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A southerly arrived early and laid waste to most surf options on Monday, but the east swell still had some legs and there were waves to be had at the Bower and Collaroy. So, I grabbed...
After weeks of dribble, Sydney surfers finally got a few fun waves thanks to a couple metres of east swell on a sunny Sunday. I surfed it myself and shot pictures at three different...
Surf Photos of You. I was enjoying a cap down at Dee Why and decided to get the camera and shoot Dee Why Point for an hour or so between 11am and 12.10pm. 3 – 4 foot+. (5...
Surf Photos of You::: If you were surfing at South Narrabeen this morning between 8am – 9am near the South Narrabeen Surf Club and the Marquesas between 8 – 9 am on Saturday...
Now it was a rather glorious morning to say the least, sun was out, lines were reasonably clean and the crew were feeling well happy and mellow, in Byron Bay today. Then many sponsored...
TG’s forecast
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Surf Reports.Surf forecast issued friday q17 July 2009: weekend outlook for Sydney:
Plenty waves for the little chillen and for those who don’t mind a chill ‘un…
hohoho oh I can’t help myself sometimes…
But sadly it’s not for me – I’m getting over a cold and don’t want it back…
Saturday, Sunday – in the upper end of the 1-2 metre range at places that like dead South swell…
Stay warm.. stay well…
Weather from the Bureau:
Forecast for Saturday
Morning frosts in the west. Morning fog and mist patches, then becoming sunny. Light northwest winds.
Precis: Fine. Mostly sunny.
City: Min: 7 Max: 18 Parramatta: Min: 5 Max: 18 Terrey Hills: Min: 6 Max: 17 Penrith: Min: 3 Max: 18 Liverpool: Min: 2 Max: 19 Richmond: Min: 1 Max: 18
UV Alert: Nil , UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
Sunday Fine. Sunny.
City: Min: 7 Max: 18 West: Min: 1 Max: 18
Monday Fine. Sunny.
City: Min: 7 Max: 20 West: Min: 3 Max: 20
Tuesday Fine. Sunny
City: Min: 9 Max: 21 West: Min: 4 Max: 21
Wednesday Mostly fine.
City: Min: 11 Max: 21 West: Min: 7 Max: 21
Thursday Fine.
City: Min: 9 Max: 17 West: Min: 5 Max: 17
Friday Fine
City: Min: 7 Max: 16 West: Min: 1 Max: 16
Afternoon update: you didn’t miss much
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Curl Curl, Dee Why.Hello Friends,
Had a look at Curly and Dee Why a little after 4pm. Not great it has to be said, although there were sort of waves if you were keen. I’d call it 4 out of 10. The latest MHL data shows that the swell is still dead south. Average size is creeping toward the three metre mark, but the period is a fairly anemic 8 seconds. At Curly the biggest sets were maybe head high on take off, but they were pretty soft and weak looking to me. Not many people in the water, but then again it’s been chilly all day and it was cloudy and breezy when I checked it.
Over the hill at Dee Why the average size was smaller – maybe chest high on the biggest ones. Mostly though they’re more in the waist high range. It was more protected from the wind, but just as cold of course.
I’d expect the waves to stick around at roughly this size through tomorrow morning. One of the forecast models is calling for the average period to increase by a couple seconds or so. It if does, then the distinctly ordinary options of this afternoon could be replaced by something more tempting for Saturday morning.
Here’s the Bureau’s call:
Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Friday until midnight: Wind: S/SW 20/25 knots, easing to 15/20 knots in the evening.Sea: 2 to 3 metres, abating to 1 to 2 metres later.Swell: S/SE increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Isolated early thunderstorms.
Saturday: Wind: S/SW 10/15 knots, tending N/NW 8/13 knots in the afternoon/evening. Sea: 1 to 1.5 metres, abating to less than 1 metre later. Swell: S/SE 1 to 2 metres.
Sunday: Wind: W/NW 10/15 knots.
Monday: Wind: NW 10/20 knots.
Not terribly exciting, nor terribly crowded late this afternoon.
Nevermind, that'll buff right out...
One of the bigger ones at mid Curly late this afternoon.
VID: Billabong Pro J-Bay finals highlights
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Top stories, Video.
Billabong Pro J-Bay 2009 finals highlights
Check out the J-Bay 2009 finals highlights reel from www.billabong.com on RealSurf.tv.
a couple of chilly little ones …
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in South Coast.… and there’s a couple of waves much the same. 1-2ft lines out of the S, cold SW breeze. Two whales just outside the lineup heading toward Gerroa, might be better up there. Unless you’re a frothing grommet, or been surfless for a while, not much to get excited about. Rosco.
Sunny cold morning
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Big Picture, Dee Why.
Like sitting in a windy fridge? That's what it was like waiting for sets like this at Dee Why beach around 0800.
0800 and it's a wait for sets into the rideable range.
Hello Friends,
After a bit of rain last night, Sydney wakes up to another brisk and breezy morning under mostly blue skies. The south windswell has pushed up a little. The waits for catchable sets (which are in the waist to chest high range) are not as long as they were yesterday. But you’d still want to be keen with the 11 degree temps (lowered by the wind to something much colder). Which reminds me…
Here’s my annual winter tip: get yourself a big (2 litres or more) container and fill it with hot water just before you leave for the beach. You will not believe how good it feels to pour it down the neck of your wetty when you get back to the car. This is common practice in California during winter (and lots of other cold water places I should imagine). A simple, low-tech and ultra low cost shortcut to comfort.
From the look of the forecast models Huey’s having a change of heart about tomorrow. It now looks as though we’ll basically have pretty much the current conditions through tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks to those of you who’ve offered your unvarnished opinion in the current poll. If you haven’t added your two cents, please take a sec to click. Much appreciated!
Go well with your Friday one and all.
Low tide is at 0856 and high rolls through at 1547.
Sydney Coastal Waters, Broken Bay to Port Hacking and 60nm seawards:
Strong Wind Warning.
Friday until midnight: Wind: S/SW 20/30 knots, chiefly offshore, easing to 15/20 knots in the evening.Sea: 2 to 3 metres, abating to 1 to 2 metres later.Swell: S/SE increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Isolated early thunderstorms.
Saturday: Wind: S/SW 10/15 knots, tending N/NW 8/13 knots in the afternoon/evening. Sea: 1 to 1.5 metres, abating to less than 1 metre later. Swell: S/SE 1 to 2 metres.
Sunday: Wind: W/NW 10/20 knots.Forecast for Friday
Partly cloudy, with a shower or two near the coast. Light to moderate
south to southwest winds, fresh along the coast.Precis: Coastal shower or two.
City: Max: 16 Parramatta: Max: 16
Terrey Hills: Max: 15 Penrith: Max: 16
Liverpool Max: 16 Richmond: Max: 16
C C Swell will build
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Central Coast, Surf Reports.Heavy showers, mild and breezy on the Central Coast this Friday morning. The swell is small and ruffled at 1 – 2 feet from the southeast. There is moderate to strong south southwest breeze. Low tide 0855 and high tide around 1545. Local barometer 1009 hpa, 9 degrees C. 98% humidity. Have a good weekend.
Byron BayToday July 16th 2009
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Byron, Just for fun, Local Colour, Surf Reports.
- There were moments, between the closeouts in Byron Bay today.
Typical northcoast winters day, In Byron Bay Today. Sunshine blues skies, scattered cloud and a cool westerly wind. It’s finally beach break season again. The westerlies make for some pretty bumpy cross-shore in the bay. So it’s time to check out the ocean side, spread out and go look for your own private bank, because they are out there, you just got to go and look. Now of course the big news is the Tsunami that didn’t. There was a 7.9 on the Richter scale undersea quake off the south island of New Zealand last night. Which is pretty big The quake triggered abnormal water movement, which triggered the Tsunami sensors. Now there was a Tsunami, just not a very big one. It registered off Tassie and about 30cm at Port Kembla. The sensors picked it up and predicted it, sending out the warnings. Like I said yesterday, I don’t pay much attention to weather forecasts, but I do take note of warnings. If it turns out to be a non event, then I reckon gratitude is a whole lot better than grumbling about it. Bottom line is it’s nice to know we’re being looked after. Because there’s one thing I know for sure, after a life time in around and on the sea, I’ve learnt you can never have too much respect for the ocean and its unpredictable weather patterns. Huey can sure turn on the beauty, but the old buggers got a wild temper too. So have fun and enjoy but also take care, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have power out there, In Byron Bay Today.
Parkinson Claims Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, Solidifies ASP Ratings Lead
Posted on July 17th, 2009 in Contests, News Stories, Surf News, Top stories.
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, has won the 2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, his third ASP World Tour event victory this season alone, solidifying his position as frontrunner in the race for the 2009 ASP World Title. Photo: ASP/ CI/ CESTARI via GETTY IMAGES
JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Wednesday, July 15, 2009) – Joel Parkinson (AUS), 28, has claimed the 2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in clean three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) surf over Damien Hobgood (USA), 30, strengthening his stranglehold on the ASP World Tour ratings lead.
Stop No. 5 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will go down as one of the finest in history, with the two final days of competition enjoying pumping surf and amazing performances, culminating in today’s exciting finale.
Parkinson wasted no time in the 40-minute Final, smashing an excellent 9.47 out of a possible 10 on his opening wave. The wave exhibited the Australian’s unparalleled mastery of the Jeffreys Bay lineup, a symphony of beautiful forehand arcs and committed barrel riding, taking off from “Boneyards” section at the top of the point and riding well over 200 metres to the eruption of crowds on the beach.
“I knew the waves were dying down towards the end of the day and it was going to be important to get on the board early in Final,” Parkinson said. “I’ve been sitting up the point at Boneyards for most of the event and trying to find the ones that would run all the way down the point – that one was no different. As I stood up I had a really nice line on it and I tried to make the most of it. Turned out to be a crucial part of the heat.”
Today’s win comes 10 years after Parkinson’s inaugural victory at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, last ascending the winner’s dais in 1999 when he competed as a wildcard.
“Wow – 10 years seems to go by really fast,” Parkinson said. “I’ve enjoyed coming here every year since that first one, and it’s been a pretty incredible trip since then. To bring it together 10 years down the track, it’s a pretty special feeling and all I can say is that it’s a fantastic event and I’ll be coming here as long as I can.”
Throughout the competition, time-and-again, Parkinson proved to be the form surfer, collecting two Perfect 10s (Round 3, Semifinals) as well as several 9-point plus rides as he deftly advanced through five heats of battle. This victory marks the phenomenal natural-footer’s third ASP Dream Tour win this year alone, strengthening his position as frontrunner in the race for the ASP World Title.
“The conditions for this event were just unbelievable and the surfing speaks for itself,” Parkinson said. “The past two days are a bit of a blur – so many massive scores and barrels from everyone. In terms of the world title, I do my best not to think about it. In the past, I’ve done my head in by wondering how many points behind or ahead of someone I am, and this season, I’ve just focused on the task at hand. I’ve had a good start, but it’s a long year and a lot can happen. I’m looking forward to heading home to see my family and training hard for the next one.”
Unfortunately for Hobgood, inconsistency plagued the back half of his Final clash with Parkinson, and the Floridian was unable to find a rhythm in the challenging conditions. However, today’s Runner-Up finish marks second career result at the venue for Hobgood (the other to Slater in 2003), an impressive feat for a goofy-footer.
“It’s an honor to come here every year,” Hobgood said. “The place is magical and it’s just so beautiful. It’s easy to get distracted by how beautiful it looks when waves are coming down the point. Joel (Parkinson) opened up with that really good wave and at that point, the only thing I could do was pray for an 8-footer to come through. It’s not an easy wave for goofy-footer’s to excel at, but I feel really fortunate to finish in the Final. It’s a great result for me.”
Hobgood’s route to the Final was no easy feat, navigating through a bevy of in-form surfers: Bede Durbidge (AUS), 26, in Round 3, Taylor Knox (USA), 38, in the Quarterfinals, and Dane Reynolds (USA), 23, in the Semifinals. Today’s result bolts Hobgood from 10th to 5th on the ASP World Tour ratings, putting him in excellent position to contest the back half of the season.
“This is definitely my best result of the year and moving up to 5th puts me in good position for the back half of the season,” Hobgood said. “I opened up with a pretty good result on the Goldy before having some average outings in the last three. Today’s finish definitely gives me a lot of confidence heading into the next few events, and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Dane Reynolds (USA), 2008 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year, lost a wave-starved Semifinal to eventual Runner-Up Hobgood, but impressively stamped his authority on today’s proceedings, besting 2009 ASP Dream Tour rookie Michel Bourez (PYF), 23, in the opening heat of the day before taking down giant-slaying wildcard Sean Holmes (ZAF), 31, with the highest-scoring heat total of the event, a 19.20 out of a possible 20. The feat included an incredibly long barrel punctuated with a high-risk floater for his second Perfect 10 of the event, as well as executing a mind-blowing fin-throw: exploding through the lip, grabbing rail and landing in reverse before pulling his board around to recover.
“It was a bit of a bummer to have things die down like that after the Quarterfinals,” Reynolds said. “I’m still happy to be here though. The waves were so much fun that it didn’t even really feel like a contest. (On that 10) There were a couple of moments when I didn’t think I was going to make it. It was really difficult to navigate, but I punched through and was stoked. I also got to do a pretty big turn in the Quarters, and I kind of wanted to do one of those this whole event, but didn’t have a lot of opportunities – when you’re on a wave like that one though, you start gaining some confidence and I just tried to do a big turn. Worked out pretty well.”
Today’s equal 3rd place finish is not only a personal best for the young Californian, but rockets Reynolds up from No. 34 to No. 20 on the ASP World Tour ratings, a major relief following three, consecutive equal 33rds prior to the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay.
“This event was obviously a welcome change in my year so far,” Reynolds said. “I didn’t have a good start to the season and came here a bit more motivated to compete. But then I started out pretty slow with some board problems and stuff, so I don’t know. I don’t do well when I think about what I need in heats and that, so I just go out to surf. This result takes a bit of pressure off in terms of ratings and stuff so hopefully I can get a few more before the year is done.”
Kai Otton (AUS), 29, was another goofy-footer to bust through Jeffreys Bay’s challenging walls on his backhand, besting Dean Morrison (AUS), 28, in the Quarterfinals before going down in a tit-for-tat shootout with eventual winner Parkinson in the Semifinals. Otton’s equal 3rd place finish bumps him from 27th to 19th on the ASP World Tour ratings.
“I came to Jeffreys really trying to focus on getting a result here,” Otton said. “For me, that means not thinking in heats, and just surfing, so that seemed to work out pretty well. It can be a difficult wave for goofy-footer’s to do well at, but I really think the size helped throughout the event. It allowed us to open up a bit more as it wasn’t breaking really fast on the bricks. I’m looking forward to heading home and training hard for the next event.”
Kelly Slater (USA), 37, reigning nine-time ASP World Champion and past four-time winner of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, fell to compatriot Knox in their Round 3 bout this morning. Starting the year with three uncharacteristic 17th place finishes, Slater rebounded with a win in Brazil last week, and was poised to threaten the current tour frontrunners with a strong showing in South Africa. However, today’s equal 9th place finish and current ASP World No. 8 rating make a potential charge for an unprecedented 10th ASP World Title much more challenging for the Floridian.
“I’m going to probably have to win three straight now to get back in this thing,” Slater said. “If you do the numbers, I think before this contest, Parko (Joel Parkinson) was ten heats ahead of me, and if I want to contend, I need to catch up. That obviously wasn’t happening for me today.”
The next stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour will be the Hurley Pro Trestles in Southern California from September 13 – 19, 2009.
Highlights from the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay will be available at www.billabongpro.com
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay content can also be found on your mobile phone. Anyone with a 3G or GPRS enabled phone can log onto asptogo.com from their mobile browser. Content is updated real time as per the webcast – event status, results, live scores, news, photos and video highlights along with ASP World Tour ratings tables.
For more information go to http://aspworldtour.com/2009/aspmobile.asp
BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.97
2 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 11.94
BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.83 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 16.47
SF 2: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.73 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 13.67
BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
QF 1: Kai Otton (AUS) 16.17 def. Dean Morrison (AUS) 10.83
QF 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.66 def. Bobby Martinez (USA) 10.83
QF 3: Dane Reynolds (USA) 19.20 def. Sean Holmes (ZAF) 9.84
QF 4: Damien Hobgood (USA) 14.73 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 14.30
REMAINING BILLABONG PRO JEFFREYS BAY ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 6: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.66 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.83
Heat 7: Taylor Knox (USA) 12.57 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.04
Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.60 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.97
2009 ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10:
1 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 5076 pts
2 – C.J. Hobgood (USA) 3672 pts
3 – Adriano de Souza (BRA) 3613 pts
4 – Taj Burrow (AUS) 3460 pts
5 – Damien Hobgood (USA) 3374 pts
6 – Bobby Martinez (USA) 3357 pts
7 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 3350 pts
8 – Kelly Slater (USA) 3030 pts
9 – Tom Whitaker (AUS) 2942 pts
10 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 2896 pts