Saturday, February 24, 2007

Super Saturday!

Andrew and Tobes
Carl
Dave, Carl, Tobes

Well...clear skies, clean cool water and a light offshore. Not only that, but the sets had some good ooommmpph, more ground swell feel than we've had here for quite some time. The wave was the left peaking off the far wall then dropping onto a super fast breaking clean face to the middle of the beach. Mel and Andrew joined Carl, Steve, Dave and Tobes and brought with them some of the best conditions we've seen for a long while. We're tired but....wow!
(Brilliant photos by Cass!)

Friday fun for Dan and Niccy

Dan has sent on these views from their day at Jinshan, Rocket and Green Bay yesterday. I must learn how to do these cool animations!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Ross reports in from NZ ..."Great to see the waves living up to their rep at the moment. I just found this pic of Daniel Kereopa surfing a monster at Papatowai (deep south NZ) last June. He won $5,000 for the Biggest Paddle In at the Oakley/ASL Awards (the comp Lewy’s link alluded to). Like Tobes, Kereopa is a champ on both the shortboard and Mal and, by the look of the pic, was seriously hard-up for cash! "
No trip to the east coast for some travellers today: surf small and traffic big. Might have a look again tomorrow...there's supposed to be a bit of a swell spike

Thursday, February 22, 2007

You got me here for this?!




Even though Tobes attacked a bleary eyed Carl in front of the cameras, it wasn't that bad! We got a few really small ones on the far jetty before the wind went offshore, then calmed, then went onshore again. Worth the trip (just), Tobes styled on the longboard before changing to his fish and making the waves disappear! (For a contrast, Lewy just sent me a link to this mental: check it out)

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Out of the misty haze came...

Mountains pierce the mistSteve, Dave and Carl brave the conditions
Carl rips into a left near the wall
Dave sequence above and below

Zef says, " I don't really need your help, Dad"

We were mortified at the conditions at Pointys at first: cold, wet, windy, small. Steve, Carl and Dave thought they'd get wet and actually got a few nice waves as the wind died off and the odd decent set wave came through. Dan joined the fun after a while, but Zef cracked everyone up when he decided he could do it all on his own! (photos by Cass)

Monday, February 19, 2007

Disappointed...

Dashi shot OK here, but cam reveals wind getting into it.
Jinshan cam up: totally blown.
Probably not big enough for Pillbox, too many cars on expressway for Dashi.
We’re not going…..might have a look this afternoon and/or tomorrow morning.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Chinese New Year crowds

This world record attempt was made in Ireland of all places: the size of the wave makes Jinshan look like Mavericks, although the crowd looks similar to that on a typical flat summer day!
There will be some crowded roads at times in the next week. Take care in the traffic and I'll post some news if there is a group going out anywhere that I hear about. Could be a Dashi/Toucheng run at some stage as well as some trips over the mountain.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Hmmmm....

No matter what kind of waves we're getting, we certainly don't have these crowds either.
Dave's grand plan didn't eventuate but Tobes got himself out to the east coast on Sunday and got some nice mid-size ones at the "Taj Mahal". He likens it to Pointys and also said that the crowd was very thin till mid-morning.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Archive photo only: dont get excited!

Jinshan does have some good days...check it out. Dave and Cass thinking of heading to east coast tomorrow super early then back for the cricket if anyone is interested in following along..........

Bluebirdboarding have a jazzy new site and are back up and running so check it out (link on the right) While there I saw this amazing video. Do yourself a favour and have a look...rats surfing??!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Beautiful Barrels

Clarky reports from the flood zone in Jakarta: "...Makes any hard core surfer drool don’t you reckon. This is just outside my backdoor….I don’t even have to get in the car….its a bit harsh on the fins……but you have to admit it is a beautiful cylinder."

Tobes and Gary have renamed the act cent "Pointys" in honour of the fact that we're about the only ones who surf it and also, it partly alludes to the "pointy" or wedging wave that pops up on the near wall at times. So from now on, I'll be referring to the old activity centre, rec centre etc as "Pointys"! Our own break.....!

Monday, February 05, 2007

Saturday Reprise

Dave inside, Dan outside
Cutback begins...

Dan smacks a lip...
A few that didn't make the 1st cut on Saturday. Looks like Carl's mate Kan is firing up again. He never liked that Tucker...something about a helmet I think. (see comments on post below)



Saturday, February 03, 2007

Just About Perfect










Top to bottom: Dave on...Carl catching, Dan carves the bottom, Dave knocks the top off a left, Carl going left, waiting for more, Niccy Zef and Evie in the wasteland.
Well now, it was just about perfect this morning. Not a cloud in the sky, clear blue-green water, light off shore and exceptional shape to the waves. We just needed another 2 foot on top and it would have gone down as one of THE best days. Had elements of the wedge to it (see top right) and Dan got a few down at the far wall as well. Dave, Carl and Dan all very pleased with the conditions, Cass enjoyed reading and snapping a few shots in the sun and Zef conquered a sand mountain!





Thursday, February 01, 2007

Pointy of the Month: Azza

(watiting on a better picture of Azza...here he is on his ski)

Name or nickname: Azza
Favorite surfing beach: Mount Maunganui (The Mount) not to be confused with your mount.
Best surfing moment (describe): There are not many moments these days. Had a great day at Kuta with Penry a couple of years back…the big slow break was awesome, I actually managed more than a bottom turn!
Surfing hero (and why): Dan Robinson – lives for it and does stuff with a mal that I only dream about. Laird– Grande Cajones!
Favored board type: Long, fast, stable!
Surfing maneuver you’d love to do: Tube
Dream surf spot: Costa Rica from Endless summer
Other sport (play) and (watch): Anything except snooker
Greatest personal sporting moment(s): NZ record 100m Breaststroke 1990 (not sure about this though, mastering the surf ski may top it!
Ultimate pin up: Angelina Jolie without question
Food:Kumara
Drink (variety):Vodka & Red Bull/ Feijoa Vodka and Apple Juice
Thing you miss most about home: The ocean, food.
Thing you like best about Taiwan: Not paying tax
Music: Question is too hard!
Best advice you’ve ever had: Get up you soft cock! (not sure who that was). There is always going to be someone better than you or who wants to be better than you. (My dad)
Movie:
Collections: Parking tickets
Who would play you in a movie? The guy that looks after Angelina behind the scenes
Current car: Mitsi Delica shitah XL
Dream car: Aston Martin Vanquish S, 86’ Porsche 911 Turbo
Near death experience: Wheel came off the back of my Galant VR4 at 120km/h. that was a bit frightening
Your idea of a great night out: One that doesn’t end for at least 72 hrs. That hasn’t happened since 1994 and it lasted about a month! Thanks Club Med
Philosophy on life: It’s better to wear out than rust out/ If you are goin to do it, do it right!