Far south coast rivermouths

On the far south coast there is a sandy rivermouth. World class in my opinion. It has a killer current and obscure requirements but is worth the effort :)

 

 

Congo Adventure

Wedgy, messed up mixed swell, crappy banks... empty, thankyou

Fishing Jindabyne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cold Waves of Otaru

While in Japan I had the urge to escape the ski resort. I had heard that a local town Otaru was pretty cool and worth a look. I got up early and jumped on the train. As usual it was dumping snow. The windows were fogged up and there was minimal visibility with the snow storm. And then we came around a corner, the snow cleared and I could see out the window. 6-8ft offshore cold waves. Maybe one day I’ll have an opportunity to get off that train and surf some of the cold powerful waves of northern Japan.

Chicama: The longest wave in the world and hairless dogs

Back in 2006, as a travelling nomad, I made the long journey to northern Peru to surf the longest left hander in the world, Chicama. At the time there wasn't much happening in Chicama itself and it was kind of dangerous for whitey’s, so I stayed in Huanchaco, a village an hour or so south. Huanchaco itself had a pretty nice left hand point break and some cool locals.

Out in the surf I started chatting in my broken Spanish to a local surfer, Juan Carlos. After my surf I went around to Juan Carlos’ house, he had some amazing old boards and was more than happy to let me surf them. He was also the proud owner of a traditional Peruvian hairless dog and puppy. They were pretty scabby looking but I really liked them. Apparently the Incas used them as hot water bottles.

I met some other travellers from Byron Bay and we spent a week surfing and partying. One bar in particular had a bunch of instruments and we spent hours jamming with the locals. I surfed Chicama a couple of times, we scored it big and clean on one occasion. Juan Carlos came with us as our local guide and navigated us through the local public transport network which was pretty intense. He even brought surf dvds to watch on the journey. Such a legend and really appreciated a local fella showing around some poor Australian surf bums.

Our man Huanchaco, Juan Carlos

Juan Carlos' Peruvian hairless dog and some of his quiver

Puppy Peruvian hairless dog

Huanchaco town and lineup, pretty good waves

Traditional Peruvian fishing canoes

Spot the Aussie traveller

Juan Carlos hooked us up with some surf films on the bus to Chicama, rest of the bus weren't as impressed

First look at Chicama, dusty lineup

Its a huge lineup, there are two more points around the corner

The 'end' section

Something about thieves will be burned

Another day Chicama, bigger and lining up nicely

Yew

Some bigger ones off first point

Famous Chicama personality El Hombre, he owns the hostel on the point

Post surf tales and beers

Loving life as a surfing nomad

Waiting

Waiting, is a test; of patience, of character, of creativity, of self reliance.

 

 

Big Red

I'm a sucker for old surfboards. I don't really collect a certain type or brand, its more if something catches my eye. This 6'8 or so red with a yellow single fin caught my eye.