Shark bait brew haha

The misty rain has kept conditions nice and smooth this weekend. Unfortunately the heat and humidity has inspired large numbers to dust of the board and head to the beach.

For those looking to get in a peaceful surf, it's often best to leave it until last light and brave the twilight...oh and if you see a fin/dark shadow pass underneath pretend it's a manta ray.

19:30 15/02/2014 C Hole

Ph

Goofin around

Summer takes a toll on surfers.

The relentless onshore winds and weak swell make it difficult to clock up many hours in the surf. Fortunately I've discovered a cure for the onshore blues that allows me to work on my long boarding style.

Its called a goof board. I wish I had one when I started surfing, it really is the closest experience to being out there on a log.

Here's a little vid of me giving it a workout this arvo. Still haven't mastered kicks and hangin' heels yet but give me a few more weeks and I reckon I'll have it.

Goofin Around from Peter Harget on Vimeo.

Another log for the quiver...

I've been hunting around for a few years for something special for the quiver. On my weekly perusal of eBay I found this old treasure and managed to win the auction for under $100!

It's coming all the way from South Australia but it should arrive by the weekend if all goes to plan.

It's not the prettiest looking old mal, but I plan on making this a restoration project to try and get her back to some of her former glory. A bit of elbow grease should get the trashy spray paint and gel coat off.

She measures up at 9'6" x 22" x 3" double stringer, big old rolled belly and original D fin! It's waterproof and ready to surf this autumn. I really can't wait to get this baby in the water, and ultimately when I've got somewhere to work on her, back to original condition.

Might need to start doing some pushups though, I'd say she's a bit heavier than the new logs I've been riding.

Pre Summer Catchup 2013

Just doing some maintenance on my camera and found these snaps of a pre summer catchup with a couple of former beach cottage boys.

We left Newcastle one hot friday arvo in November, arrived in Plomer just before nightfall, set up camp and prayed for swell.

The next day the swell remained small so we had to entertain ourselves around camp (aka 9am beers) until the tide dropped.

At low tide things remained grim. I snagged a few on the point on the log at lunch time but it was pretty feeble. And thats when then rain came....

...By 3 PM everything was drenched and we were huddled together under a tarp next to Swanny's ute. The decision to go home was made around the time Fishy's shelter broke free of its bindings and started cartwheeling towards the ocean. Fortunately for Fish it was snagged by a large bush and didn't end up in the drink. For me, seeing Fishy take of across the camp ground was the highlight of the trip! Those tentative steps at first trying to decide whether or not it was worth salvaging, then the full sprint as it got closer to the water... haha you had to be there I guess.

Even through the surf was pretty ordinary and we got washed out after the first night it was still a memorable trip. The beauty of the national park, our close encounter with a visiting whale and just spending time with good mates made it all worth while.

Pete

New custom...

I've been a bit concerned about the 'Step Deck' and the relentless logging it has been exposed to over the past two and a half years. It's one of those boards that's so good to ride but heartbreaking to see starting deteriorate on the rocks at the Cowrie Hole. I've also jumped on a few really nice logs over the past few months that have really got me stinging for a new experience.

After a bit of research into what's on offer, chatting to a few of the old boys at the c-hole and the looking at a whole bunch different models from different shapers I decided to support local business and utilise the extensive knowledge of Jye Byrnes. I've been looking to get on a board with a pulled in nose and wide hips that might be a bit more suitable for the quick, sucky waves that peel through wide at the Hole. This is what we came up with....

So all I need now is the right conditions to roll in and get some wave time up on the lad, come on Huey!

Ph

The new 'Beach Cottage'

Out with the old...

in with something new.

I don't think it's going to have that same vibe

The thrill of the chase...

I've spent the past five days cruising the mid north coast of NSW searching for surf.
It's all about the thrill of the chase! The search for that all time session that will make its way into your personal folk law.
 But what to do when all Huey dishes up is a miserable 1 foot wind swell??? Chase something else...