Patience will pay off for the Cronulla surfer today with some long waits between sets, but here’s a tip: you had better get down there soon before the wind picks up and the swell drops down!
There are waves everywhere today with a 3-4ft south swell and light offshore doing its best to make people have a day off-unless you surfed yesterday at Potters Point where it was 8ft and pumping so you don’t need a day off today!
I took today's pics at the Alley where it was smaller but still a few sneaky ones and at Wanda where it was twice as big but a patient wait for the good ones -there were also a lot of average surfers getting above average waves –so that was interesting and good for them. I don’t know about the Germans that paddled out the Alley with Go Pro’s and was taking off behind each other and filming themselves-that was just annoying.
Swellnet reports that this is as good as it’s going to get this week, hence the comment about going down the beach now! The wind is going to swing again to the north-east and the swell will stay from the south till Saturday so that’s something to think about-Sunday shows a spike with a new south swell coming.
It could be worse with a massive storm system out of the Antarctic generating 20-foot-plus waves for Day 1 of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro where the world’s best surfers will do battle for Stop No. 3 of the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour.
“Our events don’t run on a set schedule,” Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. “They’re governed by the wind and tide, by swell systems thousands of miles away. When we’re on, it’s a happening. The swell system approaching the opening days of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is very special. We are looking at very large surf with excellent winds. We have two wave options in both Margaret River Main Break and The Box for the world’s best to utilize during the event. We anticipate a great event. Good luck to all our competitors.”
Good luck with all the "Cronulla Loser-Pro surf picks" members after Fannings win in Torquay the field is still wide open. Victory for Fanning means that he is tied with Kelly Slater (USA) and Mark Richards (AUS) with four Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach wins each, the most in the event’s history. Fanning first won in 2001 as a wildcard and then again in 2012 and 2014. The three-time World Champion also ties with Andy Irons (HAW), who both have 20 CT event wins.
“I’d never put myself in a category with MR (Mark Richards), Kelly Slater and Andy Irons,” said Fanning. “Those guys are my heroes. MR is a god, Kelly is a king and Andy is forever, it’s awesome.”
Carissa Moore won the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach after battling Stephanie Gilmore in the Final for the right to ring the Bell.
Surfing Australia has announced its schedule for three National Titles events in 2015.
The Australian Surf Festival, Australian SUP Titles and the Surf Dive N Ski Australian Junior Surfing Titles are expected to attract more than 750 surfers from around the country competing for the coveted honours.
“Surfing Australia is extremely pleased to announce our 2015 National Titles events schedule,” said Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark. “It is an honour to win an Australian Title in any sport and we wish all the competitors the very best of luck for the various Australian Titles divisions.”
Coffs Harbour, where I had a quick surf last week, Currumbin, where I will be tomorrow and North Straddie-where I wish I lived, are the venues for the comps.
Speaking of good places to be for a surfer, Tahiti continued to turn on great waves for the Final day of the 2015 Papara Surf Festival. Big scores and exciting back and forth battles was the order of the day that saw three champions crowned on the tiny tropical island in the Pacific.
Taumata Puhetini (PYF) took out the blue ribbon Papara Pro Surf Festival QS1000 division over fellow Tahitian and one of the most decorated surfers in the country, Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF). The pair left their friendship on the sand and put it all on the line in the fight to claim the points, prize money and prestige of claiming Tahiti’s only WSL Qualifying Series event title.
On Monday, April 6, the International Surfing Association (ISA) joined the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee, and the international sports community participating in the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This unique day recognizes the power of sport as a universal tool for positive social change. It also encourages a healthier lifestyle, wider access to sport, and peace building, while fighting against discrimination and gender inequality.
The ISA contributed to the cause by promoting the participation of surfers around the world to show how Surfing in particular is making a positive impact in their lives and communities. So that's why those Germans were out the Alley this morning!
Enough news, so go surfing and get wet now!