Little waves available

Hello Friends,

Lots and lots of folk having a splash this morning.

Sunday starts out with light winds and a little SE swell for the thousands to enjoy. Dee Why looks pretty crowded (whadya expect given the mild sunny temps on the first weekend of the hols?). Sets look as though they might occasionally get into the chest high range, but for the most part I’d be expecting to find mostly waist high and smaller waves this morning.

Swell direction looks to have moved a little more to the east overnight. Sadly the MHL buoy is off the air again, so we don’t have the extra assurance of an objective record. Reminds one of Mr Dylan’s famous line… you don’t need a weatherman to tell ya which way the wind blows.

If you’re getting out there for a wave – and I reckon you should do – looks like the plan is to get yourself into the patient zone so you can enjoy your share of whatever Huey feels like serving up.

Go well!

Trials for the Trials – Sunshine Coast’s Blake Wilson and Gold Coast’s Shaun Gossman are IN

Sunshine Coast’s Blake Wilson on his way to winning the Quiksilver Pro Trials for the Trials at Duranbah. Photo: Steve Robertson.

Blake Wilson (Maroochydore) and Shaun Gossman (Burleigh Heads) have secured a start in the official Quiksilver Pro trials next February by placing 1^st and 2^nd respectively in today’s Trials for the Trials in excellent 1.5m surf at Duranbah Beach on the Gold Coast.

“Now I’m in the main trials with just 12 other surfer I really can’t wait for the day in late February  – it’s generally always great surf at that time of year and with only a few surfers in the water at Snapper Rocks it’s exciting” said Wilson after today’s impressive win.

“I don’t know who to expect in the field but I know it will be a red hot line up of up and coming national and international surfers and surfing against the best is what I’m aiming for – bring it on!” added Wilson who lead throughout today’s final after catching an 8 point ride in the opening minute.

For Gossman, the trials is familiar territory having surfed in them three times and also having won them twice which has seen him go into the main event of the Quiksilver Pro.

After his 2^nd place today Gossman said “It’s every surfers aim to surf against the best in the world particularly at Snapper Rocks and while I really appreciate the fact I’ve achieved that twice I think that makes me only more hungry to get there a third time and after that heat, I’m focused immediately on the trials – It’s an opportunity that doesn’t present itself too often and it’s worth winning.”

Gossman posted the finals highest scoring ride at the midway point with an excellent 8.33 but with an average required second scoring ride of 5.2 only just managed to hang on to his second placing ahead of Clint Kimmins.

Final scores were Wilson on 15.33, Gossman 13.53, Clint Kimmins (Coolangatta) 12.8 and Dru Adler (Palm Beach) on 9.5.

Waves for today’s event were excellent with a strong southerly wind delivering a rapidly rising and clean swell which were ideal for big scores through all five rounds of competition.

Burleigh Heads surfer Jay Thompson might have been today’s unluckiest surfer. Thompson was in scintillating form in the early rounds and looked like the surfer to beat but couldn’t find the right waves in his semi final and was eliminated.

Thompson has just completed a year on the elite ASP World Tour but finished outside the required top 27 in the ratings and next year will be forced to try and requalify on the ASP World Qualifying Circuit.

The other surfers eliminated in today’s semi finals were Clancey Dawson (Tweed Heads), Ryan Campbell (Noosa) and Lincoln Taylor (Stradbroke Island).

Next years Quiksilver Pro presented by LG runs from February 28^th through to March 11^th, based at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and the defending champion and number one seed will be current ASP World Champion Kelly Slater.

The trials will run on February 27^th and the trials winner from a field of 12 is granted a wildcard into the main event of the US$320,000 Quiksilver Pro presented by LG. Plus – best of all – the chance to surf in front of thousands of fans against the biggest seeds in the game; surfers like Kelly Slater and hometown hero Mick Fanning.

Pipeliners having fun at 4pm

21-12-2008 — It’s 1pm here and 4pm yesterday at Pipeline. They’re having a fun surf with nice overhead peaks, and it doesn’t look hugely crowded. Some great surfing going on as usual – right now.

Here’s a link to the cam LiveSurfCamHawaii.com: Pipeline Camera – and you can control the cam.

VIDEO:: “Hawaii Surfing” but I’m sure some of it’s Teahupo’o

21-12-2008 — Hawaii and Chopes, and maybe other places too under the one name of “Hawaii Surfing”, this video is still 4:21 minutes of great waves, some of Laird’s momentus waves at Chopes, some of Flea in Hawaii, others. With nearly 2 million views and a ranking of 4.5, this editor agrees it’s worth the watch.

Here’s the link: “Hawaii Surfing” – Editor’s video pick for today.

Bra Boys, Bandidos and Comancheros clash in turf war at Maroubra

21-12-2008 — Interesting story in the Sunday Telegraph this morning in Sydney. What do RealSurfers think about this?

“A VOLATILE turf war has broken out between the Bra Boys and two outlaw motorcycle gangs that have begun moving into the surfers’ territory in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra.”

Here’s a link to the story: Bra Boys story in Sunday Telegraph 21 December 2008.

You can post a comment below or start a discussion in the RealSurf Forums if you’ve got something to say about it.

2-3 feet at Curly

Around 2-3 feet at best at Curly this morning on a dropping swell and increasing easterly winds, so be early if you want any half decent waves today.  There’s a fair crew about including the usual nippers and a whole bunch of karate kids doing some martial arts exercise on the beach.  Enjoy.