My trip to Torquay for a SUP.
Torquay is the surf capital of Australia and today I did the two hour drive from Melbourne to Torquay hoping to catch a few waves.
And also take my new car for a run.
I headed off in the dark..btw tomorrow is the first day of Winter..and I was soon looking at heaps of hot air balloons floating over the city.
It wasn't long before I had a beautiful sunrise in my rear view mirror.
You know you're getting close to Torquay when you see the Great Ocean Road sign.
Are we there yet?....Yeap.
I was a bit early for catching up with my friends so I took a few pictures for those that have never been here..Quicksilver was my first stop.
Then the big Rip Curl shop.
Also Billabong and the Oakley shop.
The Strapper shop is just across the road from Rip curl.
There are heaps of factory outlets that offer real good discounts.
Everwhere you look there are surf shops and signs like this beauty.
Next stop was the main Torquay surf beach..and I guy telling me..You should'a been here earlier mate..the winds just picked up...BUGGER!!!
I watched a few sets come through..small..but still big enough for a good SUP session.
Next was Point Danger..where I was to catch up with my friends..I noticed this new Memorial that looked cool.
Point danger Torquay is a funny spot..the waves often come in from two directions that criss cross each other.
My friends and I check out the waves off the point and decide to go for it.
There was John and his Son Ryan..and Richard and Matt (a couple of locals)..and Revvin and myself..This is Richards 10'6" Naish and his fin set up.
The twin Naish boards waiting to get wet.
Revvin is already out there catching a few at a break called Mini-tubes.
I didn't take my waterproof case so I couldn't get any pics on the water..Sorry 'bout that..Matt was ripping on his 9'6" PSH and doing cut backs while leaning on his new Kialoa paddle...It was so good to be out there with these guys..I caught a nice size wave and I could see Revvin paddling hard to also catch it..I gave him room but he wiped out and while looking back at him I fell off myself.
Richard took a wipeout in front of me that also took his sunnies..Always wear a strap or float on your sunnies..I've also lost a few this way..Bummer..Ryan was also catching heaps and we swapped boards for a while so he could try my 10'6" Naish..He liked it..We had the place to ourselves..and there were waves for everyone.
After a while it started getting very shallow..I started to fall for no reason..I hate that..and it's a sign to give it a rest for a while..It was almost time to head off to get back for work anyway so we headed in.
All packed up and ready to leave..This is looking at Cosey corner..with Fisho's in the distance..how good is this weather for the last day of Autumn.
We decided to stop off at a nearby cafe for a coffee.
Ryno's had some great pictures on the walls inside.
While the others finished their coffee's I took a couple of pics of the shops nearby.
I had heard that Strapper has some PSH boards in and I had to check them out..I parked at the Rip Curl head office.
Nice..but not what I'm looking for.
Arrrrrr..Here is is..Come to me my precious..It's a nice little 10' diamond tail PSH board....Beautiful.
I then stopped off at Roxy.
Quicksilver again..sorry about my car getting in the way all the time.
Next was Macca's for a large frys and coke before hitting the road.
Almost home now looking at the city of Melbourne from the top of the West Gate bridge.
The bay even looks nice from up here.
Shame I have to go to work..Oh well..and that's about it..I hope you liked my pictures.
DJ
