BSR 2009 04 10

BSR pic of the day

Bali Surf Report
Date = Fri, 10 Apr 2009
Time = 09:00 AM
Location = Padma – Legian
Size = 2 ft
Surfers = more than 20
Tide = high tide
Wind = cross/offshore wind
Weather = sunny
Water = calm
Wave = small and not really consistent but still fun and wipe powerful through the shore

Legian: High tide at Legian can serve up some of the most power-packed beachbreaks in the world. Always bigger than Kuta, although it usually closes-out on low tide. It also closes out on high tide if the swell is over 8 feet. Because Legian is in the curve of the beach, it collects the compressed energy of all swells. If Kuta is only 3 foot, sometimes Legian can be mignificent at 4 – 6 foot. A handy hint is that Kuta Reef is often about the same size at Legian. A hot crew of young Bali locals surf here regularly, so smile, share and be friendly to enjoy your sessions here.

report by Aquasea Wetsuit Repairs

Top day, some 1-2 footers albeit a bit straight and full, good for fun, go early before the NE picks up.
WIND: N at 9kph. WATER TEMP: 22 degrees.
FORECAST: Cloudy periods. The chance of an afternoon shower, chiefly in the west. Light north to northwest winds becoming moderate northeasterly in the afternoon.
MAX AIR TEMP TODAY: 24-26 degrees.
SWELL: ESE 1-2m at 9 seconds.
TIDES: HIGH: 08:34 LOW: 14:31
WINDSURFERS: Good conditions later today.
BOAT DIVING: OK sea conditions outside, vis around 10m+ on the TUGGERAH and Kelloe, 10m+ 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.
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Resume Health Check

So, you’ve been asked to step into the bosses office for a little chat? Likelihood is in this market that you might not have a job in the next 15 minutes (which can often be how short these conversations are). Regardless of the reasons or the validity of your employer’s argument, the result is the same. You’re going on a short holiday and then need to get yourself a new job.

The employment market has inverted over the past six months. Previously employees often called the shots, however now with the rapid increase in unemployment it is employers that have the upper hand. Recruitment agencies have more numbers on their books than they have in the past three years, so how do you stand out?

The first thing to do is to get yourself a decent resume. A resume is a marketing document designed purely to gain someone’s attention and let them know that you’re worth an interview. Once this is achieved it’s down to your personal style and fit with the organisation that may get you the role. If an employer is particularly savvy they may look at fit with behavioural competencies and other assessments of high performing characteristics. But before we get too ahead of ourselves let’s make sure you get through the door first.

Putting together a resume is not as easy as it seems. The following points are ones you can keep in mind to ensure you give people enough information to make you attractive as an employee, without giving them too much information to blow the whole thing:

1.

DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO. (capitals probably tell you this is a pet hate of mine). Unless someone specifically asks for one, there is no need. OK… if you can’t resist because you think you’re that good looking and believe most people are superficial who will hire on looks then go ahead. But make sure it’s not that one of you down the pub with a couple of mates, or of you surfing, or in a bikini (doesn’t matter which gender you are). The fact is that it shouldn’t matter what you look like – you’re going for a job, not an audition. It’s all about the value you can add to the business. A photo just adds another possible element that they could use to exclude you. What if you’re better looking than your new boss?
2.

Include some detail about your interests. But not too much detail. Given that you’re going for a job in the surf industry it’s good to tell them that you’re into surfing. But don’t overdo it. Statements like ‘surfing – especially when it’s 10 foot and slabbing bra’ do not help your cause. Neither does telling people you’re into origami unless you’re going for a job with Kikki K. Keep it relatively simple.
3.

Keep the overall structure simple. People often look for the ‘next best thing’ in formatting a CV. Don’t do it. A resume should state who you are (‘Personal Details’ – name, address, interests), the education you achieved (‘Qualifications’ – 1st in spelling at Harbord Primary is probably not relevant) and where you worked in reverse chronological order (‘Career History’). Under this heading you should then provide a brief synopsis of the business – even if you think people should know who the company or brand is. Then split your role accountabilities into “Responsibilities’, the basic accountabilities in your job spec, and ‘Achievements’, what you achieved over and above others who may have had the same job as yours. This outlines the individual value that you can add to an employer and will separate you from average performers.
4.

Do not use Comic Sans as a font. I can’t believe I have to say this, but using a font that makes it look like your kid sister in fourth grade did your CV is a career limiting move. This also goes for Broadway, Magneto and Wingdangs. Try something simple like Arial, Gill Sans or Times New Roman. Remember, it is your experience that should speak for itself.
5.

Include a cover letter. But make sure it is at least partly tailored to the role you are sending it in for. Addressing it to “dear Mike” at Rip Curl when it should be “dear Wendy” at Oakley is not going to go down well. Apart from slandering Wendy’s entire gender by addressing her as a bloke, you also tell her who else you’re talking to. Not a good move. Read the ad you’re responding to and include references to the key areas outlined in the ad and how your experience reflects skill in those areas.
6.

Make contact. This is not a piece of resume advice per se, but relates to it. Never send out a resume without attempting to call the contact named in the ad. If the ad doesn’t name someone then fair enough, but it could be worth a few calls to see if you can identify the key person responsible for the role. A personal connection can always help you stand out. It’s surprising how many people don’t do it.
7.

Demonstrate results. In the achievements section of your CV, make sure you are able to indicate some sort of measurement of the initiatives you were involved in, and your personal involvement in those initiatives. Raw data and numbers speak louder than broad fluffy statements.
8.

Keep it simple. A resume should not be your own personal version of War & Peace. Keep things to around four pages maximum. In the same vein it should be longer than a page – fitting it all on an A4 sheet makes it easy to lose and looks like you’ve got so little experience you should only be going for jobs as the lollypop man at the local kindy.
9.

Friendly but formal. Salutations like “Hey mate” or “g’day fella” should be reserved for when you’ve actually got the job. Your correspondence doesn’t have to be all “Dear Mr Warbick” but should at least maintain a modicum of respect until the employer has invited a less formal method of communication.
10.

Use Spellcheck. Seems obvious I know but you’d be surprised how many people just click send without adhering to the basics. Spellcheck doesn’t get everything though so if you’re in doubt have that mate who won 1st place in spelling at Harbord Primary have a look at it for you. He might be able to pick up a few other grammar issues that you missed. In this climate people can use all sorts of measures to cut down the shortlist. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered.

Once you’ve got all these sorted get out there and apply away! You’ll be in a much better position to get an interview and hopefully secure that cushy industry job.

Nick Chandler is Partner at Luminary Search, Chandler Macleod’s Executive Search business. He has been providing recruitment and consulting services into the surf industry for over ten years.

Patience, waves will come

Hello again Friends,

Well, I see the vid broadcast worked. Not a lot to add to that really. After filing from Longy, I went over to Curly for a look. It was a touch bigger than Long Reef and Dee Why, but it was quite full on the incoming tide. And of course, being a public holiday it was busy on anything that resembled a peak. Every once in awhile a kinda fun looking little thing would come in, but the power setting isn’t too impressive. I reckon mals and SUPs have the advantage in a big way today – wherever you go.

After grabbing a few snaps (one of which you’ll find below), I went for a wander with the Sony a900 DSLR that I’m currently having an extended play with. (Really like those beautifully sculptured rock faces just north of the surf club at Curly.) The Sony’s a solid piece of kit and when you add the superb Zeiss 24-70 lens it really tips the scales. I’ll put up some shots from it in coming days.

Stopped by Gardens on the way home and can report there are still a few fat things rolling in. Judging from the people checking it out and then moving on, the consensus seems to be look elsewhere.

I reckon it could be a little better when the tide drops, but by then the NE seabreeze is likely to be up, so there’ll be better options in the north corners.

Go well, and may a few come your way!

Typical of the catchable ones around high tide just north of the Lugga.

Jagging one of the better sets at north Curly around high tide.

Typical peak along the far south Narrabeen stretch.

2 feet and full

It’s two feet, full and offshore with a medium crowd.  Waves are weak and the situation looks frustrating- maybe later when the tide drops way but it looks ordinary now.  Outlook is also ordinary.  Cracker day so far though- enjoy.

C C

Cloudy, dry and mild on the Central Coast this Good Friday morning.  The swell is smooth and small at 1 – 2 feet + from the east southeast.  There is a very light northwest breeze going northeast later.  High tide 0830 and low tide around 1430.  Local barometer 1019hpa, 97% humidity, 14 degrees C.  Have a happy & safe Easter.

Live vid report for Good Friday

Hi all,
I’m planning to do a short vid broadcast at about 0800. When it happens, it should appear in the viewer below…

Good, it’s Friday and we have waves

Hello Friends

Still a few little waves around this morning at Dee Why. Fair few folk were on it at the southern end where the sets looked to be in the waist to chest high range. The latest MHL data shows we have around a metre of SE swell at about 9 seconds apart.

I’m going to dash out for a closer look, so stay tuned for more. Phone is charged up too, so my plan will be to file a live report at about 0800.

Here’s the call from the Bureau:

Friday until midnight: Wind: NW 8/13 knots, becoming NE 10/15 knots in the afternoon.Sea: around 1 metre. Swell: E/SE around 1.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: NW 5/10 knots turning NE 10/15 knots, ahead of a S/SE change 10/15 knots in the afternoon. Sea: around 1 metre. Swell: E/SE 1 to 1.5 metres.
Sunday: Wind: NE 10/15 knots.

Not huge, but you could definitely catch 'em at 0700 at Dee Why.

Byron Bay April 9th 2009