Surfing Mums

Two mums, trading waves over a few days up the coast. Katherine had given birth to our second child a few weeks before, and Emily was a few months into cooking up her second.

It doesn't get much better than catching up with a good friend between waves, with all other cares and concerns relegated to dry land while nature is shining all around. 

Point Surf Vibes

A larger Sunday morning a year or two back. I must have been a bit distracted by all the textures between the sets... I will post some more current photos one of these days!

Very Enjoyable Surfing

I know it doesn't look that much, but I was standing alone on a foreign shore, and the sun hadn't risen yet – I quickly took this photo and then gorged myself on these very enjoyable waves for 3 hours. I surfed alone for at least half the time before a few other mellow guys showed up. Most waves were around shoulder high and began with a fast hollow section in front of the rocks and then wrapped more into the point where there was room for a bunch of turns before paddling back for more. They don't happen like that every day, one for the memory bank for sure.

Ceylon Sliding

Back in 2012 (yep that's how up-to-date and current this blog is!) we had a short winter break on the sand bottomed points of Sri Lanka. "We" being Katherine, our 1 year old son and my brother Jack. Very enjoyable all round.

Eager Beaver

Sharing

Hand Dragging

The bottom turn hand drag.

Surfing Mum

Here's my wife and two sons on a family surf adventure mid way through this year. The boys played in and on these local fishing boats before falling asleep in the narrow amount of shade afforded by them and the tropical sun above. Meanwhile Katherine and I took turns racing some fast peeling point surf without another surfer in sight. Not every go-out on the trip was as idyllic! Among her many other talents and fine characteristics, I'm stoked to have a surfing wife.

Spaghetti Surf

Just something about that backdrop that makes me think of a spaghetti western... speaking of which, have you heard this?

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Nowhere Near Home

Holidays

On A Rail

Kai Style

Kai Ellice-Flint a few summer ago now I think. It was a Sunday morning club meet at his local beach. He's since kicked a few impressive goals further afield. It's always rewarding watching Kai surf.

Ghost Freight

Early morning surfing rocks.

Whitewater Style

Trimming through the foam in style. There's plenty of valid criteria on what "good" surfing is - effortlessness, flow, critical positioning, power etc, but I reckon in my mix there's got to be something about making the most of a wave - completing the ride, every last bit of trim. This idea probably extends into riding all kinds of boards and surfing all kinds of conditions, appreciating the chance to get out in the ocean and passionately do something that some might describe as pointless. But they don't get it. Some surfers don't even get it. Jim does.

MR Rider

A no-doubt prized MR zipping across one of my preferred local point breaks, especially when you luck into one of those rare uncrowded sessions.

Out In Force

Groms will be out in force over the next few weeks with the arrival of Spring school holidays today. I can't think of a better way to occupy and wear them out, it sure beats computer games or hanging out in a shopping centre.

Going

One of the breaks that won't break much until next years southerly swell train start chugging in. I scored a few fun sessions out there this winter, even had one early morning to myself with the rain falling sideways... 

Daylight

Spring has sprung and the days are noticeably longer. I've squeezed in a few longer early sessions lately. I'm not really looking forward to daylight savings this year... early surfs are a more manageable proposition with two kids in the mix now. I'm looking forward to the day when they can join me in the lineup : )

Moving

I haven't posted for a good while now, but I'm feeling keen. The plan is to do it weekly. I've enjoyed some nice uncrowded waves lately. This was a crowded Bay day, ages ago.

Surrounded

An unknown surfer joe moments before being surrounded by a decent sized one. This was just one of the many larger days we've enjoyed this Autumn.

Just Checking...

Finally

It's a good feeling on those bigger days when it's crowded and everyone's jostling for waves, and you finally get one to yourself! This was a busy Sunday afternoon earlier in Autumn. I was feeling this guys stoke from a mile away as he sped off down the line.

Three Early Birds

The End Of The Line

Phil Roxburgh

I stop in to their home town every now and then for a surf, and it's a pretty rare morning not to see at least one member of the Roxburgh family turning heads in the lineup.

Green on Green

Jive Surfing

Am I imaging it, or did surfers once talk about jive surfing?! Whatever you want to call it, I dig the style going on here.

Spaghetti Surf

The good people at Korduroy tv used our song Baja-ha for this short about Californian artist Jay Nelson. When I say "our" I mean The Mandelas as seen on the music player on the right side of the blog. Baja-ha's our only instrumental and has a bit of a western infused 60's surf sound, or something similar... ascribe your own label! If you like what you hear the 5 track EP is $10 delivered anywhere in Australia. Overseas available too. Drop us a line at themandelas@gmail.com

Four by Ten

Morning Rory

Water's Edge

Johnny Ten

Morning Stoke

It Will Come

Winter that is. If you've had enough of the crowds and mostly marginal conditions… But I don't want to wish summer away too soon though!

Blue Walker

2013 Top 20

 20 of my favourite posts from 2013.