Samoan Surf report for week 12 of 2009 from Sa’Moana Resort

Wonderful wave this Wakas

Hollow Wakas or what??

Great Wakas

WEEKLY   REPORTS  for    2009

Report No:   12-09

Period:           Monday 16^th to Sunday 22^nd March

Monday.  High tide @ 11am.  An early boat trip to Wakas this morning which was cranking. Super consistent, head and a half high on the sets, and really hollow with pretty much every wave barreling. The 4 lucky guests got it with only 2 others for 3 hours. Not many turns, just barrels. Then a group of visitors hit it so they bailed to Pebbles which was a little bit big and washy but had really good ones if you could pick them. Then a slight westerly blew up so we got Special K for about another hour of fun. Head high and great shape allowing a few turns. An unreal day of surf.

Tuesday.  High tide @ 12.08pm. No surfing guests left at the resort today but it was pumping. Easy head high out the front at Resorts and offshore, everywhere on the ocean would have been on.

Wednesday.  High tide @ 1.15pm.  Again no surf trip today and the swell had dropped right off to waist to shoulder high on the sets.

Thursday.  High tide @ 2.13pm.  Today 1 guest & 1 guide went out the front for a paddle at Resorts but that was about all it was, a paddle not many waves but great in the water. Waist high sets was about all there was out there, they lasted about an hour. Maybe tomorrow.

Friday.  High tide @ 3.01pm.  Again tiny conditions so most guests went on the Island Tour to check out the amazing beauty of Upolu.

Saturday.  High tide @ 3.42pm.  Like yesterday waist high and really clean. The guests went for a trip down to Ocean Trenches instead of a surf trip. Fingers crossed for swell soon.

Sunday. High tides @ 4.13am & 4.19pm.  The pacific ocean doing its best impression of being a lake. Clean glassy conditions but small waves up to waist high out front around the high tides.

Photos  

All  the photos this week are of Wakas on Monday morning.

Cheers …….. George

SIX AUSTRALIANS NOMINATED IN GLOBAL BIG WAVE AWARDS

Gold Coast, QLD —  SIX Australian surfers have been nominated for the 2009 Billabong XXL Global big wave awards, with the list of global nominee’s released in the USA today.

The Billabong XXL is recognised as the Oscars of big wave surfing, with all giant waves ridden from around the world over a 12 month category scrutinised by an elite judging panel.  

Surfers are nominated in the prestigious awards across the categories of Ride Of The Year, Biggest Wave, Monster Tube Ride and Biggest Paddle In Wave. The winners are announced in a huge gala ceremony in California on April 17.

Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast), James Holmer-Cross (Hobart), Mark Mathews (Maroubra), Damien Warr (Yallingup, WA), Kirby Brown (Kalbarri, WA) and Dylan Longbottom (Central Coast) have all scooped nominations for daring rides at big wave breaks around the country.  They make up 6 of the 18 surfers nominated.

Damien Warr. Photo: Scott Bauer

Leading the charge for Australia was Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, QLD) who was given the nod for his no-holds-barred approach to one of the world’s deadliest breaks.

Nominated in two categories – the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award and the Monster Tube Award, for his death-defying attack on the notorious Shipstern Bluff (Tasmania), Hipwood was over the moon with his nomination.

“I’m so stoked, “ said Hipwood.  “To be recognised as pushing the limits of surfing is an honour.”

Having survived a massive airborne leap down a heaving stair-step face, whilst locking into some of the biggest ever barrels surfed at the famed Tasmanian break, Hipwood recalls the “day of days” fondly.

“We got to the spot really early,” he recalled.  “I wasn’t feeling great when I rocked up, but the waves just continued to get bigger and bigger and it just turned into such an amazing day.”

Hipwood has a refreshing, pure attitude towards the art of big-wave surfing, despite being in line to win $USD 55,000 should he scoop both categories.

“To be honest I didn’t realise there was such a prize associated with the Award as it’s something I’d do anyway,” admitted Hipwood.  “But I’ll take the cash if it comes my way.”

Joining Hipwood is surfer/shaper Dylan Longbottom (Central Coast, NSW), who was also nominated in the Monster Tube category, for his radical, backhand barrel at surfing’s coliseum – Teahupoo (Tahiti).

Dylan Longbottom

For Longbottom, a former Monster Tube XXL winner, said a nomination in the awards was a huge honour.

“It means a lot,” he said.  “There are so many big wave riders throughout the world, but to be nominated makes me feel respected within that community.”

Having been one of the most progressive, all-round surfers over the past decade, Longbottom feels he has an affinity with Teahupoo, the spot that earned him the nomination.

“It’s definitely a special place for me,” Longbottom.  “I’ve been going there for ten years now and I’m only now beginning to feel a little bit more comfortable and getting a little bit deeper.

“In saying that however, I have ultimate respect for how heavy that place is.”

The closest thing to the modern day dare–devil, Australia’s big wave surfers have built a reputation of some of the world’s best, with some of the craziest waves in the world on our shores.

This years awards recognises a number of such waterman.

James Holmer-Cross (Tasmania) qualified with a thick double-tube ride at Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff, whilst another pair of massive contenders come from Western Australia’s Cow Bommie with local Damien Warr (Western Australia) and Sydney surfer Mark Mathews (Maroubra, NSW).  Fellow West Australian Surfer Kirby Brown was also nominated in the Monster Tube Ride Category.  

Next week nominations will be announced in additional Billabong XXL categories including the Surfline Best Overall performance, Billabong GIrls Performance and the Verizon Wireless Wipeout of the Year.  

Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and Honda is the official watercraft of the event.  Surfline.com is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL.  The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine, Air Tahiti Nui and High Surf Accessories.

For all details about the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, please see the website at www.BillabongXXL.com.

FIVE BILLABONG XXL RIDE OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES 
     (Surfer prize $50,000  -  Video prize $5,000) 
Brian Conley (San Diego, California) at Boca Grande, Mexico on October 22, 2008. 
     (Video by Brian Conley) 
Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008. 
     (Video by Tim Bonython) 
James Hollmer-Cross (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008. 
     (Video by Dave Otto) 
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Dungeons, South Africa on July 26, 2008 
     (Video by Fixerfilm/RedBull BWA) 
Garrett McNamara (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008 
     (Video by Simon Saffigna) 

FIVE BILLABONG XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD NOMINEES 
     (Surfer prize $15,000 and a Honda Aquatrax watercraft with HSA sled  -  Photo/video prize $4,000) 
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Tafelberg Reef, South Africa on August 9, 2008. 
     (Photos by Nic Bothma and Alan Van Gysen.  Video by Fixerfilm/Hutchmotion.) 
Mark Mathews (Maroubra, N.S.W., Australia) at Cow Bommie, Western Australia on September 20, 2008. 
     (Photo by Jamie Scott.  Video by Tim Bonython.) 
Axi Muniain (Basque Country, Spain) at Belharra, France on January 16, 2009. 
     (Photo by Greg Rabejac) 
Benjamin Sanchis (Hossegor, France) at Belharra Reef, France on January 18, 2009. 
     (Photo by Stephane Salerno) 
Damien Warr (Yallingup, Western Australia) at Cow Bommie, Western Australia on September 20, 2008. 
     (Photo by Jamie Scott) 

FIVE MONSTER PADDLE AWARD NOMINEES 
     (Surfer prize $15,000  -  Photo/video prize $4,000) 
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Maverick’s, California on November 30, 2008. 
     (Photos by Nikki Brooks, Robert Brown, Todd Glaser, Seth Migdail, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte. Video by Eric Nelson) 
Derek Dunfee (San Diego, California, USA) at Maverick’s, California on November 30, 2008. 
     (Photos by Robert Brown, Todd Glaser, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte) 
Nathan Fletcher (San Clemente, California, USA) at Maverick’s, California on November 30, 2008. 
     (Photos by Robert Brown, Seth Migdail, Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte) 
Axi Muniain (Basque Country, Spain) at Belharra Reef, France on January 9, 2009. 
     (Photo by Greg Rabejac.  Video by Fred Berho) 
James Taylor (Cape Town, South Africa) at Dungeons, South Africa on July 26, 2008. 
     (Photos by Nic Bothma, Jeff Flindt and Alan Van Gysen. Video by Fixerfilm/Red Bull BWA) 

FIVE MONSTER TUBE PHOTO AWARD NOMINEES 
     (Surfer prize $5,000  -  Photography prize $2,000) 
Kerby Brown (Kalbarri, Western Australia) at South Bommie, Western Australia on July 6, 2008. 
     (Photo by Russell Ord) 
Mark Healey (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Yeti, Oregon on September 24, 2008. 
     (Photo by Jason Murray) 
Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on October 11, 2008. 
     (Photo by Rodd Owen) 
Dylan Longbottom (Gold Coast, Australia) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008. 
     (Photos by Edwin Morales and Fred Pompermayer) 
Garrett McNamara (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on April 8, 2008. 
     (Photos by Tim McKenna and Fred Pompermayer)

TG’s Surf Forecast

Surf Forecast issued Thursday 26 March 2009: Seven day outlook for Sydney:

Southerly change tonight will bring up a little short lived swell at South friendly spots.  Easing back on the weekend, should come up again around Tuesday.

Friday: coming up 1-2 metres at places that like dead South swell.

Saturday: 1 metre or less South.

Sunday: about 1 metre East.

Monday: about 1 metre North East/ South East.

Tuesday: arounfd 1 metre then coming up 1-2, 2-3 metres South east.

Wednesday : in the 1-2 metre rnage East South East.

Thursday: ditto.

Water temp is around 22, 20, 21… as the East Coast current swirls around offshore.

No sightings that I’m aware of this week, but there are still plenty of fish in the harbour at least.

BFBH Index: (total Manly to Bradley’s Head)

Monday: 21

Tuesday: 22

Wednesday: 19

Thursday: 20.

Enjoy… stay safe.

Weather from the Bureau:

Strong wind warning

Forecast for Thursday
Partly cloudy morning. Few showers and the chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Light to moderate northwest to northeast winds, freshening near the coast in the afternoon before a gusty southerly change at night.

Precis: Few late showers/chance thunderstorms.

City:          Max:   31  Parramatta:  Max:   33

Terrey Hills:  Max:   31  Penrith:     Max:   34

Liverpool     Max:   34  Richmond:    Max:   34 

UV Alert: 9:50 am to 4:10 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]

Friday Shower or two.

City:  Min:   20  Max:   24

West:  Min:   18  Max:   25 

Saturday Becoming fine.

City:  Min:   18  Max:   26

West:  Min:   14  Max:   28 

Sunday Fine, mostly sunny.

City:  Min:   16  Max:   25

West:  Min:   13  Max:   27 

Monday Chance shower.

City:  Min:   18  Max:   24

West:  Min:   15  Max:   26 

Tuesday Chance shower.

City:  Min:   19  Max:   24

West:  Min:   16  Max:   26 

Wednesday Chance shower.

City:  Min:   19  Max:   25

West:  Min:   16  Max:   27 

Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Strong Wind Warning.
Thursday until midnight: Wind: N/NE 10/15 knots, reaching 15/20 knots at times this afternoon ahead of a S’ly change 20/30 knots late evening.Sea: 1 to 2 metres, rising to 2 to 3 metres behind the change.Swell: E’ly 1 to 1.5 metres. Isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms.
Friday: Wind: S/SE 20/30 knots, easing 15/20 knots by the afternoon, 10/15 knots at night.Sea: 2 to 3 metres, abating to 1.5 to 2 metres.Swell: E/SE 1 to 1.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: SE/NE 8/13 knots. Winds increasing NE 10/15 knots during the afternoon.

IBA News:: Rawlings Wins Rheopaipo Pro at Duranbah Gold Coast

Pro Men Final L to R: Jake Stone, Mitch Rawlings, Joe Clarke, Corey McLean. Photo: International Bodyboarding Association Australasia

Duranbah, NSW — Some of the best bodyboarders from Australia, and the world were on hand, to compete in round one of The Rebel Sport Pro Tour at the prestigious Rehopaipo Pro last weekend at Duranbah.

Running over three days, with the final day dishing up some classic Duranbah wedges, the event also doubled as the first round of the QAB (Queensland Association of Bodyboarding) state championship series.

In the Pro Men’s final it ended up being an all QLD affair as local knowledge proved to be a major advantage.

Mitch Rawlings had a slow start with Jake Stone slamming a massive back flip of a solid 6 footer landing hard to finish off with a spin and a roll and being the main man to catch, only to have Joe Clarke quickly fight back whipping a nice stylish ARS (Air Roll Spin). 

Corey McLean was next to notch a high scoring wave smashing a full vertical inverted air to land hard in the flats.

Rawlings, showing his long knowledge of the Duranbah waves, waited patiently getting bread and butter moves in until the dying moments of the heat when a six-foot wedge popped up.

Quick to pounce, Rawlings flew down the face and wacked it hard flying into a full rotation air reverse landing smoothly and pulling off to solute to the screaming spectators who were applauding the fantastic final. 

“Duranbah is one of the best suited waves for bodyboarding around Australia! I love coming home every year to compete at Duranbah,” said an elated Rawlings, after taking the crown.

“The level of competition is getting so much better and if you’re not on your game you’ll be knocked out,” he added. 

At the end of the contest it was also confirmed that the last leg of the Pro Tour will wrap-up at Duranbah in November in conjunction with the Australian National Titles of Bodyboarding. 

In the Pro Drop Knee final it again proved to be an advantage to have local knowledge with Dane Pope from Gold Coast showing a stylish but powerful approach to the powerful Duranbah waves. 

The next round of the Rebel Sport Pro Tour will be held at Soldiers Beach NSW this weekend with the Soldiers Beach Pro and NSW State titles.

O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC – SURFING’S TOP NAMES TAKE TO THE WILD SOUTHERN OCEAN

Jordy Smith (South Africa/Durban) showed all his power in skill in the solid waves in Tasmania today posting the day’s top scoring ride of a 9.6 in his comprehensive round two heat win. Photo: Steve Robertson/Surfing Australia

Marrawah, Tasmania – The third day of competition at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP)  O’Neill Cold Water Classic and the event found itself at its third new location where surfing’s big names took to the water.

With conditions easing ever so slightly, contest director Matt Wilson chose Marrawah’s exposed Lighthouse Beach as the spot to finish off the round of 96.

In this isolated northwest corner of Tasmania, the likes of Jordy Smith, Cory Lopez, Ben Dunn, aerial master Josh Kerr, and Damien Hobgood made the most of the powerful beach break.

There are high expectations for the 21-year-old South African surfing phenomenon, Jordy Smith – winner of this ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) tour two years ago.

And he didn’t fail to disappoint, waiting until the second half of his heat to pull out his high scoring waves. “It’s interesting being back on the WQS,” he said, “because you can go through with 5’s… I can’t get away with that on The World Tour,” he said.

This is the first time for Jordy on Australia’s island state, but he is fitting right into the Tasmanian waters,

“I met a few of the locals yesterday evening out in the water. I was asking them how to get back because it was getting pretty dark and we were pretty far from anything,” he said. “They were like, no worries catch a ride with us. It was crazy driving through the night with all the Tasmanian Devils about and stuff. We almost hit something the other day – I would have felt bad. We didn’t though, we stopped and let it cross the road.”

The heat of the day today was a battle of spectacular young talent, with 19-year-old up and coming Australian star, Owen Wright taking it out ahead of Dusty Payne, Lincoln Taylor and Wiggoly Dantas.

It was a pretty close heat,” said Owen who has been appreciating the good conditions made possible by the mobile format of the event. “The first day was incredible – the Bluff is an awesome wave,” he said. “But it’s great it’s mobile. It keeps all the options open and you can get the best waves every day.” 

“I’ve been over to Tasmania before,” he said. “But never to this corner. It’s a nice untouched place – it’s an awesome place to have an event.”

As Rob Bain, O’Neill’s Asia/Pacific Marketing Manager said; “It’s not just about the surfing here. We’ve had amazing waves and most of the surfers are discovering them for the first time ever. But this is also more like a road trip – it’s about the different experiences.”

“Yesterday we had the most amazing sunset here – it went crazy purple, and later that evening we saw the most incredible bright stars in the sky I have ever seen. And the first day we were sitting in someone’s house watching this perfect reef break,” he said. “It’s all those things that make this event.”

Visit www.oneill.com/cwc for the daily highlight shows.

ZIPPO.

Pancakes, flapjacks, pikelets and crepes from Bondi to Bronte.

Like a like up north- not much better south

It’s full as a fat lady’s sock at 1 foot out of the east and unridable.  Maybe some hope later this arvo when the tide drops but Manly will be the best bet for the desperate.  It was 1-2 feet and onshore. A new swell heading in over the next few days and the outlook is ok. Enjoy.

The calm

Hello Friends,

Climbed up to the crows nest to see how we’re traveling this morning. If Dee Why’s a reasonable indicator, the answer is we’re not going all that well. Weather is nice but the lack of swell activity isn’t. I’m calling Dee Why 2/10.

We’re due for a cloudy and warm day and south change is set to come through later.

The MHL Sydney buoy is showing a metre of ENE windswell with a period of about 7 seconds.

Here’s the call from the Bureau:

Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Strong Wind Warning.
Thursday until midnight: Wind: N/NE 10/15 knots, reaching 15/20 knots at times this afternoon ahead of a S’ly change 20/30 knots late evening.Sea: 1 to 2 metres, rising to 2 to 3 metres behind the change.Swell: E’ly 1 to 1.5 metres. Isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms.
Friday: Wind: S/SE 20/30 knots, easing 15/20 knots by the afternoon, 10/15 knots at night.Sea: 2 to 3 metres, abating to 1.5 to 2 metres.Swell: E/SE 1 to 1.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: SE/NE 8/13 knots. Winds increasing NE 10/15 knots during the afternoon.

Meanwhile, up at the Goldy, it’s looking much more interesting. Dig this snap from the WRL cam at Snapper:

WRL cam showing Snapper going pretty well.

0740: bomb set burbles weakly to the shore.

Narrabeen Rpt

More of the same

Byron Bay Today Mar 25 / 09