Smorgasboarder_06-July-2011

“TO PICK UP A BIG WAVE IS EASY, BUT TO SURVIVE A BIG WAVE IS ANOTHER STORY.” DAVID MESNARD 

BITTERLY COLD, SHARKY AS HELL, MONSTROUS WAVES... WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE? 

SOUTHERN OCEAN ADVENTURE 

ROAD 

DOGGIN’ 

ASH GRUNWALD 

TAKES SURFING, 

MUSIC, ART & FILM 

ON TOUR ...P22 

GOING SOLO, MON 

TO THE ISLANDS ...P54 

TAKING SHAPE 

BEHIND VIC SURFBOARDS ...P66 

THE MAGAZINE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO SURF 

ISSUE #6 JUL/AUG 2011

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN - * Lithium Battery Pack Optional 

FFICIAL FIIK TM 

STOCKISTS 

QLD Stockists 

Epiicentre - Springwood 1300 344 575 

Beach Beat - Alexandra Heads 07 5443 2777 

Beach Beat - Caloundra 07 5491 4711 

Beach Beat - Dicky Beach 07 5491 8215 

Coolum Surf - Coolum 07 5351 1742 

Concept Hobbies - Oxenford 07 5609 7000 

Fusion Skate - Mooloolaba 1300 55 69 79 

Darkside Skateboards - Miami 07 5570 1526 

Goodtime Surf - Woolloongabba 07 3391 8588 

Hurley Burleigh - Southport 07 5531 0013 

Jetski Warehouse - Labrador 07 5529 2125 

Kirra Surf - Coolangatta 07 5536 3922 

KTM Action Motorcycles - Nerang 07 5596 6622 

KTM - Brisbane 07 3386 0977 

Local Knowledge - Noosa 07 5474 1222 

Local Knowledge - Nobby Beach 07 5526 6377 

Primitive Surf - Nundah 07 3266 1001 

Roar Industries - Currumbin 07 5525 7003 

Roar Watermans – Labrador 07 5527 1912 

Sunshine Coast Kite Surfing 07 5479 2131 

Surf Connect - Brisbane Nth 07 3137 0500 

NSW Stockists 

Aloha Manly - Style Manly 02 9977 3777 

Adrenalin Sk8 – Sydney 0419 692 688 

Bay Action - Byron Bay 02 6685 7819 

Coopers Surf - Coffs Harbour 02 6652 1782 

Coopers Surf - Jetty 02 6652 8146 

Coopers Surf - Park Beach 02 6652 5466 

Coopers Surf - Town 02 6652 6369 

Coopers Surf - Toormina 02 6658 8988 

Coopers Surf - Woolgoolga 02 6654 0033 

Core Surf Store - Nowra 02 4421 4108 

Dripping Wet - Manly 02 9907 2911 

D.S.C. Surfboards - Narooma 0424 867 962 

Kirra Surf - Coolangatta 07 5536 3922 

Line Up Surf - Dee Why 02 9971 8624 

Maddog – Byron Bay 02 6685 6466 

Natural Necessity – Gerringong 02 4234 1636 

OceanFire - Belmont 02 4945 8055 

Saltwater Wine - Port Macquarie 02 6584 1600 

Sanbah Surf Shop – The Junction 02 4962 2420 

Skater HQ - Moore Park 02 9976 3780 

Skipp Surfboards - Wollongong 02 4229 1202 

Slimes Boardstore – Erina 02 4365 5511 

S.E. Mountain Biking Co. - Thredbo 02 6457 6282 

Surfection - Manly 02 9977 6955 

Surfection - Mosman 02 9969 1011 

Tathra Beach and Bike - Tathra 02 6494 4257 

Wind Surf “N” Snow – Sydney 02 9971 0999 

Zink Surf – Kiama 02 4233 1189 

SA Stockists 

Fly boardriding – Seaford 08 8386 0100 

On Board - Glenelg 08 8294 3866 

On Board - Port Noarlunga 08 8382 6729 

Xtreme Kites & Paddle- Port Lincoln 0402 842 944 

VIC Stockist 

Extreme Skateboards - Sunbury 0419 354 330 

Mordy Surf - Mordialloc 03 9580 1716 

Zak Surfboards - Thornbury 03 9416 7384 

WA Stockist 

AvantiPlus Busselton Cycles 08 9752 2550 

Cowie Surf - Cowaramup 08 9755 9669 

Momentum Skate Shop 

Claremont 08 9384 2427 

ACT Stockist 

Trilogy - Tuggeranong Hyperdome 02 6293 9636 

Shifty’s - Canberra 02 6262 9162 

NZ Stockist 

Amazon Surf Skate : 

Albany Mall, Auckland 09 414 4249 

Parnell, Auckland 09 358 5574 

Backdoor Surf Snow Earth : 

Mt Maunganui 09 575 7831 

Hamilton 07 839 0368 

Takapuna 09 489 9755 

Ballistics - Takapuna, Auckland 09 489 4074 

150 

150 

Stockist Enquiries - 1300 344 575 

2 jul/aug 2011 

*LITHIUMPOWER ABSREGENERATIVE WIRELESSREMOTE

TOUR 

www.ashgrunwald.com 

PERISHER SNOWY THE GOVERNER 

MOUNTAINS OF MUSIC HINDMARSH 

Friday, June 10 Friday, July 29 

Perisher, NSW 

Adelaide, SA 

PERISHER SNOWY ECHUCA & MOAMA 

MOUNTAINS OF MUSIC WINTER BLUES 

Saturday, June 11 Saturday, July 30 

Perisher, NSW 

Moama, NSW 

THE SANDBAR 

Thursday, July 28 

Mildura, Vic 

TORQUAY HOTEL 

Wed, August 03 

Torquay, Vic 

PIER LIVE 

Thursday, August 04 

Frankston, Vic 

THE CORNER HOTEL 

Friday, August 05 

Melbourne, Vic 

WESTERNPORT HOTEL 

Saturday, August 06 

Hastings, Vic 

SNOWBIRD INN 

Monday, August 08 

Mount Hotham, Vic 

THE SMIGGINS HOTEL 


Perisher, NSW 

ANU BAR 


Canberra, ACT 

OXFORD ARTS 

FACTORY 


Sydney, NSW 

WAVES 

Saturday, August 13 

Wollongong, NSW 

CAMBRIDGE HOTEL 

Sunday, August 14 

Newcastle, NSW 

BEACHCOMBER HOTEL 


Toukley, NSW 

SOUTH WEST ROCKS 

COUNTRY CLUB 


South West Rocks, NSW 

HOEY MOEY 


Coffs Harbour, NSW 

PACIFIC HOTEL 


Yamba, NSW 

COOLUM CIVIC 

CENTRE 


Coolum, Qld 

BEACH HOTEL 


Byron Bay, NSW 

COOLANGATTA HOTEL 


Coolangatta, Qld 

THE HIFI 


Brisbane, Qld 

GYMPIE MUSTER 


Gympie, Qld 

MAINSTREET 

NIGHTCLUB 

Thursday, Sept 01 

Mackay, Qld 

A.J HACKETTS 

Friday, Sept 02 

Cairns, Qld 

UNI CLUB 

Saturday, Sept 03 

Townsville, Qld 

FUNK N’ GROOVES 

FESTIVAL 

Saturday, Sept 10 

Pokolbin, NSW 

jul/aug 2011 

3

DETAILS 

& THINGS 

SMORGASBOARDER IS FOR ALL OF US THAT 

LOVE SURFING, WHETHER IT’S TO RELAX, 

UNWIND, GET IN A HEALTHY BIT OF EXERCISE OR 

TO CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. 

WHERE TO PICK US UP 

Quality surf stores, shapers and cool cafes within 10kms of the 

coast through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and 

South Australia. For a full list of distributors, visit the directory 

in the back of the mag or just get to your local surf shop and 

talk to some real people, in the flesh. If you see a local store 

advertising, they’re sure to have the lion’s share of mags in 

your area. smorgasboarder is published six times a year - 

September, November, January, March, May, July. 

CAN’T GET THERE? SUBSCRIBE 

If you can’t get to a store, have smorgasboarder delivered to 

your door by becoming a home subscriber. The mag is free, but 

Australia Post need to get paid. 

$18 IN AUSTRALIA GETS YOU SIX EDITIONS. 

Sign up at www.smorgasboarder.com.au and wait by 

your mailbox. It’ll arrive every two months. Back issues are 

available for $5 per copy. We have limited copies of the 

previous editions left... When they’re gone, they’re gone. 

THANK YOU 

Thank you to all our creative contributing writers, fantastic 

photographers and excellent people who made this edition 

possible. Special thanks to Louise Gough, John Pickering 

and Gus Brown for the ever-helping hands as well as Helen 

Chapman and Katie Swan for endless patience. Thanks to 

Garry Palmer and Phil Pfeiffer for their sales help. 

THE TEAM 

SALES & EDITORIAL: 

Dave Swan dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 

0401 345 201 

EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION: 

Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 

0400 875 884 

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION & SALES 

James Ellis trade@ljdistribution.com.au 

0412 194 383 

CONTRIBUTORS 

WRITING TALENT & PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS 

Thanks to all the talented photographers and writers involved 

in this edition. Extra special thanks to Joel & Sherrie Coleman, 

Jenny Willams and Swilly, Dom McGeachie, Emma Webb and 

Roie Hughes. Feel free to get involved! Drop us a line... 

Ideas & submissions: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 

Distribution: mags@hugecmedia.com.au 


WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU 

smorgasboarder is published by Huge C Media Pty Ltd 

ABN 30944673055. All information is correct at time of going to 

press. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in 

articles or advertisements, or unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or 

illustrations. The opinions and words of the authors do not necessarily 

represent those of the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in 

part or whole is strictly prohibited without prior permission. 

We print with Pep 

Central and Craft 

Inprint Group, an 

environmentally aware 

and committed printer 

whose business is 

founded upon the 

principles of minimising 

waste and maximising 

recycling. Nice work.


5

6 jul/aug 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

22 

36 

66 

Big plans & 

a big tour 

ALL THE 

USUAL BITS 

THE LATEST 

Feedback P13 

And greatest P14 

Community P16 

News P20 

Shop Pitstops P30 

ONE TOUR TO 

CHANGE IT ALL 

Ash Grunwald’s Road 

Dog Diaries offer more 

than just music 

READERS’ 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

You are a talented 

bunch - see pages of 

your surfing photos 

VICTORIAN 

SHAPERS UNITE 

Zak Koniaris brings 

together legendary 

talent and skills 

TRAVEL 

Somewhere in Victoria P40 

Going Solo, mon P54 

GEAR 

Latest surfboard designs P76 

History P82 

Test everything P84 

 

CLOSEOUT 

Fitness P90 

People out and about P98 

SHOOT YOUR OWN MOVIES 

WITH THE GOPRO HERO 

CAMERA RANGE 

Up to 56 minutes of video 

5 Megapixel camera 

After the last’s edition’s hearty feedback 

on the classic wipeout sequence of our 

history hero, Helmet, we opted to keep 

the comedy coming! This great sequence 

was taken at Point Cartwright. Is that 

you? Let us know! Got cool wipeout shots 

of you or your mates? Send them in! 

Photo: Chris Munro. See more of his 

work at www.redhotshotz.com. 

GoPro’s HD Surf HERO 

The world’s only 1080p HD 

on-board video & still photo camera. 

www.surfcomposites.com.au 

admin@surftechaustralia.com.au 

mar/apr 2011 

7 

02 4226 1322

NOW STOCKING: 

Black Apache 

Surfboards 

It’s all about 

the beach 

surf art • shells 

driftwood things 

chenille shorts 

wood surf boards 

beach stuff • retro 

sunnies • thongs 

stripy towels 

umbrellas 

6 Lorraine Ave 

Marcoola Beach 

07 5448 8560 

Mini-Simmons, 

Fish and more by 

Jesse Watson 


COME TOGETHER 

Enjoyment, relaxation, exercise, mateship, 

escapism… These are all reasons why 

we surf. Our motivations are all different. 

We all want to keep enjoying these good 

times and so it’s important not to forget 

those who provide us with the craft and 

the gear to realise our own sacred sense 

of fulfillment. 

Perhaps it’s the guy around the corner who 

shaped your first board when you were 

seven years old. Maybe it’s the local surf 

shop you walked into as a child and smelt 

resin for the first time, or that sweet smell 

of coconut scented surf wax. 

If we want them to remain there, we need 

to consider what steps we’re taking to 

ensure they survive. Sure, everyone is tight 

on money at present but even the smallest 

gesture of goodwill and support can make 

the biggest difference to a small business. 

To us the surfing community means 

everything and despite being newcomers 

to it all, we’re as passionate about the 

survival of our homegrown surfing industry 

as a 40-year veteran of the game. Not for 

one second of any day would we trade what 

we do now for our old, soulless corporate 

jobs. Because now we get to deal with real 

people. Good people. Down-to-earth people. 

Shapers, surf shop owners, manufacturers 

and you guys and girls – all surfers. 

Wherever you can, support the people who 

have enabled us to share good times with 

family and friends out in the water. 

IN THIS EDITION 

We take a look at those great surf 

businesses supporting other surf 

businesses - people like Zak Koniaris, who 

has established somewhat of a collective 

of Victoria’s best shapers. 

Also featured are a seemingly countless 

number of shapers proudly displaying their 

latest designs and the craftsmanship that 

comes with a lifetime dedicated to shaping 

surfboards. 

We chat with Ash Grunwald and find out 

how surfing has inspired his lifestyle and 

many of his songs. 

We venture to the Solomon Islands, a 

magical surf spot which is enough to 

inspire any surfer to get off the beaten 

track and discover something new. 

And finally, on the note of surfing, the 

spirit of adventure and getting off the 

beaten track, we travel down to Victoria’s 

Shipwreck Coast. Guarded in secrecy and 

staunchly protected by local surfers, we 

respectfully talk about what makes this 

wild rugged coastline so special. 

Dave & Mark 

The colder months in Burleigh Heads Photo: Michael Dawes flickr.com/photos/tk_five_0/ 

july/aug 2011 

9

LADIES FIRST 

BOOKS, WORK & 

BOARDWALKING 

At only 19 years old, Currumbin’s Jess Roberts has 

enjoyed a fair few surfing achievements in the 

longboarding world including wins in local, state 

and national competitions. But while she’s excelling 

in surfing and racking up sponsors like Diverse Surf, 

Kulu Bikinis, Willi Footwear and Ask Huey sunscreen 

and sunglasses, she tells us her main focus is her Vet 

Science uni degree. Good work. 

STUDY 

“My most important goal in my life 

right now is to finish my degree at 

uni. I believe getting my education 

first is imperative. However, I 

also believe that maintaining my 

surfing and the people close to me 

is important, so I generally like to 

combine everything!” 

Jess is as passionate about her 

education as she is about her 

surfing. 

“Kids reading this, stay in school. 

You can surf at any point in your 

life, join the WQS, compete against 

Kelly and Mick, but what happens 

if you tear all the ligaments in your 

knee and can’t surf anymore? You 

have nothing to fall back on. You 

never know what will happen - you 

could become world champ, but if 

you’re 30 and can’t surf, didn’t finish 

school, do a trade or go to uni, then 

there aren’t many options. That’s 

what I’ve learnt from people in those 

shoes - they told me exactly that. 

“I am currently in my second year 

and love it! People consider Vet 

Science harder than Medicine, 

because we have to learn each 

different type of animal, learn each 

field of medicine - we have to be a 

surgeon, dentist, ophthalmologist etc. - 

and I think the biggest thing is that the 

patient can’t tell us what’s wrong. Its 

hard work and a lot of contact hours, 

but it’s interesting and fun. My parents 

are very supportive of me going to uni 

and help me out a lot. When I finish 

my degree I would love to go on to do 

my PhD in marine animals.” 

SHARKS 

Where does a young Vet student 

interested in marine animals 

stand on the issue of the men in 

grey suits? 

“I’m still a bit uncertain about 

these creatures. For starters, I have 

a heart attack if I see one when 

surfing, there is no mistaking that! 

I do understand that they are a 

predator, and it’s a tragedy for all 

the people that have lost their lives 

to sharks. I don’t think that sharks 

should be hunted though. I don’t 

think they purposely come and go 

‘Oh there’s Tommy, the human over 

there, lets go eat him.’ But, I do 

think measures need to be taken 

to keep sharks out of areas where 

people swim and surf.” 

SURFING 

It all started for Jess at the age 

of 8, with her mum refusing to 

let me be one of the girls sunbaking 

on the beach watching 

the boys have all the fun in the 

surf. She started Jess on surfing 

lessons and got her hooked. 

“The memory I still look back on and 

laugh about is when I started surfing 

and got one of my friends from 

school to join me. She believed that 

getting barrelled was when white 

wash went over your feet when you 

were standing on the board. No joke, 

she came in after our second lesson 

saying ‘OMG! I got barrelled like five 

times today!’ I still laugh about that 

to this day. 

Jess is doing well as a 

longboarder these days, and 

surprisingly the love of bigger 

boards started quite early on. 

“I did start out as a shortboarder 

when I was a grom, but when I was 

about 12 and down at Byron with 

my cuzzie bros (read kiwis). It was 

small and fat, and the short board 

just wouldn’t go, so I jumped onto 

an 8’6 mini mal and had the time 

of my life! My parents then had a 

chat to Wayne Deane and he made 

a great custom board to suit my 

physique, meaning I could carry it 

under my arm. 

“I’m currently riding a high 

performance Diverse board, and 

occasionally jump onto my pig/log 

and have a go on my boyfriend’s SUP. 

“I don’t generally ride shortboards 

now, just because of the whole 

mentality about them. You can just 

chill out on a longboard and look 

stylish or do the high performance 

thing, where with shortboards, if 

you’re not hacking the lip or busting 

airs, then you’re classified a kook.” 

Far from a kook, in her first year 

with the Burleigh Longboard 

Club, Jess made the President’s 

Cup final in the Open Men’s 

division - the first girl in 

Burleigh club history to make 

the final. 

“I was stoked about that, but I think 

I was more excited about beating 

all the boys.” (laughs) 

FAVOURITE WAVES 

“Locally would definitely have to 

be Currumbin Alley when the banks 

are good, and Snapper when the 


Photos by ‘Mummy Roberts’ 

crowd isn’t agro. I like these spots 

mainly due to my mates surfing 

there too, so I have a good time 

as well as a good surf. The only 

places internationally I’ve been to 

are Bali, NZ and PNG. My favourite 

spot would easily be Medawii, a 

mellow left-hander point break 

about 3 hours from Kuta, Bali. I am 

however set to go to the Maldives 

in July so I think my favourite 

international spot may change!” 

If you’re in Currumbin and you 

spot Jess cruising along on her 

Diverse board, make sure to 

say g’day! 

For more action shots, check 

out the team section on 

www.diversesurf.com.au 

“KIDS READING 

THIS, STAY IN 

SCHOOL. YOU CAN 

SURF AT ANY POINT 

IN YOUR LIFE” 

Sage advice - Jess Roberts 


11


JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION: 

Email all your innermost thoughts, letters, stories, photos, 

praise, rants to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au or send 

other contribution ideas, surf photography or fantastic ideas 

for stories to editor@smorgasboarder.com.au. 

Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ 

Smorgasboarder-Surf-Magazine/133229320054947 (or easier, 

just search for smorgasboarder) 

SAVED MESSAGES 

We get so many phone calls about the mag 

- even more so than emails - that we thought 

it was about time we published a reader’s 

comment from our message bank. 

Hi guys. My name is Steve. You don’t know 

me. I just picked up your mag and wanted 

to congratulate you on it. I think it is so 

good. No competition stuff and so down to 

earth. Plenty of stories on surf destinations. 

I couldn’t believe it was for free. It is just 

a really good mag. Keep up the good work 

guys. I just wanted to ring and tell you that. 

To be honest Steve, it is calls like yours 

that keep us going. We are wrecked from 

time to time, pulling it all together. Most 

weeks we’re working 70-80 hrs plus, so 

we appreciate such kind words of support. 

Emails, letters and phone calls like this also 

reinforce with those businesses who so 

kindly support us - and keep the mag FREE 

for all - that there are such loyal readers out 

there who love smorgasboarder. Thanks. 

LATEST: FEEDBACK 

MUCH ADO 

ABOUT NOTHING? 

I have a friend who works at the local desal plant. He 

wasn’t allowed to talk to me about the desal plant itself, 

but I asked him few questions about the enviromental 

impact of the plant. 

He explained a few things they have put in place to prevent 

wildlife being harmed, so I tend to think this is a big cry 

about nothing. The shark nets off New South Wales kill more 

wildlife than ten desal plants and coming from a country that 

has real problems and real drought, I think Aussies take for 

granted how lucky they are. 

The only negative I could see is that it’s cost a lot of money 

that probably could have been spent on hospitals and 

schools, but as far as the environment goes, these hippies 

need to stop smoking ciggies, driving cars or even surfing 

as they all impact on the planet. 

In 20 years time when there is no water and we have the 

luxury of flicking a switch and making water, everyone will 

be stoked with the plant. 

Anyway that’s my two cents, mate. Great mag and keep 

‘em coming. 

Charl, Phillip Island 

CHECK OUT OUR 

ONLINE STORE AT 

www.heritagesurfaustralia.com 

Quality Hand Shaped Surfboards 

Simon Jones, Takayama, Bear, Morning of 

the Earth, Bing, Brewer, Heritage, Michael 

Peterson, Daniel McDonald. 

Custom Made Boards our Specialty 

Australia’s Best Range of Books & DVDs 

Including The Surfers Journal, 

magazines & books. 

With a wide range of gifts, collectables, 

photography, art & memorabilia. 

STUFF UP FOR GRABS! 

THE C-SKINS WETSUIT GIVEAWAY 

Last edition C-SKINS WETSUITS asked to see your oldest 

wetsuits. Taking pity on the owner of the oldest, stinkiest or most 

absolutely rotten wetsuit, they offered to generously replace said 

suit with a brand new C-SKINS Wired S2 3x2, valued at $475! 

All we can say is... Damn, some of you should really clean out 

your wardrobe every ten years or so! Thanks for the entries and 

congrats to the winner, Karl. We reckon other beachgoers will be 

happy to not have to see his holey suit in the water ever again. 

BUT IT’S NOT OVER! C-SKINS are feeling generous and giving 

you all a second chance to win one in September! Send your 

worst photos to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au. The winner 

will be drawn in our September edition and their photo published 

alongside other finalists. 

NOTE! C-SKINS phone number was incorrect in latst edition’s 

advertisement. The correct number for C-Skins is 0412 081 546. 

WINNER 

Classic Clothing From Past & Present 

Patagonia, Rhythm, Hippy Tree, The 

Critical Slide Society, Reyn Spooner, Golden 

Breed, O’Neill, Okanui, Ocean & Earth, 

Toes on the Nose, Sanuk, Rainbow 

Sandals, Rake, Captain Goodvibes, Deus Ex 

Machina, Avanti Vintage Shirts 

& more. 

Accessories & Wetsuits 

Patagonia, Imperial, O’Neill, Captain Fin Co., 

FCS, Ocean & Earth, True Ames Fins & more 

*Prize suit for illustration only. Terms and conditions, see the smorgasboarder website. 

FREE STUFF FOR LETTERS 

Send in your letters and thoughts to be in line for 

freebies! SOUTHERN SOUL wax up for grabs. 

Email us on letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 

*Letters may have been edited for length and clarity 

Above: Holey hell... Most 

definitely time for new suit! 

WIN! 

24 Darley Road Manly NSW 2095 

Phone : (02) 9977 7623 

heritagesurf@bigpond.com 


13

ONLINE 

T-SHIRTS 

SHAPING UP 

Tired of looking like a billboard 

wearing the big name brands? 

Want to show your support for 

local shapers? Check out a new 

website that sells the latest and 

greatest gear from Australia’s 

best shapers and surf shops. 

Better still, what you buy is 

shipped anywhere around the 

country completely free of charge. 

Go to www.ssstees.com.au 

Paradise by Glenn ‘Cat’ Collins. 

Wait for the movie... 

GREAT TIME 

TO GET FIT! 

It’s winter. Yes, it’s cold. But don’t let a little bit of chill stop you surfing! If you do forego 

the occasional paddle for a coffee or dodge a rather average day for a hot pie, don’t 

forget that summer is only a few months away and you’ll regret being a slacker when 

you’re missing waves. So now is the perfect time to get some extra training in and get 

fit, or even fitter. 

Total Surfing Fitness is a very specific exercise program aimed at getting surfers 

catching more waves in five steps, by: increasing your paddle fitness; improving your 

core stability, strength and power; increasing your upper body endurance, improving 

your mobility and flexibility; and finally, improving your balance and lower body strength. 

You can grab a free training session online, so check it out at 

www.totalsurfingfitness.com 

THE SURF PRAM? 

No, don’t be silly... This Phil & Ted Classic Buggy is 

just one of the baby essentials available from 

Yamba Nursery Hire. If you’re planning a family 

holiday around Yamba and Angourie, just forget 

packing in the baby gear... You can hire what you need 

at your destination and save the valuable travel space 

for other essentials, like an extra surfboard. 

For products, prices and more information, see 

www.yambanurseryhire.com or call 02 6646 3548. 


STICK IT 

Photo: Wipeout Scuzz, Supplied 

WHERE IT SHINES 

LATEST: & GREATEST 

OUCH. LET’S HOPE HIS INSURANCE COVERS THAT 

Fancy surfing over deadly sharp ‘n shallow coral reefs in the remotest Mentawais? If you do, in all seriousness, it’s just common sense to have some 

insurance cover. Problem is, some insurers won’t touch surfers with a 10ft SUP paddle. Fortunately one will, and this has literally saved surfers’ lives 

thanks to airlifts from G-Land. You’re even covered riding a motorbike in Indo and for extra peace of mind, surfboards are covered for damage or theft 

in transit. Planning a big one locally? They’ll even cover you for surf trips in OZ. Get immediate cover 24 hours a day at www.indosurf.com.au 

CRAZY 

LIKE A CAT 

We’ve had so many comments 

on Glenn ‘Cat’ Collins’ crazy-ass 

designs. Talking to industry insiders 

though, this guy is far from a fruit 

loop. This is what Craig Baird, 

curator of Torquay Surf World and 

someone who’s seen more boards 

than most of us had to say: 

“He could pretty much shape 

anything and ride it. He’s creative, 

free thinking and not restrained by 

design norms. 

“A lot of people may feel threatened 

by those who don’t conform but 

it’s people like Glen whose ideas 

filter down through the process into 

mainstream design. 

“Even if it is not adopted broadly, it 

gets people thinking about different 

avenues and possibilities.” 

MORE THAN A GOOD READ 

A few editions back we made mention of 

the not-for-profit publication, Kurungabaa. 

With the latest edition recently arriving 

in the mail, we realised it just had to get 

another mention. 

Celebrating it’s fourth year in print, the 

‘journal of literature, history and ideas 

from the sea’ has undergone a major 

overhaul, with a full design revamp, a 

new format and new paper stock. All in 

all, the updated package truly reflects the 

quality of the thoughts and work inside. 

Mostly black and white text, but with 

bursts of colour here and there, you can 

expect near 90 back-to-back pages of 

engaging and varied reading. 

Strictly an anti-business, the Kurungabaa 

collective really don’t want your money, 

but your support to keep this unique forum 

for art and free thinking would help. 

For only a few measly dollars, grab 

yourself a copy at kurungabaa.net and 

enjoy a very different surfing read. 


15

LATEST: COMMUNITY 

Your one stop for 

STAND UP PADDLE SURF 

Sales, Hire, Accessories 

& the best advice 

TRY BEFORE 

YOU BUY! 

THE BEST WAY TO GET YOURSELF ON 

THE RIGHT BOARD FOR YOU 

Talk to Scott and his expert staff. 

They’ll get you on the right board! 

Understand first-hand what you need 

and what you get for your money. 

JUST ONE LITTLE BUMP 

IT’S AMAZING HOW ONE SMALL EVENT CAN DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE COURSE OF LIFE. 

LITTLE SUNSHINE COASTER, DAN BOUNTY KNOWS ONLY TOO WELL. WORDS & PHOTOS: PAUL BOUNTY 

“18 months ago Dan Bounty was a normal, happy 

little eight-year-old dude, just starting to get the 

hang of surfing. This all changed thanks to one 

Saturday afternoon in November 2009, body 

surfing with his Mum and sister, Chloe. 

“Dan caught a wave in the crowded, flagged 

section at Kings Beach, Caloundra and crashed 

head first into a large mans hip, hurting his neck. 

As a physiotherapist, I assessed him and felt 

he had just a minor neck strain. He seemed fine 

and ten minutes later he was racing around like 

nothing had happened. We didn’t think much of it. 

“The next morning, at about 7am, just as we were 

about to leave for nippers, Dan collapsed. The right 

side of his body was paralysed. We raced him to 

Caloundra Hospital who urgently transferred him 

to Royal Children’s Hospital Brisbane where he 

had an MRI, revealing that he had in fact damaged 

an artery in his neck. This had formed a blood 

clot that had dislodged and travelled to his brain, 

causing him to have a stroke. 

“Due to my line of work, I’m familiar with 

this condition, but usually in elderly folk. I’m 

unfortunately also acutely aware of the possible 

consequences and outcomes. So we all, very 

nervously, spent the next six weeks slowly 

watching Dan recover. He went from wheelchairbound, 

to learning to walk again to slowly 

regaining some of his sensation and function in 

his right arm. 

“Since the stroke, Dan’s been working hard on 

his rehab and although he still has a way to go, is 

doing well. He’s back to nippers and surfing and 

skateboarding. 

“With any brain injury you just don’t know how 

much recovery to expect, but fortunately for Dan 

there has been no cognitive loss and he’s still the 

same cheeky little bugger he always was. After the 

long road to recovery, it’s truly a reward to see Dan 

on his surfboard, back in the water with Chloe.” 

It’s always good to have stories with happy 

endings like this in the mag. We wish you a full 

recovery and many happy years of surfing with 

the family to come, Dan! 

2544 GOLD COAST HIGHWAY, MERMAID BEACH 

scott@greenlinepaddlesurf.com 

0412 398 585 

WWW.GREENLINEPADDLESURF.COM 

Top: Dan’s back on the boards - if not in the water, at the local skatepark. Above left: Supportive sister, 

Chloe regularly shares surfing time with Dan. Right: Happy and healthy - the way all kids should be. 



17

NO MODELS HERE 

Just hand-crafted boards, 

specially made for you. 

Damon with 

a Factory 

Single Fin 

Hey mate... 

have you 

paid for 

that? 

15 ALLEN ST, CALOUNDRA • 07 5492 5838 • THEFACTORYSURFBOARDS.COM.AU 

BOARDS TO PNG 

Paul Hickman of Retro Wombat in Thirroul 

knows the Three Rs intimately - Reducing, 

Re-using and Recycling is just how he rolls. 

Happy to spread the love of pre-loved, he 

recently got involved with a push to get some 

used surfboards over to the local kids in PNG. 

“I managed to get together ten small 

thrusters, a couple of leg ropes and some 

travel bags,” Paul tells us. Added to this, he 

found a few pairs of top-notch boardies while 

out at garage sales, to add to the package. 

“My part in this is only a small one, as there 

are many people involved in the process of 

making it happen. I just couldn’t say no to 

helping out with suitable boards for such a 

good cause.” 

“Sometimes, giving somebody something 

they can use is much better than money 

which just gets swallowed up by the 

capitalist world we live in.” 

Top: Paul of Retro Wombat 

Above: PNG kids get a surf lesson 

from some travelling Aussies 

A FEW GOOD MEN 

It is good to know in these tough times there are still some good guys and 

girls out there and you couldn’t meet anyone nicer than shaper Chris Garret. 

Upon hearing our plans to raise money to help those affected by the spate of 

natural disasters earlier this year, he was the first person on board. 

Not only did he custom make the board for the lucky bidder, he personally 

delivered it and shared the love. Keen on a Chris Garrett or Phantom board? 

Go to www.chrisgarrettshapes.com.au 

Chris Garrett (left) with happy owner of a new board, Wilba. 


LATEST: COMMUNITY 

SURF ART WITH A BIG HEART 

The SurfArt Expo held in Alexandra Headland has been hailed a huge 

success, with over 200 people turning up for the opening charity night where 

over $1000 was raised for Wishlist and Sunshine Coast Surfrider Foundation. 

Artist Owen Cavanagh put together a collection of his own work and that 

of diverse, yet like-minded artists including Parrish Watts of Vintage Pacific 

Surfcraft, master shapers Richard Harvey and Tom Wegener - who opened 

the expo at the Friday night charity event - Phil and Jackie Jarratt, miniature 

surfboard artist Nathan Barker and more. 

For any further info, contact Owen on 0459 477 728 or email solearte@libero.it 

IT’S ONLY 

NATURAL 

FOR RILEY 

Mark Riley of Riley Balsa has lent his support to the Australia Wide Wood 

Naturally Better Program - a program designed to promote and educate people 

on the benefits, qualities and uses of wood. 

More than just a great material for building surfboards, wood is a natural, 

renewable resource that provides wide-ranging benefits, including absorbing 

carbon dioxide from the atmosphere combatting the effects of climate change; 

uses less energy compared with some other building materials; and as a fuel, 

sustainably grown and harvested wood provides a renewable alternative to 

fossil fuels. All said and done, wood is pretty good. 

For more on the program, visit www.naturallybetter.com.au. 

Further reinforcing the commitment 

to the environment, Riley Classic 

Balsawood Surfboards have sponsored 

environmentalist Parrys Raines of 

www.climategirl.com.au. 

“This should be a great partnership 

between Parrys and Riley,” says Mark. 

“We have very similar views on the 

way life should be and how the future 

needs to be cared for by all of us”. 

To read more about Riley and check out 

Mark’s balsa boards, see the website: 

www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au 

If you have any news and events that should be in these pages, please feel 

free to drop us a line at editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au. 


19

LATEST: NEWS 

GET A REAL JOB... SKILLS WANTED 

Riley Balsawood Surfboards is after the part-time services of 

experienced glassers, sanders and polishers around the Cronulla 

area. Intererested? Please contact Mark on mark@riley.com.au 

And if you’re an experienced surfboard spray artist, Gangsta Surf 

on the Gold Coast wants to hear from you. Get in touch with 

Monique if you reckon you have the skills and the style to suit. 

gangstasurf@live.com 

PUB WITH NO BEER. OR JUST NO PUB 

Right: The site in June and 

below: happier times 

One of our all-time favourite 

pitstops on our travels has been 

the Aireys Inlet Pub. After 

visiting surf stores all day, or after 

a sneaky surf, it was always the 

perfect place to finish the day, 

comfortable and warm, with a beer 

in front of the roaring fireplace. 

On our last trip however, we arrived to find the old place boarded up 

and covered in grafitti. What an absolute disappointment. 

As we then discovered, the pub - originally built in 1890 and rebuilt 

after the Ash Wednesday fires - called last drinks on March 20 after 

the landlords decided to not renew the publican’s licence. 

The site had been put up for tender, which closed in May, but 

according to Frank Nagle of Biggin Scott Commercial, it was ‘too early 

to say’ if the site would indeed be a new residential development. 

Sadly, as another icon of our coastline falls victim to the ongoing 

race to become the richest when you die, it’s a bleak reminder that 

we need to appreciate - and actively support - what we have, while 

we have it, be it friends, family, local businesses or invaluable pieces 

of our culture and history. Cheers Airey’s. It was good knowing you. 


SURFBOARD SUPPLIES 

Our buoyant, lightweight timber 

floats all around the world. 

• Tom Wegener preferred alaia blanks 

• Alaia & Kite Boards 

• Long Boards 

• Hollow Boards 

• Chambered Boards 

Buy the BEST PAULOWNIA 

TIMBER Australia has to offer. 

Contact David Evans 

P: 03 9588 2533 

E: info.sales@paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com 

W: www.paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com 

Phil and Jono - fresh 

faces at Alternative Surf 

UNDER ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT 

PIE IN THE SKY? 

Well, at least in the shaping bay... 

Pieter ‘Pie Eater’ Stockert has set up 

a live web stream from his shaping 

bay. Piet’s been shaping boards for 

Bennetts for over 8 years. To see what 

goes into shaping a board, check it out 

on: www.pieter.com.au 

Alternative Surf in Alexandra Headland 

has had a facelift in more ways that 

one. With a new owner, new manager, 

new signage, new stock and exciting 

new lines its all, well... new! Owner 

Phil Giles is filling the store with unique 

brands, such as Seventhwave Wetsuits 

from NZ, Diamond Empire clothing and 

much more. Check it out.

Recycling Suburban Australia 

We Buy Sell And Restore 

SMOOTH VIDEO CAMEO 

On my most recent roadtrip I had a number of people come up and ask about 

the latest skateboard from SmoothStar. Yes, I gave it a rave review in our 

last edition and yes it IS actually that good. When you have a ute chock-ablock 

with magazines to distribute down the entire coast, there’s little room 

for much else. BUT I made sure to squeeze in my SmoothStar and gave a 

few people a test run as I passed through their way. 

vintage, old-school surf 

& skateboards, Antique, 

Vintage, retro furniture, 

Push bikes, junk and 

anything old pre-1980’s 

228 Lawrence 

Hargrave Dve 

Thirroul 

02 42671322 

Dom gets comfy flicking through smorgasboarder 

before hitting the ramps and streets of Newcastle 

But just when I thought I couldn’t love SmoothStar anymore, the new promo 

video hit the internet... And it is a cracker! Not only does it feature team rider 

Dom McGeachie making magic on his 32” Flying Fish, it also features a little 

cameo appearance by none other than your favourite free surf magazine! 

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQsH2TNp_wY and 

for a walkthrough for one of the tricks on the video, see page 83. 

GREAT RESULT FOR GREAT OCEAN ROAD 

Victoria’s picturesque Great Ocean Road has been placed on the national 

heritage list with the announcement being made recently by Federal 

Environment Minister, Tony Burke. Thank goodness we have recognised, 

and will now preserve, one of the most magnificent coastal stretches in the 

country and indeed the world. Any future development in the region will have 

to be approved by the Federal Government. The region includes famous breaks 

such as Bell’s Beach, Winki and Cathedral. 

Classic Surf T-shirts 

from Surfing Legends 

lastwaveoriginals@gmail.com • Call 0400 497 534 • www.lastwave.com 

presents: the summer solution... 

LUNATIC 

We say this not to cause offense but 

rather offer this word as a badge of 

honour awarded to none other than 

the fearless big wave charger Sandy 

Ryan of Island Surfboards. What he 

does for fun is just suicidal for mere 

mortals. In case you missed it, check 

out Sandy surfing Shipstern’s Bluff in 

Tasmania this May. www.youtube. 

com/watch?v=UH43LO5MCl0 

MORE TO SWAP 

If you’re on the Sunshine Coast and 

have surfboards to sell, swap or show 

off, get along to the July 3 Swap 

Meet at the Da Bomb Surf Centre in 

Maroochydore from 11am - 2pm. 

Entry is free. There will be all types 

of boards on display from retro to 

modern and even a sausage sizzle on 

the go. For more details go to 

www.moresurfboards.com 

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with this ad 


21

LATEST: INTERVIEW 


CLEAR 

BLUE 

DAYS, 

DEEP 

BLUES 

NIGHTS 

Thank goodness ASH GRUNWALD is a patient guy. 

It’s Wednesday. I have my interview time set. 

As a long-time fan I’m ready, prepared and just so 

excited to get the chat on the go, but my phone has 

other plans for our morning. Four phonecalls later, 

terrible reception and one crackling, dodgy phone line 

after another - not to mention an hour late - I finally 

get to talk to the easy-going bluesman about surfing, 

music and the new ROAD DOG DIARIES tour. And 

as it turns out, there’s a whole lot to talk about. 

WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN 

Photo: Emmanuel Narokobi Masalai Communications 

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to document - just 

life on the road and the fun we get up to. We’re going 

to go out and do exactly that, just amplify it a little...” 

Road Dog Diaries is an exciting new travelling music 

roadshow, kicking off in Mildura, Victoria this July 

and working all the way up to North Queensland in 

early September. Far from just another band-on-theroad 

affair, this particular tour is any surf fan’s dream 

come true. By day, the crew will be searching out 

waves, snowboarding or skating and then hitting the 

planks at night for a musical fest, punctuated with 

exhibitions of surf photography and surf films between 

sets. And all of this, captured on film for an upcoming 

documentary. 

“Hopefully we get a fair bit of footage by the time 

we’re finished… of really good surfing and good 

locations from Torquay to Noosa,” Ash says of the 

very ambitious and incredibly cool project. “Also a lot 

of snowboarding and skating - we always get into a 

bit of downhill - and try and document the sort of stuff 

that happens.” 

Personally, having the distorted slide guitar wail 

over the beat of a stomping foot or some infectiously 

dancey hip-hop loops, finished off perfectly with 

blues-tinged, soulful storytelling is plenty reason to 

get me to an Ash Grunwald gig. But the concept of the 

complete package that the music is delivered with on 

this particular tour is sheer genius. 

In a very interesting twist, well-known surfers such as 

Beau and Nat Young, Neal Purchase Jr, Steph Gilmore 

and Matt Hoy will be making guest appearances on 

the tour. 

“We’ve got Beau Young for a lot of it, if not most of 

it. The really good thing is that he’s going to come 

down south with us as well. That’s always a hard sell, 

because it’s cold. (laughs) So we appreciate that.” 

Dave Rastovich will also be joining in for time in the 

water and on stage. 

“That’s going to be really fun, because those two are 

good buddies. I go back a long way with Rasta and I 

surf with Beau a lot here in New Brighton. “ 

And of course it’s not just a surf fest – There are 

big-name musos on the bill as well, such as Kram of 

Spiderbait fame and – fingers crossed - roots master 

Xavier Rudd, who Ash used to play supports for in the 

early days of their careers. 

“I’m hoping to get Xavier when we’re down in 

Torquay,” Ash says. “He’s a good buddy and I’ve 

known him for over a decade now. That’ll be really 

good for the doco. It will document a part of me, and I 

can talk about the beginnings of it all.” 


23

Another major point of difference with the Road 

Dog Diaries tour is the standing invitation for 

local talent to get involved. The tour gives local 

surf photographers a chance to exhibit and sell 

their work and local filmmakers a chance to have 

their creations shown on screen during the show. 

In turn, it gives the audience an opportunity to 

discover some of their own homegrown talent… 

Possibly even catch a glimpse of themselves 

featured in a photo or local surf film. 

“I lived five years in Torquay,” Ash explains. 

“There was one guy who used to shoot film when 

Winki was cranking and then, lo and behold, a 

year later someone would say ‘Hey! You’re on this 

video!’ You’ve got some good footage of you on a 

good day surfing your favourite local break! 

“The same with the photographer down there - 

she’d have a few snaps of you, or line-ups of your 

local when it’s cranking at it’s best. 

“I loved that when I was down there and thought 

that’s exactly what I want to have at these gigs. 

“So, in theory, someone can turn up and see 

themselves, or their local on its day of days… and 

just get really excited.” (laughs) 

“It’s more about the local, underground guys just 

going for a wave. High-performance surfers, we 

all get excited about, but this... I’m thinking about 

the guy like me in the crowd.” 

Normal, everyday surfers he means, not touring 

bluesmen... Yes, he’s a multi-award-winning 

musician with a stellar history of releases and 

collaborations, but as a late starter in the water, 

Ash is really humble when it comes to his surfing. 

“I’m by no means a ripper which is probably why 

I’ve still got my froth so in gear. I grew up in 

Melbourne, so access to waves was only ever an 

occasional thing when I was a kid. As an adult - 

and really once I started gigging - I could arrange 

things so that I could surf more.” 

“I always loved it. To go to the beach was to go 

surfing. But being inland, I just didn’t have the 

opportunities to get into it as a kid. When you’re 

from Melbourne it’s when you get your license 

that you really start.” 

However with a promising musical career in the 

making, surfing wasn’t always easy in the early 

days. Ash initially followed advice to tour inland, 

playing more obscure venues, off the beaten 

track, to spread his name outside of the fierce 

competition of the mainstream. But it wasn’t long 

before the ocean dragged him back. 

“I’d go to one-horse towns playing to one 

toothless drunk. It was quite soul destroying, but 

I thought ‘Hey, I’m making a living from it - who 

cares?’ 

“I just decided after a while, ‘Nah, you know 

what, I’m just going to head for the coast. And 

it’s funny, it worked better for me anyway, even 

career-wise. But it was primarily just something I 

wanted to do with my life. So, surfing’s been this 

crazy adventure… “ 

And it’s not just surfing. A true smorgasboarder in 

his own right, Ash hits a skateboard or snowboard 

with just as much enthusiasm as his stomp box at 

a live show. Touring has seen him clock up eight 

snow seasons, always overlapping shows with 

the opportunity to do some snowboarding. 

“I’m so lucky. Everything in my life has been 

facilitated by music.” 

It’s not a one-sided arrangement. It seems that 

while music has a huge influence on his lifestyle, 

life also comes back around to influence the 

music. One song in particular, from the 2009 Fish 

Out Of Water album has stuck with me since the 

first listen. It’s the incredibly well-told tale of 

near-death in huge surf at Port Campbell. With a 

mental picture so well painted, surely that has to 

be a first-hand experience? 

“No that’s not autobiographical,” Ash laughs. 

“I’ve copped a lot of hold-downs and I have a 

lot of respect - and fear - for the South Coast of 

Victoria, but I’ve never paddled out at Two-Mile 

or any of these crazy hell-man places. I’ve surfed 

solid Bells, and I’ve surfed some solid waves 

down south, but none of the actual ‘big waves.’ 

So, just how did the Port Campbell story and song 

come about then? 

“Well, this is what happens to me with story 

songs,” Ash explains. “I get a moment that really 

moves me. Then I think about that moment and 

work backwards from there and I think, ‘What is 

that story?’ And then I tell that story. 

“I was actually at Red Bluff in WA. A mate of 

mine who’s a really good storyteller had this 

great tale of where he paddled for one, missed it 

and then turned around to see the whole horizon 

lifting towards the heavens, about to land right 

fair-square on his head. And just that terror... 

“We were just around the campfire, but I was 

with him and felt what he must have felt. I was 

very moved by that story. I know the terror of 

when you’re in really solid waves and there’s 

a consequence to being caught in the wrong 

position. That’s what it was all about. 

“Once I got into that moment of terror, I thought 

the dude needs a back-story, you know? I sort 

of live it when I tell it, so I really think about it. 

I laugh sometimes though when he pops up and 

cops another six on the head – I always find that 

funny for some sick reason. (laughs)” 

Victorian surf destinations have certainly made 

their mark on Ash’s lyrics. Cat Bay on Phillip 

Island set the stage for the event that inspired 

the very entertaining Dolphin Song, from the 2002 

Introducing Ash Grunwald album. It tells the tale 

of him being rescued from a shark by a pod of 

helpful dolphins. And Ash reckons it happened 

exactly as the song says… 

“In the middle of the bay, on low tide with the 

right amount of swell, there’s a little bommie you 

can paddle out to. The guy I was with swore he 

saw a shark under me. In the post mortem I was 

saying ‘Well, all you did was mistake a dolphin for 

a shark and we didn’t actually get rescued,’ but he 

said ‘No way, no way... It was definitely a shark 

and we definitely got rescued...” 

Not many of us get the opportunity to throw 

everything we love most in life into one big event 

and then watch it come to life. For Ash, this 

artistic collaboration that is Road Dog Diaries is 

exactly that. 

Photo: Swilly Swilly.com.au 

With huge thanks to Jenny Williams! 


LATEST: INTERVIEW 

“IT’S A GOOD 

THING ISN’T IT, 

SURFING... IT’S 

THIS AMAZING 

CURE-ALL 

THAT DOES 

EVERYTHING. 

“IT KEEPS YOU 

FIT, HEALTHY, 

HAPPY... AND 

IT’S DIFFICULT TO 

GET GOOD AT.” 


25

FIJI 

Tavarua Island Resort 

Namotu Island Resort 

Plantation Island Resort 

Walu Beach Resort 

Mamanuca Island Group – 

West Coast Fiji 

Sonaisali Island Resort 

Intercontinental Fiji Golf & Spa 

Viti Levu – South West Coast 

Mainland 

Hideaway Resort 

Waidroka Bay Resort 

Matanivusi Surf Resort 

Viti Levu – Coral Coast 

Mainland 

Yanuca Island 

East Coast Fiji 

Naninya Island Resort 

Cape Washington 

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Tau Surf Charters 

Remote Islands of Fiji 

Talk to the experts. 

surftravel.com.au 

enquiries@surftravel.com.au 

02 9222 8870 

Surf Travel Company 

“WE REALLY 

WANT TO MAKE 

EACH GIG 

INDIVIDUAL, IN 

THAT WE WANT 

TO GET LOCAL 

PHOTOGRAPHERS 

TO DISPLAY THEIR 

WORK.” 

“It’s an intersection. It’s about a 

particular culture. I’ve got friends all 

around Australia that I love to surf with. 

Some are pro surfers and some are just 

Old Mate, who likes to go for a wave. 

They’re from all different professions 

and situations, from hardcore builders 

eating their pie and sauce, to full-on, 

tripped-out hippy dudes, or whatever... 

You have so much in common when you 

surf and there are just happy-go-lucky 

people who just want to get some 

waves and have some fun, then go 

to the gig, have a few beers and just 

hoot… Just positive people. That’s 

what I just love to be involved in.” 

Getting involved yourself is easy. Just 

get to one of the shows, be positive 

and have a whole lot of fun. 

Photo: Emmanuel 

Narokobi Masalai 

Communications 

There is only one original ... 


If you’re a budding surf photographer 

or surf filmmaker and reckon your work 

belongs on the bill, drop the organisers 

a line at info@ashgrunwald.com. 

For full tour dates, check online 

at www.ashgrunwald.com, on 

Facebook at www.facebook.com/ 

AshGrunwald or you can also follow 

the happenings on twitter at 

twitter.com/#!/ashgrunwald to stay 

in the loop with all of the up to date 

announcements. 

Photo: Swilly Swilly.com.au 


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27

MEET THE TALENT 

“The only multi-finned 

board in the line-up!” 

Helmet and friends. Photo: Mark Chapman 

COLLECTOR 

QUIRKS 

HISTORY BUFF, REGULAR SMORGASBOARDER 

CONTRIBUTOR AND LAST EDITION’S PAGE 7 MODEL... MEET 

PAT QUIRK AND HIS EXTENDED FAMILY OF SINGLE FINS. 

AKA “The Helmet”, Pat Quirk was born and 

raised in Manly on the Northern Beaches of 

Sydney, NSW. 

Now settled with his lovely family on the 

northern side of the Sunshine Coast, he spends 

many a day sharing waves at his favourite 

breaks around Noosa or Alexandra Headland, as 

well as tracking down pieces of surfing history to 

add to the growing collection. 

From left to right, we’ll let Pat introduce the 

ladies, most of which he uses regularly. 

1 - OCEANIC 9’2” A very narrow, but thick 

longboard from 1963. No wall-hanger, this is my 

board of choice to ride. It goes amazingly in long 

walled point breaks like Noosa. 

2 - DON BURFORD 7”4” TRACKER with a 

rolled bottom, made around 1968 when Don was 

still in South Australia. A challenging board to 

ride, but it’s amazing when you get it just right in 

the pocket of a nice wave. 

3 - BARRY BENNETT 8’ MINI GUN with 

a dense foam stringer. Difficult to turn but 

definitely the fastest board I have ever ridden. 


4 - BARRY TAYLOR CUSTOM 7’8” from 

Nowra on the South Coast of NSW. A project 

board, crying out for restoration as the whole 

board needs to be reglassed... One day. 

5 - TUBECRUISER around 6’8” by Paul Shanks, 

a kiwi shaper. Only surfed it a few times and I 

still need to get it out on a clean day. 

6 - McTAVISH BLUE BIRD 7’ signed by Bob 

after being saved from landfill. An awesome find 

and my absolute fave board in the collection. 

7 - KENN CUSTOM SURFBOARDS from 

the Gold Coast, around 6’2”. This is the board 

that started the collecting bug after my wife 

suggested a vintage, red board would look great 

hanging on the wall. (What a nice lady - ED) 

8 - SUNBIRD SURF DESIGNS GUN 7” by 

Don Allcroft, a Victorian shaper who also shaped 

for Rip Curl. It looks to be around late 70’s. 

9 - McCOY 6’8” This has had a full restoration, 

so it’s a little heavy but great to ride as it’s really 

thick so catches waves very easily. 

10 - SHANE STANDARD 6” Around mid-70’s 

by the looks of the shape. Amazing shapers like 

Simon Anderson cut their teeth making these 

boards under the eye of Shane Stedman. 

11 - KENN CUSTOM BOARD 6’ Late 70’s 

single with a classic spray on the deck. 

12 - McTAVISH 9’1” The only multi-finned 

board here, shaped by Bob himself. This is an 

amazing board to ride - only 2” 5 / 8 thick and lots 

of kick in the tail which helps with late take offs 

(sometimes). 

Got some cool boards to show us? We’d love to 

see them and show them off for you! Drop us a 

line on editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 

Pat cruising at Noosa. Photo: Popeye

THE ONE 

WE ALL HAVE A FAVOURITE FAVOURITE. EMMA WEBB OF 

TORQUAY SHARES A LITTLE ABOUT HER SPECIAL BOARD WITH US 

It’s the board I’ve wanted for the last 

ten years and now we’ve finally found 

each other! It was an instant connection 

straight after that first ride the 6’2 Spunk 

Bubble shaped by Greg Brown had found 

its new home, my shed. 

Now to the really important stuff about 

the board. 

It’s not white it’s an actual colour - 

nothing like adding a bit of colour to the 

line up! There’s enough black and white 

out there already and even if I’m black 

and white too, it’s not going to make me 

rip any more like Kelly or Fanning... Just a 

little bit of self-expression. 

Another amazing thing is it floats me 

easily. I’m not flapping around like a fish 

out of water struggling to move forward, 

let alone ride a wave. 

It catches waves like I’m riding a Mini-mal 

- bonus for me out there! So that’s three 

big ticks for my new favourite board. 

Oh, and some might find these next facts 

more important but it all depends on 

the angle your coming from: it turns on 

a wing nut and gets heaps of speed... I 

sometimes get the speed wobbles I’m 

going so quick. 

A match made in heaven. Until I find my 

next favourite board anyway... 

ALL OVER 

YOU LIKE 

A RASH(IE) 

Surf shop, surf school, 

boardriding club, SLSC, 

school, college or 

university, company, surf 

comp or similar? Get your 

personalised gear printed by 

Triple-X today! 

LOGO 

BRAND 

Contact us for 

a free custom 

order quote for UV 

protective rashies, 

sunwear, sun/surf 

caps and more... 

info@triple-X.com.au 

Tell us about your favourite boards and get yourself in these 

pages! Drop us a line at editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 

Photo: Roie Hughes 

1300 483 634 

WWW.TRIPLE-X.COM.AU 


29

LATEST: PITSTOP 

Retro Wombat’s Paul Hickman is a born and bred 

Wollongong boy who grew up surfing Oilies down 

near the coal loader and South Beach. 


A BREAK 

FROM THE 

ORDINARY 

On a recent trip to The Gong I called into two stores in Thirroul 

- one I knew and the other I had heard a lot about. Basically, 

these stores are absolute Aladdin’s caves for the collector or soul 

surfer after something outside the mainstream. Both are well 

worth a visit - and an introduction - so we had a chat to the men 

behind the counter. WORDS & PHOTOS: DAVE SWAN 

PAUL HICKMAN RETRO WOMBAT 

WHAT IS SURFING TO YOU? 

Trying to find a wave where there is only two or three in the water. I can’t deal 

with crowds or all that agro and stuff. 

FAVOURITE BOARD? 

My favourite single fin is a 6’1” Col Smith channel bottom. It suits my body type 

perfectly. That and a modern day Skipp thruster for when the swell is on. 

WHAT’S THE STORE ALL ABOUT? 

I guess the store is called Retro Wombat, Retro as in ‘backward’ and ‘wombat’ 

as in the ‘hard to find Australian.’ We’re more like the Hairy Nosed Wombat, 

the rare and endangered one, not the common wombat. 

Our motto, so to speak, is recycling suburban Australia. We’re about stopping 

stuff from going to the tip - the whole gamut of recycling from picking out the 

good things we can resell down to recycling nuts, bolts, copper, brass and steel. 

We offer people a complete recycling service and a large percentage of the 

stuff goes to local op shops and charity stores and some we sell in store. We 

have really tried to develop a charitable side to the business. 

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO FIND IN RETRO WOMBAT? 

I used to be more into the antique side of things but we’ve slowly moved more 

and more into the junk side of things. The junk is the fun stuff. It’s what people 

want and it is affordable. 

HOW LONG HAS THE STORE BEEN WHERE IT IS? 

Six years. When we set up here there was no roof on the building and no floor. 

All in all though, I have been doing this sort of thing for twenty years. I have had 

four stores through that time. 

FAVOURITE THING IN STORE? 

Probably the 10 ft pintail mal. It is a big heavy brute of a board. 

WWW.RETROWOMBAT.COM 

CHRIS KELLY FINBOX BOARDSTORE 

FAVOURITE BREAK? 

Chips. The reef break off the point at Geroa. I grew up surfing it. 

FAVOURITE BOARD? 

The one I am riding most at the moment is a 5’8” shortboard called ‘The 

Guild’ by shaper Lee Stacey. 

WHAT’S THE FINBOX ALL ABOUT 

I suppose the whole concept for the store was to bring that uniqueness 

back to surfing and make it a little bit more interesting. I wanted to 

create a store that felt like the ones I walked into as a kid in the 80s. 

Those stores were about surfing, surfboards and cool stuff. Nowadays 

mainstream surf stores have lost that soul. 

WHAT’S TRULY UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR STORE? 

I think it comes from just selecting a good range of products that reflect 

a different side of surfing culture. Being a surfer myself, I ride all types 

of boards, so I wanted a surf shop that had enough hardware with a 

range of surfboards that reflected surfer’s different styles and interests. I 

wanted to create a real surf shop. 

On the clothing side, we’re a little bit more of a boutique as we hunt 

down those brands that have a clear point of difference. 

With regards to the store itself, we wanted to create an inviting space 

where people can walk in and feel comfortable. With a good atmosphere, 

people want to hang here and have a chat and not just duck in and out. 

FAVOURITE THING IN STORE? 

That’s a tricky one. We got the new Vouch boards in and I would have to 

say the 8’7” rolled vee bottom is amazing. I don’t know how long it will 

stay on the racks before I wax that thing up myself. 

THEFINBOX.BLOGSPOT.COM 


31

LATEST: IMAGES 

GODLEY 

VIEWS 

WHEN HE’S NOT BALANCING LEDGERS, HE’S SNAPPING SLABS. WE CHAT TO UP-AND-COMING 

SOUTH COAST PHOTOGRAPHER, JORDAN GODLEY, AND CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS WORK. 


Q&A 

What came first: surfing 

or photography? 

Definitely surfing, I think it has only 

been the past six months or so that I 

shot more than I surfed. 

You’re studying 

Accounting – an 

unusual career to 

align with surf 

photography… How do 

you juggle the two? 

(Laughs) Yeah I get that a lot. I’ve 

actually just finished all my accounting 

studies, around 9 years all up. It’s been 

pretty tough in the past, working long 

hours, studying for my CPA and chasing 

swells. I guess long days, a flexible 

boss and a tonne of coffee makes all 

the difference. 

I pretty much froth 24/7 on surfing, 

so getting up at 4am to go surfing or 

working back late to make up for a 

few hours off work here and there has 

never been an issue for me. 

Does where you live 

lend itself to a lot of 

good photographic 

opportunities? 

Yeah, it sure does, especially surf-wise. 

There are so many different locations to 

choose from down here - from perfect 

beaches to slabbing reefs, all within an 

hour’s drive of each other. 

When not snapping, 

what are you riding? 

Lately whenever there has been waves 

I’ve been shooting, so I’ve only been 

surfing in the small stuff... So my 

weapon of choice would have to be 

the ezi-rider long board - so much fun. 

Other than that, my roommate and I 

have a nice collection of old boards 

we take out from time to time. I pretty 

much ride anything, depending on the 

conditions. 

The perfect surf photo... 

I think the perfect surf shot is different 

for everyone. For me, it’s one that has 

a story or journey behind it and takes 

me back to epic times. Also, it needs to 

have amazing light and composition. 

With a good camera being so cheap 

these days, there are so many of the 

same style of shots floating around, 

so I guess a shot that is unique really 

stands out for me. 


33

Bali... 

T he best of 

both worlds 

Dukes 

at Bingin 

ENJOY A BEACH LOCATION WITH 

CITY COMFORT. CHOOSE FROM: 

• 3 Bedroom private villa, sleeps 6, 

with 10m pool 

• 2 bedroom villa, sleeps 4, 8m pool 

MAKE USE OF EASY ACCESS TO 

FOUR FABULOUS BREAKS: 

Bingin, Impossibles, Dreamland 

and Balangan. (Surf guide available) 

How can people get hold of 

your work? 

www.jordangodleyphotography.com has just been 

set up, and I run a blog, jordangodleyphotography. 

tumblr.com, which I update every few days. 

If anyone’s keen to have me shoot them surfing, 

they can always give me a buzz on 0422 529 801 or 

shoot me an email on jordangodley@hotmail.com 

“empties... i’m kinda 

digging those shots at 

the moment...love blowing 

them up on canvas and 

staring at them... ” 

What does the future hold? 

Hopefully pursue photography a little more. I’ve 

just finished all my studies in accounting and I 

now have something to fall back on, so I can focus 

on photography and enjoy it rather than chase it to 

make some coin. 

I’m in the process of putting together a coffee 

table book which I hope to finish by the end of 

the year. Next year, hopefully I will do a bit of 

travelling, chasing swells at a drop of a hat and 

shooting a few weddings here and there. 

I would love to eventually move to Indonesia, 

or spend six months of the year there shooting 

and travelling. That would be the ultimate dream 

scenario. 

Book now! 

info@baliretreats.com.au 

www.baliretreats.com.au 

or call 07 5572 0477 


Name: Jordan Godley 

Age: 28 

Born: Penrith 

(Yes I’m a Westie haha) 

Live: 

Love: 

Berrara, NSW 

Being in 

the ocean, 

Photography, 

Surfing and 

Soccer. 

What’s your 

camera setup? 

Canon 50d, AquaTech water 

housing and a few lenses. 

Take some time to view more of 

Jordan’s work online. And if you 

find an image you love, make sure 

to part with a few dollars for print. 

jordangodleyphotography.com 


35

Sri Lanka 

Citrus Resort 

Coral Sands Hotel 

Coral Seas 

Hikkaduwa – West Coast 

Sri Lanka 

Ocean Dream Hotel 

Ahangama 

Unawatuna Beach Resort 

Galle 

Tri Star Hotel 

Stardust Beach Hotel 

Arugam Bay - East Coast 

Sri Lanka 




02 9222 8870 




READERS PHOTOS 

This edition, we were absolutely flooded with fantastic photos, all taken by 

none other than you! This giant, meaty chunk of saltwater at Cape Solander, 

AKA - ‘Ours’ was sent in by Doug Ford and is most definitely our pick of the 

bunch. Absolute cracking shot, Doug. Free stuff on the way to you! Send in your 

snaps of glory, comedy or consequence to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 


Smorgasboard_1/4pages_D01.indd 3 13/06/11 6:03 PM

LATEST: PHOTOS 


37

READERS PHOTOS 

A selection of our favourites... 

THE SUNSHINE COAST 

SUPERSTORE 

All the top SUP brands 

New & Used Surfboards 

The best Kite and Wake gear 

& MORE! 

we send it 

everywhere 

FREIGHT 

SPECIALISTS! 

AUSTRALIA-WIDE 

for kite • wake 

• sup • surf 

Caloundra Cruising 

Phil ‘Pup’ Bender 

For the right board at the right 

time, get the best advice from our 

experienced staff, 

Big Dee Why Point 

Michael Knipe 

Chris Taylor, 

Point Impossible 

Sara Taylor 

“Dad sure can surf!” 

Bendalong Beach 

Sheree Budden 


LATEST: PHOTOS 

Chris Friend in-flight 

entertainment, Twin Waters 

Dylan Pukall 

South Coast, NSW 

Hannah Pellegrino 

Tristan Mace, 

Boulders Beach 

Greg Mace 

Currumbin, heavy 

Jesse Watson 

Greg Gregoriou, 

Point Impossible 

Peter Weller 


39

In terms of an Australian surfing destination, it’s possibly a mountaineer’s Everest. 

One break - which will remain nameless - is the equivalent of better-known Australian big wave 

magnets such as Shipsterns in Tasmania or the Cow Bombie in Western Australia, definitely rating 

in the five biggest and heaviest waves in the entire country. 

Extending some 150km from Cape Otway to Port Fairy – basically the southern tip of mainland 

Australia to just short of the South Australian border - this stretch of coast is not for the faint-hearted 

or the ignorant. Mother Nature, and quite possibly the locals, will deliver it to you in spades if you 

forget to show the place due respect. 

While the Southern Ocean always packs a punch no matter what the wave size and the water 

temperature alone is enough to take your breath away, from a pure tourist perspective, this is possibly 

one of the most spectacular, picturesque, idyllic and stunningly beautiful destinations on Earth. 

The 

Shipwreck 

Coast 

COLD, DARK, SHARKY WITH MONSTROUS WAVES, HUGE RIPS AND HEAVY LOCALS... IT SOUNDS OH SO INVITING, 

BUT IF YOU ARE GAME, THIS PLACE JUST HAS TO BE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED. WORDS DAVE SWAN 


TRAVEL: ROAD TRIP 


41

PNG 

Lissenung Island Resort 

Kavieng - New Ireland 

Saturday to Saturday 

Clem’s Place 

Lavongai - New Hanover 




02 9222 8870 


Facts 

Fast 

CAPE OTWAY is the second southernmost tip of mainland 

Australia (Aptly-named South Point on Wilsons Promontory in 

Victoria is incidentally our southernmost.) 

PORT FAIRY is just under 3 hours drive from the South 

Australian border. 

Water temp in the region in winter can get down to 12 

degrees. In summer it gets up to 17 degrees. 

Offshore winds push colder deep water nearer to the coast 

and replace surface water warmed by the sun. This coupled 

with air temperature and wind-chill need to be factored in 

when determining by how much you will freeze your bits off. 




Smorgasboard_1/4pages_D01.indd 1 13/06/11 6:00 PM

The 

Shipwreck 

Coast 


On penning this story I had 

originally envisaged calling 

it The Iceman Cometh: The 

Smorgasboarder crew tackle 

the arctic conditions and 

wild mountainous surf of the 

Shipwreck Coast. 

As it turned out, the crew, 

of which there are two, was 

reduced to one after Mark 

shafted me the day the trip 

started, so an expedition of 

Dave headed down south. 

My first day on the Shipwreck 

Coast was magnificent. The sun 

was out, there wasn’t a cloud 

in the sky and the first signs of 

surf revealed gentle, peeling, 

A-frame beachies more suited 

to a cruisy mal. It was hardly 

hellman territory. 

But, it wasn’t my first trip to 

these parts and as they often 

say, “if you don’t like the 

weather, hang around a while.” 

It’s possible to get all four 

seasons in one day. It can be 

sunny one minute, blowing a 

gale the next. 

The week before, I had received 

a text from a local surfer with 

words to the effect of, “25ft 

ground swells with a 12 second 

fetch. Should be 12ft plus.” Thank 

goodness I was running late. 

And the predictions proved 

correct. Mammoth swell 

pounded the coast on that 

week, sweeping one of his 

surfing mates into a cave and 

treating him to a nasty, neardeath 

experience. Just think, 

that could have been me... 

The day I arrived however, 

only rolling waves slid past 

the Twelve Apostles and were 

something to behold. There 

possibly can’t be a more mindblowing 

experience then surfing 

amongst these natural pillars 

of wonder. 

The next day, and thereafter, 

was more of what I expected 

at this time of year: Bleak and 

cold, which is exactly what 

I was after. The surf wasn’t 

huge but had some grunt and 

that Southern Ocean still took 

my breath away in more ways 

than one. 

In my opinion, this is the perfect 

time to visit the Shipwreck 

Coast. If you’re after balmy 

conditions, head to Fiji. Down 

here’s supposed to be wild, 

woolly and cold. That’s part of 

its appeal. To witness the sea 

battering the rugged limestone 

coastline is not only amazing, 

but one of the sights that make 

the region so unique. 

It’s at its most dramatic and 

awe-inspiring best when 

Mother Nature struts her stuff. 

At the end of each day, having 

taken in the sights, watched 

some phenomenal surfing or 

made your own little bit of 

surfing folklore (in your own 

mind at least) you can retire to a 

cosy B&B cottage, comfy retreat 

or country pub. I don’t know 

why but there is something so 

appealing about freezing your 

knackers off, tackling waves 

with such raw power and then 

unwinding afterwards with a 

bit of amber nectar next to a 

roaring fire. 

The local food and produce is 

also superb and the perfect 

way to refuel your numb, aching 

body. Indeed, the area also 

boasts a number of superb 

restaurants and eateries. 

Ahh... the delights of a 

surfing roadtrip in a wintery 

wonderland. The colder, the 

better I say. I absolutely love 

this part of the world. 

But enough from me, we 

talk with local big-wave 

legend Russell ‘The Hellman’ 

McConachy, about his love for 

surfing these parts. 


43

Russell 

McConachy 

Born in Chelsea, in what was then a rough bayside suburb of 

Melbourne, Russell McConachy grew up surfing the Victorian east 

coast and places like Phillip Island. As he explains it, he didn’t 

surf anywhere in particular, he simply went to where the waves 

were… chasing quality and size. 

“I always studied the weather maps and got to know the systems, 

tides and winds for each break and headed to where I thought it 

would be best. I discovered a few spots down on the Shipwreck 

Coast in 1973 and thought it was awesome. It pretty much became 

my Hawaii. 

“I would drive down there every weekend from Frankston and stay 

for two or three days or a week depending on how good it was. I 

would drop everything, head down and sleep in my car. 

“There were only ever a few guys like Dave Smurthwaite, Rock 

Stone and PK surfing big waves down that way. My favourite spots 

were relatively empty. I would regularly surf alone. Still do, but 

only occasionally.” 

With that said, Russell has been able to share his love for big 

waves with a select few. 

“I have been fortunate that I have always had a good hardcore 

crew around me that want to surf big waves from when I was 

twenty until now. But if you don’t want to surf big waves, well 

then, you are not going to fit in on a surf trip. It’s just a wonderful 

and exciting thing to share. The anticipation of the night before... 

When you can hear the waves breaking outside, it’s just something 

else. 

“All my mates who surf these spots nowadays are generally ten, 

twenty, thirty years younger than me. I have also shared some 

waves down here through the years with some great surfers, the 

likes of Jeff Sweeney, Greg Brown, Glen Casey, Tony Ray and the 

Rowley brothers. 

“Gerard Healy (ex-Melbourne Demons and Sydney Swans AFL 

footballing great) is also one of my great mates and a surf addict 

like myself. We team up most weeks. Over the past decade he has 

been coming down the coast and tackling what we like to chase. 

Big waves just become a focus of your life.” 

“I have been surfing my chosen break for some thirty-three 

years now. It is an intense experience. It is perhaps like surfing 

Waimea.” 

“At 61, I know my days are numbered with regards to surfing the 

bigger days. I don’t have any desire to live up to any image and I 

pick my waves more carefully now. 

“There is a great new crew emerging, led by guys like Brendan 

Ryan, Pat O’Shea and Mick Deppeler. I get as much joy watching 

my mates catch great waves as I do catching my own.” 

I asked Russell whether he had ever tackled any other of the big 

name surf spots around the globe. 

“I started building my house down here in 1987, a rustic bluestone 

house with recycled timbers throughout and this, along with my 

chosen break, became my focus. I wasn’t interested in too much 

else. The lure of other surf breaks didn’t really appeal when I 

had great waves in my own backyard. Between time, money and 

running my business, I didn’t really pursue any others. However, 

I did go to Hawaii in 1978, as I wanted to experience and gain 

an understanding of what big surf was like. This would set my 

attitude towards big surf for the rest of my surfing life. I believe it’s 

important to have a true perspective of the waves you surf.” 

As for the biggest wave Russell has tackledat home? 

“The biggest I have paddled into is around 15 to 20 ft. I have a 

Shipwreck 

The 

Coast 



“It has always been my philosophy when you are in the ocean as in life, 

you have to ‘‘accept what you can’t change and change what you can...’ 

when you surf you have to accept that is part of the deal.”’ 

Russell McConachy 


45

photo of me paddling over a 25ft wave. 

It was a 15 to 18ft day and we literally 

saw a line on the horizon. It blacked 

it out. It was the biggest wave I have 

dealt with in the water. I screamed 

at the guys, ‘Paddle like...’ I do some 

towing occasionally, but not here.” 

LOCALISM 

When it comes to localism, which is 

widely reputed in these parts, Russell 

is quite philosophical in his approach. 

“There’s a right way and a wrong way 

to go about it. You have to appreciate 

that spots will become known at some 

stage and inevitably, you have to be 

prepared to share. 

“I will happily share waves with people 

from outside the area just as I would 

with my friends. If you’ve been waiting, 

it’s your turn. I don’t think because it is 

my break you have to wait forever and 

that sort of stuff. Some people have 

that attitude or just want to take every 

wave, but that can happen anywhere. 

I am a little more easy-going. ‘Live and 

let live’, I say. Perhaps that’s part of 

getting older and having a bit more of 

a sharing attitude. I was probably a bit 

greedy when I was younger without 

even realising it.” 

As for the fanatics that staunchly guard 

these parts, Russell has this to say. 

“People really believe what they are 

saying. They genuinely believe in their 

cause, just as I believe in what they 

are doing can be unfair in some ways. 

There is talk of a ‘surf sanctuary’ and 

yes, it is a very delicate environment 

around here in terms of the landscape 

and seascape. You wouldn’t want a 

contest here. The area just couldn’t 

cope. But as for the ‘no exposure’ 

mentality to try and keep the crowds 

down... the Great Ocean Road is on 

the map, our tourist board is promoting 

it, everyone knows it’s there and any 

surfer worth his salt tends to travel 

beyond his home breaks anyway. 

“Sure we don’t want a horde of 

surfers and jetskis turning up, making 

the place like another Mavericks or 

Jaws. It’s so hard to predict that it’s 

a tough call to travel here, especially 

if you have to travel from afar. There’s 

usually a very small window for it all 

to come together, so it is easy to be 

disappointed! 

“Localism, in my opinion, can be quite 

selective. Some photographers and 

surfers from outside the area have had 

a hard time, but local photographers 

seem to have less drama. 

“People know my opinion and hopefully 

they can respect my philosophy as I do 

theirs. We will agree to disagree.” 

THE SHARK FACTOR? 

“I don’t think it is a huge issue with all 

that is going on in the ocean. However 

it would be naive to suggest they 

are not nearby when you are surfing. 

It’s more a matter of so far so good! 

Further south, around Port Fairy and 

Portland, there is reason for more 

concern, but you just have to forget 

about it and keep surfing, ideally!” 

But I pester Russell for a more direct 

answer. Surely there must have been 

some bumps or close calls through the 

years surfing these parts all alone? 

“Oh yeah, I have had a fair few. It 

does stay with you for a few months 

afterwards. I have mates with great 

shark stories. 

“Paddling across deep-water channels 

in some parts, it does cross your mind, 

but you just have to deal with it. It’s 

out of your control. It’s always been my 

philosophy when you are in the ocean 

you have to ‘accept what you can’t 

change and change what you can.’ I 

have that quote on my desk and in my 

diary. I think it is so true of life. I think 

when you surf you have to accept that 

is part of the deal. 

“I would be shattered if something 

happened though, after all this time. To 

think I have gone this far.” 

WORDS OF ADVICE FOR THOSE 

VENTURING DOWN THE COAST 

“I think a surfer has to have the right 

equipment and the right headspace to 

deal with whatever they confront. You 

can pull up at some breaks, think it’s 6ft 

and paddle out to realise it’s 12ft. I’ve 

rescued quite a few guys over the years. 

“For example, you can’t just use a 

standard leg rope. I use a 15ft tied leg 

rope, two plugs, extra Velcro - a lot 

of things that eliminate any chance 

of having to swim. That’s where the 

problems start. When it’s big, many of 

the bays turn into massive rips going 

out to sea. It is serious. You can’t 

paddle against it. 

“I think in any break, you respect the 

place and the people in the water, 

which I think goes without saying, 

whether you are a local or not. Don’t try 

to be ‘the man’ out there. Attitude is 

the key. It’s pretty basic. 

“Other than that, you need a 4/3 

wetsuit from now on, until November. 

THE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 

“I have several 9-10ft guns. I have a 

new 9’9” that I am riding now. Custom 

made of course - 3 ¼“ x 19 ¾ “ x 9’9”. 

“I’ve had boards from Maurice Cole and 

Murray Bourton. Mike Anthony made 

my last one. It’s good to have someone 

in town to have that old-fashioned 

relationship with your shaper.” 

TRAINING 

So what of holding your breath and the 

training to tackle monstrous waves? 

Russell shed some light on his approach. 

“I don’t carry rocks along the ocean 

shore (he laughs). I think if you are 

physically fit and mentally strong, you 

When you look at a weather map 

and you see the massive systems 

hitting our coast non-stop, compared 

to what you get on the east 

coast, it is just staggering.” 

Russell McConachy 

Shipwreck 

The 

Coast 


deal with it. Mucking around 

in the pool the other day, my 

partner’s daughter held her breath 

underwater longer than me. I 

don’t have any interest in doing 

that. I think you just do what 

you have to. I am a very strong 

swimmer and am fit so I know 

what I can handle.” 

Russell did Taekwondo for twenty 

years and fought full-contact 

tournaments for eight years. 

“I wasn’t the best martial artist, 

but I trained my arse off and 

was as fit as you could be. I did 

ok because I was very fit. You 

get the best out of your body. 

Likewise with surfing, being fit 

will put you in a good position to 

catch a few good waves.” 

BEST CONDITIONS 

North-east depending on the 

break. A south-west swell is 

normal. 

On surfing iconic landmarks such 

as the Twelve Apostles: 

“I have surfed there up to 10ft, 

but waves there can often be 

closeouts. The region just gets 

so much swell and consequently, 

the sand banks are constantly 

changing. You can have months 

where it’s so big and disorganised 

that it is unrideable. “ 

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK 

“There are some good spots 

in the region. In Port Fairy, 

Rebecca’s is really good. Time 

and Tide is also a very nice 

restaurant. The Merrijig Inn 

is great. 

“In Port Campbell, Room six is 

great for breaky, lunch or dinner. 

The pub is good for dinner and 

to socialise. 12 Rocks is ok as 

well.” 

And as for a good spot to grab 

a beer, Russell’s reply was the 

same as Mark Richards in our last 

edition. 

“I don’t drink beer. I have never 

been a beer drinker. I will have a 

stubbie in summer if it’s warm but 

more often than not I will drink a 

lemon squash. 

I guess that’s why Russell rides 

18ft waves and I don’t. At least 

I now know what’s been holding 

me back. 

Incidentally, from my personal 

research, the Caledonian Inn 

in Port Fairy is also a cracker. 

Roaring fire, good beer and one 

of the best steaks I have had. 

Spoons Café also makes great 

coffee and muffins. 


47

A surfing destination like 

no other... Visit Port Fairy 

Surf Spots 

WHEN SURFING SOME OF THE LESS 

FREQUENTED BREAKS THERE A FEW 

IMPORTANT RULES TO ABIDE BY... 

PORT FAIRY & REGION 

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 

Railway Place, Bank Street, Port Fairy 

03 5568 2682 

vic@moyne.vic.gov.au 

WWW.VISITPORTFAIRY-MOYNESHIRE.COM.AU 

Shipwreck 

The 

Coast 


STUDY THE BREAK. Most 

spots on the Shipwreck Coast 

are further out then they initially 

seem, hence the waves are 

bigger than they appear and the 

paddle out draining. Then there 

are the rips, the sea floor, the 

rocky cliff faces... you get the 

drift. Know what you are getting 

yourself into first. 

SURF WITH A MATE. This 

wasn’t possible as Mark shafted 

me, but in most cases it’s great 

to surf unfamiliar waters with a 

friend, in the event you get into 

any trouble. 

SHARKS. It’s all in the mind, 

they say. 

BE RESPECTFUL OF LOCALS. 

They’re particularly sensitive to 

outsiders taking over their breaks. 

If you’re low-key and go about it 

the right way, you shouldn’t have 

any hassles. If you’re a knob, 

expect some problems as these 

guys will defend their patch. 

As part of our respect for the 

local surfing community, we have 

not named specific surf spots 

on the Shipwreck Coast. After 

all, the spirit of adventure on a 

surfing road trip is to discover. 

All up, when surfing these parts 

make sure you are up to it. If you 

are, remember, no guts, no glory. 

Go hard or go home. 

So what did I do exactly? I surfed 

alone. Again, Mark you bastard. 

Jokes aside, I was mindful of 

showing due respect to the local 

crew and sat a little way away 

from the lineup, still getting my 

fair share of waves. 

Of course I didn’t want to sit too 

far away, just dangling my legs 

like chicken wings in the dark 

abyss below. I made sure I kept 

within reasonable distance of 

the pack so as not to get a close 

and personal experience with the 

fauna that frequent these parts. 

As they say, it doesn’t matter if 

you can’t outswim the shark as 

long as you can outswim the guy 

beside you. 

As for donning some serious 

rubber, surfing down these parts 

just heightens my respect for 

cold-water surfers the world 

over. Stick a 4ml piece of rubber, 

booties and hood on me and I feel 

as coordinated as a performing 

walrus at the Zoo, and believe 

me, I am just as entertaining. 

The gear required, which is just 

a necessity in these parts, adds 

another dimension to surfing. To 

see what some guys do with all 

that neoprene on is incredible. 

It feels like surfing in slow motion 

and the hood has the effect of 

someone turning the sound down. 

Everything is silent. You see the 

size of the waves, paddle through 

the kelp and think about what lurks 

in the depths below and it is like 

watching a horror movie with the 

sound switched off. In a way, it’s 

frightening whilst being somewhat 

serene at the same time. 




49


What to 

See and Do 

The Twelve Apostles. 

A true natural wonder of the world. 

I have heard the Great Ocean Road 

likened to Route 66 in the United 

States. Just like the great road, it 

cannot be rushed. You could drive 

the Shipwreck Coast in around 2.5 

hours but you would be crazy if you 

did. There are so many majestic 

viewpoints along the way and so many 

great surf spots, it is better to explore 

the region over the course of four days 

or more, particularly if the swell is on. 

CAPE OTWAY 

If venturing from the north, the 

start of your journey is Cape Otway 

where the Southern Ocean meets 

Bass Strait. It forms part of the Great 

Otway National Park and is lush and 

mountainous - tall wet forests, ancient 

rainforests, diverse heathlands and 

woodlands all fringed by a rugged 

coastline with pockets of sandy 

beaches and striking waterfalls. 

CAPE OTWAY LIGHTSTATION 

The Cape Otway Lightstation is 

the oldest lightstation on mainland 

Australia. It began operating in 

1848. You can climb to the top of the 

lighthouse and take in the spectacular 

views, you may even spot some seals 

and penguins and whilst there you 

can tour the surrounding historical 

buildings that include lightkeepers’ 

residences, a telegraph station and a 

radar room. 

OTWAY FLY TREE TOP WALK 

600m long and 25m high, this is a 

treetop walk that will not be forgotten. 

A 47m high lookout will add to your 

exasperation. The walk takes you 

through a magnificent stand of cool 

temperate rainforest. You can even 

zipline or abseil from the Fly for an 

adrenalin rush. 

After Cape Otway the scenery 

becomes even more spectacular 

- 200ft sea cliffs, wave-sculpted 

islands, blowholes, cathedral-like 

arches and heaving ocean swells. 

THE TWELVE APOSTLES 

Next stop is the huge offshore 

limestone pillars called The Twelve 

Apostles, well there are actually only 

seven now but they are stunning 

nonetheless. At sunrise or sunset they 

are particularly breathtaking but are 

magical at any time of the day. They 

are as famous a landmark in Australia 

as Ayres Rock, the Great Barrier Reef 

or the Sydney Harbour Bridge. They 

must be seen. 

PORT CAMPBELL 

A nice little fishing village nestled 

amongst Norfolk pines set on a natural 

gorge around Port Campbell Bay at the 

mouth of Campbells Creek. 

The Arch, London Bridge, The Grotto, 

Bay of Martyrs and the Bay of Islands... 

The amazing coastline continues and 

there are numerous walking trails and 

lookouts to appreciate the beauty of 

this rugged coastal stretch. Go on to 

the Victorian tourism website for all 

details www.visitvictoria.com 

CHEESE WORLD 

10 minutes east of Warrnambool is 

the Allansford Cheese World, home 

to the award winning Warrnambool 

Cheddar Cheese. Free cheese tastings 

are conducted hourly on the half hour 

between 9.30am and 4.30pm. A large 

selection of local products including 

wine, jam, honey, chocolates and 

sauces can also be purchased. 

FLYING HORSE BREWERY & BAR 

Be sure to stop in for a drop. I must 

confess I could not resist. I had a 

couple on tap and had to grab a mixed 


Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy 

Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool 

Cape Otway 

Lightstation 

Local breweries are king 

six-pack to sample later. Superb 

beer from their Dirty Angel dark ale 

through to their thirst-quenching 

Whale Ale and Whoolaston Wheaty, a 

traditional Bavarian style hefeweizen. 

Wooohooo, my mouth waters. 

Surf and SUP lessons are available 

through Go Surf in Port Fairy 

WARRNAMBOOL 

The coastline levels off at the 

windswept port of Warrnambool. The 

first thing that hit me about this town 

is its amazing Foreshore Promenade. 

It stretches from the Breakwall along 

to the Southern Right Whale Nursery 

at Logan’s Beach - that’s right, whales 

swim within a couple of hundred 

meters of the beach with their calves 

and can be viewed from a speciallyconstructed 

viewing platform in the 

dunes. You can walk, skate or bike ride 

the 5.7km path along the promenade. 

Along the stretch there is Lady Bay, 

great for a playful wave with the 

kids. You can explore the rockpools 

at nearby Stingray Bay. And then, 

there is Lake Pertobe Adventure 

Playground. This ‘parkland’ is massive, 

20 hectares in fact, and is a haven for 

young families. I have possibly never 

seen so many kids’ playgrounds in one 

spot. The kids could literally spend 

hours going from one playground to 

the other and there’s also giant slides, 

flying foxes, a maze, paddleboats and 

plenty of sheltered BBQ facilities. 

Nearby there is a skateboard park, 

lawn tennis courts, mini golf and an 

athletics track. You can even hire 

bikes at the Warrnambool Foreshore 

Pavilion. 

Flagstaff Hill is another attraction 

in the city of Warrnambool itself. It 

is a maritime village that is set on 

10 acres and reflects the pioneering 

atmosphere of an 1870’s coastal port. 

You can even relive the survival tale 

of two passengers aboard the ship 

Loch Ard, which sank off the coast, 

in a dramatic sound and laser show. 

Screenings nightly from dusk. 

TOWER HILL 

14km west of Warrnambool is the 

Tower Hill Nature Reserve. An 

Aboriginal-run nature preserve inside 

an extinct volcano, it’s packed with 

koalas, echidnas, and emus. 

PORT FAIRY 

I can’t begin to describe how pretty 

this quaint seaside fishing village set 

on the historic Moyne River is other 

than to stay it is possibly the most 

magical town I have seen on the 

entire coast from Noosa to the South 

Australian border. In some parts its 

like a tiny town in Canada or Maine 

in the US. Around the golf links and 

its southern shoreline - aptly named 

The 

Shipwreck 

Coast 

Pea Soup - it reminds me of Scotland. 

It’s so very different to the rest of 

Australia in terms of its look and feel. 

A walk around the tree-lined streets 

will reveal a wealth of beautiful 

bluestone cottages, historic buildings, 

stunning beachside and waterfront 

houses, churches, restaurants, cafes 

and classic pubs that still offer true 

country hospitality. Much of Port 

Fairy’s history has been preserved 

from when it was once Australia’s 

second largest port in the 1840s. 

(The region was frequented by Bass 

Strait sealers on seasonal hunting 

expeditions from Tasmania and 

derived its name after a cutter sailing 

vessel ‘Fairy’ took shelter in the River 

Moyne from a dreadful storm in the 

early 1800s. The bay was named ‘Port 

Fairy’ by the boat’s captain, in honour 

of this tiny ship.) 


51


Port Fairy stages a number events throughout the 

year such as their famous folk festival in March 

providing even more reasons to visit. For details 

go to www.visitportfairy-moyneshire.com.au 

A FEW PORT FAIRY WINTER WARMERS: 

Love Port Fairy. A time for indulgence and 

romance. 2-3 July. 

Taste the Flavours of Port Fairy. 6-7 August. 

A celebration of local food and wine along with 

cooking demonstrations. 

Ex Libris Book Fair runs from 9-11 Sept. Meet 

top authors, illustrators and booksellers. 

And as with the entire Shipwreck Coast, Southern 

Right Whales play off these shores from June 

through to October 

Port Fairy is 

arguably the 

most picturesque 

coastal town in 

Australia” 

Getting 

there 

To make the journey along 

the Shipwreck Coast you 

need a car. I wouldn’t fancy 

undertaking a hike with a 

surfboard under your arm, 

despite how scenic it is. 

How you get there, is up 

to you. You could fly into 

Melbourne’s Tullamarine 

airport or Avalon airport 

which is even closer to 

where you need to go. 

From Tullamarine it is a 

little over an hours drive 

to Geelong depending on 

traffic (Flying into Avalon 

will cut your journey down 

to Geelong by ¾). 

Once in Geelong, you might 

as well travel 30 minutes 

onto Torquay and take the 

scenic route along the 

Great Ocean Road to Cape 

Otway, the start of the 

Shipwreck Coast. 

Torquay to Cape Otway will 

take you a good 2.5 to 3 

hours drive without stops. 

Adelaide to Port Fairy is 

around 7 hours drive and 

covers about 590 kms. 

Shipwreck 

The 

Coast 

Boats moored on the beautiful 

Moyne River, Port Fairy 


Where 

to stay 

From cosy B&Bs and charming 

country inns, to holiday parks, 

stunning guest beachhouses 

and luxury beachfront hotels 

complete with day spa, the 

Shipwreck Coast has a variety of 

accommodation options to suit 

any taste and budget. 

GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOURIST PARK 

Great Ocean Road, PETERBOROUGH 

A great place to use as your base! The 

Park features Riverfront, Spa, Deluxe 

and Ensuite cabins, as well as powered 

and unpowered sites in a tranquil 

setting, on the banks of the Curdies 

River Inlet. The park is near fantastic 

surf breaks and the sandy beach and 

inlet are good for swimmers of all ages, 

or fishing, sailboarding and boating. 

A member of the Top Tourist Parks of 

Australia chain. Discounts to members. 

Proximity: Between Bay of Islands Coastal 

Park and Port Campbell National Park, 

near some of the best surf breaks around. 

Estuary and cray fishing on your doorstep. 

Phone: 1800 200 478 

E: stay@gortp.com.au 

www.gortp.com.au 

From $95 per night for cabins 

and from $32 per night for sites 

THE SEBEL DEEP BLUE 

WARRNAMBOOL 

16 Pertobe Road, WARRNAMBOOL 

On a peninsula between Stingray Bay 

and Lady Bay with 80 well-appointed 

guestrooms including deluxe suites, 

premium studios with spa baths and 

fully self-contained penthouses. All 

have individual balconies and many 

offer views of the Bays. An underground 

aquifer provides naturally heated 

geothermal water for the hotel’s 

Deepwater Baths, whilst Mii Spa offers 

therapeutic relaxation. Water Table 

Restaurant & Bar perfect for casual, 

relaxed dining is also on site. 

Proximity: 100m to beach, opposite 

Lake Pertobe Adventure Playground 

Near Warrnambool Promenade 

Phone: 03 5559 2000 

www.sebelwarrnambool.com 

PORT FAIRY 

ACCOMMODATION CENTRE 

2/54 Sackville Street, PORT FAIRY 

Port Fairy Accommodation Centre is the 

holiday rental management specialists 

in Port Fairy. We manage some of the 

most desirable properties in town. 

Whether it is a house overlooking the 

ocean, an apartment on the Moyne 

River or a central cottage, WE HAVE a 

property to suit your budget and needs. 

Our ‘easy to use’ online booking system 

allows you to search all our properties 

by location preference. 

Call Emily, Alysha or Karen for more. 

Phone: 03 5568 3150 

Email: accommodation@hearns.com.au 

www.portfairyaccom.com.au 

tomwegenersurfboards.com +61(7) 5442 6924 

More boards than 

you can poke a log at. 

Tom Wegener 

Custom Alaias 

$650 plus freight, Australia wide 

Surf Fitness Training 

 

 

 

 

Surf-specific workouts 

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Get fitter, stronger and 

enhance your surfing 

performance 

Catch more waves, 

Get more barrels 

Surf better and have 

more fun 

To get started with your free surf-specific workout, visit... 

www.TOTALSURFINGFITNESS.COM/freeworkout 

Mermaids by Aki Yaguchi 

Properties from $200 per night 

family-friendly pet-friendly spa bbq airconditioning 

TV gym laundry kitchen parking wi-fi pool 

392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour NSW 

Phone: 02 6658 0223 www.thelogshack.com.au 


53

GOING SOLO, MON 

PHOTOGRAPHER JOEL COLEMAN, OF MANLY-BASED PHOTO 

GALLERY SALTMOTION, SHARES HIS IDYLLIC EXPERIENCE OF 

STUNNING SCENERY, UNCROWDED WAVES AND FRIENDLY 

FOLK IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. 

“Film set or surf trip? Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference 

when travelling through the Solomon Islands. This paradise location 

seems too perfect to possibly belong to the same world we flew out 

of - a world of packed line-ups and parking officers at the beach. 

“There’s a statistic I heard that goes something like this: people 

that live a subsistence lifestyle work fewer hours a week than those 

who work a nine-to-five job in a major city. Welcome to the Solomon 

Islands - a place where subsistence is the way of life, shells still form 

part of the currency, and waves - good waves - are going unridden as 

you read this.” WORDS & PHOTOS: JOEL COLEMAN/SALTMOTION.COM 

It takes us two days of travel to get here. Two flights, a truck, a ferry, a 4x4 vehicle and 

a small boat. Led to believe we would be staying in a village with the local population, 

we’re expecting nothing more than a palm thatched hut with a mat to sleep on and a 

mosquito net to ward off the malaria-carrying mozzies. When we arrive on dark at the 

village, we’re gobsmacked. An entire island, roughly 150 square meters, has been built 

by hand, inside a lagoon, from coral rubble collected from the nearby reefs. Traditional 

houses with simple floors allow you to see through to the water lapping beneath. 

Our first meal is a feast of crayfish and local vegetables. Solar cell powered electric lights 

and there were beds comfortable enough to ease any aching surfer’s shoulders. 

This is by no means a tourist setup though. The island is a living, working village. The 

house where visiting surfers stay has been built in partnership, by Australian ex-pat and 

Surf Solomons man in charge, Tony Jansen and the traditional land owners of the village. 

It caters for those after a chance to surf perfect tropical waves with not another surfer in 

sight except the friends you came with. On our first evening someone asks what time we 

should head out in the morning. The response will stay with me for a very long time... 

“It’s up to you, the tide is right all morning and you don’t need to worry about beating the 

crowds... There are no other surfers here.” 


A man made 

island paradise 

TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP 


55

“THE TIDE IS RIGHT ALL MORNING AND 

YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT 

BEATING THE CROWDS... THERE ARE NO 

OTHER SURFERS HERE.” 


The Solomon Islands culture looks down on swearing - a problem for your average 

Australian on a surf trip. It‘s decided on our first night to do our best to respect our 

hosts by not swearing. The penalty? Ten push-ups, to be paid instantly. 

One of our crew lasts about five seconds on hearing the rule. “Shit! I’m a tradie, it’s 

impossible not to swear!” Down he goes for the first ten of the trip. After the first 

day we’ve all put in a load of push-ups and decided that there’s an amnesty when 

out surfing (no locals out there to hear how rough we were). After a few more days 

the tone of our conversations has amazingly mellowed a little and other long-lost 

adjectives have found their way into our ramblings. 

I have had the opportunity to visit some pretty amazing surfing destinations over 

the years, met some fantastic people and stayed with those who call themselves 

locals. However, there is something different about this trip. The tribal system of 

land ownership in the Solomon Islands means you can’t just motor your charter 

boat up to these reefs, throw anchor and surf. You need permission from the local 

village, meaning it is unlikely the big operators are going to make tracks into this 

part of the world in a hurry. The local culture doesn’t really value money the way 

we do and their “one talk” system, of distributing wealth earned among the whole 

family, discourages capitalist thinking. 

At the same time this place is hard to get to by land. Accommodation doesn’t exist 

for tourists and it would be hard to get a local fisherman to drive you out to the reef 

and wait while you surfed for a few hours. So, if you want to come surf here you 

either need to be an intrepid traveller with plenty of time, patience and good luck 

or you need a local guide. In this part of the Solomon Islands there is only one local 

guide. I would love to think it will stay that way and crowds will never become a 

problem here, but given the magic of this place, that’s unlikely. 


James Hozack stalling 

for a glassy cover-up 

THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE WAVES HERE IS... UNCROWDED. 

Picture a setup with hundreds of potential breaks, and no one surfing. As 

we load boards into the boat each morning to head out to the reefs we 

keep an eye on each spot we pass by and regularly ask our guide what 

that break is like. Often the response is that he has seen waves there, but 

not surfed it yet. The possibilities are almost endless. 

One day the wind comes up. We take a hike up into the hills of the main island to 

get a good vantage point to see the reefs and the outer edge of the lagoon snaking, 

twisting and turning in so many directions, showing so many possibilities to pick up 

swell from different directions. 

The waves themselves are all reef breaks where booties are essential and a bad 

wipe-out could see you lose a little skin to the coral. Having said that, there is no one 

else to compete with for waves! If you are not a hero barrel-hunter and you prefer to 

sit a little wide on the shoulder then go for it, you will get your fill of waves. 

Most of the spots we surf offer short, punchy rides. (We didn’t see any major 

swells during our visit but the vision of what these reefs can offer has me very 

tempted to return again as soon as I can squeeze it in.) 

Surfing in water that is around 30 degrees Celsius and air temps that go from 

hot, to hot and wet, can make you pretty thirsty. Water flows in abundance from 

freshwater springs throughout the islands, but far better is the post-surf coconut 

that the boat driver cracks open for each us on our return to the boat. The sweet 

water from inside is something to look forward to, and munching on the flesh of the 

young coconuts during the boat ride back to the surf camp is a great way to keep 

growling stomachs at bay until the next meal arrives... I have never had anything as 

good as a fresh coconut followed by a meal of fish that was caught while we were 

surfing. I’m not kidding either! While we surf, local villagers in dug-out canoes 

paddle over to the boat and trade fish they have just caught, which becomes our 

lunch only hours later. 

Fresh vegetables and greens are collected from the gardens on the main island 

- gardens that looked like jungle, but are actually very cleverly cultivated food 

producing machines. Basically, everything we eat on the trip was either breathing, 

or in the ground growing, only hours before it hits our plates. 

We have a break from surfing one afternoon and our guide Tony asks if we would 

like to visit a village located a short boat ride up the river. Motoring up the river can 

only be described by visualising a happy version of the scene from “Apocalypse 

Now” when they reach Kurt’s camp. Dug-out canoes being paddled up the river by 


57


smiling people and an army of laughing children 

waiting for us on the shore. Walking through 

the village is like walking back in time - a time 

forgotten, embraced by the jungle and centred 

around a natural spring where fresh water 

gushes constantly from the earth and breathes 

life into the culture. 

We hit a flat spell around day three, or was it day 

four, of our trip? Even after such a short stay on 

this tiny island it appears that time had started 

to become insignificant. On a surf trip, a flat spell 

can normally spell disaster, with a bunch of high 

energy man-grommets doing their best to get on 

each others’ nerves until the swell returns. 

In the Solomon Islands it is exactly the opposite. 

Tony calls us together and asks if we would 

rather skip on the small waves in favour of hiking 

up into the bush on the main island. The promise 

of waterfalls, majestic views of paradise and 

some good exercise is enough to convince us. 

“Oh yeah, it might be a bit muddy. Probably best 

to wear your reef booties.” 

This turned out to be the understatement of 

the year. The tracks up the mountain are mostly 

ankle deep in warm mud, steep and pretty 

difficult. The locals charge up with little thought 

to us with our delicate feet and lack of skill on 

these tracks. But the slipping and sliding around 

only makes the adventure come to life and we’re 

treated to some amazing views. 

We stop at a handful of waterfalls to cool off 

and rinse away the mud throughout the day. 

About two thirds of the way through the trek we 

come across a small bush village where a young 

guy climbs a palm tree and cuts a coconut for 

each of us to drink from. Refreshed, we begin 

the walk back down to the coast. The variety 

of terrain we pass through in a half day trek 

is amazing. From coastal mangrove to tropical 

rainforest, to cultivated subsistence gardens and 

areas designated by the village for logging to 

build their communal buildings. 

I can honestly say that the entire group is 

amazed at how great a day we have had. The 

fact that there were no waves was almost a 

blessing. Had there been surf, we probably 

would not have taken the time to open our eyes 

to the offerings of the island of Malaita. 

The surf industry in the Solomon Islands is still 

very new. The reason for the slow development 

is that Tony is aiming to ensure that the local 

population benefit from the development of the 

industry and are not left behind by the menace 

that can be the surf tourism machine. That said, 

the service they offer is amazing. His knowledge 

of the villages, the reefs and the people can only 

come from someone who has lived and breathed 

the Solomon Islands like he has. Being married to a 

local girl, he has been completely accepted into the 

culture and is able to share that with his guests. 

The system of land and reef ownership through 

the tribal system should ensure that big business 

is kept away from this remarkable place, I 

say, for the better. As the younger people in 

the villages take to surfing through boards 

left by guests, they will begin to understand 

the resource they are sitting on - one that is 

positive, promotes an active and healthy lifestyle 

and can provide a good income for their village in 

a country, where making a living can be difficult. 

I think it is only a matter of time before we see 

several small surf camps along the lagoons. 

Based on Tony’s model of partnering with a 

village and employing the locals, it will give 

more surfers the chance to surf the waves 

of the area. Crowds will never become a 

“THE WAVES ARE ALL REEF BREAKS WHERE BOOTIES 

ARE ESSENTIAL AND A BAD WIPE-OUT COULD SEE 

YOU LOSE A LITTLE SKIN TO THE CORAL.” 

Garry Thomson, 

loving life on the first 

day in the Solomons. 


Curious locals in the line-up. 

Empty peaks like you don’t get at home 


59

“THE ‘ONE TALK’ SYSTEM 

OF DISTRIBUTING 

WEALTH EARNED AMONG 

THE WHOLE FAMILY 

DISCOURAGES 

CAPITALIST THINKING.” 


Joseph, one of the few local surfers, showing his style 



61


Solomon’s fisherman.They’ve 

been into SUP for centuries already. 

Jungle boy, for real 

problem as each island village can only sustain so many people. 

The accommodation will never be five star, if you want that go 

somewhere else. But the waves, the culture and the experience 

are beyond five star. 

Mark Studdert dropping into an inside bowl. 


In a world where so many people are in it for themselves it’s 

refreshing to meet someone who has a genuine interest in 

making a difference for other people. Tony Jansen has created 

the first surf camp in the area and had done it all by integrating 

a successful business model into a local subsistence culture. 

Essentially villages are allowed to create their own camps and, as 

such, a source of income which would otherwise not be there. 

The model also protects against those who wish to come in for 

no other reason than for profit. You can’t buy land here to build a 

resort so this should to keep the crowds away. Secondly, charter 

boats would need to secure access to the breaks through the 

local chiefs - another reason that crowd numbers in this area will 

probably remain low. 

After surfing most of the week based at the camp, Tony begins to 

murmur about a right hand reef that starts to barrel from two foot. 

The boys get excited and we decide to head to another island for 

our last few nights of the trip. We again arrive to paradise and are 

greeted by the entire village community. 

And the wave... It’s true! From two foot it started to throw a lip, 

a three foot set is a pretty good barrel and, bigger - you want to 

know what you are doing as the reef is shin deep in places and 

pretty unforgiving.

STUNNING 

SOLOMONS 

Experience a truly untouched paradise 

Experience a region that only a few surfers have ever seen and surf 

waves never surfed before. With the happiest people in the world as 

your hosts you will be transported back in time to a world that is still 

so pure and raw that you will return a changed and better person for 

the experience. 

· Guaranteed un-crowded waves 

with a max of 6 spaces per trip 

· This trip will change you 

forever! For the best. 

2011 / 2012 season schedule out now – 

limited space available! So don’t miss out! 

Call 1300 00WAVE or visit our website for live availability. 

www.theperfectwave.com.au 


63

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The island itself has no electricity or running water, which 

heightens the sense of adventure. 

As only the second group of surfers to stay there, it’s a pretty 

big deal to all the locals and - as one of our group described - 

it’s like being ‘Peter Pan’ in Neverland. Everywhere you walked 

local children are there to guide you around, swim, laugh and 

echo your every word. The beaches are white sand and the 

water the deepest shade of blue. Life in the village is simple. 

There are children everywhere and happiness and laughter 

seem to follow you wherever you go. Tony describes the 

children as “Free Range Piccaninnies” (the local word for child) 

meaning they have the run of the island. Everywhere you walk 

you instantly have an entourage hanging around, lapping up the 

novelty of their visitors. 

As a photographer, the Solomon Islands offered me an 

opportunity at every point. The tropical downpours that could 

ruin a setting one minute, would clear to the most amazing 

sun-soaked scenes the next. As long as you had somewhere to 

stash your camera when things got wet or muddy, there were 

endless opportunities. 

The reefs of the islands form part of the coral triangle and 

the place is teeming with all sorts of fish life. If you were the 

first one back to the boat post surf, you could keep yourself 

entertained by grabbing a mask and snorkel and checking out 

the marine life until even the most surf stoked man-grommet 

decided to call it a day. 

Natural, unspoilt beauty is the Solomon Islands. And the longer 

it remains so, the better. 

Thanks to www.surfsolomons.com and Perfect Wave 

Travel for malking this trip possible. 


SALTMOTION 

TRAVEL 

If you have the travel bug and are after an experience off the 

beaten track, contact Joel and Sherrie at Saltmotion in Manly 

to find out more about their travel booking service. 

There are some unique opportunities available to travel to some 

of the lesser known surf destinations around the globe, so if 

you fancy yourself as an adventurer, get in touch. 

And of course, if you end up on a trip with Joel, you know you’ll 

have the opportunity to get some stunnng photos to show off to 

the friends and family. 

You can find out more about the Saltmotion Travel offers online 

at www.saltmotion.com, where you can also view amazing 

galleries of some of the trips so far. Images are available to 

purchase as prints in a variety high-quality formats. 

In fact, when you’re there, make sure to sign up for the 

Saltmotion email newsletter to get a dose of perfect waves 

and incredible photography delivered to your inbox daily. 

www.saltmotion.com

FLEX 

No, not gym-junkies who stare for 

hours in the mirror instead of riding 

waves... rather, a very important 

aspect of surfboard design. 

‘Flex’ is the ability of your board to 

store energy and release it later. It 

basically works like this 

A Skerry blossom 

MORE THAN A FEELING 

MARK RABBIDGE OF RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN AUSTRALIA & 

RETRO LONGBOARDS WORDS DAVE SWAN 

On leaving Mark Rabbidge’s shaping bay on the NSW 

south coast I found myself playing air guitar in the car 

and singing the Boston tune from the 70s ‘More than a 

feeling’. Ok, maybe I had been on the road a little too long 

but here’s why. 

“Let’s not kid ourselves, “ Mark says. “If the surfboard 

alone was the key, all you would need is Kelly Slater’s 

board and you would be world champ. Sure, you have to 

have the right fundamentals in the surfboard underneath 

you but it is so much more than that. You are really riding 

the waves, not the board. 

“My family and I are all water people. We ride long, short 

and everything in between. I look at the conditions and say 

to myself, ‘Now what board am I going to have the most fun 

on out there today?’ and that’s what I pull out of the quiver. 

“I have been riding waves for some fifty-two odd years. I 

have spent about two years riding surfboards and the rest 

of the time riding waves. 

“People get sick of riding boards that are 6ft x 18 ½” x 2 

¼” with 3 fins in it. Surfing is about feelings. It’s about 

the first wave you rode when you went, ‘F*#@ that felt 

unreal.’ That real rush. That is what surfing is all about. 

“In terms of surfboard design today, people are already 

experimenting with mini-simmons and finless boards. 

Some of the things I make are really weird things, but 

INSIDE... 

VICTORIAN COLLECTIVE P66 

they are not weird to me. I just want to see what they 

will do. And little aspects of those designs will make 

their way back into the more mainstream stuff. It is about 

experimentation and pushing the boundaries to evolve 

surfboard design. 

“Now surfers are mainly riding these different boards 

because of the feel. They want to feel something different. 

That feeling of something new and the challenge and 

excitement it brings. 

“I shape for surfers, real surfers. And surfers don’t buy 

stickers. They buy the ‘feel’. They buy that ‘flow through 

the water’. 

Many surfers who come into me say, ‘I want to feel a 

certain glide or I want to feel a rush.’ They want to feel 

something. And it doesn’t matter who they are and what 

they want to ride, when the lip is coming at them, they 

automatically turn into Kelly Slater. I know I do. It doesn’t 

matter what I am on, whether it is a finless creation or a 

9’8”. It is that feeling I get that is so exhilarating. And that 

feeling is what we crave and what we desire.” 

Mark Rabbidge has been a leader in surf craft design since 

the 1970s; he shaped his first board in 1966 when his own 

shaper questioned the rails he wanted on his new board. “He 

wouldn’t do it so I did. The thing is, it worked and ideas about 

surfboard design grew from then on.” 

HARDCORE TESTERS P84 

BRAND NEW BOARDS P76 

All the latest designs and ideas from shapers along the coast. 

Research the perfect board to catch the rest of the winter swell right here... 

SURFBOARDS FLEX AND RELEASE 

• As you carve a big bottom turn, 

the board will bend ie ‘flex’ 

• As the board flexes, the rocker 

increases and stores more 

energy (‘Rocker’ is the bend 

in the board from nose to tail. 

The straighter the rocker, the 

faster the board goes. The 

more rocker in the board, the 

more responsive it is turning.) 

• As you exit the turn, the 

board returns to its original 

shape, releasing that energy, 

propelling you out of the turn 

• This can deliver a great deal of 

acceleration if flex is correctly 

harnessed within the design of 

your surfboard 

But more flex is not necessarily 

better. If your board flexes too much 

it can bog down, making the board 

feel spongy and slow. 

Introducing flex into surfboard design 

also walks a fine line between 

strength and the boards liveliness and 

its ability to retain flex (In time, boards 

are said to lose their flex, making 

them feel ‘dead’ in the water.) 

Through the years shapers have 

tackled flex in different ways. 

CENTRE STRINGERS will generally 

be stronger and less flexible. Such 

boards limit flex in terms of rocker 

but can suffer from torsion flex, 

where the board twists from rail to 

rail, slowing it down. 

PARABOLIC STRINGERS limit torsion 

flex but enhance flex in the centre of 

the board, where you want it. 

FLEXTAILS are believed to propel the 

surfer with ease, as the tail acts like 

a spring, loading up in a turn and 

releasing as you come out. 

In many ways the theory of a flex 

tail is akin to a dolphins flukes. 

Dolphins transform the profile of 

their tail to drive them forward 

and those guys appear to be pretty 

awesome surfers compared to us 

mere mortals. 

The quest for springier surfboards, 

accelerating better out of turns 

is certainly a worthy endevour in 

surfboard design. 


65

GEAR: SHAPERS UNITE 


Zak Koniaris and friends 

Before advertising was king and everything was overproduced for the 

mass market, things happened reasonably slowly. In the context of history, 

surfing and surfboards are a fairly recent development. Blokes who are 

still breathing today were there at the very beginning - when the modern 

surfboard was hatched from a concoction of petrochemicals and love by a 

backyarder, somewhere, a little while ago... We take a look at an initiative 

to promote Victorian shapers and find out more about them on the way. 


67


ZAK KONIARIS OF ZAK SURBOARDS GIVES US HIS THOUGHTS ON THE STATE OF PLAY IN THE 

SURFBOARD INDUSTRY AND TELLS US WHAT HE’S DOING TO SUPPORT LOCAL PRODUCTION. 

Zak Koniaris - owner of 

Zak Surfboards in Thornbury 

“Local product 

suits local 

waves. That 

has been our 

experience.” 

“Business, by nature, is hardly a level playing field, 

and the surf industry exemplifies that more than 

just about any other. From the most local cottage 

crew sculpting specialised craft in their backyard, 

to multinational corporations manufacturing and 

sourcing materials overseas, surf production is as 

diverse as the boards that are shaped. Supply and 

pricing arrangements have seen big company profits 

soar, yet the average punter is still paying roughly 

the same for a locally produced product as he is for 

a product produced for much less offshore. 

“Whether this has occurred by accident or careful 

planning, there is no disputing the explosion in 

the popularity of surfing and its general consumer 

appeal. Proximity to the ocean for a very large 

proportion of the population and higher disposable 

income have enabled some once-small companies 

to become huge business concerns. But have 

these giants, in all their expansionist ideals, lost 

touch with the grassroots locals and just become 

prescribers of fashion? 

“In the broader context, is ‘brand loyalty’ simply 

a corporate advertising construct? Is there some 

greater sense of where a product comes from, and 

who made it? 

“It’s difficult to draw any real sense of localism 

from advertorials full of careful brand placement 

and ‘exciting linked lifestyle choices.’ Yeah, they 

have slick magazine ads, featuring the best surfers 

in the world, but at the end of the day, just how 

much does big business have to offer? Prescribing 

that this year’s model of surfboard will suit Joe 

Public wherever he chooses to surf? How real is 

that idea? 

“As to surf product, the new school of thinking 

is one that has seen the rise of the little guy 

in a collective way. Where the past was about 

just having a shop at the front of the factory and 

selling your own boards, now there are more 

marketing opportunities available to smaller 

manufacturers, with independent shops stocking a 

diverse range of local surfboards and clothing. This 

has been an oddly organic process. And if there 

was a battle raging between big and small, the 

small are winning. Not because of intellectual or 

moral superiority, but because they provide a more 

individual and locally relevant product. 

They are stoic, resilient individuals who are 

exacting - to the point of being obsessive- about 

their craft and less so about the market and their 

place in it. 

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a manufacturing 

business in Australia today that is as labourintensive 

as making a surfboard, as capitalintensive, 

with as tight a margin, that is still able 

to compete with mass, foreign-produced product. 

Small manufacturers who source local materials 

(as much as possible), employ local staff and sell 

within a reasonably small locality. They are defined 

as much by who they are as what they produce. 

They are integrally involved in every aspect of the 

business. And the good thing is that these local 

guys who have been making surfboards, evolving 

and enhancing their craft for years, are still doing 

exactly that, without the bright lights, the bikini clad 

babes and the accountants. 

“Zak Surfboards made a decision to back local 

manufacturers – initially to produce Zak branded 

product. Eventually as the business grew there 

was sufficient demand to diversify the range, and 

the result is a program that primarily attempts to 

push local product with a periphery of imports. So 

far, the local product has been far out-selling the 

imports. We’re not trying to be a surf boutique. At 

the end of the day we sell what we think will sell. 

Local product suits local waves. That has been our 

experience. 

“And the shapers? It’s only by knowing your local 

shaper can you begin to support him. Who and 

where he is and what he does. Patronage is much 

more than handing over the cash. Visiting the 

place where the board is made and talking to the 

man who makes it will give a valuable insight into 

the process and the true value of their craft. 

“But as that’s not always possible, we decided to 

profile some of our shapers - because they’re local 

and because we value what they do. 

“They’re all unique determined characters who 

may not get shitloads of press - or even want it - 

so we asked them a few questions so you could 

better know and support your local shaper.“ 


KR SURFBOARDS 

“39 Years of not havin’ a real job!” 

“If I’m shaping a new board for myself my train of 

thought is to experiment, to test my theories and 

hunt for new feelings that create a special board.” 

At age 13 Ken Reimers shaped and glassed his first 

board. At 18, he turned his hobby to professional 

shaping which would be his career for the next 30 

years. In this time he has made over 15,000 boards. His 

career has included ghost shaping for others like Rod 

Dahlberg and Nev Hyman, signing his name to other 

labels like Trigger Bros, Pipedream and Kirra Surf, and 

making his own brand of KR Surfboards. 

Local break Not being a believer in localism, I 

surf anywhere I can catch a wave while trying 

not to upset the locals. 

Golden rule Accuracy. Strive for good 

workmanship because this will give you 

longevity. 

Last holiday Maldives, 10 years ago. Love it. 

Need to get back. 

Favourite food? My wife’s cooking. Seriously, 

she’s a freak in the kitchen. 

Favourite movie Bones Brigade “Search for 

Animal Chin” (Classic 1987 skateboarding film, 

starring Tony Hawk and th Bones Brigade) 

Favourite colour The ocean. 

Favourite brew OP Rum, “the spirit of the sea.” 

Your best board A 5’10” chisel-tail 5-finner 

which I made in 1982 at Trigger Bros. It had 

a clear deck and a blue pigment bottom with 

“Statesman Team” written in white. It was 

just one of those boards that went where you 

wanted to go. I would love to get it back, if 

anyone knows of it, please contact me. 

Offshore production Of course I hate it. 

What small manufacturer wouldn’t? They 

managed to flood the market so quick that a lot 

of long term small business board builders got 

squeezed out. I’ve seen some of Australia’s best 

board makers leave the industry and that’s a 

bitch. Support Australian made! 

Pro tour? Good on ’em if that’s what they’re 

into. Not my idea of fun. Too much stress, I 

reckon. Each to their own. 

Bedtime When my eyes start giving me grief 

from surfing the net. 

Maurice Cole. Photo: Supplied 

Ken Reimers. 

Photo: Supplied 

The word ‘pioneer’ is loosely bandied about in many spheres, 

particularly in the surfing arena, but not all live up to their 

reputations. There’s bloody good reason why this guy has 

shaped for some of the best in the business though. Maurice 

Cole is an innovator. It’s why he is so revered and respected by 

his peers and surfing’s elite – he’s shaped for none other than 

Tom Curren, 3-time world champ, and at present is pushing 

the boundaries in tow-in surfing, charging and crafting speed 

machines with Ross Clark-Jones. 40-odd years of surfing, 

shaping, testing and exploring new materials and technologies 

has put Maurice at the pinnacle of surfboard design. 

Local break: Bells/Winki 

Boards made: Between 27 and 15,127... Memory used to 

be better... 

Golden rule Shape it, surf it and better it. 

Describe your signature model at the moment 

Metro, deep concave, fastest board on the planet. Easy 

paddling, high speed turns that make ya tremble! 

Inspirations Tow surfing, testing designs and materials at 

twice the speed... My Formula 1... 

Considered other careers? Yes and I realise there’s not much 

else I can do but surf and design. 

Last holiday ...Don’t have ‘em. 

Offshore production Inevitable, and has shaken up our industry, 

but killed off the next generation of surfboard workers. 

In 10 years time Surfing, designing, shaping... With the odd 

visit to the surgeon to keep the bodily parts functioning. 

Pro tour? Its all a bit retro and boring. No new surfboard 

designs in 10 years, no time to test.. But some great surfing still 

going on. 

Bedtime Midnight. 

Wake-up 6.00am. 


69


4D SURFBOARDS 

Jordan Noble. Photo: 

www.notesurfboards.com 

Honing his craft under legendary Mornington Peninsula 

shaper Paul Trigger and underground ghost-shaper Kenny 

Reimers, ‘Fordy’ - as he is known - moved to the other side 

of the bay, to Ocean Grove where he has been shaping 

4D Surfboards for the past decade. A staunch advocate of 

high-tech computer-controlled shaping machines, he’s also 

known to produce some super-light epoxy shooters that fly. 

“14 years shaping!” 

“Never had a job!” 

NOTE 

SURFBOARDS 

As Jordan describes it: he’s used to the cold, grew up in Nelson, 

New Zealand, now lives in Jan Juc, his mother was a hippy and 

his father was a pirate. He has spent his whole life staring at the 

ocean and studying boats, boat hulls and old surfboards. Yep, 

he’s different and doesn’t much care for what people think. He’s 

on his own wave. He shapes, glasses, sands, makes his own fins 

and creates amazing boards - or updated old boards that really 

work, as he describes them, many with the most startling resin 

tints. In the process, he has made a real name for himself and 

has developed what could be regarded as a strong cult following. 

Simon Forward Photo: Supplied 

Local break: McClouds Watering Hole. 

Boards made In what time? 

Golden rule I don’t have rules. 

Considered doing other things? Yeah, actually the other day 

when I was shaping I thought “I woundn’t mind a cup of tea now” 

so I went and boiled myself a pot of tea. I think it’s important to 

do something else, at times. 

Favourite colour I don’t discriminate, mongrels are good. 

Favourite brew I can never recall which one it was. 

Best board I still have the best board I ever made, it got chopped 

in half with an axe though. 

Offshore production Pff! Completely irrelevant. I like Asians. 

In 10 years time I’m saving for a set of walkie talkies. So, 

hopefully in ten years... 

Local break 13th beach. 

Boards made About 6,000. 

Golden rule Keep it pretty simple. There’s no need to overcomplicate 

a surfboard. 

Inspirations To be able to ride them myself and hopefully for 

them to perform the way I designed them to go. To shape boards 

for customers and friends that help them enjoy their surfing more. 

Considered doing other things? Plenty of times, however 

then I wouldn’t be doing this which I enjoy. 

Favourite TV show Anything to do with football. 

Favourite brew Coffee in the morning. 

Offshore production I don’t worry about it too much. Surfers are 

always going to want reliable local service and to be able to talk 

directly to their local shaper about their board. 

In 10 years time Hopefully still working and surfing around 

here in Ocean Grove with my family, if I can get my two 

daughters surfing by then. 

Pro tour? Its great to watch as they surf so good nowdays. I 

especially like watching surfing live on FUEL in the comfort of 

my loungeroom. 

Bedtime I have young kids. 

Wake-up I have young kids. 


“Shaped first board 44 years 

ago, shaped full time for 25 

years, now part time.!” 

Doug is part of small group of elite 

shapers who has crafted boards 

for Rip Curl. His innovative designs 

in the ‘80s were what every hot 

young surfer was after. Today he is 

handshaping a select range of single 

fins, fish and big guy performance 

hybrids for Zak Surfboards. 

“I’m enjoying 

the 

downsizing 

theory” 

Andrew Stump Photo: Supplied 

Local break The reefs at Bells and Winkipop. 

Shaping & designing - the main idea Water flowing along the 

bottom, around the rails, gripping when it should, releasing at the 

right time and making sure they all connect without losing speed. 

Golden rule Balanced outline with profile. Nothing extreme. 

Allowing all elements of the design to blend together and achieve 

the design’s outcome... speed and manoeuvrability. 

Last holiday Every day I go surfing. 

Favourite colour Perfect offshore surf blue, rainbows and 

twilight sky colours. Polished red surfboards. 

Favourite brew Pot of freshly brewed tea, thanks. 

Offshore production Which part of the industry? The surf industry 

has to be as fluid as the ocean we play in. Major players support so 

much more than the people who directly work for them, the owners 

and shareholders. They advertise in magazines, pay for surf videos, 

sponsor grommets, pay for the whole pro circuit. That takes money to 

run. That means they must be profitable as well. That also means that 

there is little gaps created that can be filled by smaller operators. 

There will always be involved surfers who want to order a custom 

handshaped surfboard, just as there will be others who want to buy on 

price, or buy a particular designer’s boards, no matter where it is made. 

Apparel and wetsuits have been sourced offshore for decades. 

Chemicals for surfboards are imported. Don’t worry about that. Forget 

it and go to the beach. The waves really don’t care were the equipment 

comes from... Have fun. 

Pro tour? When the waves are great, the spectacle of pro surfers 

ripping is a phenomenon. They are such great athletes, both men 

and women. The guys on tour now are great watermen. They will all 

take on Bells , J-Bay, Pipeline, Wiamea and rip. When the waves 

are junk it is questionable whether it is even worth looking at. Yawn. 

He left home at 16 in pursuit of the surfer’s lifestyle and started 

working in the industry in 1978 with Ocean Foil. Consumed with 

passion for all things surf related, Stumpy is obsessed with 

quality craftsmanship. With more than 30 years experience 

under his belt, he is an artisan who tailors boards for the 

beginner through to the high performance competitive surfer. 

His goal, as always, has been to extract maximum board 

performance for greater pleasure, fun, and enjoyment. 

Local break: Secret spot on the Mornington Peninsula 

Golden rule Accuracy. You’re only as good as your 

last board 


I’m enjoying the downsizing theory. A 5’5”- 6’0” that 

outperforms the standard 5’10” - 6’0” 

Inspirations Well, its not money... 

Last holiday Don’t have them. I live in a tourist destination. 

Favourite brew Not into it. 

Most memorable manoeuvre Cutting out of a backhand 

wave and sticking it to carve back into it - a great feeling. 

In 10 years time Alive and surfing of course. 

Pro tour? Not much into it, but I take my hat off to that 

Slater bloke. Wish he was giving me feedback on my boards. 

Wake-up You mean out of bed? Before the birds - 5.00am. 


71


Greg Brown Photo: Supplied 

GASH 

SURFBOARDS 

“Up at sparrow’s fart!” 

Pioneer big wave rider, Quiksilver shaper, founder of 

Roar and Gash Surfboards and current Men’s Over- 

45 Australian longboard champion, Greg Brown is 

already somewhat of a living legend. He first learnt 

to shape under Kym Thompson and Maurice Cole at 

Watercooled. Today, he is widely respected as a man 

who has mastered both the art of surfing and shaping. 

Local break Brewer Shirks 

(Not too sizey) 

Shaping & designing - the 

main idea Tweak it here, rub it 

there and it’ll be a beauty. 

Golden rule Measure once, 

cut twice. 

Last holiday I had a 20 minute 

holiday yesterday afternoon. 

Favourite food Peanut butter 

and honey sandwich. 

Favourite TV show ABC Weather 

at 7.24pm with Paul Higgins. 

Favourite brew Blend 43 - 

instant actually. 

Best board I’d surfed an 8’8” 

red gun for years in Vicco and 

Hawaii, but unfortunately I 

creased it in some big beachies. 

Troy Brooks liked the look of it and 

promptly ran off with it, mumbling 

something about taking some 

huge drops on it. I saw Troy with 

Big Red, cross the Great Ocean 

Road and run up to the top of a 

steep hill on a sheep farm. Being 

a maniac and mischief-maker 

he took the drop on the old girl, 

probably 150m down the worn 

and rutted paddock. The gun 

flexed and flapped and flopped 

and cracked, finally bucking Troy 

off into a barbed wire farm fence 

at the bottom of the hill. He was 

grazed and bruised but big red 

was $%&-ed. 

Offshore production Some of 

the largest surfboard labels are 

like most huge companies. They’re 

primarily profit-driven. Number 

and volume equals turnover equals 

dollars and cents in the ledger at 

the end of each financial quarter, 

which keeps a wry smile on an 

accountant’s dial. I know the Asian 

manufacturing system works well 

for ping pong ball brands, just 

the same as surfboard brands, 

so it seems everyone’s happy. If 

the button gets pushed and the 

machine is fed, stuff gets pushed 

out of an office and we can rest 

easy and satisfied with that simple 

aura of wellbeing. 

In 10 years time Nowhere 

special. I quite like where I am. 

Pro tour? I’m not on the tour. 

“Above all else - flow” 

IMPERIAL 

SURFBOARDS 

A shaper spoken of highly in many surfing circles 

is Dave Boyd. Imperial Surfboards are designed 

to reflect our soulful past - simpler times before 

our surf industry was governed by the commercial 

madness of today. His relentless exploration of 

innovative design in the pursuit of performance 

has earned him many accolades. 

Local break 13th Beach 

Shaping & designing - the main 

idea For me, above all else - flow. 

Considered doing other things? No 

Last holiday March, on the east coast 

of Malaysia 

Favourite food Food 

Favourite TV show Deadwood 

Favourite colour Purple or lime green 

Favourite brew Carlton Draught 

Offshore production Different strokes 

for different folks 

In 10 years time Anywhere but a coffin 

Pro tour? Take it or leave it 

David Boyd Photo: Supplied 


“Shape what you want to surf” 

If you’re after that timeless feeling of 

riding a wood creation on your wave of 

choice, then Dave Dewitt is your man. 

His range of hollow wooden surfboards 

complete with internal wood frame 

construction look sweet and ride 

unreal. Everyone needs at least two 

wooden surfboards in their quiver, one 

as a wall-hanger and the other to feel 

the ride because wood is so good. 

Local break: Bells Beach 

Years on the job: I’ve been making wooden surfboards 

for a year or so, mostly for fun, as a job I’ve been a car 

designer for over 15 years. 

Golden rule Shape what you want to surf. It’s a 

personal thing and there are really no rules. The only 

limitations are the ones you place upon yourself. 

Considered something else? I think about how I can live 

my life in a way that will allow me to surf a lot. 

Last holiday I went to Crescent Head, camping with 

my son, Samuel. We surfed every day and toasted 

marshmallows at night, I think it was one of the best 

holidays I’ve ever had. 

Favourite brew A good chai. 

Offshore production In some ways it’s sad, but I 

understand the reasons. I think that in lots of ways mass 

production has opened up a space for more people to 

try surfing. I still believe that the true seeker will find a 

shaper that resonates with the way they surf and get 

a custom board regardless and those who want their 

own space will create that too. So I don’t think mass 

production will ever kill off the small guy, maybe it’s an 

opportunity for shapers to experiment more with design. 

Pro tour? I think its awesome to see the pros surf. 

Rousa epitomises everything we love about the surf 

industry. He lives and breathes surfboards. He’s the 

personification of old-school surf craftsmanship who does 

what he does - not because he has to - but because ‘it 

is the only way.’ He shapes boards because they are his 

passion. His boards are works of art and ride just as well. 

“Shaping for 41 years” 

ROUSA 

SURFBOARDS 

Local break: 13th beach 

Golden rule Make it sexy 


Chine rails, single to double concave to vee. 

Inspirations Making grumpy guys a little happier 

Last holiday Three years ago, Tassie in the winter 

Favourite food Hot pie at the footy 

Favourite brew Carlton Draught 

Best board The Freak - 4’9” concave deck, concave 

bottom double ender, swallow tail, swallow nose. I 

still take it out occasionally. 

Offshore production Saw it coming for decades. 100% 

true custom boards will survive 

In 10 years time Sitting on the verandah, playing guitar 

Pro tour? The level of skill by the latest young crop of 

surfers is mindblowingly inspiring. 


73


Glassers, sanders, polishers, spray artists, shaping bay sweepers and more... There 

are so many other important people behind the scenes that are an integral part of the 

board-making process. Here are just two of the unsung heroes... 

Glasser at NOTE 

Local break: Torquay point (closest to home) 

Golden rule: Neat trim jobs and evenness. 

Signature glass job: Probably the jelly bean tail dip 

and wet rub/polish combinations. 

Favourite brew VB from the Leopold Sportsmans 

Club - smooth and creamy, straight from the tap. 

Offshore production It doesn’t worry me, because it 

gets people into surfing for they’re a cheaper option... 

But the thing that I HATE is when people get boards 

made overseas and tell people that they’re locally 

made in Torquay. 

Sander - 32 years 

Local break Bird Rock or Sparrows 

Sanding - the main idea Fixing all 

the f*ckups from the shaper to make 

them look good. 

Inspirations I enjoy making boards for 

young kids. They’re not full of shit like 

you older guys. 

Best board Shaped by Greg Brown, 

glassed by me. It’s in my shed and still 

gets surfed about 10 times a year. 

Pro tour? It’s good to watch at Easter 

time to see some real surfing. 


Dispense with any preconceived ideas about Zak 

Surfboards. If you doubted whether a surfboard shop 

in the outer suburbs of Melbourne would have much to 

offer, doubt no more... 

Zak’s is an absolute cracker. In fact, it’s possibly one 

of the best surf shops in the country, and one of 

our favourite stops on the road. They have heaps of 

boards (they sell close to 1000 boards a year) a large 

skate section, plenty of hardware, a select line of surf 

clothing - not the usual stuff - and then there’s a range 

of fins and the latest surf DVDs and books. 

Best of all, the entire crew - Zak, Tim, Scott and Steve are 

down-to-earth blokes, super-helpful and know their stuff. 

With so much Victorian board-building talent behind 

these doors, there’s now even more reason to pop in 

for a visit. Make sure you do. 

The man himself... Zak Koniaris 

Tim up to no good outside 

307 Victoria Rd 

Thornbury Victoria 3071 

Phone: 03 9416 7384 

zak@zaksurfboards.com 

www.zaksurfboards.com 

Board guru Steve 

Repair guy Scott 


75

Forken model 

by Bushrat 

Shaper: Jed Done 

Dimensions: 

9’2” x 22 ½” x 3” 

Ideal conditions: 

Knee high to just over headhigh, 

easy peelers 

Suits: Any surfer who 

wishes to walk the board 

and hang out on the nose . 

Description: A classic 

edge mal. Concave nose to 

stand on, double concave 

flat in the mid entry area 

for neutral control in trim, 

double concave v under 

feet which lines up with 

outline hip to turn off, and 

a slight concave behind 

the back fin to stop the tail 

bogging in turns. 

Construction: Dion PU 

foam, single red cedar 

stringer, polyester resin. 

Fins: Fin box and 4WFS 

side boxes for flexibility 

Shaper comment: 

Built as a nose rider, all 

rounder mal for all levels 

of surfing ability. 

Plankton Noserider 

by Wegener 

Shaper: Tom Wegener 

Dimensions: 

9’4” x 23” x 2 ¾” - 10 kilos. 

Ideal: Small, clean waves 

Suits: Anyone who wants 

traditional longboard style. 

Construction: Hollow 

construction paulownia 

sealed with linseed oil, 

gum turpentine, and 

vinegar.My kids named 

the boards after the 

character Plankton on 

SpongeBob Squarepants 

because in 2003 I thought 

these boards were going 

to take over the world. 

Fins: Box single fin. 


After 6 years of making 

alaias and planktons, I 

know that the oiled wood 

surface is substantially 

faster through the water 

than boards finished in 

fibreglass. I recently had a 

lightbulb moment, finding 

a way to make better glue 

joins on the rails. There 

are over 46m of watertight 

glue joins so this was an 

important innovation! 

Wood rides better than 

foam and now noseriders 

are faster. Available for 

$1,990 + GST and freight. 

Stepdeck 

by Thomas The Hillbilly 

Shaper: Thomas Bexon 

Dimensions: 

9’6” x 23” x 3” 

Ability: For beginner to 

advanced interested in 

long extended noserides 

Suits: From 75kg to 95kg 

Description: The step 

reduces volume and 

increases flex through 

nose to help stay in trim 

while perched. Big fin 

provides locked-in hold 

and stability required to 

make noseriding an easy 

enjoyment. 

Construction: ½ inch 

cedar stringer, 8oz Volan 

bottom and tail patch, 

double 8oz Volan deck 

with resin foam stain 

details, top and bottom, 

under a blue tint - all 

executed with the utmost 

attention to detail. This 

really is a quality product. 

Fins: Big glassed-on, 

smooth pivot fin. 


Designed to make getting 

on the nose - and staying 

there - as easy as possible. 

by Black Apache Surfboards 

Shaper: Jesse Watson 

Dimensions: 

10” x 23 1 /8” x 3 1 /8” 

Ideal conditions: Up to 

head high sliders 

Suits: Hepcats to kooks, 

kicks, flicks and hanging heels. 

Description: Traditional 

noserider-inspired modern 

sled, but with modernised 

rockers and foils for the 

logger who wants to 

noseglide and whipturn 

like it aint no thang. 

Construction: Triple 

stringers, 6/4oz deck 

+ 6/4oz bottom, gloss 

and polish, vintage 

fabric inlay with gold 

resin pinlines. Glass-on 

matched fabric leash loop 

- proper old skool 

Fins: Matching 

fabric Stage IV hook fin 


A modern sled for the 

discerning kook. Traditional 

in looks - but a real hotrod 

under your feet. You’ll never 

spend more time on the 

nose than on this board. Its 

a ‘55 chevy with race car 

steering. Hang tens are the 

norm here. 

Old Skool 

by Classic Malibu 

Shaper: Peter White 

Typical dimensions: 

9’4” x 22 ¾” x 3” 

Conditions: Head high or 

below. Ideally point breaks 

but surprisingly versatile on 

a more mellow beachies. 

Suits: The soul-kats 

among you - those wishing 

to emulate Russell Hughes, 

Bobby Brown, Midget and 

Kev-The-Head. 

Description: Harks back 

to the days of pre-legrope 

and fixed fins. Hips in the 

rear third, it tapers into 

the nose, giving superb 

manoeuvrability for such 

a traditional, flat-rockered 

board. Rolled bottom 

and refined rails gives 

exceptional trim-speed. 

Construction: PU Foam, 

9mm stringer. Glassing: 

6oz and 7.5oz on deck, 

7.5oz bottom 

Fins: Fixed or fin-box, a 

more upright, hatchet or 

pivot fin at 9-10” 

Shaper comment: A 

beautiful board to ride with 

grace and style, rolling turns 

and pure, Old Skool flair. 

BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS 

Merimbula NSW 

Ph: 0409 813 431 

E: jed@bushrat.com 

www.bushrat.com 

TOM WEGENER 

SURFBOARDS 

108 Cooroy, QLD 4563 

Ph: 0401 257 479 

info@tomwegenersurfboards.com 

tomwegenersurfboards.com 

THOMAS SURFBOARDS 

PO Box 234 

Maroochydore Qld 4558 

Ph: 0412 131 491 

thomas_bexon@hotmail.com 

thomassurfboards.com 

black apache surfboards 

BLACK APACHE 

SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0410 419 791 

blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au 

blackapachesurfboards.com.au 

CLASSIC MALIBU 

Cnr Gibson & Eumundi Rd 

Noosaville, QLD 4566 

Ph: 07 5474 3122 

info@classicmalibu.com 

www.classicmalibu.com 


Rod Menzies riding 

the Jackson ZX2 

Photo: Ian McDonald 

GEAR: BOARDS 

Skeg Sled 

by SLS Surfboards 

Shaper: Scott Newman 

Dimensions: 

9’6’’x 23 ¼’’x 2 7 /8’’ 


Anything worth logging, 

up to shoulder height 

Suits: Loggers and anyone 

that wants a new board 

with that old school feel. 

Description: 

Traditional style log. Flat 

deck, flat nose rocker, 

rolled bottom to a rolled 

V through the tail. With 

all that tail rocker and 

pinched 50/50 rails. 

Construction: Single 

9-ply stringer with double 

6oz deck, plus deck patch 

and double 6oz bottom, 

plus fin patch. Full custom 

resin pigment and tint 

with a full gloss polish. 

Fins: Hand-foiled box 

or stick on 10” hatchet 

single fin. 


Get stoked on the old 

school feel and then drink 

some beers 

The ZX2 

by Jackson Surfboards 

Shaper: Jim Parkinson 

(Shaping at Jackson’s 

since 1974) 

Dimensions: 

9’ x 22 5 /8” x 3” 

Conditions: Small to 

medium sized waves 

Suits: Intermediate to 

Advanced 

Description: Our most 

popular all-rounder mal 

shape, featuring nose 

rail concaves through to 

double concave vee in 

the tail. Foiled thickness 

through nose and tail. 

Construction: PU foam 

with polyester resin, in any 

glass configuration. 

Fins: 2 plus 1, or quad 


This is a very forgiving 

mal to ride. The nose rail 

concave generates a lot 

of lift up front, while the 

double concave in the tail 

delivers heaps of drive 

through turns. 

Scott Newman 

of SLS Surfboards 

in Caloundra 

Longboard styles, 

from the pioneers to 

the new school... 

Boards by Jackson (above) and SLS (below) 

SLS SURFBOARDS 

Caloundra QLD 

Ph: Scott 0424 314 183 

Luke 0401 350 992 

slssurfboards.com.au 

JACKSON SURFBOARDS 

57 Captain Cook Drive, 

Caringbah, NSW 

Open 7 days 

Ph: 02 9524 2700 

Mobile: 0407 909 137 

www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au 

Check us out on facebook 

Miles Livingstone cruising on an SLS creation. 


77

SF2 

by Lowen88 

Shaper: Wayne Lowen 

Dimensions: 

5’10” x 19 ½ x 2 ¼” 

Ideal: All conditions, 

beach/point breaks, 2-5ft 

Suits: Intermediate to pro 

Description: All round 

semi-fish. Fast, with good 

drive and release. 

This one is a swallow tail 

but also comes in rounded 

square or round tail. 

Construction: Comes 

in standard PU/polyester 

or Eps/epoxy. This one is 

PU/polyester resin with 

double rail stringers. 

Fins: Futures - thruster 

or quad 

Shaper comment: Feel 

free to contact me for 

anymore info about this 

design and construction. 

The Flyer 

by Full Force 

Shaper: Steve Barber 

Dimensions: 

6’4” x 19 ¾” x 2 3 /8“ 


Excellent everyday board 

Suits: Anyone 

Description: Flattish entry 

for easy paddling, single 

into double concave with 

tail vee on larger versions. 

Double flyers in planshape 

give greater tail width 

for drive thru turns in any 

conditions with better hold 

in larger waves as a bonus. 

Construction: Polyurethane 

Fins: Thruster or Quad. 

(Quad is best as 4 channel) 


This is a rare all round 

board design. Great in 

ordinary surf through 

to pumping South 

Straddie or Snapper. 

Fast, manoeuverable, 

easy to surf, yet highperformance 

as well and 

forgiving when you’re 

having a bad day! 

The Bullet 

by Chris Garrett 

Shaper: Chris Garrett 

Dimensions: 

5’7 “x 19” x 2 5 /16“ 

Ideal conditions: Anything 

up to the 6ft mark 

Ability level: Anyone... 

customised to suit 

Description: Shorter , 

wider, thicker and with 

a whopping concave 

between the fins. Down 

rails and a flat deck. Kinda 

normal, but not.. 

Construction: PU, 

polyester resin and 

fibreglass. 

Fins: Chris Garret A’s... 

set... and forget. 


The new favourite. Just 

returned from indo and 

this handled anything 

that I wanted to surf it 

in. Super-fast out of the 

bottom turn with the 

concave working like 

channels, but with the 

freedom of a flat bottom. 

I like it! 

Chris Garrett... 

getting barrelled 

on the Bullet 

Photos: Kaylan Dahl 

LOWEN88 

Ph: 07 5526 5161 

Mobile: 0433 141 177 

Factory Showroom: 

2A/2172 Gold Coast Hwy, 

Miami, Gold Coast 4220 

E: lowen88@hotmail.com 

www.lowen88.com 

STEVE BARBER/FULL FORCE 

18/48 Machinery Drive 

Tweed Heads South 

Ph: 07 5524 2933 

fullforcesurf@hotmail.com 

Join us on Facebook 

CHRIS GARRETT/ 

PHANTOM SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0424 450 690 

info@chrisgarrettshapes.com.au 

chrisgarrettshapes.com.au 


GEAR: BOARDS 

Keel fin 

by Skerry Surf 

Shaper: Simon Skerry 

Dimensions: 

6” x 19 ¾” x 2 3 /8” 

(or shaped to order) 

Ideal: 1-10ft... Loves it all. 

Ability level: Beginner 

to well-experienced 

Description: 

Classic twin fin feel, 

smooth continual speed 

and paddle power. 

Features Cherry Blossom 

resin artwork. 

Construction: Full 6oz 

lamination with ¾ deck 

and fin patches. 

Fins: Glassed on, double 

foiled 8” keel fins 


A classic board that 

won’t let you down with 

non-traditional resin 

artwork. 

Original Peanut 

by Wegener The Grinder 

Shaper: Tom Wegener 

Dimensions: 

5’7” x 16 ½” x ¾” 

Ideal conditions: Medium 

sized clean waves 

Ability: Groms to advanced 

Suits: Advanced Alaia surf 

Description: Tom 

Wegener designed 

paulownia Alaia blank 

sealed with linseed 

oil, vinegar & gum 

turpentine. 

Fins: Two fins on each side 

stretching from nose to 

tail... the rails are the fins ;) 

Shaper comment: The 

original Peanut is the nose 

of the 12 footer that was 

in the movies “Musica 

Surfica” and “Seaworthy.” 

In 2008, I cut the 12-footer 

down because it didn’t 

work well and I needed to 

try more shapes. Master 

Jacob Stuth rode this board 

for Jack McCoy in his new 

movie “A Deeper Shade of 

Blue” and then the board 

went to Rob Machado who 

surfed it in “The Present”. I 

have reserved this template 

for super-advanced alaia 

riders because you have to 

bottom turn totally off the 

front rail to get it to hold in. 

by Ed Sinnott/ESP 

Shaper: Ed Sinnott 

Dimensions: 

5’9 x 19 ¼ x 2 3 /8” 


Anything up to 6’ 

Suits: Anybody 

Description: This is a 

combination of all my 

old single fin and twinfin 

templates combined with 

new school bottom curves 

and rails. The result is a 

sensational hybrid that 

flys. Flat entry, deep vortex 

concave, razor edges and 

wet and dry finish. 

Construction: Burford/ 

South Coast PU blanks, 

Silmar polyester resin, 

Colan and Surf Nine glass. 

This combination has 

stood the test of time. 

I love the flex. 

Fins: Thruster 


Surfboard design has 

gone the full circle now. 

We’ve got boards that 

make so-called normal 

6’1’’ boards look like guns. 

Go smaller, thicker and 

wider. Yew! 

Slippery Gypsy 

by Underground 

Shaper: Peko 

Dimensions: 

5’8” x 2 ½” x 22” 

Ideal: Up to 3ft points 

and small beachies 

Suits: Everyone 

Description: Fast, fun 

twin keel or quad. Single 

concave running from 

midway through tail. 

glassed-in, handmade 

fins or FCS quads. These 

little things fly and are 

available in sizes 4’10” 

upwards. 


and polyester resin with 

tints, pigments, sprays 

and handmade keels. 

Fins: FCS fibreglass keels 


Handmade to your 

requirements using the 

best materials, as are 

all Underground boards. 

These little things are so 

much fun. 

JGUN 

by Jye Byrnes 

Shaper: Jye Byrnes 

Dimensions: 

Custom shaped, 6’6-10’ 

Ideal: 6ft and above 

Ability level: Int to adv, 

travelling to the islands or 

wanting to charge. 

Description: What you 

need when the waves 

start to get serious and 

your step up shortboard 

won’t quite cut it. A little 

different to some other 

guns on the market - 

maintains the gun outline 

with a little more width in 

the nose and tail. Thicker 

volume in the center 

for versatility in various 

conditions. Great traveller, 

or just to chase rhinos at 

your local. 


with heavier glass job 

recommended. Option of 

hybrid carbon strips on 

deck/bottom as shown. 

Fins: Thruster FCS or 

Futures. Optional 2+1 fin 

box or bonza fin set up 


Tried and tested at my 

local and the islands. 

A great traveller. 

SKERRY SURF 

PO Box 354 

Lennox Head NSW 2478 

Ph: 0403 240 452 

theskerrysimon@hotmail.com 

skerrysurfboards.com 

TOM WEGENER 

SURFBOARDS 

108 Cooroy, QLD 4563 

Ph: 0401 257 479 

info@tomwegenersurfboards.com 

tomwegenersurfboards.com 

ESP SURFBOARDS 

2/81 Centennial Circuit 

Byron Bay, NSW 

Ph: 0404 059 321 

espsurfboards.com 

www.edsinnott.com.au 

UNDERGROUND SURF 

3/31 McLean St, 

Coolangatta, QLD 4225 

Ph: 07 5599 1040 

kirra@undergroundsurf.com.au 

undergroundsurf.com.au 

THE SURF FACTORY 

16 Maitland Rd Islington 

Newcastle N.S.W 2296 

Ph: 02 4969 5889 

Mob: 0409 227 407 

info@thesurffactory.com.au 

thesurffactory.com.au 


79

The Machine 

by Diverse 

Shaper: Dave Verrall 

Ideal conditions: Trusty 

thruster for all conditions 

Suits: Performance surfer 

after a user-friendly board. 

Description: All the 

volume of your daily 

driver, it’s 2” shorter than 

your traditional shortboard 

and 1/4” - 3/8” wider. 

Extra thickness in centre 

with a rolled deck and 

medium low rails. Light 

width increase in the nose 

and tail keep it speedy 

and reliable with light 

single to double concaves 

for control at speed. 

Construction: Dynocore 

technology - a high tech 

fusion of fibres and foam. 

Dynocore gives you the 

confidence to pull in to 

anything big and barrelling 

yet carry with one arm over 

long walks to secret points. 

Fins: Thruster 


Developed by Dave 

Verrall and Dale Richards. 

Inspired by Dale “The 

Machine”, shaped and 

designed on a “machine” 

and a shape feature 

that’s specifically cut on 

my aps3000 machine... 

Footwells on the deck. 

Frazfish 

by Oke Surfboards 

Shaper: Rory Oke 

Dimensions: 

5’8” x 20” x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal conditions: 1-4ft 

Suits: Everyone 

Description: Wide 

outline, flat rocker with a 

tiny nose kick and a single 

concave to deep double 

scoop in the tail. 

Construction: Ocean 

Foam blank, 4oz glass 

with sanded finish. 

Fins: Speeedfins 

Fibreglass s143 sides 

with an optional small 

trailer fin 


With the imput of team 

rider Fraser Ross, this 

is the fastest, best 

performing fish we have 

ever created. 

L7 Curve Step Up 

by Express Surfboards 

Shaper: Paul Armstrong 

Dimensions: 

6’5” x 18 5 /8” x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal: Anywhere juicy! 

Ability: Intermediate to 

advanced surfers 

Description: Single 

concave into double V 

bottom. Concaves are 

kept subtle to allow 

quick decisive trim on the 

face to set up tube time. 

Central apex rocker for 

larger wave face and a 

smooth even, outline for 

hard drives off the bottom 

to gain maximum speed. 

Construction: 

From the best materials 

known to mankind! No 

compromises, NEVER. 

Fins: Powerbase - more 

speed, drive and love. 

Shaper comment: For 

serious surfers after 

maximum performance in 

larger waves. Surfs like a 

high performance shorty 

in bigger waves. Designed 

with the help of intrepid 

surf traveller and team 

rider Dan Hayler, a great 

board for that next Indo 

trip or bigger point/reef 

break day. 

The dim-SIM 

by More Surfboards 

Shaper: Mark Pridmore 

Dimensions: 

Short x Wide x Thick 

(Above: 5’2” x 21” x 2 11 /16’’) 

Ideal: All rounder for small 

running points to head-high 

barrelling beachies and 

everything inbetween 

Suits:Suitable for surfers 

who really wanna be stoked 

on a sweet and easy ride 

Description: My version 

of Bob Simmons’ 50s 

design. Full credit and 

respect to him, hence 

the “SIM” in dim-SIM. 

Designed for performance, 

these are fast, great 

paddlers and just easy 

and fun to ride, I ride mine 

90% of the time. 

Construction: Made in 

Australia with good old 

PU foam and PE resin, 

feels good, goes great and 

is affordable. 

Fins: Twin keels or Quads 

Shapers Comment: 

These super fun slabs of 

foam are too good not to 

try. Custom orders available 

thru Da Bomb Surf 

Centres or direct at 


. 

Performance Mini Mal 

by The Factory 

Shaper: Paul Carson 

Dimensions: 

6’8” x 21 ¾” x 3” 

Ideal conditions: 2 - 6ft 

Suits: Anyone 

Description: Roundtail, 

four tail channels, Single 

to double concave. 

Construction: Burford 

blank 

Fins: Shapers SMF-L 

fins, great as a thruster 

or quad. 


Performance mini mal 

great for beachies 

DIVERSE 

SURFBOARDS 

476 Gold Coast Hwy, 

Tugun, QLD 4224 

Ph: 07 5598 4848 

dave@diversesurf.com.au 

diversesurf.com.au 

OKE SURFBOARDS 

1/1-7 Canterbury Rd, 

Braeside, VIC, 3195 

Ph: 03 9587 3553 

okesurfboards.com 

EXPRESS SURFBOARDS 

5/136 Taren Point Rd 

Taren Point NSW 

Mob: 0403 827 478 

expresssurfboards@gmail.com 

expresssurfboards.com.au 

Available from Da Bomb 

3/25 Plaza pde, Maroochydore 

07 5451 0620 and 

7/12 Thunderbird dr. Bokarina 

07 5437 9201 

MORE SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0405 475 026 


THE FACTORY 

SURFBOARDS 

CALOUNDRA 

17 Allen Street 

Caloundra QLD 4551 

Ph: 07 5492 5838 

paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au 

thefactorysurfboards.com.au 


GEAR: BOARDS 

SUP 10 

Paddleboard or kayak 

Dimensions: 

9’6” x 29” x 5” 


Flatwater SUP 

Suits: For those new to 

the SUP world. 

Description: Designed 

to be very stable and very 

easy to paddle, the board 

is outfitted much like a 

recreational kayak, with 

end grab handles so it can 

be carried by two people 

from the ends, a center 

handle to carry it. Storage 

area for your gear. Use it 

as a Sup or kayak! 

Construction: 100% rotamolded 

plastic, offering 

great strength and 

relatively low weight for 

transportation.Uniquely 

designed to be very 

durable and robust. 

Comment: Very stable 

and easy for paddlers. 

Best for beginners and 

family. Package deals 

include paddle and extra 

blade for kayaking. 

ILLUSIONS NOOSA 

2/2 Venture Dve, 

Noosaville, QLD 

3A/11 Sunshine Beach Rd, 

Noosa Junction, QLD 

Phone: 0488 686 206 

fax: 07 3319 7269 

illusionsnoosa.com.au 

Torpedo 

SUP IN12.6 

SUP 

paddles 

too! 

Dimensions: 

12’6” x 29” x 6” 

Ideal: Long distance 

paddling either in the 

river or in the ocean 

Ability level: For both 

the competitor and for 

the recreational paddler 

Description: Streamlined 

shape parts the water 

with ease. Round nose 

on top, deep vee under 

nose and double concave 

on the bottom under 

your feet for straight 

line paddling. Recessed 

standing area for stability 

and just enough tail lift to 

catch swells. 

Construction: Hand 

shaped and glassed in 

epoxy resin for extra 

strength and durability. 

Two leash plugs and one 

vent at tail, plastic grip box 

and deck grip Eva pads. 

Fins: Deep keel-like fin 

for direction. 

Shaper comment: These 

boards are streamlined, 

very fast and a lot of fun. 







fax: 07 3319 7269 


Cutlass 

Pro Surf SUP 

Dimensions: 

9’6” x 29” x 5” 


Can handle any size swell 

Suits: Competent to pro. 

For shortboarders who 

want to take the next step. 

Description: Designed 

for fast, responsive, ‘cut & 

slash’ manoeuvres. Bulk in 

the main deck area assists 

with paddling speed and 

gilde. Hard, tight, rail allows 

the rider to execute snappy 

manoeuvres with speed 

and accuracy. 

Construction: Vacuum 

bagged with a D-XP3 core, 

which is a 100% recycled 

bamboo fibre blank with 

bamboo veneer and 4oz 

fibreglass top and bottom. 

Two leash plugs and one 

vent at tail, plastic grip box 

and 1/3 deck grip Eva pads 

Fins: 2 x FCS side fins and 

a fiberglass 10” center fin 

Shaper comment: Ideal 

board for those looking for 

a fast, performance SUP 

that is highly responsive. 







fax: 07 3319 7269 


Goberlygook 

by Glenn Cat 

Shaper: Gcat & the 

Erle of Pedersen 

Dimensions: 

6’14”x 17” 3/20th x 85 + 

39 - 75.8 = sq2 + 4/4th & 

10/16ths = FA 

Description: Double flyer, 

Erle’s flame jet, single side 

concave, cross channel, 

t’spoon, double swallow, 

try fin... 

Surfboards and surfing 

props for movies and ads 

SURF1770NOOSA.COM 

surf1770@bigpond.com 

surf1770noosa.com 


81

GEAR: BEYOND 

WHAT 

LIES 

BENEATH 

CHAPTER IV: 

INTRODUCING 

SYSTEMS 

“Active foils 

allow the 

back of the 

fin to move” 

There’s a variety of options fo removable fin 

systems on your surfboard. From the standard to 

the weird and wacky, each system has its own 

concept and benefits, and for the most part - all 

have their merits. 

One particularly robust option is the Speeedfins 

system, and the science behind it is fascinating. 

Speeedfins are described as an ‘active’ fin. That 

is, the back half of a Speedfins fin is free from 

the board and moves in response to the water 

pressure. The trailing edge of the fin moves as 

you turn reportedly resulting in more speed, 

more drive and acceleration off your turns. The 

principle behind it is to keep as much smooth 

water in contact with both sides of each foil. A 

process called ‘Attached Laminar Flow’. By keeping 

the water attached it reduces cavitation (water 

turbulence) trailing off the fin, reducing drag. 

Once you have the boxes installed in your board, 

you have a wide variety of choice as far as the 

actual fins go - from reinforced nylon, ceramic or 

fibreglass to carbon, depending on your needs, 

ability and budget. 

For more info, see www.speedfins.com.au or 

call (03) 9587 3747. 

History... 

A little bit of 

FIRE THE LAZORS! 

WORDS AND PICS: ANDRÉ MARSAUS 

Brought to you by 

Underground Surf 

With a wide area, thick tail and pointed low-resistance nose area, in 

1978 the Lazor Zap concept revolutionised surfboard design. 

The design was so unusual to what people were familiar with that it 

challenged the ideas and beliefs of the industry. In turn, the industry 

seemed to react with fear and rejected the design. Might the powers 

that be lose the growing control over the direction in which surfing 

was heading? 

Cheyne Horan rode the Lazor Zap to four second places in the World 

Surfing Titles, proving the design concept was exceptional.(Those 

second places are controversial still today.) Then, and now, some 

believe that it was the establishment’s way of discrediting Geoff 

Mccoy and his design, to retain control of surfing and sales. 

The concept of the Lazor Zap is based on Geoff’s energy theory - 

how that energy turns into wave formation and how objects react 

with those formations. 

The original Lazor Zap was designed with short arc, with reactive, 

high-powered surfing in mind. The surfer was able to stand in one 

position, not having to move their feet to perform manouvers. The 

pulled nose allowed the board to elevate very quickly as it reduced 

the length of rail being used when the board is turning. In turn, this 

allowed for more manouveres to be performed while the surfer 

was standing in a fixed position on the wide supportive tail, which 

generates greater pressure and easier reaction. 

The advantages were many - easier to paddle, standing in one 

position to ride the wave, quicker reaction due to the extra volume, 

easier turning from less resistance; and the ability to surf at a faster 

speed. In effect, the Lazor Zap’s design delivered at all levels of 

performance. 

Unfortunately these futuristic boards were discredited, not embraced, 

but what was evident from his team of high standard surfers was that 

they truly did work... and well. 

The Lazor Zap design is now over 30 years old and is still made 

today with some tweaks for better performance, making it more user 

friendly in waves up to six feet. The original 80’s Lazor Zaps are 

highly sort after by collectors and are extremely rare, but you can 

order a custom, handmade by the man himself, Geoff McCoy. 

Thanks to Geoff McCoy for details. 

New surf shop, old-school feel 

RETRO LONGBOARDS & SHORTBOARDS 

NEW & CUSTOM BOARDS • BOARD HIRE • REPAIRS 

SKATEBOARDS • CLOTHING • AND MUCH MORE... 


3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD Ph: 07 5599 1040 

WWW.UNDERGROUNDSURF.COM.AU

Photos: Charlie Hardy Photography, supplied 

MASTERING SMOOTH STYLE 

Yes, we’ve loved SmoothStar boards ever since our first 

test run in our very first edition. The latest model - which 

we test drove in last edition - totally reinforced exactly how 

much fun these boards are. But just when we were feeling 

cocky and comfy, carving it up on the pathways around the 

Sunny Coast, we saw the brand spanking new Smoothstar 

promo video featuring team rider Dom McGeachie... Sadly, 

we realised that we have a long way to go - and a whole lot 

more to learn about getting the most out of these boards. 

To see how good this looks in action, check out the new 

promo video online - it’ll make you want one too: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQsH2TNp_wY 

So, here’s a little lesson on doing a cool reverse slide. Dom 

talks us through the move, step by step. Over to you... 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4 

5. 

6. 

7. 

1. Bend knees when approaching the wall just like doing a bottom turn, with a bit more emphasis 

on the back leg to keep balance. 2. Start turning up the wall but begin to turn your shoulders the 

opposite way to which you are going to reverse slide. This well help with bringing your back foot 

around. 3. Really start to turn sharply up the face. 4. Bring your back foot around whilst turning 

your body to face back down the ramp, which will drag you up the face whilst sliding across at the 

same time. 5. Begin to slide your front foot around whilst holding your back foot where it is so as 

to complete the 270° motion. To add a little bit extra to the matter you can hold yourself in this 

position, so as to slide almost sideways down the ramp. 6. Instead of sliding down sideways, just 

bring the front foot all the way around to roll out of the slide cleanly. 7. Roll out like a boss. Ahah. 

Thanks Dom. And there you have it. Now go and practice. 

For more: www.smoothstar.com.au 


83

TEST 

WORDS: DAVE SWAN 

EVERYTHING 

FROM THE HOT NEW SKATE RELEASE OF THE ADJUSTABLE BIG STICK TO THE FREEZING 

COLD WETSUIT AND BOARD TESTS IN THE WINTER WATERS OF VICTORIA... 

The new Big Stick blade gives 

more grip through strokes 

“... the latest thing I’ve 

become addicted to... 

KAHUNA CREATIONS Adjustable Big Stick 

I must admit, between the two of us at 

smorgasboarder, Mark has always been more 

of a skateboarder and I the surfer. 

With surfboards I have a hoarding and collecting 

problem - quite a few problems in fact. But I 

had never really owned a skateboard. Since 

we started smorgasboarder however, I have 

become hooked on the land-boards too and now 

have four... and the temptations keep coming. 

The latest thing I’ve become addicted to is the 

Big Stick for Street SUP - or in other words 

Stand Up Paddle on a skateboard. And I seem to 

have passed on my addiction to my kids. 

In all honesty though, it‘s such a good thing. 

Better they’re outside in the sun, getting some 

exercise and enjoying themselves than inside 

playing games on the laptop. Plus, it’s an easy 

activity we can share in and enjoy together - 

something really special for a parent in today’s 

ridiculously fast-paced world. 

The Big Stick is basically, well, a big stick. It’s 

very similar to a SUP paddle, but obviously 

without the actual blade. This latest version of 

the Big Stick features an adjustable shaft - the 

height can be tailored to suit my 6-year-old son 

or 8 and 10 year old daughters, and occasionally 

me, if they ever get off and give me a bloody 

chance to use it. 

The stick basically enables you to use your 

skateboard like a SUP and it’s good dry-land 

practice as a matter of fact. You can use it to 

really pull into your turns and get yourself up 

inclines or increase your downhill speed. For the 

kids, it also enables them to balance and build 

their self-confidence on the skateboard. In fact, 

after a couple of runs with the Big Stick, they 

have turned from tentative wimps into charging 

hell-hobbits. 

With a soft-grip ergonomic handle, the Big Stick 

is comfortable to hold while the new vulcanized 

rubber road grip gives you a choice of angles to 

dig at the road with. The idea behind the shape 

is that you get more contact with the surface, 

meaning a more forceful push, while the holes 

help cushion the impact of the strokes. 

That’s right, the ladies love it too. Above: 

Carina Slavic of Street SUP shows how it’s 

done, and Left: Phoebe Swan (8) rockets from 

‘no’ to pro in just a few goes. 

Below: Team rider Cory McBride sticking it to 

Melbourne during his trip across Australia. 

The Adjustable Big Stick by Kahuna 

Creations retails for $179.00 and you can 

choose from 2 designs - Moko & Pohaku. Ask 

about it at your local surf and skate store or log 

onto www.streetsup.com.au for stockists. 


Skateboards... 

TEAM RIDER DOM McGEACHIE - PHOTOS BY CHARLIE HARDY PHOTOGRAPHY 

...for 

surfers! 

32” FLYING FISH TAIL SKATEBOARD 

The ultimate in self-propelling skateboards 

designed for surfers. For more info, call 0407 405 390 or visit 

www.smoothstar.com.au 

Check out video online! 


85

ABOVE: Taking the FFF for a spin. 

RIGHT: The optional sidebiter 

PHOTOS: Lucas Muro 

What is a flextail? 

Imagine the flex 

employed in the shaft 

of a golf club... 

When a golfer draws 

the club back behind 

their head, the shaft 

flexes. When it is brought 

down towards the ball 

it whips back and 

wallops the ball. 

A flextail stores that 

initial energy in the 

bottom turn and then 

whips the tail, propelling 

the board forward at 

the rate of knots. 

Jed’s 

personal 

board - well 

loved for a 

reason 

Frankenstein Fish Finger 

BY MARK PRIDMORE/MORE SURFBOARDS 

5’9” finless freak (or two training wheel miniature side-biter fins) 

Features Kung-Fu Panda inspired artwork by Sirrah and Cain Pridmore 

I’ll once again admit I’m absolutely addicted to the finless thing. I can’t 

get enough of it. When you are an ordinary surfer and you can start 

pulling 360’s, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. 

I still get thrown more times than a rodeo clown, but it’s the challenge 

that feeds the addiction. You don’t want the bloody thing to beat you. 

When you whip it around and then go on riding the wave, it’s like 

riding your first ever wave all over again, every single time. 

Now enough about my ramblings on finless boards... The Frankenstein 

Fish Finger: she looks weird, but is super easy to paddle. Despite 

being quite narrow through the guts and the nose there is a fair bit 

of volume in the board with a big fat-arse tail. Overall this means the 

board is more performance orientated than earlier models and rides 

more like a shortboard but the wide tails give you some stability for 

nice arcing tail slides. The board’s volume enables you to ride the 

board in 1ft slop or bigger. Small surf days are no longer a bore. 

There is a really interesting bottom curve going on with quite a 

square rail that enables you to grip the wave face. The miniature fins 

themselves just give you that additional bit of hold when you are first 

learning on the board or if the conditions are super sucky. Trying to dig 

a rail without any fin on a steep wave face isn’t easy. No fins or small 

fins, it certainly is addictive. I can’t get off it. 

Bushrat Flextail 

BY JED DONE 

6’4” x 18 ½ “ x 2 7 / 16“ 

Features a 7 ½ “ long flextail and the 4-Way Fin System 

enabling you to adjust splay & toe 

I love trying different types of boards and was always really keen to try out a 

flextail. Thanks to Jed I finally got my chance and had a few test runs around 

Mallacoota and down the Shipwreck Coast. The board did feel a little different 

but being in unfamiliar swell - while fun - it didn’t provide me with a genuine 

opportunity to get a true feel for the board. 

Thankfully a decent swell arrived back home at Moffat Beach on June 3 and 4, 

giving me a chance to see what the Bushrat Flextail could really do. 

On my first wave, which pitched just overhead, I zipped down the face, turned, 

turned again and it just stalled. ‘Oh crap...’ As I started paddling back out I was 

thinking to myself, ‘What the hell am I going to say? Jed is such a nice guy but at 

the end of the day I have to honest with our readers...’ 

My next wave... what the?! I was obviously standing in the wrong place initially, 

because what I experienced on my second wave I just had to experience again. I 

did a bottom turn and it felt like I was shot out of a cannon. Fair dinkum. It was like 

I had a rocket strapped to my feet. The speed was incredible. It was too much for 

me to handle at first, to be honest. By my third wave I started to understand why 

speed is so important to performance surfing. Not that I am kidding myself but I 

had never sprayed a rooster tail like that off the lip before. 

I did miss a bit of the volume under my chest though, which made paddling a little 

harder, but this is Jed’s personal board, not made for me. Mine would have a bit 

more foam to start off with. Could the narrow nose contribute too? It might a bit, 

but I guess that is all part of the design to achieve warp speed. Anyway, a little bit 

of pain for all that gain is worth it. And as Maverick once said to Goose, ‘I have the 

need, the need for speed.’ 

ABOVE: Crazy through to the tail 

RIGHT: Tai Lung, waxed to go 

The whipping 

machine 


BELOW LEFT: The Triple X 4/3 and RIGHT, the Zee Wetsuits 3/2 

LEFT: Armed with the Flextail and 

shielded with warm wetties... Can’t 

hear a bloody thing, but can take 

on the Victorian cold. 

Triple X Wetsuits 

4/3 TX2 steamer 

The major selling point about this suit apart from the price is warmth. I have never worn this 

much rubber so I was somewhat excited to see how I would fair in the waters off Port Fairy and 

Warrnambool. I wore a hood, booties and just the wetsuit with no rashie. I was as warm as toast. 

As for water entry? no problems. The back zip suit was not only easy to get on, it lived up to its 

promise. There was no water entry whatsoever. Each time I stepped out of the suit following a surf, 

I was not only warm but dry. 

The tab at the base of the zip was also a blessing. When getting the suit on I didn’t have to 

undertake my usual ritual of jiggling and dancing to guide the zip up the back of my wetsuit whilst 

pinching the neoprene together. Why on earth someone has not introduced this to wetsuit design 

earlier is beyond me. 

But how about the fit? The wetsuit was posted down to me. I hadn’t tried this model on before, or 

any Triple X Wetsuit for that matter. All I had provided was my height and weight. There was not 

a drama. The fit was snug without being too firm thanks to the latest stretch neoprene. Despite 

all that rubber, I did not feel like the Michelin Man. The suit kept me warm but didn’t restrict my 

movement. 

The wetsuit was also super comfy to wear. The interior jersey lining was soft, warm and silky to 

pull on. The suit glided over your skin and didn’t stick to you like I often find with most wetsuits. 

Warm... The water hovered 

around a chilly 14 degrees. 

Zee Wetsuits 

3/2 GBS steamer 

The first thing you notice about this wetsuit 

is how comfortable it is. Comfort, comfort, 

comfort. Without doubt the fit and, in 

particular the stretch (now that I know what 

that means) is unlike anything I have ever 

worn before. It had me thinking what on earth 

my old wetsuits were made of. Bernie had 

mentioned the neoprene Zee source is second 

to none and he sure as hell wasn’t lying. 

Sure I know neoprene had advanced 

somewhat and become lighter and stretchier 

but this just didn’t feel like a wetsuit as 

I knew it. There was no restriction of my 

movement. Paddling was super easy, getting 

to your feet, turning… it was like a second 

skin. Plus the neoprene is super soft. 

One of my mates who lives in Sydney 

checked out the suit when I was on my road 

trip and wouldn’t believe me when I told him 

it was a 3/2. In his opinion it was a plain 2 ml 

because no 3/2 could be that light. It wasn’t 

until I showed him its tag, which I still had in 

my glovebox, that he believed me. 

In terms of warmth, being a 3/2, I must admit 

it was borderline in the waters off Port Fairy 

at the start of winter, because I’m soft. But 

with liquid seams, water entry wasn’t and 

issue. It was just a matter of the neoprene 

thickness in those extreme conditions. 

Indeed, the wetsuit I had in possession was 

perfect for Queensland and northern NSW 

winter sessions. You would struggle to find a 

better suit and the big brands certainly couldn’t 

match a suit of this quality for the price. 

GEAR: REVIEW 

SPECIFICATIONS: 

• 4-way mega-stretch titanium neoprene 

• Titanium insulation shield to minimise windchill 

and increase thermal warmth 

• Smooth chest/back, limiting wind chill 

• Waterless S-lock back zip entry with zipper 

tab stabiliser 

• Glued & blind stitch sealed seams 

• 6-12 month replacement warranty + lifetime 

repair warranty 

• 100% Australian owned 

• Price $369 

SPECIFICATIONS: 

• Advanced stretch and memory retention 

• Smooth chest/back, limiting wind chill 

• Back zip entry 

• Plush inner touch lining 

• Sealed liquid seams inside 

• Raw edge, super seal 

• 12-month material warranty 

• 100% Australian owned 

• Price $349 juniors/$399 adults 


87

GEAR: SUP SHOPPING 

BABY STEPS... 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUP! 

Below: Scott. 

Above: Scott’s little 

one choosing the first 

of many water toys. 

Just a bloody big surfboard with a paddle? Finding the right 

one sounds easy, but once you start looking around at the 

multitude of different sizes, shapes, constructions, and prices 

of these things, you start to realise it’s not as easy as you’d 

think to find a SUP that suits your needs. 

The process can be made a lot easier by 

asking yourself one important question... 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? 

“There is definitely a reason that Stand 

Up Paddling is the fastest growing 

sport in the world. Along with the 

addictive fun factor, SUP has multiple 

uses from surfing, ocean paddling 

and cruising, downwinding, river and 

lake flat-water paddling, shooting the 

rapids down rivers and creeks, and for 

the competitive types - racing and surf 

comps. For all these multiple uses there 

are also multiple boards. 

“If you are after a SUP to surf, do you 

only want it for the “small days” where 

your usual board of choice doesn’t work 

so well? A lot of surfers are moving 

to SUP due to injuries. Neck and back 

issues can make it hard to paddle and 

pop up from prone position to standing 

on a normal surfboard, so using a SUP 

for all conditions makes sense. 

“SUPs have gotten smaller, and can 

be shorter and more maneuverable 

than some longboards. With boards 

now down around the 8’ mark, for 

experienced SUP surfers the only 

limitation to size of board is their ability 

to stand on it and be able to paddle onto 

waves. Be warned though, too small a 

board in choppy surf can take the fun 

factor right out of it real bloody quick. 

“For stability, board displacement 

(volume) is important, but the plan shape 

including width, thickness, rail design, 

and also how the volume is distributed, 

can make a board that looks good on 

paper a bobbing cork in the ocean! 

Boards for ocean paddling come in many 

different sizes and shapes too. Cruisers 

that are designed for getting out to 

bommies or just paddling up and down 

the coast grabbing the occasional wave, 

are different to full blown downwinders 

(some with rudder systems) that are 

used to surf the ocean’s runner waves 

with the wind and swell direction. 

“Whatever board you finally choose will 

also be controlled by your budget. 

“With the massive influx of cheap 

SUPs on eBay and other online sites, 

it would be easy to think that a good 

board doesn’t cost very much. Not that 

all lower priced boards are rubbish, but 

when you see a no-name (or “leading 

brand” that you have never heard of) 

board with a dodgy-looking shape, 

selling for less than a secondhand wellknown 

brand, you have to wonder at 

the process that went into shaping and 

manufacturing it. Imagine how it will 

perform, and how long it will last. With 

SUPs you really do get what you pay for. 

“The best thing is that all good SUP 

retailers will have an extensive fleet of 

demo boards available, that you can ‘try 

before you buy’ to get an idea of what 

feels right for you. If they’re worth their 

salt, they should be riding them all every 

day themselves anyway, and will be able 

to give you the correct information from 

an experienced perspective.” 

SCOTT PENWARN 

GREENLINE PADDLESURF, MERMAID BEACH 

www.greenlinepaddlesurf.com 

“It’s all about catching waves and 

having fun, not about having the 

shortest board or being the most 

aggressive rider, so don’t be afraid 

to choose a board with enough size 

to enjoy the waves. You can always 

progress to a smaller board later.“ 

HAYDN FLEMING 

OCEAN ADDICTS, MAROOCHYDORE 

www.oceanaddicts.com.au 

“Determine your needs, wants, 

weight and skill level and seek 

advice from a qualified SUP coach 

or your local SUP store. “ 

TODD MINGRAMM 

CRONULLA STANDUP PADDLEBOARD 

www.cronullasup.com.au 


No big brands. No marketing hype. 

Just cool merchandise from the salt of the Australian surf community 

One website - heaps of 

shapers and surf shops shirts... 


89

Nose & Paddle Guards, 

Rail Tape & Leash Plugs 

CARDIO TRAINING 

BUILD YOUR ENERGY LEVELS FOR SURFING USING THE “NEW SCIENCE” OF 

CARDIOVASCULAR TRAINING WORDS: CLAYTON BEATTY 

Pro Teck Fins 

Travel Safe Repair Kts 

Gone are the days of doing long, steady state 

aerobic workouts to build your cardiovascular 

fitness for surfing. I mean who wants to spend 

hours every week jogging on a treadmill or 

sitting on an exercise bike when you can get 

twice the results in half the time using the 

new science of cardio training. 

What is the new science you ask? The latest 

exercise science proves that interval training 

is the fastest way to build your endurance. 

When you surf, you are using 2 main energy 

systems, your aerobic energy system and your 

anaerobic energy system. 

You aerobic energy system uses oxygen as 

its main fuel and is the dominating energy 

system for bouts of exercise lasting several 

minutes or more, for example when you are 

paddling out to the break. Your anaerobic 

energy system on the other hand is used for 

shorter bouts of more intense exercise such as 

paddling for a wave. 

If you want to have lots of energy so you can 

surf longer without getting fatigued, then you 

need to train both of these energy systems. 

That is where interval training comes into 

play. Interval training is where you do shorter 

bouts of higher intensity activity dispersed 

with periods of lower intensity activity or rest. 

Following are several different interval 

training workouts you can use to build your 

cardiovascular surfing fitness. Include 2-3 

cardio workouts into your weekly training 

schedule and get ready to feel your energy 

levels skyrocket when you are out in the surf. 

BEACH RUNNING WORKOUT 

A workout you can do on the beach or at a local park. 

• Warmup – 5 min low/moderate intensity 

• Intervals – 20 sec high intensity: 40 sec low 

• Repeat intervals for 10-15 min 

• Cooldown – 5 min low intensity (then stretch 

major muscle groups) 

SWIMMING WORKOUT 

The idea for this workout came from the High 

Performance Fitness coaching at Surfing Australia. 

They have similar swimming workouts for their surfers. 

You can do this workout at a local swimming pool. 

In addition to boosting your fitness, it will also help 

improve your ability to hold your breath. It simulates 

paddling out to the lineup while having to duckdive 

the incoming waves. 

Swim 100m freestyle and whilst duckdiving, touch 

the bottom with your hands every 10m. Rest for 30 

sec after 100m. Repeat until you have done 1000m. 

Once you’ve mastered this, you can increase the 

intensity by not taking in a full breath before you 

duckdive to the bottom. 

RUN SWIM RUN 

This will give you the benefits of both of the 

previous workouts in one. Do this at the beach. 

• Warmup – 5 min low/moderate intensity run 

• Swim 50-100m straight out into the ocean 

duckdiving under the waves, then turn around 

and swim back in. 

• As soon as you get back to shore, run down 

the beach for 60 sec as hard as you can. 

• Rest for 60 sec, then repeat the swim/run 

intervals for up to 5 rounds. 

• Cooldown – 5 min low intensity jog (then 

stretch major muscle groups) 

Clayton Beatty is a qualified Exercise Scientist with a BSc Human Movement Degree from the 

University of WA and is a member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). He runs Total 

Surfing Fitness, created to help surfers improve their skills and reduce the risk of injury. 

SURFTECH AUSTRALIA 

www.surftechaustralia.com.au 


02 4226 1322 

We’re all keen to improve our surfing, so check out his site for surf-specific 

functional training exercises. Go to TotalSurfingFitness.com, and there’s 

even a free sample workout to get you started.

DEEP BREATH 

A hold down can be frightening. When seconds feel like hours, 

it’s only too easy to think the worst and work yourself up into a 

panic. Most, if not all of us, would feel a lot more comfortable 

being armed with extra knowledge and skills to cope better 

under water. And knowing you could hold you breath a bit 

longer would be helpful too. WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN 

David Mesnard is a the tall and bronzed french-born freediver and owner 

of luxury Maldivian charter boat, the Ocean Dancer. He recently spent 

a short time In Australia to conduct some freediving training clinics with 

professional surfers. As gracious a host on Australian soil as ex-guests 

say he is on the boat, David took some time out of his busy schedule to 

chat to us about the training program for his guests on board. 

“I teach them how to freedive - basically, how to hold their breath under 

water,” David explains. “We train them for when they get trapped under 

the waves. We have a special therapy for that.” 

Since 2006 the Ocean Dancer has been providing an upmarket 

alternative for a surf trip to the Maldives. The guests live in board 

in luxury for seven nights, spoiled by - amongst others - the onboard 

chef and massage therapist. Between surfs, David conducts a 

freediving course. 

“It’s all about relaxation. Everything is mental. Everything you achieve 

in life is all about control and how you can mentally take control of your 

body,” he tells us. 

“When people are surfing and they get trapped under big waves, they 

freak out because they get held down too long, so we try to explain to 

them the process of relaxation - what to think about and how to plan 

their timing. 

“To pick up a big wave is easy but to survive a big wave is another story.” 

Everyone who participates in the course experiences an improvement in 

their ability to hold their breath but it’s more to it than that, David says. 

“The goal is not so much about how long you will hold your breath 

- that will come automatically. The goal is to be able to think about 

something that is enjoyable, not something unpleasant. By the time 

you think about that, your body reacts and your mind takes control. So 

instead of thinking negatively and freaking out, you can cope with the 

situation and be in control.” 

A healthy dose of self discovery comes as an added bonus for most. 

“People can tell you whatever they want, how great they are and how 

well they do things, but underwater there’s no bullshit,” David smiles. 

“They can’t cheat you under water. Once you put someone’s head under 

water… once he needs to breathe, he needs to breathe.” 

“Doing this freediving clinic is a real therapy for everyday life. We teach 

people how to be in control in everyday situations. We train people not 

to be victim to their emotion.” 

For more information on the Ocean Dancer, see the website 

www.oceandancer-maldives.com and for bookings, get in touch with the 

folks at World Surfaris: www.worldsurfaris.com or call 1800 611 163 

“TO PICK UP A BIG WAVE IS 

EASY BUT TO SURVIVE A BIG 

WAVE IS ANOTHER STORY.” 


CLOSEOUT: FITNESS 

91

CLOSEOUT: BOOKS 


SURF! 

IN THE WATER WITH 

WAVE HUNTERS 

WHITE STAR PUBLISHERS/ 

SCRIBO GROUP 

 

French journo Guillaume Dufau 

brings together extreme sport 

photography from across 

the globe in this 200+ page 

hardcover book. 

In true smorgasboarding 

style, this book covers all 

aspects and disciplines of 

waveriding from surfing 

to windsurfing and kite, 

bodysurfing and bodyboarding 

to SUP and plenty more - even 

skimboarding. 

Recording ‘the astonishing 

feats of the world’s master 

surfers’ it’s all about the power 

and beauty of the ocean as 

seen through a collection of 

stunning images from locations 

all around the world. 

Tow In is definitely the 

standout section is the book. 

The amazing big wave shots 

from Jaws and Dungeons are 

enough to inject a healthy 

dose of fear into the most sane 

surfers out there. 

Surf! In the water with wave 

hunters is a great addition 

to the coffee table collection 

of any avid water fan, and 

retailing at $59.99, it’s a pretty 

good gift option too. 

Mark Chapman 

Wipeouts with consequences... 

Plenty of dramatic images like 

this one fill the pages of Surf! In 

the water with wave hunters 

Photo:Tim McKenna, 

courtesy of Scribo Group 


93

MUSIC 

THE WAIFS 

TEMPTATION 

JARRAH RECORDS/MGM 

 

The Waifs sixth studio album, 

“Temptation” reverts back to 

the foundations of country and 

folk. The band has developed a 

solid reputation and extensive 

fan base over 20 years and this 

release is sure to more than 

satisfy loyal fans. The album 

is beautifully packaged and is 

representative of the stripped 

back and ambient sounds. 

While some of the songs 

lack the hook of some their 

past hits, highlights include 

Beautiful Night and Drifting 

Dreaming. This is definitely 

a laid back album for a laid 

back day. 

For more, see the website 

www.thewaifs.com. 

Gus Brown 

RELENTLESS 

SET IN STONE 

DOGFIGHT RECORDS 

 

Okay, I’m a sucker for NY-style 

hardcore. And for a bunch of 

Sydney surfers, these boys 

absolutely nail it. From the 

opening bounce of Against to 

faster numbers like Faced with 

the End, this is all hardcore 

gold. Relentless is as good 

on the album as they are live. 

Fans of Madball, AF and the 

like will love this. Guaranteed. 

www.myspace.com/relentlesshc 

Mark Chapman 

ONE VITAL WORD 

EARLY DAYS 

PEE RECORDS 

 

One Vital Word is a punk 

hardcore band from Newcastle 

playing fun, energetic and 

fast-paced music. “Early Days”, 

on the great SA punk label, Pee 

Records is a five-track burst of 

energy. Mostly shouty stuff, 

but featuring some high-quality 

H20-ish singalong melodies 

in the title track. More of that 

please, gents. Not the average 

Joe’s cup of tea, but well worth 

a listen for the punkers out 

there. www.peerecords.com. 

Mark Chapman 

THE OCEANICS 

GET FRIENDLY, MISTRESS, MAYBE EP 

INDEPENDENT RELEASE 

 

Although the Oceanics have 

been around on the live music 

scene for a while including 

an appearance at the Big Day 

Out, this is their first official EP 

release. After listening on high 

rotation this indie-pop outfit 

had me moving around singing 

along as if I knew the lyrics. 

The music is tight, upbeat 

and should be accessible to a 

wide audience. Although all 

the songs rock, $12 Specs and 

Funs Over are the choice picks. 

This is a solid introduction to a 

currently unsigned band that’s 

going places. Check out dates 

and venues for shows at www. 

myspace.com/oceanics_band. 

Gus Brown 

THE WINDY HILLS 

FRIEND FROM 

ANOTHER STAR 

SPUNK! RECORDS 

 

Andrew Kidman is a clever 

man. Prolific and talented, 

his name inevitably pops up 

in any conversation on surf 

art and culture. Having more 

than dabbled in all artistic 

disciplines from writing to 

painting, photography to 

of course filmmaking, The 

Windy Hills is a return to an 

exploration of music. 

Laidback, slow and melancholy, 

this is most certainly not 

a party album, but rather 

reflective mood music. 

The recording is honest and 

raw in its production and I’m 

a sucker for the guitar tones 

- from smooth and clean to 

gloriously dirty and overdriven. 

Atlantic City Ashes is an easy 

favourite with a super-catchy 

chorus. Another standout is 

the trippy Bingo Love. The 

very chilled Road Block sees a 

guest appearance from Neal 

Purchase Jr. on guitar and is 

also a definite winner. 

10 relaxed tracks and a 

neat digipack make this a 

worthwhile buy for yourself or 

a great gift for any Kidman fan. 

www.andrewkidman.com 

Mark Chapman 


Pick up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any of these fine businesses - out in September. 

Businesses that advertise in smorgasboarder allow us to bring you the magazine for FREE. So, be sure to support them! 

SURF DIRECTORY 

QLD CENTRAL COAST 

REEF 2 BEACH SURF SHOP 07 4974 9072 

Shop 1, 10 Round Hill Road Agnes 

Water/1770 www.reef2beachsurf.com 

SUNSHINE COAST 

NOOSA SURF WORKS 07 5474 4567 

1/11 Bartlett St, Noosaville www. 

shotgunsurf.com www.lagunabaysurf.com 

WATERLINE 07 5474 1010 - 2/15 Venture Dr, 

Noosaville, www.zeewetsuits.com 

ILLUSIONS NOOSA 0488 686 206 

2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville & Shop 3A/11 

Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction 

www.illusionsnoosa.com.au 

CLASSIC MALIBU AUSTRALIA 07 5474 3122 

Cnr Gibson and Eumundi Rds, Noosaville, 

www.classicmalibu.com 

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5474 1222 

3 Gibson Rd, Noosaville 

GOLDEN BREED 07 5455 3722 - 15 Noosa Dr, 

Noosa Heads, www.goldenbreed.com.au 

NOOSA LONGBOARDS 07 5447 2828 

2/55 Hastings St, Noosa Heads 

www.noosalongboards.com 

SOLACE 07 5455 4826 - 20 Duke Street, 

Sunshine Beach, solacestore.blogspot.com 

SURF SHOP 07 5471 3489 - 224 David Low 

Way, Peregian Beach, www.surf-shop.org 

COOLUM SURF 07 5351 1742 - Birtwill St 

Coolum Beach www.alexsurfshop.com.au 

BLUE LINES 07 5351 1986 - 1776 The 

Esplanade, Coolum Beach 

WALLY’S WATER GALLERY 07 5448 8560 

6 Lorraine Beach, Marcoola Beach 

OLD WOMAN SURF SHOP 07 5448 7025 

15 Mudjimba Esp, Mudjimba 

WEIR’S INSIDE EDGE 07 5443 4143 

14 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore 

DA BOMB 07 5451 0620 - 3/25 Plaza Pde, 

Maroochydore & 07 5437 9201 - 7/12 

Thunderbird Dr, Bokarina 

www.dabombsurf.com.au 

OCEAN ADDICTS 07 5309 6624 - 

103-105 Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore 

www.oceanaddicts.com.au 

ALTERNATIVE SURF 07 5475 4811 

11/140 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland 

BEACH BEAT 07 5443 2777 - 164 Alexandra 

Pde, Alexandra Headlands; 07 5491 8215 - 

4-6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach 

07 5491 4711 - 119 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

www.beachbeat.com.au 

ALEX SURF 07 5452 6276 

188 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland 

www.alexsurf.com.au 

WORLD SURFARIS 1800 611 163 

2/174 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba 

www.worldsurfaris.com 

SURF PLANET 07 5476 6200 Shop 5, 

Buderim Marketplace Buderim 

www.surfplanet.com.au 

THE FACTORY 07 5492 5838 - 15 Allen St, 

Caloundra thefactorysurf.com.au 

SURFWARE AUSTRALIA 07 5491 3620 

2 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

BRISBANE 

PRIMITIVE SURF 07 3266 1001 - 601 

Nudgee Rd, Nundah primitivesurf.com 

GOODTIME SURF & SAIL 07 3391 8588 

29 Ipswich Rd, Wooloongabba 

www.goodtime.com.au 

FIIK Unit 2/3366 Pacific Hwy, Springwood 

www.fiikskateboards.com 

COD 07 3207 0116 - 51 Ziegenfusz Rd, 

Thornlands www.codsurfing.com.au 

N TH STRADBROKE ISLAND 

MINTY SURFBOARDS 07 3409 8334 - Point 

Lookout www.bobmintysurfboards.com 

GOLD COAST 

SURF FX 07 5531 3199 - 127 Ferry Road, 

Southport www.surf-fx.com 

SIDEWAYS 07 5592 3849 - 3012 Surfers Blvd, 

Surfers Paradise sidewaysboardsports.com.au 

DUKE’S LONGBOARDS 07 5572 0477 

2578 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach 

www.dukeslongboards.com 

STUART SURF DESIGN 07 5572 0098 

2576 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach 

www.stuartsurf.com.au 

GANGSTA SURF 07 5526 6969 - Shop 1/ 


www.gangstasurf.com 

GREENLINE PADDLESURF 0412 398 585 

2544 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach 

www.greenlinepaddlesurf.com 

BOARD CULTURE 07 5572 9866 


www.boardculture.com.au 

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5526 6377 

2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach 

THE BOARDROOM 07 5527 7877 

2084 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami 

LOWEN 88 07 5526 5161 - 2a/2172 Gold 

Coast Hwy, Miami www.lowen88.com 

HARVEY SURF GALLERY 0414 557 624 

3/10 Pacific Ave, Miami www.harveysurf.com 

MT WOODGEE 07 5535 0288 

1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads 

07 5598 2188 - 2 Stewart Rd, Currumbin 

07 5536 5937 - 122 Griffith St, Coolangatta 

www.mtwoodgee.com.au 

PATAGONIA BURLEIGH James Street, 

Burleigh Heads www.patagonia.com.au 

WORLD SURFERS 07 5535 4037 

63 Lower West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh 

SEAN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 07 5520 2774 

Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, Shop 10, 

Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads 

07 5599 1150 - Shop 3, 110 Marine Pde, 

Coolangatta seanscottphotography.com.au 

DALE CHAPMAN SURF DESIGNS 07 5593 8411 

Unit 3/48 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads 

www.chapmansurfboards.com 

SOUTHCOAST FOAM 07 5522 1600 - 15 

Greg Chappell Dr, Burleigh Gdns Estate, 

Andrews www.southcoastfoam.com.au 

GOLD COAST SURF WORLD 07 5525 6380 

Tomewin Street, Currumbin 

www.surfworldgoldcoast.com 

FIREWIRE SURFBOARDS 07 5587 7700 

1/49 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin 

www.firewiresurfboards.com 

DMS 07 5559 5949 3/56 Currumbin Creek 

Rd Currumbin www.dmshapes.com 

D’ARCY HANDSHAPES 07 5559 5866 

1/8 Hawker St, Currumbin 

www.darcysurfboards.com 

SHAPERS 07 5534 4228 - 9/7 Traders Way, 

Currumbin www.shapers.com.au 

BURFORD REINFORCED PLASTICS 

07 5534 3777 5 Stewart Rd, Currumbin 

DIVERSE SURF 07 5598 4848 - 476 Gold 

Coast Hwy Tugun www.diversesurf.com.au 

DORRINGTON SURFBOARDS 07 5599 4030 

16 Musgrave Street, Kirra 

www.dorringtonsurfboards.com 

KIRRA SURF/WORLD SURFARIS 07 5536 3922 

8 Creek St, Bilinga www.kirrasurf.com.au 

UNDERGROUND SURF 07 5599 1040 

Shop 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta 

www.undergroundsurf.com.au 

COOLANGATTA BOARD STORE 07 5536 7850 

152 Griffith St, Coolangatta 

www.cbsboardstore.com 

COOLY SURF 07 5536 1470 - Cnr Dutton St 

& Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

NSW NORTH COAST 

SIDEWAYS 07 5524 6699 - 13-21 Greenway Dr, 

Tweed Heads sidewaysboardsports.com.au 

FULL FORCE SURFBOARDS 07 5524 2933 

18/48 Machinery Dve,Tweed Heads 

SURF XCESS 02 6674 5350 

88 Marine Parade, Kingscliff 

CABARITA SURF SHOP 02 6676 3151 

1/38 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach 

BRUNSWICK SURF 02 6685 1283 

1/12 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads 

www.brunswicksurf.com.au 

McTAVISH 02 6680 8807 - 91 Centenial 

Circuit, Byron Bay www.mctavish.com.au 

MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6395 

91 Jonson St, Byron Bay; 02 6685 6466 

4 Jonson St, Byron Bay www.maddog.com.au 

MC SURF DESIGNS 02 6685 8778 - 3 Banksia 

Drive, Byron Bay www.mcsurf.com.au 

NORTH COAST SURFBOARDS 02 6685 6896 

29 Acacia St, Byron Bay bearsurfboards.com.au 

MUNRO SURFBOARDS 02 6685 6211 - 29 Acacia 

St, Byron Bay munrosurfboards.com.au 

T&C SURF DESIGN / McCOY 02 6685 7485 

10 Acacia Street, Byron Bay 

BYRON BAY LONGBOARDS 02 6685 5244 

Shop 1 - 89 Jonson St, Byron Bay 

HO’OKUPU 02 6685 8861 - 2/9 Lawson St, 

Byron Bay hookupusurf.com 

UNPLUGGED 02 6685 7441 - Shop 1/ 2 Lawson 

St, Byron Bay www.unpluggedbyronbay.com 

ALL ABOVE BOARD 02 6687 7522 

68 Ballina St, Lennox Head 

MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6094 

45 River St, Ballina www.maddog.com.au 

TRIPLE X WETSUITS 02 6686 3939 - 10 Piper 

Drive, Ballina www.triple-x.com.au 

GUNTHER ROHN 02 6681 5879 - 3/10 Piper 

Drive, Ballina www.guntherrohn.com 

THE PLANK SHOP 02 6645 8362 Top of the 

Hill, Yamba 

NSW MID NORTH COAST 

XS SURF 02 6654 1049 - 76 Beach Street, 

Woolgoolga www.xssurf.com 

COOPERS SURF CENTRES 02 6654 0033 

56D Beach St, Woolgoolga; 02 6652 8146 

28 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour 

FLANAGAN SURFBOARDS 0432 361 694 

Unit 26, 22 Lawson Cres, Coffs Harbour 

www.flanagansurfboards.com 

WATER SURF+ART+CAFE 

Distinctively relaxed 

atmosphere, exceptional 

food, coffee and tea, great 

service, photographic 

art from Australia’s best 

photographers, exquisite 

gifts and select surfwear and 

boards. 

(02) 6651 4500 

370 Harbour Drive, Coffs 

Harbour Jetty 

www.watersurfartcafe.com 

THE LOG SHACK 02 6658 0223 - 392 Harbour 

Dve, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour 

www.thelogshack.com.au 

OUTER ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 6655 7007 

7 Bayldon Dr, Raleigh 

www.outerislandsurfboards.com 

VALLA SURFBOARDS 02 6568 8909 

8 Monro St, Nambucca Heads 

www.vallasurfboards.com.au 

COASTAL CURVES 02 6568 6902 - Ridge St, 

Nambucca Heads www.coastalcurves.com 

SONIC SURF 02 6568 4666 

1 Cooper Street, Macksville, Scotts Head 

CRESCENT HEAD SURF CO. 02 6562 8306 

33 Smith St, Kempsey 

CRESCENT HEAD SURF SHOP 02 6566 0550 

Crescent Head Tavern, Crescent Head 

CRESO EXPRESSO 4 Shore Holiday Park, 

Crescent Heads 

INNER VISION SURF ‘N’ SKATE 02 6583 7790 

80 William St, Port Macquarie 

SALTWATER WINE 02 6584 4877 

1/125 Gordon St, Port Macquarie 

www.saltwaterwine.com.au 

SANDY FEET 02 6584 1995 

5/21 Clarence St, Port Macquarie 

www.sandyfeetsurf.com.au 

JUNGLE SURF 02 6555 8556 - 86 Manning 

Street, Tuncurry www.junglesurf.com.au 

SALTWATER WINE 02 6554 7979 5 Wharf St, 

Forster www.saltwaterwine.com.au 

BOOMERANG BEACH SURF 02 6554 0351 

Shop 4, Boomerang Dve, Pacific Palms 

GRAFFITI SURF DESIGNS 02 4981 3409 

43 Donald St, Nelson Bay, Newcastle 

NEWCASTLE 

NEWCASTLE SURF DESIGNS 02 4968 9989 

4 Maitland Rd, Mayfield 

SAM EGAN SURFBOARDS 02 4969 7299 

28 Maitland Rd, Islington 

www.samegan.com.au 

SURF FACTORY 16 Maitland Rd, Islington 

www.thesurffactory.com.au 

MARK RICHARDS SURFSHOP 02 4961 3088 

755 Hunter St, Newcastle 

www.markrichardssurfboards.com 

SURFHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY 61 Hunter St, 

Newcastle surfhousephotography.com 

BREAKAWAY SURF 02 4929 1144 - Shop 6 

Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle 

PACIFIC DREAMS 02 4926 3355 - 7 Darby St, 

Newcastle www.pacificdreams.com.au 

SANBAH SURF 02 4962 2420 - Shop 27, The 

Junction Fair, Union St, Newcastle 

www.sanbah.com.au 

BREAKAWAY SURF CO. 02 4943 2699 

181 Pacific Hwy Charlestown 

EGAN’S 02 4945 8055 

575 Pacific Hwy, Belmont 

THE SURF SHACK 02 4945 8965 

703 Pacific Hwy, Belmont South 

SWANSEA SURF SHOP 02 4971 4422 

164 Pacific Hwy, Swansea swanseasurf.com.au 

CENTRAL COAST 

BEACHIN’ SURF 02 43 96 5159 

262 Main Rd, Toukley 

BOARD CITY 02 4397 1092 - 150 Main Rd, 

Toukley www.boardcity.com.au 

ADRIFT SURF 02 4332 8355 - 133 The Entrance 

Rd, The Entrance www.adriftsurf.com.au 

BOARDERLINE SURF SKATE 02 4332 7175 

421 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty 

www.boarderlinesurfskate.com 

SURFERS CHOICE 02 4334 6532 

473 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty 

www.surferschoice.com.au 

BATEAU BAY SURF N SPORT 02 4332 1157 

101a Bateau Bay Road, Bateau Bay 

ONE EIGHTY SURF COMPANY 02 4385 8440 

Shop 2, 82a Ocean View Dve, Wamberal 

www.180surfco.com.au 

SLIMES 02 4365 5511 

1/203 The Entrance Rd, Erina 

THREE POINTS SURF 02 4382 1541 

170 Avoca Dve, Avoca Beach 

NORTHERN BEACHES 

BEACH WITHOUT SAND 02 9918 2763 

1a Nth Avalon Rd, Avalon 

RAISED BY WOLVES 02 9918 8861 - 40 Old 

Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon; 02 9997 4838 

9b Waratah St, Mona Vale 

www.raisedbywolves.com.au 

LITTLE DRAGON 0403 974 967 

1 Bramley Lane, Newport Beach 

RON WADE SURF DESIGN 02 9979 7071 

23 Bassett Street, Mona Vale 

ronwadesurfboards.com.au 

CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 9997 8266 

4/76 Darly St, Mona Vale cisurfboards.com 

QUIKSILVER MONA VALE 02 9999 3727 

1729 Pitt Water Rd, Mona Vale 

SUPER SWELL 02 9144 3229 

166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives 

STAND UP PADDLE GEAR AUSTRALIA 

02 9986 3420 6/53 Myora Rd, Terrey Hills 

www.supgearaustralia.com 

SUGARMILL SURF EMPORIUM 02 9913 3332 

2/1329 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen 

www.sugarmillsurf.com 

BALMORAL BOARDS 02 9970 8600 

1228 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen 

www.balmoralboards.com.au 

WICKS SURF CENTRE 02 9971 0760 

1103 Pittwater Road, Collaroy Beach 

LONG REEF SURF 02 9982 4829 

1012 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy 

www.longreefsurf.com.au 

WIND SURF ’N’ SNOW 02 9971 0999 

17 Anzac Ave, Collaroy 

www.windsurfnsnow.com.au 

THE PERFECT WAVE 02 9939 0890 

Suite 38, 42-46 Wattle Rd Brookvale 

www.theperfectwave.com.au 

BENNETT SURFBOARDS 02 9905 5157 

180 Harbord Rd, Brookvale 

DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9977 3549 

398 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale; 

02 9977 3549 - 93 North Steyne, Manly 

www.dripwetsurf.com 

SUNSHINE SURFING 02 9977 4399 - 89 Pittwater 

Rd, Manly www.sunshinesurfing.com.au 

SIX OUNCE 0408 259 783 - 48-50 Pittwater 

Rd, Manly www.sixounceboardstore.com 

ALOHA MANLY STYLE 02 9977 3777 

44 Pittwater Rd, Manly 

www.alohasurfmanly.com.au 

BASE SURFBOARDS 02 9976 0591 - 46 North 

Steyne Rd, Manly www.basesurfboards.com 

SALTMOTION 02 9976 6518 Market Place, 

Manly www.saltmotion.com 

MANLY LONGBOARD CO. 02 9977 0093 

39 Belgrave St, Manly manlylongboard.com 

HERITAGE SURF 02 9977 7623 - 24 Darley 

Rd, Manly www.heritagesurfaustralia.com 

SURFECTION 02 9969 1011 - 522 Military 

Rd, Mosman www.surfectionmosman.com 

SYDNEY SOUTH 

BONDI UNDERGROUND 02 9365 0870 

2/72 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach 

DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9300 0055 180- 

186 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach 

SURF CULTURE 02 9389 5477 - 40 Bronte Rd, 

Bondi Junction www.surfculture.com.au 

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND 

JACKSON SURFBOARDS 02 9524 2700 

57 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah 

www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au 

TRIPLE BULL 02 9524 4822 - 41 Captain Cook 

Dr, Caringbah; 02 9544 0354 - 23 Kingsway, 

Cronulla www.triplebullsurf.com 

CRONULLA SURF DESIGN 02 9544 0433 

8 Cronulla St, Cronulla 

www.cronullasurfdesign.com.au 

CRONULLA STANDUP PADDLEBOARD 

Everything to do with S.U.P 

Lessons, Hire, Sales of 

New and Used equipment, 

Accesories, Apparel & more 

02 9544 2293 

0400 085 823 

Shop 3,13-15 The Kingsway 

Cronulla, NSW 2230 

www.cronullasup.com 


95

SURF DIRECTORY 

Pick 

EASTCOAST STAND UP PADDLE 

Dedicated to SUP - Sydney’s 

original Stand Up Paddle 

outlet. Performance, 

flatwater, race, and distance 

boards – we have a board to 

suit all skill levels. 

0413 456009 

0418 294854 

27 Throsby Close 

Barden Ridge 

eastcoaststanduppaddle.com.au 

KING SURFBOARDS 02 9521 3645 

577 Princes Hwy, Kirrawee 

WOLLONGONG 

RETRO WOMBAT 02 4267 1322 

228 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

www.retrowombat.com 

FINBOX BOARDSTORE 02 4268 2050 

1/269 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

thefinbox.blogspot.com 

BYRNE SURF AND SKI 02 4268 3455 

303 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

02 4226 1122 -115 Princes Highway, Fairy 

Meadow byrnesurfboardsaustralia.com 

SURF PIT 02 4283 7196 - 2/100 Railway St, 

Corrimal www.surfpit.com.au 

SKIPP SURFBOARDS 02 4229 1202 

231 Crown Street, Wollongong 

(factory showroom); 02 4228 8878 

24 Flinders St, Wollongong 

www.skippsurfboards.com.au 

CARABINE SURF DESIGNS 02 4229 9462 

36 Flinders St, Wollongong 

NSW SOUTH COAST 

ZINK SURF 02 4233 1189 - 136 Terralong St, 

Kiama www.zinksurf.com.au 

NATURAL NECESSITY SURF SHOP 02 4234 1636 

115 Fern St, Gerringong www.nnss.com.au 

AQUATIQUE 02 4421 8159 - 125-127 Junction 

St, Nowra; 02 4441 5530 - 55 Owen St, 

Huskisson www.aquatique.com.au 

BUSTED SURF CO. 02 4447 3485 

10 Fairlands St, Culburra Beach 

OCEAN & EARTH 02 4441 2482 12 Springs 

Road, Sussex Inlet www.oceanearth.com 

SUN & SURF SHOP 02 4441 1938 

Shop 1, 168 Jacobs Dve, Sussex Inlet 

AKWA SURF 02 4454 5222 - Shop 1, 

Mellick’s Corner, Princess Hwy, Milton 

www.akwasurf.com.au 

SOUTHERN MAN SURF SHOP 

02 4454 0343 -138 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla 

www.southernman.com.au 

SALTWATER DREAM 02 4472 3811 

2 Bay Central, Batemans Bay 

OFFSHORE SURF SHOP 02 4474 4350 

66 Vulcan St, Moruya offshoresurf.com.au 

NAROOMA SURF & SKATE 02 4476 1422 

30 Princes Hwy, Narooma 

DSC SURFBOARDS 0424 867 962 

Princes Highway, Narooma 

BERMAGUI SURF SHOP 02 6493 4849 

4/28 Lamont St, Bermagui 

RAW SURFBOARDS 02 6494 4466 

1291 Tathra Road, Kalaru 

www.rawsurfboards.com.au 

MERIMBULA SURF SHOP 02 6495 1515 

Merimbula Drive, Merimbula 

SALTWATER DREAM 02 6495 1600 

39 Market St, Merimbula 

CORE SURF SKATE AND KITE 02 6494 3374 

49 Toalla St, Pambula Village 

www.pambulasurfshop.com.au 

COUNTRY VIC 

SURF SHACK 03 5155 4933 

507 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance 


ATOLL TRAVEL 1800 622 310 - 4 Bridge 

Street, Foster www.atolltravel.com 

SERIOUS SURF STUFF 03 5674 2540 

1 Williams St , Inverloch 

VORTEX SURF & SKATE 03 5672 4112 

54 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi 

PHILLIP ISLAND 

OUTEREEF 03 5678 5677 - 73 Phillip Island 

Rd, San Remo www.outereef.com.au 

FULLCIRCLE SURF 03 5678 5873 

115 Marine Pde, San Remo; 03 5956 7453 

4-5 Vista Pl, Cape Woolamai 

www.fullcirclesurf.com.au 

ISLANTIS 03 5956 7553 - 10-12 Phillip 

Island Rd, Newhaven www.islantis.com.au 

ISLAND SURF CENTRE 03 5952 2578 

147 Thompson Ave, Cowes; 03 5952 3443 

65 Smiths Beach Rd, Smiths Beach 

www.islandsurfboards.com.au 

ISLAND SURF SHACK 03 5952 1659 

148 Thompson Ave, Cowes 

MELBOURNE 

ZAK SURFBOARDS 03 9416 7384 

319 Victoria Rd, Thornbury 

www.zaksurfboards.com 

TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9537 3222 

Shop 2, 1 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda 

www.triggerbros.com.au 

RPS (THE BOARD STORE) 03 9525 6475 

87 Ormond Rd, Elwood 

www.rpstheboardstore.com 

BRIGHTON SURF CO. 03 9593 2211 

43 Church St, Brighton 

SHQ BOARDSPORTS 03 9598 2867 

81 Beach Rd, Sandringham www.shq.com.au 

MORDY SURF CENTRE 03 9580 1716 

628 Main St, Mordialloc mordysurf.com.au 

PAULOWNIA SURFBOARD SUPPLIES 

03 9588 2533 - 45 Governor Road, 

Mordialloc paulowniaparadise.com.au 

OKE SURFBOARDS 03 9587 3553 

Factory 1 1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside 

www.okesurfboards.com 

TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9770 2223 

7 Rossmith St, Frankston; 03 5989 8402 

Point Leo Rd, Point Leo; 03 5984 5670 

46 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento 

www.triggerbros.com.au 

PENINSULA SURF CENTRE 03 9783 3811 

40 Wells St, Frankston; 03 5975 1800 

835 Nepean Hwy, Mornington; 

03 5985 4637 - 2137 Pt Nepean Hwy, Rye 

www.peninsulasurf.com.au 

BALIN 03 5986 6069 - 12 Newington Ave, 

Rosebud www.balin.com.au 

BEAN SURFING 03 5984 5199 

4 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento 

VIC SURF COAST 

MURFS LONGBOARDS 03 5255 5525 

82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.murfslongboards.com.au 

STRAPPER SURF 03 5255 2666 

67b The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.strapper.com.au 

GREEN ROOM SURF SHOP 03 5256 2996 

64 The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.greenroom.com.au 

RASTA’S 03 5254 3255 51 Hitchcock Ave, 

Barwon Heads rastasurfboards.com.au 

STONKER TORQUAY 03 5261 6077 - 1a Baines 

Cr, Torquay www.stonker.com.au 

HYDROPHILIC 0421 504 621 - 1C Baines Cr, 

Torquay www.southcoastlongboards.com.au 

SURF WORLD 03 5261 4606 Surf City Plaza, 

Torquay www.surfworld.org.au 

PATAGONIA 03 5261 4420 - 116 Surfcoast 

Hwy, Torquay www.patagonia.com.au 

BASE 03 5261 5666 - 3/108 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay www.basesurfboards.com 

STRAPPER 03 5261 3508 - 96 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay; 03 5261 2312 - 106 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay www.strapper.com.au 

WATERMARKS PHOTO GALLERY 03 5264 7232 

38-40 Bell Street, Torquay 

www.watermarksphotogallery.com.au 

TORQUAY SURFING ACADEMY 03 5261 2022 

34A Bell St, Torquay torquaysurf.com.au 

TIGERFISH 03 5264 7271 - 12/15 Bell St, 

Torquay www.tigerfish.com.au 

up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any 

of these fine businesses - out in September. 

LONG-EAZ 

LONGARM BOARD HOLDER 

Arms too short? Too far to 

walk? Get a grip! 

0408 092 122 

www.long-eaz.com 

ANGLESEA SURF CENTRE 03 5263 1530 

111 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea www. 

secondhandsurfboards.com.au 

LORNE SURF SHOP 03 5289 1673 

130 Mountjoy Pde, Lorne 

SHARKY’S 03 5289 2421 

Mountjoy Pde, Lorne 

HODGY’S SURF CENTRE 03 5237 7883 

143 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay hodgys.com 

SHIPWRECK COAST 

PORT CAMPBELL TRADING CO. 03 5598 6444 

27 Lord Street, Port Campbell 

TAYLORS SURFODESY 03 5562 5681 

132 Liebig Street, Warrnambool 

WARRNAMBOOL SURF CENTRE 03 5562 1981 

136 Koroit Street, Warrnambool 

DAKTARI SURF/DIVE 03 5568 2800 

33 Bank Street, Port Fairy 

www.daktarisport.com.au 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 

CUTLOOSE SURF 08 8326 0939 - 4 Piping 

Lane, Lonsdale www.cutloosesurf.com.au 

MID COAST SURF 08 83845522 - 8/200 Dyson 

Road, Lonsdale www.midcoastsurf.com.au 

PREECE’S SOUTH PORT SURF 08 8386 0404 

159 Esplanade, Port Noarlunga South 

www.preece-sthport-surf.com.au 

BARREL SURF 08 8555 5422 - 10c Cadell St, 

Goolwa www.barrellsurf.com.au 

BIG SURF AUSTRALIA 08 8554 2399 

24 Goolwa Rd, Middleton 

SOUTHERN SURF 08 8554 2375 

36 North Tce, Port Elliot 

THE SURF SHOP 08 8552 5466 -15 Albert 

Place, Victor Harbor thesurfshop.net.au 

THE DING KING / CLARK SURFBOARDS 

0422 443 789 - 20 Cottage Road, Hackham 

leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au 

SURF ESTEEM 08 8557 7201 - Aldinga Central 

Shopping Centre www.surfesteem.com 

ONBOARD SURF WIND SNOW 08 8294 3866 

21 Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga; 1-3 Lights 

Landing, Holdfast Shores, Glenelg 

www.onboardsurf.com.au 

JRS SURF & SKI 08 838 47466 - Centro 

Colonnades; 08 8377 0322 - Westfield 

Marion; 08 8223 5505 -121 Grenfell St, 

Adelaide CBD; 08 8231 9577 - Myer 

Centre, Adelaide CBD; 08 8396 4822 Tea 

Tree Plus www.jrssurfandski.com.au 

FLY BOARDRIDING 08 8386 0100 

Shop 41 Seaford Shopping Centre 

www.flyboardriding.com.au 

ISLAND SURF 08 8296 9776 

363 Brighton Road Hove 

EXTREME BOARDRIDERS 08 8295 1219 

1/118 Jetty Rd, Glenelg 

WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 08 8376 4914 

27 Oaklands Rd, Somerton Park 

www.wallbridge.com.au 

SANCTUARY SURFERS 0403 134 478 

201 Waymouth St, Adelaide 

www.sanctuary.net.au 

DING REPAIRS 

AGNES WATER/1770 

REEF 2 BEACH 

(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 

07 4974 9072 

SUNSHINE COAST 

DA BOMB 

(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 

07 5451 0620 - Maroochydore 

07 5437 9201 - Bokarina 

BRISBANE 

PRIMITIVE SURF 

(Mon-Fri, 8:30-5:30pm, Thurs 

8:30am-8pm, Sat, 8:30-4pm, 

Sun, 10-4pm) 

07 3266 1001 

SOUTHPORT 

KOMA 

(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0402 863 763 

MIAMI 

DINO’S DING REPAIRS 

(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0409 727 735 

TUGUN 

DIVERSE 

(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and 

SNOW & SURF CO. 08 8223 5277 

Sun, 9-4pm) 

187 Rundle St, Adelaide 

07 5598 4848 

COOLANGATTA 

UNDERGROUND SURF 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

07 5599 1040 

FULL FORCE 

(M-F, 9-5pm) 

07 5524 2933 

BYRON BAY 

BYRON BAY DING REPAIRS 

(Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30pm) 

02 6685 6770 

0409 849 442 

YAMBA 

THE PLANK SHOP 

02 6645 8362 

TOMBSTONE SURFBOARDS 

(Tues-Fri, 9-4pm, Sat, 9-12pm) 

0432 330 826 

COFFS HARBOUR 

THE LOG SHACK 

(M-F, 10-5pm, Sat & Sun 

10-2:30pm) 

02 6658 0223 

www.snowsurf.com.au 

NORAH HEAD 

BUCKO’S SURFBOARD REPAIRS 

& RESTORATIONS 

(M-F, 10-5.30pm, weekends by 

appointment 

0422 304 078 

LONG JETTY 

S & D SURF DESIGNS 

(M-F, 9-4pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0437 032 614 

SYDNEY NORTH 

BROOKVALE SURFBOARD 

REPAIRS 

(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and 

Sun, 9-4pm) 

0403 971 072 

CHAOS SURFBOARDS 

(M-F,9-6pm, 

Sat & Sun 8:30-6pm) 

02 9907 2769 

WOOLONGONG 

SKIPP SURFBOARDS 

M-F,9-5:30, Thurs 9-7:30pm, 

Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4) 

02 4228 8878 

JERVIS BAY 

INNER FEELING SURFBOARDS 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

02 4441 6756 

NAROOMA 

DSC SURFBOARDS 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

0424 867 962 

THORNBURY 

ZAK SURFBOARDS 

(Mon-Fri,10-6pm; Sat 10-5pm) 

03 9416 7384 

TORQUAY 

STONKER TORQUAY 

(Mon – Fri, 9-5pm) 

03 5261 6077 

PHILLIP ISLAND 

ISLANTIS 

(7 days , 9-5pm) 

03 5956 7553 

ISLAND SURF SHOP - COWES 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

03 5952 2578 

FULLCIRCLE SURF 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

03 5956 7453 

ADELAIDE 

WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 

(M-F, 9-5.30pm, Sat 9-4pm) 

08 8376 4914 

SOUTH ADELAIDE 

THE DING KING 

(M-F, 9-5pm) 

0422 443 789 

FIX BROKEN BOARDS? 

Promote your repair business for $15 

an edition. Call 0401 345 201

Planning a surfing holiday or weekend away? These fine accommodation options offer 

great proximity to surf beaches in some of the country’s best surf spots. Get out there. 

QUEENSLAND 

SURF TRIP ACCOMMODATION 

NEW SOUTH WALES 

VICTORIA 

PORTOBELLO BY THE SEA 

 

6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach 

Caloundra 

Fantastic surf spots right on 

your doorstep. Moffat, Neill 

Street, Dicky Beach all within 

a 5 minute walk. Luxury 

accommodation within 50 m of 

some of the best restaurants 

Caloundra has to offer. 

Proximity: Across from 

patrolled Dicky Beach, on-site 

dining and shopping. 

Phone: 07 5491 9038 

E: info@portobellobythesea.com.au 

www.portobellobythesea.com.au 

From $325 for two nights. 

PANDANUS PALMS 

HOLIDAY RESORT 

21 Cumming Pde, Point Lookout, 

North Stradbroke Island 

High on a hill overlooking Home 

Beach, looking north towards 

Moreton Island, offering plenty 

of open space for children to 

play, full size tennis court and 

swimming pool. 

The two or three bedroom villas 

are fully self-contained with 

large living area and private 

balcony, own BBQ and linen 

is supplied. We can arrange 

return vehicle ferry crossings at 

a discounted rate. 

Proximity: 500m walk to Home 

Beach and Stradbroke Island 

Beach Hotel. 2km to cafes, 

shops and Gorge Walk. 

P: 07 3409 8106 

E: bookings@pandanuspalmsresort.com 

www.pandanuspalmsresort.com 

THE ISLANDER HOLIDAY RESORT 

41 East Coast Rd, Point Lookout 


Ideally located, whether it’s 

adventure or relaxation you’re 

after, there’s something for 

everyone - pool, tennis court, bbq 

area, kids playground, scooter & 

car hire. Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom 

apartments available, all fully 

self-contained with foxtel, dvd 

player, wireless internet access, 

balconies and parking. 

Proximity: 2 min walk to 

hotel, pub, bowls club, shops 

& restaurants. Opposite Home/ 

Cylinder beaches. 

P: 07 3409 8388 

E: islander@stradbrokeresorts.com.au 

islander.stradbrokeresorts.com.au 

From $225 for 2 nights 

IBIS WOLLONGONG 

Cnr Church and Market Street 

Wollongong 

3.5 star hotel in the heart of 

Wollongong restaurant and 

business district, minutes from 

beautiful beaches. Winner Best 

Standard Accommodation on the 

South Coast 2008, 2009 & 2010. 

Air conditioned rooms include 

tea and coffee facilities, mini 

bar fridges, flatscreen TV and 

internet connectivity. Special 

Access rooms and facilities are 

also available. 

Proximity: 10 minute 

walk to the beach and WIN 

Entertainment Centre. On the 

doorstep of Crown St Mall 

Phone: 02 4223 6000 

E: H6377@accor.com 

www.accorhotels.com/6377 

PHILLIP ISLAND VISITOR 

INFORMATION CENTRE 

895 Phillip Island Road, 

Newhaven, Phillip Island 

Planning a surf trip to Phillip 

Island? The island offers 

over 2000 beds and over 100 

accommodation businesses to 

choose from. 

Contact Phillip Island 

Visitor Information Centre’s 

accommodation specialists for 

all your accommodation needs. 

Let our friendly staff assist you 

in finding the perfect place for 

you to stay. 

P: 1300 366 422 

E: piinfo@basscoast.vic.gov.au 

www.visitbasscoast.com 

From $330.00 for two nights 

From $119 per room per night 

CALOUNDRA 

HOLIDAY CENTRE 

1/78 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

Caloundra Holiday Centre has 

been assisting holidaymakers 

find their perfect Sunshine Coast 

getaway for over 25 years. We 

offer one of the largest portfolios 

of holiday accommodation in 

Caloundra, consisting of a great 

choice of budget to luxury self 

contained units and houses at 

all beaches. With family friendly 

prices and seniors’ discounts 

available, we’re sure to have a 

property to suit your needs at a 

competitive price. 

Our friendly and experienced 

staff can assist you with 

finding your perfect beach 

break! Request our free colour 

brochure and price list today! 

P: 07 5491 5444 

E: info@caloundraholidaycentre.com.au 

caloundraholidaycentre.com.au 

From $340 p/w, low season 

WHALE WATCH OCEAN 

BEACH RESORT 

Samarinda Dve, Point Lookout, 


Located at North Stradbroke 

Island’s Point Lookout, Whale 

Watch Ocean Beach Resort 

provides endless views along 

the main surfing beach (which 

is one of the east’s coasts 

renowned surf spots) and over 

the Pacific Ocean, to the Gold 

Coast and beyond. 

Proximity: Short walk to Point 

Lookout Surf Club and all the 

major Point Lookout attractions. 

P: 07 3409 8555 

E: reservations@ 

whalewatchresort.com.au 

www.whalewatchresort.com.au 

STRADBROKE ISLAND 

HOLIDAYS 

Shop 2 Raby Bay Harbour 

152 Shore Street West 

Cleveland 

North Stradbroke Island is the 

ideal holiday destination for 

families, couples or maybe 

just a day trip. Located one 

hour from Brisbane, Straddie is 

easily accessible by Stradbroke 

Ferries’ fast reliable vehicle 

ferries or water taxi which 

depart from Cleveland. 

Stradbroke Island Holidays 

offer an efficient booking 

service to arrange all of your 

accommodation and luxury 

Stradbroke Ferry transfers to 

and from North Stradbroke 

Island. 

P: 07 3821 0266 

www.stradbrokeholidays.com.au 

KIAMA COVE MOTEL 

10 Bong Bong St, Kiama 

Kiama Cove Motel is located in 

the heart of Kiama, overlooking 

Surf Beach with most rooms 

having ocean views, airconditioning 

and king sized 

beds. All with complimentary 

continental breakfasts. 

Proximity: Right on Kiama 

Beach. Short walk to the main 

street of Kiama. 

Phone: 02 4232 3000 

E: kiamacove@bigpond.com 

www.kiamacove.com.au 

From $99-$169 per room 

per night 

SILVERWATER RESORT 

17 Potters Hill Rd, San Remo 

Spacious one, two and 

three-bedroom self-contained 

apartments all with spectacular 

bay views and modern 

conveniences. Complementing 

the 4.5 star accommodation 

is an excellent range of resort 

facilities including indoor 

and outdoor pool, billiards 

and games room, tennis and 

basketball courts, restaurant 

and bar. 

Proximity: Five mins to surf 

beach, two mins to town 

Phone: 1800 033 403 

res@silverwaterresort.com.au 

www.silverwaterresort.com.au 

From $175 per night 

TV 

gym 

laundry 

kitchen 

parking wi-fi pool airconditioning family-friendly pet-friendly spa 

bbq 


97

CLOSEOUT: RELAX 

ROCKIN’ THE 

SANBAH 

Merewether’s trendy surf and fashion 

store, Sanbah, celebrated the opening of 

their new joint at Junction Fair in style. 

1. 

2. 

PHOTOS: 

1. Jesse Adam and Cable from Vampirate 

Surfboards 

2. The groms - sponsored Sanbah team riders 

(L-R) Louie Stackhouse, Jack Taylor, Jackson 

Baker and Luke Hamilton 

3. Mark Gnech, Hayden Cox and Ozzie Wright 

4. Stephanie Smith and Sophie Damen 

5. The hosts Rhys and Sophie Smith - owners 

of Sanbah - with interior stylist for Sanbah 

Tim Neve 

6. Happy couple Lauren and Ryan Smith 

7. At the skatewall - Lewis Brent, Tom Antcliff, 

Joel O’Brien and Jake Sylvester 

8. Lauren Miller and James Simpson 

3. 

6. 

4. 

5. 

7. 8. 

If you’re in Newcastle, make sure to pop in to 

Sanbah, check out their variety of wares and 

say of course, g’day to Rhys and Sophie. 

www.sanbahsurf.com.au 

A DECENT 

FEED OF FUN 

The annual longboard competition staged by 

the Merimbula Sailboard Club recently took 

place and by all accounts, a lot of fun was 

had by all. The event has been running for 

25 years now and has taken on many names 

such as The Maligator, The Maltrix and the 

In-4-Mal. This year it was Malnutrition. For 

many of the competitors it’s the only time 

throughout the year they ride a mal. 

1. 

4. 

2. 3. 

5. 

Photos by Stan Squire, artist for - amongst 

others - Bushrat Surfboards. To check out his 

artwork, see stansquire.com 

PHOTOS: 

1. Dave Pimm of Sydney 

2. Jay Mulherin of Cooma and Gary Corbett of 

Merimbula (paddling) 

3. Dave Prowse of Pambula 

4. Henry Jones, Mark Hagan, James Hagan 

5. Jacob Holme 

6. Jed Done 

7. Lachie McNeil 

6. 

7. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENT 

If you have something on the go, let us know. 

Email us on: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 


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Fax: 07 5474 2111 

Unit 2, 15 Venture Drive, 


sales@zeewetsuits.com 

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99

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