette given to me as a birthday present when I must have been only 11 or 12.
Finding well known beats which aren't played out or too obvious and making mash-ups is what I'm really enjoying: two banging beats and two verses merged, and I upload it to Soundcloud so anyone can cop a free download.
Writing rhymes and recording is how I keep my mind sharp. I've always enjoyed delving into language and finding some complexity in my lyrics to give the listener more re-play value.
Such warm production and liberating messages delivered with beautiful simplicity. Always makes me smile.
"...SURROUNDED BY ENERGY AND ART AND MUSIC AND WAVES. BYRON BAY FEELS RIGHT."
FOR MUSIC AND INFORMATION, SEE: www.parkproductions.net soundcloud.com/azov facebook.com/azov
My album Soundwaves and Saltwater Veins is available as a physical copy or mp3 on parkproductions.net for those who get their music the honest way (laughs). I'll be releasing more clips that include myself surfing and rapping in the near future also.
Soundwaves and Saltwater Veins available now
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CLOSE TO 100 AUSTRALIAN AND NZ SURFBOARD SHAPERS IN A MASSIVE SURFBOARD SECTION THAT’S GROWING DAILY. READ ANY ISSUES OF SMORGASBOARDER ONLINE, ANYTIME. THERE’S ALSO PHOTOS, STORIES, MERCHANDISE AND MUCH MORE. JOIN US AS WE GROW.
We’re expanding on all the good vibes from SMORGASBOARDER magazine’s print version, and adding extra material online. There’s a lot on there, and a lot more to come, so enjoy our new website at:
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MAKING THAT SURF TRIP COUNT So you plan and scrimp and save for one of the most epic surf trips of your life. If you’re keen to maximise that enjoyment and take your trip to the next level, why not give something back to the community you’re visiting and bask in some additional positive vibes for good measure? Here are some tips from our friends at Wavetribe on how to make your next surf trip count for something more.
SWITCH UP THE FOCUS. When we’re away on holidays,
we usually focus on how WE are being treated (by hotel and restaurant staff, local surfers in the water, people on the streets.) Let’s take a moment here to consider the other side of the coin, how are we treating THEM?
WHAT IMPRESSIONS ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND? These people are often humble men, women and children who will get one first and only impression of us. Be conscious of this.
SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. Remember when you were the
grom watching the older surfers? You wanted to walk and talk like these cool dudes. Be responsible about how we act around local kids and teenagers. They look up to us, like big brothers or sisters. They seek our attention and approval, and it’s up to us to influence them well and show them good values.
RESPECT THE LOCALS, especially on the waves. The
majority of local surfers have most likely had to work all day, and if they only have one hour to surf, let’s try and give them that nice spot while they’re out there surfing during their free time.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET OUT THERE. If you have
a week’s stay, it only takes a couple of hours to go out, explore the area, and give back to the places and people you see fit. Lissette Perez from Azul Surf Club in El Salvador shares some ideas; “Take a bottle of aspirin and give it to the clinic. Bring with you clothes from back home that you don’t wear anymore, give it to the church.” All do-able stuff that makes a big difference. So don’t underestimate the impact you can have on your next trip away. We guarantee it will double the stoke value! Nicola O’Reilly is the better half of the nice folks from Surfing Green, a couple passionate about sustainable surfing products.
surfinggreen.com.au
BYRON BITS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BYRON BAY BREWING CO.
TRY OUT ALL THE BEERS ON OFFER AT BYRON BAY BREWING CO.
TALKING BEER WITH BREWER SCOTT HARGRAVE
Pilsner is a style of beer, defined by a bright golden clarity, moderately malty in character with a crisp, firm bitterness. In 1842 in the Bohemian town of Plzen (now in modern day Czech Republic) the world’s first golden lagers were produced. The newly acquired ability to produce very pale malt, the wonderfully aromatic and spicy local hops known across the world as Saaz, a switched on young Bavarian brewer by the name of Josef Groll and German lager brewing techniques combined to produce a beer of wonder. This amazing “Pilsen” beer brewed at what became known as the Pilsner Urquell Brewery spread quickly from its birthplace, right across Europe and then around the world. Although all Pilsners are lagers, not all lagers are Pilsners... However, most pale yellow golden lagers brewed to this day are in one way or another, variations or descendents, of that first glorious beer.
WHAT’S ON
EVENTS AT THE BREWERY...
There are several branches of the family tree, for instance: BOHEMIAN PILS: Soft golden complex malt, intertwined with an elegant floral hop character and firm but balanced bitterness – Pilsner Urquell (literally THE original), Budvar, Staropramen. GERMAN PILS: tend to be dryer and lighter in colour, a little less malt body but more abrupt bitterness and mild German hop flavour like Becks, Bitburger, Holsten, Jever Pils... NEW WORLD PILSNERS: Thanks to our Kiwi mates and their very fruity, high oil hop varieties we have a range of flamboyant New World (mostly New Zealand) pilsners that have shown the world a new take on the style. Often full bodied, big fruity hop characters lead the way. The Jonah Lomu of Pilsners....
FREE MEAL!
BUY ONE MEAL, GET THE SECOND FREE*
Here at the brewery our Byron Bay Pilsner has a foot in both the Bohemian and German camps. German specialty malts and lager yeast integrate with classic Czech Saaz hops for a very clean, subtle spicy, floral finish. So refreshing and more-ish that I need one now... 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481 Phone: (02) 6685 5833 Fax: (02) 6685 5519
WWW.BYRONBAYBREWERY.COM.AU
*For details, more specials and to download a voucher see the website!
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A SMORGASBOARDER GUIDE TO SOME OF THE COOLEST SURF SHOPS IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
YOU GO IN
to grab a leggie and end up leaving with sound advice, tips for tomorrow’s best spot to surf, a bonus block of wax and a head full of legendary tales of pounding surf; that day you should have been there; and the exploits of a mysterious character called Dazza that would’ve made the Pro Tour if he’d wanted to, but has lived in a tree for the past ten years and is rarely seen by another human except when the swell is double overhead - and only then as a brief flash of soularching silhouette.... Or, you stay at home, click a mouse and sit waiting for the mail instead... Not much of a choice in our books really. In fact, in our humble opinion there’s no matching the passion for product or the in-depth knowledge of it, when comparing the real people in the following surf stores to online shopping. The level of service and genuine care each has for their customers can’t be replicated by a computer.
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And for interest sake, did you know that just sitting online could potentially render you an unhealthy, stinky, Neville-no-mates? Jokes aside - and forgetting the obvious fact that we’re encouraging you to get out and into your local shops - according to a 2010 study by a university in Hong Kong, heavy internet users ate more poorly, had worse hygiene, were more likely to develop health problems and stress-related issues... And they had less real friends and less chance of a real romantic relationship. No, Whatsapp-ing naked selfies does not count as a real relationship. Mmm... Not really a good trade-off then for saving $5 off that shirt (before adding $13 for postage, that is). Hey, we’re biased because we like talking to real people, in the flesh, but of course a lot of the real people in these pages have online shops too. So, if you do prefer to shop online for the convenience - at least make sure you choose shops run by genuine folks when you can. Otherwise, drop in, have a chat and go home with exactly what you wanted, and more than you expected.
LONG LIVE THE SURF SHOP! PS: Another bonus? The guys in these next pages all have a stack of Smorgasboarders, so make sure that this is where you go in to pick your copy! At Smorgasboarder, we always support the shops and people that support us, those that help to keep this magazine free and available. So, please do the same and make sure your hard-earned dollars stay local! It’s all about the karma...
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So many great surf spots, so many surf shops... here’s some of the great spots to stock up on all your surfing needs - and pick up your Smorgasboarders, of course - throughout Australia.
REEF2BEACH SURF SHOP IS THE ONLY REAL SURF SHOP NORTH OF NOOSA.
We have all the major surf labels such as Quiksilver, Billabong, Rip Curl and Hurley, plus we have over 200 surf boards in stock and accessories including
FCS, Creatures of Leisure and Ocean & Earth. We also have a factory outlet for surfing bargains. Join our world famous surf school every morning and tune in to reef2beachsurf.com every morning for our on-the-spot surf and weather report. Shop 1, Agnes Water Shopping Centre Agnes Water QLD P: 07 4974 9072 M: 0402 32 85 15 W: www.reef2beachsurf.com
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
BUSINESS PROMOTION
COOLUM BOARDROOM IS A FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED SURF SHOP, LOCATED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM COOLUM MAIN BEACH, OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, STOCKING NEW AND SECOND HAND SURFBOARDS, SKATEBOARDS, ACCESSORIES AND SURF-ORIENTED GIFTS.
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Park Street (across from Tickle Park and Coolum main beach) Coolum Beach QLD P: (07) 5408 4600 W: coolumboardroom.com.au coolumboardroom
From complete beginner needing advice on where to start, to completing your quiver with a custom made surfboard. You can book your surf lessons here, hire a surfboard or bike and we also do quality surfboard repairs. Swing by for some friendly service and advice.
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From an amazing range of highend surfboards - top shapers Tom Wegener, Jed Done of Bushrat Surfboards, Jesse Watson of Black Apache, Jordie Brown of High Tide Surfboards and more - to the most original decor, homewares and handcrafted goods such as recycled timber frames and furniture, to the latest beach fashions such as Fallenbrokenstreet felt hats.
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS BUSINESS PROMOTION
Yes, it’s all about the beach at Wally’s Water Gallery in Marcoola.
Wally Johnson
“FROM UNIQUE DECOR AND HOMEWARES, TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A GREAT SURF, AT WALLY’S IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BEACH”
You could pretty much completely kit yourself out for the beach, to go surfing on a top board and redecorate and refurnish your home in just one visit. What’s more, there are even demo surfboards to experience different designs. Wally’s also stocks GoPro cameras, wax, legropes and other surf essentials. If you’re in the mood for a surf movie, you can choose from the hire section to take one home overnight - a great little service to get your fix. To experience a very different atmosphere and a totally unique store, drop in.
VIST AT: 6 Lorraine Ave, Marcoola Beach, QLD P: (07) 5448 8560 E: info@wallyswatergallery.com.au
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Gary and Noel, Alex
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
BUSINESS PROMOTION
Bowie and Marcus, Caloundra
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From our humble beginnings back in 1986 when our factory was located out back of our Bulcock Street Store in Caloundra to the present day, we have always prided ourselves on stocking the largest range of new and used surfboards on the Sunshine Coast from leading shapers around the world to our very own Australian handmade Beachbeat surfboards. We also carry all the latest surf accessories along with your favourite surfwear brands and have friendly knowledgeable staff to help you.
“KEEPING SUNSHINE COAST SURFERS STOKED FOR CLOSE TO 30 YEARS. ”
PROUDLY STOCKING: All the big names in high performance craft such as: JS Industries, Al Merrick, Firewire, Haydenshapes and Pyzel. As well as a large range of mini mal, malibu and stand up paddle boards from: McTavish, NSP, Matt Keane and our own high-quality brand of Beachbeat boards.
CALOUNDRA STORE 119 Bulcock St Caloundra, QLD P: (07) 5491 4711 E: mark@beachbeat.com.au ALEX STORE 164 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland, QLD P: (07) 5443 2777 E: noel@beachbeat.com.au E: gary@beachbeat.com.au BEACHBEAT FACTORY 20 Fishermens Rd. Maroochydore, QLD P: (07) 5479 2811 E: julie@beachbeat.com.au W: www.beachbeat.com.au Beach Beat
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SURFWARE AUSTRALIA
? Got old boards
TRADE-INTSED! AeRinEyourWoldAsuNrfboard, SUP...
At Surfware Australia we sell the best range of quality surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, surf and street wear at reasonable prices. We’re not just retailers – we surf and we love the Sunshine Coast. In store, you’ll find major brands such as O’Neill, FCS, Ocean & Earth, Reef Footwear, Gunther Röhn Surfboards and Aleeda.
ar Trad brand new ge or kite gear on interest-free AND we have ailable! finance av
VISIT US AT: 2 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD P: (07) 5491 3620 W: surfwareaustralia.com
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
WE DON’T HAVE FANCY SHOP FRONTS IN A SHOPPING MALL – JUST A GREAT RANGE OF QUALITY GEAR AT A REASONABLE PRICE FROM OUR CALOUNDRA RETAIL SUPERSTORE.
BUSINESS PROMOTION
AT SURFWARE AUSTRALIA, WE’VE ALWAYS GOT QUALITY SURF AND STREET WEAR ON SALE.
JOIN US FOR DEMO DAYS AT THE MAROOCHY RIVER TO FIND THE BOARD THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.
Ocean Addicts is an exciting extreme boardsports store on the Sunshine Coast. We offer you a massive 95m2 shop packed to the roof with top quality state of the art products and equipment for you to choose from. Our aim is to provide all ‘Ocean Addicts’ with more than just a store - a place where you can get support, knowledge and the professional service that you deserve. A quick repair? A new board? Just want to hang out and talk kites, wake or surf? We’re here doing just that! We offer competitively priced gear from the leading brands in the industry in a well stocked store. Our mobile demo centre is also on the road! The kitted-out truck offers kiteboarders and SUPers the chance to try out the latest gear. The “Big Rig” is also the mobile headquarters for the Jeep Kitesurfing School.
SEE YOU IN THE STORE AND ON THE WATER!
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HOW MIUCH GEAR CAN YOU SQUEEZE INTO YOUR CAR? You’ll find out when you visit us at: 103-105 Aerodrome Rd Maroochydore QLD
NEED QUALITY SCREENPRINTING DONE? T-SHIRTS FOR YOUR SHOP? THIS IS THE PLACE...
P: 07 5309 6624 info@oceanaddicts.com.au
www.oceanaddicts.com.au ocean.addicts.Kite. wake.standup.surf
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ABOVE: Karla with Gail Austen OAM, Surfing Hall of Fame LEFT: Judith Anderson RIP. Our dear friend, mentor and Goodtime team member until her passing in 2013.
GOODTIME SURF & SAIL 29 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba QLD
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
BUSINESS PROMOTION
P: 07 3391 8588 E: info@goodtime.com.au W: www.info@goodtime.com.au Goodtime Surf and Sail
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Goodtime is much more than a surf shop, it’s a way of life... It’s our way of life. It’s about sharing the good times in life with family and friends whether it be shredding the surf, barrel rolling a boogie, sailing with the wind or bombing a downhill skate run. And at Goodtime we very much consider ourselves a family; from our wonderful staff right through to our loyal customers. We are all united in our pursuit of the good times in life. Come in and meet our team. We have knowledgable staff who are specialists in their field and can help you make informed decisions.
THE GOODTIME FAMILY
FROM LEFT BACK ROW: Steve Townsend, Sam Ebbett, Tom Pyle, Harry Hurst, Jacob Lambert, Mitch Stephenson and friend Ross Cook. MIDDLE: Gail Austen, Grace Kaggelis, Elouise Baartz and Jonte Verwey. FRONT: Reese Baillie, Karla Austen, Jake Baartz and Luke Baillie.
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REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS BUSINESS PROMOTION
CALL IN TO THE SPRINGWOOD STORE & CHAT TO THE TEAM OR CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST !
WORLD LEADER IN ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDS Australia’s Quinn brothers, Daniel and Mathew, had a dream to revolutionise skateboards. And that’s exactly what they have done. Engineered to premium quality, FiiK boards exceed extreme performance standards. FiiK Electric Skateboards have exclusively designed Lithium-Polymer (LiFePo4) battery-packs, Stepless Digital Throttle, Anti-Lock Braking, LED Safety Lighting, and a heap of other system and performance features. Check the specs on every board. Whether you just ride to the beach for a surf check, head out to off-road dirt, or stick to hard-surface speed styling around the neighbourhood, there’s a FiiK electric ekateboard perfectly matched to you and your style. Take a good look around, and see why FiiK is the world’s best.
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WE STOCK: • • • • •
Electric Skateboards Street and Vert Division Longboards Cruisers Accessories and parts
FIIK ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDS. ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS.
VISIT US AT: 3366 Pacific Hwy, Springwood QLD P: (07) 3208 3208 1300 344 575 283 (1300 FIIKSKATE) W: fiikelectricskateboards.com.au FiiK.Australia fiikskate
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At Cabarita Surf Shop we have a great range of surf gear and accessories at realistic prices and a steady supply of SMORGASBOARDER for our customers.
Mt Woodgee’s award-winning Coolangatta store
Surfboards in store by Matt Hurworth and Woody Jack as well as Colin Eagle’s own designs (Col was a former shaper for G&S). CABARITA SURF
1/38 Tweed Coast Road Cabarita Beach, NSW Just before The Beach Resort if heading South
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
BUSINESS PROMOTION
P: (02) 6676 3151
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Mt Woodgee is one of Australia’s leading surfboard manufacturers, building custom surfboards since 1976. Mt Woodgee also has three thriving Gold Coast surf shops located at Burleigh, Coolangatta and Currumbin. Our surf shop staff are trained in surfboard design and dynamics to ensure you obtain the best custom surfboard or second hand surfboard to meet your requirements.From beginner to pro, we have surfboards for all levels. A large range of hire boards and a ding repair service is also available. The final say is with the man who started it all here at Mt Woodgee - Nick Anagnostou:
“I WOULD LOVE EVERYONE WHO RIDES OUR BOARDS, WEARS OUR CLOTHES OR COMES TO OUR SHOPS TO FEEL – EVEN IF IT’’S JUST A LITTLE BIT – THE HAPPINESS THAT I’VE FELT IN MY LIFE AS A SURFER.”
QLD RETAILER OF THE YEAR
OUR STORES:
A great community surf shop in one of the greatest little surf towns, stocking leading brands such as Hurley, Rhythm and Rusty along with a number of new, second-hand and vintage surfboards.
r Come into oun store, mentioRDER BOA SMORGAS further and get a ur 10% OFF yo purchase!
BURLEIGH HEADS 1730 Gold Coast Hwy P: (07) 5535 0288 CURRUMBIN 2 Stewart Rd P: (07) 5598 2188 COOLANGATTA 122 Griffith Street P: (07) 5536 5937 W: mtwoodgee.com.au mtwoodgee
1/12 The Terrace Brunswick Heads NSW P: (02) 6685 1283 W: brunswicksurf.com.au brunswicksurfshop
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With Sput needing more time for golf and surfing, their new manager Chris “Brum” Brumley came onto the scene, creating that perfect mix of young and old.
1/89 Jonson Street Byron Bay NSW
1/25 Coldstream st, Yamba, NSW.
P: 02 6685 5244
P: 02 6646 3454 W: www.revivalyamba.com.au Revival-Yamba revivalyamba
info@surfcentralbyronbay.com.au www.surfcentralbyronbay.com.au
surfcentralbyronbay
“MUCH MORE THAN A SURFCLOTHING STORE, WE’RE AN OLD SCHOOL SURF SHOP WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT AND SERVICE TO BACK IT UP. WE’RE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND FOR OVER 10 YEARS WE’VE SUPPORTED LOCAL CHARITIES, SPORTING GROUPS, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS.”
Low Pressure Surf Co. stocks the leading brands as well as a range of surfboards, bodyboards, skateboards, scooters, wetsuits, rashies, surf accessories, bags, watches, sunglasses, jewellery... while keeping an eye on prices to still offer great value. We also have a number of classic vintage boards on display in store.
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68 Prince Street Grafton, NSW P: (02) 6643 5551 E:noel@lowpressuresurfco.com.au
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
Surf Central has always been your local surfshop in Byron Bay owned by Sput and Kristene Keevers. Over the years you’ve all been in, heard legendary stories, snagged a bargain from the big surf brands, kept up with the latest street fashion or the got into the iconic Byron Bay Longboards or Wategos surf apparel only available here!
Revival is a unique lifestyle store - a combination of music, art, surf and fashion. Apart from our lastest fashion trends like Deus, TCSS, O&E, Levi’s, Minkpink, Somedays Lovin, we also have a vintage/retro section and heaps of old-school vinyl, plus a great selection of books, DVDs, sunnies, hats and surf accessories and a great skate range. Art and photography adorn the walls, from the lastest ocean art to classic old-school prints... Revival is a great shopping experience instore or on our website.
BUSINESS PROMOTION
SURF CENTRAL IS THE STORE TO STOP IN FOR THE LATEST BOARDS, SURF HARDWARE, FASHION OR EVEN A GOOD OLD FASHIONED BYRON BAY CHAT!
Check out Mike’s surf photos on the website
Cnr Murray & Clarence St Port Macquarie, NSW P: 02 6584 1995 E: info@sandyfeetsurf.com.au W: sandyfeetsurf.com.au
Old school cool, Sandy Feet specialises in longboards, fishes, retro and vintage craft. Aside from boards there’s all the brands you love, from The Critical Slide Society through to Deus Ex Machina and more, along with a custom t-shirt printing service and local surf photos. photos See the latest daily on sandyfeetsurf.com.au
1/09/2014 4:11 pm
BUSINESS PROMOTION
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The legendary store where you can choose from over 1000 Surfboards & SUP’s, 100’s of labels of surf & fashion & 4000 ladies cossies. The choicest surfwear, wetsuit & surf hardware selection, at the gateway to the amazing South Coast. Expert help with your next cossie, fashion outfit, surfboard, wetsuit, skate or bodyboard. 140 Demo surfboards. Serving your coastal lifestyle needs for almost 40 years The In-house “Perfect Break Cafe” offers Mexican, Asian & Mediterranean flavours, organic coffee & fresh juices. It’s Definitely Worth the Drive!
AUSTRALIA’S ULTIMATE SURF & FASHION STORE, LOCATED 90 MINUTES SOUTH OF SYDNEY IN THE BEAUTIFUL COASTAL VILLAGE OF GERRINGONG.
PROUDLY STOCKING Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Hurley. Ripcurl, Tigerlilly, Mink Pink, Seafolly, Baku, Wish, Firewire, Fanatic, Sunova, Surftech, RVCA, Stussy, Ginga, Converse, Nike, Reef, Croc’s, Sanuk, Santa Cruz, Globe Skate, Sector 9, Steetboards, Pennys, Nomad, NMD, Creatures, FCS, O&E, Naish, JP, Liquid Shredders, HB, Channel Islands, Simon Anderson & Surf Hardware.
VISIT US... Opposite the Town Hall, Main St of Gerringong. P: 02 4234 1636 E: nnsurfshop@me.com W: www.naturalnecessity.com.au OPEN: 10-5, M-F & 10-4 Sat & Sun
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9 Darby St, Newcastle, NSW P: (02) 4926 3355
E: info@pacificdreams.com.au W: www.pacificdreams.com.au facebook.com/pdsurf pacificdreamssurfboards
ANGLESEA Anglesea Surf Centre is in the heart of the Surfcoast, between Torquay and Lorne. Right on the Great Ocean Road, we’re famous for friendly service and a huge range of secondhand surfboards, wetsuits and accessories. Our core business is getting you in the water. We’re a traditional surf shop, not a ‘boutique’ style surf fashion store and our roof is lined with a collection of rare boards from every era. We have over 200 boards in stock and have the expertise to hunt down your perfect board. Classic surfboards can be sourced on request.
SURF CENTRE WE BUY SELL & TRADE SECONDHAND SURFBOARDS! VISIT US AT:
111 Great Ocean Rd Anglesea Vic P: 03 5263 1530
secondhandsurfboards.com.au
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
WWW.SECONDHANDSURFBOARDS.COM.AU
BUSINESS PROMOTION
Pacific Dreams is Newcastle’s most iconic surf store and surfboard manufacturer, specialising in custom boards,wetsuits and hardware for over 30 years. Located in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD at 9 Darby Street, we stock everything a surfer needs and also provide a board hire and a repair service.
angleseasurfcentre
OUR LOCATIONS: 75 Liverpool Street, Hobart TAS Shop 41, Northgate Shopping Centre, Glenorchy TAS 127 Charles Street, Launceston TAS 12 Mount Street, Burnie TAS
PORT CAMPBELL TRADING COMPANY
red herring surf
VISIT US AT:
We’ve been around since ’71. We pride ourselves on being here for you, not just to sell you something, but to provide a service, where to go for surf, the best equipment or even where to grab lessons. We have amazing prices on boards and we Globally Price Match wetsuits.
27 Lord St, Port Campbell, Vic P: (03) 5598 6444 portcampbelltradingcompany
A surf shop with a difference. Handcrafts, gifts, quality jewellery, Aboriginal artefacts, sheepskin boots, surf hardware, clothing and accessories - there is something for everyone. OPEN 7 DAYS. Call in for friendly service, advice and local knowledge.
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P: 03 6213 4555 W: redherringsurf.com.au redherringsurf
1/09/2014 4:11 pm
“EVERYTHING FOR YOUR PHILLIP ISLAND SURFING NEEDS”
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
BUSINESS PROMOTION
Not only cool surf gear, at Island Surfboards, you get more than four decades of surf history on Phillip Island.
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MAIN: The Island Surfboards store in Cowes, Phillip Island. TOP: Island Surfboards, Smiths Beach ABOVE: Island’s Eli Curry. Photo: Andy Biddington
First established in 1969, Island Surfboards has been a huge part of the Victorian surfing industry for over 40 years. Still family owned and run, Island continues to offer essential services for the core surfer.
The stores offer a vibrant place to browse for clothing and accessories, with expert staff and board shapers always on hand to offer assistance if required, or just to have a yarn about the days surf on offer.
With a dedicated team of workers, Island has become renowned for their high quality handmade, custom surfboards. The stores also stock all the clothing and accessories a surfer could possibly require, and boasts a huge range from all the popular brands.
Island operates one of Australia’s highest rated, award-winning Surf Schools, which provides coaching for surfers ranging from entry level to high performance. Coupled with a full equipment hire service, Island caters for any level of surfer.
COWES 147 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, VIC
SMITHS BEACH 225 Smiths Beach Road, Smiths Beach, VIC
P: 03 5952 2578 F: 03 5952 3304
P: 03 5952 3443 F: 03 5952 3449
cowes@islandsurfboards.com.au
smithsbeach@islandsurfboards.com.au
ONLINE www.islandsurfboards.com.au Island Surfboards
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Zak Surfboards was established in 1993 when Zak Koniaris shaped his first surfboard at 13, in a lean-to down the side of his parents’ house in Viewbank and offered surfboard repairs to mates and local surf shops during his teenage years. He opened his first store in Thornbury in 1999 and packed 86 surfboards, a wall of accessories, a bunch of skateboards and wetsuits into a 6 × 3m shop, where you had to walk single-file to view his range. Zak moved away from shaping to run the shop and sought out
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local shapers to produce the Zak range. Today the surfboards are manufactured on the west surf coast of Victoria, Australia. Today Zak Surfboards has over 400 surfboards on display, ranging from malibu’s, mini-mals, hybrids, eggs, fishes, performance shortboards and retro single-fins. “We passionately support local shapers,” says Zak. ”We’re proud to provide a hub for quality Victorianproduced surfboards, shaped for Victorian surf conditions.
REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS BUSINESS PROMOTION
LEFT: The indomitable and unstoppable Zak Koniaris. A broken ankle hasn’t even slowed him at the Zak store or with his new project, The Surfboard Studio (see page XXX)
“We’re always looking for more stock. We will trade, consign any surfboards, anytime, from old stock, damaged stock, ex-team boards for cash, no fuss. The extensive range now caters for every type of surfer on any budget. “We are one of the biggest and cheapest in the second hand board market, with stock arriving weekly, so check out our secondhand board and clearance board pages to find your next stick.”
DROP IN...
307 Victoria Rd Thornbury, Melbourne, VIC P: 03 9416 7384 F: 03 9416 7384 E: zak@zaksurfboards.com W: www.zaksurfboards.com
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BUSINESS PROMOTION
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REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS BUSINESS PROMOTION
LOOK! A SOCIAL NETWORK... COMPLETE WITH FACES AND BOOKS...
Friendly folks, amazing and awe-inspiring surf spots, and some of the most scenic road trips you can take mean it’s well worthwhile getting out of the house to pick up your Smorgasboarder in person from one of these great shops on the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
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THE BOARD SHOP IS ALL ABOUT SURF HARDWARE, BOARDS, WETSUITS AND SURF ACCESSORIES. OWNER OPERATED WITH OVER 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
TBS supplies boards that are durable, responsive and environmentally friendly. With over 300 boards in stock, we have the largest range of surfboards, longboards and SUPs in NZ, for first timers to pros and everyone in between. Check out our great range of accessories too.
P: (09) 4860930 E: Info@theboardshop.co.nz W: www.theboardshop.co.nz
“COME IN AND SEE THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCT FIRST-HAND. WE CAN CUSTOM FIT YOU ON THE SPOT AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE IN RELATION TO WETSUITS, BECAUSE THAT IS OUR SOLE FOCUS.”
BUSINESS PROMOTION
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49 Barrys Point Rd, Takapuna Auckland, NZ
SHOP HOURS Mon-Fri: 8.00am - 5.00pm Sat: 10.00am - 4.00pm
BUILD A BOARD, SURF & STAY WITH BRYAN ‘BJ’ SMITH
“In the past 40 years I’ve been making surfboards, if I had a dollar for everyone who told me they would love to make their own surfboard, I’d be retired by now. So come and make both our dreams come true. “Join me in the NZ surf Mecca of Taranaki for a seven-day surf trip, as I walk you through the process of shaping, glassing, sanding and finishing your own surfboard. “Surf the secluded waves on your door step or visit the famous breaks in this region. Surf, fish, jetski, sight-see or simply relax your time away after the creative process of making your own board.”
GET PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT NEW PLYMOUTH AIRPORT OR BUS TERMINAL, MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION, AND BUILD A SELF-MADE SURFBOARD FOR ONLY NZ $2,500 Bring your partner for an extra $500
E: seasons@xtra.co.nz P: +64 2 173 2766
W: seasonssurfboards.co.nz
ON THE WAY TO FITZROY BEACH, BEACH STREET IS MODELLED ON YESTERYEAR, NOT THE CHROME-AND-GLASS BOUTIQUES THAT MASQUERADE AS SURF SHOPS! Real surfers offering real advice, plus the best selection of boards on the coast. Open every day, all hours, surf dependent - as it should be! We also offer lessons from beginner to advanced. Our surf coach, Daisy Day, is also the region’s best and most famous surf photographer. The shop is home to Lost in the 60’s Surfwear and the BlackSand label and we have a good range of secondhand boards on offer.
SEE US AT: 243 Dyers Road, Bromley Christchurch, NZ
The world’s warmest, lightest and most flexible wetsuits are made right here at our purposebuilt production facility. Our adjoining showroom displays our entire mens, womens and childrens range from titanium vests and retro jackets through to our top-of-the-line hooded steamers.
CALL US ON: NZ: 0800 843 928 AUS: 1800 091 770 P: +64 3 384 7878 E: info@seventhwave.co.nz W: seventhwave.co.nz
It’s all about surfing! 39 Beach St, Fitzroy New Plymouth, NZ P: +64 (06)7580400
beachstsurfshop@hotmail.com
Like Beachstreet Surf Shop on Facebook!
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REAL PEOPLE IN REAL SURF SHOPS
STOKED
IS AN INDEPENDENT, LOCALLYRUN SURF, SNOW, SKATE LIFESTYLE STORE IN SUMNER, CHRISTCHURCH AOTEAROA. Real Surf is Wellington’s only CORE Surf Store. We have a huge range of stock to keep you in the water all year round.
VISIT US AT: 9 Wakefield Ave, Sumner, Christchurch P: +64 3-326 7444 E: sarah@stokedsumner.co.nz W: stokedsumner.co.nz
As well as our store right here on the beach at Lyall Bay, we have a factory producing custom boards and doing professional repairs when you damage your board. We pride ourselves on customer service as well as always being price-competitive. All staff at Real Surf are surfers with over 100 years collective experience in the water. We specialise in surfboards, wetsuits and core accessories. We also stock bodyboards, snorkel gear, skateboards, SUPs, magazines, have surfboard, SUP and wetsuit rentals and much more... See our online store at www.realsurf.co.nz We also have an SNZ-approved surf school with fully qualified coaches. STOCKISTS OF: O’Neill, Rip Curl, XCEL, GT Surfboards, HS Surfboards, HC Surfboards, J.S Surfboards, McTavish, NMD, Manta, Creatures, Sticky Johnson, Sex Wax, FCS, Futures, O&E, Stash it, Gorilla, Astrodeck and more.
NZ SHRED is New Zealand’s premiere Snow - Surf - Skate - Street store, centrally located in the ‘Adventure Capital of NZ’, Queenstown and is locally owned and operated. From riding snowy peaks in winter and acres of powder, hitting remote coastal breaks or paddleboarding picturesque lakes, NZ SHRED staff are out there, DOING IT! We’ll get you into the most technically up-to-date and fashion-conscious gear, at the best price around. Stick your head in and say hi, or visit us online.
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BUSINESS PROMOTION
At Stoked we strive to give you the best advice in surf, ski and skate. We are very proud to stock boards from local shapers and a rad collection of clothes and accessories from around the globe. We also offer surfboard hire and demos. This allows you to try before you buy the board of your dreams! We believe that when stoke is shared, it is doubled. We live for the stoke, and so should you.. see you soon :)
Photo: Mark Gee
VISIT US AT: Cnr Kingsford Smith St & Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, NZ P: 64 4 387-8798 E: team@realsurf.co.nz W: www.realsurf.co.nz REALSURFNZ
CHAT TO JASE & JON: 19 Shotover Street Queenstown, NZ P: (03) 442 6311 (Shop) (027) 785 9644 (Jon) (027) 405 4438 (Jase) W: www.nzshred.co.nz
1/09/2014 4:13 pm
For surfers, by surfers - support your local business! Want to see yourself here? Call 0401 345 201.
Who better than to custom make your retro single fin board
DEL SURFBOARDS SINCE 1965
www.delsurf.co.nz d urf delsu u f co co PH +64 (06) 758 1757
THE LOGO SAYS IT ALL! • THE SURF • THE MOUNTAIN • THE OIL & ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES • STARS - SOUTHERN CROSS Shop 2, Marina Road, Tutukaka Coast Northland, New Zealand PH 09 43 44135 EMAIL surf@tutukakasurf.co.nz Find us on FACEBOOK
WWW.TUTUKAKASURF.CO.NZ 136
• BARBED WIRE - FARMLAND • WINGS - FREEDOM PH +64 (06) 758 1757
BUY ONLINE WWW.TARANAKIHARDCORE.CO.NZ
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Grant Cochrane (front) and Rusty Johns (back)
Mark Robberds
Steve Andrews
Grant Cochrane, winner
WINTER LONGBOARDING AT SUMNER
Sumner in Christchurch, New Zealand is a fantastic spot for longboarding - we know and love it ourselves here at Smorg HQ, so we greatly appreciated these pics of a recent longboard get-together there, sent in by Al Taylor of Groundswell Stand Up Paddleboarding. We particularly like the one to the left, where it’s proven once again that helmets do seem to affect surfboard steering ability....* That brings us to a kind warning to all at surf spots within easy driving distance of Auckland: Smorgasboarder’s own wave warrior Pat Quirk, best known as Helmet, has moved there. If you spot someone with an old board and a white pot on his head, get the hell out of the way, unless you have a mate who does super-cheap ding repairs (Page 104). He WILL drop in on you and not have a clue that he did it, even as your snapped board floats to the beach... But, back to the longboarding, the Sumner Longboarders ran their annual Mid Winter Old Mal next to Cave Rock. The epic final - which included the afore-mentioned drop-in (left) - was followed by a few sausages and the prize giving, with some Smorgasboarders handed out too! Some of the older competitors headed for a well-earned cup of tea and an afternoon nap. For more see www.facebook.com/sumnerlongboarders * Just kidding Grant - congrats on the win
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Ethan Stocks came 2nd in the Occy Grom Cup 2014 U12’s. Photo: Bruce Thomas
Photo: Bruce Thomas
COFFS HARBOUR BOARDRIDERS CLUB HAPPENINGS The ever-bubbly Lauryn Nicholls sent through some great shots of recent action from the Coffs Harbour Boardriders, along with a bit of news... “Exciting news groms! The Billabong OZ Grom Cup for 2015 has been confirmed for six exciting days of competition in the 2015 Easter school holidays (dates to be confirmed).” So there you go - start booking your Easter weekend in Coffs! Photos courtesy of CHBC, by Bruce Thomas Photography and Reg McGuigan - www.facebook.com.au/regsphotos. More info at www.coffsharbourboardriders.com.au
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Tai Donelan - Photo: Reg McGuigan
Will Kadwell - Photo: Bruce Thomas
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For surfers, by surfers - support your local business! Want to see yourself here? Call 0401 345 201.
ANY CLOSER TO THE SUPERBANK, AND YOU’D BE IN THE LINE UP
Stay in Byron Bay
& enjoy direct access to the beach
Self-contained apartments across from some of the most amazing surf on the Gold Coast!
2 & 3 bedroom apartments, a two minute walk from Byron’s town centre.
190 Marine Pde, Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta WWW.COLUMBIAAPARTMENTS.COM.AU CALL 07 5599 0666
CAMP ON THE BEACH IN FRONT OF THE ICONIC LION ROCK, AT ONE OF NZ’S TOP SURF BREAKS
PIHA
DOMAIN
SURF CAMP PHONE: +64 9 8128 815 EMAIL: pihacamp@xtra.co.nz
RATES FROM $10 A NIGHT FOR TENT SITES
Mick Fanning Photo: Quiksilver
P: 02 6685 8646 E: info@outriggerbay.com www.outriggerbay.com
It’s not called The Observatory for nothing...
WATCH THE SUN RISE OVER COFFS HARBOUR • Spacious studio & 2-bed self-catering apartments • Private balconies • Spectacular views 30-36 Camperdown Street Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 (Walk to the Jetty Strip eateries) P: 1300 302 776 E: info@theobservatory.com.au
WWW.THEOBSERVATORY.COM.AU
Enquiries: Cam 0408 983 702 Alicia 0432 686 751 Email: surf1770@bigpond.com SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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For surfers, by surfers - support your local business! Want to see yourself here? Call 0401 345 201.
Classic food with a modern twist Enjoy Coffs’
Name: Kristin Bower Age: 34 Location: Gold Coast Linked In:
http://au.linkedin.com/pub/kristin-bower/40/457/9b8
Delicious Breakfast, Lunch & Coffee
Healthy & hand-made on the premises with fresh ingredients.
Yes, this is an actual brekkie burger from The Galley...
Previous Experience: TV Producing / Magazine Editor / Copywriting / Marketing E: chanceprmedia@gmail.com P: +61 406 530 433
Sandwiches, wraps & more
Great
Coffee!
Available... A self-driven and motivated person, looking to work with a business who would like to utilise my broad range of skills.
Open:
Tues to Sun 7am- 2pm
011 (02) 6652 9Ocean Parade,
(opposite the Hoey Moey) Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
Byron Sunset Happy Hour! Monday to Friday 4-6pm Half price selected Tapas (Calamari and dips) $5 select beers & house wine, $10 Margaritas
...using award-winning, locally roasted beans
@ the Marina Opposite the Fish Co-Op Coffs Harbour International Marina T: 02 6650 0188 E: thegalleytakeaway@gmail.com
A BOUTIQUE ROASTERY WITH A PASSION FOR PRODUCING QUALITY COFFEE. want Artisti in your café? Give us a call...
37 VERNON STREET, COFFS HARBOUR 0434 700 910 INFO@ARTISTI.COM.AU BUY ONLINE AT WWW.ARTISTI.COM.AU JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
YOUR AD HERE
REACH THOUSANDS of surfers and surf businesses across Australia and New Zealand. BE SEEN in the one magazine that attracts more surfers than an overhead wave at the Superbank. BIG EXPOSURE for a small budget. Open every day Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tapas till late.
Cnr Lawson & Jonson, Byron Bay
02 6680 9666 140
CALL US on 0401 345 201 or email dave@smorgasboarder.com.au to find out more and book your spot.
www.balcony.com.au
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Loggers Finalists
LENNOX LONGBOARD CLASSIC 2014
Junior Finalists
The 17th Annual Lennox Longboard Classic 2014 held this August saw 100 competitors covering ten age and gender divisions.
Juniors, Second Heat
“Saturday was a sunny pristine day with an offshore wind most of the day, an incoming tide and swell peaking at around 4 to 5 foot,” reports Wayne Booth, Club Secretary and Event Director. “All the heats of the comp were surfed basically in the morning session with four semi-finals for the Over 40s and Over 50s divisions in the early pm. Many a spectator watched the longboarding skills from the good vantage points at Lennox Main Beach. Saturday night activity moved the comp crew to the Lennox Hotel for the competitors board draw and giveaways.”
Open 9ft Finalists
“Sunday brought us rain, but a wind that remained somewhat offshore kept the sea and conditions clean, and a lucky incoming tide helped all competitors.” Firstly semi-finals were surfed - Ladies, Over 30s, Open 9ft, and Over 60s, followed by all the finals, with the Open 9ft being the last event. The presentation was held at the Lennox Hotel at 3pm. “Standout longboarders for the day, to name a few, were Aaron Cooper-Smith, local Lennox Head winner Open 9 ft, Joel Tilley from Burleigh Heads, who won the Old Malibu/ Loggers and the Best Noseride award, and Roisin Carolan from Byron who won the Ladies Open for the third year in a row.
Ladies Open Finalists
Proceeds from the competition were donated to various organisations, including the NSW Cancer Council, the Disabled Surfing Association, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Lennox Head Surflifesaving Club who helped all weekend with water safety.” Photos and info* supplied by Wayne Booth (Boothy). For results, sponsors and further information, please see the club website: www.lennoxlongboarders.org *edited for space
The crew, Sunday SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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Daren Cooper
Albert Munoz
KNEELOS IN BOOMERANG This winter, round two of the Atoll Travel Australian Kneeboard Titles were on at Boomerang Beach.
Kyle Bryant
Simmon Farrah
“There were competitors from up and down the East Coast,” said photographer John ‘Reef Rat’ Cullen. “Most competitors stayed at Boomerang for the week, making a bit of a holiday of it.” “The groms are always a big part of it, and we older fossils try and encourage the younger ones. I always get the shots to encourage them and their parents.” Kneeboard Surf Australia reported the waves, although inconsistent, were very contestable, and some very good surfing was on display throughout the day. Congratulations to Kyle Bryant, who took the honours for the day. Photos courtesy of John Cullen (Reef Rat) www.reefrat.com.au
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Miss Sasha
For more information on the kneeboarding circuit, see: kneeboardsurfaustralia.com
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For surfers, by surfers - support your local business! Want to see yourself here? Call 0401 345 201.
Some things just shouldn’t get wet. WASP Bags are completely water and sand proof. Noticed how if you y get the tiniest bit of sand or o water in your phone, iPod or o camera they are never quite the t same again? Thanks to their unique seal, WASP Bags ensure u that the things that should stay t dry, d stay dry.
STORE & CARRY YOUR BOARDS EASILY & AFFORDABLY!
BUY ONLINE:
Tradition, Style &Soul.
WWW.ELOFANT.COM
Buy online or ask your friendly surf shop...
waspbags.com.au
T O P O F T H E H I L L Clarence St, Yamba (02) 6645 8362 www.facebook.com/elofantboardstraps
MADE
W W W . T H E P L A N K S H O P. C O M . A U
Jervis Bay Stand Up Paddle
Lessons, Tours, Board Hire www.jervisbaystanduppaddle.com.au
0403 354 716 SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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For surfers, by surfers - support your local business! Want to see yourself here? Call 0401 345 201.
CUTS WAX LIKE BUTTER Moulded grip
Polymer casing Clean wax!
ONLY5! $11.9
Flexible sealing lid
WWW.WAXHEAD.NET THE ADVENTURES OF GONAD MAN THE COMPLETE AND UNEDITED ORIGINAL SERIES A“BITING AND INTELLIGENT SURFING CARTOON STRIP...”
The ONLY Travel Insurance that covers Surfboards IN the surf
$29.95
If your board snaps you can claim it! MANY MORE SURF TITLES AVAILABLE ONLINE
Available from your favourite surfshop or direct from www.renniks.com CALL 02 9695 7055. TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME
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Unlimited Medevac Flights - Unlimited Medical - Surfboards IN the surf The Best Travel Insurance for Surfers going Anywhere Worldwide
INDO SURF TRAVEL INSURANCE www.indosurf.com.au
OVER 400 PAGES ON HOW TO MAKE A SURFBOARD Including restorations and repairs
$79.95 THE SURFER’S TEXTBOOK
BUY ONLINE TODAY
WWW.SURFERSTEXTBOOK.COM.AU
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GIDGETS GO PICASSO SURFBOARD ART WORKSHOP The inaugural Gidgets Go Picasso Surfboard Art Workshop was held this August at the Bondi Pavilion and as host, instructor and all-round awesome surfboard artist Fieldey tells us, despite the crappy weather, it went off! Fieldey, who travelled from her home-state of WA to do the event, led eight workshoppers through a four step cleaning process to prepare their boards for painting. She demonstrated some key old-school spray techniques using Molotow spray paint and a handy palm frond and then let them loose on the supplies. “At the end of the day we ended up with nine completely different artworks, each one a unique expression of creativity and ready to hit the waves,” said Fieldey. The workshop was held in conjunction with Venus Goes Gidget and hosted by Fieldey. Molotow Australia sponsored the paints and more workshops are in the pipeline for August 2015. For more information, see www.fieldey.com SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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Tune in for another dose of Aloha Barry in the next Smorgasboarder - the Christmas edition! That’s right, Christmas is only a few sleeps away. Hope you’ve been good boys and girls... Cheerio for now! 146
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The search begins with Scoot.
Whatever you’re searching for, Scoot’s here to help you find it. With amazing low fares to over 45 destinations in Asia, Scoot can get you to some of the world’s best known breaks... and also those yet to be discovered. And with boards flying from as little as $30*, you won’t have to blow your Bintang budget on baggage fees. Fly Scoot. Save Loot! *Weight limit 15kgs
Scootitude is all about paying for what you want. Here’s just some of the frills that can be added on at any time. ScootBiz Our premium experience for less than you’d expect.
ScootAboard Priority boarding for those allergic to queues.
Sports Gear A place for your surfboard, bike, golf clubs or any gear.
Choose-a-Seat Aisle, window, front-row, or next to your friends.
Pack More Over-packers can add on +5kg, +10kg or more.
Eat Yummy snacks and hearty favourites, up in the air.
FLYSCOOT.COM SPRING 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER
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MALDIVES REMOTE ATOLLS
2014 CHARTERS ON SALE NOW info@liquiddestination.com 148
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