Big waves

Not here though ! I just got out from a twilight handboard in 6" wind chop. There is a rumour of a spike tomorrow but it looks short and really south. The winds don't look great either but it will be worth keeping an eye on.

Meanwhile in Portugal Garrett McNamara has caught some of the biggest waves anywhere ever. It was here that he claimed the world record and this looks much bigger.

Bit of video with very wanky music !

LAGO-ish

Light onshore winds late this afternoon and a decent size swell. Some guys out at the BP Groyne getting the odd one between sets on the head and closeouts.

Fraggles looked like it was pumping but when you looked it was hours between waves. Long time to be dangling your feet in the dark copping sinkers on the head from the fisherman so no one was there.

Down at the Bay a couple of guys were using jet ski assist to overcome the wash.

0.8 @ 11

Code Red online

Billabong has release the HD version of its Code Red Tahiti video on YouTube. Amazing quality footage of one of the biggest days surfed at Chopes. Worth spending the 15 minutes watching.

Update

The wind stayed light but onshore and with the low tide the conditions were worse than they looked. The smaller ones looked ride-able but to get anywhere near them you would wear all the sets on the head.

Earlier in the day I had commented to someone that the groyne looked ok if you were doing tow ins. Someone must have heard us because there was a tow crew out this afternoon and finally they were a crew that knew what they were doing. No full speed slingshots or dug rails, these guys towed in at the speed of the wave and were able to take off way outside. This gave them enough speed to beat the sections but not too much to prevent them actually riding the waves.

Some videos for a crappy weekend

I'm posting these Chopes videos because I'm predicting Sunday will be crap and hoping that I jinx myself and the offshores mention in one weather report come true.










Or if you've got a spare three hours view the tow day as streamed live

Dropping

The swell dropped away pretty quickly but there are a few waves locally.

BP Reef and Juniors are popular again but no one seems to want to surf the really good bank on the beachies. There was also the odd on breaking close to the groyne that were empty but ok.

Tow crews seemed to come out every time it is clean. I haven't seen any that actually know what they are doing and today at the groyne was no exception. The driver knew how to drive but chopped up every wave and the surfers didn't have the skills or equipment to deal with the speed, blowing every move and getting smashed.

With my back worse I went to Binningup for a look. I haven't been there for ages despite having some really good days out the back and surfing it regularly a few years ago. No waves today and I was reminded about how frustratingly fickle it could be.

If you haven't got wet yet I is worth taking a look at BP and seeing if you can luck into something.

Tow surfing

Australian Longboard Magazine has highlighted video of what might be the first time tow surfing was undertaken. It was way before jet skis, way before inflatable boats but in the time of the airship !!!

Better

Better than expected this morning. The swell is still hanging around and there are some decent sized sets pounding in. If you're lucky and prepared to take the odd one on the head there are some rideable waves, especially around the surf club. The wind is slightly offshore but bloody cold.

The Bay is a bit wonky and there is just the start of a decent bank at the groyne. There are a couple out at Juniors dodging sets for some of the smaller and cleaner ones.

Two tow crews were out, one at the Bay and one trying their hand off the BP groyne. Neither was being particularly successful but it is a lot harder than it looks.

Swells coming down at the moment but there is more bad weather on the way so another kick could be coming.

Ok-ish

Light onshore, fullish and dirty. But that hasn't stopped some people from going out.

There are a few around the Surf Club and here and there.

A tow crew were trying around Hungry Hollow with little success.

Down south the swell was still around with waves at Rocky Point and the Farm. Colder and wetter there this morning than here.

LAGO Tow Ins

The boat tow crew were back at the Bay this afternoon. The board didn't seem to work right but they were having fun.

The boat driver was a star and drove it like it was someone elses. Jet skis are for wimps !!!!

Click the header and watch the video.

Another Hectic Saturday

Swell dropped a little overnight but there were the odd clean little waves for those who weren't driving down south to collect a board that wasn't finished.

Lunch-time saw the wind start to swing onshore. There was a tow crew at BP, towing behind a boat !!!!!

But my hopes for a LAGO were dashed and it was little and onshore. There were a few groms out in front of the surf club and at the Bay but not getting anything worthwhile.

Decided to keep the wetsuit dry and hope that the 3 degree minimum will keep everyone away from the dawn patrol tomorrow.