Hot one coming up

Afternoon update: coming back from Manly (cheers Frank!) around lunchtime, I scoped the opportunities. There were very few, but it did look as though the odd one might be coming in toward the middle of Dee Why and up at Northy. Did some other stuff and then finally got in the water at the latter. Moderately crowded of course with the heat and the holidays, but the messy, short period little windswell was peaking all over the place, so it never seemed particularly crowded. Jagged a number of fun ones, but the lulls got longer, so I finally decided to head in. Toweling off in the carpark, and it seemed to start up again. A few in the shoulder high range too. Had my little camera with as usual but only took three pics, two duds and this amazing one of a guy hitting a cutty on the right while someone else goes the punt. Perfect timing if I do say so myself!

Norffy on a little bit of NE windswell and a hot afternoon.

This morning’s notes:

0730, catching a soft one up the beach toward the pole at Dee Why.

Hello Friends,

We’re set for a top of 33 on the coast today. Wind is NE at 10 kts as I start writing this around 0745. The Bureau says we’re supposed to have NW’lys first up, and then it’s due to swing NE and get into the 20-25 kt range. Overnight the dominant swell direction has gone around to the NE. On average it’s around 1.5 metres (like yesterday) and about 8 seconds apart (also like yesterday). According to the data, there’s also some 15 sec ground swell in the mix. However, after watching Dee Why for 15 minutes, I did not see any sign of it.

What I observed were a reasonable number of folk in the water along the beach and a couple at the point on long boards. But the waits were very long and the sets I saw were struggling to get into the waist high range. Dee Why’s not the optimal place to hunt waves when you’ve got a NE windswell, so I’d be looking elsewhere – assuming maximum size is the objective. On this side of the bridge, the usual suspect line up, ie the semi-protected north corners of Queensie, Curly, Northy, Whaley etc.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Goat has to say about our prospects, but in my humble opinion we’re unlikely to see any real improvement for Sydney surfing interests over the next 4-5 days. If anything, the models are suggesting that it’ll be just about flat on Saturday hereabouts.

But… the models are also showing the possibility of a modest south pulse around Mon-Tues. Again, it looks like being brief, but at least one of the interpretations (wetsand.com) thinks we could see a pretty substantial little burst… one can hope!

Stay cool and go well with your day. (As usual, I’ll try to update again later)

0730: messing around on the little ones just off the rocks.

a couple to be had in the heat …

Looked like a few chunky but rare sets out of the SE in the 2-4ft range, mixed in with some ENE windwobble from y’day gives a bit of energy but notalotta shape out in the open. NW wind early going round ENE , looks like Nth ends will be best option today. A couple of pix of Jack from a pretty good day in Sept. Not sure who took em but I’m guessing T.Bonython. Rosco.

Cronulla

Top day coming up, and NE later. Not much swell around, small 1-2 footers on incoming tide. Great for a swim, sunbake.
WIND: N at 19kph. WATER TEMP: 17.5 degrees.
SWELL: NE 1.5-2.5 metres at 7 seconds.
FORECAST: Fine and mostly sunny. Northwest winds becoming moderate to fresh, and northeasterly sea-breezes developing along the coast.
MAX AIR TEMP TODAY: 29-35 degrees.
TIDES: HIGH: 09:41 LOW: 16:05
WINDSURFERS: OK for all riders today.
BOAT DIVING: Good sea conditions outside, vis around 10m+ on the TUGGERAH and Kelloe, 12m at Barons Hut, thanks to www.seatamerdive.com Sydney Scuba Diving Boat Charter and Ian Griffiths “Griffiti”.
SHORE DIVING: 5 metres vis at Oak Park. 4 metres at Shiprock.
WETSUIT REPAIRS at Aquasea, Sydney. 02.95404774 for wetty and wettie repairs contact Lesley for a quick turn around, zippers tears cuts and all alterations.
See ya – Leo at www.aquasea.com.au in Sydney – wetsuit wettie wetty repairs for surfing scuba windsurfers ring Aquasea on 02.95404774, go diving without tanks ie tankless diving using 12 v volt compressors also known as hookah dive diving with www.aquasea.com.au in Sydney NSW Ph: 02.95404774 led hid halogen torches and lights video boat transom lights for underwater lighting at night similar aqua cam camera and cameras see www.aquasea.com.au for stainless wire in your balustrades and for underwater lights and housings cameras. Mob: 0408.002315 SYDNEY NSW AUSTRALIA.
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Surfstitch launches Australia’s #1 online surf store

SurfStitch this week launched Australia’s #1 online surf store, culminating from over 2 years of market research and industry feedback.

Like all great surf companies, SurfStitch began in the backyard shed of one of its creators, with a small budget and a grand vision.

Now, with a showcase store in the heart of Sydney’s surfing mecca of the northern beaches, and a warehouse brimming with the newest and coolest gear, Surfstitch is ready to satisfy every surfers hunger.

SurfStitch stocks all the well known brands such as Billabong, Rip Curl, Volcom, Rusty, Insight, Von Zipper, Element and Tigerlily, together with many other brands that are more unique and harder to find online.

More importantly, for all those hard core surfers, SurfStitch prides itself on having the strongest range of surf hardware in the country, with the experience to match – from wetsuits, deck pads and triple board bags, to comp leg ropes and fins we have you covered. 

Lex Pedersen, Surfstitch’s Managing Director declares “SurfStitch is committed to bringing you the best products the surf industry has to offer. From the necessities to the lifestyle, SurfStitch gets out there to find you the cleanest, coolest, and highest quality products available.

“Whether it is boardbags, boardshorts or bikinis, you should feel 100% confident that we offer the best of the best. We are introducing new brands and styles into the lineup all the time, so be sure to browse our site for the latest surf fashion .”

A note from Shari:

RealSurfers, you’ve probably noticed the SurfStitch ads on the site. Surfstitch’s creators, Justin & Lex, are both longtime RealSurfers and are now proud site supporters for the next year. So, yay, if you shop with them, you are helping to support RealSurf. Make sure you send them a big “hoy” to say you’re from RealSurf if ya do.

Slater One Heat Away from 9th World Champ after Round 1 of the Billabong Pro Mundaka

Slater airs his way to a Round 1 win and is one step closer to ASP World Title No. 9.

MUNDAKA, Basque Country/Spain (Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008) – Kelly Slater (USA) needs to finish ninth or better in the ninth of event of the year to win his ninth ASP World Title. He’s one heat away from doing so after scoring a 9.00 and a 7.33 to win his Round 1 heat at the Billabong Pro Mundaka back-up venue of Sopelana today.

Slater’s 16.33 heat total was the second highest of the day; easily trumping the single digit totals of his opponents Taylor Knox (USA) and replacement surfer Reubyn Ash (GBR). He advances straight to Round 3 with the result.

“Where I surfed, the waves were better,” Slater said. “I had more options. I couldn’t really hear the scores, but once I did I could tell that Taylor was kind of struggling. Then I found a right with a nice open face and a big air section and that was my 9.00.”

Slater came extremely close to clinching the 2008 ASP World Title in France last week. In doing so, he would have secured his 40^th ASP World Tour win at the same place he won his first—in Hossegor. It would have also been the earliest he, or anyone else, had ever won a world title.

Just one good-scoring wave away from overtaking Adrian Buchan (AUS) in their French final bout, Slater came up short and had to settle for second place and a trip to Spain. Being so close to the inevitable is taking its toll on the eight-time ASP World Champion.

“I hadn’t really thought about it that much until I was out there in the water but I don’t want to deal with the emotions of worrying about it anymore,” Slater said. “I just want to try to win one more heat and get it done.”

There is only one scenario that stands in the way of Slater clinching in Spain – him failing to advance from Round 3 and World No. 2 Taj Burrow (AUS) subsequently winning the event.

While Slater seems squarely focused on the next heat, Burrow has his eyes on the Billabong Pro Mundaka title. Burrow top-scored today with a 16.34 heat total.

“I just want to win an event and this one would be great,” Burrow said. “It seems like there is a lack of motivation from everyone on tour, people are going home, they’re over it – it just feels like it is over with Kelly wrapping up the title. I’m just trying to capitalize on that and win these things.”

Two-time defending Billabong Pro Mundaka champion Bobby Martinez (USA) is also looking to capitalize on the low morale to strengthen his position in the Top 10 and go for his third consecutive Mundaka crown. He beat Ben Dunn (AUS) and wildcard Mark Occhilupo (AUS) in Round 1 today.

“For me it’s different,” Martinez said. “I am still pretty new to this tour – I am not going to give up, I’m not going to quit just because Kelly is going to win the title. I still want to do my best. People where I come from don’t get the opportunity to do this kind of stuff and I have so I’m going to take it and run with it as far as I can. As much as people are over it after watching Kelly win all the time, I look at it like there are kids where I come from who have nothing and this is something big for me.”

Replacement surfers Eneko Acero (EUK) and Nic Muscroft (AUS) advanced from their Round 1 heats today. Acero, who was only invited to participate in the event last night when another replacement surfer had to withdraw, sent World No. 4 Adriano de Souza (BRA) and high profile rookie Jordy Smith (ZAF) to Round 2. Muscroft beat Pancho Sullivan (HAW) and the winner of the last event, Adrian Buchan (AUS).

Muscroft, who is the first alternate ASP replacement surfer after narrowly missing full-time ASP World Tour qualification last year, has competed in six events this year. His convincing heat win over Buchan and Sullivan today is his first ASP World Tour heat win this year.

“That’s surfing for you, anyone can win the heat,” Muscroft said. “It’s so even so that’s why I’ve thought all year that I’ve been in with a chance. I’ve had some good heats, I’ve just been unlucky here and there, so it feels good to get through one finally. I’ll just take this year as experience. It’s been tough because I haven’t been at every event so maintaining focus is hard, but hopefully I get a crack again next year.”

Muscroft is currently rated 24^th on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) – the top 15 surfers on that series qualify for the ASP World Tour at year’s end.

Brazilians Heitor Alves and Jihad Kohdr advanced straight to Round 3 today. Kohdr, who is rated World No. 41 at the moment, must make a huge leap on the ratings to requalify via the ASP World Tour.

“I’m so stoked,” Kohdr said. “It’s hard to make a heat when you’re one of the last guys on the ratings. I’m so happy to take the win. It looks like a Brazilian beach break. There’s a lot of paddling, a lot of waves and a lot of white water.”

France’s Miky Picon and Portugal’s Tiago Pires will join Acero as Europeans avoiding Round 2. Australians Mick Campbell, Tom Whitaker, Dan Ross, Daniel Wills and Kieren Perrow are also into Round 3.

For more info visit: www.aspworldtour.com and www.billabongpro.com.

Billabong Pro Mundaka Round 1 Heat Results:

Heat 1: Heitor Alves (BRA) 12.70, Aritz Aranburu (EUK) 10.83, Kai Otton (AUS) 9.00

Heat 2: Mick Campbell (AUS) 13.17, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 10.93, Ricky Basnett (ZAF) 8.37

Heat 3: Nic Muscroft (AUS) 16.00, Pancho Sullivan (HAW) 12.00, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.00

Heat 4: Roy Powers (HAW) 10.00, C.J. Hobgood (USA) 8.93, Manoa Drollet (PYF) 5.03

Heat 5: Bobby Martinez (USA) 14.84, Ben Dunn (AUS) 14.00, Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 8.50

Heat 6: Eneko Acero (EUK) 13.16, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.27, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 10.93

Heat 7: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.60, Tim Reyes (USA) 10.66, Hodei Collazo (EUK) 5.33

Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.33, Taylor Knox (USA) 6.16, Reubyn Ash (GBR) 3.50

Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS) 16.34, Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.00, Marco San Segundo (EUK) 11.27

Heat 10: Tom Whitaker (AUS) 15.00, Txaber Trojaola (EUK) 12.50, Bede Durbidge (AUS) 6.43

Heat 11: Daniel Ross (AUS) 15.00, Luke Stedman (AUS) 14.17, Jay Thompson (AUS) 8.00

Heat 12: Jihad Khodr (BRA) 12.56, Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA) 11.94, Chris Ward (USA) 10.76

Heat 13: Mikael Picon (FRA) 15.00, Leonardo Neves (BRA) 14.34, Dayyan Neve (AUS) 13.67

Heat 14: Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.67, Dane Reynolds (USA) 12.40, Travis Logie (ZAF) 5.87

Heat 15: Daniel Wills (AUS) 14.83, Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 10.00, Ben Bourgeois (USA) 6.60

Billabong Pro Mundaka Round 2 Heat Match-ups:
Heat 1: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Reubyn Ash (GBR)
Heat 2: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Marco San Segundo (EUK)
Heat 3: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Txaber Trojaola (EUK)
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Hodei Collazo (EUK)
Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Mark Occhilupo (AUS)
Heat 6: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Manoa Drollet (PYF)
Heat 7: Luke Stedman (AUS) vs. Ricky Basnett (ZAF)
Heat 8: Chris Ward (USA) vs. Aritz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 9: Dayyan Neve (AUS) vs. Leonardo Neves (BRA)
Heat 10: Dane Reynolds (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 11: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) vs. Ben Bourgeois (USA)
Heat 12: Taylor Knox (USA) vs. Luke Munro (AUS)
Heat 13: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Royden Bryson (ZAF)
Heat 14: Tim Reyes (USA) vs. Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA)
Heat 15: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Jay Thompson (AUS)
Heat 16: Ben Dunn (AUS) vs. Pancho Sullivan (HAW)

Narrabeen Rpt

If I were you, I’d go surfing as soon after reading this as you possibly can. We have a funny spike of swell that’s apparently only going to be here for about 24 hours. Anyway, what I saw around the middle of Narrabeen was shoulder-high bumps with adequate power. Go well!