A week of reef action around the Cronulla beaches recently, after the weekend's bomb swell when it was “throw your boards” conditions, we were left with 4-6ft of sou-east closeouts with the only joy being the at Point and some Kurnell reefs.
The Island also had some moments between squalls yesterday, and it was showing a bit of promise this AM.
The winds are not kind either coming from the SSeast and we can only hope for a slight swing to the Swest. This swell is due to hang around all week with the dodgy winds until Easter Sunday shows us some Westerlies.
I took today’s pics at the Point where it was fair to average, there were some sets but the incoming tide didn’t do it any favours. You can get some offshore wedges in the corner at Southies and the odd set at the Alley if you are inclined. I also threw in a couple of pics I took on Sunday just down the coast-where it pays to have a 7 footer handy at all times.
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In a big win for local surfers, Jared Hickle’s (Cronulla) never-say-die attitude was the determining factor in claiming the NSW Open State Title. The powerful goofy-footer managed to snag himself a 12.43 heat total in the dying minutes of the final to take the win away from an in-form Jesse Adam (Merewether) who got bumped down into the runner up spot. This is two wins in a row for Cronulla surfers and Jay Brown’s (Lilli Pilli) powerful forehand carves proved to be his deadly weapon in the Under-14 Boys final. The goofy-footer managed to negotiate the tricky lineup with relative ease and was awarded a 9.57 heat total. Despite moments of brilliance Keanu Miller (Bulli) had to settle for second place with a heat total of 7.37.
The world’s best surfers are preparing for the start of Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the third stop on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, which begins today April 16. The ASP Top 34 and Top 17 will be joined by Rip Curl event wildcard Jacob Willcox and trials winners Cahill Bell-Warren and Zoe Clarke to compete in the longest-running professional surfing contest in the world.
A thrilling Finals day in Western Australia saw Michel Bourez (PYF) crowned winner of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, the second stop on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour .The Tahitian powerhouse secured his first ever WCT win by defeating Josh Kerr (AUS) in an exciting Final on super Sunday doing massive man turns. Bourez previously dispatched 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) in the Semifinals and Nat Young (USA) in the Quarterfinals. The victory places Bourez at No. 4 in the ASP World Rankings.
In another bummer for us Aussies, following an incredible week of camaraderie and competition between the 32 National Teams, the Final Day of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) delivered great waves and exciting surfing performances. Hawaii is the new VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Gold Medal Team and winner of the Team Champion Trophy.
In the individual divisions, Brazil's Luan Wood won the Boys U-18, Hawaii's Tatiana Weston-Webb defended her Gold Medal in the Girls U-18, France's Leo-Paul Etienne won the Boys U-16, and Hawaii's Mahina Maeda also defended her Gold Medal in the Girls U-16 in the incredible waves at La Loberia (La FAE), Ecuador.
Australia picked up a couple of medals but no Gold!
Also no gold in Tahiti for the Pro jnrs but Cronulla boardriders club’s Kalani Ball won through to his first ever Pro Junior event Final, but was forced to settle for 2nd place as he couldn't find the waves to match Mateia Hiquily. Ball has been one of the Tahiti Nui Pro Junior top performers all event, throwing down stylish carves and technical aerials seemingly with ease.
"I want to thank all the Aussie guys for helping me out, there has been some great Aussie spirit at this event," Ball said. "I am super stoked with second place, and I'm so happy for Mateia (Hiquily), he's been ripping all event and none of us could get near him."
That's more news than even Barry O’Farrell could handle so wait for the wind to turn and do your best!
