Wind & waves

Winter finally arrived last week. The barometer dropped, the wind pomped, and there were waves if you went looking for them. There were even a few in the bay if you weren't too fussy. But the bay with the J definitely got the pick of the surf locally. However, it was Donkey Bay that was the stand-out. Everyone, their dog and the kitchen sink made the trip up the west coast, and they were roundly rewarded. 

Faye & Dono Zoetmulder - in goofy heaven

...and this is what heaven looks like

But as life goes, you have to pay to play. And there were plenty payments being handed down among the barrels of your life. Ex-PE local Granville West aka Granny, got a proper flogging on a late drop. Gotto love how everyone always laughs for a wipeout. And then some ou's make the drop - and get shacked so badly off their pip they'll probbaly never be the same agin. Like Matt Bromley. Check it all out below.

With Sundays expected swell failing to arrive timeously, those who'd planned on surfing the whole day had to come up with other things to pass the time. Michal du Plessis came up with some ingenious GoPro mounts that cost him nothing much more than a trip to Builders Warehouse and change from a R100. A lightweight handgrip made outta surfboard foam with a some pvc pipe stoppers and a bit of cork, and a kiff skateboard mount made from a hand-clamp and a bolt. Looking forward to the shots now....

The first day of winter dawned with a rainbow - so here's hoping that is a good omen. It should be judging by the start of the swell season last week and later this week also looks good. The only challenge of winter is the wind. Dean Simpson aka Porp found out the hard way that roof straps have gotto be on really tight unless you want the board to part ways with the car. Which on this occasion it did...and ended up badly for the board. RIP Yellow.

Before © Karla Newton

After © Sarah Keogh

The sunrises and sunsets last week were pretty spectacular. And outshone the waves by a long way. Here's hoping that the wave quality up's it's game this week and we have more shots of the surf than the sun!

Sunrise © Dean Biddulph

As if on cue, the waves started to pull through at last light late Sunday arvo. Unfortunately the wind was still tearing it apart and wasn't worth the quick 30 minute get wet for what would have been super bumpy conditions. Of course this morning see's the left over swell getting ruined by the NW. Just another typical Monday in the Bay.