| Left to Right: Joel Fitzgerald, Danny Cruden, Davey Howel (Misfit shaper) and Chris Chong. Danny's surf mates who met together every Thursday night for a Bible study in South Narrabeen. This photo is just before their ocean baptism out behind the Bible study house. |
| Steve Ross (on the left) and his family took Danny in and made sure he experienced every genuine Australian tradition. From Rugby and meat pies, to drop bears and poisonous spiders, they made him feel at home and part of the family. Steve is a surfing legend at North Narrabeen and manages Wicks Surf Shop in Collaroy. Make sure to stop in and buy a "Wave Guide" if you happen to pass through Sydney's Northern Beaches. |
| The Pass at Byron Bay in early March. Rides would last over a 1000 meters, starting out next to the rocks and racing along into the bay. On average you could only ride 4-6 waves each session because the walk back would take so long. On other exposed beaches for this same swell size was pushing over 20 ft and unridable. |
| Joel checking the surf at Superbank (Snapper Rocks) during the Quicksilver WCT opener in March. |
| When the waves went flat, Danny took a trip to check out the Blue Mountains. It's a two hour train ride from Sydney and there are plenty of Youth Hostels (YHA) to stay at for $23 dollars a night. Make sure to visit the Three Sisters (on the left) and go for a horse back ride through the valley. Be advised that Danny's cheesy tourist outfit was frowned upon by most locals. |
| This is an unnamed right hander we stumbled across while camping near Seal Rocks. To get there you just head north and turn right down the long dirt road. At the end of the road you head past the big sand dune, then follow the long deserted beach until you see a point with perfect rights grinding across into a big empty bay. Let's call it Secret Spot! |
| Not a bad find, same spot as above. Just watch for a massive south swell with strong southwest winds. Grab some of your mates and a 4-WD and you are bound to score good surf somewhere. |
| You might recognize this terrain from the movie "The Lord of the Rings". Here we are taking in some sights near Christchurch, New Zealand in January 2006. January is midsummer down there. |
| While touring through the South Island of New Zealand, it's good to stop, look around and realize how small you really are. On the right, Mathan Allington, our fearless leader. |
| The West Coast of New Zealand has more scenery than you can shake a stick at (not to mention year round surf and no crowds). Just don't forget your 4 mil wetsuit, a local guide, and then some more wetsuits. The surf sites are remote, the water is cold, and surf shops are hard to find. The population near this town was approximately 420,000 (sheep not people). |
| This is the hill over looking North Narrabeen to Long Reef. Danny lived in the bottom unit, so he would wake up and check the surf from here each morning. |
| Overlooking Narrabeen, Northy Beach has the most consistent wave in Sydney thanks to a river that pushes sand out next to the rock shelf. If you decide to give this punchy beach break a go, you should also be aware of the powerful right hander that breaks across your face if you look at anyone in the line up or paddle for a wave. You're better off going for a surf at Long Reef (5 minutes south) than dealing with the Narrabeen locals. |
| A full suit is needed through the winter in Sydney, but in the summer the water warms up enough for boardshorts (bring a vest just in case). The water at the Gold Coast (300 miles north) is much warmer but in the winter it can get pretty chilly up there to. |
| The Youth Hostels of Australia are definitely the best way to travel. They average between $22-26 a night and provide free breakfast, constant rides to the beach, and you meet lots of young adults from around the globe. Some places allow you to work and stay for free. The hostels are located in every major town and at most of the well known surf breaks. The whole Aussie culture caters to the surfing lifestyle, so it's very easy to travel from break to break. |
| The Super Bank from the air. On a good northeast swell it can peel for over 2 kilometer. Aside from overcrowded conditions, it is easily one of the best right hand barrels in the world. But it doesn't go off every day. Like any where else, it can go flat for weeks. |
| Looking Back: Overall, living in Australia was great experience. The people I met along the way have become great friends and form the memories I will take home with me. If you live in America, OZ is by no means the "ultimate surf destination". There can be lengthy flat spells and over crowded waves. However, as you travel three hours North or South of Sydney there are endless beaches with clear water and hardly anyone around. If you're planning to go there some day, try and give yourself at least 3-6 weeks. The country is a lot bigger than you think. I recommend stopping in New Zealand for at least 10 days, it won't change your airfare and it's well worth it. Try not to make comparisons as you travel, just take in the culture. Don't use words like "wrong", use words like "different" (For example: "They drive on a DIFFERENT side of the road" not "They drive on the WRONG side of the road") or you will come across as arrogant. Most importantly: ALWAYS LET THE AUSSIES TELL THE BIGGEST STORIES!!! |
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