Desert Point 2012
The first trip of the 2012 season and I headed off to Desert Point, this time by car – a luxury as I usually travel by bike.
An 8 hour journey, we left Bali at 9pm and arrived at Deserts at 5am. My mum braved this trip with me and we stayed in the nicer option of bungalows at the beachfront, still simple but at least with our own ensuite… a toilet and a water tub, with a bucket! Pretty high living for Desert Point! Electricity came and went in the evening when they turned on the generator.
But we were on the beach, our hammock overlooked the break so I could watch the swell and wait for the it to hit, without having to move too much!
Predictions were an 8 foot, south west swell, offshore winds… Hopes were high.. On the first day nothing much happened until sunset, with the low tide – 4 – 5 foot sets rolled in for an hour before dying down again.
The next day the 40 or so surfers there for the swell awaited the big waves.. most of the day there was 4 foot waves or smaller, until out of nowhere 3 huge 10 foot sets came through, the swell turning south, totally taking the surfers unawares – one guy getting washing-machined all the way down through the Grower, each set on his head and said he thought he was going to die!
It went as fast as it came, to the disappointment of those surfers sitting at the Warungs hurriedly grabbing their boards to get out there, thinking things had picked up! Small sets throughout the afternoon but the swell died as the tide got lower and many bailed back to Bali as the sun set.
I love Desert Point but one thing you cannot help noticing here is the rubbish, littered along the tideline and in the outlet. As the number of surfers that visit each year has grown, so does the need for us all to take more responsibility for the impact we are having on this area. It would be a good initiative if everyone picked up one bag of rubbish at the beach and took it away with them when they left.
Lets show how much this beautiful place means to us by caring about its future…
Maroubra morning…
Beautiful weekend in Sydney, a perfect sunrise at Maroubra this morning – daylight savings started and I didnt know, which means I got up at 5am not 6am as I thought!
There have been fun waves over the last few days, Maroubra has been barreling but today there were a lot of close outs. By sunrise there were at least 60 surfers in the water and an hour later double that!
I am now counting down the days until I leave for Indonesia, this will be my last month enjoying Australian life before Im off to enjoy the other paradise!
Who says bigger is better?!
Bondi and Bronte sunrise glory
I sleep walked my way down to Bondi this morning for sunrise. There were already plenty of people at the beach, with the same idea of getting up early to enjoy the best part of the day. Peaceful and clear skied, the promise of an amazing day ahead, small 2 foot waves but at least 30 surfers already in the water!
Bronte was smaller with less people but still glorious. Autumn is the best time of year in Sydney and tomorrow with the waves picking (if the weather holds!) up Im heading south to Cronulla…
Tamarama waves…
Stunning day at Tamarama today to take us into the weekend. Waves were 4 foot and winds offshore, after a horrible day of southerlies yesterday blowing out the coast. Lots of surfers out today and at times there were 5 or 6 guys taking off on the same wave, but as the waves pumped all day there was enough to go round.
My day of wandering the rocks and paths taking photos was brightened by a friendly tradesman. He lurked around me for 5 minutes before enquiring if he could get my number to have some portrait shots done… I asked what kinds of shots he was after…he replied, “I was thinking of getting some nude shots…is that something you’d be into?” …. Uh sorry, no!!!!
A few issues with my camera, so Im not really happy with the shots but you get the idea!
A tribute…
Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti was killed by Police using taser guns on Sunday morning, several news outlets in Brazil citing the tragedy as ‘murder’
In an horrific misuse of force, six policemen chased Roberto, who was on his way home from a night out, for allegedly stealing a packet of biscuits. When he resisted arrest they tasered him up to 4 times as he continued to run away from them. Witnesses say he was screaming for help as he ran down the street.
The incident has sparked massive debate over the use of Tasers and public / International outcry has forced an Internal Investigation into the death. Police are close lipped until investigations are complete – there is speculation that it was a case of mistaken identity but we will hopefully know the truth after a full investigation.
Stun guns are only meant to be deployed by officers when their own lives or a member of the publics is at risk.
Roberto was 21 years old, studying English in Bondi Junction and was known to many as an easy going, friendly guy. He lived with his sister in Sydney, who is married to an Australian. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones, who are now demanding answers.
My photos at Clovelly Cemetery at dawn this morning are dedicated to Roberto and his family.
Tattoo & Body Art Expo
The good, the bad & the ugly!
Some of the best Tattoo artists from around the world gathered in Sydney for a 3 day exhibition of their work. 207 Australian and 140 International artists displayed their talent at this huge event, every artist was booked with people getting their tattoos done for all to see using a variety of styles and techniques. There were contests, parades, body painting, body piercing, seminars, shops and side shows of all sorts, even live body suspension! (which was very disturbing!)
The crowds attending the event were themselves an exhibit! People of all ages and backgrounds were walking displays of tattoos, body piercing and an amazing variety of styles. Not having any tattoos myself, i felt very boring and that people were looking at my untattooed body wondering why on earth i was there! It is becoming so popular to have tattoos these days that is in more unusual not to have one!
The art work by the tattooists was amazing, each tattoo unique and intricate – as many girls as there were guys getting their chosen designs inked onto their skin. Was i tempted? maybe… but only if there was a cheap, easy, painless option to get it removed if i got sick of it or decided i didnt like it anymore!
More waves to be had…
Up at dawn on Saturday morning to make the most of the waves still rolling in along the eastcoast of NSW.
Maroubra was much like Friday, perfect weather, 4-6 foot barrels with a few close outs to keep surfers guessing! A call from a friend at 8am and I was off with them down the south coast to search out big, clean, barrels with nobody else out… Maybe not! But still some great waves to be had and we were going to find them!
We stopped at Sandon Point but with the tide coming up it was going to be better in the afternoon. After stopping at least 15 breaks, the choice for the boys was Boneyard, near Kiama. Not many surfers out, beautiful waves, a few barrels and friendly locals, giving away their waves to guys – now that doesnt happen often!
Conditions dropped off in the afternoon, the wind picked up and it seemed to be the same everywhere, so disappointingly there was no second surf at ‘Sando’ and we headed home…
Sunday saw a full day of Cronulla waves and a trip to the International Tattoo Expo, but thats for the next blog!
Maroubra Delivers!
Finally, it seems the surf season has begun!
A stunning day to be at the beach and an even better day to be surfing, perfect conditions drew every surfer that wasnt working into the water (and many that were working to take a sick day!) I headed to Maroubra for a look.
It was an east swell, 6-8 foot, offshore winds and there were plenty of barrels to be had – plenty of broken boards and hardcore wipeouts too! One by one photographers arrived to snap some shots, on the boardwalk and at the beachside cafe all eyes were on the surf.
When I got home I discovered Kelly Slater and Taj Burrows had been scoring massive barrels all day at Botany Bay just round the corner….. i will have to just pretend i never heard that… but guess where I will be tomorrow morning?!
Brasil..saudades!
Brasil ~ 2011
Here is just a taste of my trip to Brasil last year.
One of the best trips of my life, I went to Brasil for 6 weeks for Carnival in 2011.
Photos are only with a small point and shoot camera, but such a place of beauty and excitement you cant go wrong! Next trip I will be accompanied by all my gear!
I spent the lead up to Carnival in Ipanema, Rio and Ilha Grande. 2 weeks in Salvador for Carnival and post Carnival recovery, then Floripa and back to Rio for the perfect ending to a whirlwind trip of parties, surf, beaches, dancing, Samba clubs, Brasilian music, islands, colour, paradisiacal deserted beaches, crazy football games, incredible people, strong culture and family values, joy, struggle, rich, poor, progression, beautiful language and muitas beijos!
Brasil is a country of people with a zest for life and living in the now, which leaves every visitor and Brasilian living abroad with a sense of saudades… ‘missing’… that never really dies.
BONDI BOWL-A-RAMA
BONDI BOWL-A-RAMA
A massive week of skating, art shows and parties was topped off on Saturday with the 2012 Bondi Bowl-a-rama.
Blue skies and sun graced Bondis glistening shores and the grandstands were packed early, nobody wanting to miss out on the action.
The grass overlooking the beach next to the Skate Bowl, was filled with stalls, free giveaways, loads of people hanging out and watching the event on the big screen. I was bowlside for the finals and it was electric!!
Brazilian Pedro Barros came out on top again, the winner 3 years in a row, wowing crowds with his freakish talent, super fast and fearless skating. Pedro is only 16 years old and practises every day in the swimming pool bowl built in his backyard in Florianopolis.
It was said to be the best final ever seen at the Bondi Bowlarama, the skating was just mind blowing! The top 10 finalist were: Pedro Barros, Bucky Lasek, Rune Glifberg, Nathen Beck, Nolan Munroe, Joshua Rodriguez, Steven Pineiro, Jack Fardell, Kalani David and Juergen Horrwarth
Steve Caballero, the legend, took out the Masters win for the fifth consecutive year. Runners up were Nicky Guerrero and Mik Mulhall.
In the final 5 minutes all skaters were given the chance to show off their best trick – Rob Sluggo Boyce’s backflip brought down the house!
The next big skate bowl event is the Pro-Tech Pool Party in California, Pedro Barros will attempt to defend his title there this year in May.
