diva surfs

Happy Days!

2009-04-18T12:03:00.002+10:00

So far life has been good to us on the East Coast of Australia. We've moved around alot but now have a 6 month lease on a wicked little house just down the street from friends, we have a yellow 1978 volvo, The surf is just getting better, and the fun is never ending. I'm currently nursing a cold after spending the past weekend living it up at BluesFest, rated the number 5 festival in Australia, it was an amazing amount of fun. Laurie and I volunteered for the entire 5 days and not only scored free tickets but the most incredible volunteer job ever. Our job for 5 hours each day was to hang in the media tent and take the photographers to the front of the stages for thier 3 song photo taking opportunity. So not only did we get to run around backstage running into the likes of xavier rudd, ben harper and john butler trio to drop just a few names, we also got the best seats in the house for every act at the festival.
There were some classic acts too not just headliners, The Specials, Easystar All stars and Alpha Blondy kicked the last nights rainy rainy ass. When I say rain I mean tropical downpours, mud past your ankles for the whole weekend, but really whats a festival without a little mud.
Photos of all this are in the works, in the mean time we are moving into our new home and working very hard on a new project, www.miamihighcollective.com its going to be a sweet as internet magazine and the first issue is almost ready to go! In the meantime we set up a blog where we can purge our mind of sillyness and the like www.miamihighmiamihigh.blogspot.com
Please check it out and if you have anything awesome you'd like to contribute let us know!!
x
Diva

what??

2009-04-02T13:21:00.001+10:00

www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com

again....what?? do you have a 'kitler'? I'm speechless.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!

2009-03-27T09:52:00.003+10:00

Way back when I posted a video of some unreleased footage from Spike Jone's 'Where the Wild things are". It looked awesome but the last I heard the screenings had sent kids crying out of the theater and he was possibly going to be fired and the project started again.

I'd actually been thinking about it lately wondering what was going to happen with the movie, and about how much I hoped it was still in production when my new hero Kenton posted a full trailer for the film. Full Body GooseBumps. I can't wait.

This is almost as exciting as that time I saw Jack Johnson in the water and Dave Rastovich helped me get the best wave of my life. (That was yesterday.)

Movie Magic

2009-03-23T18:41:00.004+10:00

Pre going to Melbourne for a weekend of fun in the cold, I had some time on my hands. So I made this movie in devotion to my some of my favorite Australians. Enjoy.

LAAAY DAY!!!

2009-03-19T22:44:00.004+10:00

SOoo before we saw the girls surf round three Laur and I made a previous attempt to see some comp.
Sadly it was day off, but luckly us there was still some swell and offshore wind and sunny days. We hopped in the water and spent the whole day surfing. Noone told us that we would be surfing with the top girls and boys of the world including the man himself kelly slater.
We took notes, laur almost dropped in on coco ho, I'm pretty sure I called a wave that steph gilmore was going to take, It was amazing to say the least.

C'est la Vie

2009-03-11T09:59:00.002+10:00

If I knew they wanted more boring and less awesome I would have put together something completely different.
The video that didn't get me "the best job in the world".....

http://www.islandreefjob.com/applicants/watch/UCHzDIYoWfo

Yoaza!!!!-Roxy Pro Gold Coast Day 10

2009-03-10T11:43:00.003+10:00

After Spending a Gold coast Pro lay day up at Snappers surfing with the likes of coco ho, Alana Blanchard and even the man himself Kelly Slater, Laur and I couldn’t resist returning to check out round 3 of the girls a couple days later.
Heres some footage of the wickedness.

Please sing aloud (or in your head if you like): Living in Paaaaarrraaadiise!

2009-02-16T13:31:00.003+10:00

Laur and I spent the last couple days seeing Liz and Kate off in Surfers Paradise. The two are off to adventure New Zealand in a couple weeks time after spending some chill time with Kate’s cousin in Brisbane.

Having already spent a very fun but chill time with Elliot’s friends a couple months earlier we were up for some ‘big city excitement'. It amazing how different the vibe is between Byron and Surfers Paradise seeing as the two places are only about an hour and a half drive apart. From the low profile hippie style beaches of Byron its possible to see the glow of lights coming from Surfers, its high rise skyline and beaches that have churned out several of the countries pro surfers. Actually Laur and I just went to see a new surf film as the Souled Out Film Festival rolled through town that focused on this very stark contrast.

Shopping was the name of the game on arrival as we got directions to the plaza that holds both the Billabong and Quiksilver outlets. Needless to say we were a little bit feverish at the idea of half price bathers to as we rolled into the parking lot. The shops did us well and we all managed to control ourselves and maintain budgets, picking up a few items each for far less than cost prices.

We headed back to out hotel to model our new suits poolside. Liz gets bonus points for find the Islander hotel for us. For $18 dollars a night we shared a ten-person air conditioned dorm, had full use of the hotel amenities and were a mere block from the beach right in the heart of the city. After playing a heart pounding game of Marco Polo, meeting the tenth place Australian Idol (or ‘number ten‘ as we thought he should be called by his friends) and performing some very impressive dolphin and whale impersonations it was time for a pre-dinner surf.

liz is showing me how to plug my nose without my hands.....

There is definitely something surreal and amazing about walking between sky rises and people out for nice meals while sporting a bikini and carrying a surfboard. Even more surreal and amazing is not getting any weird looks while doing it.
We spent about 40 minutes in the water and caught a few waves before the rip had made us tired and hungry and the glow of the almost full moon wasn’t quite enough to calm the voices in our head warning about deep dark water and despite the shark nets, what might lurk beneath.

After a rinse at the beach or ‘shower’ (amid recent debate as to what actually constitutes a shower) we got ready and headed out for a well-deserved meal. Our wallets shouted pizza. Then back to the hostel for a few store bought beverages.

Another wander around town found us running into some of Kate’s friends who had stayed at the Byron hostel she had been working at. Eventually we ended up at SIN CITY to dance our little faces off.

The DJ was great and kept the beat going so dance we did. Actually we monopolized a small podium which not only highlighted our mad skills for the crowd it also did a fairly good job of separating us from the usual sleazy guys and random girl on girl trashy dancers.

Now I never claim to be a good dancer, and I definitely have my own style, but I do love it from time to time. So when this little runt of a man-child came up and started mimicking me I was truly pissed. I understand he was just trying to get some attention and I should let it get to me, but it did. This is when its good to know who your friends are. As we ran into him leaving the club just after I explained what had happened to the girls, no time was wasted in marching up to him and telling him what for. Actually, telling his friend what for until I ran up and corrected the mistaken identity, poor kid. All was well in the end and we learned that girls from Liverpool would actually appreciate someone making from of their special way of dancing.

After that excitement it was home to bed. We had a big day ahead of us.

After drip coffee, a very rare and elusive treat in Australia, and a light breakfast it was time for Laur and I to say goodbye to Liz and Kate. I should say ‘so long’ as we will be seeing them again in about a months time.

Laur and I started on our way back down the coast to Byron with a very specific game plan in mind. About 40 minutes south of Surfers is Coolangata, (you can call it Coolie if you love it). Coolie is the home to Snapper Rocks, a very famous surf spot that has been the site of the Gold Coast Pro Surf competition many times over the years. The wind was on shore (that’s not ideal) the water was choppy (again not ideal) and the swell was small (again not ideal). Doesn’t sound good right? Well no it wasn’t but this meant that the normal 30-person line up was down to 8 people who bothered to come out, meaning to that the ride able waves that did come through were up for grabs. So I got a few waves at Snapper Rocks, and I’m stoked on it. Will definitely have to go back and get some solid waves on a good day once my wave nabbing agro is up to par and will certainly be back for the Gold Coast Pro which is on in a couple weeks time.

We made it safe and sound back to our new house in Byron. A small place with two housemates, a ten-minute walk to Tallows beach or into town, no bugs, no children and no random naked drug addled strippers running around. Basically heaven.

Some RRS's .....recent random shots that is....

2009-02-16T13:18:00.002+10:00

TAssssssiiie aka, the longest post ever! quick call guiness!

2009-01-25T16:00:00.009+10:00

We just got back from a week in Tasmania. I'll go ahead and say it was beautiful.

Liz and I boarded a plane from Gold coast airport only to be separated in Melbourne. Despite my meticulous planning I had managed to book myself into the 930 pm flight instead of the afternoon flight that Liz was booked on. It didn't help that our Gold coast flight landed 1.5 hours late due to miscommunication between the airline manifest and the number of people actually on the flight, meaning that there was no chance to correct my error. Lucky for me I slept through what sounded like a painful 1.5 head count while waiting on the ground in Gold coast.

....a sandwich so delicious yet revolting sounding at the same time I couldn't resist....

Liz graciously stayed with me and took a flight later in the afternoon leaving me 'only' four hours to wait alone in the airport. To my luck the Melbourne airport was full of tasty cafes and shops. I picked up some soap and moisturizer from the Body shop, two things I had neglected to bring with me for a dirty week of hiking and camping. I met up with Liz and our good high school friend Chelsie that night in Hobart and settled in for a solid sleep.

The next day the three of us toured the town of Hobart. I immediately loved it due to the historic stone buildings and cool breeze that reminded me of our home town Kingston. We had breakfast in Salamanca square and played in a toy store, s-crates, or Socrates for those paying attention.

From there we wandered to the Harbour to see the 'Steve Irwin'. For those unfamiliar this is the name of the Sea Shepherd ship, an organization notorious for its slightly unconventional tactics (ie stink bombs) all in the name of saving whales, sharks and other sea life from unnecessary slaughter. The boat was refueling after chasing Japanese whalers between Australia and Antarctica. The man himself, Paul Watson ( ship captain and founding member of green peace) , was present along with its crew of dedicated volunteers, prepping the boat and relaxing after 40 days at sea. Last year they estimated saving about 400 whales from the hands of fisherman. The Sea Shepherd efforts can be seen in the movie Shark Water, as they track down shark poachers in the Galapagos islands, they'll be heading back that way when the whaling season ends here.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day we decided to leave the city and drive our rental car to the top of Mount Wellington sitting at 1271 meters above sea level, the view from here was awesome. The winding and sometimes alarmingly narrow road to the top took about 20 minutes to drive, packed into this drive was some of the most diverse landscape I have seen. Tropical lush ferns at the bottom of the hill, to gum tree forests, to scrub forest and finally a moonscape like bareness at the very top. It was a clear but windy day we could see forever it seemed and the refreshing chill was welcomed after the past few months of the humid heat that Byron gets.

Kate arrived that night and we spent our last night sleeping in beds, before we headed North up the East coast to visit some of the highest rated beaches in the world.

It takes maybe 4 hours to drive from Hobart right to the Northern tip, but that time doesn't account for all the worthwhile stops that are to be made along the way. The first day got us as far as the Tasman peninsula. Only a direct 1.5 hour drive from Hobart. We stopped at the Sorell fruit farm and picked the tastiest Apricots. Sadly these were the only things in season on a farm that produces 12 different fruits and berries. We drove past Eagle neck hawk a place known for Scuba diving. We checked out the Blowhole in Doo Town a little village where every house is named Doo-something, (ie Dr. Doo little, Doo me, etc. ).

The majority of our day was spent in Port Arthur, the historic remains of a penitentiary from 1833 . The large buildings and remaining Architecture were stunning and creepy at the same time. You may have heard of Port Arthur as the site of a terrifying, senseless and sad mass murder in 1996. Today there stand a beautiful memorial in place of the cafe where the terror started.

We stayed the night on the peninsula at White's Beach in a cute and clean caravan park where we could hear the waves crashing and see about a million stars. We were greeted by a pollyroo, a small hopping marsupial who we loving named jimmy-rat pettigrew. Whites beach also happens to be about a 10 min drive from Ship Sterns THE heaviest wave in Australia. Unfortunately that ten minute drive is followed by a two hour bush walk, so it didn't fit into our schedule. I'm not by any means in any sort of condition to ride this wave but oh how I would love to see it.

We had a good hike ahead of us anyways as we were off to Wine Glass Bay. One of the world top 5 beaches according to Conde Naste and Lonely Planet. When the guide book said 'this is a hard walk' they were right, with a bag full of food and water....and a few beers (totally worth it), the walk was 1.5 hours up a mountain and down the other side, it was grueling to say the least. Add 30 degree heat and direct sun, offt. Wine Glass bay had to deliver. It did, 100% we camped next to beach with a few other who had made the trek and some lucky people with sailboats, dolphins frolicked and fed in the bay, the sand was pure white and the water was crystal clear. It was altogether beautiful enough to make us completely forget the task of getting there and completely relax within minutes of putting down our bags and setting up tent. We ate dinner on the beach and tasted fresh lobster some other campers had caught that morning.

After a night listening to waves crash and possums attack our breakfast food as it hung helpless from a tree next to our tent. We packed up in the early morning and headed back on to the trail to avoid the early morning sun and minimize the pain of the effort back over the mountain.

Decided that one amazing beach wasn't nearly enough for one day we bee-lined it North towards the stretch of beaches named the Bay of Fires. I use bee-line lightly because of course we stopped along the way. Chels gave us a lesson in tide pools in Bicheon, a small hike in Douglas Apsly national park (where we fell in love with the Eucalyptus) and there were plenty of photo-ops and swims along the way.

ok what?! tried to start a money pool...less than $100 each guys....no luck....thats ok, I've been waiting for 20 years, I can wait a little longer.

Bay Fires is a stretch of beach that has had its place in several travel publications top 5. We snorkeled the gulch at Binalong Bay (the first beach of the fires coastline).

Then went on the search for a campsite. The free cost and easy access of the drive in campsites here made this area busier as is to be expected. Regardless busy is all a matter of perspective and busy in Tasmania only meant that we had to drive a little bit longer than expected to find our own private piece of beach front property.

Again more crystal clear waters, beautiful little shells and empty crashing waves to the North and South of us. We swam or maybe I should say dashed into the water, and watch the waves explode on the giant boulders that separate the stretch of coast into several smaller beaches. It took a good swarm of giant mosquitoes to get us into our tent and watch the stars the clear weather had provided us with. Having put our tent on almost black coloured sand warmed all day in the sun we hardly needed our sleeping bags as we discovered we had a natural heat pack under us.

The next day we woke up to grey ominous weather, it was time to leave the coast and head towards Laucenston. About 1.5 hours inland, the third oldest city in Australia and home to the James Boags Brewery. We made a few pit stops along the way, a couple walks, a cheese factory, a pub with a beer drinking pig and the Bridestow lavender farm. Lucky for us at this time of year lavender is well in season and through the afternoon rain we looked out over acres of bright purple and sweet smelling rows of flowers.

We spent the night in a hotel, all very happy to return to the luxury of showers and mattress springs. We spent some time wandering around the stone building and taking in the city. Which I might add has some cool graffiti hiding in its alleys.

We left early the next morning in order to get Chelsie back to Hobart in time for her afternoon flight back to New Zealand. We made just one stop on the way home in the small town of Ross Tasmania. It was small and very quaint, we checked out 'the' intersection, with a church, a rec hall, a jail and a bar on their respective corners there were many postcards with the slogan, salvation, recreation, damnation and temptation. Judging by the number of postcards with variations of this I think someone took this observation a little far. We also witnessed the damage of bush fire after high winds knocked down power lines.

Arriving back in Hobart we managed to get a room at the Pickled Frog, an inexpensive hostel on the edge of the city (according to lonely planet with the cheapest beer in town). I must add, that although the hostel wasn't necessarily the cleanest it had the most comfortable bunk beds in the world, I felt I could have slept forever.

Liz, Kate and I said good bye to Chelsie and spent the rest of the day wandering town adding to my weird sign and graffiti collection. We had a fresh fish and chip dinner from a floating kitchen in the harbor. Afterwards we headed to Knobbys the local watering hole to meet one of Kate's work friends friend who bartends there. The pub was happening, our new bartender friend was cool and we had a fun time regardless of a fairly lame gentleman sitting down at our table for far too long.

We headed to the Saturday Salamanca market. We spent a couple hours walking the aisles of vendors and looking for samples before saying good bye to the cool air of Tasmania and making the stress free trip home to sweaty Byron Bay.

Clearing the Confusion.

2009-01-11T02:15:00.002+10:00

So I wrote, mild bike collison, and then this web site. Really I had no intention of writing anything about this collision on here, but I guess I should. Tonight I finished work. It was a good night, I met the girls at Buddha bar, then we headed to lala lounge for some dance. We pretty much skipped the line, then found out it was $15 cover. No dice we said. We left, ran into some guys on the street and after laur told them what a great dancer she was they wanted to pay our cover to get us in, also they wanted to skip the line. Somehow I explained to the bouncer that we needed to skip the line a second time. We climbed the stairs, he paid for us, bought us a drink, told us to have a good night and took off. Amazing. Only moments pass and some guy is chatting telling us about his Canadian girlfriend and how wicked we are and sets us up with a $200 bar tab. WHAT!? So we proceed to have some drinks and dance our little faces off. When its finally time to head home Laur and I make it as far as the bike path and it the middle of a chat swerve our bikes into each other. We both fall, our bikes hit the ground, granted we weren't travelling more than 2 km per hour, it was slow and inconsequential. Even so it was the first bike crash of the season.

Here are some photos of my old house in Byron. "The Green House". We lived here for a couple months and moved out not because it wasn't awesome but because it was a 20 min scary highway bike ride to the beach and had mosquito's like you couldn't even imagine. Best house for a party you could ever think of.

Now we live close to town, we have a bike path, we also live with a 5 year old, but the rent is too cheap to even discuss.

Swing on down, Donovan in Byron.

2009-01-08T12:33:00.004+10:00

Laurie and I sucked it up hard and shelled out the $47 dollars to see Donovan at the Beachie last night. This was particularly difficult because 1. the Beachie is a normally a free venue 2. Donovan tickets have only ever cost me $0 before and 3. probably the most important one, I technically don't have any money, in fact I technically have less than no money.

Simply Donovan had to deliver. Being laid back beachie Jack Johnson style music theres only a certain level of rocking out that can happen but some unexpected solos, some wild audience sing-alongs and some very sweaty dancing made the whole show come together. I also experienced the friendliest audience ever, who insisted that laur and I move right up to the front of the stage to take some photos. Wicked. Australia has completely redeemed its concert going reputation that was slightly tarnished after the Xavier Rudd show.

As an aside, my face has almost completely healed, a good surf session cleared the scabs and left me looking 99% very happy. It was also one of the best sessions of my life, the waves were so glassy I could see right through the face of them to the ocean floor flying by me. Aaaamazing, days later I'm still feeling high from it.

Did I mention its become balls hot here.....sweatiest guitar ever....

Early that day at Watego's beautiful long board day, not to be confused with my spectac session earlier in the week....

Nimbin, where hippies come from. actually.

2009-01-06T10:30:00.003+10:00

Travelling about 1.5 hours into the hills from Byron gets you to Nimbin. Nimbin is a one street town known for easy access to pot, mushrooms and the like. To get the full story two dollars gives you entry to the Nimbin Museum. A walk through the cluttered house come attraction gives the guest a good idea about Nimbin in regard to its agricultural beginnings, its laid back attitude, creative leanings and drugs and love hippie history. We spent a wicked afternoon chilling out, eating pizza, taking photos and looking in the eclectic shops.

We (elliot really) even helped some old hippies plant a palm tree aiding in their effort to protect their spot from the newly installed police cams.

Did I mention.... YAY! Elliot was here!

Inside the Nimbin Museum....

Sculptures in Nimbins wee park.....

Cool as kid......

Looking down the road, note "Bringabong" shop....clever clever hippies....

Letting the 'farmers' know there are police choppers about....

El helping the hippie cause planting a strategic palm.....

I heart....

I like rain, I like phonebooth.

2009-01-06T10:26:00.001+10:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-06T09:59:00.002+10:00

So snow is great and all but New Years on the beach wins hands down. The girls and I formed a posse with some other Canadians and a few aussies and heading to Whites Beach. Whites is a little alcove of a beach protected by rocks and trees, with a slightly trechorous downhill walk from the road, the crowds are kept to a minimum. For New years there were about 15 at our campfire and probably another 25 aging hippies at the fire next to us. We played music, socialized and took good care of our champagne. Such good care that the walk back to the road was impossible, Liz and I slept on the beach. We went in the ocean at midnight and saw glowing algae. We had our auras read by some twins, I found out I have a green aura, I also later found out they'd been eating mushies. It was all very very cool. No dramas till I, as I do, ran to use the toilet didn't see the low rock and tripped. Don't worry my teeth are ok! and 5 days later, my cuts are almost healed. Can't take me anywhere.

Setting up camp and popping some champs....

Happy laur......

Liz shooting her 2009 calendar with kate.....

Some surfers making the climb back to the road....

Thats where the battery on my camera tapped out. Check www.lizcore.blogspot.com for some more photos and the dirty details.

Xavier Rudd in his own country!

2008-12-29T14:59:00.002+10:00

Its safe to say that Xavier Rudd is one of my favorite artists of all time. I've been to many of his shows in Toronto, in Madrid Spain, in Glasgow Scotland. This was my first in Australia, his home country. The show was in Ballina, a little inland town about 40 mins away from Byron, claiming its fame by being home to the giant prawn. We didn't see the prawn, couldn't find it actually, some giant.

So back to the show. Concerts are expensive in Australia, you are looking at min $45 to see anyone. Its a tough transition coming from Toronto home of the wicked cheap shows.

Xavier was hurting the wallet at $56 dollars, (compared to his $25 ticket price in Toronto) but it was a must to see him. The venue was the Ballina RSL club, it was a small venue with an equally small stage close to the ground. Great I thought! an intimate Xavier show much like the time I saw him in Madrid. His Toronto shows are now exclusively at larger venues sold out for several night runs.

Little did I know this small venue would mean that Xaviers music would be completely drowned out by the drunken chatter coming from most of the crowd. At one point Xavier ssshusshed the crowd but to no avail. He looked pissed. The most mellow peace loving hippy looked pissed. I mean who pays $56 to talk through a concert? Anyways here are some photos from the happier moments.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-12-27T07:41:00.002+10:00

Hope everyone has had a good Christmas! We did it up well decorating our stockings, sugar cookies and consuming far to much baked goods thanks to Elizabeth. We all agreed it felt a little weird sort of like it was July and we were having some sort of pretend half-christmas celebration. But hey, the weather was hot, the beach was filled with santa hats and what better way to work off some of those cookies then with a mid-day surf (sadly, or maybe happily in ankle deep waves).

So much to say...

2008-12-22T14:41:00.002+10:00

So I've fallen behind with the old blog, but I've also been busy! Out and about in town, up the coast, concerts, Elliot came to visit and then I went to visit him in Perth, its been happy times all round. I've decided to start tossing up random pictures and stories in no particular order to keep those interested informed.

Like this.

During my first weeks in the Green House I got bit by a bug in my sleep. Right on the back of my thigh. The bit puffed up to monster proportions and after consulting with a few lifts I hitched into town with I went to the doctor. He didn't know what it was but looked at it very thoughtfully with a microscope and answered my 'am I going to die' with a definite 'no, you would have already if that were the case'. I was sent home to ice it and rub it with lavender oil (a magic itch remedy). This monster bite had gotten so hot by this point that the ice pack didn't even make my leg feel cold, it just melted on the spot for the first day of treatment. I was worried but persisted and eventually the swell went down, the heat receded and I managed to keep my leg.

.. the bite, notice the outer and inner circles. yowza. bugs love me.

November 11th, one to remember.

2008-11-18T08:42:00.003+10:00

After we take a minute to silently remember our soliders and say happy birthday to Leonardo Dicaprio, its time to also remember November 11th as a day that Byron went off, tubes were rampant and everybody surfed, except me, I took photos. My board was landlocked at home, and sadly with no car I am bound to time constraints revolving around daylight, riding my bicycle with surfboard under arm and the 10mins of near shoulderless highway biking as the bike path ends before my house. The bike path is currently being extended but we have heard projections of four years before it is complete due to council budgeting.

Back to the surf, the wind was light and off shore, the air and water temps warm, and the swell was finally coming in like a mo-fo. So bottled up the tears and started taking some pictures on that glorious day.

The Pass...

Clarks Beach/ Main Beach...

The Wreck....

Robot Birds....

Cairns....no wait, CANS, the first of many lessons on how to read in Australian.

2008-11-08T08:46:00.004+10:00

From Ayers Rock we flew to the coastal town of Cairns. Located in the Northern part of Queensland, Cairns serves a a major port for tours of the Great Barrier reef as well as four wheel drive tours further north into the Daintree rainforest and along the unsealed roads past Cape Tribulation.

We spent just about a week here, mom, sam and I. The town itself is not much to speak of, I would guess it to have the highest population of shops selling tours in maybe the world and tons of tourists to match. There was a nice boardwalk along the mangroves (there isn't a swimable beach here), a concrete and sand swimming area to cool off in, some wicked large yaghts in the harbour and buskers on the mainstreet. Oh and bats, tons of large bats in the massive trees that are scattered among the city core.

Generally it seems the draw of Cairns is what you can do around Cairns.

We took a day trip with Ocean Freedom out to a section of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) for some snorkeling and SCUBA. I'd never been snorkeling in tropical waters before and this completely impressed me. Tons of fish, really big torso sized fish in all colours of the rainbow, massive growths of coral in colour from bright blue to yellow to black to red, stingrays, big schools of little fish, fat two foot long sea cucumbers and starfish. To top it all off on our second snorkling excursion we saw a baby reef shark. I was very impressed to say the least.

I managed to get 2 dives in, although I do have my NAUI open water certification it had been about ten years since my last SCUBA. I was pumped that they let me go for it and happy that I slipped right back into being a ocean astronaut quite easily. On our way back to shore from the reef we got our first glimpse of whales breaching in the distance.

A couples day later we took a trip to Kuranda, a little hippy town in the hills just north of Cairns. There are three ways to get here. First, driving up the windy road. Second, old fashioned restored train. Third, by gondola right up over the surrounding rainforest. We opted to take the second and third options. The gondola provided spectacular views of the rainforest and surrounding countryside as well as waterfalls running through the center of the park. A stop half way up to change gondolas allowed for a small scenic walk and lookout.

Kuranda itself was fairly tourist oriented but quite cute at the same time. There is one main street with shops selling icecream, jewellery, artwork and the usual souviner fare. The fun up here lies in the sanctuaries, butterfly, bird and koala sanctuaries to be exact. The butterfly and bird sanctuary were best described as open habitats where residents and guest were open to roam quite free and interact. The birds were very friendly looking for treats from the bags of seeds and crackers we purchased for a couple dollars on entering. My favorite was a little owl who sat just outside the entrance looking like a furbie and eating grubs.

We passed on the butterfly sanctuary and went right on the the koalas. This was more of a zoo like setting but all the fences were low and we were free to wander amongst the kangaroos and wallibies. We paid the 15 extra dollars for a picture with a koala. The most lovely thing in the world I have to say. Lazy, soft and smelling like eycaliptus I instantly fell in love. Lizards, fresh water crocs and snakes were also on view here. The snakes I don't even have pictures of, I'm not normally that squimish, I can deal, but these snakes made me feel nauseaous, they were terrible.

From here we hurried to catch our train home. Its a super old school train with wooden seats that face each other. The views were spectacular as it travelled along side the water fall and river but I admittedly slept for most it. Overwhelmed I think by the happy koala experiance.

meh.... just a koala....

Kidding! I'm in love!

It wasn't long before kate arrived got over jet lagged incredibly fast and joined us on an excursion into the bottom end of the Daintree rainforest for some wicked natural icecream and stunning views of the coast.

Sadly it is here that I say goodbye to Mom and Sam as they head back to Canada, fall and eventually winter. Its all Kate and I now taking on Australia!

Ps. Elizabeth got here yesterday! wicked!

Pss. Xavier Rudd concert tomorrow!

Psss. epic surf conditions

Pssss. life is wicked

"what change will they see? What progress will we have made?"

2008-11-06T00:19:00.003+10:00

Its one of those moments that you read about in history books, except its happening now. It may not be my country, but it certainly feels like there has just been another shift in the path this world treads. Damn it that man can talk. Check out the bullet proof glass on the sides of the stage, creepy.

Random Awesomecatness.

2008-11-04T11:47:00.002+10:00

This cat is up there on my hero list. Had to share.

Thanks random person on Youtube.

This week in surf....

2008-11-03T14:12:00.006+10:00

Congrats to Bede Durbidge for nabbing the number one at the Hangloose Santa Catarina pro in Imbituba, Brazil. Durbidge beat Jeremy Flores 17.76 to 9.86 in the finals.

This win gets Durbidge the number two spot on the ASP tour heading into Pipeline Masters. Super stoked to be right behind Slater who has already secured his old buddy number one.

Taking a look at the current top ten after this event....

1. Kelly Slater
2.Bede Durbidge
3. Taj Burrow
4. Joel Parkinson
5. C.J. Hobgood
6. Adriano de Souza
7. Adrian Buchan
8. Mick Fanning
9. Bobby Martinez
10. Jeremy Flores

....looks like just a little shuffling of my fantasy surfer team will be in order before the Masters waiting period starts on December 8th.

HEY LADIES.......
The Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Ripcurl (thats a mouthful) is starting today (Nov. 3rd). Should be an exciting one. Current number one Sofia Mulanovich is out with an ankle injury. Among the competetors, Jessi Miley-Dyer is the only one who will frontside advantage at this lefthand point break. Actually, its the only left wave on the entire tour. There a quite a few talents who so far don't have enough points for requalification on the tour next year, among them Melanie Redman-Carr, Serina Brookes and Megan Abubo , with only 2 events left after Peru the pressure is on.
Happy coverage day, there is a web site and live video feed at www.beachbyte.com.br/eventos/mancora08

Super day with dash of shark.

2008-11-02T00:14:00.004+10:00

Admittedly, most days in Byron are pretty super. There are several beaches, lots of fun people, good eats and plenty of time and space to chill out. Its happy times all around. Earlier this week (honestly it could have been 2-5 days ago, my concept of time is completely shot) stepped it up a notch and made it self extra super.

The day began as so many do, early (ish) rise, some tasty granola, and a trip into the beach for a little surfy. I decided to head to "The Pass" a point break notorious for its 100+ summer crowds. I hadn't surfed here yet and randomly decided to check it out. Some lovely little waves and basically no people. Amazing. Got a great ride straight off the bat. It was all happy days.

After a couple hours my parking meter was running low and I was fretting that I may had possibly forgotten to put sunscreen on my forearms. While deciding what to do, the shouts of shark from those slightly deeper in the water made my decision for me, looks like its time to paddle in. Curious me, I asked the spotter how big it was, he said it was a bull, pointed to a 9 foot longboard and said 'longer than that', which he measured as it swam under him, about 3 feet wide, this was later confirmed by the surfer next to him. Yikes. I joined the crowd at beach lookout to confirm this large shark was indeed making a pass of the beach and then heading out to deeper waters.

I was more happy than freaked out. After weighing how close me and sharky had been without trouble I was really just stoked on the experience not ending in any sort of tragedy and throwing respect at the ocean and mr shark.

What better way to celebrate than going for a surf. I headed for the old faithful Wategos, I've seen several dolphins here and have yet to hear of the water being cleared for a shark even though Wategos is only half a km away from the pass. Dolphin territory is the way to go.

After another couple hours in the water here I got out to explore and found abandoned train track graffiti, before meeting up with Kate and Heather (fellow Canadian) on main beach for some fun swim and tan time. Ran into new friend/random hilarity from Boston, who commented that I looked like a 'Portuguese disco' noting that 'style is better than no style' (which was unnecessary as I took it as a complement). Kate, Boston and I jumped on an abandoned trampoline in the woods and had some sunset g and t's before getting dinner and making our first visit to the notorious backpackers bar 'Cheeky Monkey'. I have to say cheeky wasn't nearly as slimy as I had been imagining, I ate delicious pasta for 2$!!! and drank 8$ pitchers. That said, it was Wednesday, not wet t-shirt contest Friday.

Topping off an awesome day Kate and I managed to be home and in our beds by about 11pm.

Voila! Super day with a dash of shark.

heellllllllllloooooooo wwwhhhaaaaaalllleeeeeeeeee

2008-10-31T14:04:00.005+10:00

Hervey (pronounced Harvey) Bay, Queensland Australia. 4 adult humpbacks and one baby humpy. pee your pants awesome.

Soundtrack viewing action:

Discover Sigur Rós!

Please press play and proceed....

2008-10-30T20:31:00.006+10:00

Discover Dinah Washington!

that was some storm last week.

Happy times, just stolen from Meg's blog.

2008-10-28T22:02:00.004+10:00

Happy times............!
ups to the discovery channel for this one!

The world is a small place and all that....

2008-10-28T20:58:00.006+10:00

So the other day I was just minding my business driving home from a happy little surf at wategos. At one point in this coastal drive there is a stop light that tells you which direction the traffic is going at the moment, which is almost always the opposite from the direction I am trying to head. This part of the road has been reduced to one lane since the 'natural disaster' earlier in the year, not sure exactly what that disaster was, lets hope it doesn't happen again.

This day was no different than any other so as I waited for the light to change my eyes wandered around the scene in front of me. Lo and behold, right there at eye level a little star catches my eye, its none other than a sticker from Pura Vida Surf bar in Mimizan, France. Mimizan is a mere 1.5 hour drive from France surf hotspots Biarritz and Hossegor, but it might as well be on the moon as far as the beaten surf track goes. However I definitely had some good nights in this bar and some fun surfs with the owner chica Elles while I was in Mimizan for 5 months last summer.

Random days finding this obscure little reminder on the other side of the world and a testament to the power of stickers especially when in the hands of people who surf, snowboard, skateboard etc. we just seem to love stickers.

Byron Bay Australia circa now...

Mimizan, France circa 2007....

Byron...

Mimizan....

Byron.... Mimizan.....

SURFING AAAATLASS!!

2008-10-28T08:29:00.003+10:00

Surfing Atlas is a recently launched 300,000 Australian based website designed to give you all the details about the major surf spots in the world. Totally worth checking out, with google earth maps, full disclosure on water temps, tides, dangers, wave directions and locals, basically you name it its there. On top of all this the fellas at the Atlas have managed to get some sick photos from contributors like paul kennedy, Tim Mckenna and David Pu'u.

Only ten days after its official launch it seems as though the money has been well spent on something that is easy to use and nice to look at (cough). Time will tell how good the weather reports are, I have heard about secret naval information and I have high hopes. For those worried about the ramifications of not only another but an extremely well done site giving it all away, so far, surfing atlas has really only covered the major, Pipeline, Witch's Rock, Hossegor type places that everyone who has any idea is going to know anyways and want to surf or at least see. So there isn't much danger unless the 'submit your own' gets used to its full potential.

All in all its a great tool for some surf trip planning, looking at pics or checking out some interesting surf related articles. I'll get worried about the exposure levels when the little orange flags start popping up on the lakes.

Whatever the name Uluru or Ayers Rock... it speaks for itself.

2008-10-21T11:01:00.006+10:00

So maybe a brief explanation would be helpful.....

We flew from Perth to Alice Springs which for all effective purposes is the center of Australia. Not the Paris, London, Milan, Toronto(?) center of Australia, but the actual middle of the desert center of Australia. Its a small town with several art galleries, opal boutiques, some restaurants, hostels and a good size grocery store. Actually Alice Springs seems quite a cool little town, if you ignore the murmuring of substance abuse and other nasty things that can come with living in a remote outpost.

From here it was a 6 hour tour bus ride to Yulara and Ayers Rock. A three hour hike was squeezed in along the way at Kings Canyon, this would turn out to be just a taste of the wild landscapes that pop up in the seemingly uniform desert landscape. After circumventing the canyon we continued along the road stopping just in time to see the sunset and a tiny looking silhouette of Ayers Rock in the distance. I'm actually being quite accurate when I say 'the road'. The roads are so long and straight that a right turn is enough of a point of interest for the tour guide to point out. The last hour was navigated in the dark to the Uluru compound, a collection of tourist resorts and one (very busy) gas station. The accommodations ranged from thousand dollar a night spas to bunks in a power free cabin with swag rolls (basically big sleeping bag shells). We took the later and spent the rest of the night by a camp fire with fellow campers, marshmallows, a zillion stars and some birthday cake (what a way to bring in the old 2-5).

Five am wake-call got us to Ayers Rock just before sunrise, our tour guide put on some appropriately beautiful music as we approached this dark mass just as the sky was getting color. Single tear.

The sunrise viewing area was not short on other tourists unloading buses, waking up and gathering their senses in the cool desert morning. We wondered why we weren't seeing the sun rise from behind the rock, a little cranky and silly from the cold and lack of sleep and ready to get on with the day when in an instant the rising sun got to the right level and the whole rock changed from its dull rust color to a day-glo orange. Pow! The more I am in this country, the more my understanding of Australian Aboriginal beliefs in the land deepen. I can't imagine what it would be like to have walked across the desert to be confronted with this place standing on its own, no 'sunrise viewing area' signs, no buses, it would bring any sane person to their knees.

From sunrise we made our way along the walking path that surrounds Ayers Rocks, about a 2.5 hour walk in total, we were a little behind in time and had to jog a bit to cut it down to 2, still we were sure to take time to absorb the wild variations in the rock surface, observe the rules of the multiple sacred sites (mainly being no photographs) and appreciate it being a cool day in the desert. Tourist have the option of following a path to a couple points on top of Ayers rock, however this trail is closed about 80 percent of the time due to weather not to mention the sincere request of the area's Aboriginal groups not to attempt the climb as this is a traditional route reserved for young boys entering manhood. This request maybe more so because many people have been injured or killed meaning a necessary mourning period, ceremony and feeling of responsibility to the group.

After our morning at Ayers Rock we headed to Kata Tjuta or "The Olgas". The tallest of these dome shaped rocks is actually 200m higher than Uluru and our tour guide told us that this cropping of rocks is even more significant to the local groups, but because of this very little is known, sacred sites are not marked here and there are much fewer tourists about. The locals rights to these lands are taken seriously here and if there is a need to perform a ceremony they have the right to shut down the entire or parts of the national park. I didn't realize this before arriving and felt very thankful that after such a long journey I was able to see these wonders up close.

School of Surf vbs.tv, Why has it taken me so long to come across this?

2008-10-19T02:49:00.005+10:00

Filmed in Hermosa beach California, school surf teams are competing against each other to eventually win the Red Bull riders cup. Here's the "best part", not only do we get to see them compete but we get watch relationships unfold, family pressures build, possibly a little teenage hilarity and maybe a dash of angst. Not to be confused as just another Laguna, Real OC spin off or whats it called set in Hawaii, this sucker looks as though it may have some real grit, honesty and passion for surfing. To be honest I've only watched the trailer but its made me excited for a good Sunday surf/reality/drama marathon. Lucky me all the episodes are on VBS.tv. I've never really checked out VBS tv before but it happens to be chock full of really interesting and indepth docos made with endearingly entertaining/ name dropping/ hipster twists on everything from Bolivia, China and Iran to Ethan Fowler talking about his stint with veganism at age 14 , dropping out of school and being mentored by Ed Templeton.

Super tubes?!? I'm talking about super pit!! Our brief stint in Kalgoorlie....

2008-10-15T21:33:00.006+10:00

Unless I stumble into a time machine that is set to wild west I think Kalgoorlie is the closest I'll come to walking down the streets of a olde western town. Complete with full on brothels, skimpies (topless bartenders) and gold flowing like water from a behemoth mine. Actually its more than a mine, its a "Super Pit", how super you may wonder, its the biggest open cut mine in Oz and one of the biggest in the world measuring 3.5 kilometers by 1.5 kilometers and almost 400 meters deep . My brother was the first to point out, that we shouldn't get to excited about a big hole (mind you this is the boy who labeled Ayers Rock just a big rock), but frig, what appear to be tiny trucks working the mine can carry 225 tonnes of rock out of the pit in 35 mins like it ain't no thang. If there was ever a time to let go and marvel at the ability of man to move large amounts of dirt and operate heavy machinery this is certainly it.

Layne Beachley Classic!! Beaten by a 14 year old!

2008-10-14T18:29:00.007+10:00

Tyler Wright is the tiny 14 year old from New South Wales who beat out world champs, recently retired Layne Beachley and my WHOLE fantasy surfer team at Manly beach this year. After winning an international grom search title last year Wright is wasting no time and taking no prisoners as she takes the title of youngest winner of an ASP World Tour event.

Exciting times for the ladies, yet no live video feed, little to no photo albums, press? flashy websites? .....ok Wright did get a good amount of mention in the local and international press and I know its a male dominated sport but really, you'd think that would make women's surfing all the more enticing. What I'm trying to say is aside from them being super fit and wearing bikinis they all shred! who doesn't want to see more of that?

ps photo borrowed from LAtimes website

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2008-10-13T08:06:00.003+10:00

Thanksgiving is by far one of my favorite holidays, good food, good family times and changing leaves. Being in a foreign land that does not celebrate such a fantastic holiday this formula had to be altered slightly. We maintained the good food and home cooked an eff'en tasty meal complete with pumpkin pie. The changing leaves miiiiight have been one-upped by morning and pre-dinner surf sessions. Finally in a bizzare twist, a group of monks appeared walking down the highway and took a break at the bus stop across from our house. I'm not really sure where that fits in...but I know its worth the mention.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The waves grow as we head further west to witness 'hardly any swell' at Margaret River

2008-10-09T09:36:00.010+10:00

As we travelled further and further westward hugging the south coast as closely as we could the intermitent stops at ocean lookouts made it clear that the waves were only going to get bigger as we approached the south west section of coast line that Margaret river makes its home in the center of.

My anticipation rose as we got closer and closer to the motherland of big surf. After a gas station attendent in Augusta (a burly lumberjack looking man who was delicately making me a veggie sandwich) told me not to get too excited, there was 'no swell', I was feeling a little disappointed. He handed me a map with the coastlines surf spots marked on it. I guess the intimidation level of the waves here make the crowd issue less relevant thus maps of waves easy to get. I quickly set to highlighting all the classic spots I wanted to check out, from Gallows and Guillotine to The Farm and Bone Yards, swell or not. The report I had read was calling for 16 foot surf and rising. As we arrived to Margaret River mouth I quickly realized that this was just not considered a big day, but hey coming from a long flat summer every wave I saw was bigger than what I was used to and hell I'm not going surfing in 16 foot waves, not yet anyways.

Sadly the waning light and very real realization of the distance we still had to cover before our plane left from Perth the next morning meant that we were only able to marvel at a few large waves. The unsealed roads and necessary hikes also threw off the game plan, but I'm certain I will make it back in the next year to give the area a real one over.

South of Albany, Torrondirrup National Park......

The waves can get fierce and angry around these parts, that boulder weighing about a 100 tonnes was tossed up on shore by a single wave.

South of Demark, Ocean Beach provides another testament to beautiful waves and beaches with nary a soul in sight.

We've arrived, telling it like it is at Margaret River Mouth....

Note there is just one guy out, must be cause there is 'no swell' hey-sus!

Looking southward from the river mouth.....

There she blows, Smiths/Supertubes! pretty epic but sadly the disappearing day meant this was as close as I got.

Just north of tubes at Yallingup before we lost what sun there was....

Layne Beachley Classic!

2008-10-08T22:20:00.006+10:00

Just days after Mundaka, Slater's ninth world title and CJ Hobgood beating out Joel Parkinson in the last seconds of the final for a second time, its time for the girls to get some action. The Layne Beachley Classic is in waiting for the next 5 days off the shores of Sydney, Australia. Among the 17 competitors there is a mixture of this years consistent first places and a couple locals including Beachley who has yet to win her namesake competition.

Pretty excited to see who sets the bar this time round as the ladies compete for the biggest prize purse and most points on the women's circuit this year.

South of Kalgoorlie....

2008-10-08T10:21:00.006+10:00

Arriving to the coast just south of Kalgoorlie it was all small town, cows, the odd kangaroo and epic empty beaches. In mid August the south west of Australia certainly isn't hot but I'm told that the lack of people can only be partially attributed to the winter temperatures. Life is just quieter here compared to the bustling east coast. I'm not complaining. Its pure beauty and magic walking along beach after beach of pure white super fine sand while watching perfect emerald green waves crash set after set with only the company of my mom and little brother as far as the eye can see. Its pretty cool I have to say and totally worth wearing a hoodie and jeans for. Disregarding the temperature we (actually my mom) were unable to resist the call of the water and did manage a swim that was all in all much more pleasant than the few Canadian spring polar dips I've experienced. Its all westward from here to Margaret River......

2008-09-12T11:07:00.002+10:00

Before my heart explodes describing Super Tubes and the beauty that is the West coast of Australia I thought it important to toss up some pictures I took at my buddy Jamers shop. Geoff and James were working very hard this evening on the last stages of Geoff’s (now finished) amazing quad fish lake ripping machine. I tagged along to hang out and drink some beers before leaving on my grand voyage.
James makes sick surf boards, tried and tested in the lakes, Aussie waters and on our recent mind boggling trip to Costa Rica (which I know I have yet to show any photos from). More recently he’s also come up with mad scientist like long boards using his genius genes to combine all sorts of materials into bouncy solid boards.
Anyways James is super cool and Geoff is stoked to have other board with the FIVE logo on it. Who woulda thought, extremely well made AND progressive custom surfboards made in Ontario, Canada. Love it. www.fivesurfboards.com

W.A. ! what! what!

2008-08-18T21:20:00.004+10:00

Three flights and about 30 hours later I’ve seen the ocean, eaten an apple and am waiting on what will be my bed for the next couple nights listening to Ben Folds and waiting for my turn to take a much needed shower.

We are outside of Perth, in a beachy suburb called Cottesloe, it’s a small place but next to the one small grocery store there is a Louloulemon so we aren’t talking untouched by any means. I’m pretty excited, waves look good, there is surf to the South and the North of me. To top it off our hostel, Ocean View (named because it does in fact view the ocean) seems to have Michael Franti and Jack Johnson albums on constant loops, I love it.

Margaret River and all the legendary surf spots that surround it are so close I can feel the vibes pulsing up the coast line, however I’ll have to wait a few more days to see this energy in person when we take a road trip inland, then south and back up along the coast.

The atmosphere here is so obviously relaxed, the air is wet and smells like salt (a welcome relief as my nose had been suffering its first and longest nose bleed since I was 5 from breathing so much dry plane air), I’ve seen 3 people plodding along in bare feet (even in the grocery store), everyone says “HI” (or maybe I’m just really excited and say hi to everyone and they can’t refuse a return hello).

The temperature, probably my biggest stress thinking about this trip, is a balmy 21 degrees with a light cool breeze. Our couple hour stop over in Brisbane worried me, it was freezing…15 degrees with no sun IS freezing (I had jeans and a sweater and socks all scrunched between my toes because I refused to take my flipflops off). I feared arriving in Perth, even further north, on the beach because we were in Australia but wearing all our clothes and still freezing our asses off.

Its my turn to shower and eat some food (with a 12 hour time difference its breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?). Then probably try and get a good night sleep I’m so confused by the traveling and constant changing time I don’t know what I’ve eaten or how much I’ve slept, I just know its now 2 days from when we started this crazy journey. I’m just really excited for some surf action in the very near future!

P.s. If you know whats good for you check out the Mick Fanning video Lighting Strikes. Its all about his world title win. I watched on the flight over here. His very first ride gasp! it was so awesome.

A few photos taken so faa...

Hey-sus! The landscape from above is stunning and sometimes scarey, you can pretty much see the dream lines flying across the country, this is my only one but my bro got some great pics as I lost my window seat on the charge that I was "squandering it".

Brrrrr Brisbane airport, its as cold as it looks.

The good stuff starts....

Jack Johnson @ Burls Creek Park

2008-08-08T05:33:00.002+10:00

Its Jack Johnson, need I say more? I will... Mason Jennings opened for him! The crowd was was massive, 40,000 people massive, exiting the park then exiting the car park was horrendous, hours in deadlock horrendous, but Jack pulled off a amazing concert, great sounds and good vibes with ease. Perfect end to a wicked long weekend up north.

SUNCRASH-MUSIC FESTIVAL August 2nd Orillia, Ontario

2008-08-07T14:53:00.005+10:00

This is Suncrash. Its the second year for this one night camping festival and party held on the Saturday of the August long weekend on a family farm just out side Orillia. Its obvious the work that the amazing Kearey-Moreland family puts into this non-profit event in everything from the scandalously cheap food and beverage to the many stages and featuring killer Ontario acts to the super clean port-a-potty's.

The main stage featured acts like the ever popular locals Golden Dogs, Sadie May Crash (a sorta No Doubt circa Tragic Kingdom esque band) and Weyborne Project (dirty reggae beats) to just name a few. Each band did an incredible job getting the increasingly booze drenched crowd out of their seats and dancing.

For a chill time the Forest stage highlighted the acoustic styles of the many talented people floating through the few hundred attendees. Set in a overgrown apple orchard, complete with the need for 'watch for falling apples' signs, this small stage seemed to be designed to feel like a secret for those able to navigate the winding paths through the woods past a small pond and river. Not to worry if you couldn't find it on the first go however as there were plenty of willing guides amongst the many volunteers.

The night ended (or didn't) with a dance party tucked next pond, multi-coloured christmas lights were strung in the surrounding trees and a great camp fire provided a haven for those who didn't want the party to end but couldn't muster up a dance move. Always thinking of everything, the proper ingredients for smores could also be purchased for mere change. Aaamazing!

RipCurl Pro Search!!!!

2008-07-31T06:37:00.003+10:00

Rip Curl Pro Search Live web feed, Somewhere in .....INDO! Padang Padang is the consenses.

Day one has come to an end, Slater seems to have been running on his toes since J-bay and has taken the top score in round one. Like its a surprise. Parko and both the Irons boys are doing their best to give him some heat.

Can't wait to see more live feed and wicked lines over the next week.

Billabong Pro JBay....ON NOW!

2008-07-10T16:15:00.005+10:00

Wicked, the long long lines of Jeffery's bay are a reported 4 ft and nary a wind is blowing. The live trials are on this very second and the boys are all running for the finish line. Its early in the morning there since we are looking at about a 6 hour ahead time difference from Toronto to South Africa. The live video feed displays the beach, rocks, greenery, a bit of a grey sky and some half decent waves. Not amazing waves for this challenging break but waves none the less (remember I live on a lake).

With more than one past winner of this event, 45 full time pros and 4 wildcards the competition should be stiff. Watch legends and newbies alike make it look easy live for the next ten days at www.billabongpro.com .

Enlightened-Sports Photography Exhibition July 2-30 @ Steamwhistle Brewery

2008-07-04T04:41:00.009+10:00

Its sports photography, skate,surf,wake,climbing photography. After careful selection from well known and amateur photographers including, Dano Pendygrasse (photo editor of Future Snowboarding Magazine) , Jeremy Koreski (photo editor of SBC Surf) and Ryan Allan (local skateboard photographer). Selected photos have been displayed in 2'x3' light boxes along the walls of the Steam Whistle Brewery. The light boxes provide an awesome viewing experience by enhancing colours and contrast making impressive captures that much more dramatic.

Prints of each of the photographs are available for reasonable varying prices and the full light box set ups going for around 500 dollars.

This is the second year running and already the show has gathered a media buzz around it offering cash prizes to top photos and gaining sponsership from the surf giant Quiksilver among others.

The work is impressive, the admission is free, flip-flops or skate shoes are totally acceptable foot wear and its located downtown in a brewery. Totally worth popping in and taking a look before the month is out.

As an added bonus, surf inspired art work by Great Lake Native turned Hawaii local Christie Shinn is also on display. www.shinnoriginal.com

ROXY spokesmodel search.

2008-07-03T11:29:00.002+10:00

ROXY is on the hunt for a spokesmodel. To me this is a very exciting thing, I am learning more and more that the things that excite me do not exactly line up with the rest of the city's idea of exciting, proving once again that I don't really belong. Toronto was the only Canadian stop on the tour, an open casting call held at Boathouse, with a surprisingly small turn out of girls with the dream of representing ROXY on a global scale.

Alas, my name was not called as one of the three finalists, but dreams are not shattered yet.

In addition to the spokesmodel search ROXY is accepting video pitches to have your wildest dreams brought to life with a 10,000 dollar bonus from ROXY. The competition is going to be tough, check back for updates.

Great Lake Surfers Unite - Beer Night Sucess

2008-06-24T10:40:00.005+10:00

A great night was had by all at the Steam Whistle Brewery last Thursday. Local surfers and friends hooked up to party, watch vids and not feel guilty for chatting exclusively about surfing and/or surf related issues.

There were lots of good friends, familiar faces and new ones as well. VonZipper, Boardsports and Billabong hooked us up with some goods for silent auction and little sandwichs. James G. brought his custom built Five surfboards with him and showed off his newest long board creations, a raw carbon fiber deck and a deck with wood sandwiching a foam core, super fun light rides.

Everyone was very festive and many of us stayed until the staff were politely pushing us out the doors.

Great success, can't wait for some surf to stir up and to see everyone in the water again.

The room....

slowly filling at Steam Whistle Brewery, surf movies rocking, food to the left and sweet auction deals to the right.

Five boards and their creator James....

high quality local Toronto boards. I've seen his boards make the transition from lake Ontario to Pacific ocean with out missing a beat.

Robin of the wahine crew....

representing the freshy girls.

The many faces of Marston Clarke.....

who is a lovely guy for real.

Testing out the new Five carbonfiber longboard model....

way too much fun.

We love swag......

among many others I will not have to buy another bar of cold water wax for at least a few years/forever.

Team kills it....

spreading the love.

A brief flash of alumni nostelgia....

and the end of a great night.

sssssshhhhhh its a secret

2008-06-18T07:10:00.005+10:00

Oh what a perfect day of tropical storms, shifting blankets of fog and surf. Biking around Toronto is magic for finding secret places. Rolling through sand, mud, pavement and puddles I had a feeling that I should have brought a surf board even though the forecast was practically yelling flat.

The skies opened up. It took about ten minutes of wind, rain and rushing gutters before once dry feet were ankle deep in water.

The rain stopped as quickly as it started. We sat and watched micro waves crash perfectly into shore.

We ventured further to find out these micro waves had bigger rideable brothers crashing left and right around a small pier. I couldn't contain my joy at the sight.

Before too long a lanky red haired man sauntered up to us to tell us his story. We learned of a party boat that had come and gone a few more kilometers past us. I couldn't help but assume that he was just as pumped on the surf and very excitedly pointed it out to him. He thanked us in between his constant and almost alarming fits of laughter. I worried our seclusion might fast become our enemy, but we soon parted ways and were left with the waves, the fog and a feeling of disbelief.

OOO LA, summer concerts continue with THE KOOKS

2008-06-15T01:53:00.005+10:00

I did (do?) love the backstreet boys, but it would be a horrible miscommunication to saddle the young 20 somethings from Brighton into this category. The boys have kept the vibe going from their first album Inside in/Inside out (Virgin 2006). Their new album Konks (Virgin 2008) keeps the honest ballads flowing with the bands sweet British rock pop voices.

Much of the show was from Inside in/Inside Out which could be retitled happy (but kinda dark) sing along songs for the summer. Happy days for me having spent many a day and night on the seaside falling in love and listening to the Kooks amongst many other bands springing from the United Kingdom. These were the songs I knew and wanted to hear.

The crowd was a good mix of early to late 20 year olds. Referring back to my original BSB comment, it can be admitted that given the age of the band I was worried that I had somehow gotten into music geared toward a much younger demographic. To my relief, good tunes can be written at any age, based on my experiences on that crazy island I think its easy to grow up fast. Proof of this is lead singer Luke Pritchard who wrote the song "Naive" when he was 16 years old.

The sound was great, with every show the Kool Haus impresses me more and more, it definitely might have something to do with the new favorite viewing spot in front of the sound booth. The solo version of Seaside did it all for me. Video to come.

Summa Summa Summa Murda MIA @ SoundAcademy Toronto

2008-06-06T11:35:00.003+10:00

MIA Sound Academy June 3

Armed with multiple questionable wrist bands we rode our bikes to the docks. A coasting downhill ride along the lakeshore bike path, no waiting for buses or taxis, I highly recommend it.

We had been put on the guest list, yet another wrist band to add to the two old press passes we had taped to our wrist. The so called VIP area was pretty nice, no lineup at the bar, balcony over looking the lake and skyline, and birds eye view, but kinda boring compared to the swelling crowd below.

We headed downstairs to join the party. Grabbing a beer in the caged in area of the club the atmosphere of the audience was immediately evident. A group of girls danced around in circles telling friends they loved them, two other girls wearing mexican wrestling masks, a smattering of H and M and the obligatory wildly printed leggings a la MIA herself. In short, everyone was seriously ready for some silly dancing times.

Deciding to make a move we marched toward the front, wrist bands out camera up, after all we were there to take footage of the show. We were feeling mighty bold and didn't stop once we reached the side stage, marching ourselves straight pass some very puzzled security guards. Due to the fact that MIA is a international artist and not an emerging local band, our multi-coloured wrist bands didn't quite cut it. We were quickly surrounded by guards and gracefully backed off. We were pretty happy just to be near the front. However, it was quickly realized that the door located next to us led up to the DJ booth of the club. After missing our first chance fate blessed us with a second try, before I could even think about it I was inside the door and walking up the stairs. We were given what best compares to a frontrow opera house box seat view.

Cameras out we took photos with our feet up bopping around in place. Through the wild mixes, jamming crowd (on and off stage) and mad sparkles the music spoke for itself.

MIA finished the evening with the crowd favorite "Paper planes" leaving everyone buzzing and wanting more.

Globe Pro Fiji sickness!

2008-05-30T12:35:00.004+10:00

Cloudbreak, Fiji : photo Tom Servais/Globe

Because I'm still way to pumped about Costa Rica to write about it in a sane way heres a little heads up on the Globe Pro Fiji.

Heading into round 4 there are 16 of our favorite surfers including Slater, Fanning and the Hobgoods competing for glory. Surprisingly, we are already down one three time ASP world champ Andy Irons who was eliminated in round three by fellow Hawaiian Fred Patacchia.

'Wet your pants' barrels are the only currency as riders rip up wicked conditions at Cloudbreak and Restaurants. Regardless of standings the footage shows that buckets of sick rides are being caught all round.

Globe's website for the event is a smorgasboard of videos, live feed, photos and results ready to entertain you for hours, make you want to quit your day job and move somewhere beautiful.

Sooo check it out and I will try to get my thoughts, words and photos surrounding Costa together.

All Aboard for Costa Rica!

2008-04-17T04:10:00.004+10:00

The count down is over. After work tonight I will be grabbing my bags and heading to the airport. One surf board, clean and ready for some warm water wax, my trusty old Dakine Bag (9 years old and counting) and myself. I can't wait. Things are a little up in the air still but we have the important hookups and will be on a beach in Costa Rica by late afternoon. Everything lands in its right place.

Until my return.

Diva

An inspired musical daydream of a tour a.k.a. Matty Powell is back in town!

2008-04-11T16:46:00.005+10:00

First of all, April 11th @ Mitzi's Sister and April 23rd @ The Troubador, those are the only Toronto dates left of the tour. You must go.

Matty Powell left Toronto for Saskatoon to be wed, have babies and make music. He triumphed with all three. With his four part band Matty has travelled by Train playing music remincent of Dave Matthews, Train Track Folk songs and East Coast vibes every chance they get.

The Quartet consisting of Matty Powel on guitar and vocal; Gillian Snider on Accordian and vocal; Ryan Spracken on fiddel (go suzuki method) and Joey Laurer on Banjo and vocals. Named "The Great Train Reverie" (Merriam-Webster: 1. Daydream 2. The condition of being lost in thought) the quartet is playing not only bars but house parties and food cars on trains. They are making their way to Halifax and playing again in Toronto before heading home.

Including coverage by the CBC you can check out the band at www.mattypowell.com, adding them to myspace (www.myspace.com/mattypowell) or joining the facebook group "The Great Train Reverie".

Other dates include Montreal, Charlettetown, Mocton, Liverpool, Halifax, Wakefield and Ottawa between now and April 22nd.

-"Train Travel Fact:A train uses up to 70% less energy and causes up to 85% less air pollution when compared to a jet aircraft."

YAY, fun times in the 7mm

2008-04-08T13:37:00.004+10:00

Finally got to go out in the new suit. So happy. I was toasty warm all evening. Mind you my limbs were tired and sore from maneuvering it and getting the hood on seriously took me back to my birth, but by the end of the night it was feeling much more worked in than the beginning.

Waist high waves, shining sun, and a three person line up who could ask for more. I didn't take any photos, my whole effort surrounded getting into my new suit and then taking advantage of it.

Granted it wasn't the best of the best conditions but it was very fun, a new spot to me at Abay and some good people. There is something so great about being able to walk to the line up.

Oh and did I mention Costa Rica is a mere nine days away!

Its the First Monday of the Month!

2008-04-08T01:28:00.005+10:00

So the east wind has been blowing all night, and everybody seems to be saying there are no waves anywhere. Its a sad day. I dreamt about surf all last night.

All is not lost however. This first monday of April also happens to be like the first monday of the past 2 months and "Sit on it" is on!

Sit on it is a live sitcom based around a group of people working in the office of an internet porn site. Think SCTV but in 2008. Very silly, but well scripted, well cast and really well lit I might add. Hilarity ensues.

To keep you current, last month the cast was exposed to Two girls one cup and struggled with bring your kids to work day, scratch that, make it bring kid to work day.

Catch the show tonight at 8 sharp, the first street south of King at Bathhurst right behind the Banknote, the first alley on the left and then the last door. It sounds sketchy I know but it really isn't. Just make sure you skip past the opium den and brothel , or not?

Cover is pay what you can, probably 5 dollars and refreshments are served at a super reasonable price. Although there is lots of seating it fills up pretty fast so get there early to get a seat, there isn't a bad seat in the house, but there are definitely better seats. Hope to see you there.

Drift Magazine

2008-04-05T19:15:00.004+10:00

A print magazine has finally been released to complement www.driftmagazine.co.uk. The fellas at Drift sent me some shots of thier new mag. It looks pretty sick with lots of big photo spreads to tack to your bathroom walls. Not unlike those who surf the lakes it takes a certain level of passion and insanity to be a surfer in the UK. Worth a checking out.

Xavier Rudd, a memoire of January's Music Hall Show

2008-03-29T15:24:00.003+10:00

I just can't get enough of this bear-like man with his sun streaked self cut blond hair. I'm not in love with him in romantic sorta way, I just think his sound and energy are awesome.

He finally came back to Toronto, doing an amazing 3 day stint at the Danforth Music Hall. Celebrating the release of his new album 'White Moth'.

He's always in bare feet and his hands are constantly in a prayer position pointing at the crowd. The show is a group of all ages, sizes, shapes, hairstyles and walks of life cheers. I went on a Sunday night. The energy was totally strong but chill, seems this show was the icing on a lot of people's weekends.

Xavier's spot is behind his instruments. An impressive set comprised of 3 Yadakis, several hand drums, stomp box, chimes, cymbals, a massive gong and a line up of guitars.

The vibrating drone of the Yadaki fills the room, the crowd starts moving and despite the no smoking regulations a smell of Canada's home grown slowly wafts through the air. His stage setup brings us images of our planet, the ocean and the earth projected onto a screen at the back of the stage. At this show there is a special guest on another drum set beside him. A change from his usual solo performance.

Hailing from southern Australia Xavier Rudd brings more than a feel good surf vibe with him wherever he tours. His shows are about awareness, about caring for each other and the planet. Not only do his lyrics rip melancholy, energy and happiness they also carry strong messages about caring for each other, our planet and ourselves.

As a not so regular one-man band, Xavier is no doubt musically talented. His skill on the Yadaki (also know as the Didgeridoo) is owed respect. The instrument is the work of termites boring a chamber down the length of a young tree. A wooden trumpet if you will. Air is pushed though the Yadaki continually using a technique called circular breathing. When played correctly it is easy to believe that these deep core-shaking vibrations are in fact an extension of the person playing it.

Hanging above the stage is the red, yellow and black flag that represents Aboriginal Australians. This flag has been a constant at his 10 shows that I've seen over the past 5 years; he is one of many who recognize the mistreatment and abuse of Australia's original people. Flying next to it is the skull and trident flag of ocean activists Sea Shepherd. While Xavier's music is full of happy energy, there is a strong sense of responsibility.

Big ups to Xavier's roadie rocking out on the banjo. Maybe it was just me, but I've never seen him do anything but tune the guitars and have a few laughs. It seemed to be a really special moment.
Rudd's live shows are addictive. Its the over powering feeling of joy that I can do anything and make any change I want in the world.

Test the Nation-Extreme Edition

2008-03-29T04:33:00.003+10:00

Test the Nation Extreme edition is taping today! Come cheer us on!

"Hello Extreme Athletes!

We're really looking forward to having you take part in "Test the
Nation: Sports" on Friday, and wanted to invite your friends and family
to share in the excitement through NTN/Buzztime interactive
entertainment.

We have a Test the Nation correspondent chatting with people on-air at
the bar and demonstrating how the game works through Buzztime technology
LIVE at the Harbour Grille Sports Bar, at 10 Yonge Street. Please find
their website and a MapQuest link with directions below.

http://www.harboursportsgrille.com/

http://www.mapquest.ca/maps/10+Yonge+Street+Toronto+ON+M5E/

Please invite your friends and family to watch you LIVE via satellite,
before the broadcast of the show on CBC Television (we'll have the
official broadcast date for you very soon)."

A Little Shark Humour.

2008-03-26T15:33:00.003+10:00

I love, fear and respect sharks. For example I would never eat a shark by default giving it permission to eat me. Still I can't resist a little shark humour. Like these for example, take that sharks.

All the bicycles will be made of gold and silver and there will be surf on the lake

2008-03-26T15:10:00.008+10:00

The message on my voice mail was something along the lines of a very excited "its snowing and shitty out so there might be surf! ". I wasn't out surfing (sadly my fabled $80.00 wetsuit had not arrived yet) but I totally wanted to tough out the weather to take some photos and get stoked.

"Weather" it doesn't sound very extreme, but standing out on the point with the wind howling at 30mph, and rain/snow pealting at me from the side it felt extreme. As I was running back to more sheltered surroundings I hoped that this would be the closest I ever come to war. My umbrella wrapped around me by the wind and a deafening rat-ta-ta-tat sound of the sideways rain against it. Lets just say I was running with feeling.

The waves looked awesome and the guys ripped it. Clean glassy faces despite the foul weather. The lakes are a weird place, its like opposite land from the ocean, at least as far as the good weather and wave quality ratio goes.

There were at least 10 guys out over the afternoon. Plus two cameras (myself included) and one video camera getting the whole thing down. All these guys trekked not only through the weather but through the ice, water, mud and copious amounts of goose shit. Dedication with a capital D.

On a very exciting side note, my new suit is now here, all 7mm of it. I can't wait to be sweating while catching some waves in our icy lake.

My Night with THE Iron Maiden

2008-03-21T16:22:00.011+10:00

You might not believe me. I barely believe myself. On Sunday March 17th at approximately 9:30 pm I was on stage with Iron Maiden. Not just on stage but on stage in front of a sold out Air Canada Center audience. Granted it was only for a few seconds, but it was still pretty awesome. I have to say it was a night to remember.

   After a missed call followed by a text saying "call me now." My amazing friend Deb was asking/telling me I was going to see Iron Maiden. Now to be completely honest, before this night I could not name a single IM song but, I knew they were legends and that this was something I needed to experiance.

   I hopped in the first cab I saw to meet deb and three of the four English gentlemen that would be our guardians for the evening. Deb had been serving these gentlemen in the late afternoon. Being the charming, beautiful and genuine person that she is, these men truly wanted to show her and her friend (being me) the rock show of their lives. I can't say I wasn't a bit weary, I wasn't willing to pay anything in anyway to see the show, but I do trust Deb's judgement and quickly realized for myself that these guys were nothing but gentlemen and rightfully believed that the IM put on a legendary live show.

   By the time were cramming three English men and two Canadian girls into a cab were were all pretty comfortable with each other. Our escorts were the go-ahead to travel through the ACC's underbelly. It was here that we received our yellow VIP stickers and were declared "Iron Maidens". We also got to meet some of the crew and get just a glimpse of the amount of work that goes into put on a show of such caliber.

   This was the last stop on a world tour that not only went around the world but up and down it as well. Flying (on occasion by pilot by day front man Bruce Dickinson) they made 23 stops in places from Mumbai, India to Japan, Australia and Chili. Toronto was the only Canadian stop. Using a majority of their own equipment packed into the back third of the plane the entire tour had reportedly gone off without a hitch. No late shows, no lost gear. As the last stop on this world wide jet ride Toronto was time to give it all. Admittedly, I screamed my face off the entire time.

   Entering from the backdoor the concrete hallways turned into carpeted floors then sounds boards lined the walls and finally opened up to the entirety of the 19,800 seat ACC as seen from stage left. Awestruck. Floor to ceiling seats of people cheering and chanting for Maiden, wearing Maiden and drinking $7.00 beers but not caring because they were seeing Maiden.

   We headed to a clear spot just behind the sound booth. From here we were able to take in the entire set and feel the energy of the surroundings. Intense. The stage stretched the width of the floor, the backdrop a giant skull sphynx and we were given promises of pyrotechnics.

   Before we knew it the lights were down, the crowd was roaring and sounds of airplanes filled the room. On either side of the stage a giant screen gave the audience a video recap of the amazing journey that the band and crew had taken so far. The volume increased and just as its breaking point was about to be reached the notably original Iron Maiden burst on to stage. Some how the volume increased.

   We grabbed Deb's completely stoked little bother and friend from the stands and headed up front. Tucked next to the bouncers between the stage and the crowd. I had to restrain myself from reaching out and stealing Yanik' white reebok hightops.

   In there somewhere were those unforgettable seconds that we were on stage for. The IM fan club runs a contest for its members, the winners get to run on stage and help with a song during the show in their respective city. Our amazing escorts got us in on this. We were both terrified. Both our eyes had been opened to how hard Iron Maiden rocks however neither of us knew a song let alone could sing one. I admittedly had visions of being booed of stage by thousands of longtime fans but still couldn't resist. To our relief we had may be 20 other people with us, we rocked as hard as we could and did manage to sing along a bit. I also made sure to take a moment to breath in the feeling of being on stage in front of that many people as it is looking unlikely I will ever be in a metal band, let alone "performing" with one to such a big audience.

   The rest of the show rocked hard, we returned to our spot behind the sound boo as the last couple encore songs were played and danced to Monty Python's "Always look on the Bright side" as the fans exited around us.

We said out goodbyes and we on our way to the exit when another one of the guys who we hadn't seen since earlier in the night scooped us up and brought us back to reunite with our old chums. Deb and I were riding the high that comes with going to an amazing show and were planning to go out anywhere, in the end it was decided that we ought to go to the after-party, it was the last night of the tour.

   We drank and ate and chatted for the rest of the night. Everyone got a least a teeny bit silly and we got to meet some really amazing people. Noting Richie and Randy from Lauren Harris's band (Steve Harris's daughter and opener for the tour) both had some of the greatest hair I think I might ever see in my life, actually all the guys had amazing hair.

The biggest thankyou I could ever imagine to our guys that made this happen. You are truly legends.

Surf Wise the Film

2008-03-21T05:12:00.003+10:00

Its a surf film. In 1956 Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz left his life as a doctor. He packed his wife and 9 kids into a 24 foot camper and turned their lives into an endless surf safari.

It comes to theaters on May 9th. I can't wait, the trailer alone makes my heart beat faster with over whelming desire to have the same journey.

www.surfwisefilm.com

PARTY WAVE!

2008-03-16T00:12:00.009+10:00

March 13th 2008

Another day of "surfing" also known as, the water is still way to cold for me to think about much more than how much it stings.

Labeled "Party Wave" on the Origin website (www.originsurf.ca) the turn out was not as large as expected. Four surfers and two body boarders, not exactly 100 surfers one wave, but the conditions didn't exactly warrant that either. Pretty messy with very short periods and some funky currents that said the air temperature was nice, definitely warmer than the water.

My new excel 5mm booties (a merry Christmas from my little bro) were killer. My feet were toasty the whole time. My core not so much due to the small holes that seem to have formed in my suit's well worn armpits. I'm super stoked to have a brand new O'Neill 7mm in the mail. Just over a 100 dollars with taxes and shipping from www.sierratradingpost.com.

So I stand by the statement that I did catch a couple wee waves from the re-form. Honestly the thought of having to duck dive even once stopped me from making any sort of real effort to the actual lineup (somewhat pathetic reasoning but totally honest). Spring can't come soon enough for me, I can't wait to sweat my "balls" off in that 7mm. Once again regardless of my skills or seeming lack there of I'm still so pumped to have been out in the water.

Costa is going to feel so good! T-34 days! Yea!!

Its January and we're surfing on Lake Ontario

2008-03-13T13:16:00.004+10:00

I use the title term "we're" lightly. I spent maybe 45 minutes in the water this time. This was nothing compared to the time many of the others spent. I heard times of over 4 hours. My little 4:3 wetsuit with detached hood was just not sufficient gear to keep warm. The air temperature alone hovering around zero. I was awesome, may I repeat, SO awesome to see so many guys out in the water in January. The crowd peaking at 12 riders.

There really is nothing like that first splash of cold water in your face, expect for maybe the second, third and forth. Just getting my body in motion and reaching the line up felt like an accomplishment. For me it was just a couple kinda, o.k., decent waves and I was done. I was super stoked to me in the water but I could feel my body going Walt Disney (you know frozen? bad joke? too soon?) way to quickly.

Afterwards a water-cooler of hot water down the wetsuit was just the trick to bring my body, more urgently my hands back from the brink.

There is a crew out shredding Lake Ontario and the rest of the Great Lakes every possible day, I'm so proud but kinda jealous until I can get back out there to. The bottom-line is I was and am so happy every time I get out, the proper winter suit fund has been spent on a ticket to Costa Rica and spring is just around the corner.