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 locations as well.
The pics in the slideshow below come from three different galleries. Clicking on a picture in the slideshow will take you to the full-size version. And you can check the full galleries by following the links below. South Narrabeen 0800-0845 Dee Why 1120-1145 North Narrabeen 1730-1830
I spent the day shooting – but not surfing – lots of waves (have a case of bronchitis underway, so it seemed smart not to get in the water). Started out by driving up to Palmy for a look. There were some fun waves to be had, but it was too inconsistent to make setting up the camera worthwhile, plus, I knew that there were definitely photographic prospects back down the peninsula.
Ended up at Avalon for the day’s first shooting session. I was there for an hour and a half or so in the late morning. Sets were impressive and it was pretty consistent. I’d say the biggest wave faces were comfortably over the old ten-foot mark. Anyway, here’s a shot from the sesh:
After a sustaining coffee (thanks Rog and Annette!) I headed south. There were some fun looking and rather busy big things at Newport but everybody was sitting so far outside, I decided to keep going. Ended up stopping briefly south of Mactier Street where there were a few folks chasing makeable ones amongst the shutdowns at South Narrabeen. It wasn’t too consistent though, so after getting a few snaps, I resumed my southward wander… here’s a sample shot though:
Next stop was Long Reef. There were a few people out on the bombies getting the odd very big left, and there were a lot more people out in front playing cat and mouse with the makeable ones amongst the big shutdowns. Dee Why looked better though, so I continued on…
That peak was still doing its thing, but the point just didn’t seem to be all that interesting. I set up where the lifeguards sit during the summer months and shot people picking up on the left (while occasionally grabbing a snap of the point as well). It was extremely busy, but that didn’t seem to be discouraging anyone! Here’s a piccy:
It looks like the Bureau thinks tomorrow will start out big but start to fade from lunch time. Well, fade from 2-4 metres to 2-3 metres. The models are still predicting very long period (18-19sec in one case!!) swell. However, as of 1845 Saturday evening, there wasn’t any sign of that kinda stuff. Pretty much everywhere was sitting on 12-14 seconds.
Said models have also decided that maybe Monday afternoon will see the swell at peak size… And they reckon it’ll keep pumping through Tuesday before taking a breather Weds and giving us another serve Thr-Fri.
Assuming I don’t get any more crook, I’m planning to be shooting again tomorrow! Have yourself a great evening.
Winds Sunday 10 July Marine Forecast from the BoM Westerly 15 to 25 knots increasing to 25 to 30 knots around midday. Winds increasing to westerly 30 to 40 knots during the afternoon. Seas Up to 2 metres increasing to 2 to 3 metres around midday then increasing to 4 metres by early evening. Swell Southerly 2 to 4 metres decreasing to 2 to 3 metres from midday. Weather Large swells breaking dangerously close inshore.
Want to tip me about where to shoot, where it is/was good etc? SMS to 0410468147 (no calls answered, this is text only) TIDES:
It’s all not happening this morning. Had a look at Curly, Dee Why and Northy and all up I spotted a total of four people in the water. One each at Northy and Curly and the other two at Dee Why centre. This is not surprising however. The combination of grey, periodically rainy, skies and a gutless, tiny SSE windswell being worked over by onshores does not make for the most attractive incentive to get wet.
The outlook for the remainder of the day is pretty much for more of the same. Tomorrow isn’t looking a lot better, although there is some slight hope that as the wind goes around to the NE in the late afternoon that we might get something of interest in the afternoon at north corners.
Go well with plans today and keep on smilin’!
TIDES: H @0625, L @1315
Weather Situation
A high east of Tasmania is moving slowly east, extending a ridge along the New South Wales coast, while a low pressure trough is situated off the northern coast. During today the high is expected to move further east, and the coastal trough should weaken. The approach of a cold front from the Southern Ocean towards the end of the week is likely to bring a southerly change to much of the coast.
Forecast for Tuesday until midnight
Winds: Easterly about 15 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly about 2 metres. Isolated thunderstorms offshore late this evening.
Forecast for Wednesday
Winds: East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots tending northeast to southeasterly up to 10 knots around midday then becoming northeasterly 10 to 15 knots later in the evening. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Easterly 2 metres.
Forecast for Thursday
Winds: Northerly 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots during the morning then tending north to northeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon. Seas: Up to 1.5 metres. Swell: Easterly about 2 metres. The chance of thunderstorms offshore, extending throughout from midday.
Well, did you score anything before the southerly chewed it up?
Yours truly spent a less than satisfying time in the water at Dee Why point this morning. There were sizable sets, but they weren’t easy to get into because the rip was roaring out through the break and the swell was not as clean as it could’ve been. Many attended but only a few found worthwhile waves (and there were some of those). After lunch at Curly (hopeless mess), I went down to Manly to see if the Bower was of interest following the arrival of the south wind. There were dozens and dozens of punters on it, but the swell which peaked around about 0800 was rapidly declining so the sets were further and further apart. Being the Bower, there were some fun looking waves coming through, so I’m sure a couple patient hours out there would’ve rewarded you with something. My last stop was south Manly where I watched a smallish crew chasing occasional sets in the head high range. Again, there were a few fun ones, but you were doing lots of waiting. Seemed to be some bods out up the beach toward North Steyne, but when I rolled by later, it looked like shutdown city.
This evening the swell is still showing at a couple metres on a 10 second period from the SE. But a 15-25kt southerly is whacking anything that’s not really well protected.
The Bureau says it’ll be southerly again tomorrow and they’re still warning of large easterly swell breaking dangerously close in shore for the early. The models reckon it’ll be half the present size and I’d say at the rate it’s dropping, that’s entirely within the realm of the possible.
Went for a few waves this morning. Started by checking the Narrabeen to Collaroy stretch, but decided the swell was just too south to interest me. Then had a look at Long Reef and decided that while there was fun size, the sideshores were making it too messy looking. So, I ended up at the old Dee Why point where there were a few widely spaced low tide things to be caught. Had the Panasonic FT-1 with me too and grabbed a few snaps which I’ve now uploaded to a gallery.
The light was good and there were a few long period set waves showing up at Dee Why early on Saturday morning. So I wandered down to the point to see what was what. Quite a few bods in the water enduring very, very long waits between the sets. Still, I got a few pics to share. As usual, if you want to buy one, it’s very simple, just double-click on the picture to see it full size and then look for the “add to cart” link top left…
Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, won the commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic over Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, marking back-to-back ASP Women's World Tour wins for the current ASP Women's World No. 2.
DEE WHY, New South Wales (Sunday, October 4, 2009) – Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, won the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic this afternoon over reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP Women’s World No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, in stormy three-to-five foot (1.5 metre) conditions at Dee Why in an action packed Final, marking back-to-back wins for the hungry Brazilian after claiming the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
Gilmore jumped out to an early lead in the sea-saw battle for the 2009 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic title, but Lima fought back throughout the heat, collecting a 7.77 and eventually securing the win with an 8.83 for a lengthy forehand barrel to post the highest heat total of the event, an impressive 16.60 out of 20, en route to her first victory at the event after three consecutive Final appearances.
“I can’t believe it,” Lima said. “I’ve been in the Final in this event three times and I finally won. I was feeling really confident. The waves here today were like the waves in Brazil and I’m always surfing in these conditions. The final was really good. Steph (Gilmore) got some good waves too and I was able to get two good ones.”
The back-to-back ASP Women’s World Tour wins secured by the hungry Brazilian have significantly tightened the ratings for this year’s ASP Women’s World Title and although Gilmore still holds on to the ratings lead, Lima is following closely in the No. 2 position.
“I’m definitely looking at the title, but it’s too early,” Lima said “There are still four contests left this year, so there is more work for everyone, but I feel so much more confident after my first win at Bells.”
Gilmore was in devastating form throughout the entire Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, blasting some of the event’s top scores with a committed forehand attack on the steep Dee Why right-handers, but was unable to top Lima in the Final.
“To come back after such a long break and still make the Final, I’m pretty happy with that,” Gilmore said. “Silvana (Lima) beat me at Bells and her confidence is through the roof at the moment, so my challenge is to step it up another level. I did it in the Semifinals, but maybe I peaked too early.”
Gilmore, who fell to Lima in the Final at the last stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour, knows claiming this year’s ASP Women’s World Title will be no easy task and is preparing for the next four stops scheduled on the 2009 calendar.
“It’s definitely game on,” Gilmore said. “There are four events left and everyone is really fired up and off to Portugal, Peru and Hawaii, so I can’t think of a better way to finish off the tour.”
Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 26, was also on fire throughout the entire event, topping 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS), 25, en route to her third place finish, but could not find a solid score in her Semifinal heat against eventual Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic winner, Lima.
“I couldn’t really find a rhythm in that last heat,” Mulanovich said. “I couldn’t land a turn, but it’s alright. I guess I was a bit nervous and the waves didn’t come my way, but it’s the same conditions for everyone. I’ll just look at where things went wrong and use that for next time.”
Mulanovich, who was the 2004 ASP Women’s World Champion, has now notched back-to-back third place results, leaving her in third overall on the ratings, but as a former champion, the Peruvian natural-footer knows she’ll need to win events this year if she is to claim another ASP Women’s World title.
“Silvana got me at Bells too,” Mulanovich said. “It’s the same result. A third-place is a good result and I need to work a little more on the mental side of things, but I know that, so that’s what I’m going to do. A third is good, but you need to win events to win the title. I’m still towards the top of the ratings and I’m just going to go from there.”
Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27, was a standout performer throughout the event’s entirety, ousting an international field of competitors including Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, and Rosanne Hodge (ZAF), 22, on the way to her Semifinals berth. The talented Hawaiian struggled to find a solid score in her battle against Gilmore, bowing out of the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic with a third place finish.
“I just wasn’t in rhythm out there and I couldn’t find anything,” Bartels said. “It’s tough out there, but I’m stoked that I made the Semifinals, it’s a good result, but I just wanted to surf well, I wanted to put on a good performance and I don’t feel like I did that, but that’s how it goes.”
For Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic photos, results and highlights log on to www.beachleyclassic.com
The next stop on the ASP Women’s World Tour will be the Rip Curl Search in Peniche, Portugal, which holds a waiting period from October 26 through 30, 2009.
Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, current ASP World No. 8, eliminated seven-time ASP Women's World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 37, in Round 3 of Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic competition today, which was offically Beachley's last heat on the ASP Women's World Tour.
DEE WHY, New South Wales (Saturday, October 3, 2009) – The Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic got back underway today when the world’s finest competitive female surfers were greeted with stormy three-to four foot (1.5 metre) surf at Dee Why and completed two rounds of competition.
Today’s action saw surfing icon and seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS), 37, fall to Rebecca Woods (AUS), 25, in Round 3 in what was officially her last professional heat while reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, was victorious in a highly anticipated rematch over defending event champion Tyler Wright (AUS), 15.
Woods, who relegated Beachley to Round 2 in their opening Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic bout, eliminated the ASP Women’s World Tour veteran from competition today when they faced off in the tricky Round 3 conditions at Dee Why and advanced through to the Quarterfinals.
“It feels great to go in to the Quarterfinals and to get two wins against Layne (Beachley),” Woods said. “In these types of conditions, the waves are all over the place, so it’s really just a fight to get waves. Layne’s been on tour for nearly 20 years and she’s gotten the best of me in nearly every man-on-man heat we’ve had, so I wanted to go out there and give it one last shot, so I’m happy with that.”
The talented Australian has yet to advance past the Quarterfinals in the first two events of the2009 calendar and is hoping to break through to the Semifinals at this year’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.
“I’m excited to try and work through to the Semifinals,” Woods said. “The title of Quarterfinal Queen needs to be gone. I’ve got Bartels in the next heat and she’s always a hard one, so we’ll see what happens.”
Beachley was unable to find a rhythm in what would be her career-last heat and logged her career-lowest heat total (a .50 out of a possible 20) while bowing out to Woods, but her tough luck in the Round 3 matchup has no reflection on the illustrious champions previous accomplishments.
“It’s a demoralizing way to go out, but it doesn’t depict my career at all,” Beachley said. “All I can do is laugh. To finish my career after winning seven ASP World Titles with a 0.50 heat total in my last heat is pretty comical, but very devastating at the same time.”
After an impressive Round 2 performance, Beachley was unable to find a rhythm against woods and posted only one small score before the clock ran down in her heat.
“I just couldn’t afford to buy a heat out there,” Beachley said. “At the end of the day, I’ve had a fairytale career and I guess you can’t finish with a fairytale ending.”
Gilmore, who is the current ASP Women’s World No. 1, eliminated defending event Champion, Wright, in a low-scoring affair. Wright caught a last-second wave and was unable to clinch the small score needed to advance over the reigning ASP World Champion, opening the door for Gilmore to advance through to the Quarterfinals.
“I’m glad to get the win, but I’m disappointed in my performance,” Gilmore said. “It was difficult and I think I only scraped through because Tyler (Wright) fell on her wave at the end. It’s a win though, I’ll take it. I really studied the conditions before I went out and I got out there and it was a totally different story. It just shows that no matter how much hard work you put in, the ocean’s still in control.”
After falling to the prodigious young Australian in Round 3 of last year’s Beachley Classic, Gilmore approached the rematch against Wright with more caution and her tactics allowed her to come out on top in this year’s battle.
“I took the heat a little more seriously because of what happened last year,” Gilmore said. “I take every heat really seriously and although it looks like I’m having a lot of fun I’m still working really hard and Tyler (Wright) is dangerous in all conditions. She likes bigger waves and she’s very mature. I just went out there with my game head on and worked hard.”
Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, who is the current ASP World No. 2, bashed the day’s highest heat total, an impressive 16.00 out of 20, with committed forehand surfing on the thumping Dee Why right-handers.
“The conditions are tough, but I was able to get two good rights,” Lima said. “I saw that the girls in the other heats were not hitting the closeout sections, so I was trying to smash the closeouts to get higher scores and it worked out.”
Lima, who is fresh off of her first career victory at Bells Beach and a two-time Beachley Classic runner-up, is hungry to claim back-to-back wins and is ready to better her result at this year’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic.
“Here we are again,” Lima said. “I’ve finished second here twice before and I’d love to win this year.”
Lima will face fellow Brazilian Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 30, in Quarterfinal No.3 when competition resumes.
Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic event organizers will reconvene at 7am local time tomorrow for a possible 8am start. The event will be webcast LIVE via www.beachleyclassic.com
Went shooting at Dee Why a couple times today. For the short first session, I set up just south of the Pole and shot toward the right handers on the peak in front of the SLSC, plus the occasional set on the point.
After running an errand, I came back for another session at noon. I ended up sticking aroun until 130pm mostly shooting the peak in front of the SLSC, but also grabbing the odd shot from the point. The peak had a lot more juice and though the wind was getting into it, there were some fun looking lefts and rights in amongst the numerous straighthanders. Chances are if you were in the water and caught any waves, I will have taken your picture!
Photo: Dee Why barrel not so long ago. Everyone, pray for more barrels like this one recently at Dee Why. Too much talk about the ‘S’ word lately has manifested them in the water. Lets talk more about the ‘B’ word and manifest these! )
Pray for more DY barrels like this one lately
Photo: Ugly beach eel There are some other animals that have been joining us at the beach lately. Look out for them!
The light was good and there were a few long period set waves showing up at Dee Why early on Saturday morning. So I wandered down to the point to see what was what. Quite a few bods in the water enduring very, very long waits between the sets. Still, I got a few pics to share. As usual, if you want to buy one, it’s very simple, just double-click on the picture to see it full size and then look for the “add to cart” link top left…
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