Was that a wave I saw?

Hello Friends,
(we were off the air for a couple hours due to a database badness… hoping we’ve fixed it now!)
Can’t really see any reason why there’d be waves, but when I grabbed this morning’s snap, it looked like there might be something. Wind is out of the NE and already up to 15kts on the gusts, so conditions are less than picturesque. The Bureau says the wind will push up into the 20-30 kt range this afternoon.  And that should push up some windswell waves at semi-protected north corners. Sounds like a typical summer scenario, ie the most surfable conditions will be in places where it’s sideshore.

0715: a little one slides into the corner, somewhat the worse for wear.

The Sydney MHL buoy is currently showing 2 metres of 7 second NE windswell, so there are very likely some of those sideshore slop burgers to be had even now.

From the look of the models, we’re in for a week of these conditions not only in Sydney but along much of the eastern seaboard. There’s plenty of activity in the southern ocean, but it looks set to swing well clear of us for the next week.

After I post this, I’ll have a poke around the models to see if I can spot anything of interest elsewhere in the world for inclusion in the next edition of the editor’s picks. Looks as though Erie is getting about the biggest conditions of anywhere. And if you’re in New York today, you’ll have heaps of juicy swell.

Have yourself a good one!

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Late night tunes – number 1

I can’t claim this as an original idea. One of my favourite political blogs (Daily Kos) has been posting great music vids late at night for years (although not lately because the American elections are at fever pitch and it is a political site after all).

So anyway, a great idea is a great idea and I thought it’d be fun to see if anyone liked a RealSurf version.

I like heaps of different kinds of music (most kinds, truth be told) and I really didn’t have any idea where to start. Stormy Monday was on the wireless though and they were playing a lot of Dylan, so, one thing and another, you know how it is, I happened to recall that Mr. D had recently played DJ on a satellite radio station. One google search later, and I had some of his playlists to inspire me.

His weather theme show playlist seemed like a logical start for a surfin’ site.

First tune outta the gates was Blues legend, the great Muddy Waters playing Blow Wind Blow…

Okay, still in a bluesy mood, I veer away from the list when I see a clip with Muddy, the astounding Mike Bloomfield and harp player extraordinaire Junior Wells playing Long Distance Call

Back to Mr Dylan’s list and the greatest guitar player who ever lived, Mr Jimi Hendrix and The Wind Cries Mary

And now for something completely different, number 8 on Mr Dylan’s list, Frank Sinatra and a high-gloss studio version of Summer Wind. Say what you like, the cat could sing like no other.

I know what you’re thinking… you want to tell us about your great music find! Well here’s the form, so go for your life.

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Samoan Surf for week 42-08 from Sa’Moana Resort

WEEKLY   REPORTS  for    2008

Report No:   43-08

Period:           Monday 20^th to Sunday Oct 26^th  2008    

Monday. High tide 12:12pm   A clean south west swell was hitting Pebbles with  super good shape and offshore east swinging south east wind creating lots of  perfect barrels on the inside. Waist to head high with steep takeoffs and glassy clean conditions meant best surf in a few days. The 3 lucky guests made the most of the quality uncrowded conditions and surfed from 10am till 3:30 pm.

Tuesday. High tide 1:20pm.   After a long session yesterday Resorts looked like the easy option. Looks can be deceiving as what they thought was a clean small swell turned out to have clean but solid sets in head to head and a half thumpers that were a bit to straight for out the front. The odd left and right was on offer but only on the little in between waves, if you could pick em.

Wednesday. High tide 2:17pm   The south west swell was still around head high with a few bigger sets. South east wind again meant straight to Pebbles and it didn’t disappoint. The inside section straight offshore and barrels galore. with 3 guests and 3 staff being treated to some round spitting pits and everyone got there fair share. A beautiful sunny day, surfed 11:30am till 5pm

Thursday. High tide 3:06.   Strong south east wind and a beaut previous day, it was hard to get motivated again so it was just a chill out day at the resort, no surfing today.

Friday.  High Tide 3:50pm.   After a tasty lunch they motored on down to The Island for a change in scenery and it was worth the trip. Head high with a few double over headers and offshore south east swinging north east wind meant a few sections were on offer. The crew were able to spread out over the inside and middle sections, both had barrels and workable walls to do turns on. The perfect weather and quality waves meant everyone had a good day.

Saturday. High tide 4:30pm.  With the late high tide and strong south easterly wind up all day the spot was the inside of Pebbles. As usual it had a few waves but was only waist to shoulder high on the sets. There were still the odd barrel on offer but due to the wind and small swell it was a bit average but the guests still had fun in the sun and surf.

Sunday. High tide 4:55am and 5:09.  Tossing up whether to go for an early or late the call was for a dawn patrol. Once on the ocean and with the sun just up it was clear the swell had dropped even further. After checking Special K which was tiny they looked at Pebbles which was also small but more surfable. The crew hit it till about 8:30 and got a couple of fun walls, but a hot breakfast was to much to pass up so we bailed back to the resort to eat.  

Photos   42a-08 Luke Heeps, 42b-08 Dwayne Peters at The Island on Friday 24^th.

Cheers………………George

Tg’s forecast

Surf forecast issued Monday 27 October 2008: 4 day outlook for Sydney… and for the Mid North Coast for the layabouts going up there…

Sydney:

Variable onshoreish winds and so so choppy surf…with some fine weather amongst the occasional shower.  A good chance to catch up with friends, relax, read a book…. 

Tuesday: about 1 metre Noreast windswell.

Wednesday: about 1 metre East South east windswell.

Thursday: anbout 1 metre east North east windswell.

Friday: about 1 metre Noreast windswell…then 1-2 metres from the South East.

Water temp’s around 19.

Mid North Coast:  Ken’s request was: ”

… what we need is some positive surf forecasting only containing ‘good stuff’ about the surf expected on the mid north coast next week.  We don’t want to hear anything negative, okay!  Thanking the ‘Goat’ in anticipation of GOOD news.”

OK…  here it is…

xxxxxxxxx…with some fine weather xxxxxxxxx. A good chance to catch up with friends, relax, read a book…. .

and as they will be wanting point surf….

Tuesday: xxx maybe about 1-2 metres East later

Wednesday: could be a little 1-2 metres East South East

Thursday: xxx

Friday: xxx … 1-2 metres from the South East later in the day.

Absolutely nothing negative there….

Weather from the Bureau:

For Sydney:

Forecast for Monday
Fine. Mostly sunny. Moderate to fresh northwest to northeast winds.
Precis: Fine. Mostly sunny.

City:          Max:   31  Parramatta:  Max:   32
Terrey Hills:  Max:   30  Penrith:     Max:   35
Liverpool     Max:   33  Richmond:    Max:   33

UV Alert: 8:50 am to 4:20 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]

Forecast for Tuesday
Fine. Cloud increasing during the day. Moderate to fresh south to southeast winds.

Precis: Fine. Cloud increasing.

City:  Min:   17  Max:   23
West:  Min:   13  Max:   26

Wednesday Shower or two.

City:  Min:   16  Max:   21
West:  Min:   13  Max:   23

Thursday Early shower, then fine.

City:  Min:   17  Max:   25
West:  Min:   14  Max:   30

Friday Chance afternoon shower/thunderstorm.

City:  Min:   20  Max:   28
West:  Min:   18  Max:   33

For the Mid North Coast

Forecast for Tuesday 
Fine at first. Isolated showers and thunderstorms developing, mostly in the southwest, in the afternoon. Moderate to fresh north to northeast winds, with a fresh southeast change in the south.
 
Coffs Harbour:    Mostly fine, partly cloudy.     Min:   15  Max:   27
Port Macquarie:   Mostly fine, partly cloudy.     Min:   15  Max: 27
 
Forecast for Wednesday
 Isolated showers in the south. Fine in the north. Southeast to northeast winds.
 
Coffs Harbour:    Mostly fine.                    Min:   15  Max:   26
Port Macquarie:   Chance shower.                  Min:   15  Max:   26
 
Forecast for Thursday 
 Fine. Northwest to northeast winds.
 
Coffs Harbour:    Fine.                           Min:   16  Max:   25
Port Macquarie:   Fine.                           Min:   15  Max:   26

Altered Dream Tour Format for ASP World Tour in 2009

At this point, the Billabong Pro Teahupoo will be the first ASP World Tour event to implement the altered competitive format in 2009.

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, October 27, 2008) – Following one of the most historic board meetings to date, the ASP has introduced the option for a new competition format to be implemented in ASP World Tour events in 2009.

While the traditional 48-man format will still be available, events can elect to implement an altered 48-man format consisting of the following: two opening elimination man-on-man rounds. Round 1 will consist of 32 surfers, those rated 17 – 27 on the ASP World Tour, three Tour/Injury wildcards, the Top 15–rated surfers on the ASP WQS and three event wildcards.

The seeding formula will remain the same as the traditional format, with the No. 17 seed up against the No. 32 seed in Heat 8, the No. 18 seed against the No. 31 seed in Heat 9, etc. After Round 1, all remaining competitors will be reseeded for Round 2.

The Top 16 on the ASP World Tour are seeded directly in Round 2 where they will meet the 16 victors from Round 1 in the re-seeded draw. The Top 10 from the previous year’s Dream Tour will be guaranteed a Round 2 seed all year long, while the next 6 seeds have to maintain their seeded position and can be replaced by better performing back 32 surfers after the third ASP World Tour event of the year. This means that the Top 16 seeds in 2009 will remain unchanged until after the Billabong Pro Teahupoo.

After Tahiti, only the Top 10 from the previous year will hold their spots (which is probably a good incentive to do Brazil and Pipeline this season), while the next 6 could be replaced if guys from the back 32 secure more seeding points. Seeding points going into Snapper will remain in effect.

The new format has already been adopted by the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, the Billabong Pro Mundaka and the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2009 ASP World Tour, has opted to run with the traditional format, and Rip Curl are undecided which format they will implement at their Bells Beach and Search events.

We recently sat down with Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew (AUS), 53, former ASP World Champion and current President of ASP International, Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, 2007 ASP World Champion, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, 2001 ASP World Champion, to discuss the new format:

1 – First off, what is (are) the reason(s) for the option to run an altered format next year?

Wayne Bartholomew: As part of the monitoring process it was clear that we needed to develop a menu of formats to fit the needs of the tour. The current format requires four running days. This doesn’t sound overbearing in a 12-day window, but we still require two swell cycles to complete the event in quality waves and this proved a bridge too far. To fit into a three-day swell cycle we had to either reduce the field from 48 to 36 or peel it from a different angle.

Mick Fanning: I think some people just think that we waste a day or so when we run the first round with three-man heats and sometimes we can’t finish the event with good waves. I think it will make it all a lot more exciting because it is straight cut throat from the first heat of competition.

C.J. Hobgood: I think getting the best waves in the allotted waiting period is the primary reason for offering the alternative format.

2 – Who came up with the format? When and who voted on its implementation?

Wayne Bartholomew: The ASP Technical Committee waded through a bunch of variations and opted to recommend to the Board a three-day format that still maintains a field of 48. As Chairman of the Technical Committee, I presented these findings and recommendations to the Mid-Year Board meeting in Huntington Beach this past July and we further tweaked it in the ensuing months.

3 – We can see that not all events will be running the new altered format – what is the reason that it was not mandatory for all events to implement?

Wayne Bartholomew: Events in 2009 will have the choice of the current format or implementing the new one. Quiksilver have already confirmed they will run with the current format, based on the fact that Snapper is a reasonably consistent wave and it can accommodate a combined Men’s and Women’s event in the window. Rip Curl is undecided, but are leaning towards the new format. The Tech Comm is now working on how far out from the start of a waiting period an event has to notify ASP of their preferred option. Billabong have already given notice that Teahupoo, J-Bay, Mundaka and Pipe will run with the new format and events like Boost and Brazil are getting their heads around it. In 2009, it is optional with the view to either making it mandatory from 2010 or running with a format menu.

4 – What are the positives for the surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?

Wayne Bartholomew: The surfers get man-on-man, no more three-man heats. There are built in seeding incentives based on performance over the season and there is a much better opportunity to pick the eyes out of the surf on offer. The events get to maximize swell cycles and build the event to a climactic conclusion in excellent surf. The chances of getting skunked are dramatically diminished and the opportunity to have Finals in great surf increases. The viewers get knockout competition. There are no meaningless rounds, it is on the line in every heat and they’ll see a lot less action in low quality waves.

Mick Fanning: The positives are definitely the shorter period for the event. Most swells around the world only last three days, but our events take four to complete. Cutting out a round cuts that day out, keeps the performance level at high level because every heat counts, makes the Top 16 and Top 10 get an actual incentive for ranking that high instead of just the red singlet.

C.J. Hobgood: I think the positives are better waves for surfers, less days needed to run for the events, better waves and surfing for viewers.

5 – What are the negatives (if any) for surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?

Wayne Bartholomew: The only negative for the surfer is if one loses in the first round. You are out and it’s a long way to go to be bundled out. I surfed my entire career without a safety net but guys get used to the second chance. If the swell absolutely pumps then the event might want the extra day for the beach crowd, the media and the webcast. So loss of content could be seen as a negative, but the trade-off will be an excellent event held in epic waves. Also, that may be why we eventually perpetuate the optional format menu. For the viewer they can’t get enough, so the shorter event might be a negative, but again, the action will be an awesome spectacle.

Mick Fanning: I think the Back 32 will be extremely close when it comes to being on the cusp of qualifying, but everyone has to start at the bottom. The audience won’t get to see your favorite surfers hit the water as many times, but it will be crucial each time they do.

6 – We see the Top 16 are seeded directly into Round 2. What happens to the rest?

Wayne Bartholomew: The back 32, made up of the back 11 of the Top 27, the Top 15 from the WQS, the 3 tour/injury wildcards and 3 Event wilds, go man-on-man in Round 1. So nobody misses out, but the re-introduction of the Top 16 provides incentive to be at every event.

7 – Part of the reason for the new format is to work towards a one-world ranking. This is something that was mandated in the past, but changed to the two-tiered system. Why are we moving back towards it? What are the advantages? When will is possibly be implemented?

Wayne Bartholomew: We hope to implement a one-world ranking system in 2010. The dynamic is totally different to pre-1992. There will still be 1-6 Stars, still be 6-Star Primes, and they will count towards the Top 45, who will still contest the ASP World Tour. There will most likely be a fluid transition whereby the bottom performing Top 45 will be replaced by high performing ASP WQS surfers in the same season. This will be much more marketable, better for media and more defining for the industry when it comes to sponsorships.

Mick Fanning: I think in this day and age, we need a one-world ranking system. The way the format works at the moment, the general public can’t get their heads around it. I think it will help with how the ASP WQS is run also and make it easier for everyone to understand where they are. Also, if people get injured or have a bad year their ranking won’t drop dramatically and they won’t fall off tour. We have had a few of these cases over the years and hopefully that will cut that out.

C.J. Hobgood: I’ve always been a huge fan of the one-world ranking system. I never understood why guys like Danny Fuller, Bruno Santos, Manoa Drollet and Jamie O’Brien would make Finals and Semis against the best surfers in the world and not have a world ranking. Like in Chile when the local wildcard made a heat, the people in Chile should be able to look at their guy and see how he ranks on the one-world ranking system. Even if he is 400^th, it’s still a ranking. Also, the one-world rating system is easier to understand – I’m so sick of trying to explain to someone that knows very little about surfing our two-tier system.

Renato Hickel (BRA), ASP World Tour Manager, noted also that, “some adjustments may take place in the next Technical Committee meeting. It’s possible that we will reduce the number from Top 10 to Top 8, or even reseed everyone after Tahiti, but we will have to wait until Hawaii to ultimately determine.”

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Editor’s picks for Mon 27 Oct 2008

Coldwater classic in Santa Cruz (again), a few links from Madagascar where it looks they’re gonna have waves this week, Castlepoint in NZ for the best of a bad bunch among the surf cams (but Trigg gets a link).

I know, I told you about this in the weekend wrap, so this is just a quick reminder that you can watch the Lane on live cams (such as this one) to see how the coldwater classic in Santa Cruz is going. I checked out the day one highlights video. It’s worth a look because it gives you a good idea of what the Lane’s like on a typical fun size day. Sun goes down in California at about noon our time.

Looks like not only southern Africa, but Madagascar and the Indian ocean generally are loaded up with swell at the moment. According to one blogger called Mada moreorless, Madagascar is pretty fickle but it’s real frontier territory. Here’s a somewhat funky vid made by some Austrian snowboarders(!) about surfing and travelling around Magascar. And here’s a much more impressive offering…

Had to hunt around for a cam worth mentioning, and then it’s only just so. Really nothing on the cams around Australia that I could find. Everywhere seems to be puny and uninteresting looking (WA has the most interesting looking I could find, eg here’s how Trigg is looking). Put me wise if you find something, okay? The cam of interest is one on the SE coast of North Island NZ. It’s pointed at a place I’ve actually surfed, namely Castlepoint.

Found something worth sharing? Send me the link via the form below!

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Mona Vale

A nice new NE swell was hitting MV this morning, heaps of fun head high waves and only 3 of us out there! should be good fun out there all day

At least the weekend was good

Got up Saturday morning at dawn and there were already a couple of bodyboarders getting waves on the Point at first light. By 7am there were probably 50 folks out there and another 200 between Dee Why and Longy. Then strangely, by about 2pm seems like everyone was surfed out and had gone home. I paddled out to the Point and had the behind the peak takeoff zone at SuckRock all to myself for an hour or so with head high sets.  Amazing. After the swell swung round to the NE later, paddled over to Dee Whe Center and got a heap more relatively uncrowded waves for another half hour. Timing is everything.  All the non-kitesurfers would have been hating y’day with the 20 knot nor’easters and smaller swell but about 25 of us had some great conditions and small waves at MidNarrabeen just before dark. 

Very different conditions this morning. Point is flat and I don’t see much swell happening but the forecast says we’ll get another big nor’easter with 20-30 knots again this afternoon later. Re the waves, just the usual summer 7-8seec interval slop.

Cheers, 

Rob

Another Beautiful Day

Hi guys hope everybody had a great weekend.The surfing folk on the sunny coast had plenty to smile about over the weekend.Saturday saw great waves all long the coast with offshore winds for most of the morning.Sunday there was a far drop in size but the were waves regardless.Today while the weather is great wave quality isn’t.Wave size is around 1 footish.Also congratulations to The Queensland team in  defeating the NSW for the second year running.Two of the guys on the QLD team are training with me so  guys check out realsurf fitness section for some great fitness info.

C C

Fine, dry and mild on the Central Coast this Monday morning.  The swell is smooth and weak at 1 – 2 feet + from the northeast.  There is a light northwest breeze forecast to go northeast later.  High tide 0750 and low tide around 1410.  Local barometer 1010 hpa, 96% humidity, 16 degrees C.  Have a great week!