Smorgasboarder_22-Easter2014-s

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE SURFBOARDS FEATURED IN THIS EDITION! * GEAR TESTS * WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU
F R E E S U R F M A G A Z I N E
VISIT THE HAPPIEST SURF TOWN
PLUS:
NZ SNOW & SURF * UNCHARTED WATERS
SURF PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAY & NIGHT... & MORE

SURFBOARDS

CUSTOM SURFBOARD SPECIALISTS
20% OFF ANY WETSUIT
PURCHASE WITH EVERY
BOARD ORDERED
(03) 5952 2578
Surfer: Sandy Ryan
Photo: Andy Chisholm

Caiden Fowler
Skeeta Derham
DOUBLES
&
TRIPLES
SLIMLINE DOUBLE / TRIPLE
Design tested for boat trips and
OS air travel - this cover has been
the standard for years.
- Full 10mm protection.
- Double compresion straps.
- Internal Foam Dividers. The Triple
includes a single day bag as a divider.
- internal fin pockets.
- Rear pop-up to cater for 1 fixed fin board
- Full length zips.
- Double air vents.
- You may even get 1 extra board in.

Skeeta Derham: Team

THE PERFORMER
The best of both worlds - a recycled EPS foam
core and 2-3mm balsawood skin. With a weight of
only 7kg and an emphasis on manoeuvrability and
maximum speed, the Performer is designed and
shaped for today’s high performance longboarding.
The Performer comes with a single box fin and two
smaller stabiliser fins. Custom orders are welcome.
Specifications
Length: 9’0’’ - 9’4’’
Width: 22 ¼’’ - 23’
Thickness: 2 ½’’ - 3’’’
Weight: 7kg
Construction: foam core
modern longboard
Stringer: Triple, 30mm
apart
Bottom: Vee
Tail: Rounded square
Rails: Nose - 70/30
Centre - 80/20
Tail - 90/10
ALSO
AVAILABLE
• Clear board grip tape
• Timber fins
• Surfboards
• Blanks
• Raw balsa/ cedar
• Fin boxes
• DIY board kits
• Instructional DVDs
• Board racks
• Tide clocks
SHIPPING ANYWHERE,
INCLUDING NZ

HANDCRAFTED IN AUSTRALIA
Riley Balsawood Surfboards are made using renewable resource balsa and recycled polystyrene for performance, durability, beauty and lower environmental impact
Call 0412 376 464
or Email mark@riley.com.au
www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au
Australian Environmentally-friendly handcrafted surfboards for the
individual in all of us, with a guarantee. Enjoy Responsibly

FOREWORD
MORNINGS CHILLIER? WARM UP WITH AWESOME COFFEE...
Great coffee, roasted daily in Volcom Lane, Raglan New Zealand! WWW.RAGLANROAST.CO.NZ

SMILE
Nothing too deep, nothing too convoluted... SMILE. That’s it. Plain and simple. That’s our entire, singular thought for this
edition, the one and only message for the next two months. SMILE FOR YOURSELF: The physical movement of the muscles
sends signals to your brain that you must be happy and that actually makes you feel happier. It’s true. People clevererer than
us have researched it. SMILE FOR OTHERS: It makes them feel happier. You don’t need a researcher to tell you that. Next
time you paddle out, smile at the other surfers. You might just make a new friend. Or if they think you’re a weirdo and paddle
far away from you, you get the wave all to yourself. It’s win-win, really. You’ll be happier.
If each of us can crack a smile and make one person happier each day, including ourselves,
just think how many more of us will be grinning by the time the next edition rolls around.
Cheers!
the Smorgasboarders
THIS PHOTO... A road trip around NZ with boards is not just about surfi ng. Join Jase Johns and Nath Renfree
of NZ Shred in Queenstown as their Sunny Coast guests brave snow, surf and more in the South. Page 60.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 9

22
SHOT AT NIGHT
Why bother sleeping
when you can surf
and take photos?
INSIDE
26
36
ROAD TALES
Take a trip with Dave
as he travels the
eastern coastline.
ANDY’S PICS
Cool Phillip Island
surf photography on a
shoestring
PAGE 114
THE SHRINE
Holy surf experience, Batman
46
UNCHARTED
The story behind the
making of the Wayne
Lynch movie
56
ART OF METAL
When surfers create,
they create. Check out
Joe Stark’s sculpture
60
100
NZ TRIPPING
Sunny coast boys hit
the surf and snow all
in the same holiday
MORE BOARDS
Shaper Mark Pridmore
shares a few of his
special surfboards
PAGE 36
FRUGAL PHOTOS
Surf snaps on a budget? Andy Biddington
makes the most of well-priced gear
THE USUAL BITS
THE LATEST
14 News
18 And Greatest
GEAR
110 Test everything
CLOSEOUT
118 Film, Music and Books
121 Columns
122 Socials
130 Aloha Barry
PAGE 68
THE HAPPY PLACE
Join us for a visit to Coffs Harbour

DETAILS & STUFF
WHERE TO PICK SMORGASBOARDER UP
Grab it FREE at quality surf stores, shapers and cool cafés on the
coast of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia,
Tasmania, Western Australia and New Zealand... And online.
SUBSCRIBE
If you can’t get to a store to pick the mag up in person, you
can also choose to have SMORGASBOARDER delivered to
your door. Sign up at www.smorgasboarder.com.au. It’ll
arrive every two months. Back issues are available for $5.
$21 AUS & NZ - 1 YEAR - SIX EDITIONS.
COVER SHOT
Brett Caller - “the most stoked, infectious surfer I know
and so well loved by all on the Coffs Coast” according to
photographer Tom Woods - is a shining example of the
happy vibe of surfi ng around Coffs. For more, see page 68.
BEST NON-DAILY PUBLICATION
QUEENSLAND MULTIMEDIA AWARDS 2013
THE SMORGASBOARDERS
STUFF, THINGS & ADVERTISING
Dave Swan dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 0401 345 201
NEW ZEALAND THINGS
‘Jiff’ Morris jeff@smorgasboarder.co.nz +64 (0)220 943 913
STUFF & DESIGN
Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 0400 875 884
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN THINGS
James Ellis james@smorgasboarder.com.au 0410 175 552
STUFF, ACCOUNTS & EVERYTHING ELSE
Louise Gough louise@smorgasboarder.com.au
GEAR TESTS, MUSIC REVIEWS & OTHER THINGS
Angus Brown gus@smorgasboarder.com.au
CONTRIBUTIONS
This is YOUR mag. It’s here for you to tell your stories, show
your pictures and share your thoughts - and score some free
stuff on the way too, to boot.
Ideas & submissions: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au.
Or by mail: PO Box 501, Moffat Beach QLD 4551
There’s only a few of us, so please be patient when you get
in touch - we’ll try our best to get back to you as soon as
humanly possible. Get in touch to discuss any ideas you’d
like to be considered for a future edition or online.
WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU
smorgasboarder is published by Huge C Media Pty Ltd
ABN 30944673055. All information is correct at time of going to press.
The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in articles or
advertisements, or unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations.
The opinions and words of the authors do not necessarily represent those
of the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly
prohibited without prior permission.
The paper used for
the text section of
this magazine is
from sustainability
managed forests
and controlled
sources.
We print with Inprint Pty Ltd
an ISO 14001 environmentally
certified and committed printer
whose business is founded upon
the principles of minimizing
waste and maximizing recycling.
Nice work

THIS IS THE
NEWS
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE LOCAL SURFING COMMUNITY
editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au
facebook.com/smorgasboarder
twitter.com/smorgasboarder
EVERYTHING S.U.P.
Lessons, Hire, Sales New/Used, Accessories & Apparel
Todd Mingramm Photo: Greg McCarthy
www.cronullasup.com.au
Shop 3, 13-15 Kingsway, Cronulla PHONE: 9544 2293 MOBILE: 0400 085 823
A re-enactment
of the terror, by Mike
SAVAGE
ATTACK!
In a terrifying turn of events, Mike Porter from Sandy Feet Surf Co. in
Port Macquarie was recently viciously attacked whilst snapping some
surf shots on dusk. The shark was apparently a fierce Wobbegong,
which have regularly been referred to by many surfers as a large
guppy with tiny teeth. The shocking event saw the Sandy Feet Surf Co.
Facebook page fl ooded with sympathetic messages of support, like the
classic movie poster parody by mate Justin McKinnon (above). Good to
hear the nibble wound has healed Mike.
A COUPLE
WITH CARSE
On a happy note we wish to
congratulate Graham and
Gaby Carse of Quarry Beach
Surfboards in Dunedin on
recently tying the knot. Well
done you two - here’s to many
happy years to come.
HAPPY
BUNDLE
Congratulations as well to
Eddie Wearne and Claire
Denison of Shed Nine surf shop
in Rye on Victoria’s Mornington
Peninsula on the birth of their
beautiful baby girl Chloe earlier
this year.
GOT NEWS?
Send it in. Upcoming events, charity
happenings, interesting stories, email to:
editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au
14
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Photo: Tree to Sea
LOGGER HEADS
This year the Logger Heads Malibu Club
celebrate their 30th Anniversary in a 4-day
event at Scotts Head, starting Thurs 17 July.
All are welcome, from under 18 Juniors,
Open & Senior Ladies, Open Mens , Over
30, 45,50,55,60 through to over 65 years
Grand Old Legends and Granny Gidgets and
there are separate divisions for Old Mal and
Logging. In addition there’s the “Mystery”
event and Sponsors round.
There’s giveaways, competitor board draws
and raffl es at the Bowling & Recreation Club
each night with live music on Saturday night.
Entry at www.australianlongboarding.com
PAIPO WORKSHOPS
With plenty of interest coming from schools
wishing to add either a wooden surfboard
or Paipo (traditional Hawaiian wooden
bodyboards) building workshop to their
curriculum, Tree to Sea now have a 1-day
Paipo course to complement their existing
3-day wooden surfboard building workshops.
Over the last couple of months the boys at
Tree to Sea have been developing a selection
of Paipos, shaped from solid Paulownia
timber, using only a small handheld plane
and a sanding block. Once sealed, it’s ready
to surf. It’s a great introduction for those
wanting to build a wooden surfcraft.
Tree to Sea are also responding to requests
to build Alaias in a 1-day workshop as well,
watch for more info in Smorgasboarder.
www.treetosea.com.au
DEEPEST SYMPATHY
Our sincere condolences to the Munday
family, whose son Harrison passed away
earlier this year. We wrote of Harrison’s fi ght
against Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone
cancer, and a SUP trip that had been run
along a 300km stretch of the Waikato River
to raise much needed funds for the Mundays
in our Christmas edition. RIP Harrison.
A LEGEND IS LOST
We were also saddened to hear of the
passing of Hobie Alter, a surfing and sailing
innovator, on March 29 th . Hobie was known
to many as the Henry Ford of the surfboard
industry and is widely recognised for his
development of the Hobie Cat, which brought
high-performance sailing to the masses.
BROULEE PADDLE OUT
Surfers organised a paddle out at South
Broulee Beach on Saturday morning March
14 th to pay tribute to local surfi ng legend
Dean “Deano” Cristallo who tragically died
in a car accident. Dean was considered
a legend amongst surfi ng circles along
the whole east coast, entering many
competitions, even making the Australian
over 35s longboard championship fi nals.
SERENDIPITOUS
REWARDS
Australian surf documentary Serendipity
has made a clean sweep winning all of the
awards at the 2014 Surfworld International
Surf Film Festival in Torquay - Best Surf Film,
Best Cinematography and Peter Troy ‘Spirit
of Surfi ng’ Award. It adds to the awards the
fi lm has already won worldwide including
best documentary in Brazil, New Zealand,
Hawaii and an honourable mention in
Portugal.
Serendipity tells the story of Australian
surfer Tony Hussein Hinde who found his
own personal nirvana when he discovered
surf on the Maldives in the seventies. Our
congratulations go to Melbourne fi lmmaker
Simon Lamb.
Power Base Fins & Boxes - Completely Integrated
MORE POWER
MORE CONTROL
OWEN WRIGHT
Chooses DXL CERAMIC C4 with Power Base Boxes
www.powerbasefins.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 15
02 4323 4818

LATEST: NEWS
WHAT ’ S HAPPENING ONLINE
SO MANY
SURFBOARDS
We’re obviously obsessed with
surfboards. That’s why there’s
always an inspiring selection of
new surfboard designs in every
edition (see page 102 for more)
for you to drool over. Finally, the
obsession has a home online too!
Browse countless surfboards from
hundreds of independent, local
shapers to find your perfect board!
“IF BATMAN SURFED, THIS
WOULD BE HIS BOARD”
Simon Sheppard, Facebook.com/smorgasboarder
comment on the Mako Surfboards F1 design
WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU
www.smorgasboarder.com.au/index.php/surfboards
HIGHLIGHTS FROM FACEBOOK
The SMORGASBOARDER roadtrip was a
long one this past edition, all captured in
iPhone photo glory, from the South
Australian Border all the way to the
Sunshine Coast with updates all
the way... It’s kinda like having
you along for the trip! Like
www.facebook.com/
smorgasboarder.
HANDCRAFTED FILM
People’s Choice award winner at the Florida Surf Film
Festival, Handcrafted is a short fi lm by Mick Soiza that takes
a candid look behind the scenes at Thomas Surfboards.
www.smorgasboarder.com.au/index.php/latest/item/612-a-few-minutes-with-thomas-bexon
Dave Porter of Treehouse
showed Dave his flax-cloth
asymmetrical. Cool...
LEFT: Longboard by Mark
Rabbidge, and HP Shortboard
by Ringa of Island Surfboards
RANDOM
ACTS OF
COOLNESS
Two of our favourite
posts recently: Insane
skimboarding action
from Newport Beach
(top), and the home
board building project by
the Woods family (right).
www.smorgasboarder.com.au/index.php/latest/item/607-surfing-amazing-shore-breaks-on-skimboards
Joe Woods, photo by Tom
Woods, ST Surf Images
www.smorgasboarder.com.au/index.php/latest/item/609-making-a-mini-simmons
16 SMORGASBOARDER
| EASTER 2014

Tolhurst/Ingleby
SURFMOBILES
How excited did you guys and girls
get when Louise - our lady of offi ce
things - shared this cool surfmobile
she came across at the Post Offi ce?
Here are some of the pics you
shared on Facebook in reply...
LEFT: Working on the car, 1978, Leonie
Tantau. ABOVE: James McCormick’s
sweet ride. BELOW: Dani and Dave from
CtrlV travel in style.
HIHPs
L: 9’0
W: 22 1/2”
TH: 2 11/16”
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA
www.surftechaustralia.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 17
02 4226 1322

NZ MOVIE PARADISE
The multi award winning fi lm “Last Paradise” from NZ is coming to the
big screen in Australia. This is the story of how a few surfers changed
the world through the spirit of innovation. From pioneering adventure
travel to the world’s biggest scientifi c project.
“Surfers were the fi rst hardcore
travellers, unveiling paradises
in the ‘70s which few people
ever witnessed. In 45 years of
unseen classic footage we are
awakened just how the world
used to be, through the eyes
of great adrenalin seekers like
Allan Byrne.
“It’s unheard of for a surf fi lm to be grabbed by National Geographic and
acclaimed university professors but Last Paradise is totally out of the
bag - a must see. With a fascinating story and epic footage it’s destined
to be a timeless classic.”
Movie trailer and cinema bookings at www.lastparadisefi lm.com
IT’S ALL GONE TO THE DOGS
Dave Porter of Treehouse Landscapes and Handshapes said this
one almost killed him. At 10’6” it was nearly twice his size. 100%
handshaped EPS with carbon stringers and fully laminated in Australian
Hoop Pine with Red Cedar tail and nose detail. Nick Roseby D+M and
Angie Settecasse did the timber inlay artwork. The board’s a wedding
gift from a wife to her husband but it looks like their pooch ‘Marlo’ gets
the most attention. www.treehouseshapes.com.au
18
SMORGASBOARDER
| EASTER 2014

LATEST &
GREATEST
Rusty
Chicama
DONDA
ES LA OLA?
I think I just said, “Where
are the waves?” in
Spanish but really have
no idea. So if you are
planning a trip to Mundaka
in Spain, Chicama in
Peru or perhaps Puerto
Escondido in Mexico,
and don’t wish to say,
“Your mother looks like
a donkey” we suggest
you get this new book,
Spanish for Travellers.
It’s written by Lourdes
Flores who has been
teaching Spanish to
Aussies for 15 years.
Lourdes knows what
travellers want and
need to learn to survive
their next surf trip. It’s a
combination of textbook
and phrase book without
being overly complex.
Best of all it is small, light
and comes with a CD to
practise pronunciation. Oh,
and Lourdes happens to be
the wife of Mark Riley so
if she can teach him, she
can teach anyone.
SMALL RUN
T-SHIRTS
Mike Porter from Sandy
Feet Surf Co. has recently
started a t-shirt printing
service ideal for customers
after small quantities. No
minimum orders, no set-up
fees, quick top-ups and
good prices. Design your
own. Here’s some of Mike’s.
mike@sandyfeet.com.au
www.sandyfeetsurf.com.au
MORE SHIRTS
DEFIANCE
Long Reef Surf have just
released a new range of
skateboards under the
name Defiance, including
this take on a selfpropelled
board called the
Street Shredder. See the
reviews on page 113 and
for more information see
www.longreefsurf.com.au
PADDLE POWER
Check out these amazing
new SUP paddles at
www.sgpaddleboards.co.nz,
made by Shane Goodwin
in Christchurch.
DOZER
5’8/19.25/2.31
5’10/19.56/2.37
6’0/19.81/2.5
6’2/20.06/2.62
6’4/20.31/2.69
GTR
5’10/18.46/2.32
6’0/18.78/2.48
6’2/19.01/2.5
6’4/19.25/2.6
Simon
DK
5’10/19.92/2.38
6’0/20.25/2.6
6’2/20.59/2.6
6’4/20.5/2.6
6’6/20.5/2.65
XFC
6’0/18.38/2.25
6’1/18.63/2.31
6’2/18.75/2.38
6’3/19/2.44
www.vividpublishing.com.au/
spanishfortravellers
Cool new Beck Surfboards
tees, in a box... only $25
beckboards@gmail.com
C O N T R O L S Y S T E M
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA
www.surftechaustralia.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 19
02 4226 1322

READER: PHOTOS
SEND YOUR SHOTS!
Submit your own surf shots, see them in print and on the
Smorgasboarder website, plus score some free stuff for the effort!
Email letters@smorgasboarder.com.au or visit www.smorgasboarder.com.au
20
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

WIN!
To celebrate the release of
Uncharted Waters - The
Personal History of Wayne
Lynch on DVD, the fi ne folk at
Madman Entertainment have
put up three super-cool prize
packs including a copy of the
DVD along with a Patagonia
Yerba backpack and trucker cap.
All you need to do is send us a
photo of your favourite Wayne
Lynch surfi ng impression!
Yeah, we can’t surf like the man
either, but hey, send us your best
attempt! We can but try...
The fi rst pack goes to Shane
Griffi ths of Pottsville, NSW for
this Wayne-esque shot of surfer
James Tate.
For more insight into the movie,
read what director Craig Griffi in
has to say on page 46.
www.unchartedwaters.com.au
SUMMER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 21

WA’s Matt Gryta spends a relaxing evening at home. Photo: Chris Wing, Liquid Motion Photography
LATEST:LENSPERSON
22
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

ONE dark, windy night, way over in the wild
West, this photo was taken by a photographer
weirdly comfortable with dangling himself in
pitch black water.
We fi nd out a bit more about Chris, who shoots
under the name of Liquid Motion Photography.
WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN
SHOT
IN
THE DARK
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
NAME: Chris Wing
AGE: 32
HOMETOWN: Perth, WA
HOME BREAK: Anywhere in
the North West or South West of
Western Australia
OCCUPATION: Plumber
WHY SURF PHOTOGRAPHY?
Surfi ng is an amazing thing - it’s the closest thing to
walking on water. To be able to capture surfers, living
and loving the moment gives me the greatest sense of
pleasure.
WHY NIGHT SURFING?
When the lights go out, the magic happens. The crowds
and the hordes disappear. It’s just you and your subject -
a black canvas waiting to be lit up.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 23

LATEST:LENSPERSON
A pretty flash hobby to have. Photos: Chris Wing, Liquid Motion Photography
“WHEN
THE LIGHTS
GO OUT,
THE MAGIC
HAPPENS.”
24
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

TALK US THROUGH THE SHOOT…
WHAT GEAR DID YOU USE, DID YOU MAKE
ANY SPECIAL PREPARATIONS, WHAT WAS
THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT?
I use the Canon 1D Mark III in a SPL Housing
with a Tokina 10-17
fi sheye lens. It’s a pretty old
camera now, however it’s my baby and I know
her really well - she’s my workhorse. I made up
a flash housing out of a PVC pipe, which I hold
in one hand and the camera housing in the other
hand. It’s hard swimming, but I’m able to direct
the flash where I want it to go. The hardest part
is making sure you’re in the right position to shoot
the surfer, especially when you’re battling the
current to stay in one place where the action is
going to happen.
Byron...
Finally a beer as good as the surf
THE SURFER, MATT GRYTA: WHAT WAS HIS
TAKE ON IT? IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE’S A FEW
MORE LINING UP TO DO A NIGHT-SHOOT?
This particular night, I thought the wind would
shift offshore, but it didn’t and the south-westerly
blew its hardest, making the sweep impossible to
stay in the right place. After a few walks back to
the groyne I managed to line Matty up and get the
shot. We’ve been shooting together for a while
now, so I kind of know his style, which makes it
easier to work with him. I’ve had a few people
interested in a night shoot which is great - you
never know what you are going to get. You plan it
all in your head, and as soon as you get into the
rhythm, everything changes.
SENSITIVE ISSUE, SHARKS, ESPECIALLY
OVER YOUR SIDE OF THE COUNTRY…
DANGLING AROUND IN THE WATER IN THE
DARK, IS IT SOMETHING YOU THINK ABOUT
AT ALL?
Sharks scare the sh*t out of me... It’s always in
the back of my head, but unfortunately it comes
with the territory and they’ve become part of the
thrill. You just hope your time’s not up. But at the
end of the day, you could apply that to a lot of
things in life - you could easily have a car crash or
get hit by a bus on your way to work.
FUTURE IDEAS AND PLANS FOR
PHOTOGRAPHY?
To do as many photographs as I can before my
time is up in this wonderful world, and to give and
share the stoke as much as I can.
FOR MORE of Chris’ awesome shots (in the
daytime too) check out his Facebook page, under
Liquid Motion Photography. If you’re over in West
Oz and up for a shoot, hit him up, he’s always
keen. You can also buy Chris’ work on Red Bubble
www.redbubble.com/people/liquidmotion
www.byronbaybrewery.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 25

RANDOM ROAD TALES
“19 DAYS ON
THE ROAD, OVER
7,000KMS TRAVELLED.
EXHAUSTING BUT SO
MUCH FUN”
PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE
ABOVE: Port Fairy frosty;
Sam Egan - a legend of the
Newcastle surf industry,
Rabbidge Pacemaker ready for a
workout. Those boxes can wait;
Metal surf guy at Islantis on
Phillip Island; the classic Skipp
surfboards decal; Peter Sheely
and a very big board. LEFT:
Sunrise at Mallacoota. RIGHT:
A welcome home gift after a
few weeks on the road - the surf
at Moffat Beach was on.
26
| EASTER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

RANDOM
TALES FROM
THE ROAD
“On the road again,
Just can’t wait to get on the road again,
With no more broken bones to hold me back,
I’m back on track and I’m on the road again...“
WORDS & PHOTOS: DAVE SWAN
HAVING been confined to
an offi ce for the second half of
last year due to the forsaken
curse cast upon me by the gods
of clumsiness, I was finally
back on the road again, and I
was stoked.
I loaded up the van choc-ablock
with Smorgasboarders,
skateboard, sleeping mattress
and Little Pinky – the perfect
travel board standing at a mere
4’11”. Hey, any bigger and I
lose valuable sleeping space.
The plan was to head straight
for the SA border and work my
way back home to the Sunny
Coast, delivering mags and
catching up with all manner
of good people we have come
to know.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 27

PHOTO BY WALTER JOHNSON
IT'S ALL
ABOUT THE
BEACH
BRAND NEW
BLACK APACHE
SURFBOARDS
IN STOCK NOW
6 LORRAINE AVE, MARCOOLA BEACH QLD (07) 5448 8560
SURFBOARDS • SURF ART • SHELLS • DRIFTWOOD THINGS • CHENILLE SHORTS • RETRO SUNNIES
THONGS • TOWELS • UMBRELLAS • HAMMOCKS • GIFTS • GOPRO CAMERAS... AND SO MUCH MORE
STOCKING QUALITY AUSTRALIAN-MADE SURFBOARDS BY TOM WEGENER, BUSHRAT, HIGH TIDE, BLACK APACHE & SAS

RANDOM ROAD TALES
ABOVE: The long inland trip South, and Bendigo by
night. THIS PHOTO: First sight of the Ocean, Cape
Bridgewater. BELOW: Pizza Pizza
at Lorne for really
good pizza. Top right: Lorne Point late arvo session.
THE OPEN ROAD
was calling, and I love
driving, so it was straight
down the guts along the
Newell towards Bendigo -
a beautiful old city, far too
far away from the coast.
My fi rst sight of salt water
was Cape Bridgewater -
deserted, a little full but
always inviting, if not
downright sharky.
name when a man named
Pat Quirk visited wearing a
Gath helmet.
Later that day, further
north at Warrnambool, it
was time for a few quick
sliders before the sun
went down fi nishing with
a cleanser at the Beach
House above the Surf
Lifesaving Club – what a
classic spot.
Further north I called in at
Skenes Creek to see one
of my favourite shapers,
Jordie Brown of Hightide
Surfboards but alas he
wasn’t there so that made
time for a quick surf at
Wye River, followed by
a cheeky beer at the
World’s best pub, the
Wye Beach Hotel.
All my limbs in place, a
coffee at the Bridgewater
Bay Café and it was
on to Portland and Port
Fairy, quite possibly my
favourite seaside town on
the whole east coast. Big
call I here you say. This
place is stunning and the
surf is always on. There is
something about the frosty
water, big bull kelp and
what’s possibly swimming
around you that really
gets the heart pumping.
Apparently the town got its
The next day it was a
drive along the Great
Ocean Road past the
Bay of Martyrs, Twelve
Apostles (only 8 left
now)… Ahh such a
terrible work environment.
I never get tired of driving
this stretch although
there were no real photo
opportunities this time
around, with quite a
misty morning hiding
the sizeable swells that
constantly bombard the
Shipwreck Coast.
Then one more slider to
top off the day at Lorne
before chowing down on
possibly the best pizza on
the East Coast.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 29

RANDOM ROAD TALES
“I HAD A FAIR APPRENTICESHIP AS A
GLASSER BEFORE I GAVE SHAPING A GO -
40 YEARS.” Rousa
THE LAST FEW days had
been fun. A few deliveries, a chat,
a surf, a few more deliveries,
maybe another surf followed by a
beer at the end of the day. Now it
was down to business - not that
interviewing some of Australia’s
most talented shapers is much of
a hard slog anyway.
ROUSA. What an amazing
character this man is. Funny as
hell, and so many tales - too
many for just this small space so
stay tuned. For now, just take in
the variety and creativity in his
shapes.
Rousa and a few of his boards
JOSH DOWLING. How
this guy is not rich and famous is
beyond me. His boards are insane.
With all due respect to Firewire,
anyone considering getting one
should look at what this guy is
doing. The original and the best in
my humble opinion and all custom
made. Not only that, just look at
the detail on the board!
NICK McATEER. First
time I met Nick, and what a nice
bloke. Nick’s been hand shaping
25 years and does everything from
grom boards through to logs, quad
fi ns, retros, guns, single fi ns and
they are all so well priced.
GREG BROWN. Probably
one of the most respected surfer/
shapers in Victoria and the most
experienced still living on the
Surf Coast. Greg fi rst learnt to
shape under Kym Thompson and
Maurice Cole at Watercooled.
Josh Dowling
Nick McAteer
Greg Brown
30
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

the surfing solution...
A Carver Surf Rack gets your
surfboard to the beach in style!
Fits Larger Boards
Great for mopeds and scooters
Tig Welded 6061 Alloy
No Rust
Visit us at...
16 Rene Street, Noosaville Qld 4566 Phone: 07 5455 5249
www.scooterstyle.com.au
Image for illustration purposes only
$199.95
Free freight
anywhere in
Australia
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 31

PHOTO: CHAR
Great surfing spots
Melanesian hospitality
FOR MORE INFORMATION & RESERVATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR REGISTERED SURF TRAVEL AGENTS:
AUSTRALIA & USA WORLD SURFARIS
pty ltd
PO Box 180, Mooloolaba
QLD 4558, Australia
phone. (617) 5444 4011
fax. (617) 5444 4911
free call. 1800611 163 (Australia Only)
email. info@worldsurfaris.com
web. www.worldsurfaris.com
DOLPHIN ENTERPRISES LTD
phone. +675 325 6500
email. craig@mvgoldendawn.com
web. www.mvgoldendawn.com
NUSA ISLAND RETREAT, NEW IRELAND PROVINCE
email. nir@global.net.pg
web. www.nusaislandretreat.com.pg
PNG FRONTIER SURFARIS, NEW IRELAND PROVINCE
email. pngsurfaris@global.net.pg
web. www.pngsurfaris.com
PNG JAPAN LIMITED (JAPAN)
phone. (675) 323 1321 / 323 2103
fax. (675) 327 1828
email. pngjapan.pom001@gmail.com
web. www.png-japan.co.jp
NO LIMIT ADVENTURES ltd (EUROPE)
phone. +61 7 40 533 882
fax. +61 437 933 381
email. info@nolimitadventures.com.au
web. www.nolimitadventures.com.au
REGISTERED LAND AND SEA BASED OPERATORS:
Uncrowded world class waves
SAPNG endorsed unique surf area management plans
THE PERFECT WAVE CO. pty ltd
Suite 38/42 - 46 Wattie Rd
Brookvale, NSW Australia
phone. 1300 00 Wave
phone. +61 2 9939 0809
fax. +61 2 9939 8390
email. info@theperfectwave.com.au
web. wwwtheperfectwave.com.au
TUPIRA SURF CLUB, ULINGAN BAY MADANG PROVINCE
email. tupira.surfpng@gmail.com
web. www.tupirasurfclub.com
MELANESIAN ADVENTURE TOURS LTD
email. adventurespng@datec.net.pg
web. www.melanesianadventures.com.pg
PNG HOLIDAYS
321 Sheridan Street, Cairns Nth,
QLD 4870, Australia
phone. 1300 36 88 553
phone. (+617) 4080 4080
fax. +61 (0)7 4080 4077
email. adventures@pngholidays.
com.au
web. www.pngholidays.com.au
RUBIO PLANTATION RETREAT, NEW GUINEA ECO TOURS LTD,
NEW IRELAND PROVINCE
email. shaneclark@newirelandsurf.com
web. www.newirelandsurf.com
VANIMO SURF LODGE LTD – VANIMO , SANDAUN PROVINCE
web. www.vanimosurflodge.com
facebook. www.facebook/vanimosurflodge
Empowering 32 SMORGASBOARDER
Communities Since | EASTER 1989 2014

MELBOURNE TO PHILLIP
ISLAND, ‘THE FEELGOOD
RUN’...
Visiting the folks around these parts is like
catching up with good friends and family. And
for those who think I’m Victorian, I’m not.
There’s just plenty of good, salt-of-the-earth
people down here with no pretences who
make you feel at home.
From Zak to the Oke Family, the boys at Tree
to Sea and all the folks at Phillip Island, I
just love this neck of the woods. I even got
to catch up over a few Coopers at the old
Panhandle in Cowes with our good mate Curl.
That’s right, the tiny guy to my right creates
our cartoon each edition. We hope you like
it or we’ll get Darren to pay you a visit. And
no, I am not a stunt double for Bilbo Baggins
in the Hobbit. I’m actually 6’ and that makes
Curl very, very tall.
RANDOM ROAD TALES
TOP LEFT: Rory Oke - a great
bloke and great shaper.
MIDDLE: More classic Island
Surfboards logo work and a
driftwood horse - insane.
ABOVE: Darren and Rob at Tree
to Sea. FAR LEFT: Scott at the
Islantis Surf Experience LEFT:
Me and Curl enjoying a beer.
“NO, I’M NOT A
STUNT DOUBLE FOR
BILBO BAGGINS”
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 33

RANDOM ROAD TALES
“THE SOUTH COAST OF NSW. SOME OF
AUSTRALIA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE.”
ABOVE LEFT: Jed’s shed. Actually not
his shed shed.. it’s his house.
ABOVE: THAT board. Damn you
Bushrat. LEFT: Pambula Beach. What a
way to start the day.
NOW I ADMIT I do have a
board problem. Everything is cool,
I am happy to come clean. I’ll tear
out this page before my wife reads
this mag anyhow...
So, I’m having a good day. I
wake at Mallacoota to the most
unbelievable sunrise - this place
is another ‘must visit’ on the
Victorian/NSW border.
I head towards Pambula, another
awesome spot, drop a few boxes
of mags with Lyndell at Pambula
Wholefoods, have a quick little
surf at Pambula, grab a coffee and
some breaky from the café at the
holiday park (a cracking place to
stay) and set off for Merimbula and
to Jed Done of Bushrat Surfboards’
house. It has been forever since
we caught up and it’s really good
to see Jed again. I ask him what
he’s been up to of late and then he
pulls THAT board out. Why? Ever
since then I’ve been having guilty,
pleasurable thoughts about that
fl extail...
Did I purchase it? Stay tuned
for next edition...
34
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 35

LATEST:LENSPERSON
FRAMEWORK
ABOVE: Danno Laing shoots by Andy... RIGHT: Surfers or no surfers. Andy loves empties.
36
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

FRAMEWORK
FRAMEWORK
ANDY BIDDINGTON takes photos, but he’s not the norm when
it comes to surf photographers... Shunning thousands of dollars of
gear, he opts for a simple approach, hopping into the cold water
around PHILLIP ISLAND in Victoria with a couple of GoPro cameras
on either end of a stick. And he makes it work.
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 37

MAIN: The expression on Phillip Island local surfer Steve Demos’ face says it all
LATEST:LENSPERSON
38
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

RIGHT: Did we
mention Andy
loves empties?
FRAMEWORK
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 39

LATEST:LENSPERSON
“I CAN GET
INCREDIBLY CLOSE
TO THE ACTION. I
GET A FRONT ROW
SEAT TO SOME
PRETTY AWESOME
SURFING.”
ABOVE: Simon McShane
well inside a barrel you
wish you were in.
40
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

ANDY’S GEAR SETUP... GoPros on a stick. The GoPro’s 30-burst
image capture has a 10-second processing speed. Because Andy doesn’t want
to miss a second of the action, he snaps off one 30-shot sequence in the barrel,
then flips his rig around to use the other GoPro while the first camera processes
the burst. It also enables Andy to face the cameras in opposite directions as
well. And boy, does he wear a whole lot of rubber...
Out-of-the-ordinary, committed,
passionate, respectful
and humble, Phillip Island
photographer Andy Biddington
also snaps a decent shot. We
recently put him in the frame to
discuss his passion and found
him as fascinating as his aweinspiring,
in-water photography.
To give you an insight as to
why we feel this way, here’s
a rundown on Andy, his work,
his passion and the personal
attributes that make him such a
unique individual.
OUT-OF-THE-
ORDINARY
Four years into an Applied
Chemistry degree in Melbourne
with the view to becoming a
food scientist, Andy had one-tomany
trips to Indo and became
distracted. Surfi ng was now all he
wanted to do. He moved to Phillip
Island, a surf mecca a couple of
hours south-east of Melbourne,
and worked in restaurants to fund
his new found lifestyle. In time
Andy came to meet guys like Paul
Hart, Greg Walker and Greg Wild
who introduced him to the world
of making surfboards. Pretty soon
he was helping out with ding
repairs, glassing, sanding and
polishing.
Andy’s newfound skills saw him
land a job with Russell Francis
at Full Circle Surfboards at
Woolamai on Phillip Island. He
worked there for several years
before moving across to work
with the crew at Islantis, another
notable surfboard manufacturer
on the Island. Andy worked
alongside Laurie Thompson and
‘Grem’ (Geoff Garrett) for the next
fourteen years. In 2008 he joined
“the family” at Island Surfboards
where Andy still is today.
“I really feel privileged to have
worked with so many talented
people who I have learnt so much
from. I have to pinch myself
sometimes. I have worked for the
‘big three’ down here and have
thoroughly enjoyed my time with
all of them.
“I have to reserve special mention
though for the guys here. The
Ryans are a very special family
and when I came to Island
(Surfboards), I felt like I became
a part of it. All the crew who
work here are fantastic to work
with and it makes coming to work
really easy.”
So as you can see, working in a
surfboard factory became Andy’s
main crust. A lot of the art on
Island Surfboards along with
the detailed sanding, polishing
and repairs are the result of his
handy work. He even shapes the
occasional board from time to time.
“The guys like Hoges (Greg
Hogan) and Glyndyn (Ringrose)
are extremely talented and really
have that covered at Island. I tend
to shape more alternative, smaller
craft at home after work if I have
the energy. You know, have a
frothy, chuck on some tunes and
freestyle. I just shape boards for
the love it, not in a commercial
sense, a bit like my photography.”
So now you know what else
makes Andy a little different. He
actually doesn’t sell the amazing
photographs you are presently
ogling. It’s just a pastime, a
passion.
What’s also out-of-this-world is
that he manages to capture all
these images on a rig he’s set
up himself with two GoPros on
either end and not some hugely
expensive camera kit.
“Sure with an SLR you have
interchangeable lenses, aperture
and shutter speed control but I
love the convenience of the GoPro.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 41

42
| eastER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

Features like the burst options
and video are also great. They
do have restrictions though,
one being you have to be so
close to the action, but that’s
also what I love.
“Because it’s such a small,
handheld unit, I can get
incredibly close to the action.
I get a front row seat to some
pretty awesome surfing. With
a bulkier SLR camera I’d find
that really intimidating as I
would hate to have someone
fl ying at me at pace with all
that kit.
“With my rig I can actually
swim into the barrel with the
guys and if I do get pitched
and lose my equipment, it’s
not the end of the world. If
I was paddling around with
$6k+ worth of equipment I
would certainly think it was.
It would probably scare me
off doing what I do for fear of
wrecking my gear.”
Considering Andy is onto
his sixth GoPro we can
understand his concerns.
COMMITTED
Being so close to the action
necessitates Andy gets up
close and personal with all
kinds of dangers: surfers,
rocks, sea creatures and
being in the winter for hours
on end in this corner of the
earth means it can also get a
tad chilly.
“It’s a fi ne line between close
enough and in the way. I can’t
say I haven’t been in the way
occasionally but fortunately
most of the guys I shoot I
have watched surf for years
and years. You can anticipate
what they are going to do. I
always say to them as well,
‘Don’t check your turns when
you are coming at me because
if I think you are going to get
me, I will get out of the way.’
I haven’t been hit yet; had a
couple of close calls but that
is the name of the game.
“When I’m shooting guys
in barrels, I’m also really
conscious of being quiet in
there and not disturbing the
water. If that means getting
pitched as opposed to causing
“IT’S A FINE
LINE BETWEEN
CLOSE ENOUGH
AND IN THE WAY.”
TOP: Island Surfboards shaper, Glyndyn
‘Ringa’ Ringrose is having a happy day.
ABOVE: The view from the bottom
LEFT: Marty P duckdives while Andy
hides in the kelp.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 43

LATEST:LENSPERSON
ALTERNATIVE CRAFT:
Andy leans toward the
weird and wonderful when
it comes to his boards of
choice.
Charlie
MC flip
a splash, which is curtains for the
barrel, so be it. Plenty of times I
have been buried as a result.
“I have had a couple of injuries –
dislocated my shoulder a couple
of times, hyperextended my arm...
Still nursing that one. It’s all in the
name of the game.”
Aside from being smashed onto
rock ledges, being an in-water
photographer means Andy also
has to contend with the ‘water’
and what’s in it.
Lots of rubber
“In the middle of winter when the
water is around 14 degrees, it’s
pretty chilled. I sometimes head
out prior to sun up and it certainly
is cold. That 10 minutes of glory
light, where you get that golden
glow just before the sun actually
rises, is worth it. I will then
usually stay out for three hours
until I am completely numb.
“I am a bit of a wuss though. I suit
up in all my layers at home and
have four coffees before I leave
to get my internal heater going
otherwise I probably couldn’t do
it. I will wear Radiator (wetsuit)
pants and a heated vest with a
2mm long sleeve top underneath a
4/3 wetsuit, hood, gloves, booties
and fl ippers.”
So in essence, Andy resembles a
nice big, juicy walrus. Yum. Did
we mention Phillip Island has a
local seal colony?
“Ohh, I’ve had experiences
when I know I am not alone
but I can honestly say I haven’t
been harassed. At the end of
the day it’s their natural habitat
so you are bound to have some
interaction. Personally though,
I haven’t had any ‘experiences’
with them and it would be cool to
keep it that way.”
PASSIONATE
Andy has been into photography
pretty much ever since he moved
to Phillip Island but only over the
last few years did he truly get
into in-water photography. He
discovered his passion for this a
few years back when nursing an
injury. He thought swimming may
help heal a dislocated shoulder
and took the GoPro out in the
surf a few times; pretty soon he
became addicted.
“It’s a pastime - something
I love to do. I will often get
shots framed for my mates. It
is something I can give back
to them and to the surfi ng
community down here. Like
making my own surfboards from
time to time, I just do it because
I enjoy it. I don’t get paid. I don’t
do it to get rich in a monetary
sense but I get rich in other
ways. When people fi rst pick up
a board or a photo you snapped,
the look on their face, the stoke,
it can’t be faked. You don’t get
that selling milk down the corner
shop.”
In terms of the images Andy likes
most to capture, these range from
surfi ng shots to empty waves and
“inside out” underwater photos.
“What I particularly like about
the GoPro is that you don’t get to
see what you shot until you get
home. It’s a bit like unwrapping a
Christmas present, you don’t know
what you will get. Sometimes you
come home thinking you have gold
and it’s not and other times you
think you have nothing and you
will be pleasantly surprised. It is
like surfi ng in some ways. Some
days you think you’re ripping and
one of your mates will come up
and say you were crabbing, and
other days the opposite happens.”
RESPECTFUL
What I noticed most when talking
with Andy was, despite the fact
I was there to interview him, he
spent most of his time talking
about other photographers. More
than half our interview was
taken up with Andy detailing his
respect and admiration for other
photographers.
He went into a great deal of detail
on guys who have inspired him
from Zak Noyle, Robbie Crawford,
Clark Little, Chase Burns, Ted
Grambeau, Ed Sloane and Stu
Gibson; local photographers he
respects from Mick Burnside to
young, up-and-coming guys such
as Daniel Sykes, Caigan Meade,
Kerby Brown and Nick Alcock and
people he credits with helping
along the way such as John
Hepler and Jason Childs.
What was also interesting to note
was Andy’s approach to shooting
when other photographers are in
the water.
“I will often have a chat to them
and fi nd out who they are shooting
and let them know who I am
following. That way I can get
out of their way when they are
shooting particularly as I have to
get so close to the action. I will
duck underwater and take the
opportunity to snap some cool
inside-out shots in the meantime.
If there are a few photographers
already out there before me, I will
just grab a board and go surf. It’s
all about sharing it around.”
HUMBLE
“I see it as a privilege to get up
so close with so many incredible
surfers who are way better than
me and just watch them do what
they do. Plus it is a perpetuating
thing, you have this incredible
opportunity to capture that
moment in time so it can live on
beyond.”
TALENTED
Well, you make your own
assessment… we certainly think
he is. And may we say, what a
pleasure it was to talk with such
a down-to-earth bloke with such
an incredible passion for surf
photography.
To see more of Andy’s photos, see
www.smorgasboarder.com.au
And for more of Andy’s day-job,
see the Island Surfboards site:
www.islandsurfboards.com.au
44
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Nothing beats the feeling of riding a
wooden board you’ve built yourself
Get back
to the roots...
with paulownia
There’s nothing like the ride, feel and experience of an authentic wooden
surfboard . . . and when you’ve built that board yourself, with skills that will
stay with you for life, nothing beats the feeling.
Tree to Sea Australia offers 3 day workshops enabling you to build your own
wooden board and give you the skills to build many more. Our wooden boards are
environmentally friendly, and the feeling of riding one . . . incredible! Our unique
construction method utilising sustainable plantation Paulownia timber, delivers a
flexible, buoyant, manoeuvrable board that’s as good to ride as it is to own.
SUP’s, long boards, short boards and classics - made by you with a little help
from Tree to Sea Australia. See web site for workshop dates.Workshops are held
in Mt. Eliza, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia.
Tree to Sea Workshop Gift Vouchers are available
Robert 0409 211 751 Gary 0423 804 975
info@treetosea.com.au
Wooden Surfboard
Workshops
www.treetosea.com.au
The goodness of wood. Plantation grown timber. No fibreglass. No foam. No resins.
Just wood (and glue). Keeping our environmental splash to a minimum.
SO MUCH SURF GEAR IN STORE YOU WILL BE
AMAZED! FROM SURFBOARDS TO SKATEBOARDS,
WETTIES, SURFWEAR AND ALL THE LATEST GADGETS
SURFWARE
AUSTRALIA
WETSUITS & VESTS:
LIMITED SIZES LEFT
NOW
50%
OFF.
& ALL SUMMER NOW 30% OFF!
Our buoyant,
lightweight timber floats
all around the world.
• Tom Wegener preferred alaia blanks
• Alaia & Kite Boards
• Long Boards
• Hollow Boards
• Chambered Boards
SURFBOARD SUPPLIES
SUNSHINE COAST SUPERSTORE
2 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551
Telephone (07) 5491 3620
Open Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm and Sun 9am to 4pm. Closed Christmas Day
SURFWAREAUSTRALIA.COM
Buy the Best Paulownia
Timber
Australia has to offer.
Contact David Evans
P: 03 9588 2533
E: info.sales@paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com
W: www.paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 45

LATEST:Film
The story of Wayne Lynch – one of Australia’s true surfing legends
– was forever encapsulated in the feature film Uncharted Waters
released late last year to massively appreciative audiences across
the world. As the film about the fame-forgoing goofy footer from
Victoria is released on DVD, filmmaker Craig Griffin reflects on his
personal journey and stepping into uncharted waters of his own
WORDS: CRAIG GRIFFIN
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Madman Entertainment
46
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

UNCHARTED WATERS
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY, as told by Craig Griffin
The Beginning
Craig Griffin
This classic shot of Wayne Lynch was taken at an undisclosed location in Victoria by legendary surf photographer
Aaron Chang in 1980, and ended up on the cover of Surfing Magazine.
At any number of theatres after showing
the film I stood on stage trying to look
intelligent while 98% of the questions
were fired at Wayne Lynch, however
occasionally a sympathetic audience
member would take pity on me and
ask about my part in it. Invariably the
questions centered around how did I get
the idea to make the film and how long
did it take, usually phrased as “When did
you start making the film?”
For a while, I answered in a strict
chronological way, saying it dated from
March 2009 when I first met Wayne out
the back of the Patagonia store which had
just opened in Torquay. But then I started
thinking about the question, and realised
it started a long, long way before that…
I was born at the arse-end of the baby
boom, so by the time I hit puberty I was
marooned in the northern suburbs of
Melbourne wondering at the age of 14,
“Is that all there is?” Out there seemed
a long way from anywhere. Skinheads,
sharpies and petrol-heads ruled the
streets and life was a narrow, everdiminishing
circle of school, football in
winter, cricket in summer with a low-hum
ennui in between. TV was in black and
white, Gough Whitlam was PM and
apparently the sexual revolution was in
full swing, but not in my suburb.
It was on a family holiday on the far
south coast of New South Wales that I
saw something that changed my life. I
was standing on the beach in my black
footy shorts and tight bonds t-shirt,
staring out to sea. There were these
long-haired blonde surfers, effortlessly
riding the waves, making it look easy,
cool and casual... And as I turned to the
shore, there were the girls. Suntanned, in
bikinis – nothing like the sharpies back in
Melbourne.
I’m not sure if it was the girls or the fact
the guys in the water looked so cool,
but I was hooked. I had to get rid of the
footy shorts and tight t-shirt pronto – I
needed some board shorts, a surfer t-shirt
and just one other thing: I desperately
needed a surfboard. As luck would have
it, my older brother had exactly the same
thought. Before long, he had bought his
first car and first surfboard. Surely he
needed an annoying younger brother to
accompany him on trips down the coast?
First Encounter with the Myth
After working feverishly as a part-time
shop assistant in a shoe store – like some
kind of undersized Ed Bundy – I finally had
enough saved for my first surfboard, and I
entrusted my brother to buy a secondhand
one for me after we had both scoured
the ‘Surfboards for sale’ columns in the
Melbourne Trading Post (of ‘tell ‘em
they’re dreaming’ fame).
I think I handed over $45 to my brother
and he returned with a 7’ 2” Klemm Bell
single fin and a longjohn wetsuit - a
pretty good deal all round.
My first attempt to surf on the board was
ironically the beach-break at Lorne in late
July. Of course it was a disaster, but I
was determined to learn and by the time
summer came around I could stand up,
and I was fully immersed in the surfing
culture. Tracks was the bible in those
days, perfectly suited to the not-so-subtle
thought patterns of pubescent surfers all
around Australia. The scatological humor
of the letters, Captain Goodvibes, grainy
black and white photos of waves and
surfers, environmental articles, newjournalism
style interviews with the star
surfers of the time, and even poetry. I was
hooked, and felt like I had joined a secret
brotherhood.
I did have a sense of who Wayne Lynch
was before this period. Surfing used to
occasionally make it onto television and
I recall some vague awareness of three
Australian surfers – a salty holy trinity of
Midget Farrelly, Nat Young and Wayne
Lynch. I’m not sure why I knew about
these three. They weren’t exactly the talk
of the streets of Preston where I grew
up, but in the ‘60s surfing was so big, it
even penetrated into the outer suburbs of
Melbourne.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 47

Wayne was the only famous
surfer from Victoria. Victorians
were good at Australian Rules
football and maybe cricket,
but it seemed like all famous
Australian surfers were from
Sydney or the Gold Coast.
Right from the start, even
though I was only 15, I could
see that Wayne was someone
who didn’t quite fit the mould.
He was a rebel, and an
outsider, and he said exactly
what he wanted and didn’t hold
back. His quote about contest
surfing summed it up nicely: “If
they don’t want me to win, why
don’t they tell me...” It felt like
he had an attitude problem,
which was a big attraction for
me, whose greatest personal
act of rebellion thus far was
cutting corners during the
school cross country run.
He was here yesterday
I heard about occasional
sightings, but I never actually
saw him – he was more like
a mythical character than a
reality. If you spent a bit of time
in the south-west of Victoria
you would hear things, but like
the Yeti, your chances of seeing
him - let alone seeing him surf
- were virtually nil.
But I guess that mystery
was partly the source of my
fascination with Wayne Lynch.
So, if you want to go back
to the genesis of the film, it
wasn’t March 2009 - it was
that summer of ‘74/’75 when
the seed was sown.
What Is There
Interesting About a
12 year old kid?
Wayne had been famous in
the surfing world for a very
long time. His first, notorious
appearance at the surf contest
at Woolamai, Phillip Island
was round about 1964. Two
years later, at the age of 14,
he was being interviewed by
John Witzig for a national
surf magazine. The title of the
article read: “What is there
interesting about a 14 year old
kid from Lorne called Wayne
Lynch”. Tortured grammar
maybe, but you get the idea.
By the time Evolution came
out in 1969, Wayne was
white-hot - perhaps more so in
California than even his native
Australia. I talked to people
who saw the film when it first
played in the US and there’s no
escaping the fact they had their
minds blown. This kid from the
little seaside town of Lorne in
Victoria was so far ahead, it
wasn’t funny.
As surf writer Matt Warshaw
so eloquently said, “it seemed
like Wayne Lynch had fallen
out of the sky after a long visit
to the future”. Wow.
When the Vietnam War and
the Australian Army came
calling, Wayne (with a bit of
help from his Mum) decided
not to answer the doorbell,
and instead snuck out the back
door to go on the run for two
and a half years. Logically, that
“The thing I would
most like is to surf like
Wayne Lynch, with grace
and poetry.”
Uncharted
Waters Director,
Craig Griffin
should have been the end of
his fame. He was gone. Yet
it seems like the interest in
Wayne grew even more.
Baby boomers didn’t want a
hero with shiny shoes and a
Pepsodent smile telling us how
we’d improve our popularity
with the chicks by buying this
new brand of smokes and
combing our hair three times
daily. We wanted an outsider, a
maverick. And if he surfed like
an angel, looked like Jesus and
stuck his finger up at society
and its filthy war machine, then
all the better.
A Day in the Life
Like every other surfer my
age I had seen Jack McCoy’s
short film A Day In The Life
of Wayne Lynch, but what I
didn’t know is that the famous
‘jumping off the cliff’ sequence
was an elaborate pretext to
hide the exact location where
the surfing took place. There
was no surf-break adjacent
to this truly awesome leap,
Wayne just thought it would be
preferable for Jack to film that
spot rather than give the game
away about where he was
actually surfing.
At this stage it was the
late ‘70s and surfing was
heading away from its
anti-establishment, antiauthoritarian
image and
headlong towards the
corporatisation and sports
based approach that so
characterises it today. It felt
like the powers that be wanted
surfing to be something like
professional tennis. Looking
around today it seems like they
got their wish. Needless to say,
I’ve always found professional
tennis pretty boring.
(I’ve also heard secondhand
that Wayne considers the
period in his late 30s the
time when he was doing his
best surfing. I wonder if it’s a
coincidence that this was the
time when he was spending
less and less time in the
surf-media spotlight. Gradually
disappearing into the ether...)
First Contact
It’s always a thrill to meet your
heroes. I got the chance to
do that in March 2009, when
introduced to Wayne by a
mutual friend, Kent Stannard
of the White Tag shark
conservation trust. Wayne was
nothing like I expected.
He had just given an eloquent
and funny talk about where he
grew up, and was absolutely
nothing like the recluse of surf
media mythology. Of particular
interest to a film-maker was
his natural ability as a storyteller.
Initially I was thinking
of something pretty simple
and low-key, a side project,
maybe 20 minutes or so, just
like A Day In the Life... Now
there was that little matter
of persuading Wayne to go
through the process again. I’d
just met him and he seemed
friendly enough, so how hard
could it be?
Persuasion...
In the end, it took about six
months to persuade Wayne
that there was a film to
be made about his life. He
memorably once said ‘I don’t
know why you want to do this,
my life’s been pretty boring –
no-one will want to see this
film.’ You didn’t have to be
Einstein to know he was wrong
on that score, so I stayed
determined. I had a few things
going for me though.
A big attraction for Wayne is
that I had absolutely nothing
to do with the surf industry
and surf media. He has a
pathological distrust of both
entities, and the fact that I
was nothing but a passionate
weekend surfer was a big
positive. I didn’t owe the surf
industry anything.
48
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

Director of Photography, Clare Plueckhahn
But it wasn’t just that. I did
have a vision that Wayne’s
story wouldn’t be just about the
waves and the boards and the
beaches. I thought there was
a bigger story - his connection
to the environment on the
south west coast, about the
Australia he grew up in, the
youth rebellion of the ‘60s, the
counterculture, the Vietnam
War, conscription, life on the
run, Malaria when it was a life
sentence, trying to make your
own way in the world, travelling
without maps or a compass, and
of course, the pure poetry of his
surfing. I didn’t want to make
a straight-ahead, travellogue
surf movie. I wanted to make
a movie about a surfer, and a
unique one at that.
Eventually Wayne relented. I got
a one sentence email from him
– which was about as complex
as our agreement to make the
film ever got.
Tick, tick, tick...
Shooting a feature length
documentary takes time, and
it’s a very different process to
shooting a narrative feature film.
The film-maker James Marsh
(Man on a Wire) was quoted
as saying that the difference
between a documentary and a
fictional feature is that when you
make a documentary you shoot
first and write the script later,
whereas with a narrative film it’s
the other way around. And I think
he nailed it with that, shooting
the interviews – of which we
did over 60 – there was a sense
of freedom, and being able to
explore the various threads of
Wayne’s life. We had room to
move, and I think the average
interview went for over an
hour, and some over two hours.
Nearly always I felt like I had got
something out of it – either some
gold that would go into the film,
or an insight or background note
that got me thinking.
Driving up the
East Coast
With my Director of
Photography, Clare Plueckhahn,
we made another long trip up
the east coast of Australia. From
Melbourne we headed north,
cutting in at Wollongong, then
all the way up the coast until
we got to Noosa. I guess we
made an odd couple. Her in her
late 20s, calm and attractive,
and me a balding guy in his 50s
who wouldn’t shut up in the
car, giving her the benefit of my
self-proclaimed wisdom on a
multitude of subjects.
We got to talk with people
like Nat Young and Baddy
Treloar, we visited Alby Falzon
on his farm - which is like
a Zen version of Australia
Felix, complete with a herd of
kangaroos grazing on luscious
green pasture. We spent an
evening in torrential rain with
Dick Hoole and David ‘the Mex’
Sumpter, talked with Rabbit
while staring out at the human
carpark which is Snapper Rocks,
heard Charles ‘of the Sea’
Bartlett recite his famous poem
about Bells Beach, talked with
the ball of muscle that still is
John Monie as he discussed
big wave surfing and the perils
of being a Rugby League coach
(now there’s a combination)
and so on. All the while, we
would occasionally duck off for
a surf. Is it any wonder my wife
wouldn’t believe me when I said
how hard it was? At this point, I
really was living the dream...
LATEST:Film
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 49

50
| eastER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

Photo: Aaron Chang Craig at work
Moment of Truth
I guess I had been working
intensively on the film for a
couple of years before we
showed anything to Wayne. I
feared that if he looked at it too
soon, it would interfere with the
spontaneity and truthfulness of
his interviews, which we were
still doing right through the
editing process. I felt the need to
get on solid ground before facing
the inevitable challenges Wayne
would throw out. So far, I had
Wayne’s complete co-operation
and support, but then he hadn’t
seen a single frame of the film…
He came up to Melbourne in early
April 2013 to sit and watch the
film. No stopping and chatting.
We all just sat down and watched
the film together - me, Wayne and
the editor, Sara Edwards, in her
spare-room, in front of a couple of
computer monitors.
We watched all the way through,
in silence. It was weird. Sitting
watching a film all about the life
of Wayne Lynch, and just across
the room, also watching, is the
subject of the film – Wayne
Lynch. I’d hate to try to analyze
the psychology of all that, but
this was the point where the
rubber hit the road. His whole life
flashing up in front of him, and the
last four years of my life pretty
much summed up in 90 minutes
of film.
First of all he didn’t say much. A
couple of words about how he
thought it was well put together,
but that was about it. I felt he
liked it, but he certainly didn’t say
that. And then he left, heading
back to Urquarts Bluff to beat the
city traffic.
Well, Sara and I both agreed, he
seemed to like it. And then I didn’t
hear anything for a while…
It’s All Over
I got a text from Wayne where he
said he had had enough and was
not going to continue with the film.
“Sorry Craig, this will be a shock
for you but I don’t want anything
to do with the surf industry
anymore... Will call you about it all
soon, Take care, Wayne.”
Of course I nearly had a nervous
breakdown, as by this stage I
was in pretty deep and if Wayne
walked I didn’t have a film. But
it was a hoax – a prank text by
Wayne to keep me on my toes
– he definitely thought it was
funny. It was at this point that
I think I started going grey. Bald
and grey...
Complications
But when I did hear back from
Wayne it was clear there were
a few things about the film
C E L E B R AT I N G O Z B O A R D S H A P E R S
1 0 0 % S U P E R I O R O R G A N I C C O T T O N
AVAIL ABLE ONLINE & SELECTED SURF SHOPS
raresurftees.com
STOCKIST ENQUIRIES: 0439 972 679 or brett@raresurftees.com
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 51

Wayne at home in Victoria
he wasn’t happy with and this
is where it all started to get
complicated.
Maybe at this stage I should point
out that I am not the easy-going
good time guy that I have tried to
depict myself as. I am opinionated
and self-obsessed, and not much
of a diplomat. I more than met my
match with Wayne in the editing
room, but I do think out of our
friction a better film emerged.
I guess we both had a lot at stake.
For Wayne it was his whole life
up there on the screen. Even if
he wasn’t famously reclusive,
and known as a loner, this would
still be highly confronting. Think
about it: someone you hardly
know insinuates his way into
your life. Comes into your home
many times, interviews all your
friends and family, then shapes
all this into an image you don’t
necessarily recognise, and then
wants to send it out into the
world as a visual and aural last
will and testament. It was his
life up there, not mine. And my
joke about the fact that it would
be easier if he was dead wasn’t
playing so well now...
If you’ve ever met Wayne Lynch,
the first thing you notice is the
eyes. Crystal blue eyes, and a
penetrating gaze. He might be
the guy for whom the expression
‘thousand yard stare’ was
invented. So, if you were to get
on the wrong side of those eyes
it wouldn’t be a good place to be;
and it was somewhere around this
point that I was right on the edge
of this not very good place.
Whilst it wasn’t my life up there
on the screen, I had a lot on the
line. When I stopped talking, and
occasionally started listening
to Wayne, I realised he had a
point. Yes, maybe there should
be some more personal things
about Wayne’s family in there,
maybe we shouldn’t be so cavalier
about drugs and alcohol. Wayne
thought his daughter Merinda’s
car accident – where she had to
be brought back to life on several
occasions – was crucial, but I kept
resisting. I’m not sure why now.
Maybe I didn’t think it was about
surfing, but eventually I realised
it was the missing element of
the film. If you want to make an
emotional connection with an
audience, first you have to expose
your own emotions. I would
never admit it to him, but Wayne
was right. The film needed to go
deeper…
My Personal Premiere
Our first show in the US was at
a place called the Broad Stage
which is a very new and quite
impressive theatre at the Santa
Monica College Performing Arts
Centre. I think the capacity was
around 550, and from what I could
see it was pretty much sold out.
That was a relief, I’ve worked on
films that played to tiny audiences
and it’s not a good feeling sitting
in an empty cinema while you
watch several years of your life go
down the tubes.
This was the one and only time
Wayne watched the film right
through in a cinema. And Wayne’s
first words to the audience after
the film were how if he had made
the film it would have been a lot
different. The audience nervously
laughed. Lucky I’m not sensitive.
Surf Films in NYc
A couple of nights later we pulled
up to one of the great extant surf
cinemas in Southern California,
the classic La Paloma. There was
a line around the block and it was
obvious we had another sold out
show on our hands. There were
two standing ovations that night,
one straight after the film and
then another after Wayne did the
Q&A. I know Wayne would hate
the religious allusions but it really
was like the messiah returning.
Wayne was still wary, but I was
starting to realise the film was
communicating and was actually
making audiences feel something.
People were inspired - in
Wayne’s story they were seeing
touchstones of their own life-story
and there was a real feeling of a
gathering of the tribe.
Oddly enough it was the same in
New York, where unbeknownst
to us there was a thriving
underground hipster surf scene,
with one of their number-one idols
none other than WL himself.
While the US was a blast, Wayne
reckoned it would be different
in Australia where people just
weren’t as into surf history and
the nuances of surf culture.
Fortunately, Wayne was wrong on
that count.
The On-Again
Off-Again Tour
After we got back from the US,
the film had it’s premiere at the
Melbourne International Film
Festival which was a big kick for
me as Melbourne is my home
town and MIFF really is the key
film festival in Australia.
Again it was a sold out show, and
the audience - though much, much
quieter than in the US - seemed
genuinely involved and responded
after the film in a similar way to
the Americans.
But there was no point
just throwing the film on in
mainstream cinemas and
watching it sink – it needed to
be an event-style approach, and
it needed Wayne to be at the
screenings to do Q&A’s after the
film. There was just one problem,
after MIFF Wayne had had a
gutful. He’d been up on enough
stages, shaken enough hands and
signed the obligatory autographs.
He was happy to do his bit, but
then he wanted to go home, shut
the door and forget about it. I tried
to persuade him, but by this stage
he’d heard enough from me and it
was time to take a step back.
Fortunately, Associate Producer
and White Tag boss Kent Stannard
and Paul Wiegard from Madman
decided to take the bull by the
horns and headed down to
Wayne’s place to talk to him about
doing the tour. I can only speculate
Wayne realised maybe he’d
happened upon some people who
actually cared. Yeah, so maybe
he’d do four or five shows...
Wayne ended up doing 15 or 16
shows all around Australia. Each
time doing a Q&A, happy to stand
around after the show to sign
posters, to talk with people, to
have his photograph taken with
people. I couldn’t tell for sure, but
he seemed to be enjoying it. The
so-called recluse had come out
of his cave, and again defied the
52
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

Entropy
Bio Resin
Super Sap CLR
• A low viscosity, low colour and UV stable clear
liquid epoxy resin system
• Performance grade eco resin
• Reduced environmental impact
• Safe and pleasant to use – low odour, low VOC’s
Nice_Rack_Advert_88x118_OL.indd 1
26/04/13 10:16 AM
Purchase from a professional wooden surfboard builder and
professional tradesman with over 30 years in the woodcraft
industry. All our crafted products are made by us and we do not
on-sell products made by others.
PREMIUM AUSTRALIAN-GROWN PAULOWNIA
Surfer: Matty Cook. Photo: www.facebook.com/maccas.photos.7
• Premium Alaia blanks
(using only best quality marine epoxy)
• Custom Alaias by Dovetail Surfboards
• Handplanes and blanks
• Dressed for HWS skins
• Strip planking for boats
• T&G wall lining boards
• Sawn Paulownia
• Balsa and western-red-cedar
• Alaia and Handplane shaping workshops
• Wooden surfboard build-packages
www.paulowniatimbersales.com.au
3/8B Alex Fisher Drv, Burleigh Heads. Call 0411 676 854
Available in Australia from
info@surfinggreen.com.au
0412 042 811
surfinggreen.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 53

SURFING DOESN’T
HAVE TO BE HARD
Choose the highest quality, best value softboards for kids,
learners, and those who just want a safe and fun option in the surf.
Sizes from 6 foot
soft surfboard to
10’3” soft SUP!
Surf-school quality
construction
FROM $225 WITH *FREE DELIVERY
WHAT HAPPY
CUSTOMERS
HAVE TO SAY:
“I love my Geraghty
soft-board ‘coz it
paddles so well and
it’s super stable”
Jasper
“I like Geraghty
softboards as they
are the cheapest
high-quality softboards
around!”
Jamie
Softboards
from a trusted
surfboard
shaper!
ORDER ONLINE:
“My own kids love
them too...”
Dean Geraghty
WWW.GERAGHTYSHAPES.COM
CALL DEAN OR LYNETTE ON 042 2442 044 OR 041 6442 042
* FREE DELIVERY for all orders of softboards up to 6ft, anywhere between
the Sunshine Coast and Sydney. Contact us for shipping costs elsewhere.
mythology - he was personable
and engaged. According to Wayne
the only reason he surfed alone
so much, is that a lot of the time
there was no-one to surf with.
And just as with the audiences in
the US, the Australian audiences
seem to fi nd something of
themselves in the fi lm. It was a
fi lm about Wayne Lynch but it
was also a fi lm about their own
lives. We met guys whose lives
were also abruptly interrupted by
the ‘call-up’ to join the army and
fi ght in Vietnam. Like Wayne they
had to make a terrible choice.
People under 40 had no concept
that until the early ‘70s, 19-yearold
kids could be plucked out of a
barrel and forced to join the army.
As Wayne facetiously said “it
was the only lottery I ever won.”
It was that black humor that
prevailed all around the country,
amusing, and often surprising
audiences. This was no way
for a surf star to behave, but
after a while it was easy to see
why the ‘cult’ of Wayne Lynch
had so many followers. His bad
attitude was a good attitude, and
people liked him almost straight
away because he was pretty
much nothing but himself. He
could be tortured and confused
and confl icted, but he could
also be genuinely funny, and
sensitive and empathetic. And
did I mention the surfi ng? There
are surfi ng sequences in the fi lm
which I have now seen probably
20 or 30 times, but I can still
happily watch. They encapsulate
the grace and the art of surfi ng,
the reason I started doing it and
am still doing it.
and in The End
What did I learn from the fi lm?
When I was 16 and a total,
probably insufferable surf-nazi,
my father advised me that
“there’s more to life than surfi ng.”
I’ve been wrestling with that
question for nearly 40 years, and
interestingly, from making this
fi lm I realised he was right, but
maybe not in the way he thought.
Surfi ng is a fantastic thing. For
me, I’m glad it was never a job -
something I was made to do every
day. I liked the part it played in my
life, but I could see how for those
who were really in the surfing
stratosphere, surfi ng bigger and
more scary waves, pushing out
onto the edge, searching for the
holy grail – it could nearly drive
you nuts. So yeah, there’s more to
life than surfi ng – there’s actually
life itself.
And what about Wayne? I think
I’ve gone about as far as I can go
on that subject. There’s plenty
more there – and the upcoming
book will go into more depth
and give more detail than my 85
minutes ever could. But I’m happy
with where I got to. The best
part is I don’t think I got to the
‘bottom’ of Wayne –there’s still
that unknown part, the mystery.
Certainly there’s still a part of him
that is a mystery to me, and quite
possibly a mystery to himself.
Thank God for that.
What we did achieve was the
ability to connect and by telling
Wayne’s story, tell a bigger story
about a generation and a time
and a place and a country. About
things that are no more, about
things that did happen, and things
that shouldn’t be forgotten. I
see Wayne as a talisman for his
generation and also for a strong,
stubborn outsider streak that
continues to exist in surfing and
society today. We all get the
corporate world shoved down
our necks, so the last thing I
want when I go surfi ng is more
of the corporate world. The thing
I would most like, is to surf like
Wayne Lynch, with grace and
poetry.
The DVD of Uncharted Waters is
now available. See the website
www.unchartedwaters.com.au, or
pop into your local DVD store to
get yourself a copy.
WIN! We also
have Patagonia/
Uncharted Waters
packs to give away!
See Page 21.
Photo: Dick Hoole
54
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 55

STARK
REALITY
ART FROM A
SURFEr's HEART
It was the magazine delivery run, and
I was in Ballina. As I walked back to
the van after dropping copies of the
latest edition at Triple X Wetsuits
(and having a good old chat with Don
Munro, the man behind the titanium)
another interesting fellow caught my
eye, sitting just across the road. He
would have stood about seven foot
tall, was playing a stainless steel
guitar of sorts and had a dog next to
him, with the most gigantic bone in
its mouth.
Oh yes, before I forget to mention,
he was also built of stainless steel,
and had horns made out of surfboard
fi ns - sort of surf-industrial version of
meeting the devil at the crossroads...
So, as I walked over to get a closer
look, more of his kind were out and
about down the back of the industrial
complex, and they seemed to live in
a shed just beyond. It was here that I
met Joe Stark.
Sculptor, surfer and fellow single-fin
lover, Joe was happy to give up some
of his time to have a chat about his
amazing metal works of art.
WORDS & PHOTOS: MARK CHAPMAN
JOE made the decision to
settle in Australia with his family
once and for all, moving from their
home in Christchurch, NZ, shortly
after the devastating earthquake
that literally shook up the lives of
so many.
“I came over here in the late ‘80s
and discovered this North Coast
(NSW),” Joe recalls. “Since then,
I’ve come and gone and come and
gone... I’ve lost count of how many
times I’ve crossed the ditch now.”
Christchurch after the quake was
mayhem for the Stark family. Joe’s
factory in Woolston collapsed (just
around the corner from Sadhana
Surfboard’s old premises) and he
lost all his equipment. But his more
pressing concerns were around his
young family.
“The twins were born two weeks
after the fi rst earthquake. One
of them had to have a major
operation in March. We were in
hospital and it was still shaking.
We were just hoping the surgeons
were steady-handed (laughs). They
were. Everything ended up cool,
but the shakes kept coming, and
after I’d worked at the Port for a
few months, we decided to leave
in November 2011.”
56
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Joe with a work in progress. Photos: Mark Chapman
“ THERE’S A PLACE AROUND THE
CORNER THAT HAS ALL THESE OLD
DRYERS IN A PILE...”
Joe, on sourcing art supplies
On arriving in Australia, Joe spent
a year behind the wheel of a beer
delivery truck until - encouraged
by his wife and some of the local
surfing community - he got back
to his art full-time.
“I was working in a shipyard in
NZ. I was a boilermaker, and I
was always making things out
of scrap metal, mostly stuff for
Grandmas - like pot plant holders
and so on. I went to study art
at Uni, but dropped out and just
started doing this on my own...”
At this point in the interview,
a lovely lady walked in off the
street and promptly bought the
guitar player’s dog.
“He’s happy to be adopted,”
grins Joe. “And it’s always good
when my art is appreciated.”
As far as his work goes, Joe has
created everything from smaller
works like trophies for surf
comps, to massive architectural
commissions. The beauty of
Joe’s work - other than the
obvious appeal of the incredible
characters he creates - is that
his materials are all recycled.
These mostly stainless-steel
creations are all reborn from the
scrapheap.
“I use a lot of sinks these days.
Mates drop them off for me.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 57

LATEST: ARTWORK
THE WORK:
Joe Stark creations
at his workshop
in Ballina include
fantastical characters,
amazing animals and
so much more
Oh, and he surfs too...
Joe at the Meatworks, Kaikoura
58
SMORGASBOARDER
| EASTER 2014

“The wave (the metal surfer on
the previous page) is made out
of the inside of a dryer. There’s a
place around the corner that has
all these old dryers in a pile, and
every now and again I go and pick
up some as I need them. I like
using hardwood timber too. I paint
a little on it - just a little to get it
a bit tribal.”
The search for simplicity through
tribal designs is paralleled by his
love for simplicity in surfboards -
Joe opts for single-fins above all
others. I wish I had a video of Joe
talking about why he loves his
singles, but let me try and explain
the conversation:
“I just love the…”
With his hand as a surfboard,
Joe’s arm is doing long, drawnout
turns, up and down on an
imaginary wave in the parking
lot…
“It’s just great…”
More big, arching turns…
“I just love the… Cruising…”
One last turn and Joe’s handsurfer
just casually trims along.
“I started off on a teardrop (the
classic single fi n shape with
wider nose area). It was a Quane.
Through the ‘80s I got on the
thruster trip, but now all I ride is
a single fi n. I’ve got an old Jim
Pollard at home - Phil Myers (Free
Flight Surfboards) shaped it, and I
got Phil to shape me another one.
I want to get old Gunther (Röhn)
over the road to shape me one
before he hangs up the tools or
goes in the hole (laughs).
“Single fi ns are totally different
- I’m trying to get a quiver of
them. It’s like they say, the more
surfcraft you’ve got, the better the
experience. You get to experience
the different ways they work
on waves, they way you work
on a wave. I love chopping and
changing...”
There’s a whole lot of passion
there when Joe’s talking about
surfi ng, and you can hear the
same, undiminished excitement
in his voice when it comes to his
art. Pieces like his are special,
not only for their aesthetic value,
but also for the unique story
and thinking behind each and
every one. Like owning a custom
surfboard, works of art like these
have their own special value that
no mass-produced items can
replicate. You know you want
one.
Joe’s artwork is for sale, and he’s
available for commissions. For
more of his work, please see
www.facebook.com/JoeStarkArt
Is surfing Raglan's
world famous left
hand breaks on
your bucket list?
Then tick it off and
come on over!
Tents, campervans or
caravans, backpackers,
cabins or motel units.
Hosts: Mary and Rob Clark
Address: Marine Parade, Raglan
Phone: (07) 825 8283
Email: stay@raglanholidaypark.co.nz
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 59

SURF:
GETTING STUCK STRAIGHT IN NEAR DUNEDIN
60
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

TREATS &
TRIUMPHS
TRANS-TASMAN STYLE
TRAVEL: NZ
When travelling, it helps to have mates. Mates to travel with and mates
on the other side when you arrive. When your itinerary includes every
boardsport you can squeeze in, it also helps if your mate owns a shop full
of gear for sale and for hire. Queenstown local Jase Johns shows some
Sunny Coast boys a good time on the South Island.
WORDS: JASE JOHNS
There is nothing like reciprocating
a favour... Especially one that has
been bouncing back and forth
across the Tasman for many years
now between best mates.
It started with the welcome receipt
of an email. No fl owery language,
no paragraph of pleasantaries.
Just a simple, “The Sunny Coast
boys are heading over for some
boarding, mate! … Is there room
at The Rise?” with an attached
fl ight itinerary. We’re well versed
in making it happen and our
brothers from across the ditch are
always welcome. These are our
mates from the Sunshine Coast,
Dave and Rob - and they look after
us soundly when we grace their
fi ne shores, on our yearly surf
mission.
Winter’s a busy time for us in the
shop at NZSHRED, but Nath was
on hand to grab the work truck
and pick-up the crew as they
fl ew into Dunedin. Little did Dave
and Rob know, that Nath had a
plan for them. Within 45mins
of walking through Customs, he
had the warmwaterites squeezed
into a comfortable fi t of rubber,
hoods and booties, paddling into
a super-casual late afternoon 2ft
Murderers right-hander. If they’d
slept on the fl ight over, they were
certainly wide awake now.
What a way to start your midwinter
break – a couple of early
waves on your local beachie, ‘East
Coast Aussie style’, one sneaky
fl ight over the Tasman, to fi nish
the day with a sunset wave, ‘East
Coast NZ style’... Snow time was
soon to come.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 61

62
| EASTer 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

SNOW:
SAMPLING THE SLOPES AT CARDRONA, THE REMARKABLES AND CORONET PEAK
TRAVEL: NZ
The purpose of the trip was as
always, to catch up with mates
and get stuck into the easy-to-use
snow of the South Island. With
the spirit of adventure fl owing
down the curb of every street of
Queenstown, and plenty of local
tagalongs willing to play tour
guide (myself included), the Sunny
Coast boys were underway on
their NZ sojourn.
First a casual fruit juice and a
catch up with the crew, then a
gear check, closely followed by
beg/borrow/steal session in my
shed at The Rise. Tomorrow would
be day one of snowboarding, and
it had been a year since either
of the boys had felt the glide of
their boards over the groomed,
packed powder of these ever more
familiar main trails.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is an easy
choice for your fi rst couple of days
getting back into it. Catering for
everyone from families and casual
day-trippers through to dedicated
park rats and open-terrain
SUP:
NOT MISSING A WAVE AT MONKEY ISLAND AND COLAC BAY
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 63

AND MORE SUP:
LAKE WAKATIPU WITH LOUI, THE SNOW PUP #louithesnowpup
64
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

TRAVEL: NZ
“WHAT’S TRULY GREAT IS NOT STICKING TO THE NORM, NOT
CONFORMING TO WHAT THE ‘PACKAGE DEAL’ SAYS.”
freeriders, Cardies offers ample
opportunity to get your fi ll and feel
that burn of thighs screaming for a
break... And a beer in the courtyard
of the iconic Hotel on the way home.
As the boys settled into their week
of playtime, it was time to take a
look at the southern swell map.
We’d all been snowboarding for four
days now and could certainly do with
something to break-up the crystal
clear blue sky days that the Southern
Lakes winters are famous for.
Packing gear into the back of
Nath’s vintage Holden EH ute, the
crew headed south... The weather
continued to stay perfect, but the
swell didn’t eventuate. Just as well
for SUPs! The boys had grabbed
NZSHRED’s rental 10’10” Walden
and 9’6” McTavish just in case,
which proved to offer some fun late
afternoon opportunities at Monkey
Island and again at Colac Bay the
next morning.
Back to Queenstown and we’d
organised a “Family Ski” evening at
Coronet Peak for Friday night. As the
word got around, everyone with any
connection came up for a play. The
snow played along too and was crisp
and dry.
Having chalked up several days at
Cardrona, The Remarkables and a
great night ski at Coronet Peak, as
well as waves at Dunedin and the
very south of the South Island, all
that was left for the boys, was a SUP
with ‘Loui, The Snow Pup’ on Lake
Wakatipu.
A trip to New Zealand is so simple
- a quick fl ight across the Tasman
to Dunedin, Christchurch, or direct
to Queenstown itself and straight
into a multitude of boardsport
opportunities. And then there’s the
vibrance and cultural diversity of the
towns themselves... With events
like the annual Winter Festival, the
Burton High Five and the variety of
the rapidly growing Winter Games,
as well as the diversity of heli-ski
and back-country opportunities -
New Zealand really does have it all.
However, perhaps more importantly,
what’s truly great is not sticking to
the norm, not conforming to what
the ‘package deal’ says. Be prepared
to get out there and do some other
stuff that may not have been listed
on the brochure. And when you do,
you’ll realise how many others are
out doing it as well.
Jase John is owner of NZSHRED
Snow & Watersports specialists
in Queenstown and has spent
many years in snowsports and
surfi ng in the South Island with the
experienced Nath Renfree.
See www.nzshred.co.nz
More information:
www.cardrona.com
www.winterfestival.co.nz
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 65

Jake Colreavy. Photo: Jack Dekort
There’s good reason Coolum
is producing so many up and
coming surf stars...
There’s quality, consistent point and beach breaks with relatively
uncrowded waves catering for surfers of all levels!
Combine this with a friendly, down-to-earth surf community and a local
shopping village where everything is centrally located and you have the
perfect holiday destination for surfing families, couples and groups.
Here are your top choices for accommodation and more. Just make
sure to tell them SMORGASBOARDER sent you!
NEXT EVENTS: Queensland Titles, Junior MX, April 18-21
Round 4 Go Girls, Junior MX, May 10-11
COOLUM BEACH THE SHOP COOLUM
HOLIDAY PARK FOODSTORE HOLIDAYS
Situated in a great patrolled
surf beach location and close to
shops and clubs catering for all
camping options.
There are 133 powered caravan
sites each with concrete slab for
your annex, 30 powered tent sites
perched on top of the dunes with
uninterrupted views out to the
ocean, 71 unpowered tent sites
and 6 modern villas in the park.
Ph: 07 5446 1474
1827 David Low Way, Coolum Beach
SUNSHINECOASTHOLIDAYPARKS.COM.AU
Open every day 5.30am (for your
surf wax, combs, leg ropes!)
through to 9.30pm.
We sell all groceries, organic,
gluten free, snack foods, gourmet
treats, phone credit, internet
access. THE SHOP has local
knowledge, local products, and
local staff, on the esplanade, opposite
the surf club. We are the
local one stop shop.
PH: Ph: 0400301078
E: theshopcoolum@hotmail.com
FACEBOOK.COM/THESHOPCOOLUM
EXECUTIVE ACCOMMODATION
Managing over 25 executive beach homes and apartments from Twin
Waters through to Coolum Beach, we have the perfect property to indulge
all of your needs while on vacation. Each tastefully decorated with a high
standard of facilities including pool, air conditioning, bbq and pay television.
From $1300 a week, shorter stays available
PET-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION
Enjoy a stress free holiday knowing your pet is safe with you. We have
30 holiday homes that specialise in the right accommodation for you and
your pooch. $110.00 non-refundable pet fee applies. From $490 a week
shorter stays available.
HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
Great deals on one, two and three bedroom self contained apartments.
We’ill help you find the perfect apartment to relax in. From $490 a week
shorter stays available.
PH: 1300 303 423
WWW.COOLUMHOLIDAYS.COM.AU

Brought to you by
Sea for yourself
ELEMENT ON
COOLUM BEACH
This is seaside luxury right
on Coolum Beach. These self
contained luxury Coolum Beach
apartments combine the best of
urban chic and beachside living.
Stay in either a one, two or three
bedroom holiday apartment
right in the heart of Coolum and
right across from Coolum Beach.
Surf all day and stay in style at
Element on Coolum Beach.
PH: 1300 139 744
1808 David Low Way, Coolum Beach
ELEMENTONCOOLUMBEACH.COM.AU
PALMER
COOLUM RESORT
One of Australia’s finest
all encompassing resort
destinations sprawling over 150
hectares. Accommodation is set
amongst natural bushland, lakes
and gardens. Superb leisure
facilities include an 18-hole
championship golf course, the
largest day spa in the southern
hemisphere, tennis centre with
7 floodlit courts, 9 sparkling
swimming pools, direct access to
a privately patrolled beach, Kids
Club, Activities Centre and dining
options are aplenty.
PH: 1800 COOLUM (266 586)
or 07 5446 1234
1 Warran Road, Yaroomba
PALMERCOOLUMRESORT.COM.AU
COOLUM SURF CLUB
Winners of the 2013 Best Club on the Sunshine Coast and Clubs QLD
Chef of the Year, Coolum Surf Club delivers a premium club experience
to all members and guests by offering excellent dining and entertainment
right on Coolum Beach with stunning beachfront views.
They provide something for everyone whether it be lunch, dinner, pizza
or coffee served out on the deck. We also offer members and visitors
a great bar with an extensive wine list, TAB, Keno, 48 fantastic pokies,
and live entertainment Friday and a DJ every Saturday night to help you
dance the night away.
Our member facilities are open from 10am daily until midnight on Friday
and Saturday night and until 10pm all other nights. Coolum Surf Club is
becoming well known for fantastic food with views to match.
PH: 07 5446 1148
1775 - 1779 David Low Way, Coolum Beach
WWW.COOLUMSURFCLUB.COM

With waves on tap everywhere, who can blame the locals for smiling?
Local legend Harely Ingleby. Photo: Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
COFFS*HARBOUR
68
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

F O R G E T D I S N E Y L A N D . . . t h i s i s
THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH
When you visit here and experience the
hospitality, you can’t help feeling it’s true...
Join us as we take in this gem of the NSW
coastline and meet the brilliant people that
call the region home.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 69

Jared Neal. Photo: Tom Woods
Old Johns
Hoey Moey
Dolphin Marine Magic
WHAT IS HAPPINESS
ANYWAY? Should it be the
law of the land? In the small
Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan,
“Gross National Happiness” was
introduced in the ‘70s to measure
wellbeing and happiness as an
indicator of the country’s general
health rather than the standard
ideas of economic performance.
While most Western countries
don’t spend time making sure
the people are always smiling,
for many a surfer however, no
laws, regulations or official
measurements are required
anyway. All that’s needed is quite
possibly the simple, coconutty
smell of fresh surf wax, the
freedom of a couple of hours to
yourself, and a few peeling waves
to make all the rest of the world
disappear for a while.
Sadly, this happiness sometimes
stays in the water, or disappears
as quickly as the salt dries on
skin and the realities of the day
kick back in... But fortunately,not
everywhere.
We’re on the COFFS COAST, and
in a word, how we can sum it all
up is ‘happiness’. We’re not sure
what’s in the water here - or in the
bananas, for that matter - but how
happy is this place? Everywhere
you go, you’re greeted with a
smile. No-one fi nds it too much
trouble to have a chat. Nothing is
too much to ask, or anything too
much bother.
Maybe it’s in the air, or the fact
that two ocean currents meet
here, or the perfect climate, or the
massive array of surf breaks and
protected headlands so you never
miss a day’s surfi ng... We don’t
know, and couldn’t pin it down if
we tried, but the people of Coffs
have really made us step back and
think about how we should take
that happiness back home, and
spread a bit more of it in our own
neighbourhood.
Hopefully through seeing the
smiling faces, reading the uplifting
stories, and stepping into the lives
of the people of the Coffs Coast
through these pages, for even a
brief minute, we all might be able
to do the same.
After all, surfi ng’s not a fi ght, or a
test of force. It’s a pleasure, and
should always be so. And if we
can carry that stoke into the rest
of the day and spread it around,
then so much the better.
H A P P I N E S S
Jonno Chan in the barrel
Photo: Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
70
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

COFFS*HARBOUR
Harley Ingleby
Photo: Tom Woods
Harley Ingleby
Photo: Reg McGuigan
Mitchell Rae
Seal painting,
Dolphin Marine Magic
Peter Crawford
Photo: Tom Woods
Mitchell Rae
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 71

COFFS*HARBOUR
WHERE IS IT
Coffs Harbour is located approximately
halfway between Brisbane and
Sydney. The town is cradled between a
mountain backdrop and golden beaches,
understandably priding itself on its
natural beauty, indeed 43% of the city
area is under State Forest, 2% National
Park and off the coast lies one of New
South Wales’ largest protected bodies
of water, the Solitary Islands Marine
Park. This is where warm tropical
waters meet and mix with cooler
currents from the south resulting in an
abundance of sea life.
In terms of the city itself, whilst
Coffs has all the benefi ts of ‘big city’
infrastructure, it has retained a small
coastal/country town feel.
From a surfi ng perspective, Coffs’
endless variety of left and right hand
breaks that work in a multitude of
conditions for surfers of all abilities
has made it a Mecca for shortboarders
through to longboarders and
paddleboarders alike.
With all of this working in its favour
you can understand why the Coffs
Coast is marketed as the place “Where
Memories are made”.
BRISBANE
QLD
NSW
COFFS HARBOUR
SYDNEY
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COFFS
Coffs Harbour owes its name to John
Korff, who named the area Korff’s
Harbour when he was forced to take
shelter from a storm in the area in 1847.
A surveyor for the Crown accidentally
changed its name when he reserved
land in the area during 1861.
CLIMATE: Australia’s peak scientifi c
body, the CSIRO, has identifi ed Coffs
Harbour as Australia’s most livable
climate, due in part to the moderating
infl uence of the sea on high and low
temperatures. The average in winter is
19° and summer is 27°.
POPULATION: There are approximately
83,500 people on the Coffs Coast
(approx 70,000 in Coffs Harbour and
13,500 in Bellingen)
REGION: The Coffs Coast covers a total
area of approximately 12,500 km 2 and
around 90km of coastline.
INDUSTRY: Coffs Harbour’s economy
was once based mainly on bananas
but has since been superceded by
blueberries, tourism and fi shing.
NOTABLE RESIDENTS: Actors Jon
English, Russell Crowe and Jack
Thompson, singer Wendy Matthews,
world champion triathlete Emma
Moffatt, author, journalist and current
affairs presenter George Negus and
entrepreneur Dick Smith.
72
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

A BIT OF COMPETITION
With the sheer amount of waves on offer, it comes as no surprise
that the Coffs Coast has also produced some notable personalities
in the surf community.
AAA Tourism Rating
Absolute
Beachfront
...on beautiful Sapphire Beach with its
clear water, surf and white sand...
JAMIE MITCHELL, possibly the world’s best all around waterman
of all time, is a Coffs native. Jamie is the 10 x Molokai to Oahu
Paddle Board Race Champion and holds paddle titles for every major
contest in the world and is also a noted big wave surfing hellman
currently on the Big Wave World Tour who has been nominated in
the Billabong XXL awards and won the “Biggest Paddle-in Wave
Award” at the Australian Big Wave Awards in 2012.
Surfi ng from the tender age of 4, HARLEY INGLEBY is another
world-renowned waterman and the 2009 World Longboarding
Champion. He grew up in Emerald Beach on the Coffs Coast where
he still lives today.
Former ASP World Tour competitors, LEE WINKLER and SHAUN
CANSDELL as well as QS Junior BILLY KEAN all call Coffs home.
The Hoey Moey’s Coffs Harbour Boardriders are now offi cially 2 nd
place, in the title of Australia’s Best Boardriding Club.
Later this year in August, and for the next two years, Coffs will
play host to the Australian Surf Festival - the largest gathering of
surfers in the country, comprising of four amateur events: Australian
Longboard, Logger, Surfmasters and Single Fin Titles.
Coffs will soon host the first ever Billabong Oz Grom Cup presented
by Kustom on April 21-24 with around 200 eager contestants taking
part in some 11 divisions from under 8s through to under 18s,
boys and girls.
Stays to suit
your budget
From deluxe self contained
2 bedroom villas to 1 room
cabins, and shady, powered
and unpowered sites for
caravans and campers.
Perfect spot
Just a hop, skip and a jump
north of Coffs central, yet
Sapphire Beach Holiday
Park is quiet, shady and
protected with lush subtropical
grounds and its own
billabong - plus lots of native
birds.
So many
activities
Surf, swim, relax, cycle,
walk... There’s no time to
be bored at Sapphire
Beach Holiday Park
Dogs are
welcome!
(Conditions apply.)
48 Split Solitary Rd, Sapphire Beach
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Call us: +61 (0)2 6653 6212
BOOK
ONLINE
TODAY!
Jacob Murray on a Coffs Coast gem. Photo: Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
www.splitsolitarycaravanpark.com
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 73

THE MORNING SURF CHECK
Who needs to stare at a website to find out what
the surf’s doing? Rather than do things by halves, we
wanted to check all the breaks at once, thanks to
Coffs City Skydivers! Landing on Park Beach, all Dave
really needed was a surfboard waiting...
LAWRENCE’ SAYS...
“Mullawarra because it can be
surfed in most swells and wind
directions.”
Lawrence Hill
This is
Lawrence
SOME LOCAL
FAVOURITES
“Hate to admit it but probably
Trapdoors (the Sawtell crew’s
spot) but my local is Macauleys. If
you pull up in the carpark and you
haven’t got a Gnu’s Garage sticker
on your car, you’re not a local.”
Gnu Jones, Gnus Garage
“Trapdoors is the pick of the spots
but best of all, you wait your turn.
It doesn’t matter how good you
can surf, you wait your turn. ”
Bill Tolhurst
GALLOWS
Boambee beach
“We have waves every day of
the year. Diggers or North Wall
would be my regulars.”
Paul Guthrie, The Log Shack
Jetty BEACH
“Trapdoors would probably be our
signature wave within 10kms of the
city centre. It is like a Broken Head
style wave.
What’s best is that we have order
in the lineup. You will know where
you are in line and you wait your
turn. If you are visiting you just have
to initially watch and listen and you
will get the hang of it.”
Lee Winkler
NORTH WALL
74
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014
Park beach

THE 50-ODD KILOMETRE STRETCH of coastline from Red Rock to Sawtell is a mix of fun beach
breaks and quality point breaks for surfers of all descriptions and abilities. Whether you are
learning to surf or testing your nerves, there is something for everyone.
COFFS
COAST
N
BREAKS
ARRAWARRA
TRAPDOORS
SAWTELL
RED ROCK &
CORINDI BEACH
Can’t confess to have
surfed these northern
beaches, but have seen
clips of fun beachies
and seen some solid
swell rolling in when
I’ve visited. Generally
quite fat, exposed and
inconsistent.
Best on rising tide, midhigh.
N-NE swell. NW-SW
wind. Plenty of rock pools
for kids to explore while
you sample its wares.
Each time I’ve surfed this
point on a longboard I’ve
had an absolute ball. Long,
peeling, gentle, right hand
point break over rock. It’s
a casual, relaxed ride, but
can get crowded.
Best on mid tide.
NE-SE swell. SW-S wind.
MULLAWAY
It’s basically a small cove
between two headlands. I
had a great little session
here with my brother
a while back surfi ng
perfectly formed waves
on alaias. They have
to be if I am surfi ng an
alaia. Solid right point
break and good range of
beachies left and right.
Best mid tide, SE swell,
NW-SW winds.
WOOLGOOLGA
BEACH
Not one of the more
notable breaks in the area
but certainly another fun
Coffs Coast beach break
great for fi shes and mini-
Simmons style boards.
Very friendly vibe and a
good spot for beginners.
MOONEE BEACH
Take your pick: point,
beachie, river mouth. This
spot has the lot. The right
point at the southerly
end can offer up good
protection from strong
southerlies.
Best 3-4 ft, low - mid tide.
S swell. NW-SW winds.
Photo: Tom Woods, St Surf Images
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 75

COFFS
COAST
N
BREAKS
Emerald Beach
A goofy-footer’s heaven if
the banks and conditions
are right. Longboard champ
Harley Ingelby’s home break
so that more or less sums up
its potential. Clean, peeling
lefthanders.
Low -mid tide. SE-NE swell,
NW-SW wind.
Diggers
Great A-frames to be had
here. Had quite a few late
afternoon ‘cleansers’ at
Diggers after a solid drive
back from Victoria. I’m
yet to sample its wares in
the morning, but it seems
consistent through the day.
Suits all level of surfers.
Best on any tide, SE swell,
SW wind.
MacaulEys
This is one of the more
popular spots with local
surfers because it picks up
the most available swell.
Powerful lefthand point and
beach break. Sometimes
the two link up in perfect
conditions. Handles up to
10ft conditions.
All tides, S-E swell,
N-W wind.
Park Beach
Good left and right beach
breaks, which can be
absolute crackers if the
banks are in place and the
conditions right.
Usually has something on
offer most of the time in all
conditions but best mid-tide,
SE swell, NW wind.
North Wall
When this place is going
off, it’s brown boardies only
unless you rip. This grinding
right comes off the north
wall of the harbour in BIG S
swells. Occasionally it even
breaks left inside the wall.
Gallows
The expression ‘going to
the gallows’ means you
are going to die, which you
probably will if you head
here and can’t really, really
surf. Sucky, nasty, heavy,
sharky and it’s a left... Does
it get any worse, or better,
if you’re a loony? If it’s
working, you will see it.
Trapdoors
Standing atop of the
headland a few years back
in a cyclone swell I could
not believe the size of the
waves I was seeing. The
creek deposits sand over a
rockshelf, but the takeoff
is all rock, fast, sucky and
scary. If you can stand the
test you might just get a
200-300m righthand ride of
your life.
Best mid-tide, SE swell,
SW wind.
Sawtell
A very consistent beach
break with good lefts and
rights that can certainly
handle some size if the banks
are right. A great left off the
pool on low tide in north
winds, epic rights when
sand builds up between the
headland and The Island at
the southern end.
Best mid-tide, NE-SE swell,
SW-W wind.
Coffs Harbour Boardriders
grommie Samadrha Bye
“So you made the cover of
Smorgasboarder, dad... But
can you surf like this?”
Rino Lindsay
76
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

Stylemaster Harley Ingleby
IT DOESN’T
MATTER
...what your AGE, SURFING STYLE,
PREFERENCE OF WAVE is... whether you
like going LEFT or RIGHT... it’s all here
oEnjoy a selection of waves around Coffs...
Photos by Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
“Lee Winkler at the boat ramp - a rare spot that fires
up in large cyclone swell. When it’s being surfed,
an ambulance normally waits in the carpark for the
inevitable injury. It breaks so close to the rocks....”
Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 77

LOCAL TIPS...
“Macauleys, because
it always has a nice
left. I like surfi ng on
my backhand.”
Charlie Peplow
CTRL V are proud to be
Major Sponsors of the
Pa & Ma Bendall Memorial Comp
The 40th Anniversary comp -
surfboard trophies will feature
CTRL V DCals!
CTRL V wishes all competitors
the best of luck.
DO GOOD HAVE FUN
“Diggers, because
it works in all
conditions whether it
is big or small.”
Josh Burrow
T
Zoe Schmidt
Kai Appleton
Josh Burrow
Charlie Peplow
DID YOU KNOW?
More than just a
variety of waves, the
Coffs Coast also has a
number of boardriding
clubs: Woolgoolga
Boardriders,
Woolgoolga Longboard
Club, Sawtell
Boardriders and Coffs
Harbour Boardriders.
78
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

HERE COME THE
THE CLUB
Lee Winkler, the Vice President of
Coffs Harbour Boardriders filled
us in on the proud history of his
club and what the upcoming comp
is all about.
Particularly exciting for the Coffs Harbour Boardriders
is the upcoming Billabong Oz Grom Cup they will host
this April. We caught up with some of the groms to
find out more...
Insanely stoked is the only way to describe how these
groms are feeling about the upcoming comp. “Yeah,
we may have a bit of a home advantage,” Josh Burrow
agreed with Zoe Schmidt - both U18 competitors.
Charlie Peplow was just keen to get back into the
water with his very new Shaun Cansdell surfboard,
while Taj Watson, Danny Page and Kai Appleton were
most excited about the opportunity to go up against
visiting surfers coming to Coffs from far and wide.
“It’s going to be sick!” said Taj.
Bring on the comp - these groms are ready to go!
ABOVE: Lee at the surf photo
wall at the Hoey Moey - one
of the Billabong Oz Grom Cup
sponsors, and sponsor of the
Coffs Harbour Boardriders.
L-R: Danny Page (U14), Zoe Schmidt (U18), Kai Appleton (U14), Charlie Peplow (U12), Josh Burrow (U18), Taj Watson (U14)
“I think the club was fi rst formed
back in 1965. Around that time
it was one of the biggest board
riding clubs in the world. There
was something like 420 members,
my old man was one of them, he
was a true waterman.
“Most of the members back
then lived off Coffs Creek and
would carry their big logs down
their yards on wheelbarrows and
drop them into the creek. They
would paddle all the way up the
river, out into the surf and have
to wait until the tide came back
in to paddle back home in the
afternoon.
“As a result, I had a great
upbringing. I was pretty much
brought up in the surf and got
to know all the guys in the ‘60s
right through to now. The club is
like family and still is today and
that’s what makes it so special.
Everyone knows one another
from the six-year old groms to
the guys in their sixties and are
supportive of one another. That is
the inspiration behind the Oz Grom
Cup. It’s about supporting our
kids coming through the club and
giving them the opportunity to surf
against the best kids in Australia.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 79

COFFS:GROMS
Samahra Bye
Lawrie Forkin
Brayden Templeton
Billy Kean
Alanah Watson
The family...
A FEW OF THE GROMS SHOW HOW IT’S DONE...
VIEWS PLEASE
This is the Surf Club, one
of the generous CHBC
sponsors... What a spot!
9
Ross Jeffery
Photo: Tom Woods/ST Surf Images
80
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

And we would like
to grow it into an
annual event.
“When I was a kid
I used to travel to
Sydney and Bells
and surf against
various guys and it
helped me develop
as a surfer (Lee
was a former
competitor on the
ASP World Tour).
It’s clear having spoken with
Lee and various members
of the club, along with a
number of juniors competing
in the Cup, the event is the
culmination of a hard working
committee with a clear vision
supported by Council and
Coffs Coast Marketing.
“It has been a lot of hard work
pulling it all together but so
many people have contributed
and it is great to have council
supporting surfing now along
with the tourism sector. All
working together, we want the
right things for our kids and to
develop the area in a positive
light and promote Coffs as a
great surf destination.”
The competition commences
on Easter Monday, April
21st and runs for four days
with events for females and
males across 11 divisions.
There will be close to
200 kids competing. The
competition format will
allow each contestant to
surf twice before the highest
placed surfers are seeded
into a 4-person heat format,
CHBC Senior Team, 2 nd Kirra Teams Challenge 2014
emulating the ASP World
Qualifying Series draws,
complete with professional
judges, computer scoring
system and commentators.
“We all really wanted the
event to have a major feel of
fairness that gives the next
crop of Australia’s surf stars,
the chance to evolve their
competitive development
and have a load of fun along
the way.
“A lot of junior events
nowadays are 6-man, 15
minute heats, in crappy
waves, on the middle of a
suburban beach that’s often
blown out and not overly
inspiring. The Billabong Oz
Grom Cup will be held here
during the peak Autumn
season with a variety of
uncrowded quality beach
breaks to choose from and
each heat will be 20 minutes.”
Whether or not your kids are
competing this year, it sounds
like a good opportunity to
check out the comp and Coffs
for that matter, at the time of
year when the surf’s going off.
SURF LIKE
MY DAD...
“Hunter is seven years old
and has been surfing since
he was five and follows Dad
around like a shadow.
“He lives and breathes the
surf and skate lifestyle and
has made loads of grommy
mates surfing all up and down
the east coast of Australia.”
Dad, Lee Winkler
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 81

CS:CHARACTERS
P H • YS
Local hero support for The Log Shack boys A sample of Paul’s home collection
A man who has been involved
in the Coffs Coast surfboard
industry for some twenty-fi ve
years is Paul Guthrie of surf
shop The Log Shack.
Paul fi rst moved to Coffs
when he saw an ad in a
home-owner magazine for
beachfront land in Corindi
when it was only $40,000.
“I was living on the Central
Coast and took a redundancy
at the local power station and
moved here. The beachfront
block was my motivation.”
Paul met a few of the local
lads who helped build his
home and got into the local
TLOGGED ON
longboarding scene. Six
months later he bought a
small surf shop in Woolgoolga
called Woolgoolga Surf. When
one of the larger surf retailers
in town, Blue Lines, burnt
down and then cleared their
remaining stock, Paul bought
the business. He expanded
the operation opening shops
in Grafton, Toormina and
Woolgoolga.
“About ten years ago I decided
I was getting too old to be
selling bikinis and fashion
and wanted to focus on just
selling surfboards so we set
up The Log Shack, originally
in Woolgoolga. When Peter
Naturist, who still shapes
boards out of Red Rock, was
keen to sell his business in
town we decided it was best to
relocate to the centre of town
and took over his premises and
turned it into The Log Shack,
where we are today. I then sold
the other shops.”
When the opportunity came
up to buy the building where
The Log Shack stands, Paul
went into partnership with
his good mate Ken, who was
working a couple of days a
week with him in the store.
They became “Paul and Ken,
The Longboard Men”.
Today they both enjoy what
they refer to as a “lifestyle
business” just focusing on
surfboards, hardware, a few
tshirts and shorts. Their range
of shortboards through to
paddle boards include their
popular Arrawarra Longboards
shaped by Brett Munro,
Bill Tolhurst, Jim Newton,
Robert August, Hamilton
and McTavish as well as a
complete range of Surftech,
Southpoint and NSP boards.
When in Coffs you have to
check this place out. Truth
be told, the lure of The Log
Shack is what fi rst brought
me here. It’s all about the nice
contrast to the ho hum, stock
standard surf shop fi lled with
the same old brands and lots
of white boards.
For more on the The Log
Shack, drop in at the store,
Harbour Drive on the Jetty
Strip or see the website
www.thelogshack.com.au
82
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

We were fascinated by the amazing artwork on a surfboard
displayed in The Log Shack. This turned out to be the creation
of none other than Paul’s son, Martin Guthrie. Martin explains his
R.E.M. Tribute” surfboard.
PSHINY HAPPY PEOPLEQ
“This artwork serves as a refl ection
and combination of my father’s
two major loves – surfi ng and
legendary band R.E.M. The artwork
has been created using ordinary
permanent markers, drawn over
pencil outlines on what was
originally a blank, white board.
“The board is split into two main sections. The top section focuses
on the band themselves and refl ects several aspects of their
history – locations pivotal to their formation in Athens, Georgia,
their various record labels throughout the years (and avoidance of
mainstream labels such as EMI and Columbia), their 2007 induction
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and their
democratic political beliefs.
“The centrepiece of the board, however, is a much more personal
creation. It’s composed of 19 images in a mosaic, each referring to
an individual release from my father’s personal collection (hence
why The Great Beyond is here, despite not being an album) and
each featuring my own spin on what the titles represent, varying
between literal and more abstract interpretations where needed.
“Completing this project has been a substantial test of patience
– starting in early 2009, I worked on it in between bouts of
University studying and other drawings, and only then whenever
I could gather enough motivation
to continue. But now, it’s fi nally
fi nished for everyone to see, and
I hope everyone is able to enjoy it
as much as I do.”
SEE THE BOARD
proudly displayed
on the wall inside
The Log Shack.
CALLER I.D.
Photo: Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
Photo: Tom Woods
MEET BRETT CALLER - the extremely cheerful surfer on the cover,
who photographer Tom Woods introduces as “the most stoked,
infectious surfer I know and so well loved by all on the Coffs coast…”
We asked Brett what makes
Coffs so special to him:
“Well, I grew up in the area
and everyone loves surfi ng
their home spots. The Coffs
Coast is great because within
20 min north or south of the
CBD, there are loads of options
for all conditions and surf craft.
The vibe in the water is always
super-mellow and very family
orientated, which is epic...”
Funny enough, the cover shot
got him in a little hot water
with some family - his wife
Emma, to be exact...
T
Martin and his artwork
“That pic has a funny story to it,” Brett explains.
“A couple of weeks back I noticed that my wife’s board, an 8 ft
Vouch, was starting to collect a bit of dust. So one early before
work, I had this great idea that I would take it without asking, ride
it fi nless and put it back and she would never know.
“Little did I know that “Little Em” as she’s known gets the daily
updates from ST Surf Images and saw that I had sneakily been
riding her board. (laughs) I ended up in the doghouse for doing a
deed that I thought was a win-win.”
Brett is a Physiotherapist, who also devotes time to strength and
conditioning training with the Coffs Harbour Boardriders’ groms.
Emma is a naturopath and nutritionist who runs the Essential
Health store in Coffs Harbour.
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 83

Tom gets in a wave
or two himself
COFFS:CHARACTERS
SHARP*SHOOTER
If there’s one guy that epitomises
the happiness of this place, it has
to be Tom Woods, photographer
for ST SURF IMAGES. He lives it,
he captures it through his lens and
spreads it far and wide through
his awesome photos online, by
email and in print. In fact, you
can’t have looked at photographs
of surfing around Coffs and not
come across Tom’s work.
For years now, he’s been tirelessly
documenting the coast and it’s
people, with a passion for that allconsuming
pastime that is surfi ng.
Despite the years of shooting
surfi ng and an ever-growing career
as a commercial photographer,
Tom is as prolific as ever when it
comes to surf shots, and easily as
infectiously enthusiastic as any
new photographer with their very
fi rst camera. We asked him what
keeps him so happy and excited
about snapping around Coffs.
THE WAVES
“It’s a consistent spot. While
we might not have a worldclass
wave like Angourie, the
Superbank, the Pass or Lennox
Head, we’ve got waves that work
in all swells - we’ve got wind
protection from the south and
especially from the north... When
the northerly wind kicks in on
the Gold Coast, you don’t have a
whole lot of options, where we
have fi ve within 25km – they’re all
really good backbeaches. So those
summer days where nobody’s
surfi ng further north, we’re getting
pretty good waves.”
THE PEOPLE
“A lot of people born around
here really appreciate the place.
Harley Ingleby for example – he
travels the word and goes to the
most amazing places, every surf
destination you can think of, but
he still loves Coffs Coast the best.
He can get waves anywhere – the
Superbank, Hawaii - he’s a good
enough surfer to do that, but he
still chooses the Coffs Coast. Even
though he’s born and bred here, he
still appreciates how good it is.”
“And there’s not a lot of surfers
considering the population, but
the ones that do surf are pretty
passionate – pretty into it. They’re
not into it for the scene, or the
coolness or anything like that…
They just like going surfi ng”
TOM’S PHOTOGRAPHY
“I’ve got my surf website I
run - www.stsurfi mages.com - I
try to report in to that at least
three times at least, fi ve times
a week if it’s really good and I’ve
got the time. That’s going really
well, but my main income is from
commercial photography, so a lot
for businesses, websites... I’ve
got some holiday parks all up and
down the north coast planned
for this year. It’ll be fun – I’ll get
to see some amazing spots from
Sydney to Tweed Heads.
GRATITUDE
“I love what I do every day. I don’t
really consider it a job. It does pay
my bills, feeds my kids, pays my
mortgage and keeps a smile on my
face all at the same time.
“I’m so grateful for where I live
and what I do – I wake up every
morning and think how lucky I am.
I’ve got a gorgeous wife, great
kids, a great job and get to go
down to the beach every day. I’m
just a lucky man, I guess.
“Be happy, be grateful and just
keep smiling. It all comes off in
the end.”
www.stsurfi mages.com
A N O T H E R
CHARMED LIFE
Despite still being at school, Coffs
Harbour Boardriders Grom Jackson
Nicholls spends part of his day studying
and training at Dolphin Marine Magic
to kickstart his career in marine
conservation. What a great setup!
84
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Ron Goddard
The crew L-R: Ray, Chris, Adam and Byron
Jim Newton
THE HAND OF GODDARD
It was The Log Shack (see page 82) that
indeed fi rst introduced me to the handiwork
of Ron Goddard. Drooling over their range
of boards I came across a shaper I was
not familiar with. The more I saw of his
surfboards, the more I wanted to fi nd out
about this local Coffs shaper.
I came to learn Ron custom hand shapes
a range of boards from performance
shortboards to stubbies, mid-lengths,
hybrids, guns, longboards and collectable,
yet functional wooden surfboards.
Ron hails from Maroubra originally and first
got into surfing in 1960. Being passionate
about it, his creative side soon kicked in
and in 1970 started shaping and it has been
a passion ever since. A finalist in every
shortboard Aussie title from 1995 to 2001,
winning in ’96 and ’98, including a number
of national longboard events, he knows his
way around a surfboard. And he’s always
keen to push the envelope, constantly
developing new designs, techniques and
fi nishes to improve the performance, look
and feel of his boards. Considered a master
craftsman to the many who have ridden his
craft, Ron’s approach to his work is best
summed up by himself.
“I run a big operation in the mountains here.
There’s me and my shed, and occasionally
I will call in a good mate when a special
high gloss finish or spectacular wood fi n is
required. Yep, my boards are mass produced,
one at a time.”
COFFS COAST MADNESS
The largest surfboard manufacturing
operation on the Coffs Coast is without
doubt, MADNESS SURFBOARDS. Chris
Henri, the owner and original shaper at
MADNESS started his business back in
1979 on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where
he was born. Chris relocated to the New
South Wales North Coast and set up his
business in Woolgoolga. He saw it as a
great chance to escape the city and continue
his passion for hand shaping surfboards.
Today all MADNESS SURFBOARDS
are still 100% handshaped, custom made
to order, sanded, glassed and fi nished in
Woolgoolga. The quality of the workmanship
has remain unchanged and that is why they
have developed such a loyal local following.
Chris has been joined in the business by his
son Byron, who also now shapes, glasser
Adam and Ray. Their customers range from
six-year-old groms on miniature, lightweight
high-performance craft, through to older
gentleman on old school longboards.
I guess if you keep things simple and just
focus on quality, success will come your
way as it has for Chris and the team. As far
as we were concerned, it’s always great to
meet a bunch of more down-to-earth, easy
to talk to blokes.
NEWTON’S LAW
Another interesting Coffs character is Jim
Newton. Born and bred in North Narrabeen,
Jim fi rst started his business SURF CRAFT
REPAIRS in 1978. Years passed, he sold
his business, moved to Grafton and later
Coffs in ’97 but just on twelve months ago
he recommenced his business under the
original name, SURF CRAFT REPAIRS.
Jim’s a wealth of knowledge on all many of
surfboard repairs to every imaginable form
of surfcraft but what really caught our eye
were his boards. Jim gave us a brief insight
into the design.
“The boards I am shaping feature a reverse
channel, which my brother Brian fi rst
developed back in 1992. The fi rst two world
titles Layne Beachley won were in fact on
my brother’s boards.
“I have been knocking out quite a few demos
of late featuring the reverse channel so
people can try out how they feel. I think they
go unreal. The design delivers more bite.
The rails act like another fi n. So because of
that extra bite, when you go into a turn you
gain more speed, more maneuverability and
it breaks out of the top turns really well. It
makes the board super fast. It is like having
a super deep concave but without losing too
much volume and without signifi cant tail lift.
It comes into its own when you are turning.”
You can be guaranteed we’ll be back soon to
demo one of these babies.
Jim Newton cruising. Photo: Tom Woods, ST Surf Images
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 85

“I’M JUST NOT THAT KEEN ON
TALKING ABOUT MYSELF...”
BILL TOLHURST
If finally catching up with
BILL TOLHURST is the only
thing we got to do in Coffs, it
would have made our trip...
WORDS: DAVE SWAN
T H E E N I G M A T I C
vMR.TOLHURSTu
. . . W E M E E T A T L A S T . . .
Absolutely classic. The first
time we ever get to meet Bill
Tolhurst and ask him why he’s
been so reticent to tell us his
story, he responds, “I’m just
not that keen on talking about
myself. Most surfboard builders
are normal blokes. Anyone
who wants to talk about
themselves... well, you probably
don’t want to talk to them for
too long, and probably shouldn’t
believe half of what they say.”
You get an idea of the kind
of guy Bill Tolhurst is. Dry, no
bullsh*t and just my kind of
bloke. Not being a fan of those
who love themselves, I feel
right at home talking with Bill
straight away. We manage to
chat about just about everything
but Bill, surprise, surprise. So to
fi ll in the blanks, here’s a little
about the man who’s considered
to be an absolute legend to not
only Coffs locals, and anyone
who rides his boards, but
indeed the international surfi ng
community.
Bill was born in 1953 and
started shaping in 1968. When
Bob Cooper opened his shop in
Coffs Harbour in 1969, the fi rst
board sold out of Coopers was
one of Bill’s Black Sheep. This
model, refi ned and fi ne-tuned
since, is still ridden by Harley
Ingleby today, which leads me
to my next point of interest...
Bill still single-handedly shapes,
glasses, sands and polishes
all his own boards at his
Toormina factory. The quality
of craftsmanship, attention to
detail and design nous has seen
even the best surfers in the
world paying for Bill’s boards.
Harley Ingleby has been riding
Bill’s boards forever. He’s one
the best longboard surfers
of the last decade, World
Champion in 2009... and even
he still pays Bill for his boards.
That just says it all.
When I’d previously asked Dave
Byrne from Surftech about the
reason behind producing a
number of Bill’s boards in the
Surftech range he explained
to me the signifi cant outlay
involved necessitated a proven
seller. Said Dave, “The reason
why we select only proven,
tested shapes from high profi le
shapers is because our setup
costs are very expensive.
“We can invest anywhere up to
USD $20,000 per model to get
them into production. Hence we
have to use world-renowned
shapers so we can market
these boards globally and be
guaranteed of selling at least
1000 units of each particular
model. If we can’t, we’re just
wasting our time.”
The shapes for what Bill has
become truly famous for are
his fi shes and round-tail fl yers,
all quads, and 9’1” thinnish
cruiser-style mals with multi-fi n
options, which are popularly
ridden as single fi ns.
Looking around his factory
however, it’s quite clear he’s
capable of crafting any manner
of surfboard, all tailored to suit
the individual. We can’t wait to
catch up with Bill again to talk
some more about his boards,
and slowly fi nd out a little more
about the man behind it all.
For more info, see Bill’s website:
www.tolhurstsurfboards.com.au
Photos: Mark Chapman
86
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

woolgoolga, nsw
Over 20 surf options in
all weather conditions
within a few minutes
drive.
moonee beach, nsw
Hidden gem
on the Coffs
Coast –
big rewards
if you make
the effort!
coffs harbour, nsw
Home of local
Boardriders
and some
of the best
Beach breaks
on the Coffs
Coast!
When you come to the
the hoey moey
• The only pub in Coffs
Harbour situated right
on the beach!
• Home of the Famous
$9.50 Feeds
• Backpacker & Motel
accomodation
• FREE live music most
nights of the week with a
relaxed, modern beach-style
atmosphere
ph: 02 6652 3833
84 ocean pde | coffs harbour nsw
hoeymoey.com.au
Coffs Coastto surf
few things
you need to know...
there are a
the moonee beach
tavern
• Located only 10 minutes
north of Coffs Harbour near
beautiful Moonee Beach
• $10 Meal Deals Monday-
Saturday + fantastic pizzas
• FREE live music in the beer
garden on the outdoor stage
ph: 02 6653 6199
2 moonee beach rd | moonee beach nsw
mooneebeachtavern.com.au
the seaview tavern
• Located only 20 minutes
north of Coffs Harbour near
Woolgoolga’s Main Beach
• $10 Meal Deals
Monday-Friday
• FREE live music
throughout the month with
a relaxed, modern beachstyle
atmosphere
ph: 02 6654 1206
51 river street | woolgoolga nsw
seaviewavern.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 87

COFFS has certainly moved on from the days
when it was known for the Big Banana. The big
yellow fruit still stands but nowadays there are a
host of other activities to keep surfers of all ages
entertained when the waves aren’t on or you just
need to give your aching shoulders a break. In fact
Coffs Coast Marketing recently launched a guide to
the top 101 things to do in the region. Here are our
favourites...
SWIM
N
WITH A DOLPHIN
WHAT
TO DO ?
COFFS HARBOUR
Thanks Jackson Nicolls for the photos.
What surfer does not want to swim with the
world’s greatest surfer, the dolphin? Incredible
experience? Both Mark and I would defi nitely rate
the experience in the top ten of our lives. Words
can’t really describe the sensation - you have
to experience it for yourself to understand the
absolute natural high.
Our surf coach for the day was ‘Bella’, an eight year
old Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin born in captivity
after both her parents were rescued in the wild.
In Australia there are only two such places where
you can experience such a phenomenal one-on-one
coaching session - Sea World on the Gold Coast
and Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbour.
*interact and be
educated. What you learn
in this time will last you
a lifetime.
Now if I were to put State of Origin allegiances
aside (I am a Queenslander), I would have to say
Dolphin Marine Magic is the more intimate
experience. No big stage or theatrical productions
- just the opportunity to get up close and personal
with these amazing creatures.
...a “theme park,” Dolphin
Marine Magic is a marine
park dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and
Mel introduces us to Bella
research of marine inhabitants, namely dolphins,
seals, Blue Penguins, Green Sea Turtles and Fresh
Water Turtles. The marine park permanently homes
and cares for marine animals that have been
brought into captive care as a result of an injury
or event that prohibited the animal from being
released back to the wild.
Dolphin Marine Magic’s educational
presentations and interactive sessions also aim
to “edutain” (educate and entertain) audiences
with the hope of inspiring guests to form real,
empathic bonds with marine life that will encourage
behavioural changes to conserve our environment.”
DOLPHIN MARINE MAGIC
Adults $34, kids 15 & under $18,
Family pass (2 adults & 2 kids) $96.
Save 10% by booking online. You even get the
chance to kiss a dolphin and seal for FREE.
The ULTIMATE DOLPHIN SWIM is $410 pp peak/
$360 pp off-peak and includes 20 minutes in the
water interacting with one of the dolphins, foot
push, belly ride, hand push, hug and swim with
masks, a professional photograph of your dolphin
hug (8x12) as well as entry into the park.
www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au
TAKE A
BUGGY RIDE
...And what surfer doesn’t want to
own a dune buggy? What a great
way to take in the surrounds...
John from Beach to Bush Buggy
Tours picked us up at Coffs Jetty
before hitting the dunes heading
towards Boambee. We doubled
back through the town, scaled
the winding road past banana
plantations to Bruxner Park Flora
Reserve and on to Sealy Lookout
and the new Forest Sky Pier to get
a spectacular new vantage point
over the city of Coffs Harbour, its
famed breaks and the Solitary
Islands Marine Park – a 100km
magic panoramic view of this
part of the world. Before we
headed back down we scooted
out back through local rainforests
encountering native “drop bears”
and snakes...
...a ride,
John is
a wealth of knowledge on the
Coffs Coast so you get a tour and
a demography, geography and
history lesson, all in one.
BEACH TO BUSH BUGGY TOURS
From just $15 p.p. 15, 30, 60 & 90
minute tours as well as half-day
excursions available.
www.beachtobushbuggytours.com.au
88
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014
There's so much more at
DOLPHIN MARINE MAGIC
- this barely scratches
the surface... so GO!

FORGET YOUR MORNING COFFEE.
YOU WANT TO REALLY WAKE UP?
JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE AT 15,000
FT. SHOULD DO THE TRICK.
SUP’s UP
Another great, active way to
check out Coffs is by paddle
board. Geoff and Cheryl
Vigors run a paddleboard hire
business at the south side of
the pier in the Coffs Marina,
as well as at Boambee Creek
Reserve at Sawtell.
... a
great
place to learn to paddle
board, it is a great means
to keep fit and catch the
occasional peeler coming in
off the pier.
COFFS JETTY SUP
Coffs Jetty:
Geoff 0407 386 338
Boambee Creek Reserve:
Cheryl 0422 392 951
Adults $20.00 p/h, kids (U/18)
$15.00 p/h, Family – 2 Adults
+ 2 Children (U/18) $50.00
p/h, Special rates for groups/
organisations/corporate.
www.coffsjettysup.com.au
EARLY
MORNING
HIGH
*You can relive the
memory with photos and
a DVD of your jump
When we heard Coffs was one of only two places in Australia
where you can skydive onto the beach - not to mention
the highest - we were onto it. Well, at least I thought we
were until my good friend Mark told me he'd concentrate
on grabbing some shots from the beach. Anyhow, my early
morning surf check from above definitely made it on to my
life's Top Ten - that’s now two in Coffs Harbour.
...a big leap... or plunging down
the biggest wave imaginable...
or the most unbelievably exhilarating experience you will
encounter, taking in the most amazingly breathtaking
panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range where
it meets the Pacifi c Ocean, free falling at 200km/h for
60 seconds… You get my point, Coffs City Skydivers
delivers a jump with difference.
The sign atop of the doorway to the premises reads, “On
the other side of fear is freedom.” After my jump with
“Tandem Master” Lawrence Hill, we got a chance for an
in-depth chat over breakfast. Both Lawrence and owner,
Steve Hill, are focused on personal development, and
in particular, dealing with people’s fears and phobias.
Lawrence explains, “Unfortunately the modern world is
based around fear. Society is set up in such a way that
people will tell you why you shouldn’t do something rather
than why you should. Whether it's skydiving, or surfing,
or just something radical, someone is always in your ear
telling you why you shouldn’t do it.
“The philosophy behind our company is that - yeah, we are
going to take you skydiving and it’s radical and an adrenalin
rush - but we're also going to get you into a positive head
space. Enable you to identify your fears, step beyond them
and feel the pure elation when you do. Hopefully that lesson
can be transposed into other parts of your life, so you can
more easily deal with life’s pressures. In many ways the door
in the plane is the ultimate doorway. It can be the doorway
to whatever you want it to be; a doorway to enjoyable
things, a doorway where you are falling into your positive
side and/or the doorway where you leave things behind.”
For me, it was all about relaxing, going with the flow and
then letting out one hell of a big, “Yeeeehhhaaaaahhh.”
COFFS CITY SKYDIVERS
15,000 ft jump is currently $399, normally $499. Jumps
start from 6,000ft but you might as well go the whole hog.
If you prefer the ground, Coffs City Skydivers has just
introduced Australia’s fi rst ever outdoor Vertical Wind
Tunnel. Xtreme Bodyflight lets you experience the
exhilaration of freefall with a rush of air traveling at
over 200km/h, levitating you into a mind blowing, face
contorting hover up to 10m above the flight deck.
www.coffsskydivers.com.au
All you need
is a little bit of
balance and an
appetite for fun!
WE HAVE
NEW &
EX-HIRE
BOARDS
On the beach Saturday, Sunday,
School & Public Holidays.
Other days available by booking
COFFS JETTY Southside of the pier, and
AT
BOAMBEE CREEK RESERVE Sawtell
FOR SALE
WWW.COFFSJETTYSUP.COM.AU
CALL 0422 391 951
Stay with us...
Enjoy 3 to 4 star accommodation opposite
right opposite beautiful Park Beach!
41 OCEAN PARADE, COFFS HARBOUR
Call us to book: (02) 6652 6733
Email: oceanparademotelcoffs@gmail.com
WWW.OCEANPARADE.COM.AU
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 89

It’s not called The Observatory for nothing...
WATCH THE SUN RISE OVER
COFFS HARBOUR
Sapphire Beach Holiday Park's play area
Our spacious studio and 2 bedroom self-catering apartments have private
balconies to take in spectacular views of the harbour, marina and ocean.
30-36 Camperdown Street
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450
(Walk to the Jetty Strip eateries)
P: 1300 302 776 E: info@theobservatory.com.au
WWW.THEOBSERVATORY.COM.AU
Longboards, shortboards, SUPs & much more
HOLIDAY PARKS
NORTH COAST
HOLIDAY PARKS
With 24 parks dotted along
the east coast stretching from
Brunswick heads down to Hawks
Nest at a number of notable
and famed breaks, North
Coast Holiday Parks are a
professionally run organisation
that truly understand surfers of
all descriptions and ages are
some of their core visitors.
SAPPHIRE BEACH
HOLIDAY PARK
This very peaceful, leafy, familyrun
holiday park situated right
on Sapphire Beach has all the
makings of an extremely restful
stay. Sapphire Beach lives up to
its name with white sand, crystal
clear water and a number of
consistent beach breaks suited to
shortboards through to mals.
More boards than you can poke a log at.
392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour NSW
Phone: 02 6658 0223 www.thelogshack.com.au
A large number of the parks
have been recognised by
consumer and industry bodies
for excellence in caravan and
camping experiences and have
received numerous awards. You
can also make the most of their
network of parks with their Road
Tripper loyalty card.
Within the Coffs Coast region
North Coast Holiday Parks have
six parks: at Red Rock, Corindi
Beach, Moonee Beach, Coffs
Harbour (just off the Pacifi c
Highway), North Beach and
Urunga Heads.
www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au
The park is dog-friendly, one of
the most affordable around and
has a range of accommodation
options to suit most budgets
- from deluxe self contained 2
bedroom villas with DVD, A/C to
1 room cabins, as well as shady,
powered and unpowered sites for
caravans and campers.
www.splitsolitarycaravanpark.com
90
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Urunga - North Coast Holiday Parks
COFFS HARBOUR
WHERE
TO STAY
PARK BEACH
Here for the Billabong Oz
Grom Cup? These are our
recommendations on where to
stay at Park Beach, the home
break of the competition.
THE HOEY MOEY
The only hotel/ motel right
ON Park Beach. There's
motel style accommodation,
each room with an ensuite
bathroom, as well as
backpacker accommodation.
Not only are you right on the
beach, but adjoined to the
best hotel and entertainment
venue in Coffs, complete with
beachside bistro.
www.hoeymoey.com.au
WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RECOMMENDATIONS on where
to stay we have a pretty simple rule of thumb when evaluating
accommodation options. If they're friendly to us, they'll be
friendly to you. Success in the hospitality industry is based
on the owners, operators and staff being hospitable - that
and having clean, desirable premises. It's pretty simple really.
Fortunately, we've found plenty of that sort of hospitality on the
Coffs Coast, so here are some places we reckon fit the bill.
OCEAN PARADE MOTEL
Great value for money, clean
and right across the road from
Park Beach (50m). The motel
also has its own swimming
pool and large BBQ with
undercover seating.
The Bowls Club, Hoey Moey,
Café Aqua, O.P 81 Café and
the Park Beach Surf Club
Restaurant and Bar are all
within a couple of hundred
metres of the motel.
www.oceanparade.com.au
WORTHY MENTIONS
SMUGGLERS ON THE BEACH
Located just 5 minutes north
of the city in Korora Bay.
Spacious rooms, and it's
right on the beach.
www.smugglers.com.au
COFFS BEACH HOUSES
Self contained, fully
furnished houses and
townhouses, including pet
friendly accommodation.
www.coffsbeachhouses.com.au
THE OBSERVATORY
HOLIDAY APARTMENTS
Literally a couple of hundred
metres down the road
from Park Beach is the
Coffs Harbour Jetty Strip
of restaurants and cafes.
Just behind that is The
Observatory Holiday
Apartments, where we
chose to stay on our most
recent visit. The rooms were
clean, spacious and had nice
views over the harbour.
Now in terms of being
hospitable, you could not
fi nd a more friendly and
accommodating person
than Daniel De Bakker who
manages The Observatory.
And whilst we were made
to feel extremely welcome,
we couldn’t help but notice
the ladies who worked there
were more excited when
Andrew Ettingshausen
came to stay, as opposed
to two bald blokes from
Smorgasboarder... Next time
we're coming back with a
blonde wig and fi shing rod.
www.theobservatory.com.au
On the other
side of fear is
freedom
Coffs City Skydivers
BOOK NOW! 02 6651 1167
www.coffsskydivers.com.au
DO THE
HIGHEST
BEACH
SKYDIVE IN
AUSTRALIA!
EXPERIENCE FrEEFALL
WITHOUT EVEN LEAVING
THE GROUND
Xtreme Bodyflight
BOOK IT TODAY 0499 xtreme
www.xtremebodyflight.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 91

Delicious Breakfast,
Lunch & Coffee
Surf Club
WHERE
COFFS HARBOUR
TO EAT ?
Open:
(02) 6652 9011
Tues to Sun
7am- 2pm
(opposite the
Hoey Moey)
Ocean Parade,
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Australia
Classic food with a modern twist
Enjoy Coffs’
Healthy & hand-made
on the premises with
fresh ingredients.
Sandwiches, wraps & more
Great
Coffee!
...using award-winning,
locally roasted beans
@ the Marina
Yes, this is an actual brekkie burger
from The Galley...
Opposite the Fish Co-Op
Coffs Harbour International Marina
T: 02 6650 0188 E: thegalleytakeaway@gmail.com
IF THERE'S ONE THING our Kiwi cousins have taught us from our frequent trips
across the ditch is that good food is just that - plain and simple. There's no need for pomp
and ceremony when quality fresh ingredients and great cooking is involved. The good
news is, there are plenty places in Coffs where that mantra rings true. Here are some of
our favourite foodie haunts when we’re about...
WOOLGOOLGA
THE RUSTIC TABLE
4/53 Beach Street
(02) 6654 1645
Modern Mediterranean, open
for b’fast, lunch and dinner.
Gluten-free, vegan Friendly.
Some different delights
you wouldn’t see on any
old menu. Fresh food and
good coffee. Our particular
favourite is the b’fast burrito
with chilli – a real fi recracker.
ALOY DEE THAI
Shop 3, 58 Beach Street
(02) 6654 0777
Very tasty Thai. Lunch,
dinner, dine-in or takeaway.
Generous serves at
reasonable prices explain
why it's so popular.
SEAVIEW TAVERN
River Street
(02) 6654 1206
A favourite spot to drop in to
at the end of a busy day for
a coupe of beers. Good size
meals, lightning service and
all for under $10. Perfect for
a worn-out travelling surfer.
PARK BEACH
THE HOEY MOEY
84 Ocean Parade
(02) 6652 3833
An absolute must. Sister to
the Seaview Tavern so expect
the same exceptional value
and good food, but the HOEY
is also an entertainment
hub. We settled into a very
enjoyable Sunday arvo
session in the outdoor beer
garden watching Brisbane
band Bullhorn. Could have
camped here for several days
it was so much fun.
O.P 81 CAFÉ
81 Ocean Parade
(02) 6652 9011
Contemporary. B’fast or
brunch. You won’t be
disappointed with a visit
here. We fi rst came in late
one afternoon, but instead
of being greeted with a
stereotypical ‘We’re closed’
we were welcomed in and
promptly served by Matt
who saw to our caffeine
and hunger fi x. Nice to know
good food, great coffee and
friendly service are all still
alive and well.
CAFÉ AQUA
57 Ocean Pde
(02) 6652 5566
Contemporary Australian.
B’fast, brunch, lunch. The
locals know best and it is
little wonder this landmark
local café is one of the most
popular in Coffs Harbour. The
consistency of the food and
service is well known.
SURF CLUB
RESTAURANT & BAR
23 Surf Club Road
(02) 6652 9870
If you want the view with
food to match, this is it. The
outlook is sensational, being
you're right on Park Beach.
The atmosphere of an open
plan surf club, complete with
outdoor deck area is always
inviting and the food is top
notch. Highly recommended,
from breakfast all the way
through the day.
92
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014
The Surf Club at Park Beach

Mary-Ann & Wayne, The Galley
Freshest ingredients!
Surf Club
Nicky & Kevin, Zest
COFFS HARBOUR
MARINA A
JETTY PRECINCT
THE GALLEY
Shop 1/1 Marina Drive
(02) 6650 0188
Carnivore, vegetarian,
omnivore, vegan, glutenfree...
All will love the fare
here. Wayne and Mary-Ann
have transformed THE
GALLEY complete with their
own veggie patch out front.
Everything's made fresh on
the premises. The burgers
are absolutely magic, as is
the blend of Artisti coffee.
URBAN ESPRESSO
384A Harbour Drive
(02) 6651 1989
B’fast and brunch. A venue
well worth the visit. Well
presented, tasty fare and
good coffee.
SOUL ESPRESSO
394 Harbour Drive
(02) 6652 4110
B’fast to lunch daily, dinner
Fri & Sat. The owners use
produce from their own farm,
and other locals, and create
fresh meals to feed the soul.
COFFS CENTRAL
ARTISTI HQ
37 Vernon Street
0434 700 910
SAWTELL
ZEST CAFE
1/8-12 1st Avenue
(02) 6658 5840
Sawtell has a beautiful
little café strip and Zest has
become one of our regular
haunts. Super friendly
people, good coffee and nice
homemade cakes.
URUNGA
OCEAN VIEW HOTEL
15 Morgo Street
(02) 6655 6221
Having a beer with Mitchell
want Artisti
in your café?
Give us a call...
...A BOUTIQUE
ROASTERY IN
COFFS HARBOUR,
WITH A PASSION FOR
PRODUCING
QUALITY COFFEE.
OLD JOHN’S
360 Harbour Drive
(02) 6699 2909
Quite possibly the best
breaky in a while. That good?
Check it out for yourselves.
Interesting menu, quirky
decor and friendly staff.
There's a reason why this
café was voted Trip Advisor’s
best in the area.
“Where the roaster and the
barista come together,” this
has fast become a hub for
Coffs coffee afi cionados.
Being an admitted coffee
addict and snob, I can testify
this place has the goods.
Finely tuned operation, welltrained
baristas and stateof-the-art
machinery mean
you are in for a good cup o'
joe. Also a gourmet deli with
plenty of delectable treats.
ARTISTI also have another
hub at 113 Toormina Rd,
Toormina open Mon-Fri 6am
until 12:30pm. Pre-Order On
0403 364 363
There's something about
beautiful old pubs that
appeals to the True Blue
Aussie inside of us all... This
is a magic old Art Deco style
pub, and whilst the menu is
mostly standard pub grub,
the local swordfi sh I had was
fantastic, and Mark rated his
chicken dish highly. Plenty of
historical photos to browse,
and menu boards by Mitchell
at Outer Island - a nice touch.
OUR TIP:
If you're after a view, go to
the Surf Club - fortunately the best
eateries on the Coffs Coast are
pleasingly the more affordable
ones - no need to empty the
wallet for average food.
37 VERNON STREET,
COFFS HARBOUR
OPENING HOURS
MON-FRI: 7AM - 4.30PM
SAT: 7AM - 2PM
0434 700 910
INFO@ARTISTI.COM.AU
WWW.ARTISTI.COM.AU
FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 93

MITCHELL RAE
Regular Smorgasboarder readers would be more than aware of our respect for Mitchell Rae as a creator of the most amazing surfboards. Each
trek down the coast necessitates a scheduled visit to Mitch and Isaac at Outer Island to satisfy the quest for surfboard design ‘awareness’...
THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Words: Dave Swan
PHOTOS: Mark & DAVE
When we made plans to showcase the Coffs
Coast, it went without question another visit
was required, particularly considering the
factory in Raleigh is within the southern border
of the region.
For those keen to know more about Mitchell’s
life long quest to create the perfect flexible
surfboard you need look no further than
issue #18 of this very mag (see www.
smorgasboarder.com.au). However, to briefly
encapsulate the work thus far of this truly
individual and indeed revolutionary shaper, I
can inform you he starting surfing in around
’62, was immediately taken with it and began
shaping some boards of his own before
working professionally in ’68 with Clarke
Surfboards in Brookvale.
Mitchell considers himself very fortunate
to have done a lot of surfing with George
Greenough in his heyday and was completely
fascinated by what George could do on his
flexible kneeboard. Mitchell indeed credits
George as the inspiration behind his quest
to create the perfect flexible surfboard and
whilst their pursuit of flex diverged, the two
have always kept in close contact and shared
thoughts on the design of flow forms.
The evolution of Mitchell’s flexible surfboards
through the years is something to truly behold.
Indeed it is on show, in an informal sense, in
his Raleigh factory. You can see the original
single fin designs with their deep single
concaves and blade-like flexible fibreglass tail
sections right through to the Zen Blade flextail
- the sum of his 43 years shaping to date.
Even the factory itself is something to behold.
It almost has a Zen-like feel about it nestled in
bushland within the idyllic Bellingen Shire. It
prompted us to ask why Mitchell chose to set
up his business in this neck of the woods, in
the woods...
“Back in the ‘70s I was cruising around northcoasting
and my business partner in the day,
Glen (Ritchie) and myself, came across this
spot called Nana Glen out the back of Coffs.
We bought a little old farmhouse out there.
Back then it was very underdeveloped. It was
country soul all the way, shaping boards at the
farmhouse and surfing the unridden waves of
the Coffs Coast.
“That’s the beauty of Coffs, aside from the
variety and consistency of the waves, by in large
there is no crowd pressure, even to this day.
When the cosmic forces align, you get to surf a
pretty high standard of wave without the crowd.
“Sure the waves can be fickle because they are
based on shifting sand. There are no classic
point waves here - aside from Arrawarra - but
it doesn’t truly rival an Angourie or Lennox
Head. But the breaks here can be world class
on their day. You just have to be on the pulse.
“The other beauty of the Coffs Coast is, aside
from one small stretch, you don’t see any
buildings along the foreshore. When you are
out surfing and look back, it is pretty much near
pristine.”
The shire of Bellingen is also quite clearly dear
to Mitchell and in many ways complements his
creative, free-thinking approach to surfboard
design and life in general.
“Bellingen has a strong affinity with the arts
and is home to many talented artists, musicians,
writers, craftspeople and creative souls. By
in large it has developed an equally strong
alternative movement to that of Byron Bay.”
We adjourned our conversation about Coffs
to take up more comfortable quarters at the
Ocean View Hotel, where Mitchell regularly
holds court. Here we continued on into the
night talking about Buddhism and the merits of
Eastern culture - another such subject Mitchell
is very passionate about. Always an education
in so many ways, even over a beer.
Step into Mitchell’s world at his workshop at
7 Bayldon Drive, Raleigh and find out more
about him and Outer Island surfboards at
www.outerislandsurfboards.com
94
SMORGASBOARDER | eastER 2014

COFFS:CHARACTERS
THE FORCE IS STRONG
“Rise Zen Blade, rise...”
Another Outer Island creation
from Mitchell’s experience and
boundless imagination.
Photo: Mark Chapman
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 95

COFFS:PLACES
VISITING URUNGA
THE SURF
FISHING
POSITION
If you’re a competent surfer, keen fi sherman
and after a somewhat secluded spot
not completely off-the-map, Urunga could
just be your dream holiday destination.
Literally a couple minutes off the Pacific
Highway south of Coffs, Urunga is a
quiet, laid-back coastal town located
where the Bellinger and Kalang Rivers
meet before entering the Pacifi c Ocean.
OUR TIP:
When you’re all surfed out,
fished out, and as relaxed as you
would hope to be, grab a beer
and a bite to eat at the local
hotel - the view from the balcony
upstairs is a cracker.
The fi rst and most important
thing we will say here is to
respect the locals. They won’t
tolerate a lack of manners
from out-of-towners. If you
abide by our rule, you will
have a ball. Whilst it can at
times be fi ckle, the Urunga
river mouth and south off
the breakwall deliver sucky,
hollow 50 to 150m rides from
mellow to bonecrunching. It
starts working around 2-3ft
and can hold up to 6ft. Rights
and lefts with a sandy bottom.
Because it is quite open you
have to generally sample
its pleasures early before
the wind gets into it. Works
best on the changing tide in
North-West through to South-
Westerly winds. Accessed by
a scenic 10 min walk along
the Boardwalk running along
the Urunga Lagoon. Expect
to see plenty of dolphins and
kangaroos along the way.
The area has been declared
a recreational fi shing haven.
Anglers can fi sh upstream for
perch and freshwater mullet
whilst towards the river
mouth and mangroves there’s
whiting, bream, mangrove
jack, jewfi sh, tailor and
fl athead to be had. There’s
also countless boat ramps.
WHAT ELSE
WE LOVE
The waterways
here are perfect and
quite extensive for keen or
aspiring paddle boarders. Get
in a bit of exercise, explore or
fi sh from your SUP.
The beautiful historic
Ocean View Hotel, town
shops, cafes, grocery store
and golf course are all within
a short walk so you can park
your car, set up camp and not
touch it again until you leave.
Hungry Head patrolled
surf beach, great for
young families, just 4km south.
Close proximity to the
beautiful Bellinger Valley
and all its associated arts and
crafts, rainforests, and the
World Heritage listed Dorrigo
National Park.
Urunga Heads Holiday Park
is situated in the heart of it
all, right on the edge of the
Urunga Lagoon with extensive
riverfront parkland.
There are 21 fully equipped
cabins from deluxe river view
5-sleep villas and studio
cabins for couples through to
villas for a 6-person surfing
party and 96 powered sites.
As you would expect of all
top-notch holiday parks,
there’s also all your essential
facilities including some very,
very cool pedal karts.
See the website for more:
northcoastholidayparks.com.au
96
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 97

MORE THAN JUST A
SURF CLOTHING STORE!
WE STOCK BOARDS,
HARDWARE AND A DISPLAY OF
CLASSIC SURFBOARDS.
LOW PRESSURE
SURF CO.
68 Prince Street, GRAFTON NSW 2460
P: 02 6643 5551 F: 02 6643 5100
E: noel@lowpressuresurfco.com.au
COFFS*HARBOUR...
GETTING*HERE
There are many and varied means of getting to Coffs thanks to it
being home to one of New South Wales’ busiest regional airports and
a daily rail service, so no excuses...
FLY:
Qantas, Virgin, Brindabella
and Tiger Airways provide
regular fl ights to and from
Coffs Harbour
RAIL:
Countrylink runs two rail
services daily from Sydney and
Brisbane to Coffs Harbour.
BUS:
Premier Motor Service and
Greyhound travel to Coffs
Harbour daily from Sydney
and Brisbane.
SEA:
Coffs Harbour International
Marina offers Customs
Services and excellent
berthing facilities.
DRIVE:
Approximately 550km (6
hours) North of Sydney
and 427km (5 hours) from
Brisbane. If you’re driving via
Grafton, drop in at Low
Pressure Surf Co. to
check out their gear.
THE PACIFIC
HIGHWAY
UPGRADE:
The upgrade is one of the
largest road infrastructure
projects in Australia. It’s been
a long time in the making
but there’s already been
signifi cant and recognisable
progress made, and major
work presently underway.
Once complete, it will
substantially cut down travel
times to, from and within the
Coffs Coast region - but if you
have time, never forget to
head off the beaten track, or
you miss out on all the hidden
gems away from the highway.
TRAVEL TIMES
IN COFFS:
Red Rock to the Jetty Strip
40kms - approx 30 mins
Jetty Strip to Sawtell
15kms - approx 13 mins
Jetty Strip to Urunga
25kms - approx 17 mins
THANK* YOU
In bringing this special feature together
we’d like to say a special thanks to:
Tourism Manager,
Glen Caldwell and Tammy Child at
Coffs Coast Marketing for all their support and assistance.
Lauryn Nicholls at Coffs Social Media Butterfl y who was
instrumental in kick starting this special focus on the Coffs Coast.
Dalai Lama behind the lens, Tom Woods of ST Surf Images,
whose shots capture so much more than just the surfing.
And to all the tourism operators that gave up their time to let us
experience Coffs as we did. Thank you, thank you ,thank you.
98
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

facebook.com/coffscoast
twitter.com/coffscoast
pinterest.com/coffscoast
www.coffscoast.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 99

GEAR:COLLECTOR
“ THIS ONE
WAS UNDER A
CARAVAN FOR 20
YEARS AND I GOT
IT FOR $20...”
Mark on his ‘70s
Wilderness single fi n.
ABOVE: Mark with left, a 6’4”
Sunshine
single fi n shaped by
Bob Pridmore, and right, an
Andy Irons’ 6’1” JS
thruster.
“He left it behind in Yamba
while spending few months
there not long before he
passed away. R.I.P fellas…”
MORE SURFBOARDS
ANYONE?
ANOTHER
The Sunshine Coast’s Mark
Pridmore of More Surfboards
shares a little of his surfboard
collection... There are some very
special boards here, historically
and personally for Mark.
A LOOK AT THE COLLECTION:
“In the front row is a range of
single fi ns, the fi rst 4 are all
Cowleys, or Sunshines, which
were labels my Dad shaped
for, made in the early ‘70s. The
yellow one was Dad’s at the time
he passed away in ’75, then the
green-ish one is a Wilderness
from Angourie (Palmers Island,
DOSE OF BOARD ENVY, AS WE CHECK
OUT PERSONAL SURFBOARD COLLECTIONS
which was where they fi lmed
some of the footage for Morning
of the Earth.) Pretty sure it’s
from ’71. Chris Brock, George
Greenough and Baddy (Treloar)
were shaping around then from
the info I can fi nd. This one was
under a caravan for 20 years
and I got it for $20 from a guy
in Yamba.
“The weird looking white
thing in centre of this pic is an
experimental less-finned board I
did, basically an alaia out of foam
and glass with a few tweaks
called ‘the Slippery Eel’. The three
up against the wall on the right
are also less-finned boards of
mine, all of which I still ride.
“Then down the back there
are several variations and the
evolution of my designs similar
to the mini-Simmons with me
modifying and adjusting them to
perform better for today’s style of
surfi ng and for my local waves...
There’s also a few Fantails, old
quads, twinzers and different
versions of the twinzer that are
hard to see... Plus a few ones
that I shaped in the late ’80s and
early ’90s as a kid...”
Mark PridMORE
100
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 101

SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
6’ x 20 ¼” x 2 ½”
MOON RAKER
V2FLEX
Custom handshape
by Mitchell Rae
Lengths from 5’5” up
NUB
by Jack Knight
6’0” x 21” x 2 ½”
JUNGLE BOOGIE
By Jesse Watson
75’ x 28’ x 35 ½ & ¾ ± 8 + 17 √64
WHITE LIGHTNING
By Glenn Cat Collins
A super exciting ride in a wide
wave range. Effortless speed,
entry and glide. Very low rocker
with maximum tail area. 4-fin
rocket in small waves, will hold
and drive into double overhead.
Very fine rail profiles through
the flexible tail section. Great in
mush yet loves a barrel.
CONSTRUCTION
X 4
PU foam, strong or light glassing.
Premium materials. V2 Flex. Try
flex, and there’s no turning back.
SHAPER COMMENT
Based on an experimental
design concept for myself, we’ve
built a number of customs in
various lengths. The feedback is
extraordinary!
This little guy is our smaller
single fin, he has a 70’s stub
style outline (wider nose + tail).
CONSTRUCTION X 1
Flat rockered with thickness
running throughout. Makes
for easy paddling and wave
catching. Slight uprail on the
front with a mid-to-down rail
through the rest of the board.
SHAPER COMMENT
Loves anything from beachies
to points, inspired by the short,
stubby single fins that were
getting around in the early ‘70s.
Indo special perfect for the
surfer who wants to get onto
a tracker-style single fi n with
some function.
CONSTRUCTION X 1
6/6oz deck 6oz, bottom custom
“bad acid” resin swirls. Flex fin
and sanded finish. Boom!
SHAPER COMMENT
Just point shoot and relax. You
don’t have to think about what
you’re doing like you do with
most boards. The experience
is simplified, and the feeling’s
amazing. I’ve personally ridden
these in solid 8’ waves, no
worries and had some of the
best tubes of my
life on this.
It has a lightning bolt on it,
so this surfboard is sure to go
really, really fast.
www.surf1770noosa.com
OUTER ISLAND
SURFBOARDS
7 Bayldon Drive,
Raleigh, NSW
Ph: 02 6655 7007
info@outerislandsurfboards.com
outerislandsurfboards.com
outerisland.blogspot.com
JACK KNIGHT/
HARVEST SURFBOARDS
Christine Avenue, Miami, QLD
P: 07 5576 5914
E: aaron@harvestsurfboards.com
www.harvestsurfboards.com
BLACK APACHE
SURFBOARDS
@blackapache
Look us up...
Ph: 0410 419 791
blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au
blackapachesurfboards.com.au
Surf 1770 boards available at
Underground Surf in Noosa
3/77 Noosa Dve, Noosa Heads
Ph: 07 5455 4444
www.undergroundsurf.com.au
Like us on Facebook
102
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

YOUR CHANCE TO
WIN
ONE OF THESE
BOARDS!
WITH JUST A FEW CLICKS
1
VISIT
the Smorgasboarder
Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/smorgasboarder
and browse through the
“I WANT THIS SURFBOARD”
photo album...
SHARE
2
...the surfboard you love on your
own profile, with a few words on
why you love it and deserve it...
6’8” x 21” x 3”
WELSH DRAGON
Leighton Clark | CLARK SURFBOARDS
Sleek and stylish single fin.
CONSTRUCTION X 1
6oz carbon inlayed cloth, a
turquoise tint cut lap deck and
clear bottom. Single fin box.
SHAPER COMMENT
This board will ride like a
‘welsh dragon’ at Uluwatu!
Come in, see what we’re
creating and chat about your
your next board - it’s what
keeps us stoked about surfing
and making boards. Love to
hear about what you are riding,
and what you want to ride.
CLARK SURFBOARDS
Units 7 & 8, 9 Chapman Road
Hackham SA 5163
E: leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au
M: 0422 443 789
Available at
www.onboardsurf.com.au
7’ x 20 ½” x 2 ¾”
7FT FATBOY
by Mark Rabbidge
My most popular board
designed in ‘84 and still going
strong for your everyday
surfer.
CONSTRUCTION 1 or 3
Made here in Ulladulla. 3-fi n
setup or single fi n.
SHAPER COMMENT
Catch more waves. Surfs most
like a shortboard, but with
great paddle power. Can surf
all size waves with all around
performance.
RABBIDGE
SURF DESIGN
Ph: 02 4456 4038
M: 0427 767 176
Bendalong, NSW
markrabbidge.com
Email: sales@markrabbidge.com
6’2” x 20 ¼” x 2 5 /8”
Forward foils and spiral rails,
combined with a rolled to vee,
slight double concave bottom,
gives you freedom in a classic
styled board with a modern
tweak. Plenty volume, easy to
paddle and catch waves on.
CONSTRUCTION
THE SLIPPER
by Chris Garrett
X 1
The best you can get. Luxurious
custom resin tints and glass cuts
just add to their appeal.
SHAPER COMMENT
Referencing past experiences
and using what I’ve learnt along
the way, this will open your heart
and put a smile on your dial.
PHANTOM SURFBOARDS
Ph: 0424 450 690
phantomsurfboards@gmail.com
chrisgarrettshapes.com.au
Available at SUNHOUSE,
41 McClean St, Coolangatta.
3
HOPE
...like hell that the board you love is
the one that gets the most shares!
The board that gets the most
shares will be up for grabs!
ENJOY 4
We will choose a lucky winner
from the people who have
shared that particular board - if
you have the best reason for
why you love and deserve it,
you’ll be surfing it in no time!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW...
We’ll pick a winner on Friday, 30 May 2014, so
make sure you hop online soon.
Only open to residents of Australia/NZ.
Prize board may be the one shown, or one of
similar design, at the shaper’s discretion.
Collecting the surfboard is the winner’s
responsibility, so if you’re in NZ and win an
Australian one, or vice-versa, you’re getting
yourself on a plane, or we’re re-drawing!
This is a game of skill - the smarter your comment,
the better your chance. Dazzle us with your wit
and win.
GO WIN A BOARD!
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 103

SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
9’1” x 22” x 2 ¾”
McPRO
by Nick McAteer
9’6 - 10’
THE JAX
by Paul Winter/Fuyu
9’2” x 22 ¼” x 2 7 /8”
PERFORMANCE
LONGBOARD
by Mike Jolly
9’1” x 21 9 / 16” x 2 7 / 8”
JASON LIVINGSTON
by Soul Surf Designs
Great high performance longboard
for the competitive surfer,
developed with my team riders.
Single to double concave, spiral
vee through tail. Medium nose
entry rocker with late tail kick for
release and drive into the pocket.
CONSTRUCTION
1 + 2
Farrelly Blanks with FCS sides and
fin box. 6 x 4oz deck, 6oz bottom.
Finish coated, and Glide custom,
handmade fins.
SHAPER COMMENT
Great for quality reefs or beachies,
this will take you to the next level.
Traditional noserider/log
rocker with speed to burn,
in square, rounded pin or
diamond tail. Concave through
nose, large mid-section
‘sweet spot’ to a refi ned
rolled bottom through tail.
Specialising in custom orders.
CONSTRUCTION X 1
Hand-shaped with Cedar
stringers. Quality glassing -
7.5oz Volane and 6oz options
of tints and pigments. Tail/
deck patches all to order.
SHAPER COMMENT
Turns on a dime, excels on the
nose. An all-round beautiful thing
for classic peeling points.
Single into double concave with
vee and medium tail lift. Curvier
outline to loosen the board.
CONSTRUCTION
3 or 4
PU - Southcoast Foam. 6 + 4oz
deck, 6oz bottom. Quad fi ns,
but can run as 2+1, or 3-fi n.
SHAPER COMMENT
Very user-friendly, great paddler
and covers a wide range of
conditions. Quad fins give the
board good squirt through turns.
Performance model, designed
to take your longboarding to the
next level.
CONSTRUCTION X 3
Farrelly blank, 6 x 6oz deck and
6oz bottom. Centre box with side
bites. 3 x Dion fins designed to
make the board very loose and
manouverable. Colour spray
by Martyn Worthington. All
Australian Made.
SHAPER COMMENT
Based on our performance
longboards, we refi ned this
design for our team rider,
Jason Livingston.
NMC SURFBOARDS
Sheepwash Rd, Barwon Heads VIC
P: 03 5254 1658 M: 0422 056 188
E: nmcsurf@bigpond.com
facebook.com/nmcsurf
FUYU SURFBOARDS
Noosa Heads, QLD
M: 0418 884 242
www.fuyusurfboards.com
PIHA SURF
122 Seaview Rd, Piha, NZ
Ph: +64 9 812 8723
E: pihasurf@xtra.co.nz
www.pihasurf.co.nz
SOUL SURF DESIGNS
10/90 Mona Vale Road
Mona Vale NSW 2103
P: 02 9979 2226
www.soulsurf.com.au
Join us on Facebook.
104
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

SUP
WIN ONE OF THESE BOARDS! See page 103
8’8” x 30” x 4 5 / 16 ” = 119.5L
9’0 x 30” x 4” = 126L
7’8” x 22 ¼” x 2 7 /8”
6’5” x 21 ½” x 2 ½”
CUSTOM SUP
by Andy Jordan
VENGENCE WAVE
Custom SUP by Mick Slattery
SINGLE FIN
by Rory Oke
SINGLE FIN
by Rory Oke
Originally a down-size of the
9’8” - felt great but after six
months, I’ve redesigned with a
bit more nose rocker in the last
12” and a bit more vee in the
nose to bring the rail line up. ¼”
more tail rocker, and narrower
tail with a slightly lower rail for
easier turns. The deck is a bit
flatter helping to make it more
stable but I have laid the rail
over a bit to give it a bit of bite.
SHAPER COMMENT X 5
This board will be stable for
catching waves, but still be able
to do some tight turns.
Designed for speed and
manoeuvrability. Highly refined
rails for high performance
surfing. Concave to vee double
through the tail. Drive off the
bottom and blow the back out of
the lip with speed and drive.
CONSTRUCTION
X 5
CAD Designed, CNC shaped &
glassed in Carbon Innegra/6oz
with your choice of fin setup:
FCS/Futures, 2+1, 4+1, or 5 fin
SHAPER COMMENT
Custom SUPs, designed to suit
your needs and skill. Call us to
discuss. 100% Australian made.
Demo boards available!
A custom Single Fin with pink/
purple resin tint and a Frida
Kahlo deck patch.
CONSTRUCTION X 5
Ocean Foam handshaped
blank, 6oz cloth with a
polished fi nish.
SHAPER COMMENT
This design keeps a flatter
centre section for increased
planing ability and down the
line speed while the rolled rails
keep it super smooth through
turns.
Another Single Fin, this one
with a blue/purple swirl tint
and nautical tail patches.
CONSTRUCTION X 1
Ocean Foam handshaped
blank with a polished fi nish.
SHAPER COMMENT
A shorter, stubbier version
of the board on the left more
suited to fatter waves...
TAURANGA, NZ
(In NZ 0800 787 464)
P: +64 (07) 5701953
M: +64 (027) 2433011
W: www.liquidstixx.co.nz
SFS 2 – SHORE FIRE SURF
SUTHERLAND SHIRE, NSW
P: 0490 182 707
E: surfsupandskate@gmail.com
W: www.sfssurf.com
OKE SURFBOARDS
1/1-7 Canterbury Rd,
Braeside, VIC, 3195
Ph: 03 9587 3553
www.okesurfboards.com
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 105

SHAPER’S PROMOTION
GEAR: BOARDS
FREE
SHIPPING!*
From 5’4” - 5’8”
THE AARDVARK
by Wayne McKewen
5’10” x 20” x 2 5 / 8 ” Custom for you Custom for you
DIAMOND BACK CARPET II SKRILLEX
by Nick McAteer by Joel Beck by Joel Beck
Short and phat perfect
for those small grovel
sessions. Flattened rocker
for maintaining speed and
a rolled vee for increased
maneuverability. Diamond Tail
CONSTRUCTION X 5
Burford PU blank 4 x 4oz deck
and 4oz bottom. FCS II - 5-fi n.
SHAPER COMMENT
These little boards can put the
fun factor back into a session
with poor to average waves.
Ph: 07 5535 0288
www.mtwoodgee.com.au
Join us on Facebook
Stores at Coolangatta,
Currumbin, Burleigh Heads
*FREE SHIPPING! Australia-wide on
all Mt Woodgee stock boards up to 6’8!
(Excludes Movement and clearance boards)
Performance hybrid shortboard
ridden as quad or thruster, for
small to medium waves. Low
entry rocker into single double
concave. Vee through fins.
Diamond creates a shorter rail line
so you can throw this around like a
skateboard or launch an air attack.
CONSTRUCTION
X 5
Farrelly Blanks with 5 x FCS
plugs. 4 x 4oz deck, 6oz bottom.
Glide custom, handmade fins.
SHAPER COMMENT
One of my most popular models.
Ride this 3-4”shorter than your
standard thruster.
NMC SURFBOARDS
Sheepwash Rd, Barwon Heads VIC
P: 03 5254 1658 M: 0422 056 188
E: nmcsurf@bigpond.com
facebook.com/nmcsurf
A spin from the original Carpet
design - deemed “the magic
carpet” - our best selling design
to date. Loves a flat spell. A
great addition to any quiver.
Efficient nose entry gives extra
speed and drive off the front
foot, and accelerated tail lift
gives fast and responsive feel in
the pocket.
CONSTRUCTION
X 3
Custom PU thruster starting @
$650, Custom styrene epoxy
thruster starting @ $795.
Includes carbon stomp patches
and your choice of glassing
schedule and fin system
SHAPER COMMENT
Whatever level of surfing, the
CARPET II is the board that will
get everyone out there!
This design is a dynamic fusion
of accelerated rocker, blended
concaves and rail edges. It
is a super responsive high
performance surf craft. Available
in step up and step down.
CONSTRUCTION
X 3
Custom PU thruster starting @
$650, Custom styrene epoxy
thruster starting @ $795.
Includes carbon stomp patches
and your choice of glassing
schedule and fin system
SHAPER COMMENT
For advanced to intermediate
surfers who are serious about
upping their game!
SURFBOARDS BY JOEL BECK
M: +61 406 521 571 P: 07 5493 3539 beckboards@gmail.com
W: UNDER CONSTRUCTION facebook.com/beckboards
106
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

WIN ONE OF THESE BOARDS! See page 103
6’0” x 19 ¾”x 2 3 /8”
SQUASH ROCKET
Scott Peberdy | OUTEREEF
5’9” x 19” x 2 3 / 8 ”
MONKEY WRENCH
by Mike Bilton
6’2” x 20 ¼” x 2 5 / 8”
WAVE MINER
by Steve Barber
Spray by Jim Davidson
6’0 x 18 ½” x 2 5 / 16”
G32 ROUNDED PIN
By Dean Geraghty
This performance shortboard is
best in small to medium waves.
Deep, single concave, with
flatter rocker, refined rails with
extra volume through the tail.
CONSTRUCTION
X 3 SLIDE
Please call Outereef for glassing
and fin options. This is the
perfect shape to run Slide Fins!
SHAPER COMMENT
A great performance shape that
flies through flat sections but
also turns nicely in the pocket,
it’s super loose and responsive.
This board is a great summer
board option.
OUTEREEF SURFBOARDS
73 Phillip Island Road,
San Remo VIC 3925
P: (03) 5678 5677
M: 0408 399 519
E: info@outereef.com.au
www.outereef.com.au
An all round performance board
to handle some grovel through
to overhead, A little more width
in the nose and tail for added
volume, but still light and agile.
Excellent speed down the line,
yet still good for deep turns.
Double concave into large
single in tail for a mix of control,
speed and agility.
CONSTRUCTION
4oz bottom, 4x4 top
X 3
SHAPER COMMENT
Originally shaped for Southern
California, this model has proven
great in a wide range of surf.
PH: (07) 5607 0211
M: 0431 042 507
Unit 2/8 Ramly drive
Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
mike@biltonsurf.com
www.biltonsurf.com
Wide, higher-volume board for
smaller days without being a
fish. Comes in single thru to
double concave with a small
amount of vee between the
feet so it won’t stick or skate
unpredictably. Other bottoms
and tail shapes are also
available if desired.
CONSTRUCTION 3 or 4
PU - Burford foam - and Silmar
resin ...Only the best materials
available are used.
SHAPER COMMENT
Sleek and refined, but will
catch any ripple. Don’t change
your approach to surfing like
when riding a fish... Just wax it
and surf it.
FULL FORCE SURF
At Shaping Co.,
1/29 Machinery Dve,
Tweed Heads, NSW
Ph: 0418 708 550
E: info@fullforcesurf.com.au
Designed for waves with more
push and “bowl” to them, this
paddles great into waves and
gives the surfer great control
through each turn, without
that feeling of ‘drifting.’
CONSTRUCTION X 3
PU, std glassing - 2 x 4oz top,
1 x 4oz bottom. I use 4way
Fin System as a standard
to enhance the custom
experience: www.4wfs.com
SHAPER COMMENT
Talk to a shaper and watch your
board being designed online.
Call me - we’ll set up a Skype
meeting at a time to suit, and
I’ll guide you through the whole
design process
personally.
GERAGHTY
SHAPES
M: 0422 442 044
E: info@geraghtyshapes.com
www.geraghtyshapes.com
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 107

See page 103
WIN ONE OF THESE BOARDS!
5’8” x 19 ¼” x 2 ¼”
F-22 ROCKET TAIL.
by Lee Cheyne
5’6’’ x 21 ¾’’ x 17’’ x 16’’ x 2 ¾’’
TWIN FIN FISH
by Jordie Brown
5’7” x 20 ½” x 2 ½”
CEDAR TWIN FISH
by Steve-O
5’2” x 19 ½” x 2 1 /8”
LITTLE GROMMET
by Graham Carse
The most versatile rocker I
have. A deep single double
concave makes the F-22
really
fly. Nice tail rocker for getting
vertical in slop but can be
ridden in all waves. As all the
boards I do are custom orders,
you choose tail shape colours,
dimensions. It’s too easy.
CONSTRUCTION
Burford Blanks, Hexcel S cloth,
with FCS
or
Futures.
Short fl at and fast!
This is an extremely versatile
design, it goes amazing in
under shoulder high waves
and handles surprisingly well
when it gets a bit bigger!
CONSTRUCTION X 2
Resin stringer, Light 6oz/4oz
trimmed lap glass-job, custom
art by Tiphaine Flurette.
Handmade timber twin fi ns.
SHAPER COMMENT
super skatey and super fun
traditional style fish!
Each of my boards is handcrafted
and is a unique one of a kind.
CONSTRUCTION
X 2
Hollow like an aeroplane wing.
Heavier than foam and glass, but
still very light and very fast. I only
use recycled timber or sustainable
harvest plantation timber. Leftover
pieces get made into nose and tail
blocks, fins or tick finish inserts to
jazz up the look even more.
SHAPER COMMENT
I am totally into building, riding
and promoting top of the line
unreal looking hollow surfboards,
so as to minimise the impact on
the environment.
Grommet shortboard which
is a bit wider for 2-3ft waves.
It’s fast and responsive and
a perfect board for your
grommet’s quiver.
CONSTRUCTION
Single concave thruster
X 3
SHAPER COMMENT
This board was made for the
winner of the New Zealand
South Island Championships
Cadets Division in 2013.
LEE CHEYNE DESIGNS
Ph: 0403 655 316
E: orders@leecheynesurfboards.com
leecheynesurfboards.com
Lee Cheyne Surfboards
HIGH TIDE SURFBOARDS
Skenes Creek, VIC 3233
Ph: 0401 437 392
E: hightidesurfboards@hotmail.com
www.hightidesurfboards.com
WOODEN SURFBOARD
SHAPES BY STEVE-O
Ph: 0421 522 503
woodensurfboardsshapesbysteveo@gmail.com
woodensurfboardsshapesbysteveo.com.au
QUARRY BEACH SURFBOARDS
75 David St, Caversham, Dunedin NZ
Ph: +64 3 455 7414
M: +64 27 518 8678
www.qbsurfboards.com
108
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

SURFBOARD
DINGS
New Zealand
RAGLAN, NZ
RAGLAN
LONGBOARDS
7 days, 10am to 5pm except
winter - catch us if you can
+64 7 825 0544
KAIKOURA, NZ
SURGE
SURFBOARDS
Bust your board? Call us
24/7
027 428 7453
Queensland
AGNES WATER/1770
REEF 2 BEACH
Mon-Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-
4pm
07 4974 9072
WURTULLA
NICHOLSON
SURFBOARDS
REPAIRS &
RESTORATIONS
Mon - Fri 7-3pm, Sat
7-midday
0438 631 153
facebook.com/nicholsonsurf
MOFFAT BEACH
THE FACTORY
SURFBOARDS
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm,
Saturday 8am-12pm
(07) 5492 5838
SOUTHPORT
KOMA
Mon-Fri 9am -5pm, Sat 9am
-12pm
0402 863 763
Repairs & Restorations
MIAMI
DINO’S DING
REPAIRS
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat
9am - 12pm
0409 727 735
BURLEIGH HEADS
MT WOODGEE
1730 Gold Coast Highway
(07) 5535 0288
Sun-Fri, 9am - 5pm
Sat 8:30am - 5pm
CURRUMBIN
MT WOODGEE
2 Stewart Rd
(07) 5598 2188
Sun-Fri, 9am - 5pm
Sat 10am - 4pm
New South Wales
BYRON BAY
DR DING
SURFBOARD
REPAIRS
Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm
Sat 10am - 4pm, Sun 10am
- 2pm
0431 740 940
MC SURF
DESIGNS
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat
9am - 1pm
02 6685 8778
YAMBA
PLANK SHOP
02 6645 8362
TOMBSTONE
SURFBOARDS
Tues - Fri 9am - 4pm, Sat
9am - 12pm
0432 330 826
COFFS HARBOUR
SURF CRAFT
REPAIRS
JIM NEWTON
4/6 Druitt Court
Open most days, just call.
0402 864 062
CRONULLA
RILEY BALSA
SURFBOARDS
WOODEN BOARD REPAIRS
Mon-Sat 9am-4pm
0412 376 464
BUDGEWOI
BUCKO’S
SURFBOARD
REPAIRS &
RESTORATIONS
Mon-Fri 10am - 5.30pm
Weekends by appointment
0422 304 078
WOLLONGONG
SKIPP
SURFBOARDS
Mon-Fri 9am - 5:30pm
Thurs 9am - 7:30pm
Sat 9am - 4pm, Sun 10am
- 4pm
02 4228 8878
SHELLHARBOUR
BROWN DOGG
7 days a week - Just call
0416 455 985
JERVIS BAY
INNER FEELING
SURFBOARDS
Seven days, 9am - 5pm
02 4441 6756
Victoria
BELLARINE
PENINSULA
ROUSA
SURFBOARDS
Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm,
0403 693 333
THORNBURY
ZAK
SURFBOARDS
Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm,
Sat 10am - 5pm
03 9416 7384
TORQUAY
STONKER
Seven days, 9am - 5pm
03 5261 6077
THE SURFERS
SHED
Seven days, 9am - 5pm
0437 246 848
PHILLIP ISLAND
ISLAND SURF
SHOP, COWES
7 days, 9-5pm
03 5952 2578
South Australia
ADELAIDE
WALLBRIDGE
SURFBOARDS
Mon - Fri, 12.30pm - 5.30pm
Sat 12.30pm - 5pm
08 8376 4914
MID COAST
THE DING KING
Clark Surfboards
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
0422 443 789
LONSDALE
MID COAST
SURF
Call us for a quality repair
08 8384 5522
BUSTED
YOUR
BOARD?
GET IT
FIXED
HERE...
FIX BROKEN BOARDS? Promote your repair business for $15 an edition. Call 0401 345 201
Nose & Paddle Guards,
Rail Tape & Leash Plugs
Pro Teck Fins
Travel Safe Repair Kts
SURFTECH AUSTRALIA
www.surftechaustralia.com.au
02 4226 1322

DOES IT
WORK?
SMORGASBOARDER
TRIED AND TESTED
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
“The Viper is simply the warmest I ever tried, keeping the body flexible in the
most frigid conditions. It’s also incredibly tough and the product will definitely
last longer than other brands. The SeventhWave team is reliable and always
ready to help for adjustments or special requirements.”
Christchurch surfer, Guillaume Jacob, Photo: Freddy Owens
SEVENTHWAVE
VIPER 3/3 STEAMER
WHEN WARM-WATER LOVING JEFF MORRIS MOVED TO THE SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND, HE
KNEW HIS DAYS OF BOARDIES ALL YEAR ‘ROUND WERE OVER. BUT WHAT WETSUIT TO GET?
WORDS: JEFF MORRIS
As a surfer one of the first
things that you start thinking
about when you move from
Queensland to New Zealand is
a wetsuit. If you happen to have
other things on your mind then
your mates will happily think
about them for you. So it was
when I first paddled out to the
break at Castaways Beach after
the big announcement, everyone
was into me... “Hey Jiff ordered
your 10mm wettie yet?” “Yeah,
and don’t forget the 20mm
booties and gloves, what with
your poor circulation and all”
and they laughed and laughed...
This went on for weeks.
Then came the serious
discussions - “ You should get
one of those ones with the
heating element in the back
panel, runs on two lithium
batteries” , “Why don’t you get
one of those fleece-lined ones?”
I didn’t even know these things
existed after 15 years in QLD
where a long sleeved vest
usually worked nicely in winter.
I was starting to think maybe
there’s a steamer with solar
panels in the cheeks that heat
the suit up as you paddle out,
or even something nuclear
powered that also heats up the
water around you... Anyhow, I
thought I would just wait until
I got there and speak to the
experts - no point taking coals
to Newcastle as the saying
goes.
Once settled in my new home,
it was time to do some proper
research and fi nd the best and
most sensible option for me.
Checked out the big brands,
corporate and publicly listed,
all made anywhere else except
where we live. These had little
appeal to my “support the local
industries if and where you
can” sensibilities.
I became aware of
SeventhWave wetsuits,
locally made in Christchurch
from the best quality Yamamoto
neoprene from Japan - no local
manufacturers for the material,
in case you’re wondering. It was
quite clear from their website
that these guys were right into
it. I’ve always believed you pay
for good quality and it lasts a
long time if you look after it, and
these products seemed to fit
that bill.
The website had a lot of insight
into all aspects of their wide
range of products, with video
demos and reviews - and the
best thing is I didn’t have to
leave home to buy one.
SeventhWave have an
excellent online custom
measure and ordering
system including a “how to
measure up” video, it’s all very
comprehensive. The wetsuit
that most appealed to me
was the Viper 3/3 Steamer
described on the site as below:
The Viper 3/3 Steamer features
a combination of our superior
110
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

SuperJiff suits up for
wave-hunting.
TRIED & TRUSTED
blanKS
Family owned and run
for over 55 years
Japanese neoprenes: Yamamoto
MR7000 Superstretch arms
and upper torso giving you
awesome flexibility where you
need it, while the bottom half
is constructed with our most
durable and hard working #38
Yamamoto rubber. A popular
choice for the seasoned surfer,
the Viper is a tried and tested
performer that could outlast a
Toyota diesel.
Not too sure about the Toyota’s
longevity in 10 degrrreee salt
water… Anyway, it sold me.
The main thing I didn’t want was
a skin pinching, who-hasn’tbeen-doing-their
yoga-lately”
back zip. This Viper had what
appeared to be a zip open, top/
front entry, which was ideal for
me. Measurements were taken -
all 22 of them -colours selected
with a bit of red for extra speed,
details fi lled in and payment
made, all online.
Within a week my new wettie
arrived. After I had taken it out
of the box, I started to wonder
where the entry zip was? They
must have forgotten to put it in,
what’s this neck piece that fl ips
over and zips at the front?
OK, so I read the instructions
and fi nd out entry is via the neck
opening, Houdini in reverse! Not
sure that this is going to be for
me. Instructions told me to go
online to view a video on the best
method to put on and take off my
wetsuit - this really did make all
the difference.
At fi rst, the suit was a really snug
fi t - even tight - and with a high
neck, I felt like one of the African
women with the neck rings. The
online video also suggested
that I take the wetsuit off and
on a few times just to get used
to it, which really did become
easier every time, these days it’s
nothing. I was concerned about
the neck piece length, so I rang
SeventhWave and spoke with
Paul Zarifeh the owner, who
strongly recommended that I
have a surf or two in it and if still
uncomfortable they would happily
shorten it.
Aftersales service like that isn’t
common thesedays, and it’s just
another good reason to support
locals and independents - they
know their products better than
anybody and you can talk directly
to them. Of course he was right
though. Very little water gets in
through the neck, and therefore
this wetsuit stays reasonably
dry inside and incredibly warm.
It’s also super fl exible so I don’t
tire out paddling any more than
usual. I can easily stay out in cold
conditions for as long as I did in
Queensland, particularly when
wearing good gloves and booties.
THE WRAP
The SeventhWave 3/3 Viper has
been an excellent choice, and
one which I expect to be using
for many years to come. It’s not
a cheapie, but it’s 100% well
worth paying for good quality,
super-fl exible neoprene combined
with great quality construction
by people who really do want to
make the best products possible.
MORE INFO
www.seventhwave.co.nz
oUR ConSISTEnCy
IS THE bEST In
THE woRlD
blanKS: A multitude of different
lengths, rockers and weights
STRInGERS: An extensive
variety of timbers of varying widths
SHaPInG ToolS: All you
need to make a board from scratch
5 STEwaRT RoaD, CURRUmbIn QlD
Call US on (07) 5534 3777
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 111

112
| EASTER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

DEFIANCE
SKATEBOARDS
A NEW RANGE OF ROLLING CRAFT FROM LONG REEF
SURF. GUS BROWN INVESTIGATES...
DOES IT
WORK?
SMORGASBOARDER
TRIED AND TESTED
Carl and Rory were keen to take the new Defiance
Skateboards for a test run while recently on a
surf in Byron Bay. The Road Warrior and Street
Shredder are part of the Defiance range. Both
test-pilots had plenty years of skating experience
and quickly got the feel of these modern designs.
ROAD WARRIOR
The Road Warrior is a 38-inch fl exi-deck which
runs like a smooth street skater, built for speed.
This low profile board with drop-through trucks and
wide wheels runs freely on gentle slopes and it holds its
speed well - though safety gear is required for bigger hill
runs on one of these babies!
STREET SHREDDER
The Street Shredder is a versatile, self-propelled
skateboard, suited to short sharp pumping and style
moves. It has a short (32 inch) wide deck with a big back
kicker. The front truck spring-system setup (similar to the
Smoothstar - see reviews in other editions) can be used
to generate momentum and cut tight turns. Carl got the
hang of this board and worked it, even pulling out some old
school powerslides.
Carl, circa ‘77
Nick and Carl take to the street
The Road Warrior
THE BUILD
DECK: 10ml thermo-laminate with full grip.
WHEELS: Medium compound fats with ABEC 7 Bearings.
TRUCKS: Alloy, wide wheelbase (Front spring setup on
the Street Shredder)
THE WRAP
These boards are each designed for very different
purposes, yet both performed well on the smooth roads of
the Bay. Rippers would also be able to entertain the
Street Shredder in a park environment. At the superlow
price point - practically half that of some other
self-propelled boards - these represent good fun for
extremely good value for what you’re paying.
RIGHT: Deep
consultation
about the
virtues of these
machines
BELOW: Carl
cutting some
sick lines on
the Street
Shredder!
PRICE:
Road Warrior (Defiance 38) $179.99
Street Shredder (Defiance 32) $169.99
MORE INFO
www.longreefsurf.com.au
The Street Shredder
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 113

BUSINESS PROMOTION
CLOSEOUT: EXPERIENCE
The Islantis Surf Experience is
an uplifting, immersive and visually
stunning attraction on Phillip Island,
for surfers of all ages to enjoy.
Much more than a mere collection
of memorabilia, visitors explore four
unique elements, each dedicated to
a different aspect of surfi ng culture.
Over to the Islantis crew to tell you
all about it…
DISCOVER
SURF MAGIC
THE SHRINE TO SURFING
Welcome to an audiovisual
journey tracing the
development of surfi ng
in Australia, from the
introduction of surfboards to
Australian waters, through
to five icons of Australian
surf. Starting with Duke
Kahanamoku of Hawaii,
who fi rst bought surfi ng
to Australia, visitors are
introduced to the exploits of
Australians Midget Farrelly,
Mark Richards, Tom Carroll,
Mark Occhilupo and Layne
Beachley - each of whom
took the baton from the Duke
and surfed with it. The shrine
evokes the feel of a chapel,
with stained glass images
of each surfer riding in their
signature style. As each is
featured, their surf board and
stained glass window lights
up, providing a link between
the story and the instrument
they used to carve their name
in surf culture. From here,
visitors are welcomed to the
waves...
114
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

The Shrine to Surfi ng
“...THEIR SURF BOARD AND STAINED
GLASS WINDOW LIGHTS UP,
PROVIDING A LINK BETWEEN THE
STORY AND THE INSTRUMENT THEY
USED TO CARVE THEIR NAME IN
SURF CULTURE.”
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 115

WAVES 360
CINEMA
Visitors are invited to enter and
experience the thrill of the surf
via a 360°, wraparound cinema
showcasing Phillip Island’s
premier surf break, Woolamai
Beach. The screen stretches a full
10m x 5m, and is 3m high,
projecting a specially produced
surf movie which surrounds the
seated audience.
Islantis commissioned an
experienced team to create a
four-and-a-half minute long,
breathtaking surf experience,
featuring the skills of local board
rider Jarvis Cininas. The movie
celebrates the joy to be found in
riding the waves and the freedom
that surfing brings to all.
Waves 360 Cinema
SANDMAN
SECRETS
From riding the waves to living
the lifestyle, visitors step into
a homage to the classic surfi ng
vehicle, complete with carpet
on the roof and walls, filled with
trophies from the beach. To the
front is a panoramic view of Cape
Woolamai, as seen from the
dashboard of a restored 1970’s
wagon. Through the interior is a
collection of items that one day
may be destined for the ‘pool
room’, but for now are rattling
around in the back of a panel van.
Sandman
Secrets
Surfing Evolution
Pride of place is a Bell’s trophy,
positioned to allow for happy snaps, as
well as rare, signed memorabilia and
quirky displays that bring back the joys of
surfi ng from the recent past.
Of particular signifi cance is the winner’s
rashie from the 2005 Rip Curl Classic
tournament - the only time it was ever
entirely held outside Bell’s Beach at our
own Woolamai Beach.
116
SMORGASBOARDER
| EASTER 2014

CLOSEOUT: EXPERIENCE
BUSINESS PROMOTION
Surfing Evolution
SURFING
EVOLUTION
With surfboards on display
from the 1920s and moving
right through to today, visitors
can discover the tools that
took surfing from its infancy
through to today’s exciting
wave riding.
Interspersed with the boards
are other unique items that
have been carefully selected
to tell a story of Australian
surfing, including signed and
mounted rashies from current
champions Kelly Slater, Tyler
Wright and Stephanie Gilmour.
Experience it at Islantis Surf
10-12 Phillip Island Tourist Rd,
Phillip Island, Victoria. (Part
of the Big Wave Complex)
Entry: Adults are just $4.50,
kids are $2.50 and a family
is only $12.00.
For more information, please
see the Islantis website
www.islantis.com.au
and follow all the latest
happenings on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/
TheIslantisSurfExperience
SETTLE IN &
STAY A WHILE
When you visit the Islantis Surf
Experience the perfect place to spend
the night is right there, at the The Island
Accommodation.
This award winning purpose built ecofriendly
accommodation complex, is
specially designed for you with state of the
art facilities, comfortable living areas and
friendly services.
Open spaces provide ample space for
relaxation, fun, dining, good times and peace
time. The Island has a friendly and relaxed
vibe. It’s all about your experience.
The Island is architecturally designed with
eco friendly features to reduce energy and
water consumption; you’ll fi nd superior
accommodation at a budget price.
There are private studio suite rooms through
to multi-share accommodation from $30per
person/night, and it’s perfect for all, from
couples to families, weekenders, short,
longer term and independent travellers. Group
bookings and functions available at request.
For more information on the accommodation
options available at The Island, and to book
your stay, visit the website:
www.theislandaccommodation.com.au
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 117

MUSIC
KEVIN DREW
DARLINGS ARTS & CRAFTS
COASTAL SOUL
BLUE IDEAL INDEPENDENT
118
TIM STOKES
MEXICO INDEPENDENT
“That’s alright with me,” sings Tim Stokes in the Johnny Cashesque
album title track, ‘Mexico’. And as it happens Tim’s ten
great songs are very much alright with us too.
Imagine a mix of bluesy acoustic tunes – a definite nod to his
home in a leafy beachside spot just outside of Byron Bay – with
a touch of country and a heavy helping of rootsy slide guitar, and
you’re on your way... But don’t stop there. ‘Mexico’ plays a bit like
a compilation, with really surprising twists and turns and some
great musicianship throughout. This album takes you to many
different places, song by song.
‘For a little while’ transports you all the way to a smoky piano
bar with its swinging, finger-snapping jazz feel. ‘Mexico’ has you
boot-scootin’ in amongst the hay bales, while ‘Stare at the Sun’
could easily be the soundtrack for heading down a winding beach
road, windows down and surfboards in the back.
Production-wise, ‘Mexico’ is raw and real. You can
easily imagine yourself sipping on an afternoon beer
at your favourite surf break while Tim knocks out a
few tunes on his guitar, right next to you. All round,
these are great songs that are played and
well presented in a cool digipack.
A big thumbs up from us for a local
muso well worth supporting.
Oh, and Tim has an impressive
moustache, even outside of
November.
More at www.timstokesmusic.com
(Mark Chapman)
| EASTER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER
Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin
Drew’s new release, ‘Darlings’, is
11 tracks of atmospheric, poppy
chill-time.
Indie-influenced guitar sounds blend
beautifully with synth basses, blips
and other sweeping sounds over
relaxed beats, as Kevin breathes
out the lyrics over the top. There’s
definite influences from ‘80s and
‘90s alternative in there - “You
gotta feel it” has a very U2 feel,
for example – but it’s a thoroughly
modern interpretation, through
a completely current lens, which
makes for a fresh, interesting
release.
Kevin Drew has a beard, so is 66%
hairier than Tim Stokes.
Check out kevindrewmusic.com
(Mark Chapman)
LAST MINUTE
EXTRA LISTENING...
Bullhorn from Brisbane - all horns
, hip-hoppy drums and an MC -
great concept, cool band.
bullhornmusic.com.au
It’s been too long since we’ve
heard from these Sawtell
gentlemen of surf and song! While
they’ve been busy gigging around
their area, it was way back in
late 2011 when the Coastal Soul
‘Everyday People’ release got a
four-star review in these pages. I’m
extremely happy to report however,
that there’s a whole fresh batch of
acoustic guitar, bongo-slapping,
melodic, happy summer tunes to go
around again.
The songwriting has just got
even better, and the standard of
musiciandship and singing is right
up there, with fantastic vocals
and spot-on vocal harmonies an
absolute hallmark of ‘Blue Ideal’.
The title track is a particular
favourite, with slightly dirtier
guitars and bluesy soloing setting
the stage for what you expect to be
a rootsy standard, until the chorus
jumps out with a great big hook
and“Sail Away” is another cracker
- a heartfelt ballad featuring some
killer harmonica.
Created and played from the heart
by three surfi ng mates making
music, Coastal Soul’s full-length
release is a 14-song testament to
a coastal lifestyle. Get it today for
$15 from the band, CD Baby or on
iTunes.
The Coastal Soul boys, while
they have a fair mix of facial hair,
are decidedly less hairy than Tim
Stokes and Kevin Drew.
Check out more at www.
coastalsoul.com.au and keep up
to date at www.facebook.com/
CoastalSoulBand.
(Mark Chapman)
The new Beck album, ‘Morning Phase’
is so chilled it’s downright sleepy. Love it,
but don’t dare drive to it...
www.beck.com

MOVIES
SERENDIPITY
THE STORY OF TONY HUSSEIN HINDE
BLACK LAMB
This doco by Simon Lamb tells the story
of Australian Tony Hussein Hinde, and his
involvement in the surfing discovery of
the Maldives. This is told through archival
images, with the narrative pulled together
through interviews with his family, friends
and some legends of the surfi ng industry.
Not lots of surfing to see here, so if a wavefest
is what you’re after, this is not the fi lm
for you. However, for surf historians and
Maldives freaks, this is a truly interesting
tale of adventure, and of a life well spent!
Serendipity is independently produced by
and available through Black Lamb.
To watch a trailer, to find out more and
to purchase a copy of the DVD, visit the
website: www.serendipitymovie.com
(Gus Brown)
LAST PARADISE
A GLOBAL QUEST FOR ADVENTURE...
MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT
Fascinating. Confronting. Downright scary.
Fascinating to see all the incredible old
footage of surfi ng, skurfi ng, windsurfi ng,
snowboarding, hang gliding, bungee...
Confronting to see how much the world has
changed - radically changed.
Downright scary to see how badly we have
stuffed this place up.
I would say this is a must see fi lm, but fear
the ones who need to watch this fi lm the
most, unfortunately probably won’t.
You know a fi lm of this nature has appeal
when it immediately hooks your kids in and
they start asking questions. Questions like,
“Did they really do that? Did they really
invent that? That is cool. That is crazy.”
Further questions follow, “Why would
people do that? Don’t they care?”
That’s what is most confronting about this
movie, that our kids can see what so many
of us adults cannot. We’ve complicated our
lives so unnecessarily. Will we ever learn
the error of our ways? A good starting point
would be to watch his fi lm.
(Dave Swan)
NOTE: the fi lm is available in NZ on DVD
now, and will be out in Australia after the
2014 cinema tour. See the tour dates at the
website: www.lastparadisefi lm.com
UNCHARTED
WATERS
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF WAYNE LYNCH
MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT
Yes ladies and gents - fi ve stars. Five big
ones... Count ‘em. This is an absolute mustsee
movie - if you didn’t catch it on the
recent Australian tour, now’s your chance,
with the DVD release of Uncharted Waters
out as you hold this ridiculously high-quality
magazine in your hands. Get up close and
personal with the Victorian surfi ng legend,
as the fi lm follows his life from a rise to
stardom as a youngster in the ‘60s through
to the present day, all giving a very personal
insight into the man himself.
Wayne Lynch is not only a surfer of note,
but also a highly infl uential surfboard
designer and shaper, so there’s plenty of
inspiration in these 90-odd minutes of
fi lm. If you’re inspired by the stormy and
imposing Victorian coastline, this is for
you. If you’re inspired by scenes of graceful
surfi ng, this is for you. If you’re inspired by a
tale of a life well-lived, this is for you.
I was glued to the screen, beginning to end.
You will be too, again and again.
www.unchartedwaters.com.au
(Mark Chapman)
Read about Director Craig Griffi n’s personal
journey in making the fi lm. Page 46.
Win a Patagonia prize pack, Page 21
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 119

THE SURFER’S DIRECTORY
WELLINGTON’S
SURF CENTRAL!
SURFBOARDS,
WETSUITS & REPAIRS
PLUS: Bodyboards, Surf Accessories, Dive Gear,
SUPs, Skateboards, DVDs, Books & Magazines...
IN STORE AND ONLINE!
SNZ-APPROVED SURF SCHOOL & BOARD HIRE
www.realsurf.co.nz
Cnr Kingsford Smith St & Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, NZ
BOARDS, LESSONS, ADVICE,
CLOTHING & MORE!
CAMP ON THE BEACH IN FRONT
OF THE ICONIC LION ROCK, AT
ONE OF NZ’S TOP SURF BREAKS
RETRO
BOARDS
& GEAR
39 BEACH ST, FITZROY, NEW PLYMOUTH, NZ
P: +64 (06) 7580400
E: beachstreet@xtra.co.nz
Like Beach
Street Surf Shop
on Facebook!
LOCAL
CLOTHING
BRANDS
ITS ALL ABOUT SURFING!
PIHA
DOMAIN
SURF CAMP
PHONE: +64 9 8128 815
EMAIL: pihacamp@xtra.co.nz
RATES FROM $10 A NIGHT FOR TENT SITES
SHAKA TIME
AT TUTUKAKA SURF
ALOHA SHIRTS DIRECT FROM HAWAII
Marina Road Tutukaka Coast Northland New Zealand.
PH 09 43 44135 EMAIL surf@tutukakasurf.co.nz
Find us on FACEBOOK
WWW.TUTUKAKASURF.CO.NZ
120
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

LOVE OUR
OCEAN...
IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!
I’ve discovered another valid reason to
continue the battle to protect the ocean
– it’s good for our mental health.
Not only does it make us feel good
when we’ve done our bit and reduced
our plastic use, participated in a beach
clean-up or chosen to walk rather than
drive somewhere, surfing as a sport
has been proven to not only improve
our physical wellbeing, but our mental
health as well. Studies have shown that
the “surf stoke” we’re all so familiar
with could actually be a tangible feeling
that’s relatively unique to surfers.
Surfing creates elevated levels of
adrenaline and dopamine, as do many
other sports. While this makes us feel
good in the water, it doesn’t account
for the stoke that continues long after
we’re out. Scientists have discovered
sea spray is most likely the culprit for
causing prolonged feelings of surf
euphoria. Apparently the turbulence
created by breaking waves alters the
physical structure of the air and water,
breaking apart water and air molecules,
and in turn releasing charged ions into
the atmosphere. On their eternal quest
for perfect waves surfers inevitably
encounter this altered atmospheric state.
Some scientists are convinced this
abundance of negative ions has a
positive effect on mood by triggering
the release of endorphins and
serotonin – the “happy hormones”
– and increasing blood flow and
oxygen circulation through our bodies.
Similar studies show environments
with negatively charged atmospheric
conditions, such as waterfalls or snowy
mountains create a similar effect.
(Bridget Reedman, The Inertia).
Sufferers of afflictions such as
depression and schizophrenia, as
well as those suffering from stress
or emotional trauma have reported
enormous benefits from surfing and
the recreation of the zen-like feeling
often associated with yoga. So while
we’ve been thanking the ocean for a
while now for the rewarding physical
benefi ts of surfing her waves, we can
now extend her some more kindness for
the great job she is doing in keeping us
sane and stoked all at the same time.
BYRON BITS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BYRON BAY BREWING CO.
TALKING BEER
WITH BREWER SCOTT HARGRAVE
I got asked by someone
the other day, “Hey
Scotty, dark beers
are stronger than
other beers, yeah?”
Well... No, not
necessarily.... High
alcohol beers can be
any colour.
Other crimes levelled against dark beers
include: “They’re too bitter”, “they’re too
thick” and plain old “they’re nasty...”
It all comes down to (mis)perception. Dark
beers cover a huge spectrum of world beer
styles. They can be lagers, ales, wheat beers,
gluten free beers, high alcohol, low alcohol,
malty, hoppy, soft and rich or crisp and dry,
fruity, or clean, or any other descriptor you
would use for pale beers. In short, dark beers
can be just as lovable as their pale brothers.
As I write this, I’ve just brewed our BILLY
GOAT dark lager and the brewhouse smells
fantastic. This beer pours almost black,
with aromas of malty chocolate giving way
to satisfying coffee and roasty notes with
a medium mouth feel and a surprisingly
refreshing fi nish. Goes great with shepherd’s
pie, roasts and best of all, choccie pudding or
mudcake. Yep, choccie pudding or mudcake.
Anyhoo, enough of the plug...
Whatever the colour, good beer is good beer
and life is too short not to experience it...
Cheers,
Scotty, the Brewer
FINE BEERS
AND A VENUE TO MATCH...
THE BYRON BAY BREWING CO.
WHAT’S ON
COMING UP AT THE BREWERY...
FREE MEAL!
BUY ONE MEAL, GET THE SECOND FREE*
*For details, more specials and to download
a voucher see www.byronbaybrewery.com.au
MORE GREAT REASONS TO VISIT THE BYRON BAY BREWING CO.
Nicola O’Reilly is the better half
of the nice folks from Surfing
Green, a couple passionate about
sustainable surfing products.
surfinggreen.com.au
1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481 - Phone: (02) 6685 5833 Fax: (02) 6685 5519
FOR SPECIALS AND UPDATES, SEE: WWW.BYRONBAYBREWERY.COM.AU
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 121

CLOSEOUT: RELAX
Mark Riley
VICTORY
RIDE
On our last edition
distribution run we had
the pleasure of attending
the Elouera Nippers Mega
Raffle prize draw. A Mazda
was up for grabs along
with a Riley Balsa mini mal.
Frank and Lara Crossle
won the car, and Rod
Enright won the board.
Here’s Rod (left) on the
night and (right) later,
sampling the thrill of
victory. Thanks to Elouera
Nippers for a great night.
KIRRA TEAMS CHALLENGE
GOLD COAST, QLD, MARCH 2014
The Kirra Teams Challenge 2014
was held over 3 days at Snapper
and then Kirra on the Gold Coast.
The Coffs Harbour Boardriders
Club entered a team into the
challenge and are stoked with
their 2 nd place finish from 32
teams around Australia. Here’s
Coffs Harbour’s Jayke Sharpe
getting shacked in perfect Kirra
fashion, and Otis Carey blasting
off the top at Snapper.
The Coffs Harbour team consisted
of Eric Safstrom, Brayden
Templeton, Otis Carey, Billy
Kean, Jayke Sharpe, Lee Winkler,
Madison Williams and Shaun
Cansdell.
Words and photos by Reg
McGuigan
www.facebook.com/regs.photos
For more on the Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club and the upcoming
Billabong Oz Grom Cup to be hosted in Coffs, turn to page 79
122
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

The ONLY Travel Insurance
that covers Surfboards IN the surf
www.indosurf.com.au
If your board snaps
you can claim it!
Unlimited Medevac Flights - Unlimited Medical - Surfboards IN the surf
The Best Travel Insurance for Surfers - for Anywhere Worldwide
INDO SURF TRAVEL INSURANCE
A BOUTIQUE ROASTERY
WITH A PASSION FOR
PRODUCING
QUALITY COFFEE.
want Artisti
in your café?
Give us a call...
37 VERNON STREET, COFFS HARBOUR
0434 700 910 INFO@ARTISTI.COM.AU
BUY ONLINE AT WWW.ARTISTI.COM.AU
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
THE SURFER’S DIRECTORY
Imported
from California
Own a real surf shop...*
The Plank Shop - an iconic surf business
in an iconic surfing destination is for sale.
Live the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
IN-DEPTH WAVE DESCRIPTIONS
FOR EVERY MAJOR SURF BREAK IN AUSTRALIA
www.deweyweber.com.au
Call: 0400 497 534
CUTS WAX
LIKE BUTTER
Moulded
grip
Polymer
casing
ONLY
$11.95!
Clean wax!
Flexible
sealing lid
WWW.WAXHEAD.NET
*dog not included
To find out more, please
contact the owners.
10 CLARENCE ST, YAMBA (02) 6645 8362
WWW.THEPLANKSHOP.COM.AU
MAKING A SURFBOARD?
RESTORATION OR REPAIR?
LEARNING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
MAKING BLANKS MAKING FINS?
416 A4,
full-colour
pages, over
1000 photos.
THE
SURFER’S
TEXTBOOK
$79.95
BUY ONLINE TODAY
WWW.SURFERSTEXTBOOK.COM.AU
240
PAGES
A5, FULL
COLOUR
$29.95
Available from your favourite surfshop
or direct from www.renniks.com
CALL 02 9695 7055. TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 123

THE SURFER’S DIRECTORY
Jervis Bay Stand Up Paddle
Lessons, Tours, Board Hire
www.jervisbaystanduppaddle.com.au
0403 354 716
124
| EASTER 2014
SMORGASBOARDER

2014 NOOSA FESTIVAL OF SURFING
NOOSA HEADS, QLD, MARCH 2014
Mike Bilton, of Bilton Surfboards on the Gold Coast, made the trip up north to Noosa for the annual festival of surfi ng - partly to soak up the
atmosphere, check out the heats and entertainment, but also to amaze the punters with a display of his Bilton LED boards in the dark. Being
handy with a camera, he snapped some shots of the action while he was there.
More on Bilton Surfboards: www.biltonsurf.com | Festival website: www.noosafestivalofsurfi ng.com
CLOSEOUT: RELAX
A Bilton LED board lights up the line-up
Jordie Brown of High Tide Surfboards in Victoria floats finless
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 125

CLOSEOUT: RELAX
AUSTRALIAN SURFING
SPORTS EXPO
GOLD COAST CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, FEB 14-16
With over 70 exhibitors and 5,000+ visitors, the
inaugural Surf Expo on the Gold Coast was a raging
success, and plans for 2015 are already in motion.
Richard Harvey’s display of surfboard shaping over
the three days and demos of CTRL-V surfboard DCals
were some of the highlights for the weekend, with
plenty of prizes - including surfboards by Jack Knight,
Wooden Surfboards by Steve-O, and plenty of Froth
surfwax - to keep the punters happy.
www.australiansurfi ngsportsexpo.com
126
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

Byron Sunset Happy Hour!
Monday to Friday 4-6pm
Half price selected Tapas (Calamari and dips)
$5 select beers & house wine, $10 Margaritas
ENERGY FOR A GREAT
MORNING SURF!
A healthy mix of
Organic Granola,
Dried Coconut,
Mango, Pear, Banana
chips, Apricots,
Macadamia,
Sunflower seeds and
Tropical Pineapple.
THE SURFER’S DIRECTORY
101 Sunpatch Parade
TOMAKIN NSW 2537
www.therivermouthstore.com.au
T - 02 4471 7272
Open every day Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tapas till late.
Cnr Lawson & Jonson, Byron Bay
02 6680 9666 www.balcony.com.au
$8.50 per 100g serving
FOR STOCKIST &
RETAIL ENQUIRIES
07 4974 9539
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 127

CLOSEOUT: RELAX
All photos courtesy of Michael Cunningham, The Cove Fish Fry
FISH FRY NZ,
WAIPU COVE
Organiser Michael Cunningham
gives the great day a wrap...
“After several visits to the Gold
Coast to The Alley Fish Fry with my
shaper and great mate Roger Hall of
Surfline Surfboards at Ruakaka, NZ,
I decided the stoke that I got was
something to be shared.
With some wise words from Grant
Newby, organiser of The Alley Fish
Fry, and much thought, I launched a
blog to gauge the reaction of fellow
surfers, to see if the format of a
Fish Fry would work in NZ - a noncompetitive,
non-commercial surf
meet... A day at the beach if you
will, with shapers and surfers from
all over the world.
With the help of Facebook and the
Cove Fish Fry blog it seemed that
NZ was ready, in fact most that
contacted me about the event were
frothing ! Soon I had a rather large
list of potential guests from all over
NZ and the world, car stickers and
posters were going like hotcakes,
the blog was getting a heap of hits,
all good.
Then came 3am of the day of The
First Annual Cove Fish Fry, waking in
a cold sweat with thoughts like ‘will
they all come over?’, ‘will they bring
boards’, ‘what have I done?!’.
By 11am the reserve at The Cove,
Waipu NZ was pumping - packed
with boards, shapers, surfers,
groms, collectors, enthusiasts,
my friends and family... Even the
Deputy Principal of my son’s primary
school! With all sorts of surf media
and hundreds of onlookers, my
fears turned to full stoke! With
guests coming from as far as San
Diego, The Netherlands, Bali and
Christchurch NZ, the day went off
like a rocket. Photos were taken,
contacts were made and friends
caught up to share surf stories,
lunch and the odd beer (don’t tell
the council, ha).
I would like to give a huge thanks to
all that helped out on the day and I
cannot wait till next year’s one, the
stoke that was shared was amazing
and I’m still fizzing!”
Michael
thecovefishfry.blogspot.com.au
128
SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014

ADVANCED
WETSUIT
TECHNOLOGY
EXTREME
STRETCH NECK
FOR COMFORT
BRAND
NEW
CHEST ZIP
DESIGN
BETTER
MEMORY
IMPROVED
QUALITY
EXTREME
STRETCH
KEEPS
SHAPE
LONGER
WELDED AND
TAPED SEAMS
FOR BEST SEAL
AND STRETCH
PHASE III
STEAMER
AVAILABLE DIRECT FROM ZEE,
OR FROM SELECT SURF STORES
NOOSA: 07 5474 1010
Unit 2, 15 Venture Drive,
Noosaville, QLD
MOOLOOLABA: 07 5444 7007
122 Brisbane Road,
Mooloolaba, QLD
sales@zeewetsuits.com
www.zeewetsuits.com
OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9 - 5, Sat: 9 - 12
BOTH STORES OPEN 6 DAYS!
EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 129

130 SMORGASBOARDER | EASTER 2014
Thanks for reading Smorgasboarder! Look out for more sage wisdom from Barry next edition...

EASTER 2014 | SMORGASBOARDER 131

MALDIVES REMOTE ATOLLS
2014 CHARTERS ON SALE NOW
info@liquiddestination.com