2013 was bad, 2014 not much better, but I think 2015 was the worst year for Perth surfers ever??
Apart from the much hyped "Swell of the Century" which only lasted 2 days, and in my opinion was of a size that was commonplace 20 - 30 years ago, this year totally sucked.
This 2015 season I've only had I think 5 surfs. I live near the beach at Golden Bay, but usually surf South of Mandurah at mainly Hunchies, and occasionally Melros Boat Ramp, Blue Bay, and Gearies. I only bother checking those spots when the swell buoys
show a swell of over about 2.5 metres, as otherwise those spots don't even break. 2 of my surfs this year were at Blue Bay, which sometimes these years doesn't even break - so the swells we had were decent, but there was just so few of them.
This winter we had basically Summer like conditions, with no rain and strong easterlies, and hardly any cold front storm systems. Because of the lack of storms and onshores the beach break banks are the worst I've ever seen. Secret Harbour and Golden Bay didn't even have a channel this year until about a week ago when the souwesterlies kicked in.
I've lived here 16 years and never seen this phenomenon, and speaking to a local licensed fisherman who drives up and down the beach every day for the last 30 years - he's never seen it either.
The surf is so ****ing poor and rare these days that a lot of people have just given up.
My last surf at Hunchies I was out there by myself, and my previous surf at Blue Bay about 2 months earlier I shared with only one other person. Recent years shark attacks aren't helping either.
I still check out my local break (Secret Harbour) any time I think there's a chance to get wet, but nothing there has much excited me in years. About 200 guys fighting over mainly closeouts. I haven't seen any decent shape there in years.
Speaking to other "old timers" shows I'm not alone in my thoughts. Lots of my compatriots have given up, and I don't blame them. I'm just lucky that my job is afternoon / evening, leaving mornings free if there is any surf. It's just too bad there usually isn't !!
I'm teaching my sons who are 7 and 9 to surf, but it's hard to get anywhere when you can't get a few days in a row to consolidate what you learn !!
So anyway, that's my whinge !!
If you're my vintage (I'm 54), no doubt you know what I'm talking about.
If you're a young guy then you're probably blissfully ignorant that the waist high sloppy shorebreak you shared with 100 people recently was "the best surf you've had in your life" !!