Backwash fun

Everyone likes watching people get smashed at Backwash. This short video is from a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately I missed the wave where one guy decided to catch one in and ended up on the rocks before getting washed back out. All his mate thought it was hilarious, except the one that owned the board !!!!

Coco Ho wins the Search

A few days ago Coco Ho beat former World Champ Chelsea Hedges to win the Search. The waves were small but very contestable. In fact they were probably better than anything the blokes got.

The two women currently fighting out the World Title race Steph Gilmore and Silvana Lima finished 9th and 3rd respectively. Steph just holds the top spot with three events (Peru and two in Hawaii) to go.

You've probably missed it

Not great but there are a few little corners here and there for the desperate. However if you haven't already been out you probably won't get wet today. The wind is from the south and has started to crank up already. The clouds are moving in quick and there has already been a drop or two of rain.

Almost summer afternoon

The sea breeze came up and there were a few people here and there trying to catch the odd wind wave.

Nothing decent but those out seemed to be enjoying themselves.

More contest news

The Womens Search is on at one of the backup venues. The waves look really nice - clean, offshore and around chest height. They are in to round three with Steph Gilmore through. Her current competition for the world title, Silvana Lima just beating Aussie Jessie Miley-Dyer by less than 0.3 with a wave in the final minute.

Over in the Maldives Harley Ingelby has scored his first World Championship in the WLT with a second. Hawaiian Kai Sallas won.

Who will be World Champ ?

According to Mick Fanning's blog this is how the World Title race can unfold at Pipe.

Fanning finishes 33rd through a 9th at Pipeline, Parkinson needs a 3rd or better to overtake.
Fanning finishes 5th at Pipeline, Parkinson needs a 2nd or better to overtake.
Fanning finishes 3rd at Pipeline, Parkinson needs win the event to overtake.
If Fanning finishes 2nd or better at Pipeline, he will clinch the 2009 ASP World Title.

Onshore arvos

Strong onshores produced some decent sized wind waves along the Back Beach. Two body boarders were having a go but it was hardly classic surf.

Fanning wins Search

Mick Fanning has beaten Bede Durbridge in the final of the Search in Portugal. Fanning only had to surf once after Owen Wright pulled out of the semi due to a burst ear drum sustained the day before.

Durbridge took out Parko in the other semi. Parko was not happy after his loss however on adjusted points Mick will still need finish higher at Pipe to win the World Title. Bede's loss means that he is out of the running leaving on the two Coolie Kids.

The WLT is into round 2 at the Maldives. The webcast is on and the waves look fun. Last years world champ Bonga Perkins is out but current tour leader Harley Ingelby is easily through to the next round.

Onshore

with a little swell but not worth a sickie.

Search reaches semis

The Search ran through round three and the quarters.

Taj was knocked out in round three in the last two minutes. Fanning smashed Freddie P in the same round and Tim Reyes in the quarters. Two quarter finals were close with Bede Durbridge beating Jordy Smith by less than half a point and wildcard Owen Wright beating Damo Hopgood by 0.33.

Both semis should be great if the waves cooperate.

Fuel TV will be showing the rest of the contest live and it will be streaming on the net.

Swell jump

The swell has jumped a little this afternoon and the wind was still light and onshore. Still no real decent waves and it doesn't look good for tomorrow either with a weak front coming in.

Still need that artificial reef. Don't forget to vote in the poll.

Supertubos is on

The Search has finally ended up at the primary venue and the waves are big. Six to eight foot sets are smashing through the beachie and a few some barrels but plenty of smashing closeouts. Wave selection is the key.

Local knowledge is that the waves will get better when the swell and tide starts to drop. Contest director Dooma Hardman is hoping to run at least all of round three and possibly the quarters today and finish tomorrow.

Fuel TV is showing the contest live in Australia and streaming it in HD from their US site. The tv is the same as the webcast so lack some of the refinement of some other sports but it is live and from the beach somewhere. I'm just happy I get to watch on a proper sized screen.

Taj is in the next heat and this will remind him of Rabbit Hill. Parko just won his heat with a tube and an air. Owen Wright continues his good run in 'CT events by just beating Dane Reynolds with a killer backhand tube late in his heat.

Meanwhile in the Maldives it was a lay day for the WLT Oxbow Pro.

Is the Search jinxed ?

After the primary location was smashed and flooded by a storm the Search is now on hold due to thick fog.

Apparently the waves are really good but the judges can't see them.

In other contest news the second and final leg of the WLT is being held at Pasta Point in the Maldives. Round 1 is done with 2008 champ Bonga Perkins, current ratings leader Harley Ingelby and former no 1 Josh Constable all through. With only two events for the whole tour it is still any ones world title.

Flat and onshore

Go to work

Round 2 is done but that's it

The waves hung around long enough for round two to be completed and for Fuel TV to change its electronic program guide before it was called off.

The expression session was held after a delay but the waves weren't frequent enough to keep going. Owen Wright and Dane Reynolds will be a good heat to watch. Winners are easy to predict as you can make a case for everyone. Now they just need decent waves.

RIP CURL PRO SEARCH ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 2: Tom Whitaker (AUS) vs. Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 3: Bobby Martinez (USA) vs. Drew Courtney (AUS)
Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 6: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Damien Hobgood (USA)
Heat 7: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Tim Reyes (USA)

Round Two Nearly Finished

Round two of the Search was held in decent waves. There are still a three heats to go.

The only upset was Slater being beaten by wildcard Owen Wright. Wright, who has qualified for next years WCT, beat Slater by just over 0.4. Both pulled into some clean little tubes and knocked down a few hacks. This has knocked Slater out of the world title race, not that he had much chance anyway.

Taj got through easily and threw a huge air on his way to the highest score of the round and contest so far.

Fuel TV will broadcast live from round three, which could be tonight. However the womens waiting period kicks in today so they might jump in ahead of the guys.

Almost Summer

The signs of summer, boardies, bikinis and buoys are starting to appear. The beach is nice but windy and a few are trying to ignore the fact the water is still cold.

The surf club have dropped out their swimming buoys for the season and patrols have started.

So has the strong offshores and no swell. The swell predictions are for 3 metres but it must be going out rather than coming in. There is a fair bit if north in the wind and rain forecast for the next few days but not much.

Round Two is go

Round two has started in decent waves. Unlike round one only one lower ranked surfer has been successful in a heat and that was one of those where both were pretty evenly matched.

Parko is in the water and leading his heat. If he wins then the title race goes to Pipe regardless. The next heat could be a killer with Aussie wildcard Owen Wright up against Kelly Slater. Dane Reynolds is in the heat after and Taj following that.

The conditions first up were clean, glassy and offshore with clean barrels on the lefts. The wind has swung a little and the tide is starting to affect it. Every other day has been split halfway through but this is another beach, so who knows what they will do ?

Low Tide in Portugal

The on and off first round is on for the second time today. This time it is at another of the back up venues.

After running a couple of heats earlier they have started again after the tide bottomed out. The waves look ok and offshore but a bit slow. At least today's heats were won with scores around 14.

The webcast is on but the stats tab shows you what happened at Bells !!!!!!!!

No swell

The tide has finally started to turn a little but the swell has disappeared. It basically flat along the Bunbury coast.

Its cloudy and the offshore has been strong since about 10 pm last night. If you've got the time, a run down south will get you waves. Its one of those days where the less popular spots will be firing.

Portugal Sucks

The first 8 heats of round one of the Search are done with the wildcards doing well in poor surf. It was pretty much the most boring surfing of the European leg, which is saying something as there hadn't been much to write home about.

Three of the heats were won with two waves totals under 10 and 15 was the best. Generally anything under 12 means your been given a whipping.

With the bottom half of the 'CT trying to re-qualify but only getting one chance there are a couple of guys who may be wishing they backed up on the WQS. Nathaniel Curran and Portuguese German Marlon Lipke both finally won heats but need huge results here and at Pipe if they are to avoid heading back to the "grind".

Parko must be worried. His mentor Luke Egan finally admitted that the ankle injury he sustained in Bali was still troubling him and that he re-injured it on his first wave at Munduka. The junky small waves just seem to make it an issues whereas if it was bigger and he could set a line rather than wiggle he might have been able to compensate. He would have been hoping for some size at Supertubos but may be forced into a mush fight.

Fanning can win the title here if Parko goes out early and a few other things happen. If things fall his way he doesn't even need to win. Hopefully he won't and it will go down to a duel at Pipe. CJ Hopgood can't be counted out and has yet to get lower than ninth. Technically everyone in the top ten can still win it all but in reality it is probably only the top three with Artiz the outsider.

Search Starts

The Rip Curl Search has just started. After the storm that destroyed the event infrastructure yesterday was the third lay day. The surf was huge but not contestable.

Today the swell has dropped off and the wind is bad for the primary site, Supertubos. Instead round 1 has started at the back up beachie. The forecast obviously isn't looking that great because they have moved to the elimination first round.

The waves don't look great and the tide kills it. The last heat was won with a highest score of a four and a combine total of 8 and a bit.

BP Lookout Finished

The lookout at BP has been finished as has the footpath out to The Bay. Thanks must go to the City of Bunbury and Councillor Noel Whittle for the building of the lookout, which will become a very popular venue for those wedding photos !!!

The path is just a yellow line and some cones along one side of the road but at least you're slightly seperated from the trucks.

Low Tide

Nice weather but the tide is too low for surfing. Even the Bay is to shallow, making any swell into super fast zippers.

One guy out at BP Reef but he isn't that good. He is getting short rock hoppers but enjoying the conditions.

The onshore will probably meet the rising tide this afternoon.

Lay Day in Portugal

The Rip Curl Search WCT event has landed in Portugal this year. Apparently the wave is Europe's version of Pipeline. This year's event includes both men and women.

Yesterday was flat and a huge storm has hit today. Apparently there is a 6 metre plus swell on the way and they have had to reinforce the beach.

As usual there is a webcast and being a Rip Curl event it should be good.

First Hot Day

We'll probably second hot day of Spring and the beach is packed. Good luck getting a parking spot at back beach.

Its one of those days that clubbies hate. First time most people have been in the water since last summer, the water is colder than people expect, Winter's rocks and sandbanks are still around and there is a decent size swell dumping onto the shallow bank and ripping back to sea. Plus they are only two weeks into their patrol season. If you decide to go for a swim be careful.

Although there is swell the lack of any banks continues to make it nothing better than close outs. Leave your board at home.

Differently the Same

A month ago I was complaining that it was hard to write because each day was another of rain, decent size swells, onshores and closeouts.

Now it is just as hard to write because it is days of sun, small but ok sized swells, strong offshores and closeouts.

Nothing surfable on the Bunbury coast. The Bay has a few body boarders in the corner who are catching some small wedges in between avoiding the set on the head.

If only we had an artificial reef. Don't forget to vote in our artificial reef poll.

DeSouza wins in Spain

The Billabong Pro in Spain has been won by Brazillian Andriano DeSouza beating Aussie Chris Davidson. This is DeSouza's first WCT win and moves him into third on the ratings with two second placings.

Slater and CJ finished third and Taj was taken out by Slater in the Quarters.

Mick has move above Parko in the unadjusted ratings. Slater is now 6th and Taj 7th. Both have a mathematical chance of winning it all but basically would rely on the top five to lose in the first round of the next two events and they win both.

If you adjust the ratings now Parko is 186 points in front of Fanning with DeSouza just over 300 points behind. CJ, the only surfer in the top five without a 17th, is less than 1000 behind first.

The next event is the Rip Curl Search in Portugal next week.

Billabong Pro On

After one heat at Munduka its back to the beachie. The waves are better, light winds and some clean face on the lefts.

Mick Fanning has failed to capitalize on Parko's loss, losing in round three. Bobbie Martinez wouldn't be impressed with the move from Mundaka losing the second heat at the beachie. He was probably the best surfer yesterday finding long lefts and flying.

Slater is in the water right now and the waves have gone fat on the high tide.

Contest Director Mike Parsons has just indicated that they probably won't get back to Munduka in the rest of the waiting period and they may try to crown a winner today.

With both Mick and Fanning out the title race can close up if Slater, Taj and one of the Hopgoods can get through a few more heats.

Round 2 Over

And Parko is out again. With his round 2 win Mick Fanning has taken over the lead in the World Title race.

Even though it was a bit wonky and badly onshore the waves at Mundaka were very contestable and the early heats were an air-fest. It was a bit condusing to watch as they were running overlapping heats but at least there was lots of action.

Slater got through despite not surfing since France and having a dodgy knee (from golf at St Andrews). Taj snuck through by 0.3 much to the disgust of Artiz Aranburu who thought he had done enough.

Who knows what they will do today. The have at least one full day left in the contest. The wave is so tide affected that the window is pretty small but at least the days are long.

Spain on in the rain

But not at Munduka but some grovelly onshore beach break. Its got a bit of size but you wouldn't normally surf it. And its raining.

The latest call is that it will move to Mundaka this afternoon with over lapping heats. Not much help to those in the first round who will get eliminated in the crap surf.

There may be a break in the webcast as they dismantle the truck and head back for heat 1 of round 2. But the missed heats aren't much chop anyway.

Another Lay Day

Spent the last few hours checking in for each call for the Billabong Pro. Contest Director Mike Parsons must be getting a bit concerned as they packed up the infrastructure and moved to the back up beach break.

Only problem is that there isn't even a ripple there (despite the web-site claiming two feet). Bunbury was about three times the size today than Spain.

They will have to run soon otherwise they will run out of days.

Nothing Much to Say

Proper Spring day today. Sunny, shorts weather in the morning, grey and wet at lunchtime, bit cold in the afternoon but dry.

Surfwise the swell is small and the tide was very low this morning. Winds have been onshore all day and there was nothing worth surfing.

Some forecasts are showing a jump in swell size with a similar day to today.

My suggestion is to stay home and watch Bathurst !

Don't forget to vote in the artifical reef poll.

Mundaka is flat again

Yet another lay day at the Billabong Pro Munduka. Looking at the webcam it will take more than a change in tide to get the event going as it is even flater than yesterday when it stuggled to be a foot.

Munduka was in danger of being dropped after last year. Apparently some dredging had wrecked the bank but the main problem is that there isn't a decent back up wave if the rivermouth isn't firing. This year the bank is great but there just isn't any swell.

There a still a few days left in the waiting period and by using the elimination round one format they bought themselves another day. They keep posting the rumour of a decent swell to come soon. Lets hope it is true.

Ripping the Pit Video

Bunbury is a haven for body boarders and with school holidays winding down it is a great time to watch a clasic surfing video.

Enjoy Ripping the Pit and remember to "look out the back" !!!!!!

Mundaka Sneaks Up

The Billabong Pro in Mundaka has started a couple of days ago with about 8 heats in the elimination round one run during the low tide window.

Apparently the bank is all time (Luke Egan claims it as the best in 20 years) but the swell isn't helping. The last two days have been flat and it is likely that today will be the same. Contest Director, Mike Parsons, thinks there will be a decent swell late in the contest waiting period.

Mundaka has been a bit of a bust in the last few years with only three or four heats of last year actually run there. The back up beach is crappy but apparently has a bank if they are forced there.

Webcasts from Billabong are always good and you can expect Luke Egan and Occy to commentate sometime. The video highlights and heats on demand are always top class.

Building Swell

The swell is coming up but the weather is going down.

The Bay was the only place that was really surfable this morning. Not great for stand ups but the little band of body boarders were getting some nice wedges in the southern corner. Few little tubes and some close out bashes.

What do we need ?

Consider the last few day. Good winds, even tides and a nice clean swell. But was there any surf ? Sure there were waves, close outs, dumpers and fat dribblers in to a rip but no real, consistent surf.

Imagine if Bunbury had an artificial surfing reef (or better still three or four). Anyone who has surfed here for a while has watched swells roll in and smash pointlessly on the shore and dreamed of a decent reef.

There are a huge range of options. BP reef used to produce long lefts and with a bit of work may be able to again, with a right as well. Watch Hungry Hollow from the side on even a small day and you'll see what looks like an Indo dream. Or stand near where Fawlty Towers used to be on an offshore day and watch straight swell lines as far as the horizon, peaking way out but never breaking. There is plenty of beach south of Hungry Hollow with potential for a surfing reef.

Surfing reefs aren't just for surfers. With changes in sea level predicted, artificial reefs could have the benefit of preserving and stabilising beaches or protecting infrastructure, like Ocean Drive.

Bunbury is trying to attract tourists. If people are honest there isn't much here to keep visitors interested but it could be sold as a pivot point to the south west, with people heading off for day trips but returning here. A surfing reef would attract the older, richer surfer who wants the restaurants and nice hotels, without the costs of Margaret River. Head down south for the early and some lunch, back to Bunno for a nanna nap and the LAGO at the artificial reef. Next day, breakie at Cafe 140, day trip to Pemberton and the back for another wave with the friendly locals.

Want more reasons ? What about better fishing or shore based scuba diving. Perhaps marine studies for High School or improved beach safety for swimmers (no dumpers).

This isn't the first time artificial reefs have been floated in Bunbury. The Bunbury Surf Sports website has details of some of the early attempts. Perhaps it is time for us to start asking the question to council and government again !! Keep watching the blog for more information.

In the mean time there is a poll on the Blog site to gauge what type of wave we should be asking for. If your reading this in an RSS feed click on the title or here to get to the poll.

Nice Spring Day

Fine and offshore all day. There was even a little swell but suitable banks are few and far between.

Still the weather made it OK for a paddle if that was your desire.

Meant to be a kick in the swell late Wednesday but the rain is meant to be back as well.

Lima Wins

So we can expect a tattoo of her trophy on her other side !

Gilmore still has the number 1 spot with a first and two seconds but Lima has narrowed the points gap to just over 300. Sophia Millanovic has also stayed in the race with her third taking her over 2000 points.

Next WWCT event is the Search later this month.

Nice Conditions

Its ok around Bunbury but the lack of a decent bank is still hindering surfing.

The wind is light and offshore and the sea is glassy. It should basically stay similar most of the say but expect an onshore later.

A couple of newbies were getting a few small lefts off BP reef, there is finally a winter rip bank at Juniors with a couple of lefts and the Bay looks packed judging by the number of cars.

Some nice days forecast for the last half of the school hols so all day sessions are the go if your a grom.

Gilmore v Lima

In a repeat of Bells, Steph Gilmore will take on Silva Lima in the next few minutes in the final of the Beachley Classic. Lima has just left the water and only wants a 10 minute break.

Waves are still pretty poor but they need to finish it off today.

Hopefully Lima won't win and force the world to endure another terrible tattoo like she got to commemorate her Bells win !

Beachley Classic On

Layne is out, getting beaten in round 3.

The waves are pretty big and onshore. Its the type of you generally wouldn't bother but every now and then a bit of face comes through.

The webcast is pretty poor, especially as some bloke keeps standing up in front of the camera. The commentators are trying but it is very hard to talk up such poor conditions.

The celebrity challenge is on later.

Light onshore

Light onshore winds at the moment and a smallish swell. The banks out from the surf club are still holding a little crumby shape.

A couple out and if your keen you'll probably get a wiggle or two. The wind could stay light for most of the day but they are already above what was predicted.

Want a Free Surf Movie ??????

Rip Curl is providing a free download of Rubber Soul II. The movie stars the best of the Rip Curl riders like Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore.

You can watch it in parts on-line or download all 186 megs in MP4 format. MP4 works on Ipodsand Iphones but also on your computer if you have Itunes or one of the million different media players. (I suggest VLC player as it is free and plays just about every format you will find)

Very Small Window

There was a small window of surf first thing this morning. Quite a few were trying a little bank out the front of the Surfclub that was throwing up some nice little rights.

Unfortunately the wind had a heap of north in it and was picking up from sunrise. By 9.30 ish it was still a surfable but not for long.