Lazarus!

There is an amazing story just out. Bell's winner in 1987, the then 16 year old Nicky Wood, has just won a wildcard into tomorrow's Breaka Burleigh Pro. The guy was a phenomenon when he surfed and won 4 events in '87, but, as every good Newcastle boy soon finds out, there are many distractions in life! Back from nowhere at 40 years of age, this should be VERY interesting! read the full story here.

A little out of control....

After Dan got a few off Jinshan Point yesterday afternoon, hopes were high for this morning. Dave studied the Green Ball stormies for about 1/2 an hour, Dan and family arrived and we eventually decided it was just a bit too out there: sweeping across, closing out and occasionally cleaning up! The search was then on! As always, it ended with just a chase from beach to beach and we gave it up at Shalun and headed for home. Maybe next time?

A Green Ball Chinese New Year

 

Dan and Dave made the Green Ball charge this morning. Zeffy was lighting fires on the beach before retreating to watch a movie in the car as Dad scored some nice shaped fairly large stormies in the strong wind and driving rain. Dave and Dan both got a few biggies, but Dave had a relatively early exit due to developing signs of hypothermia in his spring suit (!) Chris and Josh were there, JB flew by and Mark and Steve checked it for a while before investigating Baishawan. They reckoned Pillbox was cleaner but a fair bit smaller... 新年快樂

Deserted Jinshan

 

Well, Dave certainly enjoyed an absolutely deserted Jinshan point this morning. Very tidy 3-4 foot sets, fast breaking and sectioned off. The take off behind the tetra-pods was a bit hairy, but after racing past them, the wave opened out into a big long wall. It glassed off for a good hour and a half as well. No one here? I don't know why.

Look at this....

COULD this be the greatest sporting innovation since the winged keel? Kelly Slater, the greatest surfer ever, is preparing possibly his greatest gift to the sport - The Chunnel. The thruster surfboard is considered the biggest innovation in surfing and, 30 years on, Slater is attempting to revolutionise the sport with the four-finned Chunnel. The concept is based on a U-class powerboat, with a hollowed-out channel/tunnel down the middle of the board that is designed to draw air out of the water, therefore compressing the water over the hole to make the ride smoother and faster.

Crossing Swords Out East

 

One or two lads taking advantage of the conditions out Wushi way this morning.

(photos: surfella)

Wushi gang northside goin' off this morning!

sizzle

The surf left a fair bit to be desired but I do like this sizzling shot of a lone surfer on the east coast this morning.

(Photo: surfella)

Bowled Over

Plenty of opportunity to get skittled at the east coast bowling alley yesterday and again today. Couldn't beat that weather eh?

Today's photos: Surfella

Nihiwatu

 

Nihiwatu is a very special place. The surf, the island, the people...

Perfect weather, waves: watch this space, more to come.

This video is kinda long (7 min), but it gives a good idea of how it was. A few experimental videos from GP's Go Pro head cam are in there too!