Australia is the quintissential travel destination for a young California surfer. Although it is located on the opposite side of the world, the east coast of Oz between Sydney and Brisbane already feels like a second home in juxtaposition to California's western coast. Imagine San Franciso as Brisbane, and San Diego as Sydney... now warp your imagination, east becomes west, exchange north for south, west wind is offshore, add a significant amount of warmth to the ocean, a vivacious accent, and you will feel as if you never left the golden state.
For many days after our losing efforts in the Burleigh Breaka Pro, Jonny and myself occupied our sun soaked gold coast days with waves, laughter, and the occasional filming session... I got to meet a few Rhythm Oz team riders including Asher Pacey and Kieren Perrow. They were super cool guys and made me look stupid in the water.
Marc, our host, was truly epic. Always up for a good time with a smile on his face. We had some pretty fun nights when the swell was down, but the most fun I had was by far playing in the sandbox with Scotto. Can't wait until Marc and his Japsai venture over to California this summer!
The time came to venture south towards Newcastle and we departed the Gold Coast in our $1 per day relocation camper van, stopping the first night to sleep at a rest stop. Within ten minutes there were more mosquitos in our van than golf balls on a driving range.
We trekked on south towards Port Macqaurie, a place very close to my heart due to the quality of surf scored there by the tour last year... After driving for about an hour along a dirt road with Jonny complaining in my ear like a third grade catholic schoolgirl that it was too bumpy, I was delighted when we pulled up to find head high wedging rights peeling off a jetty with not a soul in sight except for the local fisherman. We surfed the definition of fun waves for two days with only three other kind Aussie souls to share with. Had we been filming those two days, clips would have been abundant, but it was too much fun to leave the water.
We continued south to Sydney, and after one day dedicated to negotiating the rental camper dropoff, and taking the train from busy Sydney, we reached the contest site in Newcastle and met up with Cole Moody and twins Taylor and Jared Thorne from Newport who were there early for the Pro Junior.
The Next week proceeded to be a nice solid week of contest surfing with the occasional fun freesurf. (video evidence provided above) Taylor had a good run in the Pro Junior, and I didn't lose my first heat in the QS for once! Jonny was victorious in his man on man heat against the brazilian kid I lost to, and after he takes out the contest we'll be off to the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand.
Overall it has been an amazing time in Australia and I can't wait to come back next year!
Cheers,
Dane
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