TG’s Forecast

Surf forecast issued Thursday 7 May 2009:  Seven day outlook for Sydney:

Yeess.. a bit of swell, a bit of wind (and a few showers at times Sunday, Monday)…

Friday: about 2 metres at places that like dead South swell.

Saturday: ditto.

Sunday: coming up through the day 2-3 metres South South East.

Monday: more..3-4 metres South South East.

Tuesday: 3-4 metres South East.

Wednesday:3-4 metres South East, easing back 2-3 metres South South East.

Thursday: in the 1-2 metre range dead South.

Water temp’s around 23.

Weather from the Bureau:

Forecast for Friday
The chance of a coastal shower or two, mostly in the morning. Fine and partly cloudy in the west. Moderate south to southwest winds, fresh on the coast.
Precis: Chance coastal shower or two.

City:         Min:  13 Max:  20   Parramatta: Min:  11 Max:  20

Terrey Hills: Min:  11 Max:  18   Penrith:    Min:  10 Max:  21

Liverpool:    Min:   9 Max:  21   Richmond:   Min:   8 Max:  20

UV Alert: 10:10 am to 1:30 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]

Saturday Fine.

City:          Min:   12  Max:   22

West:          Min:    6  Max:   22

Sunday Shower or two.

City:          Min:   13  Max:   20

West:          Min:    8  Max:   20

Monday Shower or two.

City:          Min:   13  Max:   19

West:          Min:   10  Max:   19

Tuesday Mostly fine.

City:          Min:   10  Max:   22

West:          Min:    7  Max:   22

Wednesday Mostly fine.

City:          Min:   11  Max:   19

West:          Min:    9  Max:   19

Thursday Fine.

City:          Min:   10  Max:   20

West:          Min:    6  Max:   20

Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Thursday until midnight: Wind: NW 5/10 knots, tending S/SW early, freshening to 15/20 knots during the afternoon and 20/25 knots at night.Sea: less than 1 metre, rising to 1.5 to 2.5 metres during the afternoon/evening. Swell: S 1 to 1.5 metres. Isolated early thunderstorms.
Friday: Wind: S/SW 20/25 knots, easing to 15/20 knots later. Sea: 2 to 2.5 metres abating 1 to 2 metres later. Swell: S 2 to 2.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: S/SW 20/30 knots.

Hurley NSW Championship Circuit Back for 2009

ASP World Tour competitor, and last year’s Hurley NSW Championship Circuit Champion, Drew Courtney (Umina, NSW). Photo: Michael Tyrpenou/Surfing NSW

The biggest, best and most prestigious domestic surfing series is back, bigger than ever as the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit gears up for another huge campaign in 2009.

Having torn up the NSW coast last year with force and gusto, the 2008 Circuit saw Australia’s best, junior and open, surfers going ballistic in the state’s best waves and most beautiful locations.

With a whopping total prize pool of $24,500, plus $1000 bonus for the overall Open winner and $500 for Cadets champion, 2009 will once again see the best of the best competing on our doorstep – something which Surfing NSW CEO Mark Windon, sees as an asset to high-level surfing within the state.

“The Hurley NSWCC is a vital lynch pin for NSW surfers trying to bridge the gap between the Pro Junior Ranks and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS),” Windon said.

With $3,500 up for grabs per event ($3,000 for Opens and $500 for cadets) the Hurley NSW Championship Circuit provides the states elite with an opportunity to compete against the best for serious monetary rewards.

“With event’s spread across NSW, the Circuit gives surfers a chance at some solid prize money which helps them with their respective, professional campaigns”, he added.

Won last year by current ASP World Tour competitor Drew Courtney (Umina, NSW) and Team Australia member Jordi Watson (Currarong, NSW), in the Cadet division, 2009 will see the Circuit continuing to grow and expand with the announcement of a sixth event – the Bay Action Pro in Byron Bay.

“ The strategy for the Hurley NSWCC has always been to support the retailers, surfers and local communities along the NSW coast,” said Marketing Director of Hurley Australia, Jason Haynes.

“We are very happy with the growth of the series along with the addition of another event this year in Bryon partnering up with long time local surfers and retailer Bay Action,” Haynes added.

Also new to this years Circuit will be the Hurley Boardriders Challenge, an invitational event which recognises the importance of grassroots surfing throughout the state. 

“This year we have also incorporated the Boardriders Challenge into the events along with a beach clean up to increase the opportunity of the local surfers and community to get even more involved,” Haynes continued.  

Each event will see six local Boardrider Clubs going head to head in a Teams Format with the winner taking home up to $600 cash.

“Hurley have been making solid inroads in to the Australian surf market over the past 5 years and to have them as our major sponsor of the NSWCC shows their commitment to surfing in Australia,” Windon stated.

“Given the current economic climate maintaining a strong domestic circuit is imperative for our athletes,” he added.

The first event is the Triple Bull Pro taking place from 16-17 May 2009 at Cronulla.

For more information be sure to check out www.surfingnsw.com.au

The Hurley 2009 NSW Championship Circuit is proudly supported by Hurley, Australia’s Surfing Life, Surfing NSW Triple Bull Surf, Dripping Wet Surf, Bay Action Surf Centre, Saltwater Wine Surf Centres, Wild Surf Co, Zink Surf and Slimes Boardstore.

Hurley NSW Championship Circuit 2009 Schedule:
 
Triple Bull Pro, 16-17 May 2009 at Cronulla
Dripping Wet Pro, 23-24 May 2009 at Freshwater Beach
Bay Action Pro, 30-31 May 2009 at Byron Bay 
Saltwater Wine Surf Classic, 13-14 June 2009 at Old Bar
Wild Surf Co. Mattara Pro, 26-27 September 2009 at Newcastle
Zink Surf South Coast Pro, 10-11 October 2009 at Werri Beach
Slimes Pro, 7-8 November 2009 at Avoca Beach

Surfing Queensland Appoints Craig Harland as New CEO

Surfing Queensland Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Craig Harland threading through a tube. . . somewhere in Queensland, presumably.

Gold Coast (Thursday 7^th May, 2009): SURFING Queensland, the governing body for the sport of surfing in Queensland, has received a timely boost, with the appointment of Craig Harland as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Harland replaces Andrew Stark, who served Surfing Queensland for the past eight years, before recently accepting a position with Surfing Australia and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Australia.

Harland accepted the role of CEO from his post as Manager of NBN Television, a company in which he has worked for 14 years.

Surfing Queensland President Joe O’Neil says Harland’s selection is a step in the right direction for the not-for-profit sporting organisation, which is based at Burleigh Heads.

“Craig’s media background will certainly increase Surfing Queensland’s portfolio,” he said.

“An avid surfer as well, this highlights his uniqueness in his new position as CEO and he will be an extremely valuable asset to the Surfing Queensland team.”

Harland is equally excited with his appointment.

“I’m looking forward to the new role and challenge ahead,” he said.

“Surfing has always been a passion of mine as a sport and lifestyle, and with my media and advertising management background I have some new strategies which I feel will grow the sport in Queensland. I would like to work closely with the national body as a joint force for the best interest of surfing as a sport at every level.”

Surfing Queensland was established in 1964 to develop the sport of surfing in Queensland. Today, Surfing Queensland is a rapidly expanding sporting association committed to servicing the community at large.

Surfing Queensland’s present geographic coverage ranges from Coolangatta to Mackay. For more information about Surfing Queensland seewww.surfingqueensland.com

Heritage Surf has new R2 “Fitsuits” from Patagonia

Heritage Surf, long time supporter of RealSurf, has got in this brand new fandangled wetsuits from Patagonia. Check it out.

The R2 "fitsuit" new from Patagonia.

From Chris Moss at Heritage:

We’ve just received some “fit-suits” from Patagonia and will have a full size range of the R2 Front Zip Steamer at the end of May.

The suits are made from the highest quality neoprene available and are manufactured in Japan.

The R2 is a 2mm suit with an amazing merino wool lining for that extra bit of warmth – these suits are tested to be used in 12-18 degree celcius water temperatures, so will be perfect for the dead of winter.

For more technical details on the Patagonia range, check out Patagonia’s website .

All Patagonia wetsuits are available to order through Heritage Surf.

Aussie Adam Melling wins Cold Water Classic in Scotland

Australia’s Adam Melling winning his first major ASP event in Scotland. Photo: ASP Europe/Aquashot

THURSO, Thurso East, Scotland (Tuesday, May 5, 2009) - Adam Melling (Queensland, AUS) clinched the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star Prime O’Neill Cold Water Classic Scotland by Swatch today finishing on top of another 23-heat marathon-day after defeating fellow Queenslander and finalist Luke Munro (AUS) in solid five to six foot (1.5 to 2 meter) waves at the world class venue of Thurso East. Melling, 24, who was surfing his second consecutive final at Thurso, grabs valuable 3500 ratings’ points to keep his ASP World Tour qualification campaign going leaving the Highlands ranked No. 1 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS). Melling also rises as a serious contender towards the first ever O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series Champion title.

Melling, who bested Munro in a last 35-minute encounter after getting through four rounds and delivering an ultimate assault, eventually made it to the highest rank of the event dominating proceedings on the final day with several impressive results including a 16.50 point tally in Round 4 before netting the event’s highest score of 17.50 points (both out of a possible 20) in the Quarterfinals.

“I just couldn’t let go a second one, not that sword and I am so stoked to get it eventually,” Melling said. “I was freezing and really tired during that heat but I managed to get a couple of good waves early enough and managed to hold Luke (Munro) back until the end. I had a great event and was feeling good the whole time. I am just so happy, and very cold.”

The 24-year old Australian surfer, who had to best former event champion Russell Winter (GBR) and solid youn gun Marc Lacomare (Hossegor, FRA) before taking the best over Blake Thornton (AUS), will now lead the ratings until the next ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event in the Maldives, and will build on his great confidence boost to keep his Dream Tour inception goal within reach.  

Australia’s Adam Melling (AUS/NSW/Lennox Head) with one of surfings most sort after trophies – The Highland Sword. Photo: ASP Europe/Aquashot

“I wanted to go one better than last year and I really like the waves here so I was hoping for it,” Melling said. “This wave of Thurso East is similar to what I have at home except for the water temperature and I felt pretty comfortable throughout the day. That Cold Water Classic thing is great, there has been some good swell at both events”

2009 runner-up Luke Munro, 25, a former ASP World Tour competitor now looking to requalify for the elite circuit, could not answer Melling’s early fire in the final struggling to find a strong ride and stay in the race to the title. Munor, who had impressed with his power surfing and radical approach since Day 1, came short in the last battle, leaving Melling get away with the famous O’Neill CWC Scotland sword.

“I was relaxed and enjoying my time out there the whole event,” Munro said. “Being relaxed is definitely good to make the right decisions and Scotland really suits me, almost feel at home here. I am enjoying competing and it showed here so hopefully I can keep things rolling and get back up there on the Dream Tour next year.”

Joan Duru (Ondres, FRA), 20, definitely experienced the shocker of the day losing in Semifinal No.1 to Munro in the dying seconds of their encounter after leading the battle and holding tight to his first ever Prime rated event final ticket for more than twenty-nine minutes. Duru, who had surfed exceptionally throughout the final day netting a couple of excellent scores including a 9.00 pointer in the Quarters, made a mistake while having priority over Munro and had to accept an equal 3^rd place finish for his best result of the year thus far.

“I had a good wave right in the beginning and I felt pretty good,” Duru said. “I did not think too much in that last minute and thought I would better seat at the peak and wait for the bomb using my priority. That one wave came and it was smaller and I was confident there would be a second good one and I would have the chance to better my second score. Unfortunateley, nothing came and Luke (Munro) ripped that one to the shore. A hard-learnt lesson.” 

Duru, who grabbed 2275 ratings’ points for his Scottish campaign, jumps to an unprecedent No. 4 on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) and will build on his rising favorite status after placing no worse than 9^th throughout the whole European April league. Duru increases his lead on the ASP WQS European ratings and will be much expected on his ASP Dream Tour qualification quest when he paddles back out in the next event.

“That 3^rd is a keeper and I am still happy with that run,” Duru. “I surfed well in the event, felt relaxed and confident and after winning the event in France and getting a 9^th last week, I’ve done what I wanted to. I am glad to go home now and rest and spend time with my friends. That strong lead on the European ratings is good news as well and I’ll keep this somewhere at the back of my head because I would love to get that title either.”

Other Semifinalist and rising Australian to make the final four was Blake Thornton, the New South Wales resident finishing his run in the Semis of the The Most Northern event on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS). Thornton (New South Wales, AUS), 24, was left away from the final in a wave-starved heat where he was not able to find any good wave.

“It just stopped breaking for our heat and the few better ones weren’t for me,” Thornton said. “I wasn’t worried until the last ten minutes as I was confident a set would be breaking because there were a lot of waves whilst paddling out. It’s still a third for me and I am looking forward to building on that result after my fifth at Margaret River.”

Former event champions Russell Winter (Newquay, GBR in 2006), Nathan Hedge (New South Wales, AUS in 2007) and Adam Robertson (Victoria, AUS in 2008) all placed equal 9^th today showing their consistency at the world famous venue of Thurso.

5 “Solo” DVDs for RealSurfers – UPDATE: THEY’RE GONE – winners notified by email already

Solo is the true story of Andrew McAuley, a Sydney adventurer who, on January 11, 2007, set out to become the first person ever to kayak from Australia to New Zealand. After a lonely month at sea and only kilometres from his destination, his mission ended in tragedy. Sadly, his body was never recovered but his kayak was, and in it, the video tapes which documented his terrifying experience.

Cronulla report by Aquasea Wetsuit Repairs

Fullish SSE waves, some fun 1-2 footers, as the swell starts to die, wind to swing SE later on.
WIND: WNW at 13kph. WATER TEMP: 22 degrees.
FORECAST: Fine, sunny day. Light to moderate west to southwest winds tending south to southeast in the afternoon and freshening along the coast.
MAX AIR TEMP TODAY: 21-23 degrees.
SWELL: SSE 1-2m at 10 seconds.
TIDES: HIGH: 06:43 LOW: 12:43
WINDSURFERS: Good conditions today.
BOAT DIVING: Good 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: 4 metres vis at Oak Park. 5+ metres at Shiprock.
WETSUIT REPAIRS at Aquasea, Sydney. 02.95404774 for wetty and wettie repairs contact Lesley at AQUASEA 02.95404774 for a quick turn around, zippers tears cuts and all alterations.
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Evening wrap

Hello late evening folk,

A few more pics from the day on the north coast…

Graceful moment at the Pass this afternoon.

Seen at the Pass today.

Mostly nowhere near as good as this, but there were moments to be sure this morning.

Up da coast – depending on your point of view

Hello Friends,

Looks as though it’s a good morning to be somewhere other than Sydney. Not that Rob’s pics make it look bad or anything, but it does seem smaller than I’d have guessed. Lull before the big swell maybe…

Here’s the Bureau’s call

Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Thursday until midnight: Wind: NW 5/10 knots, tending S/SW early, freshening to 15/20 knots during the afternoon and 20/25 knots at night.Sea: less than 1 metre, rising to 1.5 to 2.5 metres during the afternoon/evening. Swell: S 1 to 1.5 metres. Isolated early thunderstorms.
Friday: Wind: S/SW 20/25 knots, easing to 15/20 knots later. Sea: 2 to 2.5 metres abating 1 to 2 metres later. Swell: S 2 to 2.5 metres.
Saturday: Wind: S/SW 20/30 knots.

Next tide is a low a little before 1pm.

Meanwhile, a hundreds of kays to the north…

Just scoped out the beaches from Flat Rock to Lennox Head reefs. Tide was pretty high, so only one person in the water at Lennox Head itself, but I’d say as the tide drops it should start getting interesting because there are some shoulder high sets around the place. Over at Boulder there was the usual crew of a dozen or so. Quite fat there and seemed to be only one peak for everybody to share. Flat Rock was quite fat as well. Looked like maybe with a mal or SUP it’d work. The fatness also prevailing at Lennox reefs. Reasonable number in the water chasing the odd shoulder high plus set. Wind offshore to start with, so looked fun for the mals and SUPs.

Got some pics to share, which I’ll post an hour or so after this goes live. Hope to have more pics later today as we’re going to run up to Byron to catch up with Byron Bay Today’s maestro, Ben.

Have yourself a top old morning and keep the diary clear for next week as it shows every sign of being an exceptional one…

monavale

There are a few little clean ones out there this morning, should be better with the low tide cause it was pretty fat early! Waist to shoulder high swell though!