$4 or $2 jugs at the vic 12.00 closing
whats was the place downstairs on murray alberts taverns?

My story goes..
A couple of mates decided to go exploring in Febuary 1977, which seemed a bit odd to me because Feb is the hottest and flattest month of the year around here, anyhow they were lucky enough to end up around Gnaraloo at the same time a cyclone was forming creating a bit of swell and got to surf a head-high left that they thought had potential.

Me mate and i went to have a look in May '77 at the start of the swells, after visiting the homestead and getting the go ahead to look for surf from the station owner we decided to set up camp at a spot that looked a ok setup, no swell so went for a dive to get food.

Out of my dairy......edited


25th May 1977
Today woke up to look out tent and see dolphins surfing right hander, swell 2'-4'looks more consistant than yesterday, wind offshore moderate.

26th
Waves perfect 4'-6' can't belive it 200+yrds long rides, long sections unreal tubes, 3 surfs today could hardly move when we came in, dolphins still surfing, so much activity in the water it's unbelievable dolphins, turtles, manta rays, sea snakes, mackerel, whales, swell still picking up, tide has so much to do with this place, swell lines are perfect offshore all day. 3 breaks, other two prob 8'and heavy, right hander getting bigger good sign for tomorrow.

27th
Dolphins still surfing, big whales, waves perfect 6+'went out twice second time was unreal big long walls, take off in one place ride through the suck..heavy wipeouts good tubes long rides came in when i couldn't paddle anymore sat on beach and watched unreal spitting out barrels at other lefts, 8'+, super super hollow, if swell drops tomorrow might head to Red Bluff (offshore all day here)

28th
Well there are smaller inconsistent waves decide to go to Red Bluff
Climbed up the top then down again (phew) went for a dive, small waves but it looks as though it could get good here, went for walk along beach and found lots of paper nautilus shells,

29th
Went to the drive in at Carnarvon and watched Ski Raiders and Enter The Dragon.

Best 10yrs of my life.

e0422713 said...

now phil ogden................ what a tube rider., 6' 9" single fin

Phil was back up there about 1 1/2 weeks ago..he has gone back home now.

thommo is a that a balinese paddy farmers hat in that photo? only way you had possession of one of those circa 77 was get one yourself or have a friend bring one back? enlighten us obi-wan !! or do i need to start a thread on early Ulu....
great shots ... cheers

Gnaraloo, not sure of the year, Coyote on a wave



Gnaraloo in 1986, used to drive out on the weekends from Carnarvon.

It used to get crowded sometimes when there were up to three of us sailing at one time, never saw more than that or anyone else (except for the odd lost person). You can see one guy on the wave in the background.








followed by

Certainly a long time after the pioneers but hAd two seasons 85-86 - I remember Bentley from Bunbury - sold him a PEnong 6'10" or 7foot thruster while I was there - the vicco terror squad - landed their car sideways across the track and couldnt move it after a return from the pub at Carnarvon - Ronnie and Hoges from Sydney getting washed out of the big cave in the middle of the night ina mega swell - and then getting washed out again two nights later - still got some great pics and memories of Jim Banks pulling into huge close out barrels at Gnaraloo centre peak and just popping out the back.

April-September 1985 in the "Adelaide Hills" what a blast

Can certainly vouch for the No bottom turns unless you like 1 foot thick lips in the back of the head, hold downs that seemed to last forever, sliced and diced feet getting smashed at hi tide trying to get up the cliff at the keyhole - and a few very pissey going away parties after a grog run to carnarvon.

No swellnet or MSW - just look listen to the radio weather and glance at a paper for the big fronts heading towards WA from the southern ocean

Seems like yesterday and it was 26 friggin years ago - and it was crowded as hell - especially when the KAlbarri crew headed up - got a bit heavy at times

I bet PI Paul is still out there picking off the wave of the set and never getting his hair wet

Nice memories - except for picking bananas in Carnarvon - bad memories of snakes and rats and ants and **** all money

I would oh so very badly love to have that book.

^^^ I'll suggest that to her tonight..
Good Idea....e0422713