Surfing North Curl Curl

Finally got my GoPro camera mounted on my new board (see previous post) and got to take it out for a fun day in North Curl Curl.  Waves were about 4-6 ft from the NE with NW winds.  Super fun, peaky surf!  Didn't get as much footage as I would've liked before I had to run back to the house for a video chat appointment but here's the result.  Enjoy!

Click this link to view the video on YouTube.com

My First Aussie Girlfriend!

She's tall, a little wide in the hips, just a little on the thick side, and born and raised in Australia.  Best part is, she doesn't talk back at all ;).  Alright macho, broisms aside, I bought a new surfboard today!  Flow Surfboards 5'11" x 19" x 2 5/16" shaped by Felipe.  Guy at the shop said he's a brazilian who used to shape for Chili Surfboards.  Got an awesome deal on it too, $495 including a grip pad and leash, and it's brand new!  Can't beat that!  This will be my primary board for waves up to head high, maybe a bit over.  Took it out for a surf this arvo (afternoon in Aussie-speak) in some chunky waist to stomach high surf.  Turns on a dime, fast as hell down the line, and nice and loose in the tail.  Can't wait to take it out in some better conditions with a bit more swell in the water :).  Going to mount the GoPro on it tonight and hopefully take it out for a surf tomorrow to get some footage.  Cheers!

Palm Beach, FL...meet Palm Beach, Australia

The Bloomfield's (family I'm staying with) and I took a trip up to Palm Beach last Sunday.  Stupid me left the camera in the car so I didn't get to take many pics.  There were some of the most incredible houses with even more incredible views sitting on the hillside (see first picture).  The odd thing is, there's so many of them.  What do all these people do for a living?  Whatever it is, I want to do the exact same thing.  Money may not buy happiness but it sure does buy a sweet pad.  Anyways, now I've been to Palm Beach on both sides of the world!

Facing SE at Palm Beach

Facing NE at Palm Beach

1st trip into Sydney

I had to go into the city today to complete an RSA course (certification required for anyone serving alcohol).  There's a ferry that runs from Manly to Sydney for $14 AUD roundtrip and basically gives you a harbor cruise for a fraction of the price.  Granted it doesn't give you a tour of the entire harbor and I had no idea what anything was besides the Sydney Opera House.  Didn't get to explore the city much since I was in a classroom for 7 hours but I did take some pictures from the ferry.  Started messing with Pixelmator (photo editing software) a bit to try to make these pictures look cooler/more artsy since I no longer have an iPhone with Instagram to make things look cool and eclectic.  The ones I messed with will say so in the caption.  Enjoy!

Apple store in Sydney, thought it was a cool design.

Leaving the Circular Quay

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Building-scape?

Opera House edited with Pixelmator

The view from looking upwards while on the upper deck of the ferry.  Edited with Pixelmator

1st day of big surf

Okay, maybe by Australian standards it was a medium sized day but 7+ ft on the face is plenty big compared to the average waist to chest high wave I surfed in FL.  Felt good to paddle into some bombs and come out alive.  I've been surfing a 6'3" CI Flyer or 6'6" Warner since I've been here and today was the first day I was glad I had more board under my feet.  Of course I took a few on the head but that was to be expected.  Can't wait to get my own board(s) so I can mount the GoPro on it and get some good footage of me barely surviving the curtain drops (closeout wave that breaks on top of you for all you non-surfers).  The below pics aren't of where I surfed this morning (surfed on the north end of Dee Why, called Long Reef, so I could get some lefts) but here's what Dee Why point looked like in the afternoon.  Too tired to paddle out again so I'll just live vicariously through these guys.

Manly Beach & Wharf

Took a trip down to Manly to get a cell phone and check out the area.  Tons of shops and restaurants in the area so hopefully one of them will provide a job and then I get a place nearby.  Had a beer by the wharf before I hopped back on the bus to Dee Why.  I could get used to this place :)

Curl Curl Beach

Took a jog this afternoon down along the beach to Curl Curl.  Weather was kind of overcast but it still made for some decent shots.

Dee Why

Went back over to Dee Why after a little surf session to grab a bite to eat and snapped a few pics.

Tough Life

Arrived safely into Sydney this morning at 6:15 or so.  Without even being in the country for 4 hours I was already out surfing.  I love this place already.  Icing on the cake is the place I get to crash for a few days or so.  Staying on the 2nd floor above the garage.  Tough life.

Testing out my new GoPro!