Who said Cronulla has no waves! For about the last month it’s been relentless, not big, but super consistent day after day-we are not complaining mind you and for once the bleating about only one bank has ceased.
This week’s waves have come from a classic winter south swell, with offshore winds blowing for 3 days. Until today! Where 2 foot of dribble lay waiting for the early surfers-surprise!.
The Swellnet report says all good things will continue with a new swell to come on Friday (5/6ft) just to kick the weekend off and start the cycle all over again.
Another thing the Nulla has is variety and every time you see a Bondi or Maroubra surfer say thanks to your parents. From the softer beach breaks to the heavier reefs and points, once we get a bit of swell Cronulla comes alive, choices, choices.
I took today's pics all over the place, from the Alley to Wanda and further afield at a north reef. I had a day off so they are from yesterday. I did learn something though; at 9 am Tuesday or 8am today you could have surfed a dozen spots on the strip and not had a crowd, all the schoolkids must have gone skiing!
It’s a bit different over the West coast where my mate Ant (my Margaret river correspondent) sent me a couple of pics of his local break. This is the same swell that guys were surfing the Right and the Cow Bommie and also went up to Indo where Ulu was almost maxed out.
It’s a different story on the other side of the Indian Ocean where surfers are trying to compete on 2 footers at the Ballito pro-The good news is Connor O’leary smashed his heat and is into round 2-The Ballito Pro Presented by Billabong is an international surf and lifestyle event hosted in Ballito, the jewel of KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast (just north of Durban).
The third of nine QS 10,000 rated events on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS), the Ballito Pro offers the highest available rankings points towards qualification for the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT) and has attracted a 96-man field of the world top ranked surfers.
This event is a strategic partnership between World Surf League (WSL) and the KwaDukuza Municipality, with various public and private sector partners. In 2015 Billabong took the baton from Mr Price, agreeing to carry on the proud legacy of the world's longest running progressional (what does that mean?) surfing event as it enters its 47th year.
Hopefully things will pick up soon because the world’s best surfers are just two weeks away from competing at the acclaimed righthander of Supertubes at Jeffreys Bay for Stop No. 6 on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the J-Bay Open.
Regarded as one of the best waves on the planet, Jeffreys Bay boasts a quality righthand pointbreak that delivers unparalleled high-speed consistency, making it the perfect platform to test the world’s best. The event holds a competitive window of July 8 - 19, 2015 and is the only CT stop on the African continent.
Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) continue to hold first and second place on the WSL Jeep Leaderboard heading into the J-Bay Open with Fiji standout Owen Wright (AUS) close behind in third place.
Defending event winner and three-time world champion Mick Fanning (AUS) currently sits in fourth place on the rankings and victory at Jeffreys Bay this year would see him equal 11-time world champion Kelly Slater’s (USA) record of four wins in South Africa.
Closer to home, day four of the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp, presented by Flight Centre was met with sunny sky’s and optimal conditions making for an epic day of surfing at Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast.
First up saw Sunshine Coast local Reef Heazlewood (QLD) continue his hot streak in the U/16 Boys after he clenched victory in his round three heat. Heazlewood remains undefeated throughout the competition and has his sights firmly set on the prestigious blue ribbon trophy. One massive obstacle standing in Heazlewood’s way is Avalon (NSW) surfer Darcy Crump. Crump claimed victory in one of the most anticipated heats of the event to progress through to the finals program of the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp.
One grom that the man himself Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo kept a close eye on was son Jay Occhilupo. Jay who surfed in the U/12 Boys used his local knowledge to help him progressed through to the finals program-no pressure just enjoy yourself!
If you thought you had troubles,the first-ever International Surfing Association (ISA) World Adaptive Surfing Championship is set to take place September 24-27 in La Jolla, CA and bring together the adaptive surfing community from around the world.
By teaming up with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), one of the recognized leaders in the physically challenged sports community, the ISA is excited to unify global efforts for the advancement of Adaptive Surfing. This World Championship will serve as the preeminent platform for physically challenged surfers to display their talents in competition.
Additionally, the CAF has generously offered 15 Travel Grants of $1000 each to assist athletes in their travel and lodging for the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship.
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a non-profit organisation that helps people with physical challenges live full, active lives through participation in fitness activities and competitive sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
Anyway stop complaining about your lot in life and get behind Connor in SA and wait until Friday!
